Wayne
and Nancy grow up on opposite sides of the country, each certain they must have
love better than what others will settle for. Something stronger, something richer,
something worth searching for. During the turbulent nineteen-sixties, they meet
while he is attending blue-collar Drexel, and she is at neighboring, Ivy League
Penn. Although irresistibly drawn to each other, they must overcome obstacles
posed by the class and social differences that separate them, as well as
opposition from both families, and later, a twist of fate that will be the
cruelest test of all. Can they reach the emotional heights they seek? Can they
overcome time's downward pulling inertia? Coinage
of Commitment is dedicated to all who ever wondered about the
altitude love might soar to.
Excerpt:
Setup: September, 1968: A fun bar on the edge of
campus on a Friday night.
They
talked awhile, then Henk left, needing a full night’s sleep for the varsity
soccer game he had in the morning. Wayne glanced to the left, toward the girl
and her companion. She sat quietly, listening while he spoke and motioned with
forceful animation. It looked like a pretty hard sell. Oh well, time to get on
his way. He stood and picked up his canvas bag.
Just
then, a movement at the girl’s table drew his attention. The guy grabbed her
long hair at the neck, twisting her head back and slightly to the side. His
other hand was palm up, fingers spread, pleading his case. Wayne turned from
the bar and headed in their direction. Her response seemed understated. She
remained still, her unblinking eyes radiating a commanding, fearless calm. As
Wayne approached, the man released his grip, lowering and shaking his head
apologetically. The girl smoothed her tresses with one raised hand, never
taking her stoic gaze from him.
Wayne
arrived at the edge of the table. Surprised, they both looked up at him.
“Is
everything all right?” he asked her, his voice calmer than he felt.
Her
green eyes bored into his, transfixing him with their crystalline depth. The
moment dilated, slowed and came to a frozen stop. Strains of The Mamas and the
Papas’ “California Dreamin” carried from the jukebox.
“I’m
fine,” she said, her voice barely audible. “But thank you,” she added, with
just a hint of a smile, her gaze lingering one more instant, one more extra
moment. Then she looked away, reached out her hand, and took that of her
companion, as though to calm him.
Gently
done, but certainly dismissal enough, Wayne thought, as he moved off toward the
exit.
Once
out on Market Street, he looked east toward the subway station steps at
Thirty-first Street. He knew he should get on with catching the trolley, but
felt a nervous energy from the encounter, almost a tingling. So he decided to
walk awhile. Turning west, he went down to Thirty-second, crossed, and headed
southeast onto the block comprising the newest addition to the Drexel campus.
He wandered along the brick walkway and enjoyed the sight. Stratton Hall,
Matheson Hall, the Basic Science Annex: by day, ugly renditions of the International
Style, when lit up at night, they became majestic, almost lovely.
He
slowed and let thoughts of the encounter dabble in his mind. He would not soon
forget the girl’s incipient smile, or that extra moment as her eyes searched
his. Was he entitled to the intimacy he felt from her gaze? The wondering
caused her image to stay there, right in the front of his mind. Finally, the
evening chill intruded. He withdrew a light jacket from his bag, donned it, and
headed back toward Market Street and the subway station.
Price: $1.99
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Self-published
Release
Date: 1/6/13
Rob Costelloe’s contemporary love
stories explore the height that love can reach. These are characters certain
they must have love better than what others will settle for. Something better,
something higher, something worth holding out for. And something that will last
through time. These aspirations invariably give plot directions a unique twist.
Rob designs his own covers, and they strive to give a picture of the plot
tension within. Rob and his wife live near Houston, Texas.
Author: Neil S. Plakcy
