Outtakes 16

Heroes

I’ve been blessed to have heroes in my life. My parents were my first heroes. They didn’t do anything big like break world records or find the cure for a terrible disease. They lived quiet, ordinary lives, working to feed, clothe and house us. They taught us the value of honesty and hard work. We learned responsibility and owning up to our mistakes. Best of all, they provided a positive example for us to follow. They weren’t perfect, but they did their best to raise six girls with lots of love and praise. They even admitted to making mistakes and asked forgiveness.

My husband was another hero. Bill was a bit of a devil in his youth. His mom told me if I had met him when he was a teen, I wouldn’t have had anything to do with him. Maybe, maybe not, but the man I knew and loved was a good man who loved his family and mine. My husband served in the Navy, trained as a paramedic after leaving the military, and worked until the cancer sidelined him. Even after an accident paralyzed him, he kept going, and proved to those he met that handicapped was a state of mind, not a state of being. Bill told people I was the most precious thing to ever walk this earth. He was truly special.

I could continue listing people who have touched my life, made me dream big things, and helped me achieve my goals. I won’t bore you with pages of names and their contributions to my life. The point is we all look up to someone. We acknowledge those who mean so much to us because they held places in our hearts and lives. We honor them because they were human, flawed, but with redeeming qualities.

Heroes play a primary role in our writing. My current novel HOW DO YOU LIKE ME NOW has three heroes: Dr. Mike Lofton, Sheriff Travis Cooper and Clive Dalton. Mike and Travis achieved their status because they befriended a lonely, ignored seven-year old girl. They vowed a spit vow to take care of Kate Walker to the end. When Kate became ill, they rescued her and earned her grandmother’s undying love. Both let her down because they were mere mortals, yet they never forgot the promise. When Kate returns to Harley to bury her grandmother, they rally to her side to be the friends she’d always loved.

Clive Dalton enters Kate’s life when she marries Jonathan Meyers. He loves Kate, but respects her relationship with Jon. He hides his feelings by treating her like a kid sister. Dalton in many ways is bigger than life. He’s honest, honorable, loyal, and when Jon’s widow needs help with King Phillips, he becomes her fiercest protector. He assumes an I-am-going-to-protect-you- from-all-harm attitude that annoys and angers Kate. His determination to stand between the woman he loves and potential threats leads to a rift in their relationship. Instead of detracting from his sterling qualities, he becomes human. Flawed, yes, but Clive remains a man worthy of respect, admiration, and love. After all, who wants Sir Galahad perfection when a real man is available?

Cait Collins