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Out
of tragedies come heroes and miracles…
At
9:59 a.m. on September
11, 2001 ,
Diane O’Connor’s life as a firefighter’s wife changes forever, shattering her
faith. Four decades later, a note still hangs on her kitchen cabinet in Queens , the paper yellowed
with age. Diane knows the scribbled sentences by heart; she'd left them the
morning of 9/11 for her husband, Billy.
In
the summer of 2041, Diane invites Friar Antonio Ortiz to her home. He is a man
destined to become counsel to the first American pope—her son, Peter. Antonio
asks no questions and arrives in secret, promising to wait nineteen years
before passing Diane's journal to Peter. Only then will Billy’s story be told,
along with answers to Peter’s questions about his father’s last days.
Absorbed,
Antonio neglected to notice that Diane had disappeared into the kitchen. He
thought to ask her about the two men in the photographs, and when he turned in
anticipation of seeing her next to him, he took a step toward where she might
be standing. His right foot struck a pair of boots propped upright against the
wall. He stumbled and put a hand out to that empty place where he thought she
might be, but his face did not meet hers, and instead came within an inch of a
firefighter’s helmet, the medallion of its FDNY ladder company polished and
gleaming.
On
the edge of that moment, trying to regain his balance, each breath he took
tightened in his throat. Antonio began to gag. His mind raced. What could be happening? One minute he
was looking at photographs and the next his throat was constricting. An acrid
odor rose to his nostrils. He shook his head—the same faint smell he’d noticed
from before, at the door, but stronger, sharp enough now to sear his soft
membranes. My God, he thought and
recoiled. Sweat sprang from his face and neck. A heart attack? He clutched his
chest. No, not that. His heart was fine except for the galloping beat under his
ribcage. Heat emanated from the helmet as if it had just come through an
inferno. “My God,” he said aloud. Perhaps a fire burned inside the wall, hot
enough to choke him.
About the Author
Linda Merlino is the author of Room of Tears (July 23 2013 ), Hudson Catalina (2008-Belly of
the Whale & re-release 9/14/12 ), Swan Boat
Souvenir (self-published 2003) she began writing fiction as a young
mother on the sidelines of endless soccer practices. Linda wrote anytime
any place. A manuscript filled a carton in the back seat of her car.
Many years have passed since those early beginnings, but her work continues to
be inspired by her children.
The author has a fascination with
heroes and writes her fiction to honor ordinary men and women who react
unselfishly in extraordinary circumstances. She extends her gratitude to
all who keep us safe and free.
Her hometown is outside of Boston New York City Connecticut
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1 comment:
Thanks for hosting - Today is a day of remembrance and for thanking the heroes that keep us safe and free - I will be offline for most of the day due to work but will try to pop in and will return after 7pm for sure - Best Linda
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