Jan 29

Written by: Julie Arduini
1/29/2010 2:15 PM 

AAACCCKKK!  Thanks to Yvonne for wondering if I was up to bat to host Fiction Friday.  Problem with Smartphones, when they aren't working, they tend not to be so smart.  I had a lot of information wiped off and the hosting schedule was one thing I forgot I was missing.  I apologize for being so late.

Today because of the time issue and because I feel bad, I'm offering a story I so far reserved only for my active newsletter subscribers.  This short story is what subscribers get for free, but don't think I just gave it all away and subscribers get nothing---nope!

Every month subscribers receive the next installment.  It's a work in progress, already for January I changed the POV and started sharing from Nancy/Ashli's view.  Years ago I was the girl on the bus writing stories (okay, tween soap operas) for the kids to hear the latest.  This isn't quite a soap opera, but it may seem like one in the beginning.  If you have a heart for marriage, faith journeys, and crazy predicaments, I'd love for you to read this story below.  If you like it and want to hear more about surrender each month, please subscribe to my newsletter.  It should be a popup when you arrive on this site. 

Make sure you are an active subscriber, you will need to confirm the subscription from MailChimp/Julie Arduini: The Surrendered Scribe.  Please check your spam folder.  If you have trouble, contact me and give me permission to manually subscribe you. 

Thanks again for your grace.  Introducing...

SNEAK PEEK

DISCOVERING NANCY STRUTHERS

 

It's hard to run away wearing only a black and white trim Kashwere robe and chocolate slippers. Ashli Webber ignored the rhythmic drops on her laptop from her freshly washed hair. The sizzle sound wasn't the machine frying but her guilty pleasure betraying her. Her very own face and story earned the top sizzle on the celebrity gossip website, HOT. The wide space of Ashli's bedroom closed in as she stared at the screen.

This. was. not. good.

She leaned in closer to read the fire engine red Verdana font.

AMERICA'S SWEETHEART ASHLI WEBBER OVER AND OUT FOR BIG SCREEN BAD BOY

The teaser article poured extra layers of innuendo over the curious picture of Ashli and Johnny Bentin. She was in her emerald gown from her emcee duties at the Ashli Webber Connect the Dots Foundation gala. Johnny was a presenter flirting his teleprompter speech to Ashli. When the words ended, Johnny's whispers began. The paparazzi were all too eager to capture Ashli leaning in to enter the backseat of Johnny's car long after the event.

Ashli closed her eyes and still saw the bedroom eyes smirking for the cameras. Ashli closed the laptop, hoping the simple act would make the situation go away. Her stomach tightened the old reaction coming back full force. This time it wasn't nerves before a modeling gig or live show. It wasn't the universal stomach twinge for the wannabes giving it their all in LA. This time the feeling took her back when she over and over watched her mom step into relationship landmines.

Years of quick moves and transitions because her mom relied on men and ultimate rejection shaped her into the teen actress and model that took her away from that life. Ashli Webber couldn't let a HOT scoop define her. She needed to be Ashli Webber, not the real identity and past she left behind. No way would she be remembered as that Nancy Struthers.

"Ashli, mind explaining all the texts I'm getting about my wife getting in Johnny Bentin's backseat?"

Ashli stiffened to hear her husband's voice. The door slam followed. She held on the robe, pivoting to face her husband of eighteen months.

Ryan Taylor marched to the laptop and opened the screen. His one marital request shattered before him. Ashli realized she was holding her breath. Ryan slammed the laptop screen hard enough for Ashli to jump.

"Guess you aren't the great actress you wanted to be. You're not Ashli Webber at all. You're exactly what you said you'd never be. You're Nancy Struthers and you're your mother's daughter."