I'LL FLY AWAY

By Marjorie Harrison

Every child dreams of what they want to do when they grow up. For Angelina Edwards, she always knew she wanted to be a nurse. But when tragedy strikes her sister’s family, Angelina’s life is suddenly thrust in a new and surprising direction. Her days are filled; juggling work, school and raising her beautiful niece alongside her sist

• Language: English
• Publisher: TOPLINK PUBLISHING, LLC
• Release date: Sep 28, 2018
• ISBN: 9781949804362

Marjorie Harrison

Marjorie A. Harrison was instilled with a passion for reading at a young age. Her love of the written word culminated in the writing of Coming Home, her first novel and its sequel, I'll Fly Away. She and her husband reside in West Greenwich, Rhode Island with their children

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I’ll fly away

Marjorie Harrison

Copyright © 2018 by Marjorie Harrison.

HARDBACK: 978-1-949804-35-5

PAPERBACK: 978-1-949804-34-8

EBOOK: 978-1-949804-36-2

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

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Printed in the United States of America

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

For Grandpa

You taught me the value of music when all else is lost.

And

For MY Mormor

You taught me what ‘in sickness and in health’ really means. Even though you are with the Lord, your legacy will live on through the generations.

For my parents

You taught me the importance of family, but more importantly, the importance of having Jesus in my life.

And always,

For Jon

You are continually teaching me how to be the best version of myself.

Legacy

Another Sunday family dinner

and the family has gathered around the table

Loud laughter and conversation is joined by good food

Around me, the sweet young faces of beloved

grandchildren turn to me

Eager eyes seeking mine, so full of love and devotion

Where could they have learned to look at me like that?

Another Saturday evening game night and my grown children and their friends have gathered around the table

Loud laughter and conversation is joined by good table games

Around me, the cherished faces of my beloved children turn to me

Eager eyes seeking mine, so full of love and devotion

Where could they have learned to look at me like that?

Another long cold rainy day ends in exhaustion slouched at the table

Gentle hands touch mine and a warming bowl of

homemade soup is set at the table

Next to me the loving face of my most loyal mate turns to me

Eager eyes seeking mine, so full of love and devotion

So now I understand where they learned to look at me like that!

Edward S. Colson

Colossians 3:23 NIV

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,

as working for the Lord, not for men.

Ephesians 6:6-7 NIV

Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men.

1 Corinthians 10:31

So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do,

do it all for the glory of God.

Colossians 3:17

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

I’ll Fly Away

I’ll fly away, oh glory, I’ll fly away

When I die, hallelujah by and by, I’ll fly away

Some bright morning when this life is over, I’ll fly away

To a land on God’s celestial shore, I’ll fly away

When the shadows of this life have grown, I’ll fly away

Like a bird from these prison walls, I’ll fly away

I’ll fly away, oh glory, I’ll fly away

When I die, hallelujah by and by, I’ll fly away

Oh how glad and happy when we meet, I’ll fly away

No more cold iron shackles on my feet, I’ll fly away

I’ll fly away, oh glory, I’ll fly away

When I die, hallelujah by and by, I’ll fly away

Just a few more weary days and then, I’ll fly away

To a land where joy will never end, I’ll fly away

I’ll fly away, oh glory, I’ll fly away

When I die, hallelujah by and by, I’ll fly away

Prologue

Angelina absolutely hated surprises; nothing gave her more stress than not knowing what was going on. Earlier that afternoon, her sister, Elizabeth, called saying she had something important to tell her.

What is it? Angelina had asked, excitedly.

I can’t tell you over the phone. It has to be in person.

Of all the ways to break news to her, that was the worst! Now, as she was driving to her sister’s house, Angelina’s mind was racing, thinking of all the possible reasons her sister needed to talk; each reason worse than the one before it.

Suddenly, a slow-moving car failed to see Angelina coming when they pulled out, causing Angelina to slam on her brakes, which successfully ended her needless brooding. The respite was brief. Before long, the combination of not traveling at an appropriate speed and trying to figure out her sister’s news made Angelina quite irritable.

Thankfully, at the next intersection, the car in front turned right, freeing up the road. It took all Angelina’s self-control not to go double the speed limit the rest of the way to make up for lost time.

Skidding only slightly into Elizabeth’s driveway, she quickly put her car into park and raced up to the front door; both eager and a little anxious to get inside. Angelina raised her hands to knock on the door, but her knuckles never even got close to the wood. For at that moment, the door opened, revealing Elizabeth who was grinning from ear to ear.

Since when does three thirty mean dinner time? Elizabeth asked, giving her sister an all too innocent look.

Angelina gave a very un-lady like snort. You knew I wouldn’t be able to wait till dinnertime! That’s why you worded it the way you did. Clasping her hands and putting on a high falsetto voice, she said, Angie would you like to come over for dinner tonight?

Yeah... Elizabeth replied, feigning ignorance and backing out of the way so her sister could make it through the door.

Wait, I’m not finished, Angelina said while striding through the front door with quite the show of theatrics. Clearing her throat grandly, she resumed speaking with the falsetto voice, Oh, and by the way, I have some exciting news for you when you get here.

Closing the front door behind them both, Elizabeth followed her sister into the living room. Well, I do have some news for you.

Ugh. The point is, don’t tell me you have news for me then say you’ll tell me later. You know I hate surprises!

