Baby Jules

By S.L. Sharp

Baby Jules is a heart-wrenching story about two generations of women,
who fight for the survival of their dysfunctional family. The author leads us
through a fractured storybook marriage, the death of a beloved daughter, and a
grieving mothers challenge. The reader will experience a bittersweet drama

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 22, 2010
• ISBN: 9781456823474

S.L. Sharp

S. L. Sharp was born in Akron, Ohio. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Kent State University in 1969. Later she attended the University of Akron, the New York Institute of Technology, and the University of Delaware for post-graduate studies. Her peers selected her in 1993 for the Teacher of the Year of East Camden Middle School in Camden, New Jersey. In 1993-1994 and 1997-1998, she was chosen for the Camden City’s Teacher of the Year. She appeared on the Oprah Show in 1992. Awards and honors bestowed on Sally include the Kiwanis Award for Communications in 1990, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Conservation Award in 1995, and the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Girl Scouts in 1995. She was the creator, producer and host of a weekly radio show entitled: “The Young Heroes and Heroines of Today,” on WFPG AM (1450) during 1987-1994. In addition, she has written and directed several TV programs for Channel 18 and Channel 14 for CCS-TV, the Camden City School’s Access Cable Television. She has also authored the book entitled, Baby Jules, a book about three dynamic women who discover the power of forgiveness along with finding both love and success. It is a heart-wrenching story about two generations of women who fight for the survival of their dysfunctional family. This leads the reader through a fractured storybook marriage, the death of a beloved daughter, and a grieving mother’s challenge. The bittersweet novel is about the emotional emptiness that only a parent can feel through the loss of their child. Sally’s other writings have taken many different forms throughout the years in books, plays, poetry, song writing, and children’s stories.

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Copyright © 2001, 2006, 2010 by S.L. Sharp.

ISBN:          Ebook                                      978-1-4568-2347-4

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book was created in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

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www.Xlibris.com

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90464

This book would never have been written without the support and love of my family, friends, colleagues and students. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to share my life with these wonderful people. Special thanks to Bruce Paul Grefe for helping to visualize the concept of Baby Jules for the cover design.

OPRAH: You taught me the greatest lesson in life—Do it yourself! You are our master teacher of life long lessons! Thanks! 1992 Miracle Show

Dedicated to my family members, Rod, Julie, Bruce, Emily, Andrew, Jeff, Rob, Jenny, Lauren, Kelly, and Shelly; my friends, Linda G., Ed, Davida, Sydney, Lee, Willia, Franklin, Cheryl, Erica, Nia, Coronda, Beverly, Arthur, Cecelia, Dianne, Tom, and Angie. Special thanks to my colleagues, Luz, Ray, Natalie, Wanda, Janice, Terri, Bill, Bruce, Annette, Ryan, Angela, Suzzette, Carol, Jacqulyn, Helen, Annette D., Ernest, Karen, Beverly, Teresa, Shirley O, Margaret T., Shelia, Sylvia, Arlene, Charlise, Stella, Bart, Rosolyn, Delia, Mr. V., Christopher, Joyce, Susan, Freida, Michael, Joan, Cheryl, Douglas, Howard, Regina, Al, Timothy, Mark, Tamara, Lezity, Brett, John, Stephanie, Adele, Walter, Maria, Ralph, LaDonna, Roseann, Tony, Christian, Maria, Silvia, April, Gloria, Debbie P., Erica, Stuart, Colin, Miriam, Rachel, Jackie, Christopher P., John, Santina, Joelle, Robin, Patricio, Woodrow, Spring, Dr. Patricia M., Davon, Melissa, Jackie S., Warren S., Yolanda, Leila, Glenn, Marvin, Jackie C., Christina, Betty, Dianna, Paul, Matt, Jennel, Russell, Karla, Christina, and Arona; my students who I am so lucky to have known throughout my educational career, Candace, Barb, Chuck, Sue, Tom, Jamie, Annaliese, Julie, Richard, Marcella, Ngoc, Jovon, Markieth, Emiliann, Shinnelle, Lesley, Crystal, Rico, Wade, Christina V., Shamyr, Renee, Kenyetta, Tirany, Orlando, Crystal, Se’Mona, Danielle, Tierra, and Nahamah. Jonathan, Martina, Danielle, Tierra, Nahamah, Chris W., Jevon C., Jillian, Isaiah, Jocelyn, Edward, Michelle L., LaMia, Pedro, Tawanna, Johari S., Ali W., Dorothy S., Victor S., Vincent G., Cheryl G. (parent), James G., and Alonzo.

Dedicated in memory to the following: Celestine, Virginia, William, Mary Lou, Patty, Bill, Mary Beatrice, Walter, Dorothy, Maggie and Emmanuel. Special love to my students in heaven—Steven, Eric, Bobby, Gary and Jon, and to all of my students, who I have known throughout my 35 year career in education.

Special gratitude to my special living angels on this earth: Edward, Doug, Franklin, Catherine, Stan, Paul, Leslie, Arthur, Deborah, Karen, Jamal, Betty, Linda R., Brenda, Michele, Luz, Kimberly, and Boaventure. This book is dedicated to all of you.

Patty, my beloved sister, you went to sleep, and woke up in heaven. Enjoy your eternal life with your son, Bill. You will forever be my Guardian Angel.

Cecelia J., you make miracles happen every day in my life. God bless you!

Para amar de verdad, no solo debes perdonar a otros si no tambien a ti mismo.

To truly love, you must not only forgive others but also yourself.

