Chapter Twenty-three

Charlene had once thought that she might become a writer. She had seen many imaginary and interesting things when off her meds that made here think that a book was possible. She was full of energy and ideas while free of those pills that her father begged her to take. But once she was back on her meds those ideas were put to rest, and the energy quickly abated. That’s why she worked in this building after all.

She had applied for her job when she was seeing things that weren’t really there. She simply walked in, filled out an application for a secretarial job while on a break from her medications and seemed full of positive energy and seemed to have a great personality. Mrs. Casey liked her attitude and gave her a thumbs up when talking to her boss. Mr. Oliver took her word for her qualifications and agreed to hire her on a trial basis. It worked out well for several months.

During this time of her life she was doing well. She had lost contact with many old friends who often led her astray and was getting closer to her father. He had set her up in a new apartment in a different neighborhood that took her away from some of the friends that might get her into trouble as she had been in years ago.

She had a bit of a drug habit when in high school and had a hard time getting away from those elements that made that lifestyle easy to fall back into. The move to a new apartment up town and into a better neighborhood made her recovery easier.

She missed work only once and learned quickly how important being dependable was from her boss, who nearly fired her. Her father had made a call to Mr. Oliver and made a promise that gave Charlene a second chance. There were several publishers in this part of New York City and she had just happened to walk into one that was hiring. Charlene knew she had good luck and relied on it often to her father’s disappointment.

The years had passed and her long dream of a novel still sat as a half finished short story up in the recesses of her bedroom closet. She had a head full of ideas but no will power to put them on paper, like many would be authors.

As often happens, the dreams we have at one point in our lives eventually mature into something else. Her dream was now marrying Joe and helping him with his writing career. If she could help Joe become a successful author, maybe her dreams would have a chance to come true.

She wanted to stop working. If she did, then she might have time to write her book or books. The money from Suzan’s life insurance policy would surely help along the way.

But at the moment her chances of writing a book looked more unlikely than ever before.

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Charlene isn’t perfect, but I like her ambition.

More tomorrow.