tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48756556706120583762024-02-07T17:23:06.722-06:00My Inner SoulS. Lee Stavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14255006005123949437noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875655670612058376.post-34318138664822922582012-06-01T21:53:00.000-05:002013-05-29T00:04:24.564-05:00Lost - A Short Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Rage Italic"; font-size: 24pt;">Lost</span></u></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dedication:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*To my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, the One &
Only who provides - you truly save me in every way…for I know You love me unconditionally despite my many
imperfections as I seek to follow You & walk in Your ways. I pray that others who read this story will see that God brings different people across our path in life...people that are meant to serve as gifts as our lives touch...but true happiness must begin with following God through the saving knowledge that only comes through His Son. It is through what our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ, has given to us when He sacrificed his life upon the cross that we can truly understand the height, the width, & the breadth of His unconditional love. Ultimately it is God that we must embrace as we live a life touching others in His name. </span></i></div>
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I had come to this place for the
tranquility that I find in watching the sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The waves that come into shore and then sweep back out into the ocean
always seem to carry my troubles away from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, on this day I found things to be different…for on this day my
troubles were to stay with me.</div>
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As I stood watching the distant
waves, my eyes kept straying to a lone figure that sat not far away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sat still as a statue on a bench staring
out across the sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I watched her, I
wondered what could possibly have arrested her attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gazed across the horizon and noticed nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Glancing back at the young woman, I could
only guess that she was lost…lost in some deep thought and completely oblivious
to her surroundings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was petite with
sun-streaked brown hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I noted that
one would easily find her attractive to gaze upon, despite the troubles I
sensed that seemed to be weighing upon her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Guessing that she did not wish to be disturbed, I turned and walked back
to my room…all the while pondering about this girl that had captured my
interest for such a brief period of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Little did I realize that our paths would once again cross in the not
too distant future.</div>
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**********</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Later that
night as I prepared for bed, I found that I could not erase the image of the
woman that I had seen earlier that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What would cause someone to be so distant?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What events had occurred that had brought her
to such a state?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found that I could
only bow my head and utter a prayer for peace to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With that I closed my eyes anticipating a
quiet night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What seemed like only
moments later, I was awoken abruptly by muffled screams that were wrenched from
some unknown source.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I quickly
threw back the covers, donned a pair of jeans, and hurried to my door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Flinging it open with little thought, I
stepped out into the hallway to see if I could determine where the anguishing
cries were coming from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quickly I came
to discover that they were from the room located right next to mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stepping over to the doorway, I quietly
rapped on the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was met with
silence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Without
much thought, I reached for the door knob not fully realizing that it would be
locked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My only thoughts were that
perhaps there was some intruder inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>To my surprise, it opened at the slightest touch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I entered the room, I found it cast in
shadows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The moonlight shone through the
windows quietly illuminating the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As I glanced around, I found a figure lying on the bed twisted among the
sheets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realized that it was the same
woman that I saw earlier that day by the sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As I watched her, a moan seemed wrenched from her lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was wrapped up in a nightmare in a world
of her own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I strode over to the bed to
quietly lay my hand upon her in hope to offer her some sort of comfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At that point, my world went black.</div>
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**********</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I awoke to
a sunlit room. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bright light stung my
eyes and my head throbbed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I reached to
the back of my head and discovered a lump that was sensitive to my touch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thoughts whirled through my mind, as I strove
to make sense of what had happened. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I
recalled my reason for being in the room that I was currently in, my gaze
swiftly swung to the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
empty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where was the woman that had been
lying there in what seemed to me only mere moments before?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who had apparently struck me to render me
unconscious?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For what reason?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was the young woman in some sort of trouble?</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I slowly
got up and looked around the room for any clues that I could find.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being a sleuth by nature, I assumed that I
would be able to find something that would lead me to some answers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I crossed over to the dresser in hopes of
finding something in the drawers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made my way over to the closet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon opening it I discovered it too was
empty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Walking into the connecting bath,
I found there were no toiletries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
as if no one had ever been there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where
had the young woman disappeared to?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Questions continued to race through my mind.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I decided that
I should leave the room before I would be found by housekeeping in a room that
was not my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went back to my room
and quickly found a t-shirt and socks to wear, all the while preoccupied with thoughts of what had
transpired as they raced through my mind and I was scrambling to make sense of it
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I figured the best way to solve the
mystery before me was to see if anyone at the front desk had noticed anything
unusual. I finished dressing, put on my shoes, tousled my hand through my hair, grabbed my jacket & made my way out of my room. </div>
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**********</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As I
approached the front desk, all was quiet…except for the dim sound of a
television with some sort of morning program on in the office in back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I rang the bell patrons could use to ask for
assistance that was sitting on the desk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Within minutes, a college-aged kid came out of the office area and
approached the desk.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“May I be
of assistance to you, sir?” he asked.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes, I was
wondering if you happened to notice a petite brown-haired young woman come
through here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s a friend of mine,
but she apparently left her room before we could talk.” Not much of a
description, I knew, but I was thinking that since we were residing in such a
small beachside hotel, the girl might have caught the attention of the young
man…and the more he thought that I was a friend, the more information I would
be able to get out of him.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Well, yes,
she checked out early this morning…she said she had some kind of emergency that
needed to be attended to so she needed to check out right away.” I processed
what he said…it didn’t match up with what I knew had really transpired in her
room.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Did she happen to have anyone else with her,
do you know?” </div>
