My one and only daughter’s birthday. So many son’s and then a female. How lovely. With complications and a near death experience yet I lived to tell the tale.
Today’s tale, as we know a WIP is in progress, and so I introduce the heroine of The Doll.
Excerpt:Teen age Reva Mercer had a dream that one day she’d gather her saved dollars and Pa’s hidden money, make a run for the bus to leave the darned Keys and head for the Nursing College where she’d learn to care for sick people.One night that’s exactly what she did, with him sleeping and her all packed for her oh -so-near-better life. Officer O’Brien pulled up next to Reva just as she was ready to board the bus. “And where are you going this night, young lady?” The young woman gave him the flirty eyes that knocked him out every time but he grabbed her arm as she pulled away just in time.
The hours passed , dawn came and before much longer the bus stopped at a pretty section of Florida with a big sign directing her to The College. She staggered off the bus after a few hours of sleep and a peanut butter sandwich made at home and Reva trudged up the crushed stone walkway to the front door and stumbled in. Backpack slung over her shoulder, a kindly woman greeted her saying, “You must be our long lost Reva Mercer.”
The young girl nodded as if to say yes, that’s me and crumpled into mess on the floor.
There were a lot of questions too young Reva would have to answer before she entered the college.
for more snippets from talented writers:
Author Charmaine Gordon 
That’s a tough way to start college!
I took a train from Chicago with a Girlfriend. Easy. Reva didn’t have such luck.
Our long lost Reva Mercer? Who is this lady that answered the door? Definitely curious.
(PS, I like the heroine’s name, Reva, that was my momma’s name)
I’m so pleased to honor your Momma. The head mistress answers the door. Reva is late to begin classes. She’s also two years too young.
Edgy, Charmaine. The sense of desperate escape, and the desire for some normalcy. Excellent snippet.
Kim, what a nifty comment. Thanks.
I like the phrase “oh -so-near-better life” – sums up her hopes and frustrations beautifully.
She’s tough and hopeful. What a kid. Thanks, Peter.
Happy birthday to your daughter! This is quite the premise for a story. I can hardly wait to read the many adventures you weave into young Reva’s life. Wonderful start! 🙂
Thanks, GF,she does it the hard way -more next week. Wish you could come over so I could tell you all the stuff.
I liked her pulling away from the cop, just in time. Was he doing her a favor letting her go? There are obviously feelings there, at least on his part. Something tells me we haven’t seen the last of him.
He wants to get laid by the beautiful red headed young girl. She doesn’t agree with his plan.
Quite the ordeal. Hopefully things turn out for her, but it seems like there’s quite a bit of mystery here. 😀
A lot going on! Poor thing, she must feel like a wrung-out dishrag. I feel like helping her to a sofa and offering her some tea!
Marcia
She tells half lies and gets through the fact that she’s sixteen not seventeen/eighteen and they feed her and train her. Always a way to get through is Reva’s way.
Long lost? Now, I’m the one with the questions. Definitely intriguing! 🙂
She’s the last to show up way late-too young but suffiicent to say, she is satisfactory.
Interesting beginning to a story- close call with the cop and “long lost” already!
The cop wants more than she will give-in the story-and she’s long lost to their standards. But she has a gift for gab and 3 years later she graduates.
Wow, this story has so many layers and things going on already – I’m hooked! Terrific snippet and I’m rooting for Reva to succeed. HUGS to you, my friend.
She gets by on her beautiful body as the story goes on, a new career, wonderful things occur and as far as this writer goes, it’s amazing. Back atcha, darlin’ I’m so proud of you.
She’s pretty plucky to set off like that on a wing and a prayer. Sounds like the college is ready to give her a chance though.
Wing and a prayer-that’s my Reva until she finds a home.
Wow – that was fabulous. Cheering for her to get away and then wondering about – our long lost Reva – what???? Tweeted.
Daryl, you’re a peach. Always finding the good side of a snippet. The head mistress greets her wit and allows her to stay Long Lost. She interegates the too young girl who manages to tell half lies to stay.
I like that she wants to leave for the nursing college. Happy birthday to your daughter! May she have a fantastic and blessed day!
Thanks, dear Neva.
Great beginning, Charmaine. Good for her, making her break from the Pig. 🙂
Happy birthday to your lovely daughter! And I hope you have a good week, dear Charmaine!
Any changes made will be taken seriously by this old writer.
As for Amy, she will be married before long, happy as a bug with 3 more daughters. Thanks. A blessing from above.
That must have been some harrowing bus ride! Happy birthday to your only daughter!! What a treasure. 🙂
Yes, long ride. Thanks for the birthday wishes, boys and then the girl. What a surprise.
A lovely introduction to Reva’s escape from her old life, towards a promising (I hope) future. I did the same at 17, but not for college, but to work in London. It’s always a bit scary making that move, and I hope she has lots of adventures and experiences.
I hope the story turns out well. She has no mother to guide her and she’s on her own. More to follow. Thanks Rachel.I feel close to you, my friend.
Happy Birthday to your daughter! I read Together Again and reviewed. Hope it does well.
So far so good , dear Dani. Thanks for the lovely interesting review.
This feels almost like a 20th century historical novel. Is it?
I thought of it and wrote. That’s all I claim to so far.
Intriguing beginning to the story. We already have an idea of her desperation for a better life.
Yes indeed. No fangs here, Karen.
It’s curious how they greet her. “You must be our long lost Reva Mercer.”
She’s tardy. What can I say. It’s the head mistress.
I was wondering why Pa didn’t want her to go into Nursing, but she’s too young. Wonder how the headmistress is going to react to that? Lots of question running around my mind right now. 🙂 Great beginning, Charmaine!
Pa had in made slave making for his kid. He didn’t care two hoots about what she thought.
Well, she barely made it there. Now will she make it while she’s there, I wonder.
Determined with a goal in mind, she’ll make it. Next week!
Heck of a way to start college! Can’t wait to read next week’s.