Since Forever: An Anders brother's novel

Since Forever An Anders brother’s novel By L.M. Maretti Copyright © 2023 by L.M. Maretti All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the brief quotations in a book review. Resemblance to actual persons, things, locations, or events is coincidental. Cover design by: Custom Designs by Jenn Editing by: Dandy Proofs & Edits Formatting by: Foysal Rumman Dedication This book deals with the sensitive issue of domestic violence. I dedicate this book to all the people trying to make a change in their life, be it big or small. It takes courage to not stay comfortable in our misery. To look sadness and pain in the eye and say, "I deserve more than this "You do deserve more. May you find what you’re searching for. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, please seek help. Domestic violence support hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) Do you like to listen to tunes while you read? Check out the Since Forever playlist on Spotify! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3P19GpNIVs9ngGGEFe6EvK?si=982d8a19a07443b0 Table of Contents Chapter One: Gertie Chapter Two: Noah Chapter Three: Gertie Chapter Four: Noah Chapter Five: Gertie Chapter Six: Noah Chapter Seven: Gertie Chapter Eight: Noah Chapter Nine: Gertie Chapter Ten: Gertie Chapter Eleven: Gertie Chapter Twelve: Noah Chapter Thirteen: Gertie Chapter Fourteen: Noah Chapter Fifteen: Gertie Chapter Sixteen: Noah Chapter Seventeen: Gertie Chapter Eighteen: Gertie Chapter Nineteen: Gertie Chapter Twenty: Noah Chapter Twenty-One: Gertie Twenty-Two: Noah Chapter Twenty-Three: Gertie Chapter Twenty-Four: Noah Chapter Twenty-Five: Gertie Chapter Twenty-Six: Gertie Chapter Twenty-Seven: Gertie Chapter Twenty-Eight: Noah Chapter Twenty-Nine: Gertie Chapter Thirty: Gertie Chapter Thirty-One: Noah Chapter Thirty-Two: Gertie Chapter Thirty-Three: Gertie Chapter Thirty-Four: Noah Chapter Thirty-Five: Gertie Chapter Thirty-Six: Noah Chapter Thirty-Seven: Noah Chapter Thirty-Eight: Noah Chapter Thirty-Nine: Noah Chapter Forty: Noah Chapter Forty-One: Noah Chapter Forty-Two: Gertie Chapter Forty-Three: Gertie Chapter Forty-Four: Noah Chapter Forty-Five: Gertie Chapter Forty-Six: Noah Chapter Forty-Seven: Gertie Chapter Forty-Eight: Noah Chapter Forty-Nine: Noah CHAPTER ONE GERTIE "M omma! Where's my other rain boot?" "Cooper, it's not raining. You need your sneakers, buddy. There will be a lot of walking on this field trip." "But my sneakers aren't cool, Mom!" I walk out of the bathroom to see my stubborn five-year-old son is wearing shorts, a long sleeve shirt, and only one rainboot on his little foot. "Coop," I sigh. "We talked about this last night, remember? Mrs. Applegate said to wear sneakers and clothes you won't get too hot in. You can't wear that shirt today; it has long sleeves" “Moooooooom!" He whines, "It's my favorite." I look down at his scowl, and big brown eyes filled with frustration. I think back to what I read in my parenting books. Letting children pick out their clothes builds self-esteem. "You can wear the shirt. If you get hot, push up the sleeves. I'm not budging on the boots though, Coop. You'll get blisters." "Fine!" he huffs, stomping back to his room. I watch him retreat with half frustration, half amusement. I’m afraid I'm going to have an entire bookshelf of self-help books dedicated to the teen years. Books and the internet are your only option when you don't have parents yourself to dole out parenting advice. At least if I read up on this stuff, I can pretend to look like I know what I'm doing out in public when he throws a tantrum about a chocolate bar at the grocery store. I show up four minutes late to work because of a last-minute discussion about the importance of eating breakfast before school. By the time I actually get to work, I feel like I've already worked an entire 8-hour shift. "Hey, Gertie. Rough morning?" My friend Jules asks as I walk into the hospital, her soft blue-grey eyes full of concern. Jules and I met while taking nursing classes together and are lucky enough to get scheduled a lot of the same shifts at the hospital. She's a natural redhead with a spitfire attitude to match. Some people find her intimidating. I agree, she can be blunt, but I never have to wonder what she's thinking or pretend to agree with her because she has always appreciated my honesty just as much. I admire her strength. I suppose that also comes with the added years she has on me. You’d never know she’s pushing her late forties. She takes care of herself and has killer curves. She's also great with Cooper and one of the few people I trust alone with him. "On a scale of one to ten, I'd say it was a seven," I reply, sighing. "Well, that's an improvement from last week, right?" she looks at me hopefully. Her question makes me chuckle. "Yes, I suppose it is." "Hey, you want to grab lunch together later?” She asks, as we look over our schedules for the day. “Some place other than the nasty cafeteria. Maybe the deli down the street?" The thought of eating PB and J for the fifth day in a row causes me to blurt out with, "Yes" before I take into consideration my dwindling pocketbook. My day flies by, with only one major vomit explosion from a lady in room 203. You’d think after years in nursing and a child who's had more than one bout with the stomach flu, I’d be immune to the smell, but I'm not that lucky. After a quick scrub change, I hurry out of the hospital and drive to the elementary school to pick Cooper up. I wait in the long line of cars, praying my car doesn't over- heat. I watch other moms buzz by me, sipping on tall cups of iced coffee, high on their daily caffeine. I can only imagine the obscene amounts of money they spend on those things every day. I've been cutting my own hair since the divorce. Thank God for YouTube. "Don't