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“There were two gentlemen with
her.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The more I was learning, the
greater the unease driving me to think that there was something seriously wrong
with the whole situation.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Do you
know what they looked like? Can you give me a description?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If she was in trouble, I may not be able to
find her, but I may be able to spot the others that may be involved in her
sudden disappearance.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Hmmm…one
guy was average in height, dark-haired, and had on dark sunglasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stood a bit away from the desk and kept glancing
at the doors while the young woman was checking out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other guy was taller and blond with a
mustache, also had on dark sunglasses...he stood by her side the whole time.”</div>
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“Did either one say anything to
her…or to you for that matter?”</div>
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“No, neither said a word as the
woman checked out.”</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I thought
about what he had said. There must be some reason why the one guy kept glancing
at the doors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do you know if there was
a car waiting at the entrance for them, or did one of them have to leave to
pull their vehicle up?”</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“There was
a dark-colored SUV parked outside. I believe I saw them leave in it.”</div>
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“Did you notice if there was anyone
else with them?”</div>
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“No, I didn’t see anyone else.”</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Is there
anything else that you can tell me?” Thinking there had to be something else
for me to go on.</div>
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The kid just gave me a blank look as if he was saying, “what
else could there be?”</div>
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“Ok…never mind…thanks for all of
your help.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I left out the front doors
thinking of what should be the next step that I needed to take.</div>
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**********</div>
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I walked down the street to the
corner coffee shop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hadn’t gotten my
dose of caffeine for the day, and I needed that cup of coffee to see if it
would jolt my system into thinking more clearly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ordered my cup of java just the way I liked
it from the lady at the counter, picked up a copy of today’s newspaper, and
proceeded to find a table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat near
the only window in the place and opened the paper…not knowing if I’ll find any
answers to my dilemma, but at this point, I was ready to try anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scanning through the headlines I noted some
of the major world events as well as the national news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then something caught my eye…tucked back in
the business pages of the paper I found a picture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The picture was of the same young woman that
I was trying to find with an older gentleman.</div>
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Her name was Isabel Stavi, also
called Bella. She was the daughter of a computer software guru.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The family apparently was in town for some
upcoming home expedition showcasing new software designs in home / business security
systems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I noted that there was to be a
conference at the Convention Center this morning with Isabel’s father
showcasing the event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Glancing at my
watch, I finished my cup of coffee, got up from the table, and headed out on
the next stage of my journey.</div>
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**********</div>
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I walked back to my room at the
hotel…snatched up my laptop bag, took out my computer, opened it, and googled
the family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to make sure I had as
much background information on this topic as I could before making my next
move.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As I scanned
through the endless list of information one can readily find on the internet, I
learned a great deal about the company Isabel’s father was CEO and head
software architect of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The family had
become quite wealthy from the intelligent designs and business foresight her
father had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isabel herself was a 30 year
old professional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I silently
congratulated the fact that rather than being some flighty socialite, the girl
chose to make a name for herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
had studied business in college, apparently graduated at the top of her class
with high honors, and appeared to work for her father as if she was being
groomed to take the reins of the company one day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only did this young woman have beauty,
she had the intellect to match.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
addition, I viewed several images of Bella…and I was able to get a better grasp
of the details which make up the person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Classic face, fine features, long flowing hair with a hint of curl…she
indeed was very beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, what
I was drawn to most were her eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rather than sharp and hard which is often the case of those successful
in the business world, hers were soft and vulnerable…and I couldn’t help but be
drawn to them thinking that I was seeing into the soul of this striking woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shaking my head I couldn’t help but think
that some lucky guy must surely have made a play to snatch up such a lovely
woman.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Thinking I
was done with my search for now, I powered down and closed my laptop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat thinking through my options…do I go to
the police and inform them of my fears for Isabel or do I go to the Convention
Center in an attempt to see her father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Again glancing at my watch, I abruptly made my decision, got up, and walked
out the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Convention Center was
within blocks; her family would be my next visit.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As I
entered the Convention Center, I could feel the cool draft of the air
conditioning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I scanned across the
facility and noted that there was quite a crowd that was drawn to the
expedition, probably correlating with the current housing boom in the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were various booths scattered throughout
the place, and people were milling about them becoming familiar with each and
the product line they were offering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Towards the front of the facility, I could see the booth for Isabel’s
father’s company, but the man himself was not in sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I strode over to the booth to see what
information I could inconspicuously gather while there.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As I was
looking through the wealth of information provided to lure the customer in, I
noted the cutting edge technology that is now being incorporated into home and
commercial security systems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were
now becoming high tech in their capabilities…being wireless and capable of
being monitored through a laptop, smart phone, or tablet computer, and were
intelligent to communicate with various devices throughout a home or business
to enhance the user’s lifestyle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
determined that owners now had more options than the old low tech technology of
a hard-wired controller system equipped with a siren and was impressed by the
incredible capabilities that I was seeing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Did any of this information have some correlation with Isabel’s
mysterious disappearance?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That I could
not say, for it would be hard-pressed to know how cutting edge technology in
security systems could play a role in the disappearance of a wealthy man’s
daughter. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turning from the display, my
eyes swept across the room and connected with those of a figure that matched
the description of one of the men the college-aged kid described to me back at
the hotel.</div>
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**********</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The man was
standing near a booth across the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As described, he was of average height and build, had dark hair and dark
sunglasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could he be the same
man?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That I was not sure…but there was
some reason why this man was staring directly at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided that this was the moment I was
waiting for and swiftly made my way toward him from across the crowded
room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My eyes kept straining through the
groups of moving people in an attempt to observe any movement from him.
