Keepsakes

by Shawndra Russell

Chapter 1

“You’re moving to ITALY? And you want a DIVORCE?”
“Yes,” she said quietly.
“What about ‘til death do us part?” he yelled. “Didn’t that mean anything to you?”
“Of course it did. But this means more,” she said, rustling in her oversized purse that read, “I Heart New York.”
Why couldn’t she just be going to New York instead of across an ocean? “How can it mean more than us?” he said, his voice cracking.
“Because it does.”
“I don’t understand Bridgette. When did this happen?”
“I applied for this artist’s residency on a whim about six months ago and was notified I’d won a scholarship a couple months after that.”
“So you’ve known for four months and didn’t tell me?”
“I’m sorry, Gabe. I thought this would be easier.”
Before he could respond, a car horn blared. What else could he say? She had her bags packed, her one-way flight booked, and her mind set. She grabbed her paint-splattered rolling suitcases and turned on her heel, her purple scarf leaving a trail of unanswered questions. She was going to Italy to look at masterpieces, find inspiration, be surrounded by greatness. Apparently, she didn’t think Gabe was all that great anymore. Apparently, she thought he was holding her back from her true potential. Apparently, she was a cold, heartless bitch.

230 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 15, 2015

About the author

Shawndra has survived being a matron of honor and bridesmaid many times. Like her main character Kieran, she started her adult life with a move to Savannah, Georgia--12 hours from home. She works as a brand journalist and social media marketer for small businesses, is a freelance writer and blogger, and recently published How to Become a Freelance Writer in 30 Days.

She formerly taught high school English, has her MA and BA in English, and has contributed to Forbes Travel Guide, Travel+Leisure, BeerAdvocate, Media Bistro, Snooth, and Business in Savannah among others. She lives in Savannah, Georgia with her husband and first-look editor Gary and their Boston terrier Massy.

Her free time is spent trying craft beers, traveling whenever possible, and of course, reading some of her favorite authors like Nora Ephron, Emily Giffin, Veronica Roth, and Candace Bushnell. She loves Twitter and sharing her favorite quotes from books mid-read at @ShawndraRussell. You can read some of her other published work and blog at www.shawndrarussell.com.