Amanda Remembers

"Ryan's killer will be found." Ross said, quickly changing the subject.
"He was a homeless drug addict. He can't be your priority. Please Detective."
"I am doing my best, Ms. Perretti."
"Someone slit my brother's throat and left him to bleed to death. I would be dead now if not for Christian."

Ross leaned back in his chair and and put his hands behind his neck, watching the beautiful Amanda. She was right, though. Ryan's killer would remain a mystery, the case unsolved. He stared into her emerald eyes, wondering how he could lie to someone so beautiful and smart, and a victim who by all rights deserved answers. He had heard her name floating through the club, like cigarette smoke, and now here she was, sitting across from him, demanding answers that were not his to give to her.

Amanda remembered Ross being there when she awoke in the ER. He had questioned her repeatedly. He told her about the couple from England who had stumbled upon both she and Ryan. Her description of Ryan's murder, including monsters with fangs and men wielding machetes, seemed to be the stuff of horror movies and nightmares, explained to her as a delusion, post-traumatic stress syndrome brought on by seeing her brother murdered so violently. When she had asked the police why she was still alive, they had no answers, only conjecture that the couple had scared the murderer away before he could get to her. There was no motive in her brothers' death. The fifty dollars she had given him earlier was still in his front pocket.

Exerpt- Immortal Obsession

Patience, Please!

I can see him, arms folded across a thin chest, his long hair cascading over one eye, leaving half of his face in shadow as he stares down at the floor. He's not quite tapping his foot but close. He wants to get on with things, my Christian. He tells me he's been patient while I've run around taking care of family business. He's a little worried too as he waits to fulfill his destiny.

I tell him I miss him too. Here I was on a roll, completing not one but two parts of my second vampire novel. Christian was about to have a dream fulfilled, and Amanda, well she's in quite a mess, but it was moving along and then... He wants my full attention again. He is such a force, a presence that he doesn't even have to say "hey writer, remember me?" I know he's there; listening, watching, waiting to get on with things. I tell him to hang on. He's a vampire who has all the time in the world. "This may be true." He says, "but you do not!"

Time to get back to it.

In Celebration

Life is full of ups and downs and my mom's life was no exception. As I reflect on her life and the gifts she gave me I am left with the following: a zest for life, an inquisitive mind, a positive outlook, and a love of the unusual along with a deep devotion to family. I have four of the best brothers a girl could ask for and an extended family where I have always found comfort and peace.

You get what you give and I continually reap the rewards of their love. John Lennon once sang "Love is the answer and you know that for sure." Yes, I believe love is the most powerful force in the universe. It keeps the living close and our loved ones who have passed even closer. I sensed both my mom and dad yesterday at our celebration for my mom's life. I know they are finally together which brings me peace as I felt them smiling down on us all.

Angeline Dorothy Rago

November 7, 1919 - May 30, 2009

My mom passed away suddenly last Saturday night. Though she was elderly we are still in shock. This photo is one of my favorites, taken of her by a boyfriend of mine way back in 1971. Unfortunately, he is also deceased. The photo was taken in her kitchen in the house I grew up in and the house where she passed. Though she had her struggles, she was funny, philosophical and loved music. She taught me not to judge people by how they looked; it was how they behaved that counted. She was a very spiritual person. Though I will miss her terribly she has not left me. I imagine she is with her parents, now, who she loved so deeply and missed dearly; plus many other family members and friends, including my dad. I am trying to imagine what their reunion was like after all these years. I know she died quickly, did not suffer and left five great kids behind who loved her very much and will miss her.