A Broken Heart

By Daniel Piller

Ten years go by, and Jack and Bree return home for a visit. Bentley enters the story and brings joy to everyone. Faith and the ladies spend some time at the bar. Bree gets rushed to the hospital, where bad news awaits the whole family. Jack’s life is thrown upside down when he gets all he wants. He makes a move that will forever change him. Faith meets someone and receives excellent news. Cassie comes to grips with bad news.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9798369400104

Daniel Piller

I have been writing for over twenty years and have found a healing sense in putting my thoughts on paper. I started with poetry and slowly graduated to writing stories. I love writing and letting the Holy Spirit flow. I have been in a wheelchair for a while now and I see it as a blessing. I may not be able to walk but I’m happy I’m a child of God now. I play on our local wheelchair rugby team and love playing it. I have been all over the county and met so many great people.

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Copyright © 2023 by Daniel Piller.

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 Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 06/12/2023

Xlibris

844-714-8691

www.Xlibris.com

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CONTENTS

Dedication

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Dedication

This goes out to my family in Christ. I have never felt alone knowing you’re praying for me. Thanks for being with me and spiritually helping me along this journey.

Chapter 1

Our story carries on ten years later and at John’s house. The trees have grown so tall that a branch touches the house’s roof. We now move in closer to see that the grass in the front yard is long and needs a cut. We go up the well-worn steps and through the screen door. It’s tranquil since the kids left for college one at a time.

In the living room, on the wall, the family tree of pictures has grown. We walk closer, and there is a picture, and Jack is holding a trophy while his fellow teammates surround him. On the other side is Faith’s picture in her soccer uniform. She is smiling while John and Cassie stand on either side of her. We move to another image, and Jack holds Bree in his arms as it is their wedding day. In another photo, Bree and Jack are smiling while wearing their graduation gowns from college. We move further down, and there is a picture of the whole family wearing coveralls. They are all covered in paint spots and everyone is smiling.

Cassie comes down the stairs and walks into the kitchen. She fills the coffee pot and turns it on. While she waits, she turns her attention to the sink. She turns the water on and cleans the dishes from last night. She reaches over and turns the radio on to break the silence in the house. John has been away for a few days, and since the summer break, she has been taking it easy, sleeping till ten in the morning. Suddenly she hears a bark come from behind her. She turns around and smiles.

Oh, sorry, Bentley, you want to go outside, says Cassie happily.

Cassie walks over to the back door and opens it, and Bentley runs outside. Bentley is a big white pit bull and comes up to Cassie’s knee. She picks up Bentley’s bowls, walks to the cupboard, and opens it. She fills one bowl, walks over, fills the other with water, and puts them back on the floor.

Ten minutes later, Cassie stands at the back door, slowly sipping her coffee. Bentley runs back, dropping a tennis ball at her feet, and sits and waits for her to look down. She smiles as she takes another sip and looks at Bentley.

You want to play? asks Cassie.

Just as Cassie says those words, Bentley jumps up and barks excitedly. She turns, puts her cup on the table, leans down, and picks up the dirty tennis ball. She tosses it into the backyard, and Bentley runs after it joyfully.

We flash back three years ago, and John is driving back from the base. It’s late at night and he has just returned from a secret overseas mission. While driving along the highway, he notices something on the side of the road and drives by it. Suddenly he is filled with this urge to turn around and see what it is. He turns around, parks behind it, and walks up to see what it might be.

As John gets closer, he can hear whimpering. He kneels to see a puppy covered in blood. He quickly removes his jacket, gently wraps the puppy, rushes back to his car, and speeds to the local vet’s office. As he tears down the highway, he looks at the clock and thinks, Damn, they’re going to be closed. He remembers Faith volunteered with the local animal rescue team and she is home for the summer break.

Five tense minutes later, John pulls into the driveway and jumps out, carrying the puppy in his arms. He runs inside and upstairs and bursts through Faith’s door. He turns the bedroom light on and looks at Faith lying in bed.

Faith, honey, wake up. I need your help! panics John.

