Long Distance

By Sean Bernatowicz

Katrina is just a normal girl navigating a series of challenges and discovering her own strength. Through difficult medical school classes, infidelity, tragic loss, and a ruthless attack, a guardian angel is there for her to vent her problems to. She thought this guardian angel was just a reflection of he

• Language: English
• Publisher: Koehler Books
• Release date: Apr 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9781646639441

Sean Bernatowicz

Sean Bernatowicz is an emerging author from rural West Virginia. In college, he obtained a degree in psychology and was working on another in biochemistry when his mother passed away unexpectedly. He decided to transform the world in her honor. Working in emergency services has also fostered a true ambition of changing hearts. His ultimate aspiration is to start a charity and inspire with the written word.

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Long Distance

Sean Bernatowicz

logo1

Long Distance

by Sean Bernatowicz

© Copyright 2023 Sean Bernatowicz

ISBN 978-1-64663-944-1

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior written permission of the author.

This is a work of fiction. All the characters in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The names, incidents, dialogue, and opinions expressed are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real.

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For Her

PROLOGUE

THERE ARE MANY questions that continue to plague our existence. But one prevails above all others. Many interpretations exist, yet whichever you subscribe to comes down to two basic opinions. First, there are the ones who believe that life is just that—a cataclysmic event that sparked the beginning of our reality and the subsequent explainable scientific occurrences resulting in sentient life on earth. Then there are those who believe in something more. A rose by any other name, one of our greatest once said. Fate, God(s), a higher order imperceivable to our current understanding. All of these individual convictions share the same principle; we are not alone. Whether guided by a deity or connected to the universe or each other, there is something out there providing hope, especially during life’s inevitable hardships.

Evidence of these phenomena may not be so far-fetched as one may think. The field of noetic science encompasses collective consciousness as well as conscious thought and/or intentions and their effect on the physical world. In laymen’s terms, it is the study of an actual connection between human minds and the interaction between thought and matter. That is to say, any successful experiment (of which there have been) of these theories would suggest affirmation of a higher order beyond our current understanding. Perhaps there is an explanation behind serendipity, the intuition of a loved one in danger, or empathizing with someone in love or despair.

Personally speaking, belief seems a much better alternative. Even modern innovation cannot prove or disprove either dichotomy, so why not hold on to hope? Why not hold out for the possibility that there is an underlying reason beyond what we can see? This is never truer than during tragedy and loss. Yes, maybe that loss is just the absence of something tangible in our lives. But maybe there is more to it—some unfathomable explanation revealed or the possibility what was lost being regained in the end. Is it not comforting to look up or within and speak to something or someone? Of course, nothing will be said in return, but the action itself may provide hope. And that hope is what allows us to persevere.

CHAPTER 1

RAIN POUNDED THE windshield as I strained my eyes to see into the black abyss. My hands had an iron grip on the steering wheel, trying to navigate the almost invisible road. Adrenaline was pumping, and my foot pressed harder on the pedal, thrusting me faster into the darkness, even though my brain was screaming to slow down. Suddenly, the car lurched sideways, and I tried to turn the wheel to take back control. But I kept going sideways until there was a large CRASH and a sudden blinding white light.

I let out a long sigh and put a hand on my head. Always the same one. I had the urge to throw my phone as the alarm kept blaring. Instead, I rolled over and picked up the beeping device and stumbled into the bathroom. Still too tired to care about appearances, I decided on a messy bun and sweats. Others always commented on my unique appearance, but I had Mom’s modesty, and her dark hair, natural highlights, and blue eyes. I considered Mom beautiful, while I’m more of a plain Jane. The only thing I got from my dad is darker skin and a fiery attitude.

At the last second, I remember my notebooks. That gives me a chance to look at the big lug snoring on the other side of my bed. He wasn’t the smartest or funniest guy, but he was cute and sweet, and I loved him so. His lithe, toned body was tangled in the sheets. I walked over to kiss the big drooling mass on his mess of short blond hair.

Babe.

MMMNNNN.

If you’re going to engineering, you have to get up. Still no movement. I gave him another kiss and walked out the door. My abnormally cheery roommate was waiting with a coffee. I hate morning people.

Good morning, sunshine. Surprised you’re up after what we heard last night. Was that you or Jason screaming? she said with a chuckle.

