THE GAME

By MG Holmes

Embark on a gripping journey with MG Holmes, a seasoned storyteller who, originally from the UK and now a proud U.S. citizen residing in Florida, unfolds a powerful tale in "The Game." 

Set against the backdrop of a family of four, tragedy strikes, forever altering the course of their lives. Unveiling the aftermath, Holmes skillfully

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hemingway Publishers
• Release date: Jan 11, 2024
• ISBN: 9798869118776

Book preview

By

MG Holmes

Copyright © 2024 By Maggie Holmes

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, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the author.

Printed in United States of America

Published by Hemingway Publishers

Dedication

I extend heartfelt gratitude to my husband, Les, for his unwavering patience and support.

Also, I want to thank my family and good friend Michelle for their added support. It was really appreciated.

Author’s bio:

Originally hailing from the UK, I've spent the past three decades as a proud U.S. citizen, calling Florida my home alongside my husband, a native of Illinois. Writing has been a passion of mine, and over the years, I've dedicated myself to crafting meaningful content. I take great pride in what I've written so far, and I am excited to share my work with others.

Table of Contents

Dedication

Author’s Bio:

Chapter 1

How It All Began

Chapter 2

Present Day

Chapter 3

The Birthday Approaches

Chapter 4

Sixteen At Last

Chapter 5

Finally Test Day

Chapter 6

Sweet Sixteen

Chapter 7

Let The Party Begin

Chapter 8

The Game Begins

Chapter 9

Forbidden Love

Chapter 10

Dreams

Chapter 11

Girls Day Out

Chapter 12

Out Of Control

Chapter 13

Keeping It A Secret

Chapter 14

Promise Me

Chapter 15

Time For A New Car

Chapter 16

Making Plans

Chapter 17

Forbidden Passion

Chapter 18

Mending Bridges

Chapter 19

College Bound

Chapter 20

Starting A New Life

Chapter 21

Surprise {Not Quite}

Chapter 22

Not Again

Chapter 23

Epilogue

Chapter 1  

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

May 20th, 2004.

I

t was a day like any other in the Stevens household. Who knew the tragedy that lay ahead? Who could begin to imagine the affect it would have in years to come? Mom Sophie was preparing dinner. Her daughter, Maria, and her younger brother, Peter, had just finished their homework. Peter was too young for homework, but he liked to scribble and color in his book. It made him feel like his big sister. He loved her, and wanted to be just like her. Sophie looked up at the clock above the kitchen window. It was 5: 29, and she listened for the car pulling into the driveway. 5: 30, and there he was.

Sophie smiled, Why do I bother to have clocks in the house? He is the most reliable person I have ever known, she said to herself.                      

Hi Rick, she called as she walked from the kitchen to meet him.

Hey honey, you know you’re my most favorite man that ever walked the earth, right? 

What do you need me to do? he said, laughing.

I forgot to pick up the sage for the dressing.

Guess that means I’m going to the store, Rick laughed.

Could you honey?  Sophie laughed as she gave him a welcome-home kiss.

Maria jumped up, Me too. I’m coming.

Then Peter came running into the hall, Me too, he cried, jumping up and down with excitement.

You can both come on one condition. Rick laughed as he looked down at his wonderful children. They didn’t need to hear the condition. They both knew what it was.

Yes, we finished our homework, they said in unison. Peter was waving his little picture that was supposedly his homework.

Then, in that case, load up. It looks like we have a field trip to the store. We might even stop at mister whips, and buy ice cream on the way, said dad.

Both children squealed with delight. They usually got a treat when their dad took them on a store run. Although that wasn’t the reason Maria went. She would sit in the car for hours with her father driving, never complaining, just sitting looking out of the window.

I think she would follow me to hell and back, as long as I keep driving there, he whispered to Sophie as they were leaving the house. She laughed, and waved to them as they pulled out of the drive. Closing the door, Sophie went back to the kitchen to carry on preparing the meal.                       

Dinner was ready, even without the sage, and there was no sign of Rick and the kids. Sophie called Rick’s cell for what seemed like the 50th time, Why does it keep going to voice mail? Why isn’t he picking up? Sophie walked back and fourth from the front room window to the kitchen to look at the time. She was getting worried, on the verge of panicking, and picked up the phone to call Rick’s older brother Roger, who was in the military and stationed close by.                       

Before she could dial, she heard a car pull into the driveway. Relief flooded over her.  As she walked through to the hall, the doorbell rang.

Sophie laughed, I’m coming. It’s about time, where’s your keys? she called through the door, as she opened it. Hardly getting the words out, her eyes grew wide when she looked at who was standing there. Sophie froze, unable to say or do anything. Standing in front of her were two men, holding their police badges.                        

Mrs Stevens? asked the older man.

Sophie simply nodded. Her throat was so tight she could barely breath.

May we come in? Sophie showed them through to the lounge, they asked her to take a seat.

As she sat down, she was physically shaking her mind, going crazy. Still not speaking, thinking if she asked no questions, they would not tell her anything she didn’t want to hear. Even in her shaken, worried state she knew it was not going to be good. It seemed like an eternity before they spoke, which was ok with Sophie.

