Thicker than Life’s Blood

Amy Shannon

Essence Publishing

Ballston Spa, NY 12020

https://essenceenterpriseus.com/essence-publishing

2023 Edition

Copyright © 2023 by Amy C Shannon

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permissions of the author, except by a review who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a newspaper, magazine, or journal.

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.

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Credits:

Cover Illustration Copyright © 2023

Cover design by Amy Shannon

The Entire MOD Life Epic Saga

1 Unwritten Life

2 Rewritten Life (Best Read after Unwritten Life)

3 Unwritten Life's Paths to Destiny (Best Read after Rewritten Life)

4 Written Life's Past Meets Present (Best Read after Rewritten Life)

5 Life's Written Past

6 Life's Unwritten Future

7 Another Written Life

8 Life … Rewritten

9 Unwritten Life & Death

10 Life's Healer

11 Life's Hindering Hope

12 Life's Binding Ties

13 Life's Resurrection

14 Life's Infiltration

15 Life's Revival

16 Life's Depths of Souls

17 Life's Explosion in Time

18 Life's Connections

19 Life's Collision

20 Life's Intersection

21 Life's Final Destination

22 Life's Generations

23 Return to Life

24 Life's Resolution

25 A New Unwritten Life

26 Life's Dissolution

27 Life's Linear Souls

28 Life's Choices

29 Life's Passions

30 Life's Awakening

31 Life's Vengeance

32 Life's Heartful Depths

33 Life's Quaking Souls

34 Fractured Life

35 Life's Drowning

36 Life's Exploration

37 Life's Curative

38 Thicker than Life's Blood

39 Life's Salvation

40 Capturing Life's Midnight

41 Life's ReEvolution

42 Life's Soulful Intentions

43 Life's Jagged Flames

44 Life's Rising Depths

45 Life's Doomed Immortality

46 Life's Raw Enforcement

47 Life's Deemed Corruption

48 Life's Inherent Immorality

49 Life's Retrospective Legacy

50 Life's Torturous Souls

51 Life's Passages

52 Life's Tribulations

53 Life's Spirituality

54 Life's Revitalizations

55 Life's Rapture

56 Life's Sacred Retaliation

57 Life's Fiery Resuscitation

58 Life's Experimentation

59 Life's Redemption

60 Life's Humanity

61 The District Life: Districtive

62 The District Life: Disarray

63 The District Life: Disassembled

64 The District Life: Disapparent

65 Life's Return: Home Sweet Sars Springs

66 Life's Return: The Practice

67 Sars Springs: The finale

Bonus Series:

B1 Life's Perspective: Matthew Garris (Best Read after Life's Binding Ties)

B2 Life's Perspective: Bill Wheeler (Best Read after Life's Binding Ties)

B3 Life's Perspective: Perspective: Mike Dix (Best Read after Life's Connections)

B4 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Rewritten (Alternate Path Parallel to Unwritten Life & Death to Life's Binding Ties)

B5 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Crossroads (Alternate Path Parallel to Life's Resurrection to Life's Depths of Souls)

B6 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Intertwined (Alternate Path Parallel to Life's Explosion in Time to Life's Connections)

B7 Sars Springs Handbook (Best Read after Life's Torturous Souls)

B8 The Interview: Life's Revelations (Best Read after Life's Fiery Resuscitation)

B9 M.O.D Life Epic Saga Character Guide

Introduction

Blood may be thicker than water, but the bonds of friendship can be thicker than blood. Residents of Sars Springs find themselves within crises and when it seems they’re losing their faith; the bond of their friendships makes them stronger than ever. While friendships deep, when relatives square off, things can get out of hand.

Dr. Raina Markum tries to look for herself and starts to doubt herself, breaking her own rules that she’s set for her family. When strain on the family during deep crisis, it sets ideals forward for a better community.

Pain and tragedy are not new to Sars Springs but when it’s caused by one of the most prominent citizens, they are more shocked when he determines his own punishment.

Times are a changin’ for the town of Sars Springs as it continues to grow and prepare for the next generation … will the wonders and expectations of the future be the windfall or downfall for the town and new legacies?

1 Internally

STARR HASKELL SAT down at her vanity table and started to brush her shoulder length black hair. Tears swelled in her eyes as she counted the strokes. She didn’t even look up when her husband, Elliot, walked into the bedroom.

Starr? he said, as he took off his jacket and holster. Starr continued to brush her hair. I know you’re still mad about this morning and I am so sorry. I swear, I didn’t mean to break that vase. I’ll replace it. I promise, he kissed her neck. Forgive me.

Starr jumped slightly. "Oh, you’re early. Why are you early?"

James cancelled the meeting until tomorrow. I’m not that early, he said.

Oh, OK, she said distantly.

