Growing Pains

By Kiarra Julien

Growing Pains is short, but a very good read. It is a novella, that follows the life of a 20-year-old young adult named Camille Lawson, as she discovers she has to raise her newborn nephew when her sister dies suddenly. The path to raising Isaiah is a long and hard one, especially when they are both diagnosed with rare illnesses. It takes a look at the harsh reality that lets the reader know that sometimes life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. The story covers the different stages that they both must go through, and the emotional roller coaster that it sends them on. Isaiah struggles with never knowing his birth mom, but it is painful for Camille to talk about her deceased sister. Camille eventually accepts that this is their fate and that they must embrace it. The story follows their journey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kiarra Julien
• Release date: Nov 6, 2020

Book preview

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Prologue

Yes, Ms. Lawson, you have a question? Professor Tate is staring at me expectantly, and I feel my mouth go dry. I forgot what my question was going to be. I can barely think straight because a million thoughts are running through my head. I glance back down at the phone laid safely in my lap, hidden between my legs.

I’m sorry, but, uh, I need to leave professor. I’m not sure if that was the correct way to ask a college professor to leave the classroom, but it would have to due today. Professor Tate’s eyes are angry, and they turn to slits. I understand because I have interrupted his class lecture, in a classroom full of impatient students, who do not care about my wants or needs.

Ms. Lawson, do you care to share what is so important that you need to interrupt and leave during one of my class lectures? Professor Tate asks me in a clipped tone.

 I am now in the process of gathering up my books, and I stand up. After slinging my purse onto my shoulder, I pick up my phone and slid it into my back pocket. I look him in the eyes, and answer, My sister has just gone into labor. With that, I am out the door and rushing to the hospital. 

The hospital is crowded. I am stuck in the waiting room while Sharon is going into labor. I am not allowed to enter the labor room with her and the doctors. This disappoints me, and I demand to know why. A nurse tells me that the doctor does not want too many people in the room at once.

Who all is there now? I ask, Because I’m her sister!

Her husband, Mr… The nurse trails off as she glances at her clipboard.

Joseph is NOT her husband. I scoff angrily, "I’m surprised he’s even here!"

Well, ma’am, it’s the doctor’s orders, not mine. I’m sorry, but you’ll have to remain here in the waiting room.

I angrily huff but nod my understanding and watch the nurse walk off. The truth was, I really was surprised that the bastard had even shown up.