The car pulled up to the brownstone and Pam opened the door, putting her expensively shod, trim foot onto the pavement before the driver could get out. “Wait here, please,” she asked, shaking her head in disgust. Parked in front of the limousine was a very familiar looking Porsche, its license held within a Babylon dealership license plate holder.
The putz who owned the car hadn’t even bothered to swap the tacky frame for a nicer one. It was so typical of him.
Looking up at the house, she made the split second decision that she’d take the generous offer a real estate investor made for it earlier that month. The driver was standing at the side of the car, watching out for her. Pam supposed it was a request made by John, and she smiled. She’d never felt so protected and loved, not in entire her life, not even by Jack.
The granite steps leading to the massive and impressive front door were littered with dry leaves. She looked up at the trees and noticed they were starting to change, just slightly ahead of the island. Knocking, a familiar face walked toward her, visible in the glass of the door. He opened it, his look unreadable. Not triumph exactly, but close, mixed with resignation. He was unable to stay faithful to anyone, not only her.
“Just like a fly on shit,” Pam said. The crude obscenity startled him, but he laughed, accepting the fitting description.
***
Earlier that day, office hours ending at noon, Dan looked at his watch, thinking of the free afternoon stretching ahead of him. Waiting for him at home; Gladys, Daniela’s eyes smoldering with desire, Lisa’s guileful acceptance. Something was up with her. Guilt over staying out for the evening was trying to seep into his head, but without success. He picked up the phone and dialed a now familiar number, hoping to meet her once again at the diner under the Brooklyn Bridge.
Author’s Notes
Regarding
Induced Lactation
there really is such a thing in which an adoptive mother can produce milk to nurse through mechanical stimulation of the breasts. It can be further enhanced through the use of hormones.
Also by Suzanne Jenkins
The following are available on Kindle and in paperback on Amazon.com. Click the titles to follow the links to Amazon.
#1
Pam of Babylon
Long Island housewife Pam Smith is called to the hospital after her husband, Jack, suffers a heart attack on the train from Manhattan. It is the beginning of a journey of self-discovery and sadness, growth and regrets, as she realizes a wife and mother’s worst nightmare.
#2
Don’t You Forget About Me
The family begins to sift through the evidence of a life of deceit, putting together the pieces left behind by Jack.
#3
Dream Lover
A gritty, realistic portrait of the aftermath of deceit, more pieces of the puzzle come together as the women each attempt to go on living in the wake of despair. More characters are introduced, including Ashton.
#4
Prayers for the Dying
Jack Smith’s victims attempt to move forward while grappling with the pain and horror that he left behind. Pam makes startling revelations about herself, while Sandra hopes for a future with exciting expectations. Marie is in a most unlikely place, with the happiest news in the bleakest circumstances. Ashton’s story of a lifetime love affair with Jack is finally told, with his heartache revealed.
#5
Family Dynamics
Heartbreak and devastation move toward triumph in the fifth and final installation of the
Pam of Babylon
series. Pam is at last able to overcome the pain of Jack’s rejection, and her own role in perpetuating his deviance, when she meets Dan and falls in love. Her children move on with their lives in ways Pam would have never believed. Sandra fulfills her dreams with Tom, and a gift from Marie helps to complete their life together. Ashton and Ted build a beautiful life, and new discoveries make it richer than they thought possible, but with a twist. But don’t be deceived; what you hope for is not what you may get.
#6
The Tao of Pam
A beautiful life at the beach is marred by secrets and lies as the legacy of Jack Smith's debauchery continues to haunt his widow, Pam.
The Tao of Pam
finds Pam at a crossroad which will take her to the next phase of her life, offering her choices she didn't want to make. Her children, Brent and Lisa, move on, dealing with their own life choices, as one by one, they all come down off their pedestals.
#7
In Memoriam
In Memoriam begins with the birth of a baby boy to Pam’s former boyfriend, Dan and daughter, Lisa. Still reeling from the death of her beloved son Brent, Pam endures life at the beach with remarkable strength, while meeting a new man. Could this be her next husband? Sandra tries to balance several versions of her life while striving to be part of the Smith legacy. Lisa rises above circumstances that would destroy most, with determination.
But don't be too relieved; history does have a way of repeating itself.
We’re Just Friends
Short Story Prequel to Soulmates Book #8 A short story to fill in details after Book #7 In Memoriam and before Book #8 Soulmates. Events occur that the reader may want to know about, but Jason and Sandra do their best to keep hidden.