Starr, what’s wrong? Elliot asked.

Starr placed her brush on the vanity and stood up. I’m sure you’re hungry. I’ll get dinner started.

Elliot stood up and placed his hands on her shoulders. Starr, tell me. What’s wrong?

I can’t talk about it, she cried, as she rushed out of the room.

Elliot hurried out of the room and followed her downstairs and into the kitchen.

She turned and looked at him. Um, I put your food in the oven. Um, I’m going out with Mick tonight. I’ll be back later.

Starr, please, talk to me, he said.

I have to … um … go, she cried, as she grabbed her purse and headed out of the farmhouse.

Elliot walked out to the porch and watched as she drove away. He was about to turn around and go into the house when a car pulled in the driveway.

Mick Dix got out of the car. El? What’s wrong?

Aren’t you meeting Starr? Elliot asked.

No, was I supposed to? he asked, as he walked up the stairs.

Something is wrong with her, and she won’t talk to me. Did she tell you anything?

No, Mick said, as he followed Elliot into the house.

Elliot walked over to the oven and opened it. An empty pan.

What? Mick asked, as he sat at the table.

She said she was heating up food and she put an empty pan in the oven, Elliot said. Pizza?

Sounds good. El, is she still mad about the vase?

I don’t know, Elliot said. I know that Sarah gave it to her and, yes, she was really pissed this morning, but I think it’s something else.

Did she say how her doctor’s appointment went?

"What appointment?" Elliot asked.

She took the afternoon off for a doctor’s appointment. She didn’t tell you?

No, Elliot said. "Now I am worried."

Um, want me to call Mom? Mick asked.

Um, no, because if Starr doesn’t want Raina to know, she’ll kill me if I call her.

I’m sorry, El. Starr is my best friend, and she didn’t say a word to me about what happened. She didn’t even come back to the office.

I don’t know how to get her to open up, Elliot said.

I’ll call for pizza. Maybe she just needs some space, Mick said. She probably just went to the creek or something. She’ll be back.

Well, I hope you’re right, Elliot said.

Starr pulled into the parking lot of the park. She slowly walked over to the footbridge that crossed part of Salter’s Creek. She stared down at the water and cried to herself.

Terry Markum drove by the park as he noticed his daughter’s car in the parking lot. He looked over and watched as she stared at the water. He pulled into the parking lot and approached her. Starr? Starr continued to stare into the water. Terry put his hand on her shoulder. Starr? he whispered.

Starr turned around and hugged her father tightly. Oh, Daddy, she cried.

Terry gazed into her eyes and wiped her tears. What’s wrong, honey?

I–I can’t even say… she cried.

Terry took her hand and led her over to the picnic table and they sat down. Tell me, he said.

I don’t know what to do. I’m so scared, she cried.

Terry put his arm around her. Starr, you can tell me anything. You know that, he whispered. I’ll do anything for you.

You can’t fix this. Mom can’t even fix this, she cried, as she buried her face in her hands.

You’re sick?

Daddy, I love you, very much, but maybe I should talk to Mom.

Honey, you can tell me anything. Have you even talked to your husband?

I can’t even say the words. I lied to him. I told him that I was going out with Mick. He knows that’s not true. Mick is probably home now.

"Why didn’t you just tell him the truth?’

Because he won’t want me anymore, she cried.

Starr? Terry said, as Dr. Raina Markum approached them.

Starr? she whispered. Terry, what’s wrong?

Terry looked up. Oh, Doc, he said. I found her in the park.

Raina sat down on the other side of Starr. Honey, please, something is wrong.

Starr wiped her eyes. How did you know?

For one, it’s seven o’clock, but I saw you two sitting here on my way home. Starr, what is it?

Starr stood up. I should be telling this to Elliot. I know that, but I can’t.

Raina stood up and faced her daughter. Starr, I’ve never seen you this upset or scared before.

Starr looked into her mother’s eyes. He won’t love me anymore.

What happened? Raina said.

Um, she stared down at her feet.

Not your shoes, me, Raina said.

Starr looked up. I’m sorry, Mom.

Now, tell me, she said, as Terry took her hand. Tell us. What’s wrong? Why won’t he love you anymore?

Starr lightly touched her chest. I had a biopsy today. Here, she pointed to her breast.

Starr? Raina wiped her eyes. Is it?

Starr slowly nodded. Dr. Hattfield called me at home this afternoon. It’s malignant. I have Breast Cancer.

Raina looked into her daughter’s eyes. So, what’s next?

"I have to find an oncologist. Mom, Dr. Tom Larkin is the only one … the others are just interns. I want a real doctor working on me and I don’t want it be Dr. Larkin."

I completely understand, Raina said. Let me make some calls, all right?

