Life, Not so Ordinary

By Caitlin Tremaine-Wendt

Vivian, a girl of innocence, graduates, only to find out life is not actually the way she had thought it should be. Growing up without a father, she finds the daily struggle of her mothers protectiveness. Trying to discover the truth about her mysterious father while starting as a freshman in college, Vivian begins to unravel as she is raped. Trying to find herself, she rebels and goes against her mothers wishes. Vivian finds her father while falling into a romance with her appointed security detail. Once she thinks she has a grip on life, it throws yet another curveball.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Apr 4, 2016
• ISBN: 9781504979238

Caitlin Tremaine-Wendt

Caitlin wrote her first romance novel while working at a pharmaceutical company. Her love of writing comes from her sense of adventure and romantic side. Once just a hobby, she has turned her love of writing into her own personal adventure. In her spare time, she loves to run, garden, craft, and watch her stepson play baseball. Currently living in her hometown of Allegan, Michigan, with her husband, she continues to write in her spare time while playing with her two very energetic Jack Russell terriers.

Book preview

Chapter 1

It's the end of May, graduation day. Every graduating senior is anxiously sitting in an uncomfortable chair awaiting their name to be called. It's a call of freedom, a new life and a new start. As the ceremony comes to an end an innocent but average brown hair, grey eyed, athletic build, recently turned eighteen girl stands smiles and claps as the crowd cheers and applauses. The class of 2016, the principal announces as the class begins to stand, throwing their caps in the air.

Vivian! a sweet low voice shouts. Mom, she shouts back. You finally have done it, my baby girl. You are all grown up and there's nothing I can do about it. Tears of joy trickle down her face. Mom, I will be okay. There's nothing to worry about. Now give me a hug. I have to meet my friends before the bus leaves. Okay, be safe and call me as soon as you get there. I know you don't need to be so protective," Vivian shouts, eager to meet her friends. As she steps away, she glances back to see her mother standing there on the warm sidewalk with a sense of concern on her face. In Vivian's mind at that moment she remembers how much her mother has sacrificed for her.

Her mother was sixteen when she was born. Vivian, was a child born out of rape.

It took me until I turned eighteen to get my mother to tell me the whole story, a story in fact I have been prying about for years but always seemed to be lacking the truth. I have always had a sense of wonder about whom my father is. Always hoping one day he would come for me. In hope that he is someone of importance and tell me his side of the story. But once the truth hits you, the anger and the confusion sets in. Not understanding why my mother would want to keep me when I stemmed from something so wrong and hateful.

The negativity sweeps my mind as I try to shake it off to have fun. This is the last summer before I start college. The last summer with my friends and wonderful mother. Vivian, let's go the bus is leaving, a group of teenage girls yell. I'm coming, I had to say my good byes to my mom. You know how she is, I say running but stumbling in my heels boarding the large yellow school bus with "ALLEGAN" written in black vinyl on the side. I climb into a cold firm seat as gossip from the girls fills the bus instantly. This graduating class is headed to a carnival just outside of town, it's a last hurrah.

As we climb out of the bus one to by one I look out at all the amazing lights. In the distance I hear all the amazing sounds and excitement. Jason a senior jock notices at me and smiles. He approaches me, You should ride the Ferris wheel with me. As I try to find the words I cannot speak. My friends Rachel and Cora grab my hands taking me away. Stunned I am lost in the moment. His light blonde hair and those dark green eyes see right through me. Vivian, we are going to play games. Forget Jason your mom said you cannot date anyways. Putting on a fake smile as we walk closer to the loud noises and cheering of the crowds.

Winner, winner, everyone's a winner, play here. We fish out our coins putting them into a skeet ball machine. Five dollars later, Rachel wins a stuff dog with big round eyes. She giggles with excitement while in the background I hear faint gunshots along with people cheering. Signaling Rachel and Cora over, we break through the crowd. I notice a man, well more like someone is his prime, wearing a light tan baseball cap with scruff on his face. He's wearing dark jeans with cowboy boots and a faded blue plain t-shirt, holding the gun. One by one he shoots a dead target without missing. I cannot take my eyes off of him. Looking at his smile, he seems so confident. Before I turn away, I notice him glancing in my direction. I question whether or not he is looking at me.

