The Secret Past

By Sonya Christman

She wanted him, he wanted her, and they both got what they wanted.

Ruth Jackson just started college in Boston when she met Carter, whom she thought was a regular guy going to school. But she was wrong. Carter had a deep dark secret no one knew about.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 28, 2015
• ISBN: 9781514431443

Sonya Christman

My name is Sonya Christman. I was born on December 14, 1983, and raised in Allentown, Pennsylvania. My parents are Willy and Nancy, and I have an older sister, Tanya. When I’m not working on my books, I enjoy playing with my dog, Binx, and love to sing and dance. I also enjoy being a photographer. I love watching movies and TV shows as well as spending time with my family and friends. I attended acting school, singing classes, dancing classes, and modeling school. I’ve been in the Ms. Pennsylvania USA 2007 pageant. Available in stores and online: “Deadliest Trip” and “Deadliest Trip: Nightmare from Hell” Watch for my future publications: “Deadliest Trip Part 3,” the Jessika Series, The Adventures of Binx the Dog Series, “Crossway of Love,” and much more. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Contact me at [e-mail]

Book preview

Copyright © 2015 by Sonya Christman.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2015919979

ISBN:   Hardcover   978-1-5144-3146-7

   Softcover   978-1-5144-3145-0

   eBook   978-1-5144-3144-3

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.

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.

Rev. date: 12/08/2015

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Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 1

Ruth Jackson went to Dr. Franklin Sullivan’s office for her first session. She entered the room, Hi, I’m here to see Dr. Sullivan, she says to the front desk lady. Sure, are you Ruth? the woman asks. Yes, Ruth says, she walks into his office. Well Ruth, how are you doing today? he asks. Ruth smiles a little and nods, I’m doing ok today. Franklin motions her to sit down and she does, Yes, it was time to heal, don’t worry, you will be ok.

Ruth closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. Ok, let’s get started. My name is Dr. Franklin Sullivan. I’ve been in my practice for thirty years. He pauses. Now tell me about your story and your problems. Dr. Sullivan grabs his notebook and waits for her response. My name is Ruth Jackson, and I am here to talk about what happen to my friends and my first year of college, she said with a soft tone. Dr. Sullivan starts to write on his note pad, Ok, tell me what happened from the beginning, Ruth.

Ruth nods with a smirk, looking nervously, Ok, the first year of college was great….

Ruth’s father Mark Jackson drove her to her first day of college. So are you excited? He smirks.

Yes, I am Ruth replied. Are you going to miss me? Please don’t! She giggled with a smile.

Of course I will Ruth. I’ll try not to, but if you have any problems call me.

Ruth rolled her eyes as she mimicked his words. I’ll be fine. She said smiling while looking out the window. Mark nodded and then paused.

Hey are any of your friends at this college with you?

Mmm…Oh Crystal is. She is also my roommate.

Oh… how is she doing? He asked.

I don’t know, she’s great, dad Ruth replied with frustration in her voice.

They continued to drive as an awkward silence fell between them. The sun peeked through the fall colored leaves while Mark thought about what he could say to break the silence.

Hey I’m sorry that your mother could not be here today.

Dad don’t, Mom left us both. It’s her loss not ours and I’m ok. Really I am. Ruth replied looking over at her father with a thin smile. Mark smirked then nodded.

Yeah but we could talk about it sometime. He glanced over a moment for her reaction.

Yes we could, but not today. Ruth’s frustration had returned and Mark knew his daughter well enough to change the subject.

Ruth’s mother Pamela left her and Mark at the age of three. Mark is overprotective of Ruth, and he tried to never disappoint her in any way. He was always proud of his daughter in everything she has done. He kept driving to Boston, Massachusetts. They lived in New York City. It took several hours to drive to Boston College. Four miles back they passed a welcome to Boston sign. They still had about twenty minutes to go before they reached the college.

Wow, Boston really is beautiful. Ruth said looking out the window.

Yeah around fall, they say it’s great. Mark answered with a smile.

He was happy to see that she was not to upset with him anymore. Yet she still seemed a bit distant. Ruth continued to look out the window. Fall had always been her favorite season. She remembered back to when she was young and her father would rake the leaves in a big pile for her to jump in. When she was done, they would pick out a few of the brightest orange, yellow and red leaves so they could make decorations to hang in the kitchen window. Her memory was cut short by her father’s voice.

Looks like we are here!

Chapter 2

As they entered the college, they drove towards the building that housed the dorm rooms. Mark circled around the lot to find a spot close enough to the door so unpacking the car would be a little easier.

