Runaway Bay - Chapter 16
Shame
This picture was in the boxes of photos Amy received after Mike’s death. It’s one of those “who knew?” pictures — Mike in an unknown job, in an unknown location, with unknown colleagues. Estranged from most of his family. Wracked in shame. Yet able to function in society.
Children’s faces blurred to protect their privacy.
In the shadows
When I was taking apart an old family picture to scan the photo for chapter 2 (the one of Glen and Georgia), this snapshot fell out.
I guess it had been in the frame, but replaced by the older family photo? That alone tells a story.
Mike’s face completely swallowed up by shadow tells a more vivid one.
Below are a few more pictures from “The Shame Years” - which, tragically, comprised most of Mike’s life.
2002. With Mama Georgia, probably in her house.
2002, Christmas - we must have gone up to Denver City that year.
2007. A potluck at a funeral in the Denver City Church of Christ.
A couple of words about this website of “bonus material” for Runaway Bay:
Amy didn’t create it … Thomas did. You may have already guessed that the “I” in the captions isn’t Amy, but me - her husband.
( She doesn’t really like websites. Or QR codes for that matter. Or bulleted lists like this one - a dead giveaway that she didn’t write this part. )Therefore I don’t mind making the shameless plug - if you are enjoying her phenomenal book, would you be willing to put a review on Amazon? As Amy’s “publishing partner” the one surprising thing I’ve seen is this: people love her writing, and even volunteer their time to email or text her with their responses … but getting them to post a quick review on Amazon is a whole ‘nother level of hard.
( Here’s the link, if you’re so inclined https://a.co/d/9BbaoX2 )
Thank you so much!
Amy and I celebrating our 35th anniversary in Phoenix, Arizona.