The Jewels of January

The Jewels of January By Julia Heart This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Copyright © 2023 by Julia Heart All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Name: Julia Heart, 2023 - Author. Title: The Jewels of January: a novel / by Julia Heart. Cover Design: Julia Heart & Lindsey Karnuth Description: Paperback edition. | 2023. Identifiers: Paperback, LCCN 2023907679 | ISBN 978-1-7376129-0-2 ebook, LCCN 2023907927 | ISBN 978-1-7376129-2-6 www.juliaheart.com Content Guidance Letter When I began writing this book, my intention was for it to be mainly upbeat and even funny. I quickly realized that it was challenging to fully portray certain thoughts and feelings without occasionally diving deep into sensitive topics. As a result, the story touches on certain subjects that may be challenging or unpleasant for some readers. As a person that struggles with PTSD and Anxiety Disorders, I wanted to provide some guidance and context, for those with similar sensitivities. I have created a list on the following page that outlines these sensitive subjects and how they are represented in the book. Please be aware that this list may contain some spoilers. I offer this warning with the utmost respect and sensitivity to those who may find these topics distressing. I want to ensure that readers are informed and able to make the decision about whether or not to proceed with the story. I'm happy to say I was able to leave all the irony and cheeky bits intact. Warmly, Julia Content Warning List Emotionally Abusive Relationship Mentioned, depicted, described, shown HIV/AIDS Mentioned, depicted, described, shown Anxiety Mentioned, depicted, described, shown Bullying Mentioned, depicted, described, shown Cult Mentioned, depicted, described, shown Depression Mentioned Divorce Mentioned from a character's perspective Hostage Mentally, as in Stockholm Syndrome PTSD Mentioned as a possibility, described Rape Mentioned, NOT described Suicide Mentioned This book is dedicated to all the people who were brave enough to find a path out of a physically or emotionally abusive relationship to freedom...And, everyone who helped them! Contents 1. She Sells Sanctuary 2. Blue Monday 3. Whisper to a Scream 4. Every Rose Has Its Thorns 5. When Love Breaks Down 6. Under Pressure 7. Secret 8. Under the Milky Way Tonight 9. Avalon 10. West End Girls 11. Let Me Go 12. Running up That Hill 13. Silent Lucidity 14. I Melt with You 15. Head over Heels 16. How Soon Is Now 17. Christmas Wrapping 18. Tainted Love 19. Gone Daddy Gone 20. Love Will Tear Us Apart 21. Cuts You Up 22. Love Is a Stranger 23. It’s My Life 24. The Killing Moon 25. Genius of Love 26. (Epilogue) This Must Be the Place 27. (Epilogue) This Must Be the Place Please Review Acknowledgements Jewels and James Mixedtape #igotout A love letter to Neurodivergents About the Author Chapter 1 She Sells SanctuaryJamesSomething about driving up to Tulips made me feel dirty before I even got inside. I sat in line for the valet and wondered what would make this building look more like a house of ill-repute rather than a fancy bunker. Maybe windows, and then, in my head, I heard my mother’s voice say topiaries. She said topiaries to any outdoor decorating problem. I bet she’d also agree that painting the building a color besides beige would be another step in the right direction. Other topless bars around town had decent curb appeal. Even The Cock Pit out by the airport had an inviting entrance, and that place was a shithole.Despite my familiarity with the topless bars of Austin, I didn’t actually come to Tulips that often. I was here tonight to celebrate my friend Brad’s birthday. The guys I was meeting were all bartenders at various clubs on 6th Street in Austin. Most of the downtown bars were only open from Tuesday to Saturday, so the people who worked there went out on Sunday and Monday nights. Because of this, the best places to get a drink with your guy friends were topless bars. Usually, I went to a place called the Candy Store about a mile away.The booming bass pouring out of the building overpowered The Bell Biv Devoe song playing on my car radio, so I turned it off as I pulled up to first place in line to park. The muggy September air stuck to my face the minute I stepped out.“Hey,” I said to the valet as I handed him my keys, “don’t park it too far away. I won’t be staying long.” The attendant nodded, the smirk on his face suggesting he’d heard this often.A car horn sent a violent noise through the already chaotic parking lot, and I snapped to my left. Brad, the birthday boy, was flipping me the bird from inside his car.“Holy shit, you startled me!” I shout-laughed in his direction.I’d met Brad at the University of Texas. I’d been in my new dorm room, tacking up a poster of Einstein sticking his tongue out. Brad had barged in the door, tossed an oversized duffle bag, and hamper full of athletic shoes on the empty bed, and asked, “Do you have any beer?”“No,” I answered, a grin spreading across my face, “but I know where we can get some.”My first priority for attending college was to get a solid education. My second was to have copious amounts of fun. Beer, girls, and parties were on my list of things to do as much as possible. We enjoyed living with each other so much we remained roommates for all four years.“Don’t be such an old man,” he said, now standing next to me. “I’m the one getting older today.”I stood back upright and reached out to shake