Elizabeth gave a laugh. Well, I have known you for quite a while. Tormenting you is my right as the older sister.

Plopping down on the couch and sticking out her tongue, Angelina made herself look eight, instead of her actual age, eighteen. Whatever, she said, rolling her eyes. She began bouncing up and down on the couch, anxious energy preventing her from sitting still. So, come on, spill. What is the big surprise?

Elizabeth’s face once again took on the innocent look from before. Shouldn’t we get dinner started first? Heading towards the kitchen, she looked back over her shoulder, eyes twinkling.

A jack-in-the box had nothing on Angelina as she bounced up off the couch. Though, she sounded more like an advancing tiger rather than the beloved child’s toy.

Be-th, she said, her annoyance transforming the name into two syllables instead of one.

You’re going to be an auntie.

I knew it, I knew it, I knew it! Angelina chanted excitedly, dancing around the room. What else could it have been? Oh yay! Does Caleb know yet? Have you told mom and dad yet? When did you find out? How far along are you? When is the baby due? Are you having morning sickness? How are you…

Slow down, Angie. Good grief, one question at a time. No, I haven’t told mom or dad yet, and Caleb and I have a skype date tonight at 9:00. I wanted Caleb to know first, but I just couldn’t keep it in. I had to tell someone.

Angelina’s dancing stopped as she hugged her sister. But she couldn’t stay stationary for long. Soon after they broke apart, she began to bounce on the balls of her feet. Elizabeth just laughed, clearly not blaming Angelina. It was obvious Elizabeth felt the same way as her sister but was struggling to be the older, more sophisticated one.

Opening the fridge, she took out a bottle of juice, pouring herself a drink.

I missed my period a couple of weeks ago. I was pretty sure then, but the doctor just confirmed it this morning at my appointment.

Angelina managed to stop bouncing. Wrapping her arms tightly around herself, she rocked only slightly; her emotions unable to be completely snuffed out. This is so wonderful. Caleb will be so happy, and you just know that dad will be sappy and over the moon about it.

Mom will be too, Elizabeth said.

Well duh, replied Angelina, rolling her eyes at her sister. Of course, she’ll be happy. But you know how dad gets with babies, especially if it is a grandchild. He will be a complete blubber baby about it, you know he will.

Angelina watched her sister smile as she turned her attention inward for a moment. Placing her hands on her flat abdomen, Elizabeth’s eyes fixed on her stomach, clearly envisioning what it would feel like in a few months.

You’re right about dad. He does have a certain soft spot for babies. I wonder… she began but was interrupted by a knock on the door. Turning towards it in surprise, she looked back at Angelina who was still looking at the front door with a slight look of bewilderment on her face.

Are you expecting anyone else? Mom and dad maybe? Angelina asked.

No, Elizabeth said, confused. She headed toward the front door. They are having dinner with the Vaccaro’s tonight. I was planning on telling them tomorrow when we go out to breakfast.

Opening the door revealed two uniformed officers on her doorstep, looking somber.

Mrs. Keith? the older of the two officers asked, respectfully removing his hat.

Yes, Elizabeth said nervously, backing away from them.

May we come in? We have some difficult news for you.

No, she said quietly, firmly shaking her head. No, I don’t believe you, she denied, even though the officer hadn’t told her anything.

I’m sorry, Ma’am. Your husband Caleb died serving his country. He…

NO!!! Elizabeth wailed. NO!! He couldn’t have. You’re wrong. He’s supposed to be Skyping with me tonight. I have something important to tell him. He can’t be dead!

Grief crashed against Elizabeth like a wave pounding against the shore. Her body rocked with it, making her unable to stand. When her body sank slowly to the floor, the second officer, whose uniform said his name was Cote, rushed to kneel in front of her. He tried to put an arm around her, but she pushed his attempts to console her aside.

He’s going to be a daddy, she said, sobbing. We’re having a baby! He is going to be a dad. He can’t be gone. He’s not, she cried helplessly.

The news of her husband’s death created an unknown monster inside of Elizabeth. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, joining her tears. Then, as if they had a mind of their own, they began hitting the poor young officer in front of her. The sound of flesh hitting flesh sickened Angelina, but she couldn’t seem to look elsewhere.

Cote didn’t utter a sound of either pain or protest. He just let her vent her despair out on his chest for a few moments before gently grabbing her wrists and lowering her arms. This simple act of compassion caused Elizabeth’s wails to increase in volume.

Slowly, so as not to spook her again or invite the return of her fists, Cote moved his hands from her wrists, pulling her into an embrace. He quietly murmured his condolences to her while patting her back rhythmically.

Angelina hadn’t moved an inch since her sister opened the door. Caleb dead? She tried to shake her head to rid herself of the horrible news, but she couldn’t move. Caleb was dead? It couldn’t be. He was so young. He and Elizabeth had just celebrated their fourth anniversary a few months ago. They had their whole lives ahead of them. They’d had grand plans for their future. What was Elizabeth going to do now? He couldn’t be dead, he just couldn’t.

Brian, the officer who had spoken first, came towards her. Miss, are you ok?

Angelina felt a numbness spreading throughout her limbs. Once more, she tried to move her head, but the numbness had turned her into a living statue. She just stared blankly in front of her.

Tentatively, Brian touched her shoulder. Can I call someone for you?

Finding her voice at last, Angelina looked in the concerned face of Officer Brian.