Whisper Of Darkness

By Joyce Haggard

Whisper Of Darkness is a dramatic coming-of-age story about a spoiled eleven-year-old girl that criticized people that weren't as well-off financially as she was and often she would say mean, hurtful things to others. Then suddenly her life took a different turn and things began to change....a car accident....a loved one dies. From entitlement to empathy? Have the storms of life been so severe that it has stripped away Kelsey's will to live?

An absolutely gripping tragedy-filled page-turner packed with drama, humor, and the overwhelming potential to bring tears to your eyes. It's a beautiful and capitivating inspirational with a lot of heart inspired by true events.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joyce Haggard
• Release date: May 12, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224404643

Book preview

Chapter 1

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Perfect, Marcy Williams muttered to herself as she sneaked another peek at her reflection in the rear view mirror inside her new charcoal gray BMW. She was referring to her collar-length golden hair that she had just had cut, layered, and styled in the latest most popular fashion at her favored beauty salon. She quickly refreshed her make-up. Then she deposited her silver compact and luscious mauve lipstick back into her brown suede handbag. She raked her hair attentively behind her ears.

The sun was suddenly shining in her eyes so brightly it was blinding her. She reached over to pull her designer sunglasses from the gray console. She put them on. That was better. Now she could see more distinctly. Staring at the mirror, she watched as an old red truck whizzed by her house, followed by a newer model brown pickup.

On impulse, her eyes fell upon her dainty white gold Rolex. She gasped. Oh no, it can’t be that late! she exclaimed. I’ve got to get going!

The interior of the automobile beheld the scent of honeysuckle, thanks to the air freshener she had put in only yesterday. Marcy clicked in her seat belt, started the engine, and began to back up the car, backing up slowly at first. She gazed at her lovely home proudly as she came to the end of the driveway and came to a stop. She still couldn’t believe that she actually lived there for real. It was truly like an incredible dream. It was a far cry from the shack in McMinnville, Tennessee where she once lived as a child. And now she is thirty-one, still living in the same city, but has embarked on a different lifestyle, one of luxury.

Marcy rolled her car into the parking lot of the Warren County Middle School. She drove up to the front entrance and stopped the vehicle. Her eleven-year-old daughter attended the sixth grade there.

Kelsey didn’t appear to be happy standing there all alone. The October wind whipped through her blonde hair. She clutched her notebook and two textbooks to her chest in her left arm. With her right hand, she raked back strands of her long hair that were blowing in her face and tickling her nose. She angrily yanked open the car door.

As Kelsey slid into the passenger’s seat, she pulled and fastened her seat belt around her. Her blue eyes were still full of intolerance for her mother. You’re late!’’ she snapped while she squirmed in her seat, trying to get her books situated in her lap. Why can’t you be on time like the other parents? I don’t understand why you can’t pick me up on time." A newly sharpened yellow pencil came out of her English book and fell to the floorboard. She quickly snatched it up and stuck it back into the textbook.

Sorry. I lost all track of time, Marcy apologized to her daughter.

You’re always late, Kelsey continued.

I am not, Marcy said as she frowned at her pouting child.

Yes, you are.

I’m not always late, Marcy repeated, getting irritated at her child’s tone. Why do you keep saying that?

Because it’s true, Kelsey answered with no intention of letting it go.

No, it’s not.

Yes, it is. And I was freezing, Kelsey told her, flipping back her hair.

It’s not that cold.

It is too, cold, Kelsey shot back.

Marcy let out a deep sigh. Why do you have to dispute everything I say?

I don’t.

Okay, okay, enough of this bickering. I’ll try to be more punctual, all right? Marcy knew she had to make an effort to make amends. Kelsey had a right to be angry. She knew that. She had fallen into the habit of not being on time a lot lately.

Marcy cautiously pulled out of the school’s parking lot and headed toward the red light. How would you like an ice cream sundae at Denny’s Dairy Land? Would that make you feel better?

A hint of a smile began to melt across Kelsey’s face. It worked like a charm. She perked up and threw her books over into the back seat.

Marcy grinned. She thought that bribe would lift her daughter’s spirit and put her into a nicer mood. They often stopped at Denny’s after school.