What’s wrong? asks Faith as she squints at the light.

John puts his jacket on the side of her bed and opens it up to show the bloody puppy as it cries out.

Let’s see what’s wrong with this little guy, says Faith calmly.

Faith looks the puppy over like she has done this many times before.

Suddenly Cassie walks into the bedroom.

What’s all the commotion about? asks Cassie as she pulls her housecoat around her waist.

I found this little pup abandoned and bloodied on the highway, replies John nervously.

Well, he doesn’t seem to have any broken bones, but we will have to wait and see, says Faith.

Thanks so much, honey, replies John as he breathes a sigh of relief.

John reaches down and picks up his jacket with the puppy inside it.

Don’t think he is sleeping with us tonight, says Cassie sternly.

That’s alright, we’ll go downstairs, replies John.

John walks past Cassie as he smiles and cradles the puppy. He walks downstairs and places his jacket on the floor. He walks over to the couch, takes a blanket off, and lies beside the puppy.

Early the following day, John is woken up by the puppy licking his face. He smiles and feels happy as he plays with the puppy, knowing he’s okay.

We flash back to the present, and Cassie stands by the garage and throws the ball for Bentley. Bentley runs around with the ball in his mouth and drops it at her feet. She leans down, picks it up, throws it down the driveway, and Bentley runs after it.

A few moments later, Cassie wonders where Bentley is and walks to the front yard. As she gets to the front yard, Jack and Bree are walking up, and Jack is playing with Bentley.

Hi, guys. I thought you were coming on the weekend? asks Cassie.

Bree looks over as she slowly walks up the stairs.

Yeah, we were, but we got a call late last night and we had to come early, replies Bree.

Cassie rushes over to Bree.

Let me help you the rest of the way, says Cassie.

Bree takes Cassie’s hand and smiles.

Thanks, these two have been kicking the whole way here, replies Bree.

You look great for carrying twins, says Cassie.

Awe, thanks, replies Bree as they walk inside the house.

A few minutes later, Jack walks into the house with their bags. He drops them on the floor with a loud thud.

Babe, I’ll put your stuff in my room, and I will be right back with my bag, says Jack.

Okay, replies Bree as she sits on the couch with Cassie.

Five minutes later, Jack is outside mowing the lawn. Cassie comes out and looks at Jack.

I was going to do that! shouts Cassie.

Jack stops in front of the steps and lets the lawnmower shut off.

Ah, that’s okay. I always like to cut the grass, replies Jack. You and Bree have fun. She has missed you. And give Sarah a call. You guys deserve a lady’s night.

Thanks. I will go call Sarah right now, says Cassie.

Cassie walks inside, picks up Jack’s bag, and carries it to his room.

Meanwhile, outside, Jack has removed his shirt and placed it on the steps. He looks up and wipes the sweat from his forehead. The sun is high overhead and they are on the third day of a heatwave. He turns his attention back to the lawn and begins to finish with the front yard.

Thirty minutes later, in the backyard, Jack is putting the lawnmower away. Bree, Cassie, and Sarah come walking out the back door. Bree walks over and sits on the lawn chair, wearing a yellow dress.

Jack, please bring out two lawn chairs, says Cassie.

A few moments later, Jack exits the garage and sets the chairs up.

Thanks, Jack. Sarah smiles as she sits down.

If you ladies don’t mind, I’m going to go for a run, says Jack. Hey, Mom, can I take Bentley with me?

That’s a great idea, replies Cassie as she holds her glass of wine.

Cassie turns to Bentley chewing on a bone by the back door.

Bentley, you want to go for a walk? asks Cassie.

Bentley gets up really fast and barks happily.

Go get your leash, says Cassie.

Just when Cassie says that, Bentley runs into the house.

Babe, before you go, come over here and I will put some sunscreen on you, says Bree.

Jack walks over and sits on the edge of the lawn chair, and Bree begins applying the lotion on his back. He takes some cream and puts it on his chest and arms.

A few moments later, Bentley runs out of the house with his leash in his mouth. He happily sits in front