A Snippet of my Novella

This is what I really care about and what I want people to get hooked on, my writing! So, without further ado, here is the first scene of my novella, Where Did The Birds go?. Please keep in mind that I'm still editing it, so it's not finalized. However, I would love to get some feedback. If you have any comments, advice, suggestions, tips, tricks, praise, critiques, etc. please leave a comment! Enjoy!

Scene 1:

            I woke up this morning thinking of you. All of you, actually. 

Yesterday, I had a bitch of a headache. I made myself the last Jimmy Dean breakfast croissant and had it with my whiskey. I forgot to pay the water bill, so I didn’t take a shower. I was on my last pair of clean underwear and smelling something halfway between a skunk and swamp dick. I put on some deodorant and left the house. People would be sacrificed, but I had shit to do.

            I went to Lowes first to pick up a new wrench. There was a leak in the bathroom and my wrench was a piece of rusted shit. When I got back home, I found one of your old toothbrushes under the sink from the night when Mom let you stay. It was so tiny in my hands…

            I didn’t bother fixing the sink, I fell asleep with the sun shining in my eyes and the empty bottle of scotch in my lap.

            Then, I woke up to sound of birds chirping and tears streaking down my face. The birds brought back memories of a book Mom and I used to read to you, Shaley. You were just a baby; it was your favorite. You would throw a holy fit if we didn’t read it to you every night. I ravaged the apartment looking for the damn book and found it underneath the bed in the spare room. I spent the rest of the day reading it over and over reminiscing with tears in my eyes.

Shaley, my blue jay, oh how I miss your pink bow that momma made for you to wear on your first day of school. All the girls laughed, I remember, but all the boys thought it was cute. I don’t think it was the bow, darling, I think it was those dimples and your warm heart. Sweetheart never grow up, please. Shelley, my mourning dove, I thought of our first dance. Do you remember? We were dancing to Louis Armstrong’s La Vie en Rose under the gazebo on Lake Michigan. You looked perfect, absolutely stunning in your dress with the flower pattern. Do you still where that dress every now and then? I hope so, I really shows off your legs. Honey, I know you might not believe me, but I have been so in love with you than in that moment. We were dancing slowly; your head was resting against my chest. We were completely in sink. You smelled like wildflowers which complemented your dress and the summer air. As we swayed gently back and forth, that’s when I knew. I knew that I could do that forever, simply sway without a worry about the outside world and never get bored. That’s when I knew that I would love you forever. And Hadley, my goldfinch. You are a ray of hope, and I can’t wait to see you.

            As I reflect on my time with you all, I blink, and it is all gone. It flashes by like blurring streetlights during a night drive. Remember our night drives, Shaley, darling? Even now, your giggles are bell chimes in my head, ringing euphorically as I watch you dangle your head out the car window. You loved the way the wind would blow you hair back and make your mouth dry, which then required us to go to McDonalds (might change this to a better place) so that you could quench your thirst. Sometimes we would listen to country music, Luke Bryan was always your favorite, and yet others we’d open the sunroof and listen to the music of the night. What lovely sounds ring in my ears.

            These tears, they feel so hot and good on my face. These tears, they soak my shirt, drench my hands, and salt my tongue and lips. I take another drink. The fizzy, staunch liquid slithers down my throat and bubbles in my stomach. No, Shaley, sweety, it’s not Dr. Pepper, although I’d give anything to have one with you. No, it is much stronger than Dr. Pepper, honey, and I know that it disappoints you greatly, Shelley, but it’s all I have that drags me through the day. But I have a plan, hon. I can see you shaking your head, but believe me, It’s something real, and it’s something that will get me back to you. If you’ll have me, of course. 

            I simply can’t remain another moment here without you all. I know I haven’t been the best for you all, but I have never stopped thinking about you guys. This time I have spent mulling incessantly over your faces has given me the perspective that I’ve needed. Life is a hunt. I know you all will hate me for it, but I have one last hunt, one which brings me to my knees in petition before God that it lead me to you.