Into the Fire

By Denise Bartlett

When a family works together to make a home and a life that works, the challenge of relationships and just getting along can be enough. The Allens live in the same household about half the year, with Dad making appearances when professional football season is off. Four teens and their mom work as a unit until tragedy forces them Into the Fire.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gypsy Shadow Publishing
• Release date: Mar 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9781619504363

Denise Bartlett

Denise Bartlett began writing short stories when she was nine. Pen and paper gave way to word processors and typing, printing, reading and perfecting. A dreamer, she has always searched for deeper meaning and more vivid experiences in her everyday life. From hypnosis, training with mystics and spiritual people of many walks to tax preparation and gardening, her interests vary widely. The thread that runs through her life is imagination. Denise has written a variety of poetry, short stories and novelettes, as well as columns and articles on gardening and income taxes.

Book preview

Contents

Copyright Page

Dedication

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Excerpt from Through the Flames

About the Author

Into the Fire

by Denise Bartlett

All rights reserved

Copyright © March 2010, Denise Bartlett

Cover Art Copyright © 2010, Charlotte Holley

Gypsy Shadow Publishing

Lockhart, TX 78644

www.gypsyshadow.com

Names, characters and incidents depicted in this eBook are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

No part of this eBook may be reproduced or shared by any electronic or mechanical means, including but not limited to printing, file sharing, and email, without prior written permission from Gypsy Shadow Publishing.

ISBN: 978-1-61950-436-3

Published in the United States of America

First eBook Edition: April 5, 2010

Dedication

To the authors of Gypsy Shadow Publishing,

who share my love of the written word.

Prologue

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee;

and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee:

when thou walkest through fire,

thou shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

―Isaiah 43:2

Note from Craig:

Never have liked that verse. My brother Larry found it and wanted it placed here at the front of the book, to show what he believes—something about God never challenging you with more than He thinks you can take and sticking with you step by step to go through it. I say maybe the fire doesn’t burn you to a crisp, but some of the scars from it will never heal. Never.

Name’s Craig. RCA3. My dad is RCA2; he goes by the first name, Robert. I’m a rock climber, a boxer and I play wide-receiver, short stop and computer games. My sixteenth year was the beginning of the worst three years of my life—the time when we all went into the proverbial fire, but all that comes much later. I’d like to introduce my family.

My mom is your basic amazing woman. She still looks young, even with four teenagers in the house. She tries to keep the peace and negotiate treaties for what her kids want in a household run by Dad, a professional football player. Take a look.

Chapter One—Plans

Late Spring

Mom! Do you know where my silver belt buckle is? Craig strode into the bright yellow and white Sunflower-designed kitchen. His tanned feet were bare and he wore only the new tailored black denim pants he’d bought to wear to the rodeo that evening. In his left hand, he held a length of hand-tooled black leather from which the buckle was noticeably missing. The snap… snap… snap… that accompanied his entrance came from the riveted fastener on one end as he opened and closed it.

Suzanne looked up from the pan of okra she was frying for lunch and a youthful giggle escaped her lips at the sight of her half-dressed fifteen-year-old son. When she spoke, her voice took on a loving lilt, Honey, if you would just leave the buckle on there, you wouldn’t have to search the house when you wanted it.

She carefully scooped browned okra out onto folded paper towels with a slotted spoon and moved to turn off the burner. Her dark brown apron had a big sunflower on it with You Light Up My Life imprinted in bold yellow letters; her blond hair was pulled back with a scarf held in place by a big sunflower tie; she wore summer sandals decorated with big silk flowers; the brown denim shorts and a yellow T-shirt accentuated her shapely figure.

Craig carefully threaded the buckle-less belt through the loops on his pants and then took a small bowl from the cabinet. Picking up the slotted spoon, he scooped the bowl full of crisp fried okra from the warming tray beside the stove. Crunching on it, he looked thoughtful. Mom, I think you are the best cook in the world, but you need to keep up with my things better. He gauged her response, then with a chuckle, dodged the towel she snapped at him.

Get out of the kitchen! she said, laughing as well. Put on a shirt and call the others to come to lunch in five minutes. Sharon is working at the library until five o’clock. Larry is in the garden with Patrice. She’ll be joining us.

Okay, Mom. Craig stuck the last of the small serving of okra into his mouth, set the bowl in the sink, kissed his mother on the cheek and walked through the house, calling out as he went, Food. Five Minutes. Kitchen. Food for the starving. Drink for the thirsty. Five minutes. He poked his head into the family room and called, Dad, food.

Upstairs, he opened the window in his bedroom, which looked out across the back yard. The May sunshine and warm air flooded in. Larry, he said, leaning out, waving the shirt he had picked up. Bring Patrice to the dining room in five minutes. He laughed and added, And, for heaven sakes, wash your hands!

Craig pulled on a T-shirt and smiled at the custom black boots, handmade ebony hat and dress-tailored silver and midnight western shirt lined up in his closet. The door was open so he could just see the clothing and it made him smile. He loved costumes and dressing up and the first night of the local rodeo was a great opportunity to get decked out. There was always a dance at the Spinning Spurs Dance Hall afterward. He couldn’t wait.

Opening his dresser drawer, he began digging through the contents. He was rewarded with the sought-after belt buckle and his silver concho hat band, both partially hidden behind a stack of CDs. After he attached the buckle to the belt leather, he left the room. He walked past the upstairs central game room, fiddling with his watch band as he walked, and tapped on Brent’s door. Bro, did you hear me?

The voice behind him made Craig jump. Yeah, Craig, I heard you. I was watching the game.

Wow, you scared me!

Brent chuckled as Craig turned to face him. You must feel guilty about something, Bro. Although he was the youngest of the four children,