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Tattered Pages
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Vickie Adkins
Author, Tattered Pages, The Light Blue Ribbon
ISBN: 1-58851-022-0
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Hi! Welcome to TATTERED PAGES, a website to promote my first novel. I hope you enjoy browsing.
How it all started.....
Last summer I purchased an old book at an antique store. When I began thumbing through the pages, I noticed a yellow, worn newspaper clipping. Carefully opening it, I soon realized that it was the obituary of a little boy named Willie. Tucked behind the obituary, neatly folded, was a remnant of light blue ribbon. As I began reading the contents of the obituary, I was soon saddened to realize that Willie was a little boy who lived and died in the late 1800s. The description of his life was intriguing enough, but as I began to read about the circumstances of his death, I became consumed. I thought about this obituary for several days before I actually opened the book to take a second look. I'd stored the obituary and ribbon in their original spots, between pages 364 and 365 because I wanted everything to remain exactly as I'd first found it. When I picked up the fragile items, I scanned the pages they were kept and knew immediately that obviously someone had long ago placed these items here for a particular reason. Mid way down page 365 my eyes caught on the words frightful mortality and I began to read the entire paragraph.
The frightful mortality among children of early age points unmistakably to the folly, or ignorance, or neglect, or all three of our people in their rearing and management. We consider this matter of so much importance that it will be considered at some length in these pages. Good health is to be prized beyond every other earthly possession, but it is sacrificed every day, foolishly, crinimally, by thousands of men and women, both in their own bodies and in that of their offspring.
I remember thinking WOW! I was so hooked. I told everyone I came in contact with about my treasure. I was so amazed that I'd found such an interesting item as the book, but finding the obituary in the pages dealing with child abuse made everything have an entirely different meaning to me.
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The Obituary.....
(Exact names and location changed)
Died in the city of Clover, June 5, 1899, William Johnson, aged 13 years, 3 months, 17 days. "Willie" was the second son of Mr. and Mr. Bill Johnson of this city and was an active, bright, intelligent boy, of a very amiable disposition, ever ready to do a favor or run an errand for parents, sister, brother, or others. For two years he has been a member of the Clover band and had become quite proficient with an alto horn. Funeral services were held at the Lutheran church Tuesday afternoon; Rev. Lund delivering an eloquent sermon. The congregation present more than taxed the capacity of the church and many more would have been present had there been sufficient room. The causes of his death were somewhat peculiar and unusually sad. He first complained of feeling unwell Saturday, May 29, but made no complaint that he had received an internal injury. He gradually failed until Monday when it was found necessary to call Dr. Ribbins. It was then discovered that he was suffering from internal injury, of which he was then unable to give any account or definitely locate the immediate point of injury by then having become delirious; the only visible indication being a discoloration of his left hip. His fortitude under the terrible pain which he must have endured was remarkable, and never a word of complaint passed his lips, and to witness his suffering for the several days was truly heart rending. Surely the parents and kindred have the sympathy of this community, and one of who would have been pleased to perform anything in their power to relieve the one who is now gone, or to ease the grief of the mourning.
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The Book...
After days of pondering and much discussion with family and friends, I decided to try and locate any remaining relatives of Willie's family. Researching the Internet, I actually found the city as well as a name exactly matching the one listed in the obituary. I wrote a letter, describing what I had found. It was hard to convey my curiousity without sounding rude, but I honestly just wanted to know if they might be a relative, or know any circumstances regarding this young boy.
After months of waiting and no reply from anyone, I sat down at my trusty computer and began to write. At first I didn't know what direction to take, but then decided to write my own ending to a story, that to me - had none.
In Tattered Pages - The Light Blue Ribbon, a young lady named Verl purchases an antique bookstore that has been abandoned for years. During renovation, she comes across the exact book I found, along with the obituary and piece of light blue ribbon. Verl is as consumed as I was, only her Internet research finds the family, and brings a man by the name of Will Noble to her small southern town. Will talks Verl into returning home with him to meet his Grandmother. Annabelle Noble is Willie's younger sister, who witnessed the tragic death of her brother. Over one-hundred years old and near death, "Annie" relives a childhood tragedy that until now, has been shared with no one. Annie's recollection helps her come to terms with her haunting past, mend a long-term rift between her son and grandson, and also causes Verl to wonder about her own heritage.
Intrigued with Will, Verl kindles a special relationship with him. His willingness to share his feelings with her strikes a chord, and she carries the memory of her visit in Clover back to her hometown of Somerville. Once there, she discovers a secret that will change her life forever.
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