Intimacy: In to Me See

By Holli Edmerson-Cameron

Often women struggle with shame and doubt while experiencing the adversities of lifeparticularly when they have no safety net or support from other women in their lives. This is true for Lynelle, Alba, and Tabitha, three very different women who are on the verge of finding their lives intricately and unexpectedly intertwined.

Outwardly, these women have it all together. But Lynelles fifteen-year marriage is falling apart, while Alba learns that marrying her new husband has not slowed his tendency to react with harsh words and violence. Meanwhile, Tabitha works at a strip club to make ends meet and support her young son. Inwardly, the spirits of all three are slowly crumbling, held in bondage by the pride, lust, anger, and abuse of the men in their lives. But as their lives come together in surprising ways, they may be able to find forgiveness, spirituality, and love of self that can set their hearts, souls, and minds free, once and for all.

In this novel, three women leading troubled lives find themselves connected to each other in ways they could never have imagined.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Dec 13, 2016
• ISBN: 9781480840355

Holli Edmerson-Cameron

Holli Edmerson-Cameron is an accomplished writer , she has written published poetry for the National Childrens Review publication , a play entitled Your Life Is Not Yours To Take, which was performed throughout Kentucky and Indiana, and is also currently a Free Lance columnist for a National womens empowerment magazine . She is a loving Wife, Mother, and Grandmother as well as a Licensed Practical Nurse and Owner/Operator of Posh Posh Club Child Development Center located in her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.

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Copyright © 2016 Holli Edmerson-Cameron.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Cover by Greater Works Design Studio

Archway Publishing

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Bloomington, IN 47403

www.archwaypublishing.com

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4808-4033-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4808-4034-8 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4808-4035-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016920273

Archway Publishing rev. date: 12/12/2016

Contents

Writer Bio

Dedication

Special Acknowledgements

The Beginning Who We Are

Lynelle

Looking Back ~ The Meet Up

Morning Flow

On The Clock

Alba

The Honeymoon

TouchDown

Tabitha

Lynelle

Happily Ever After

Santorini

Departure

My Words Are Out There……

Alba

The Rabbit Hole

Forward

Tabitha

The Outing

My Words Are Out There…..

Alba

Unlocked

Prelude into a Dream

Lynelle

Over The Edge

My Words Are Out There….

Tabitha

No Chains

My Words Are Out There….

Lynelle

Flying High

Tabitha

Time To Roll Out

Alba

Bliss ~The Interception

The Next Morning

My Words Are Out There

Alba

Fallen Angel

Aftermath

Lynelle

I’m Not Good

Tabitha

Hey Daddy

Alba

No Mistake

Lynelle

Latte’ Please

My Words Are Out There….

Alba

Let There Be Light

Tabitha

Light Into The Dark

Lynelle

Fallen

Tabitha

Holding It Down

Lynelle

On A Mission

Alba

Sisters Keepers

Lynelle

The Release

Tabitha

Change

A Weekend In Flight

Lynelle

Tabitha

Alba

The Reckoning

Lynelle

Letting Go~The Retreat

Alba

The Retreat

Tabitha

My Truth

The End~For Now

About the Author

Intimacy, gives a transparent direct look thru and into the lives of three very diverse different women who soon find their lives are intricately intertwined one with the others!

In to me see…. The act of looking beyond the outer surface of one’s physical being and seeing their raw soul for the truth that it holds and the truth that it is.

In a day and time where everyone wants everything in an instant, the author, Holli Edmerson-Cameron, packs a punch and wastes no time getting you to its climaxes. No corners are cut and the peaks of the moments are not procrastinated upon! With embedded inserts of soul searching poetry, Intimacy explores and involves you in every gut wrenching emotion experienced by its characters. You’ll become at times intertwined within these women’s lives as Holli Edmerson-Cameron spins your minds into the detailed webs of their lives!

Their experiences may give you a familiar sense of having been there once yourself.

Often women, in particular, struggle with shame and doubt, especially when there is no safety net of support from other women and the sometimes lack of respect from Men.

This book is meant to break down barriers between women, help us face our shame, and inner demons and empower us as women to be TRANSPARENT!

In this life we all will have had a time or two where we have hidden our pains and adverse situations behind our smiles and our lifestyles. Outwardly, these women have it all together. While inwardly their spirits slowly crumble away due to various circumstances.

The bondages of Pride, Lust, Anger, Abuse, to name a few fuel this tale of three women! However, ultimately its transparency, empowerment, forgiveness, spirituality and love of self that sets their hearts free!

So let’s go inside… LET’S GET INTIMATE!

Holli Edmerson-Cameron

Writer Bio

H olli Edmerson-Cameron resides in the state of Kentucky. She is an Author, Free-lance Columnist currently writing monthly Articles for a National Women’s Empowerment Group Magazine, as well as a Published Poet and Playwright. She is also an Independent Business owner of Posh Posh Club Child Development Center, a Licensed Nurse and a loving Wife, Mother and Grandmother. For more information, inquiries or comments contact by email at holligc69@gmail .com

Dedication

This book is dedicated first to God. As He tells me this in the book of John, Chapter 15 Verse 5:

God is my vine, I am the branch. If I remain in Him and He remains in me, I will bear much fruit. But without God, I am NOTHING.

