Maria

By Melissa Hunter

Melissa Hunter was born in 1957 in a family of twelve in a very close net family in Newfoundland. I left home at the age of 17 to make my make in the world in Toronto Canada and after 2 years moved to the Labrador coast and married my husband. We moved to a little town in BC in 1984 due to employment and in 1994 moved to Dawson Creek, BC Canada where we still reside today.
Battling cancer in 2011, my life totally changed, when as when as a result of the cancer my back has become disabled and I had to give up a job of 18 years that I absolutely loved. But God does not just close one door but He opens another and I found my passion and love of writing stories and poems increased and the thing I have been doing for years came alive in my heart. Leah is one of many stories I hope to write in the future with Gods help and the support of my family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 29, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483652252

Melissa Hunter

Melissa Hunter was born in 1957 in a family of twelve in a very close net family in Newfoundland. I left home at the age of 17 to make my make in the world in Toronto Canada and after 2 years moved to the Labrador coast and married my husband. We moved to a little town in BC in 1984 due to employment and in 1994 moved to Dawson Creek, BC Canada where we still reside today. Battling cancer in 2011, my life totally changed, when as when as a result of the cancer my back has become disabled and I had to give up a job of 18 years that I absolutely loved. But God does not just close one door but He opens another and I found my passion and love of writing stories and poems increased and the thing I have been doing for years came alive in my heart. Leah is one of many stories I hope to write in the future with God’s help and the support of my family.

Book preview

Turn of Events

The blinding snow and slippery conditions of the roads made it impossible to see and control the car as Maria Dunbar, determining not to stop and get stranded, drove on toward the lights ahead of the nearest Motel. Getting closer she could see the name of it, The Grand River Motel thinking what an odd name for a motel that does not look grand in any way, or very big in size but whatever at least she would have a rest and get out of this storm.

Maria pulled into the almost empty parking lot and got out of her car only to get whipped in the face with the wind and wet snow. She tried to keep her coat and scarf intact as she walked across the parking lot to the entrance of the Motel, hoping that at least it would be decent and clean inside and she could settle down for a good night’s sleep.

It seemed like days ago since she left her nice apartment and comfortable, less stressful life in Edmonton. This was a trip Maria never in her wildest dreams ever expected to make after leaving Dawson Creek, British Columbia five years ago to make a new life for herself in Edmonton, Alberta. Promising never ever to look back or go back to that place again here she was, she thought "funny how fast life can change. Life has a way of doing the opposite of what you feel is your dream and after leaving a very unstable family life, a life that she never wanted any part, or memories of again, here she was heading back in that direction. The phone call she had received only a few days ago informing her of the death of her mother had left her without feeling, and once again her mother had turned her world upside down. Where was this God that people talked about? Where was He when she needed him most in her life and tried to call out to Him, but as usual in her young life no one cared or was there for her when she needed it most, "but hey, I made it on my own and I think I have done alright without anyone" she reminded herself.

Well enough self-pity for one day. She entered the motel and no one was at the desk, seeing the bell she rang it and an older gentleman, probably in his 60’s came out of the office. With a loud voice he greeted her; welcome to the Grandview Motel, although as you can see we are a little low on the Grand side He laughed with a belly laugh and introduced himself as Arnie pointing to his name tag. It sure is a rough night out there, what are you young lady doing on the road in this weather. Maria liked this guy and had to smile thinking what a friendly guy. She replied; When I left home a few hours ago it was clear and nice, I drove into this about an hour or ago and figured I’d better get a motel for the night and hopefully it will be gone by morning. He gave me a key to my room and with a big smile asked if I needed help with the bags? Wanting to settle in as soon as possible I replied; I only have one little one and he replied well the cafe opens at 7 am, sleep well and goodnight as she headed to room 203 looking forward to a good night’s sleep, since she felt like it had been days since she slept and it probably was come to think of it. The motel room was not in the least bit grand or fancy but it was clean and right now to Maria that was all she needed. First things first get a bath to relax and go to bed even though it was only 8:30 she suddenly felt so exhausted she took a refreshing bath and went to bed. After her bath and relaxing in her pajamas, Maria’s mind wanders to the call she received from her mother’s neighbor and it reminded her once more how making this trip after five years was among the hardest things she has had to do. Dawson Creek was a place that held many bad memories for her and going back even for a few days was about as much as she could handle right now. Spending five years to forget the old memories of her childhood, she now felt them rushing back and once again her world was turned upside down. Once again, her mother who never wanted her in the first place and never ever spent time or showed love to her except to yell and scream and beat on her and tell her how bad she was, as Maria was remembered again, her mother was back in her mind controlling her life.

The neighbor Mrs. Clark proceeded to tell her after introducing herself, your mother passed away and has left a will and I have been asked by the executor to get in touch with you and inform you about it. Your mom was a great person I know she was hurting about something. She never told me about your relationship, but she had a great heart and I will miss her. Maria’s first thought was, who is she talking about? Cannot be my mother, but she said a thank you to Mrs. Clark and hung up. Two days later Maria received a letter from Mr. Finney, the executor of her mother’s will asking her to come immediately to go over the will. She waited two weeks and fought within herself about the sudden dramatic turn of events and the one thing she was not prepared for. The battle was on: should I go or not, but in the end decided her mother was gone and she needed time off from work so braving the struggles of her heart and now the weather here she was, two weeks later in a motel room driving herself crazy for letting herself get into this mess and make this trip. She thought, what did I care anyhow, no one ever did anything for her. What I had in life I got on my own and was proud of it. Besides what could be in a well for her? From what she remembered, her so called mother had nothing only a house and even that was crumbling down around her. I have more in the city, she said aloud; even though with her pint size apartment and her old car she barely had enough to eat. No extras to go out and shop except for second hand store but at least she was on her own with no one to drive her crazy and that was how she liked it. Maria pulled herself out of her thoughts and decided to try and at least get some sleep, morning would come soon enough and she would find out what this was all about once and