However, spotting your target from across a crowded room and reaching it are
two different matters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time I had
gotten there, the man had disappeared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
glanced around in several directions to see if I could determine where he had
gone to no avail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The opportunity was
lost.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Turning
again, I saw Isabel’s father approach the podium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ah, it was time for his presentation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found a place as close as I could to the
stage with easy access to come and go…I was biding my time for the perfect
opportunity to approach the man about his daughter. </div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
presentation lasted about an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
information was familiar since I had sought what I could from the booth
beforehand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was most intriguing was
watching the man himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can learn
a lot about a man by the way he carries himself, and as I observed the
presentation, I learned a lot about Isabel’s father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oscar Stavi was a tall man that stood with
great confidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can tell that he
was a man that was comfortable walking in the shoes of leadership for some
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His voice was commanding, and his
presence was inspiring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His demeanor was
open and forthright, never condescending.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was a man that I knew I could easily like. </div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When the
presentation was over, I got up from my chair and made my way over to where Mr.
Stavi was standing with a few of his associates and a couple of security personnel
around him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked the man directly in
his eyes to get his attention, and said, “Sir, I need to speak to you in
private please.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This concerns your
daughter.”</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oscar stared
at me for a moment as if he was examining my sincerity, then gave me a brief
nod.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We headed to a side room that could
be used for smaller meetings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oscar
dismissed his security personnel from the room asking them to wait just outside
the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then turned giving me his
undivided attention.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“How well
do you know my daughter, Bella?” he questioned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I could tell he was going to be weighing heavily everything that I had
to say.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Not very
well, sir,” I stated, not wanting to reveal fully that we had never actually
met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But I have reason to be concerned
about her.”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I then
proceeded to tell my tale of the events that had transpired beginning with last
night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I carefully related each
detail, I could see Oscar’s face become troubled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Well, all
I can tell you is that my daughter was supposed to be here with me today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, yesterday Bella had requested that
she not be present at today’s show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
business world and its cut-throat mentality were beginning to weigh on
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My daughter is a soft-hearted
individual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She stated that for her
sanity, she needed to find someplace to escape.”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One piece
of the puzzle had fallen into place…why Isabel Stavi was staying at a small
hotel by the sea rather than in a luxurious hotel chain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through all of this I also noted that Isabel,
like me, had sought the sea for solace to ease her troubled mind.</div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
**********</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After Oscar
was done sharing, I asked, “Sir, is there any reason to believe that Isabel’s
disappearance might have something to do with your company?”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He looked
at me silently weighing the question and then made a move toward the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He opened it and asked his security personnel
to please join us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turning back, he
moved toward me, “What is your name again?”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realized that in my concern for Isabel, I
had forgotten to share who I was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Feeling a little sheepish, I answered rather quickly,
“Sebastian…Sebastian Reeves.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I held out
my hand for a hand shake as a sign of camaraderie as we would need to work
together to locate his daughter.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I warily eyed the security as they stepped in
and began to dominate the room with their presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was easy to discern that even after I had
spent time alone with their boss just moments before, it clearly did not give
them just cause to let up in their observance of my movements since I was being
carefully monitored.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Sebastian,
have you yet contacted the police?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I returned
my focus back to Isabel’s father.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No, sir…I
figured it wouldn’t do much good as of yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Since your daughter has gone missing for only a few hours, I figured the
“reasonable amount” of time necessary for her to be considered a missing person
by the local law enforcement more than likely had not passed. In addition,
since I am not considered a person of “legal” standing regarding your daughter,
I determined that the best step was to contact you to see if you could give any
more insight into the circumstances.”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Well, I
thank you for notifying me about the possibility of Bella being in danger…and
now I believe it is time for me to notify the proper authorities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, if you will excuse me, I’m going to make
a phone call.”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>While I
understood the man’s need to be alone while placing the call to file a missing
person’s report, I was not prepared to be out of the picture in the search for
Isabel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had become my intent to find
the young woman…even though she was a stranger to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, I knew that I would be wanted by the
police for questioning since I was one of two people that I was aware of who
had last seen Isabel. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“Well, sir…if I may…I would prefer
to remain with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure the police
will have questions they may wish to ask me…” I let my sentence fade as Oscar
nodded and then turned away to make the call, his mind clearly focused on the
task before him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t help but
feel sorry for the man who now had full realization that he did not know when
he would see his daughter again.</div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
**********</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
As Oscar Stavi made the phone call,
I found a chair to sit in while I waited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I began thinking again over the events that took place within the past
