PRESSURE CHAPTERS 11 AND 12

PRESSURE is an original work of fiction. At its core, it’s a story about the resilience of the human spirit. In life, we all get knocked down, but the true test of our character is whether we will get back up again.

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Grace

Grace thanked the goddesses Nana Buluku, Oya, Isis, and Shakti that she and Matt had a chaperone on the journey home from the hospital. It was the bright spot in her day so far. Having the police chauffeur them home was the reprieve she needed to gather her thoughts. The silence it afforded her wasn’t the only good thing to happen to her today, but if she created a list and numbered it, it would be number two on that list. Her peace would only come second to her safety.

It wasn’t an uncomfortable silence. It provided her with the space she needed to think. Having an audience would prevent Matt from discussing anything of importance or stress-inducing. Grace could admit that she dreaded public scenes. She did not enjoy being embarrassed in public, and neither did Matt. It was one of the things they had in common.

Grace breathed out a relieved sigh and turned to look out the window. She sat forward and lowered the window, then leaned her head against the frame, practically sticking it out the window. She’d never owned a pet, but she’d seen dogs behave similarly. She breathed in the familiar swampy scent…