Mrs Stevens, I’m Detective Morrisey, and this is my partner Detective Johnson.

They both looked uneasy at the task before them.

We are sorry to inform you there’s been an accident.

Sophie could hear herself screaming, and was unable to do anything about it. Detective Johnson got her a glass of water. As Sophie took small sips, she was able to control the screams, which became very loud sobs. Detective Morrisey started to explain that Rick’s car had been t-boned at the lights on Main Street.

Are they alright? she asked, not wanting to hear a reply.

Your husband, daughter, and son are on their way to the regional hospital downtown.

Feeling relieved, Sophie jumped up out of her seat and started for the door.

Woah, where are you going? Detective Johnson stopped her at the lounge door.

To the hospital, looking at him as though he were an idiot. Where did he think she was going?

First of all, we need to get your shoes, a coat, and your house keys. You need to sit back down. We have more to tell you.

The shaking started again.

Your son Peter was very badly hurt. The medics didn’t hold out much hope for him.

When she came around, she was lying on the sofa with two detectives looking down at her. It all came rushing back to her.

If you’re feeling okay, we will drive you to the hospital.

She had no idea which one of them had said that; and she didn’t care. She followed  them to their car in silence. Sitting in the back of the car without saying a word. Thinking about her husband and children, especially her baby boy, silently praying he would pull through.                      

Arriving at the hospital, still in a daze, the detectives led her to the emergency room. The nurse took her to her husband, and pulled back the curtain. The color had drained from his face, with cuts and bruises all over him, and a large bruised bump on his head. The nurse explained it actually looked worse than it was. Rick had a concussion, and the doctors wanted to keep him overnight. It was probable that he would be released the next day. 

When Rick saw Sophie, he broke down, I am so sorry, I don’t know what happened; we had a green light, I swear we did. The car came from nowhere. Sophie was holding him, trying to comfort him, all the while she was sobbing along with him.

Where are the kids? she whispered in his ear, fearful of what he was going to say.

Rick began moaning and sobbing harder this time. I am so sorry, I will never forgive myself. Soph, he didn’t make it… one minute he was sitting in the back of the car, smiling and eating his ice cream, and now… he’s gone, this is a nightmare.

Once again, they were both crying, not sure if their tears would ever stop.

The following day, Rick was released from the hospital. Maria stayed in the hospital for another three days. She had a broken leg; they had put a pin in. It was a terrible time in the Stevens house, making plans for their darling son Peter’s funeral.

Rick’s brother, Roger, and his wife Lucy, helped with the arrangements, taking on most of the responsibilities. Sophie and Rick could not handle the details. It was just too painful. 

On the day of Peters’ funeral, everybody turned up to support them and pay their respect; family, friends, and neighbors. The flowers were beautiful. If it wasn’t for the solemn occasion, Sophie would have loved them. As it was, she barely noticed them.   

Maria was in a wheelchair. Other than her leg, which would be in a cast for quite some time, the abrasions were healing as expected. The family were all concerned. She had not spoken since the accident. The psychiatrist had said this was pretty common after something so traumatic. The brain has its own way of dealing with shock, I will keep a close eye on her, but believe me, she will talk again when she’s ready. It could be days, weeks or months. I am sorry I can’t give you a definitive answer. There isn’t one. Dr Thornton was highly recommended by the hospital, and the family had no choice but to put their faith in what she was saying. There was a lot of praying and hoping in the Stevens household for Maria and little Peter. 

Over the next few weeks, Maria started to speak, not a lot at first, a few words here and there.  Getting back to everyday life was a slow process. There would always be a hole in their lives. They all tried to get back to life as they knew it, not that it would ever be the same. Peter would always be with them in their hearts.                       

Maria seemed to be okay. Her speech was up to speed. The Doctor suggested therapy, and this all went well. Although they kept a close eye on her, she remembered nothing about the accident. Dr Thornton told them Maria would probably start to remember the events of that day. They were not looking forward to that.

More and more time passed. Rick and Sophie thought they had dodged that bullet, because she showed no sign of remembering. They were ever watchful. As time went by, they relaxed and worried less and less.

CHAPTER 2

PRESENT DAY

M

aria had grown up to be an average teenage girl, living a typical teenage girl existence. She chose not to be one of the cheerleaders. Her parents were somewhat surprised that she did not want to join the squad, as one of her passions when younger was gymnastics, and according to her coach, she had shown a lot of promise, despite the fact that her leg had been severely broken years before.  She was, however, friends with all of them. She also was not one of the geeks, although she was a very good student, once again she was friends with all of them. As far as sports were concerned, she loved to support everybody at the school, but did not want to participate. She was living her school years having fun, with lots of friends, male and female.

Maria had a great deal of compassion and could often be seen sticking up for someone who was being bullied.  Although fighting was not her thing, being quick-witted was a plus, often making the bully look ridiculous with her words and not having to resort to violence of any sort.                   

One day, Rick was sitting at the breakfast table with Sophie, discussing Maria's sixteenth birthday that was only a few days away.

"I don’t know what happened, Rick. One minute,