Yes, it has been almost 2 years since I last posted a chapter of this story. I’ve still been working on it, but I lost my nerve to post. I can make excuses, from the pandemic causing all sorts of family upheaval, and no space for creative work once my husband and children were home, to more work responsibilities, to continued support of a good friend through her illness, but the larger truth is, I didn’t give myself time for “Becoming”.

You may be familiar with author Kurt Vonnegut’s letter to Mrs. Lockwood’s class about taking time to practice art, not for money, but to Become, “to find out what’s inside you, to make your soul grow.” I had lost sight of that in the bustle to keep a house going and take care of others. I think focusing on one’s own creative process is harder for women, especially mothers, but I’ll save that rant for another post.

“Becoming” is a theme in Beauty and the Beast, touched on beautifully in “Orphan’s” when Catherine reads from the Velveteen Rabbit at her father’s funeral. “Becoming” takes a long time, as author, Margery Williams writes,  “That’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept.” Becoming is about loving until you are worn around the edges. Vonnegut reminds us that Becoming is also about loving the creative spirit in yourself enough to give it time and attention, and, in doing so, you will be “gloriously rewarded” . So here it goes.

I will be posting a chapter every other Friday before 8pm (E.S.T.) until this story is done. That is my assignment so I can learn what is inside me and share it with you.  Thank you for hanging in there with me. 

If you need a synopsis of Home so far, since it has been so long:    

Beginning where Union left off, Catherine and Vincent are trying to create a life together with baby Jacob in the Tunnels. The F.B.I. wants to interview Catherine about Moreno’s involvement and killing Gabriel, so Catherine and Vincent stay with Peter in the city to coordinate with Joe. Life for our duo is complicated by an inquisitive F.B.I. Agent Morrissey, an oddly hateful F.B.I. Agent Dunn, a resentful (but good,) Joe Maxwell, an unhelpful Elliott, some cameo appearances by dead people and Vincent’s “Other”, and the need for a whole lot of healing. Oh, and they also have a hitman named Snow closing in.

Hold onto your hats, it’s all going to go faster from here.

So now, without further ado, Home Chapter 23