Rachel and Cora elbow me raising their eyebrows. He's cute and he is totally looking at you, they announce to the crowd. Remember I cannot date. Doesn't mean you can't look. The two of them whispering as we walk away. What about Jason, he was finally talking to me. Well Jason is just looking for a good time, so not worth it, Cora says with a scowl on her face. You can do so much better, Rachel says in agreement. Come, let's have fun, it's a girl's day."

Throughout the night we ride rides, eat cotton candy and of course have frozen lemonade. Exhausted and completely over stimulated I ask to sit, as the two girls ride what I would hope to be the last ride of the night. I sit down on a hard, cracked wooden bench sipping what is the last of my now warm but not quiet frozen lemonade. Startled by a scream of pure pleasure, I notice someone off in the distance:

In this moment time stand still. His eyes pierce mind like a dagger. I cannot breath, I cannot taste as a lump forms in my throat. I try to look away, trying not to seem obvious or obsessive with his pure attractiveness. I just can't stop. His energy is pulling me in.

Finally I have the courage to look away but when I do the bench sags down from the pressure of another body. Hi, a soft sweet voice with a southern accent says. I turn to look and it's him. My face now a fiery red, he looks at me with a grin. Cat have your tongue darling? He proceeds to say with a boyish smile. Still nothing, no sound, I cannot speak and nothing will come out. Okay, I see you don't talk to strange guys. Well my name is Jaxson. Now I am not a stranger but I'm still a guy, he chuckles. I smile at him with a sense of relief. Hi. I finally have the courage to say. I saw you earlier, you caught my eye with all your beauty, he mummers with that sexy voice. I glanced at you too, no big deal, I said smoothly taking a deep breath. Would you like to accompany me to the Ferris wheel? Now standing with his hand out.

Vivian! Rachel and Cora shout running towards me oblivious to see Jaxson standing next to me. I stand abruptly with a puzzled look on my face, not understanding why they don't see this gorgeous young man standing beside me. Vivian, that ride was ridiculous. Come ride with us again. As Cora finishes her sentence she looks up at Jaxson. Rachel is stunned at his beautiful rough but soft exterior. Is this..., she whispers in my ear not finishing her statement. Cora and Rachel bump each other like little girls with grins on their faces. Hi ladies, I'm Jaxson. I was just asking your friend here if she would accompany me to the Ferris wheel. You know, with your permission of course. Saying every single word with that accent is making me melt every time he speaks. Stunned they nod not knowing what to say. Vivian, it is. What would you say? with his hand out.

My knees weaken and without hesitation I grab his hand. Jaxson leads the way as I look back at Rachel and Cora with a smile. They smirk as I walk out of sight holding his firm chaliced hand. This is so out of the norm for me. What am I doing? My mind has so many thoughts and feelings.

As we wait in line in the heat of the night he reaches down and grazes my cheek with his hand. Oh no, I think to myself, please don't let him kiss me, feeling the spark between us. I've only just meet him and spoke only a few words but I feel so much. I feel a strong pull towards him. Next! We hear a shout from the ride attendant. Buckle until there is a click and then the ride will start. The attendant speaks again. I hope you like heights, Jaxson flirtatious mouth speaks. Heights are not exactly my thing but I'm sure I will be fine. Well we could have rode something else, Jaxson smiles. This is fine, I feel safe right now. I feel not so afraid, I softly mouth to him. His eyes widen and his lips part forming a smile. Can I hold your hand? He whispers.