S. L. Sharp

Special thanks to Luz Pena for translating the moral of my story into Spanish.

(This is Rod’s 70th birthday gift. Happy Birthday! Love, Sally)

This story has no chapters in it, for in one’s life there are only dramas, tragedies, love, and unconditional love. No one’s full life can be bounded by just a few chapters in it. Life is the whole of all these episodes, which eventually leads to the final page of one’s life.

S. L. Sharp

Love is . . .

Love is . . .

Mystical as a winter’s day—

snow covered but reflecting—

radiant life . . .

Love is . . .

A consistent shooting beam of light—

replenished by the unknown—

universe . . .

Love is . . .

Like an unsettled brook’s path—

silent in thought but always—

transmitting . . .

Love is . . .

A shooting star in a diamond studded sky—

you can’t capture love because—

it’s magical . . .

Love is . . .

By S. L. Sharp

Dedicated to Mary Louise Sharp

CONNECTICUT: Christmas Eve, December 1969—Snow is slowly falling upon the ground. It looks like a storybook Christmas Eve. Marcella Richey marries Will Gestatte in a small church settled back in Connecticut. You see the young newlyweds so happy and in love.

Marcella’s mother, Mary Elizabeth Richey, and her sister, Tricia Richey, are seen sitting in the second pew of the church.

Marcella’s father was killed in a car accident when she was 6 years old.

In the groom’s pew sits William Gestatte, Sr., Will’s father. He is the mayor of the town. William is a millionaire from old wealth.

The other pews are filled with friends and family of the young bride and groom. The attendance at the wedding is approximately 275 people.

Priest: Do you, Marcella Marie Richey, take Will John Gestatte to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, from this day forth, for better, for worse, for richer and for poorer, until death do you part?

Marcella: I do.

Priest: Do you, Will John Gestatte, take Marcella Marie Richey to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, from this day forth, for better, for worse, for richer and for poorer, until death do you part?

Will: I do.

Priest: With the power invested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. Will, you can kiss the bride.

(Slowly and nervously, Will kisses Marcella tenderly upon her lips.)

Marcella: With happiness in her eyes says to Will, I love you, sweetheart.

Will: This marriage is until death do us part, Marcella.

Marcella: With a tear in her eye, she turns with her hand in Will’s hand, and down the church aisle they walk to the rhythm of the music.

Once at the end of the church, they go straight down to the reception hall, which is located in the church. Their friends and family members accompany them.

Mary Elizabeth and Tricia: Move around, Marcella.

Mary Elizabeth: This is the day, I have waited for Marcella. May you find all the love and happiness that I once had with your father.

Marcella: Thanks, Mom, I love you so much.

Tricia: Marcella, you look so beautiful. I always knew you’d be the perfect bride.

Marcella: Tricia, someday you will be the perfect bride, too. The happiness that I’ve found on this day, you’ll have too, little sis. There’s someone so special out there just waiting for you.

Tricia: Thanks, big sister, but I’m not the marrying kind. On top of that, someone has to look after mom.

William, Sr.: (Joins Marcella and Will) I’m so happy for the both of you. Will, I wish your mom could be here with us, but at the sanitarium they said she wasn’t up to coming today. They said that your mother was so happy about something that all she could do was smile.

Will: It’s been so long since Mom has talked, dad, I wonder if she ever really thinks about any of us in her mind.

William, Sr.: I don’t know, Will, you were 12 years old the last time she ever talked. I wish she could snap back, but I’m afraid she’s mentally gone forever.

(Will throws Marcella’s garter belt up into the air; a young man by the name of John Wilson catches it. He is one of Marcella’s childhood friends.)

(Marcella throws her bridal bouquet behind her. Of course, Tricia catches it.)

Tricia: Marcella, I’ll keep this bouquet in my hope chest with all my other treasured flowers.

(Everyone laughs)

(The music starts: You see the two newlyweds dancing romantically cheek to cheek on the dance floor.)

1977

(Marcella, in her late 20’s, very pregnant. Will is getting ready to go to his law firm.)

Marcella: (Sitting on the bed) Will, I think I’m going into labor.

Will: Marcella, just hold on. I have to run these papers to the office. I’ll be right back! Will runs to the car and drives off very fast. Arriving at his office, he gives his secretary, Annaliese, a kiss, a stack of papers, and says to her, I’ll catch you later. Marcella’s in labor. I have to go right now.

Annaliese: Happy Christmas Eve, Will!

Will: Thanks, sweetheart!

Annaliese: Will, please get a divorce. Why are you having this child? You know, Marcella, will only keep us further apart.

Will: We’ve been through this before! Marcella is too weak to survive without me. This child will give her a project. I won’t leave her; I own Marcella and my unborn child!

Annaliese: What do you mean, you own them?

Will: They bear my name, they’re mine.

Annaliese: But what about me?

Will: What about you? I have to go! You’ve made your bed, sweetheart. If you can’t take the heat, I advise you to leave me right now!

Marcella: (Using Lamaze breathing techniques.)

(Marcella’s mother and sister enter her house.)

Mary Elizabeth: Marcella, where’s Will? Why isn’t he here?

Marcella: Mom, you know work always comes first to Will.

Mary Elizabeth: Marcella, you know that family, not work, should always come first in one’s life. I brought you up that way, Marcella.

Tricia: If this is love, I’ll take the single life and stay alone, I don’t want your lonely life, Marcella.

Marcella: Uh, uh, come on you guys, I’m in labor!

(Will runs into the house.)

Will: Let’s get