12 hours or so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was at that point
that I realized something rather remarkable to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a year now I had been living with my own
burdens…they seemed to be ever present in my mind…like phantoms that could not
be erased.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, within these last
hours, my own troubles had dimmed as I’ve focused on Isabel and hers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The loss of my fiancé a year ago due to a
drunk driver was a horror that kept coming back to haunt me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I seemed to be forever caught in time, not
knowing how to carry on without her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, with the search for Isabel, I had found the key to breaking
free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could it really have been that
simple…to start to care for another & the burdens they carry in this world?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed too impossible to be true…yet,isn’t
that what God calls us to do…to focus on others rather than ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here I was…not one thought of my lost fiancé
in all of this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found myself
shaking my head…once again clearing my thoughts…and hoping that maybe now I
have found some peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could finally rejoin
my world around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And with that last
thought, I heard the click of a phone…Oscar Stavi’s call had been completed.</div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
**********</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oscar
turned to me…he appeared to be gathering his thoughts from the conversation he
had participated in moments before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The
authorities will be here within the hour…they would like to speak with you.”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I nodded to
assure Isabel’s father that I fully understood what he was requesting.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“So,
Sebastian, while we wait…tell me about you.”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>My heart
stalled, and my mind began to race…what should I share?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The question was so open…I could begin
anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I purposely slowed my thoughts
and asked myself…what would the father of a daughter who so clearly captivated
my attention wish to know?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clearly that
I wasn’t a threat…despite the fact that I was a stranger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Quietly
clearing my throat, I began…“I’ve already shared with you that I have recently
met your daughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We both were staying
at the beachside hotel when our paths crossed, you might say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a writer…and I come here often to find
peace so that I may write.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I paused
thinking of what next to say…what direction should I take my words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What specifically would you like to know?”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You’re a
writer, you say…you come here for peace?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sounds like you are a man with troubles of your own.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could tell that he was judging what kind of
man I am by what I was sharing.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Not wanting
to get into the details, I stated, “Yes, I lost my fiancé a year ago to an accident
involving a drunk driver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The day I
received the news of the accident is a memory that’s hard for me to erase.”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oscar
thought for a moment, then quietly said, “That must have been very difficult
for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You must have loved her very
much.”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes, I
did…but I am learning that life must go on…each day is a brand new day.”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes, it
is.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Oscar shared something that I
had not expected to hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I lost my
wife 5 years ago to cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was my
soul mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The memories I have of her
are bittersweet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was full of love
and life…the kind of spirit that doesn’t stop giving to the world around
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had touched so many lives
before she died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those last days, she
was in some pain…it was hard for me to watch…but she did not wish to take the
medication that would ease it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was
too concerned about me and how I would fare in this world without her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She made me promise that I would continue to
go on…that I would love another good woman if it should happen to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isabel reminds me so much of her…she is
compassionate by her very nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes I question whether being CEO in the business world is suitable
for a woman such as her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she has
become my life, so having her by my side is like the very air that I breathe.”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We both
paused reflecting upon what was shared in the quiet room…each of us wrapped up
in our own memories. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Then I heard, “So, what kinds of
stories do you write?”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I glanced
back at Oscar, “Tales of fiction…action-adventures, detective stories, tales
dealing with crime and passion…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
comment was cut short as there was a quiet knock at the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the security men walked over to answer
it, and two uniformed police officers promptly entered the room. That sure was
quick, I thought…but then we are dealing with a member of the upper crust of
society, so to speak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
**********</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
interview with the police took about an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After Oscar shared a description of Isabel and provided a picture for
their records, I repeated to them what had transpired as I had done with
Isabel’s father earlier that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I
shared the events, images of Isabel kept playing about in my head…the image of
her sitting alone on the bench…her lying twisted among the sheets…and her
eyes…those vulnerable eyes…they are starting to haunt me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some reason, finding Isabel has become a
vital part of my life…though the reason why is hard for me to comprehend.</div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
**********</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After the
interview, there was not much else that could be done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The police officers mentioned that they were
going to stop by the hotel to interview the front desk clerk and that they
would get back to Isabel’s father as soon as they learned anything.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After they
left, I looked to Oscar and carefully sifted through the options that I had
before me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do I hang around the
Convention Center to see if my dark-haired “friend” turned up again…or do I
head back to the hotel and wait for the police to do their duties? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being a man of action rather than to stand by
complacently, I decided I would scout out the Expo at the Convention Center.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Well, Mr.