Too early for jokes, Jess. Thanks for the joe. We proceeded down the row of old brick buildings. I always looked forward to medical genetics, but Jessica would’ve failed a long time ago if not for me. She knew her way around a man and had seen animals before, so why bother with physiology? Secretly, I wondered how she even got into the medical program and suspected her wealthy parents had something to do with it. Jessica Broadstock was my childhood friend. It was inevitable since we grew up two doors down from each other. Although I usually played basketball or rode bikes with the boys, Jess could also rope me into tea parties or shopping. Now she was the fun-loving friend who had followed me all the way to medical school, but she was more about the fun part of college. Jess had helped me through a lot in my life, especially concerning recent events. We took a seat in the back as usual, got out the signaling devices that took our attendance, and answered multiple choice questions on the projector.

So, come on! Spill. What happened last night? Jess had to know everything. But that’s what best friends are for, I guess.

What? Not like we haven’t done it before.

Yeah, but that sounded like some Christian Grey shit. What gives?

Well . . . we went out to celebrate our two-year anniversary, and he told me he got accepted at this big engineering firm as an intern, and things kinda went from there . . .

I had come in to change after a nice dinner while he was parking the car. I heard the door close, followed by angry muttering and shoes being thrown. Uh-oh, sounds like he’s in a mood. Something must have happened after our enjoyable lunch at the campus café. It seemed like school was getting the better of him these days. Maybe this black Victoria’s Secret negligée was a bad idea. . . . There was shuffling before the bedroom door opened, and his eyes lit up.

Well, hi there, he said with a mischievous smile.

Hi yourself.

What’s all this about?

I wanted to congratulate you appropriately. Without another word, he climbed me like a mountaineer. I don’t even know how our clothes came off. Hot breath and wet sensations trailed downward as my back arched. He came back to hold me as his hard, tight body felt good against mine. The rhythm picked up, and I felt the pleasure below, trailing up my back before . . .

A firm, wow, that’s great! You can be a rich housewife now. She chuckled.

You know that’s not me. I’m gonna do something meaningful. I am proud of Jase though.

Yeah, yeah. Oh, great, here comes Satan. At least he brought his hot TA today. I am gonna teach him the meaning of T and A.

You have the sex drive of a man.

Jess hated Dr. Edelstein because he challenged his students and often used trick questions. In my opinion, we are paying good money to learn, so we may as well be challenged to our fullest potential. That’s why I was also taking a few side classes to push myself. The professor gave a great lecture about sequencing and editing genomes. It was the future of medicine and technology, and although it was not my preferred specialty, I planned to have a good foundation in it. Genetics was the last in a series of eight-week specialty physiology courses. After this, we will be going into a cumulative eighteen-week diagnostics course before starting clinicals. I looked over at Jess, who was dividing her time between texting and gawking at Ethan, the TA.

And remember, the last two homework assignments are due before the final on Friday.

We packed up to leave. You going to the Welcome Back Blast? Of course, all she thinks about is partying and fun. It wasn’t welcome back for us since med school was year-round, but it usually promised entertainment.

I wasn’t going to, but now I think I’m going to ask Jase and maybe get him something special.

Thought you did that last night.

Perv.

You should totally come. Great lineup and Beatbeasts are opening. Oh, great. Jessica’s ex, Brian, was the lead singer. Drama guaranteed tonight.

Okay, I’ll text you when we’re at the gate.

5:16 p.m.

Hey, Mom, just got out of last lecture.

UGH, would’ve dropped ethics a long

time ago if professor wasn’t so hot lol jk.

Going home to celebrate with Jase.

Love u, night.

After a particularly boring medical ethics lecture from an unenthusiastic professor, I stopped at the school’s store. I looked around at the overpriced items and saw the perfect thing. It was a golden engineering compass. I had seen Jase looking at one online with stars in his eyes while trying to work on a design for class. He explained that it measured angles while I played with his hair. A frown appeared as two fifties were passed across to the cashier, but my altruistic side said Jase’s smile would be worth it.

The delicious smell of pizza was evident as I walked up to our three-bedroom apartment to find Jase setting plates and cups on the table. Jessica and our other roommate, Alex, were there, digging in. We hardly saw Alex because he was a double major and spent a lot of time with his boyfriend, Cody. Everyone was very accepting of the two of them. Nice guys, and always good for a laugh, such as breaking up a boring lecture with a snapchat of Alex and Cody eating sushi with a crude comment about fishy taste. They truly exemplified love knowing no bounds, and I valued the little time we spent with them. And, of course, Jess was always chasing something (or more accurately, someone). So, most of the time, it was just me and Jase.

Jason smiled at me and greeted me with a kiss. Hey, babe, whatcha got there?

Something for later. You want to go to the Blast tonight?

Yeah. Sure.

I was in the bedroom getting ready when Jase came in and wrapped his arms around me. He said, Don’t you look smokin’.