Next, to my Daddy, Leroy Edmerson, father of many sons throughout his Boxing Coach career but yet biological father to 4 girls. He passed down his gotta see the world travel bug to me! Rest in Heaven Daddy! Till we meet again! #DaddysGirl

Then to my mother, my Sug, my Heart! I love this woman beyond measure and tremble at the thought that she wouldn’t be here on this Earth with me! She raised me to live beyond boundaries, to think outside of the box! She nurtured my talent for writing at a young age from my first published poem in 3rd grade to my first produced and performed play Your Life Is Not Yours to Take, at the age of 16 which garnered media attention statewide, and was performed throughout the state of Kentucky and in Indiana. She kept me dreaming but yet kept me grounded, and in spite of, has NEVER EVER turned her back on me. She’s the epitome of UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. My personal editor and my hardest critic (all for my good) who could want for more in a Mom. I love her to the Moon and beyond, with no returning back! Love you, Mom! MYSug.

And last but not least, to my Grandchildren! Jakobe, Jayson, Khloe and Jordan! You all gave me a Fresh Love! I pray you live your dreams and live your best lives! Nana loves you all!

Special Acknowledgements

Personal Thanks go to the following for their support & love along the way:

Anthony B. Cameron, Sr. ~ my Husband~ thru the thick & thin of it ALL!

My Biggest cheerleader, my chapter by chapter reader/sounding board ~ my daughter ~ Alycea Cameron ~ Get your light back and hold on tight

My In-house Editor ~ My oldest daughter ~ Whitney Cameron

Charla & Treva, here’s to Wine, Mimosas, Truth & Transparency (and more road trips) Got my light back with you two loves! It all came back in a whisper in Cali!

And to the countless others who in some way have touched, inspired,influenced and motivated me and probably don’t even realize it!

And the countless positive women and Gents whom I’ve encountered along this journey of life who have empowered me in some form or fashion and have made the soul of my mind rich enough to produce such a sweet fruit as this!

Much Love!

To God be the glory!

The Beginning Who We Are

Lynelle

S itting here thinking about the places I want to be and where I want to go……in other words, the places I want to run away to. Far, far, away from this new existence called MARRIAGE.

Today, I’m going to let him go. So many times before I’d stop him. One way or another. Whether it’d be by tears, threats of hurting myself, guilt trips….you name it I’ve done it. Why? The answer is fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of being alone. After all, I’m 40 years old. This marriage has crept through 15 years. I don’t know anything else as intimately as I know this life right here. But today, I’m going to let him go.

I look back, and I see that our relationship has been a constant struggle since Day 1. Oil and water, we called ourselves. Total opposite, we said. But love or what we felt was love seemed to be there, to fix it all. But now, I just don’t know anymore.

Looking Back ~ The Meet Up

I t was another ordinary day. Another day waking up, getting out, and beating down the doors of potential opportunity, for employment that is. Fresh out of college, full of hopes and aspirations. Filled with invincible blood running through my veins! I was empowered and unstoppable. Confidence poured from the pores of my skin; nothing or no one could stop me from my goals of success.

There I was, at City Mall, introducing myself to the manager of a Custom Stationary shop. I approached the manager and stated confidently Hello.

I commanded his attention with a tender but yet firm handshake and radiant smile. I’m Lynelle Henderson. I’m who you’re looking for to fill your position as Assistant Manager, and I’d like to sit down and tell you why. After that to die for introduction I confidently flashed my big pearly smile once again. Awkwardness and tension instantly decreased and barriers were broken. And yes, it worked! Within 20 minutes and 35 seconds, I landed my first job as the new Assistant Manager of Erlanger’s Stationary Depot.

Morning Flow

7 am rolls around oh so fast on a Monday morning! I have to literally peel myself from the gripping hold of my cheap 10 thread count sheets, if there is such a thing !However , I do have plans of one day owning a set of at least 800 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets!

Nonetheless, it was time to get in work flow. I could smell the robust smell of my Grandmothers coffee brewing downstairs. That was Grandmas way of saying it’s time to get up Lynelle!

My body perks up as a finally warming shower pellets my body. It always took around 5 minutes for the water heater to get into full gear.

As sleep washes down the drain, I daydream of my good old carefree college days. My friends, my sorority, the parties and road trips, and of course, the Guys. Ohhh yeah, AND the guys!

Oh, how I miss having male companionship in my life. Strong arms embracing me, gentle kisses, cuddling, long talks, rather real or manufactured, it really made no difference then……you get the picture. But, you know, this day and time it seems there is nothing out there anymore worth being with really. I mean, you grow up! You learn how to separate the bull shitter’s from the serious ones only to find that the majority are bull shitter’s and the ones that are worth anything at all are, you guessed it, TAKEN! So then you find yourself straddling the fence of being the other girl, or the relationship wrecker!

It’s so frustrating! And being as I pledged myself from whoredom, I go with being the one woman man. Besides, I don’t share well! While deep in my thoughts, I hear the realistic beckoning of my Grandmothers voice.

Lynelle! she chimes. When I hear this tone, I know it means turn off the water, it’s been running too long. My mom and I, we don’t get along these days. It’s a constant battle as we have huge differences in opinion on where I should be in MY life as well as whom I should be with and how I should be living it.

And my dad? Well let’s just say he has his hands full with a new wife MY age and a baby on the way! So, I appreciate my Grandmother for taking me in. It’s a win win situation! I keep her company, and she offers 3 hots and a cot with no complaints; other than being mindful of the lights and of course the usage of water!

On The Clock

G od! Who makes this coffee! It tastes like old motor oil! I am so glad I at least got a good cup of Grandmas coffee before I left the house! As I corral the store floor taking inventory of what style stationary is in stock or out of stock, I realize the influx of customers has slowed down. This gives me an opportunity to slide out to the food court to grab a decent cup of coffee to get me through the rest of the day. As I head toward Ms. cashier of the week ( we can’t seem to keep a cashier that’s not attempting to short the drawer) to let her know I’m leaving the store, my day suddenly fast forwards.

HE walks in! All buttery and sexy. His approach is not a walk,