Kelsey was an only child. Marcy didn’t understand why, but she wasn’t able to conceive again. She never sought medical attention. She only kept hoping it would happen for her. She knew her beloved husband would love to have a son even though he would never mention it to her. She knew that he loved his little girl with all his heart. Marcy had always wanted a large family of her own. A house full of children is what she wanted, she thought wearily. She sighed and brought her thoughts abruptly back to the present. She didn’t like to linger over that particular issue in her life. It made her feel sad. She was determined not to let herself be sunken into a gloomy mood all day.

Inside the restaurant, Kelsey saw Liam Prater behind the register. He was seventeen, had gorgeous dark hair, brown eyes, and a winning smile. He worked part-time after school and he was talking to a customer. The customer was a cute red-headed teenager and she must have said something funny because he kept laughing as she chattered away.

The young girl that Liam Prater was speaking to was flirting with him. That made Kelsey feel jealous and she wished the girl would hurry up and leave. Finally, the flirtatious girl grabbed her burger, fries, and Coke and left. Kelsey sneered as she watched the teenager walk out.

Liam’s younger half-brother, Corbin, was Kelsey’s age and went to her school. Corbin was in most of her classes, but he wasn’t half as cute as Liam, Kelsey thought dreamily.

Kelsey ordered a banana split and Marcy asked for a cheeseburger, fries, and a medium diet soda. There were only two tables already taken, two customers at each. They picked a table by the window and sat down. They wolfed down their food and prepared to leave. They emptied their trays and then placed them at the counter. Marcy threw away her empty cup and straw and headed toward the door. Kelsey was right behind her mother and followed her, not really paying much attention to where she was going. Her mind was totally occupied with the guy of her dreams.

While staring back at Liam, who was watching them leave, Kelsey tripped at the door and almost went down. A red tinge washed warmly over the child’s face. She couldn’t get to the car fast enough to get in and hide. The kids at school often made fun of her for being overly clumsy and she conjured up images in her imagination of Liam exploding in laughter at her, but he wasn’t.

Her mother’s familiar voice interrupted her thoughts. Kelsey dear, you do realize that Liam is much too old for you, don’t you?

What do you mean? I’m not thinking about him. Kelsey squirmed uncomfortably in her seat, wishing she was anywhere but there. What gave you that idea? I don’t even like Liam. Kelsey peered at her mother and frowned. Kelsey searched her handbag for her pink cellular phone and pulled it out.

Then Marcy laughed knowingly. Come on now. I’ve seen the way you look at him. It’s very obvious, you know. Besides, maybe he has a girlfriend. Maybe the girl he was talking to at the restaurant, was his girlfriend.

I don’t think he has a girlfriend from what I’ve heard.

I think you have a crush on him. Marcy glanced at her daughter and smiled.

Okay. Kelsey shrugged and was unable to deny it anymore. I can’t help it. He’s so cute, she admitted.

And too old for you, Marcy repeated.

No, he’s not.

He’s six years older than you are. That is too much of an age difference at your age.

No, it’s not, Kelsey disagreed.

Yes, it is. And besides, you’re only eleven. You are a little too young to be thinking about boys, Marcy said.

So, how old were you when you started thinking about boys? Kelsey questioned.

Older than you.... Marcy turned the key in the ignition, started the car, slowly backed up, and drove out of the parking lot.

Well, exactly how old were you? Kelsey continued looking at her mother for an answer. Didn’t you like boys when you were my age? Huh?

Marcy let out a deep sigh. Kelsey, please, could we talk about something else? Really, you need to be thinking about improving your grades, instead of boys.

Kelsey relaxed in her seat and stared ahead. That’s what I thought.

Marcy shook her head in exasperation. All right, smarty pants, enough.

Kelsey rolled her eyes. Whatever.

Kelsey grabbed her cell phone that she had dropped back into her handbag and settled into the idea of ignoring her mother for the rest of the trip home. She sent a text to her friend, Eden, and told her about seeing Liam. She was so excited she kept messing up on her text message. Finally, the message was sent.

Eden answered and told her, that was great and that she thought he was cute, too. She sent her another text saying, He’s too old for us. Don’t you think?

Kelsey grunted and turned off her phone.

What did you do in school today? Marcy attempted to get Kelsey’s mind off Liam and change the subject. Anything interesting....?

No, just the same ole things.... Kelsey replied. Same ole boring classes....

Surely, you did something interesting today, Marcy tried again.

Kelsey sat silently for a while, stubbornly daydreaming about Liam, mentally tuning out her mother’s words as they headed home. Her plan for ignoring her mother for the rest of the trip had been interrupted. If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again, she