~ ~ ~
The Greeks of Beaubien Street
is the first book in
The Greektown Trilogy.
Although it may be read as a stand-alone novel, character development is on the continuum of all the books in the series.
Nestled below the skyline of Detroit you’ll find Greektown, a few short blocks of colorful bliss, warm people and Greek food. In spite of growing up immersed in the safety of her family and their rich culture, Jill Zannos doesn’t fit in. A Detroit homicide detective, she manages to keep one foot planted firmly in the traditions started by her grandparents, while the other navigates the most devastated neighborhoods in the city she can’t help but love. She is a no-nonsense workaholic with no girlfriends, an odd boyfriend who refuses to grow up, and an uncanny intuition, inherited from her mystic grandmother that acts as her secret weapon to crime-solving success. Her story winds around tales of her family and their secret-laden history, while she investigates the most despicable murder of her career.
The Greeks of Beaubien Street
is a modern tale of a family grounded in old world, sometimes archaic, tradition as they seek acceptance in American society. They could be any nationality, but they are Greek.
Thirty years ago, Terry Smith was Detroit's top news anchor. She set the standard for excellence in investigative journalism, staying at the news desk long after her time should have been over. Just as Terry's son-in-law is murdered in the city, Detective Jill Zannos faces upheaval in her own life. A new man, family intrigue and the dregs of the last case she investigated becomes the lowest priority as she and her partner Albert untangle the mess of Terry Smith and her family.
As Christmastime approaches, the family prepares for another get-together in Greektown. Relationships blossom and some end during the hardest time of the year. But as Jill and others discover, when one door closes, another opens, often with more wonderful opportunities.
~ ~ ~
We meet Alice Bradshaw when she is at a crossroad. She’s just beaten cancer and is suddenly unsure of what her next move should be. Looking back on where she’s been and what the future may hold, she knows she needs to make a big change in her life. Then her car dies on the highway after an argument with her daughter. Dave, a stranger on a motorcycle, pulls alongside her and saves the day. He offers Alice a chance at adventure. She jumps on it, much to the dismay of her children. The adventure starts a chain of events that will have Alice and her children, as well as Dave, questioning every aspect of their lives. There will be a few casualties along the way, a lot of anger, life changes and a few shocking surprises.
Alice’s Summertime Adventure
is the story of an average American family as they struggle with dilemmas we all have, and making choices that aren’t for everyone.
In the French Quarter of New Orleans, the birth of a baby to a mentally ill woman marks the beginning of life for The Savant of Chelsea. An abusive childhood segues to the operating rooms of the largest medical center in New York as a gifted but unbalanced brain surgeon waits for just the right time to redeem her past. In the end, she takes matters into her own hands. The reader will decide what happens after the climax.
Contains explicit sexual themes.
The Liberation of Ravenna Morton
Ravenna Morton is an American Indian woman living a very old-fashioned life in a primitive cabin at the edge of the Kalamazoo River. Facing modern problems when her lifelong affair with a Greek artist is closely examined by their children after a child she gave up for adoption dies, The Liberation of Ravenna Morton captures the small-town dynamic of a family's private secrets being exposed to the world. A poignant look at the melding of two Americanized cultures observed under a microscope. Adult content.
Atlas of Women A Collection of Short Stories
Women are the heart of the home. (Unless it’s a home with a man as the heart!) This volume is about women. The stories are a melding of truth from my own experiences and fiction created from both observation and fantasy.
Mademoiselle
, a novella, started out as young adult genre. But as I wrote, Philipa grew up into a young woman who found her way after a short detour, choosing the more difficult path.
The Golden Boy
ended up exactly as I imagined it would. A family deals with a loved one’s mental illness with love and support, but when there is no longer any hope for normalcy, prayer and grace allow them to step aside.
Tribute to a Dead Friend
is my tribute to every woman who’s lost a close friend but continues to be inspired and comforted by her spirit.
A Night Encounter
, currently published on Amazon, is a short story about regrets and self-forgiveness. A daughter's disrespect borne of sibling rivalry comes back to haunt her in a most unusual and gentle way. As in every work, there are elements of truth in the story, but it is pure fiction. I spent time in my garden last summer, convinced my late mother was there with me. It was a very therapeutic and comforting experience.
Vapors
, selected to appear in Willow Review 2013, is a fantasy in which a wife discovers a way to make her presence known after her husband reveals a painful secret.
Table of Contents