Runner Up (28 page)

After my trip to Florida and Israel, Jackson and I had a few weeks together before he had a book tour and
some promotional appearances on TV and bookstores everywhere. I spent the time when he was gone, working
and getting jobs around the United States to keep busy. When I got a text from him from New York, I decided to
be impulsive and book a flight. I called Allison and asked if I could crash in the spare bedroom for a few nights. She
agreed and I got a red-eye out of Chicago the next day.

I woke up in my old apartment in New York. The decor had changed but the sounds of the city had not,
still rude, loud and energetic. I grabbed my cell phone and saw it was past 11 a.m. I did not mean to sleep this late
but I decided now was as good a time as any to surprise Jackson.

I texted him.
‘A little bird told me you were in NY.’ I wrote.
‘Chirp, yea that was me.’ He replied.
‘I am too. :)’ I wrote.
‘What?’
‘Yea- I hope you like surprises.’ I wrote.
‘I have nowhere to be for a few hours.’ He writes. ‘Where are you?’
I texted him the address and barely had time to get ready before I heard the buzzer. Allison laughed when

she answered the door to see two dozen red roses blocking the doorway.
“I am here for the elegant Miss Parker.” Jackson came in and I tackled him with a hug. A month had been
too long and I needed some contact.
We spent an hour hanging out and he invited me to his book signing event. I agreed to tag along but I told
him I would not stay for the whole thing.
It was fun seeing him in his charming Author persona, being polite to all the fans. I even had a few people
that asked me to sign next to his name in a book. It was fun. The large bookstore had a long line and eventually I
got hungry.
I escaped and spent a few hours with Allison, shopping and catching up. That evening I got a text to meet
Jackson with a location.
I spent a little extra time and put on the green velvet dress from the TV show. I packed it just in case and
was secretly thrilled to wear it again. He had wanted to see me in the dress and I figured tonight would be a great
night to bring it out.
The taxi took me to Time Square and I got out and saw the traditional crowd gathered, there was always
something happening here. I took a glance around to find Jackson, his height made him easy to locate, usually.
I got a bit flustered when the big screen lit up with my name.
HANNAH PARKER
I look around a little more frantically. Not panicked but curious.
A spotlight appeared and a small stage with a staircase was leading up to Jackson on the platform.
Oh no… what was he doing?
He spoke and it was amplified through a sound system, and now he was on the big screen too.
“Hannah Parker…” He said with his voice beckoning me. ,
I walked over and climbed the steps carefully, my heart beating happily in my chest.
When I got up to him he swept me in his arms and kissed me silly for a minute. Then he gave me a slow
spin around, I could tell he liked the dress.
“Hannah I cannot go another day without knowing that you will be with me. Would you be my wife?” He
dropped to one knee and melted my heart completely.
“Yes Jackson. I will marry you.”
The crowd cheered loudly and we gave the media something else to talk about for a little bit longer.

-The End
<<<<>>>>
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Dear Reader,

This story has been a joy and challenge to write. Designing a TV show was harder than I ever thought it
would be.
Hannah Parker is a special girl to me, though fictitious, she has had a few rough patches that I can truly
relate too. Her struggles with anxiety were something I personally struggled with also. After some hard situations
in my own life, with rejection and an unexpected illness and then my sister’s death, I felt that a lot of things were
spiraling out of my control.
There have been a few years of healing and hope in my life and I really praise God for helping me take
steps to get better. Lots of prayer, journaling and even writing this book, was very therapeutic for me. Rejection is
real and certain people handle it better than others. No one is immune to depression or anxiety,
My own experience with depression and anxiety does not make me an expert or well educated on
everything that is known about it. Please seek help, talk to your loved ones and your doctor. You are not alone!
There are so many people willing to help. It is hard to admit that there is a problem but the healing starts when we
face it head on.
There are so many great books and websites available to help those who are struggling.
Sharing this story has been such a blessing for me. To put the word out there that depression isn’t your
fault. Sometimes a situation just gets out of hand and we fall into a dark and rough time.
At the end I will recommend a few good places to go if you are personally struggling with anxiety or
depression and need help.
If you would like me to pray for you my email is [email protected]
I hope this story has entertained but also blessed you in some way. My hope is that you laughed and cried
along with me.
I welcome new friends. Please join me on my Facebook page and let me know how you liked the book.
New stories and books are blooming in my head and I will be writing more and more as life, motherhood, puppy
ownership and homeschooling will allow.
https://www.facebook.com/Leah.Banicki.Novelist
I welcome new friends! Please join with the discussion about books and life and the everyday stuff that
keeps us going.

Sincerely,

 

Leah Banicki
Resources:

 

~ http://www.lproof.org/ - Beth Moore – Living Proof website for info
about her books and a
place to put in prayer requests.

 

~ http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Depression/support-group - a website full of support groups willing to
share their struggles together.

 

~ http://www.midwestcenter.com/ - a clinic with a great program to help people overcome depression and
anxiety one step at a time.

 

~ http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/llw/depression_screen.cfm - a confidential screening test to help
someone determine if they are depressed.
More GREAT books to try out.
Books by Patricia Strefling:
Christian Historical Romances
Ireland Rose
Rose’s Legacy
Wedgewick Woman
Beyond Forgiveness
Stowaway Heart
Contemporary Christian Romances
Edwina
Cecelia
Cadence
Lacy’s Lane … coming soon.
Go to http://www.patriciastrefling.com/ to learn more.