Love's Redemptive Quest, Cole's Story

By: Marianne Dora Rose

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

Excerpt 1: Cole watched the woman as she placed the bagged items in her shopping cart alongside a clear plastic bag containing old clothes, neatly folded. Probably all she owned at this time, he thought, controlling the gasp that threatened as he realized the shopping cart did not belong to the supermarket. It belonged to the woman. A homeless woman! And in poor health, the medic in him surmised, watching her right leg limp as she steered the cart with difficulty towards the exit and out the sensor-equipped self-opening doors. He glanced at the cashier, shocked. The girl nodded sadly, guessing what he was thinking. “You’re right,” she said. She’s homeless.”
She’s so young, he thought, appraising, no older than her late thirties. no older than myself.

Excerpt 2: Claire thought wistfully, he hadn’t recognized her. But why should he? The plastic surgery, the limp, the aging hardships and years between. He mustn’t catch her watching him through the market's window as he conversed with the cashier, lovely, young, and spry, as she’d once been, when she had broken his heart.