Authors: Beth Rinyu
A Cry For Hope
A CRY FOR HOPE
Copyright © 2014 by Beth Rinyu
All rights reserved
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of Beth Rinyu, except for the use of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
Cover design by Kari Ayasha of Cover to Cover Designs
Cover photo © Mandy Hollis - MHPhotography
Back cover photo © Depositphotos.com/© mtruchon
Cover model is Randi Sue
Editing by: Kim’s Editing Services
Interior Formatting by: Integrity Formatting
Chapter 2 - April (1 Year Ago)
Chapter 5 - April (9 Years Ago)
Chapter 7 - April (2 Years Ago)
Chapter 11 - April (2 Years Ago)
Chapter 14 - April (1 Year Ago)
Chapter 19 - July (10 Years Ago)
Chapter 23 - July (12 Years Ago)
Chapter 25 - Mothers Day (1 Year Ago)
Chapter 26 - Mothers Day (Present)
Chapter 36 - August (12 Years Ago)
Chapter 42 - June (1 Year Ago)
Chapter 45 - July (5 Years Ago)
Chapter 57 - October (Present)
Sneak Peek: A Will to Change (Will’s Story)
My mom, Joanne, Katrina & Janet for always getting so excited to pre-read my books and encouraging me to write that next chapter.
To my best author buddy Amy Queau (a.k.a Amalie Silver) thanks for all of your valuable insight, making me laugh when I want to cry and just for being there to be plain old silly with. It’s nice to have someone that can relate to this crazy world of being an author.
To my readers who read all of my books faithfully....I know there is a ton of other books out there to choose from, so thank you for choosing mine. I love getting messages from all of you and chatting about my characters. You guys are the reason that I hit the publish button. And if you’re reading this and thinking, “Is she talking about me?” Chances are…I am.
To all of the blogs that have supported me throughout this whole writing process…..thank you!
Lastly, I was told by a couple of people who have pre-read
A Cry For Hope
to attach a warning label so here it is:
WARNING:
This book my cause excessive tears so please have an adequate supply of tissues nearby at all times. The writer of this book will not be held liable for any mascara running down your face, swollen red eyes or aches and pains in your heart.
Buckle up and enjoy the emotional ride ~ Happy Reading
Don’t forget to check out the prologue to
A Will To Change
(the companion novel to A Cry For Hope) in the back of this book.
Nick Abate was the boy that I knew my entire life. The boy that I wasn’t afraid to cry in front of. The boy that I wasn’t embarrassed to snort in front of when I laughed too hard. The boy that I would have burping contests with. The boy that I considered my very best friend.
I can’t remember any time in my life that I hadn’t known him. Nick and I did everything together. Everyone in the neighborhood called us the “dynamic duo”. Our relationship was so easy. We were so close that sometimes it felt more like we were brother and sister than friends.
It was the end of eighth grade when things began to change a bit for us. Our hormones were beginning to take over, and I couldn’t help but notice the muscles forming in Nick’s arms, the change in his voice, or the fact that he had sprouted up about four inches in a matter of weeks. I hated that I sometimes got butterflies in my stomach when I looked at him, and I scolded myself for feeling that way. I really became angry when I found myself staring at his butt in his tight baseball pants, or when I would hug him a little longer than necessary after we would crush the opposing team at wiffle ball. He was my friend so I shouldn’t have those feelings. All of the other eighth grade girls were also starting to notice him and, as much as I told myself I didn’t care, I knew that, deep inside, I really did.
It was our end-of-year eighth grade dance and I was battling the “green-eyed monster” as I watched Heather Braverman, the girl that had it all…perfect hair, big blue eyes, big boobs, and every boy in the eighth grade drooling over her…dancing with Nick. I felt like Raggedy Ann next to Barbie whenever I was in her presence. I watched them swaying back and forth, and I couldn’t help but notice that Nick’s hands were moving awfully close to the “danger zone” -- Heather’s butt. She filled out her fuchsia dress perfectly in every area. I looked down at my own chest in my baby pink dress. Nada.
I jumped when I felt a tap on my shoulder. “Hey, Hope, you wanna dance?” Steven Wyler asked. Steven was my crush all year long and, at any other time, I would have been jumping up and down if he had asked me to dance. But seeing Nick and Heather together made me want Nick as a partner instead. I contemplated my answer and then I saw it -- Nick’s hands in enemy territory.