Dad I don’t have that much, just find a spot and park the car. Ruth was a little irritated with her father but she brushed it off as just being nervous.

You say this because you don’t have to unpack the entire car. Mark replied with a smirk. He was just as nervous as she was, maybe even more so since this was the first time she was leaving home, however he did not want to break his back lugging all her belongings through the parking lot and then up steps.

Look, there’s one! Ruth found a spot, three spots from a small flight of steps, just outside the dorm #D. She happened to be on the second level of that dorm, so she was proud of herself for making unpacking easier on her father.

Ruth got out of the car and took a look around as her father made his way to the trunk to unpack her bags. With a sigh, she headed to the trunk to help.

Thank you, Ruth. Mark said with a smile.

No problem, daddy. She giggled back.

They walked through the entrance door and up the flight of steps. At the top, the wall ahead of them had a sign with a set of numbers. 121-131 to the left, 120-110 to the right.

I guess we go left. Ruth tried to turn and look back at her father.

Ok, just find your room, this is getting a bit heavy. Mark replied.

They walked a short distance further and Ruth found her room four doors down on the right. Here we are, home sweet home. Let me just get the key out. Ruth fumbled with the lock for a few seconds but after a few turns, the door unlocked and opened.

Looks like Crystal’s not here yet. Mark said dropping the bags on the floor.

Yeah, I guess not. Ruth answered, as she put her belongings on her bed and looked around. The room was a nice size for two girls to share. Directly to the left of the front door were two desks and chairs. They had internet hook up, which was nice because her and Crystal both had laptops. They had a nice size living room with a couch, TV and end table that also had a side door leading to a small balcony. In the other room were two twin beds with a closet and two dressers. Ruth realized that they would have to come to an agreement with the closet space, but overall though not too shabby for college life.

Mark stood off to the side watching Ruth inspect her new home. He was happy she had been accepted into Boston. It was the first college she applied to and they welcomed her with open arms. As a father, however, he was scared to let her go. It had been him and Ruth for so long that letting her go so far away hurt his heart.

Ruth, are you going to be ok out here? I mean it’s such a change and all.

Ruth looked at her dad and smiled. Dad I’ll be fine. I’ll call and will be home to visit. Don’t worry so much.

He kissed her on the front of her forehead. She smiled and looked up at him. It was at that moment that Mark did not want to go home. But he knew he had to let her go. This was a big step for her and she deserved it.

Ok, well, I have to go. I love you, Ruth, and call me if you need anything, at anytime.

Ruth hugged her dad tightly. I love you too daddy and I will, no worries ok?

Mark sighed and before he could find another reason to linger behind he waved goodbye and left. Ruth looked around and smiled. She was finally in college and had free range to do as she pleased. She started to unpack and make up her side of the bedroom. Setting her blanket on her bed was the final touch of home. Exhausted from the drive and all the excitement, she laid down on the bed to relax and get ready to sleep. Crystal was not due at the college until the morning so she decided to take advantage of the alone time. It didn’t take long for her eyes to become heavy and drift off into a deep sleep.

Chapter 3

The next morning Ruth woke up to her cell phone ringing on the nightstand. Still groggy, she picked it up and said hello.

Hey bitch, Crystal said with a giggle.

Hey there slut, Ruth replied with a small yawn ending in a smile.

So are you at the college yet? Crystal said while walking down the hall looking for the room.

I’ve been here since last night. Where are you? Ruth asked.

I’m walking to the room right now Crystal stopped at the door and knocked. She did not want to look for her room key, so she waited for Ruth to answer.

Oh yeah, Ruth looked over at the door and hopped off the bed to walk over to the door and open it.

Hey honey, Crystal smiled wide and hugged her. She closed her phone and shoved it into her pocket. She only had one duffel bag with her but Ruth knew that could not be all she had. Ruth hugged her back and moved to the side so Crystal could admire the room.

Where is the rest of your stuff? Ruth asked carrying the duffel bag to the bed room.

Still in my car, it’s heavy so I figured I would scout out this place and find a hunky guy to bring it up. Crystal said smiling as she winked at Ruth.

Ruth smiled, that was typical Crystal, yet she was happy to have her best friend as her room mate.

So what’s new with you? Anything fun or exciting go on last night?

Oh you know me. I unpacked and fell asleep. No fun, no excitement. Ruth laughed. What about you?

I’m great, new year, new school, and new friends. She said.

Ruth smiled and sat down on her