Actually, I think I will post two scenes. :) The first one is part of my 'main' novel. The Hope Of A Sunrise. Now, last time I did a post on this novel it was The Promise Of A Sunrise. I have just about completely rewritten the whole novel, chapters 1-7. I am working on Chapter 4 and just about done with it. So, what you read the first time was just a fake. :P Sorry. Here is a little part of Chapter 4. Enjoy!
Cole left early the next morning. Early enough so I could not say goodbye. I was hoping that he cared enough to say goodbye.
I slumped down in my chair at the breakfast table just as Mrs. Adams was ladling some hot oatmeal into my bowl. Instead of the oatmeal going into my bowl, it went onto my skirt. I jumped up, upsetting my glass of water and hitting the serving bowl of oatmeal Mrs. Adams was holding. That, in turn went crashing to the ground, spilling the hot, creamy breakfast all over.
Johnny was the first to move and break the silence. He hit the table with his hand and started laughing. We all must have been staring at him (I know I was) because he suddenly stopped with his mouth open and looked around the room. I stole a glance at Sara and noticed that she had a faint smile one her face. Pretty soon the whole room was erupting in laughter.
After what seemed like forever, Mrs. Adams finally managed to say “Oh, my dear Margaret.” She said still laughing. “That is one way to start out the day.” I smiled. “Why don’t you go get your self cleaned up because that is oatmeal in you hair, too.”
I slowly moved from my place, trying not to step on any oatmeal as I went and then headed upstairs.
I leaned heavily on the bedroom door once it was closed and burst out laughing. I placed my hand on my stomach and continued to laugh. Then I realized that I still had oatmeal on my dress. I quickly changed out of the spoiled dress, washed my hair and was back down stairs with in the hour.
When I came into the kitchen, the whole Adams family was sitting at the table with their napkins on their laps and their hands folded. I stopped in the doorway. “Oh, you did not have to wait for me.” I said as I once more sat down in my chair.
Mr. Adams gave me a warm smile. “Margaret, the telegram boy delivered this while you were upstairs.” He said as he handed me a letter.
I looked at the writing on the front of the envelop. I did not recognize the hand. I looked at Mr. Adams and then Mrs. Adams before I opened the letter. I gasped once the letter was open and the contents reviled.
“Margaret, Are you all right?” I heard Sara saying, but I did not answer. “Margaret?” She said again.
I finally looked up from the letter with tears in my eyes. “It is from Captain Taylor.” I said as I held up the letter. “He says that the information he gave me last night at the ball was wrong. He did not know it at that point. He only found out when he returned to the camp.” I said as calmly as I could.
Sara and Johnny gasped, Mrs. Adams put her arm around me and Mr. Adams sat there staring at his breakfast.
“Margaret, are you sure what Captain Taylor said is true?” Johnny asked.
I looked up from staring blankly into my lap. “What do you mean Johnny?”
“Well, is there hint in the letter that could tell you that he is alive?”
I looked back at the letter that was now sitting in my lap. “No, Johnny. From what I read, there is nothing to say other wise.”
“Could you please read us the letter?”
I picked up the letter and started reading. “My Dear, Miss Kennedy.” The letter started. “I am glad that I got to make your acquaintance last night at the dance.” I stole a look at Sara and gave her a smile and she giggled. “I am writing to tell you that the information that I gave you last night is false. I did not know this myself until I got back to camp. I had just gotten into camp when a private came running up to me. He told me that Matthew had come to the outskirts of the camp looking for more supplies. As the men were getting the supplies for him, they heard several gun shots. When they arrived back at where they were to meet Matthew with the supplies, he was not there. They searched for a half an hour, but found nothing. Miss Kennedy, your brother is dead."
“Margaret?” Sara said. “Is that all the letter says.”
I looked at the letter again and sighed. “‘I am so sorry for your loss Miss Kennedy and if there is ever anything that I can do for you, just let me know.’ That is it.”
“Does that mean you are going home Meg?” Johnny asked when he noticed that I was not paying attention to anything else.