Stavi, since it looks like I’m no longer needed here, I think I’d like to look
around the Expo for awhile…check out a few things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, might I give you my number should
you hear from the police?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you
wouldn’t mind, I would really appreciate being kept informed as to what they
discover regarding Isabel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
disappearance concerns me, especially since I seem to be indirectly involved.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No, that
should be fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure having your
information would be helpful to me, as well…should I need to contact you for
any reason.” Oscar’s answer reassured me that I was indeed accepted as a part
of the circle of those concerned in finding Isabel. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I handed him a card that I had with
my personal contact information, then shook his hand saying, “Thanks for taking
the time to see me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope the police
find your daughter soon, sir.”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“No, I wish to thank you…for if you
had not approached me, I would not yet be aware that Isabel was missing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot thank you enough.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His handshake was firm…his manner grateful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With that, I left Oscar to his own affairs.</div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
**********</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I headed out to the main exhibition
hall and began wandering my way around the rest of the booths, all the while
keeping a look out for the man that I had seen briefly earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I wandered towards the booth where I had
spotted my dark haired “friend”, I noticed a few interesting things. First, the
booth belonged to that of a competitor of Oscar Stavi’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon looking at the information, I noted how
the basics of both security systems were indeed very similar to one another
regarding capabilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, there the
similarities ended for Mr. Stavi’s security business appeared to be expanding
towards the cutting edge which included using biometric technologies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The idea of using fingerprint readers, hand
scans, voice authentication, and iris or retina scans I believed could open a
whole new world to the security industry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With that my thoughts quickly turned to Isabel…and how this latest piece
of information may have played a role into her disappearance.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Suddenly
the hairs on the back of my neck tingled as I felt a presence watching me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was it a possibility that I was being watched
by one of the men that was seen with Isabel?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rather than turning quickly and ending up scaring my prey away, I decided
to play along instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I casually made
my way over to the concession stand and placed my order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All this while, I felt his presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After I received my order, I nonchalantly turned
around to span the crowd as I enjoyed giving my body some sustenance for the
next sequence of events I knew was about to take place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was standing just off to my right near an
open doorway so that his body was backlit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I couldn’t make out his features, but I knew this was my dark-haired
“friend”, the man that I had been hoping to find.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also knew that if I were to venture in his
direction, he would disappear again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
weighed through some options as to what possible strategy I could take to get
closer to the man for I knew that my answers to Isabel’s disappearance lay with
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After some thought, I knew what I had
to do to find those answers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked
over to the nearest trash can, threw the garbage from my snack away, and began
to put my strategy into action.</div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
**********</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I made my way to a nearby booth
keeping my eye on the man through my peripheral vision knowing full well that
he would be watching my progress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
figured that I could somehow draw the man toward me if I were to drop out of
sight…then I would be able to await my opportunity and pounce on him while he
was unguarded. As I slowly made my way around the booth, I looked for a place
that would provide such an opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I noted a curtained off area in one particular section of the display
which hid away some storage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ducked behind
it…making sure that I still had a way to watch for my target.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt like we were playing a game of cat and
mouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this time, he was the cat, and
I was the mouse…but the situation was about to be reversed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man came into my vision, and I was able
to verify that indeed this was the man I had been looking for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could see that he was searching for me
scanning the booth very closely for where I might have disappeared to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I waited very quietly as adrenalin shot
through my veins anticipating the moment before me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly the perfect moment arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw the man turn his back toward me while
scanning the rest of the booths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At that
moment, I leaped out and made a grab for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He must have seen me out of the corner of his eye…or else he felt my
presence, because he quickly jumped away and made his way toward the nearest
exit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I scrambled to follow…there was no
way I was going to let him out of my sight. As I ran after him, he flew through
the doors of the nearest exit…and I made chase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once through the doors, he could go anywhere…and I knew that meant he
could quickly disappear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
determined that was not going to happen again.</div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
**********</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Another dose of adrenalin seemed to
rush through my veins at the possibility of losing my prey. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gained on him and took a dive tackling him
to the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We rolled as we landed,
and I felt the impact as we hit the pavement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I thought little of the pain for my only concern was in somehow keeping
this man held for however long it would take until I was able to obtain the
answers that were needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By now I was
certain that security must have clearly been alerted due to my actions and the
attention that was being drawn to the situation by the people around us. We
scuffled for a bit as I quickly maneuvered this guy into a position where I
could hold him utilizing one of the pressure points I was aware of through the
self-defense methods I had studied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
did not want this guy to have the opportunity to get away as I held him to the
ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I began looking him over…my mind
racing through the many questions I wanted to ask him, searching for which one
to begin with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept thinking that this
was the opportunity we were waiting for to find Isabel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Glancing up, I noted that not only had the security
for the Convention Center followed me out, but Isabel’s father must have heard
the news since he and his men were approaching the situation, as well.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Glancing at Oscar as he stopped in
front of me, I looked back to the man and said, “I believe this is one of the
men that was seen with your daughter this morning right before she
disappeared.”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“Is that so?” Oscar stated…as he
first looked at me and then at the man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Finally, with a nod of his head toward one of his men, I let our suspect
