Running from memories: Lia, Book 1

By Gary Henderson

When Lia and her father sailed away to find a new life, a storm blew them to an unexpected new home.

Then a second time Lia found herself on the water, hunted and afraid, running from memories, seeking a new start.

But it was the third time when the waves finally carried her to the home she could not have dreamed was waiting for her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Young Reader's Library
• Release date: Aug 21, 2019
• ISBN: 9781937975296

Book preview

Copyrights

Running from memories

Book 1 in the series: Lia

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Copyright © 2019 Gary Henderson. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior written permission.

Cover painting: iStock.com/Pobytov

Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination.

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RNWC Media, LLC

PO Box 559

Pinehurst, TX 77362

RNWCMedia.com

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RNWC Media

RunningFromMemories.com

Imprint: RNWC Young Readers’ Library

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Running from memories / Gary Henderson – 1st ed.

Print version ISBN 978-1-937975-28-9

Electronic versions ISBN 978-1-937975-29-6

Dedication

To the One Who invites us to share in His creativity,

to those who love to read and love to write, to those who love The Oak and the Cliff,

and to the one who said, Yes.

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Thank you.

Preface

Welcome to Running from memories

Book 1 of the Lia series.

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When Lia and her father sailed away to find a new life, a storm blew them to an unexpected new home.

Then a second time Lia found herself on the water, hunted and afraid, running from memories, seeking a new start.

But it was the third time when the waves finally carried her to the home she could not have dreamed was waiting for her.

PART ONE

You Can Try

Daddy, what is that?

A boat, darling, to carry us across the ocean… when you are older.

Across the water, out there?

Yes.

She looked at the waves curling, foaming, and sweeping up onto the sand. How would they get past the breaking surf? Won’t the waves stop us?

Not at all, baby. Not at all. We would be past them in a moment, and out onto the wide, wide ocean.

Have you been there before?

Before you were born. Your mother and I loved to sail, and traveled far together.

She looked out at the blue skies and the distant water, trying to imagine what it would be like. After a few moments, she asked, Where would we go?

Away.

She looked at him. Away? Where was that? Away from what?

Away … from my memories.

Daddy, she laughed, you can’t get away from your memories! That’s silly!

He knelt down and gathered her into his arms. She did not resist, for it was her favorite place to be.

You can try, he whispered, and I need to try.

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The sun was just rising above the water on Lia’s fifteenth birthday when Harlan pushed the boat out past the first sandbar and pulled himself up over the side. Lia sat in the bow, looking eagerly forward, watching the gulls circle in their eternal search for a scrap of food tossed up by sailors. Harlan settled in the stern with the lines tight in the chocks, sails full, tacking south.

She came back to sit next to him. My stomach always feels funny at first.

He laughed. It does take some getting used to. Breathe deep, and look as far away as you can.

Then, he added, when we go back to the land, our legs feel funny, and we think the land is moving under us, just like we feel the waves moving now!

She looked at him, and his smile was contagious as he looked far across the water, in his mind seeing things she could not imagine. So much he knew, that she had only begun to learn. She stared at the far edge of the water, where it touched the sky. But where are we going, really?

To a new life, together, just you and I. Wherever the winds take us.

She pushed up against him and put her arm around his waist. She looked up at his face. He seemed full of hope, and happier than she had seen him in a long time. She tried to picture what wherever might look like, but nothing came to mind. And her stomach still felt funny.

Daddy, did you and Mommy always know each other?

Invitation to Sail

Harlan raced around the oak on the final curve, running well ahead of the others, and could see the men standing on each side of the running path with the yellow flags marking the end of the race. He strained, and added just a little more speed. The others were exhausted, he knew, and he had just a little more to give himself, but it would be enough.

With barely 50 yards to go, he felt someone coming up close behind , just past his left elbow. A quick glance told him it was Solen, his closest friend and closest competitor. No one else could catch him now, but Solen might. He focused on the flags, and ran like he had never run before, pouring every last bit of strength and energy into the final steps. Solen matched his stride, but faltered just a step, and Harlan fell across the line a pace ahead, without the ability to run another step. Solen sprawled beside him, and they rolled over, lying face up, like dead men.

The crowds around the circular track erupted in cheers and applause, and hands grabbed them and pulled them out of the way of the remaining runners bearing down on the line between the flags.

Harlan lifted himself up to see, and watched the others pour across the line, a full twenty strides and more behind him and Solen. He looked to his side, and Solen lay there breathing hard, staring at the bright blue sky.

Almost, Harlan! Almost. Just a step, and I would have had you!

You were close, my friend, you were! gasped Harlan. But I could not let you win, or you would crow til your final days about beating me to the line!

Solen laughed. I would have, I would indeed. Have I ever beaten you?

We were six. And I promised myself it would never happen again!

Solen groaned. What was the time, the place? I don’t even remember! My only victory, and I can’t even bring it to mind!

Across the meadow, above your home. From the creek, across the meadow, down the stone fence, and through the gate. The first time.

And after that, you must have beaten me every time, because all I ever remember is your back!

Harlan! cried a voice behind him, and he turned his head to see Solen’s sister Marla, and someone with her. Harlan, that was magnificent! Only slightly more magnificent than my brother, of course, but wonderful! What a pair of heroes you are!

Harlan struggled to his feet and bowed to them. The other standing beside Marla caught his eye, and he suddenly could not look away.

Mirelle, this is Harlan, our good friend, and hero on the sports field as well as on the field of battle. Harlan… Mirelle, a cousin long gone, and just now returned home.

He bowed again. My .. my pleasure.

She nodded in return. A race well run, Harlan. It seemed to me there was a determination to not let Solen catch you, and perhaps especially Solen?

He laughed, and Solen rose from the ground to stand beside them. Mirelle, he has never let me past, ever, that I recall. I must have offended him greatly in our first footrace as children, and he has never forgotten!

Harlan blushed, and ducked his head. Mirelle laughed. Well, come, gentlemen, and join us for a meal in celebration of your victory over the field! We have breads, cheese, wine, and some hot soup waiting, and the family will join us when they can escape the crowd.

Harlan! came a loud cry from the center of the sports field. Solen! We await you both!

Your pardon, ladies … we have ribbons to collect, said Solen, and took Harlan by the arm. Mine will be red, and his … of course … blue. Again! Harlan nodded again to the ladies, and his eyes lingered on Mirelle as Solen pulled him away. She waved goodbye, and smiled back. It was a smile he never forgot.

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Harlan took a seat on the ground next to Solen, so he could look across the blanket spread with food and drink, and smile at Mirelle. She nodded to him, and smiled back.

You have been gone long, Mirelle? Were you born here, then?

Yes, and I had met Solen only once before today, so I already know you almost as well as I know my cousin!

We played together as very young children, before Solen was born, said Solen’s sister, and we’ve hardly seen each other since. But now she’s back!"

What will you be doing, if I may ask? said Harlan.

Teaching music, I suppose, unless something else comes into my path.

Have you lived near the water? Or in the mountains?

On the shore, my whole life. I love to swim, and fish, and sail.

But Solen’s family is not much for the water, I think, said Harlan, winking at Solen. Perhaps I could offer you some time on the water?

I would love it! she exclaimed. I feared I was giving up that life, by coming back home. Do you have a craft?

"At sunrise tomorrow, I will introduce you.