I looked at him and stared for a second before I answered. “No.” I said and everyone stopped what they were doing. Sara was clearing the table with her mother, Mr. Adams was reading the morning paper, and Johnny was just getting up from the table when he asked. “No, I am not going home.”
“But Margaret, what can you do? His body will most likely go to your home town cemetery.”
“I know Sara.” I said as I cleared my place at the table and let the letter slide to the ground. “There is something missing from the letter is there not?” I felt a huge burden lift from my shoulders as I said that and I felt like I could laugh.
“What is it missing Margaret?” Mrs. Adams asked.
“Captain Taylor did not mention that they found a body. Why would Captain Taylor say that Matthew is dead when they had no body to show for it? What evidence do they have for it?”
Mrs. Adams and Sara laughed. “I did not know that you could think like that Meg!” Sara said as she splashed water on me. I shrugged and dried my hands on my apron.
There is a small part of chapter four. I hope you enjoyed it. :)
So, this last excerpt is set in the World War 2 era. (No, I don't have a name for this one yet. I call it, for now, something something without wings. :P) It is about two brothers who are in the Army Air Force. (They are great friends) The youngest, Jase, is a B-17 (bomber) pilot, and the elder, Mike, is a P-51(fighter) pilot. (To tell you the truth, I am not sure what plane I am going to have Mike fly. It is between a P-38, P-51, and a Corsair.) Jase has always had Mike there to help him with his decisions until one day, they get assigned to a mission. Somewhere during the mission (this is Jase's first mission with his brand new B-17 Eagle's Wings), one of the B-17's engines goes out and Jase has no choice but to land the plane behind enemy lines.
So, with that, I will let you read a small snippet of it. :)
That night I lay in bed thinking about the mission, the practice mission, and what Mike had told me. “We are fighting for freedom. For our loved ones back home and for the future America.” I sighed and rolled over.
I felt the plane lurch as the last engine died. I gripped the yoke harder as the nose of the plane dove forward. I softly pulled up on the yoke. At first, nothing happened and my heart sank into the stomach, but then the nose slowly eased up.
“Jase, you need to relax. You cannot land the plane if you do not relax.” David said and put his hand on my shoulder.
I gave him a half smile. “All right.” I said and loosened my grip on the yoke. I concentrated my gaze on our path and took a deep breath.
“Relax Jase, relax. It is okay. I know you can bring her down.” I heard again. “Slowly bring the nose down. Not too much or we’ll crash. Push down a little bit, but if you do it too much we’ll hit the ground too soon. ”
I nodded and slowly did as Dave said. Once again, I felt the plane lurch forward as the wind caught the nose. Sweat ran into my eyes, blinding me. I shook my head. Keep your eyes on the path, Jase. You can do it. I told myself.
After about five minutes, I could not hold the plane any longer. “Dave,” I said as I relaxed my grip. “She can’t make it back. Collins, how far is it to the airstrip?”
“It is about 2 miles, sir,” Bill Collins answered.
“Thank you, Collins. Dave, she will not make it there. I have two choices, put her down here and walk back or start the engines back up.” I said as I lightly pulled back on the yoke, causing the nose to pull up a little.
David sighed. “Well, if we were in Germany, we would have no choice but to put her down. We need her in a week to fly to England. It will be difficult to get her out of all of these trees. Start the engines back up, Jase.”
“Starting engine number one.” I said as I opened the throttle. I heard a small sigh over the radio. The engine sputtered, and then sprung top life. With in a few minutes, all of the engines were started and we were all at ease.
I sat up, with sweat running down my face. I looked around. It was still dark. It must have been a dream. I laid back down. 'The real mission will not be that easy. If I run out of gas or get shot in an engine, there is no way I can start the engines back up. I have to make it over the enemy lines before I can set her down.' I started to panic. 'I have never gone back to base without my engines before. I have never made it. I have had to start the engines at least two miles away from the airstrip.' My heart started to beat faster and sweat ran down my back.