up, and he was taken to a private room for further questioning.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Oscar turned to me, “I assume you
would like to join us since you were responsible for catching the guy in the
first place?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I nodded my headed clearly
indicating to Oscar that he was right in his assumption.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
On our walk back inside, Oscar made
a call on his cell phone notifying the police of the events that had
transpired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were assured that
officers were on the way as we quickly made our way to the private room to see
what, if anything, we could learn from “our friend”.</div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
**********</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
As we entered the room, I noted
that our suspect was seated in a chair in the center of the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oscar’s security personnel were standing one
on each side of him glaring at the man…a situation many would have found
intimidating if they were in this man’s shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The man, however, appeared unbothered as he boldly answered their glare
with one of his own…challenging them to make the first move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, in studying the scene, I could not
help but think that though no sign was given, our “friend” was weighing the
situation he was now in and determining his options.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will he cooperate and share any knowledge that
he knows regarding Isabel’s whereabouts? That is a question we hoped would be
answered in our favor…for I felt like we were on the verge of a break-through
regarding Isabel’s disappearance.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I allowed Oscar to take the
initiative regarding what was to occur next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After all, it was his daughter that was missing, so he had every right
to take the lead on the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Looking at me, then at our suspect, Oscar quietly informed me that we
would wait until the police arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
wanted to make sure that this guy’s Miranda rights were read to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could understand that since I’m sure he
wanted to make sure no stone was left unturned in convicting the man…however, I
was also impatient for I wanted to take whatever steps were crucial to learn
the truth, and I had a feeling this guy would do whatever he could to keep it
hidden from us.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Within what seemed like mere moments,
a couple of officers arrived…the same detectives whom we had talked with
earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was relieved to see this
since I knew they were up to speed on the case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We welcomed them into the room, and they immediately walked over to the
man seated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oscar had already filled the
authorities in on our suspicions, so once they entered the room they knew that
we had one of the men we were looking for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I could see that they were studying him already, looking for the weak
spot so we could get the information we would need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By now I noticed our guy began shifting his
eyes from one person to the next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew
he either was getting nervous about the situation or else he was looking for an
opening to make some type of move as he continued to size up the situation he
now found himself in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a few moments,
the officers began questioning him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With
each question fired at him, our “guy” would look the person firmly in the eye
and just stare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yep, I was right…this
guy would be hard to crack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After what
seemed like a half hour, I was beginning to lose my patience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We weren’t getting anywhere, and Isabel was
still out there somewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who knew
where…who knew what danger she may be in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I silently realized that my feelings for Isabel were deepening as my
concern continued to rise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew
something had to be done, so I decided to take a gamble, and I walked over to
the man.</div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
**********</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I made direct eye contact with the
officers in hopes of silently communicating with them that I was about to take
matters in my own hands to hopefully get the information we needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They apparently were willing to let me have a
crack as they silently watched me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
I shifted my gaze over to our suspect in hand.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I looked at the man who was now
gazing at some fixed spot in the room as I fired my first question, “Look at me…Do
you remember me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think you do…I think
you know exactly who I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s why you
were watching me…you wanted to insure something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are you after?”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The man looked at me with an intent
look in his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not let my eyes
waver as I wanted to make it very clear that I knew he was hiding
something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since he did not answer, I
went on to inform him that I knew he was at the hotel with Isabel…that he was
in the room when she was taken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told
him that we had someone who could positively identify him as being with Isabel
right before her disappearance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also
told him that he wasn’t doing himself any favors by keeping any information
from us, but rather he was only making it harder on himself…that he
underestimated our determination in finding her. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
That’s when I saw the smirk…this
guy definitely was pleased about something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He glanced at the others around us…then shifted his gaze back at
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes, I know you…it’s why I was
watching you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are the man who was
watching Isabel at the shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are
the man who went into her room while she was sleeping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s why we took her to a new location…you
had invaded her privacy…and Isabel wanted privacy.”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
I glanced at Oscar then returned my
gaze back to the man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What exactly are
you saying?” I asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something didn’t
seem right here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It sounded like he was
more like Isabel’s bodyguard rather than a man of questionable character.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The man also turned his gaze to
Oscar, “I’m saying that Isabel is safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She is where she wants to be right now.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His eyes turned back to me as he continued, “We were interested in
watching you, Sebastian – yes, I know who you are – because we were watching
over her while she was at the hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
had taken an interest in her, so we were determining why the interest.”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
Oscar stepped in and began asking a
few questions himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our “friend”
shared with us what he knew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We learned
that Isabel had hired two bodyguards for her own protection while she decided
to slip away from the world for awhile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She had chosen not to inform her father because she didn’t want him to
worry, but she had been receiving threats in relation to some new security case
that was coming before the courts if no settlement was reached.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently, Oscar’s company was being blamed
for some type of security system malfunction…certainly nothing new in the
corporate world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isabel had taken
