Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Sincerely Sarah: Two Steps Back

Welcome to chapter three of Sincerely Sarah, our fourth Progressive Story Project. We have 8 bloggers writing this piece of fiction, each contributing to but none controlling the story.

Sincerely Sarah, a Progressive Story Project: One cohesive piece of fiction written by multiple bloggers, each contributing their voice to the story | brought to you by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics #fiction #blogging



This time we're doing it a little differently. In the past we had more writers, each taking just one turn. This time we have fewer writers, so each has sent the story on, then later got it back. It's added a second challenge, not just to keep the story cohesive, but to change focus when it turns out the story didn't necessarily go in the direction we would have thought when we saw it last.

Before you read on, be sure you're caught up:
Chapter One:  Set the Course
Chapter Two: One Step Forward

Be sure to visit the blogs of all of these talented writers. I've listed each segment's author along with a link to their blog.

Chapter Three: Two Steps Back


 On the walk to the bar Sarah listened as the girls chatted about difficult attorneys, frustrating clients and the adorable intern who just started in the mail room. She took a deep breath and decided this was the first night of her new life.

As they entered the bar, Sarah knew he was there before she ever saw him. She could feel his piercing eyes, the hair on the back of her neck stood on end. She took a deep breath, looked around and their eyes locked. Damn. Parker was entirely too good looking. Sitting there with his top button undone, sleeves rolled up, one foot propped up and sitting on the bar stool looking more commanding and confident than should be allowed. She exhaled the breath she was holding, nodded in his direction and followed the ladies to a table. YES she thought, I CAN do this.

The next morning in court she had a difficult time focusing. Her thoughts wandered to the dance, the kiss and far too many drinks. Thankfully she had not succumbed to his seduction. Oh yes, she had wanted to, but she stood her ground. He needed to know she was her own woman and not some toy.

Later in the office, the head partner, Mr. Carmichael called Sarah into his office. "This is it," she thought. The offer for partnership or at least a hint that she might be eligible for partner if she played her cards right. Instead she heard news that rocked her to her core. Devastated she walked back into her office. Sniffles could be heard all through the office. No one looked at her or in her direction. She gathered her things and headed for the elevator.

She stood at the elevator doors, holding back tears and turned to glance in the direction of Parker's office. They had already placed a white wreath on the door and shut it. Forget the elevator, she turned and sprinted for the stairs and ran all the way down to her car. Blinded by tears as she fumbled for her keys, finally getting into the car she crumbled in a fit of tears.


Waking the next day, Sarah felt hollow. Why? She didn't understand it. Her heart was shattered into a million pieces, just like before. Only last time she had Parker to lean on. Now he's gone and she has no one.

Rolling over, she opened the top drawer of her nightstand and withdrew the picture she kept there. The one time glimmer of hope she had that things were different, that she and Parker were meant to be.

Closing her eyes, she thought back to that day, her own excitement matching his, along with fear.

"Sarah, Parker, I have some good news. It took! Here, let me show you," Dr. Gregory said, telling Sarah to lean back so he could run the ultrasound wand over her flat stomach.

Watching the screen with growing fascination, Sarah saw the peanut-shaped figure on the TV in front of her. She looked up at Parker, whose eyes were fixed on the same screen, glistening wit unfallen tears.

"So . . . what you're saying is that she . . . that we . . . " Parker said, his voice rough with emotion.

"Yes. Congratulations! You guys are pregnant!"

Crying, Sarah and Parker embraced, both feeling a joy like they'd never felt before. They immediately dubbed the baby "Peanut". Dr. Gregory's nurse snapped a picture of the two fo them in front of the screen, their first "family" shot.

They rode cloud 9 for two weeks, living in a state of bliss and dreaming of what their baby would look like. Then it happened. Sarah was in a car accident and their dream was lost as a result. Sarah went into a deep depression, locking herself in the room they shared and crying for days. When she finally pulled herself together and returned to work, she found Parker and Danica in that precarious situation.

Holding the picture of her, Parker and the screen of their baby to her chest, Sarah cried fresh tears. This loss was so profound; she didn't think she would come back from it.

Glancing toward the ceiling, she whispered "Parker, I love you. Tell Peanut I love him or her too."

Gripping the picture, Sarah lay back down and cried herself to sleep.




She woke up determined that she would get through this latest heartbreak the same way she had gone through all of the other tragedies in her young life. With sheer determination and faith. Faith that there was a plan for her and one day all of her dreams would finally come true.

Until then, she would just get through each day putting one foot in front of the other until she could see her way clear again. She was a strong woman. She had had to be. Sarah had lost so much in her life. First both of her parents had been killed in an airplane crash and then finding out she was unable to have children of her own. The breakup of her marriage and now losing Parker for good.

He would always hold a special place in her heart, but she knew that in the end he wasn't the right guy for her. No matter how much she had wanted him to be. She only had herself and she had been there before. She knew that if she could get through the loss of both of her parents she could get through anything.

Thank God today was Saturday and she didn't have to go to work. She got up and straightened the tiny apartment she had moved into after the divorce. She had never taken the time to really make it feel like a home. She decided that it was time to make this into a place that she was happy to come home to every day.

She jumped into the shower and fixed herself up. no, she wasn't going to sit around crying. She was still alive and was going to create the very best life she could so that when she finally did have a baby to bring home that her apartment would be ready.

Getting out was the best idea she had and she hit the stores ordering new curtains, new furniture, and anything else she could think of that would make her apartment into a home. She was on her own again and it was an old familiar feeling. She wasn't afraid like she had been the first time she had been all alone in the world. She had done it once and would do it again.

After a day of shopping she came home, put her pjs on and got to work putting to use all of the things she had bought that afternoon. She worked until evening and then she fixed herself some dinner, had a glass of wine, and climbed into bed with the new book she had also purchased.

Her IVF appointment was rescheduled for Monday and she just had a good feeling about it this time. It was going to work. She would have a family of her own making. She didn't need a man to make her feel complete, she only needed herself and her baby to love. She went to sleep picturing the life that she would have one day.

The little girl in her dreams with the curly brown hair and big blue eyes laughed and smiled as they explored new places and had wonderful adventures together. Sarah woke up Sunday morning with a peace that she hadn't felt in a very long time. She knew in her heart that Monday would be a success and she was ready for it to begin.



Progressive Story Project: One cohesive piece of fiction written by multiple bloggers, each contributing their voice to the story | brought to you by www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics #fiction #blogging

~ ~ ~ Come back on Tuesday for the conclusion of Sincerely Sarah ~ ~ ~

Baking In A Tornado signature | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics

8 comments:

  1. Uuuughh, even though I have read these chapters when I contributed my part, I feel like I'm literally going through it in person! So proud of my blogging friends, they did such a great job!

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    1. I know, such a talented group of writers. Can't believe the story ends next week.

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  2. This is, by far, my most favorite project yet. It's so.........I don't know....lol. I don't want to see how it ends, but I can't WAIT to see how it ends. lol

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  3. I am really loving this and how it has gone full circle. Ready for the next chapter.

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    1. I love the twist you added to this story . . . and just when it needed it. Last chapter next week, I always hate to see these end.

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