STORYTIME TAPESTRY

The Newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world

Special Treat ??“ Submitted by Carol Roach 

July 18, 2005 

The study is a reflection of the feelings of Carissa Forbes the heroine of my new novel, Angels Watching Over Me.  Stay tuned for more information on the book??™s release.

The Study

Carol Roach

I will show you the study. It is the favourite room of the house. The study is just off the enormous heavy cedar staircase; the rich wood shines with a glow that reveals pride and majesty.  As you enter the study you feel belittled in its presence for this is a room fit for kings and queens.  You dare not walk into this room wearing footwear.  You dare not soil its magnificent beauty.  Your naked feet press down on the thick burgundy carpet, the softness of the fiber shocks your senses as it is stands in contrast to the cold austerity of this room.  The carpet is warm and inviting to the touch, it says ???come in and be comfortable,??? while the rest of the room says, ???stay out you are an intruder, you do not belong here.??? For a time, as you enjoy the sensation of the soft fibers beneath your feet, you close your eyes and experience the moment, only to open them again, and look down once more.  The carpet looms out at you; its burgundy colour shouts out in anger, ???how dare you trespass, you peasant you, what gives you this sense of entitlement, don??™t you know that this is a room fit for Kings!

It is a beautiful summer day and the heavy burgundy draperies are open to allow in the light of morning and the warmth of the outside.  Through the bay windows you see the beauty of the rose garden with petals opened wide to drink in the nourishment of the sun.  Though you do not see him, you hear the wonderful song of a cardinal perched high above in a tree. He is so much part of this paradise.  You are tempted to run away from this huge, cold room and be part of the splendor that is beyond.  Your thoughts remind you no amount of sunshine, or warmth from nature??™s beauty could ever ease the chill this is this room.

You turn your face from the view and back to the center of the room.  The black Corinthian leather sofa, matching love seat, and chair, again reminds you of the opulence you see around you.  The rich smell of the leather is intoxicating, it is inviting, but the coldness of its touch tells you once again to stay away. 

The rays of the sun cascade through the window and accent the dusk that has accumulated on the antique wood coffee table; white particles on top of rich mahogany cherry wood.  You marvel at the contrast, ineptly covering the fine rich reddish brown grains of wood beneath. 

To the right of you stands the baby grand piano, a beauty to behold. You walk over and touch the black and white keys.  Feeble rusty notes cry out ???play me; please play me, for I have been silent for so long.???  There is no song of joy in this room.  The piano has lain silent for many years.  The mistress of this house does not know how to play.  The piano belonged to her father, now dearly departed. A part of her died with him and her heart sings no more.

The left side of the room is your favourite.  The walls are stacked corner to corner with books.  You revel in the classics, Shakespeare, Chaucer, Proust, and Nietzsche. You forget who you are and are transported into worlds beyond your grasp, worlds that show both beauty and utter despair. You marvel at the brilliance of the authors, as you engage in their works, as you share in their thoughts, and listen to their hearts.

A thump somewhere emanating from another part of the house brings you back to your senses and you realize you must make haste.  You once again pick up the bottle of pledge and cloth you had temporarily set down on the credenza. You tidy up the papers and begin to polish vigourously.  You must work quickly; you must leave this majestic room before the mistress summons you once more.

Carol Roach

winterose@videotron.ca

A Native of Montreal, Quebec, Carol is a graduate of Concordia, and McGill University.  She holds a bachelor in psychology and a masters in counselling psychology.  Carol Roach is a published writer and newsletter editor.  You can purchase her book: Picking up the Pieces: A Woman's Journey at www.publishamerica.com, or www.amazon.com.  You can also go to your local bookstore and order it there as well.  Carol has now finished her second novel and currently looking for a publisher. 

If you are interested in other stories feel free to join her newsletter: Storytime Tapestry at: http://subs.zinester.com/98907 , or email her directly at winterose@videotron.ca and she will be glad to accommodate you.  Carol enjoys email and responds to every inquiry.