matters in her own hands in the hiring of these men as she made plans for her
escape in search of a few answers of her own, which clearly did not sit well
with Oscar.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“Is there a way that I can see
her…make sure that she is okay for myself?” he asked the bodyguard.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“Since you are her father, I see no
reason why not.”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
“I would also like to see her, if
possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been worried about her
thinking she was in some sort of trouble since the moment I saw her on the
beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d like to know that she is
okay.” I said as I made my case known.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The man glanced at Oscar who nodded
his head…and I knew that my reasons for meeting Isabel were accepted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This thought swiftly brought me a feeling of
happiness followed by a strong case of nerves…why I did not question for I had
no time to really think about the matter.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
The police detectives that were
present also asked to speak with Isabel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Since the matter of threats was mentioned, they wanted to question
Isabel herself about them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently,
threatening a high-powered executive’s daughter was not something that was
going to be brushed under the rug, and answers were going to be found as to
where these threats were coming from.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
A call was placed, plans were
quickly discussed, and a meeting with Isabel was imminent.</div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
**********</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The meeting
was to take place at another quiet destination that was hand-picked by Isabel
herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently after the beachside
hotel, she had chosen to head inland to a small and quiet farmstead that had
belonged to some friends that she knew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The place spoke of peacefulness, and I could see why she had chosen this
site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon our approach, we could see
wooden rail fences along the road gracing the paddocks where a few horses quietly
grazed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An old-fashioned Victorian-like
house stood on the estate which held a barn and other out buildings located
within walking distance of the home. A hedge of lilac bushes was present as
well as a small grove of apple trees and several flower gardens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The place was like a picture out of some sort
of country living magazine.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As we parked,
I noted Isabel was sitting on the front porch…while the man standing beside her
was clearly the other bodyguard she had hired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He certainly matched the description that the college-aged kid had given
me at the hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I looked at her upon
our approach, my heart began to race and I could feel myself tremble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt as nervous as a teenager on his first
date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why would this meeting cause such
a reaction from me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clearly I have
attached some very strong feelings to Isabel and now it was up to me to find
out exactly what they were.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As we
strode toward the porch, Isabel stood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She welcomed her father with a warm hug, and I could see the devotion to
each other clearly written on their faces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I heard them exchange a few pleasantries as I studied her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t seem to look away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her eyes turned to me as Oscar introduced
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I reached for her hand as I gazed
into those eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not know what to
say…my mind had gone completely blank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
the touch of her hand, I felt a connection…like I had known her always and yet I
hadn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a unique moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made a welcoming smile which she quietly
returned before her gaze switched to the officers who had followed us to the
farmstead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I continued to gaze at
her, I heard Oscar explain that the detectives were here to ask her some
questions regarding the threats she had been receiving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isabel swiftly glanced at her father with an
element of surprise on her face clearly not knowing that her father was aware
of the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then gathering her
composure, she invited us to sit so that we could talk.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
officers asked for some background information as to what was taking place and
for evidence of the threats that had been given to Isabel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She concisely summarized the impending case
and the series of threats that were made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She then informed the detectives that if they want any further
information, they could speak to the head bodyguard that she had hired, our
dark-haired friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With that, she
seemed to politely dismiss the officers like the high-powered executive that she
was, and they left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clearly they had all
of the information that they needed for now.</div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
**********</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Bella, my
dear, tell me why you chose not to inform me about these threats.” Oscar
questioned his daughter quietly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could
sense his quiet scolding of her actions…and her sense of discomfort at being
confronted by her father in front of me, a stranger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to excuse myself so they could talk
though I did not venture too far wanting to be available at the slightest
notice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keeping an eye on the
discussion, I wandered over to the gardens to investigate them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I saw that father and daughter were done
discussing things, I slowly ventured my way back to the porch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I noticed that Oscar had made his way inside
the home, while Isabel continued to sit out on the porch swing staring out at
the scene before her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It reminded me of
the pose I saw her in at the beach as she seemed once again lost in
thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time I chose to sit beside
her and make my presence known.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As I sat
next to her on the swing, it creaked announcing my presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She quietly turned to me and asked, “Have you
ever felt like you were living a life that somehow wasn’t your own…a life that
turned out different than you expected it would…that somehow you ended up on a
different path than the one you had once planned, and you’re not sure how you
got there?”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I looked at
her letting my gaze take in the question in her eyes, the look on her face, the
essence of the beautiful woman before me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And as I looked upon her, I sat silently inviting her to continue to
openly share her thoughts.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She went on,
“It’s what I have felt like these last 5 years…ever since Momma died.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sat quietly for a moment, gazing down at
the ground while slowly moving the swing as she thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ve been working by Daddy’s side, learning
the business, doing whatever was necessary to help him…all the while giving up
plans I once had, dreams I once dreamed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When the threats were made, I began to question things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I began to wonder if something were to happen
tomorrow, would I have lived the life I wanted to live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found that I couldn’t answer the question
the way I wanted…I couldn’t say yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
now I’m left wondering, what do I do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do
I continue down the path that I am now on…this road that may very well be the
