Life Line

Life Line

Julie is a lifesaver in more ways than Jill perceives. The information that she knows has the potential to start to turn Jill’s life around.  

Very early in the novel Jill is in an automobile accident. The first person Jill turns to for help is Julie.

Jill recalls being hit but her mission for driving demands her attention—pick up her children from school. ‘Gotta call Julie.’

Eventually Julie is reached and she comes through for Jill. While Jill is in the hospital, Julie takes care of Jill’s two youngest children. When it becomes too stressful––she has two young boys of her own––Joseph, Jill’s divorced husband, returns. The third child, Amber, a high school student is sent to live with Daniel, Amber’s older brother.

A life and death event occurs shortly after Jill hears that there is no doubt that her marriage is over. The news devastates Jill. Amber calls Julie for help. Julie rushes over and wakes Jill up. She also picks up a half empty bottle of pills.

Pointing to the bottle she asks, “Jill, were you trying to end your life?” Julie can’t bring herself to say suicide, not to the aunt she loves and admires.

Tears flow from Jill. Her slow weak no fails to convince Julie. “Jill, you’ve got to get up, show some energy.”

Jill shakes her head slowly, making no attempt to control her body. She rests heavily in Julie’s arms.

Julie breaks a very important promise to shock Jill into action. Her shocking question casts Julie in the role of a spy, a spy for Josey, Jill’s grandmother. Julie and Jill’s relationship takes a serious, but not fatal blow.

Keeping Gramma Josey informed about developments in Jill’s life is only one role for Julie. The second one is to convince Jill to return to Brampton to visit her grandmother. Jill is totally against the trip, but it is vital to her mental health.

Julie takes a chance on sacrificing her friendship with Jill to save her. Do you know of a friend like that?

Uncle Mike, is a non character in Baggage burdens. Yet his impact on Joseph and Thomas is major. How can this be? See my next blog for the answer.