Nervously, I hold my hand out as he takes it. The feeling so foreign yet so right. Jaxson creates small talk as we go around and around gasping at the beautiful view. You sure are a beautiful girl, his breath tickles my ear sensually. I feel my face color with red. You're not so bad either, I say very shyly. The ride comes to an end. With that I know the night is ending as well and we will have to part ways.

Stepping off of the ride an announcement is made for all seniors to get back on the bus. He takes my hand leading me towards Rachel and Cora. I had a great time, it was a pleasure to meet you, Jaxson kindly states. Before he finishes speaking, my cheeks turn fifty shades of red. Leading me back to the bus his hand loses all strength releasing me. Rachel, Cora and I step onto the bus. Vivian, will I ever see you again? I look deeply into his eyes as the door shuts pulling the gear into drive. Glancing out the window to see him standing empty handed with disappointment on his face.

He is gone.

Arriving at the school I grab my belongings saying my good byes to my friends. As I climb into my car I look down to realize I had left my phone. Six missed calls and two voicemails from my mother. Vivian, where are you? Why are you not picking up? Typical over protective mom. Can I really blame her? Especially the circumstances as to how I was conceived. As I turn the key to my nineteen ninety red Lumina, pulling the gear into drive I rethink the events for the day. When I mean events, I mean Jaxson. I cannot get him out of my head. My heart sinks thinking about how I left him. I don't know if I will ever see him again. As those thought cross my mind my heart beats a little bit slower with sadness.

Pulling into the driveway with my headlights shining I can see my mother anxiously waiting on the front step. Before I can fully open my car door she lashes out at me, where have you been? I have been worried sick about you. You didn't call, you said you would call me! Mom, everything is fine. I just forgot my phone in my car. I promise it won't happen again. Come on it's late, we have lots to do tomorrow, my mother mummers.

As I lay my head to rest my mind runs wild with tempting thoughts. Jaxson. Why did we spark? Why didn't I speak or hug him good bye? With these thoughts my brain finally clicked, he does not have any way to get a hold of me. Putting all my thoughts aside I slowly drift to sleep.

Chapter 2

Waking to the faint sounds of birds chirping. Time to get up, my mother states. We are going shopping for college, let's get a move on it. College is a couple of months away, mumbling, frustrated pulling the covers back up to my face. Come on get up. Dressing quickly. You have some mail, must be from your aunt for your graduation. Excited I quickly peel open the glued envelope. It's a hand written letter. Sweetie, let's go. One minute mom, I shout back.

To my dearest Vivian,

Time has not always been in my favor. I regret my actions to not see you and raise you. I wanted to be in your life but your mother would not let me. I would like to speak with you in person and clear the air. Words cannot describe my love for you. You have grown into such a beautiful women.

Love always,

Your father

Benjamin Barrett

My heart beats fast while my hands begin to tremble. I cannot breath. Vivian! I hear from the driveway. I fold the letter put it in the middle pocket of the inside of my purse. Stunned, I try to show no emotion. Should I keep this from my mother? Thinking to myself. What took so long? her voice blurts out with concern. Just a happy graduation letter from Aunt Mary, my voice is low but hopefully convincing. Without a blink the subject is dropped and we are on our way to the mall.

Five hours later, a smoothie, three pairs of sandals, a comforter set and random cooking utensils we finally arrived home. I had a great time sweetie, I sure will miss you when you leave for college, my mother says with tears in her eyes. I know mom, I know, I will miss you too. Hey we still have a couple of months before I leave. I know, she whispers softly, as we step out of the car and grabbing our plastics shopping bags.

Before stepping inside I notice twenty four pink roses sitting in the most beautiful crystal vase. Turning towards my mother, confusion sweeps her face. Where did these come from? My mother approaches with caution. Vivian, read the card. My hands full, sitting down my bags as I carefully reach down opening the tiny white envelope:

Vivian,

I know it was only yesterday but I feel a spark for you. Please don't forget about me. Let's get together soon. Call me 555-6745.

Jaxson

P.S. You didn't think I'd find you.

My eyes widen as my fingers numb. How