life I’m meant to live…or do I dare to begin to chase after those dreams that I
once had…do I choose to see if those dreams are something God has planned for
me?”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I sat there
thinking…does she want me to answer her question…or is she just thinking aloud wanting
someone to hear her as she searched for the answer herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pondered this for a few moments as the swing
continued to creak in its gentle movement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Taking a deep breath, I decided that I’d share my thoughts.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“A little
over a year ago I would have answered you by saying that you do what you need
to do to get what you want out of life…that your life is based mainly on the decisions
that you make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I think there are
also unplanned circumstances that for some reason come our way…events that
occur in life that we are to in some way respond to…and how we respond ultimately
can determine our destiny.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I paused as
I thought how to carefully choose my next words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You see, prior to a year ago I did what I
felt I needed to do as I planned a future with a soon to be wife I would need
to provide for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did what I believed was
necessary as I worked to prepare to meet the needs of my soon to be family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, about a year ago my fiancé was
killed by a drunk driver in a fatal car accident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I began to question life like you are now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I now think there has to be a balance in
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have learned that life is precious…we
can’t take a single moment, a single second, a single breath for granted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t know what could happen, when it
could happen, or who it could happen to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It made me realize that I need to make some changes…start living life as
if every moment is the last…start living life as God would wish me to…making
every moment count not only for me, but also for others in my life around
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that’s also something I wrestle
with, because at times I wonder what exactly that would look like, especially when
I feel as if I’m suspended in time…working to move forward, yet still caught up
in yesterday. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m guessing that’s what
you feel like, as well.”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes…it’s
like I want to move forward and begin to follow my dreams, yet something
prevents me…I worry, I question…who will take care of Daddy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, it’s been my job to look after him
since Momma got so sick…so who will work alongside him…look out for him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe my life is as it should be…yet I wonder
if maybe God has bigger dreams waiting to come true for me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She let out a quiet sigh, “Sometimes I think
maybe I think too much, but I find it hard not to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So here I sit, feeling suspended in time, living
this life that I had not planned on living wondering if maybe God has something
more waiting for me.”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I can hear
your love for your dad in what you are saying…I understand your concerns…they
are valid concerns a daughter should have for her father…and I can certainly
understand your thoughts in light of the recent circumstances in your life… the
threats that were made upon you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
paused and then went on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Isabel, have
you thought that maybe God has directed your life to be as it needed to be for
a season, but yet is about to open another doorway for you…one that may include
your dreams…and that maybe that is why you are now feeling restless and
unsettled.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stated as I tried to show
her that I was intentionally listening to her every word as I sought to
understand the woman before me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“May I
ask, what are your dreams?”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“My
dreams…you want to hear my dreams?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
paused quietly, then she went on to say, “I’m an artist…not many know that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again she paused as she carefully chose her
next words, “I would like to touch the world through my art by painting the
beauty that I see around me…I would like to love a man with all of me, one that
I believe God has already chosen for me…I would like to continue to dream my
dreams and watch God make them become my reality if they are meant to be.”</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I could not
help but smile with what she shared, for I could see the passion in her heart
in the words that she spoke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You know,
Isabel, it seems to me that if God wishes for those dreams of yours to come
true, He will make a way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is the One
who instilled those dreams within you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the meantime, look at the path that you are now on as a gift God has
given you…a special part of God’s plan where He used you to be a blessing in
your love for your dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as you await
to see what God has in store for you know that in His love for you, His plans
are always perfect…whether all of your dreams come true or not, your life will
be the beautiful gift to the world that He intends for it to be.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I sat watching her, I couldn’t help but
look at this woman before me in amazement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here sat a woman before me…a lovely vision…who certainly was beautiful on
the outside, but one whom I was learning was even more so on the inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here sat a woman who I was discovering knew
how to love from the depth of her soul…a compassionate woman who knew how to
give from deep within her heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here
sat a woman whom I believed was the answer to my dreams…she was possibly a gift
God had intended for me…for I could see that we were once two souls lost in our
own world, but now God had allowed us to find each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And with that thought, I reached for her,
drew her to me, and held her close in an effort to ease her troubled thoughts…for
though I had yet to learn all about her, I knew that a portion of my heart was
already hers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And with that thought, I also
knew it was now up to me to show her the depth of God’s love for her as I
allowed Him to use me to help make those dreams she longed for to become a
reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In doing so, I knew that she
would give all of herself in order to make my own dreams come true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was no longer lost…a new life was about to
begin before me.</div>
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<em>"For I know the plans I have for you, " declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)</em><br />
<em></em> </div>
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<em><b><u>Author's
Note</u></b></em> </div>
<br />
<em>Please note that this story entitled "Lost" is a complete work
of fiction. It was written in its entirety from my imagination as I thought
about how various circumstances as well as people can come and go in our lives
while leaving footprints upon our hearts that last a lifetime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although certain aspects of my characters may
be fashioned after people I have had the privilege to know in my life, the
characters themselves are not real. This story is meant to tell a tale sharing
how, though we don't always understand the why about certain events in our
lives, there is always a reason for them. And we need to live our life the way
we are called to live it. I believe that God has a calling for each of us...a
plan & a purpose that only we can carry out...and He intricately places
people in our lives at the right time for a specific purpose. Some stay in our
life for mere moments...others for a lifetime...each one is meant to be a gift.
I am thankful for the people God has placed in my life...especially the ones
who have encouraged me to live my dreams through my art & my writing.</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>S. Lee Stavi</em>S. Lee Stavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14255006005123949437noreply@blogger.com0