Last week, my mom was asked by author Jennifer Sienes to share something about herself, and this week it’s my turn. It kind of bugged me that Mom told everyone I don’t respect her. That’s not true. I mean, it’s not like I want to be a housewife, (or really, what’s the point of going to college?) but I don’t disrespect her for it. What gets me is she’s not fighting for her own dreams and just gives into whatever Dad wants. He can be a little overbearing at times, but it’s not like she doesn’t have a voice. And it’s not like she isn’t used to an overbearing male in her life, growing up with Grandpa. There’s a reason my brother Michael and I call him Grouchy Grandpa (just not to his face.)
I’m Taylor Schaffer, by the way. The inspiration for my character came from Jennifer’s own daughter, Nicole, so unlike Mom, I’m more than a figment of her imagination. Since I haven’t heard the story yet, I’m not sure what I’m in for, but I’m guessing it’s not good. Hopefully, it won’t be life changing or anything. I have plans.
I’m a senior at El Dorado High School and will start college at Sac State in the fall. If I had a choice, I’d go somewhere out of state—maybe Wheaton College in Illinois, like Mom and Dad did—but being a PK means there isn’t money for that. Maybe if Mom were teaching like she wanted, it would be different. Anyway, a lot of my friends are planning to go to school in Sacramento, too, so it’s not the worst thing.
I hope to at least talk the parental units into letting me live on campus. Anything to get away from home. Okay, that sounds dramatic. Home’s not all bad. It’s just Michael did something really stupid last year, and the tension between him and Dad is getting old. If Michael would lose the attitude it would help. It’s got everyone kind of on edge. He’s mad at Dad for some reason, which I think is why he did what he did. That’s kind of stupid, though. He hurt himself as much as he did Dad. And really, he’s hurting Mom, too.
Michael’s usually pretty cool for a little brother. He’s funny and we get along okay. He’s closer to Mom than he is to Dad, which makes sense. One thing Mom said last week was that I’ve always been a daddy’s girl, and that’s the truth. But Michael’s always been… well, I don’t want to say a mama’s boy, because that’s not what he is. They just connect better. She appreciates his humor, and he knows how to use it to his advantage.
So, living at home isn’t horrible, but I’m ready to move on. I think I’ve always felt like life moves too slow. I have all these ideas and plans, and then they get shot down because I’m “too young.” Like donating blood. Okay, I know that’s kind of a weird example, but a few years ago, I had this idea for a community outreach for our church—Give Life, Give Blood. Kind of a spin on the blood of Jesus giving us life. Get it? Anyway, Dad loved the idea and it was a hit. Problem was, I wasn’t allowed to donate blood because I was too young. Seriously? I’m the one who came up with the idea in the first place.
Dad says I shouldn’t rush things, because before I’m ready for it, I’ll be an adult with a lot of responsibility. And he doesn’t say it like it’s a good thing. I think things at church and with Michael are starting to get to him. But I can hardly wait to be in the position to do whatever I want with my life, even if that means more responsibility.
Illusions is now available for pre-order. The ebook is only .99 until the paperback becomes available on April 28th. If you pre-order the ebook, you will also receive the novelette Gilded Cage, a prequel to Illusions, as a pre-order gift. If you prefer to have the paperback copy, Gilded Cage will be included with it. Once you pre-order the ebook, be sure to fill out the necessary form to receive your pre-order gift.
