Family Interrupted — Linda Barrett

Guilt and Blame.

Shaken by tragedy, the Barnes family has fractured. Mother. Father. Son. Each dealing with the pain separately and alone. Holding fast to guilt and blame. Read or imagined.

Claire, an artist who finally follows her dream and encounters a nightmare. Jack, a home builder who thinks he can fix anything--except what matters most. And Ian, a teenage son to be proud of. Until he moves out. fifty miles away from the darkness at home.

On the verge of divorce when their son's new life goes terribly awry, Claire and Jack are forced to re-examine their lives in order to save their marriage and heal a family that, according to Ian, "has gone to hell."

But can they find the road back?
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Expanded description:

Two years after their 12 year old daughter's accidental death by a motorist, Claire and Jack Barnes go through the motions of celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. When artist Claire produces her gift--a full-scale oil painting of their daughter--Jack has had enough. With his daughter gone, his wife ofcuse dont he past and his 20 yearold son living on his own, Jack feels like a stranger in his own home and moves out the day after the party.

Claire understands they're heading for divorce. Two days later, when she's alone int he house, a young woman comes to the door and hands over her infant. This is their son's baby. The girl says, "I told Ian she'd be too much work, and I've got other plans." She disappears. Ian is readyt o put the baby up for adoption because his daughter deserves a good, solid family, better than what the Barneses have become. Jack and Claire must figure out what to do next.

Intersecting the main stores of the Barnes family is the subplot involving the driver of the car. No alcohol, no speeding involved. But guilt seeps into the driver's soul and changes her life. Who will forgive this woman?

Bonus short story included MAN OF THE HOUSE:
Bobby's been the man of the house since his father died, but now his mom is spending time with Steve. Steve makes his mom smile, but Bobby's not happy. No one can take his dad's place. So what's a guy to do? Can Bobby have a change of heart and accept a new man of the house?

Bonus short story included MAN OF THE HOUSE:
Bobby's been the man of the house since his father died, but now his mom is spending time with Steve. Steve makes his mom smile, but Bobby's not happy. No one can take his dad's place. So what's a guy to do? Can Bobby have a change of heart and accept a new man of the house?