Starr nodded her head. I’m sorry.

Don’t be sorry, Raina said.

Terry put his arm around his daughter. But you need to tell Elliot.

I’m so afraid.

He won’t leave you. He’ll help you through this, Terry said.

But…

"No buts. He loves you. He needs to know," Terry said.

Raina looked at her daughter. I think I know why you’re afraid, but you don’t even know what’s going to happen. I have to tell you this … no matter what happens … Elliot will always love you. It won’t change the way he looks at you.

But you don’t know that, she cried.

I know it, Raina said.

Starr hugged her mother tightly. I’m terrified. I don’t want to do this alone.

Honey, you’re not alone. You have your husband, sons … brothers and sisters. You have us. You will not be alone. We promise you. I will do whatever I can for you, Raina said.

Mom, I don’t understand everything that’s going on. Will you come with me tomorrow to see Dr. Hattfield?

Oh, of course, she said. Is he going over all your results?

Yes, the results and options. He recommended Dr. Larkin, but I told him no. I don’t want him touching me. I know that he’s an OK man, but his son tried to kill my sister and our cousin.

I understand. Come and get me right before your appointment. I’ll go with you. I promise.

Terry touched his daughter’s cheek. Tell Elliot.

I guess, she said.

Raina put her arm around Terry. No, tell him. He needs to know. Maybe he’ll go with you, too.

I guess, she said. I’ll see you tomorrow, around 10, she headed to her car.

Raina and Terry watched as she pulled out of the parking lot. Raina looked at Terry. She’ll tell him.

I hope so, he said.

Baby, I’ll meet you at home.

All right. I did bring dinner. We’ll just have to heat it up when we get home.

Good. I want to do some research on this.

You think you can help her?

If the only thing I can do is be there and translate the medical stuff for her, then I’ll do that. I have to find the best for her, you know.

I know, Terry said. Let’s go home. I’ll meet you there. The couple headed to their respective cars and drove home.

Elliot sat down on the front porch and stared out. He stood up when a car pulled into the driveway. Jase? What’s up?

Is something wrong?

No, I’m all right, he said.

Jason O’Roark walked up on the porch and sat down. I saw you sitting here on my way home. What’s wrong?

This late?

Had to take Hannah to the airport. She’s going to DC for a week or so. El, you can tell me.

I don’t know. Something is wrong with Starr, and she won’t talk to me. She won’t even talk to Mick. She just left tonight and lied. She said she was going out with Mick, but she wasn’t. I don’t know where she is or what she’s doing. Mick said she had a doctor’s appointment and didn’t tell me.

Oh, Jason said. She didn’t tell you?

No, Elliot said.

Does she always?

She always mentions doctor’s appointments, even when they’re routine checkups.

Could she be pregnant? Jason asked.

"No, she’d tell me, and she wouldn’t be so upset. I mean, she was mad at me this morning, but tonight … it was something different. She was even mad because I came home from work on time today. James cancelled the Captain’s meeting and rescheduled for tomorrow."

I heard, Jason said. El, bear with her. When she’s ready, she’ll tell you.

Are you sure?

Yes, Jason said. When my mother had Breast Cancer, she didn’t tell Dad right away. It took her weeks to tell him and another few weeks to tell me, Kaylee, and James. She was in four remissions until she finally succumbed to Breast Cancer. That last time, Dad was with her every minute until she died.

Matt is a good man, Elliot said.

No matter what your wife tells you, be with her. Support her and love her.

Now you’ve got me scared, Elliot said.

It’s probably nothing but give her some space. Let her know you’re here but give her space.

You’re pretty good at advice, Elliot said. "Are you ever going to marry Hannah?"

Now you sound like Kaylee, Jason laughed. We like things the way we are.

All right, had to ask you know, Elliot said, as Starr’s car pulled in the driveway.

I’ll see you later. Remember what I said, Jason said, as he headed toward his car.

Starr hugged Jason. You’re leaving?

Starved. Had to get Hannah to the airport, Jason smiled.

Well, I’ll see you later, Starr slowly walked up the stairs to the porch. El?

He stood up and took her hands. Starr?

She hugged him tightly. I’m so sorry, she cried.

Elliot kissed her mouth softly. Starr, I won’t push you, but I know that you’re upset.

I think we need to talk, but…

But what?

I’m afraid of your reaction. I’m afraid that you’ll leave me.

I don’t understand, he said.

She took his hand and led him into the house. They went into the living room, and she closed the door. Where’s Mick?

In his room, Elliot said, as they sat down on the sofa. We ordered pizza and then he went upstairs. He said he had a million briefs to review.

He probably does, she said. El, a few weeks ago…

Starr, take your time, he took her hand.

Um, a few weeks ago, when I was in the shower, I felt something, she said.