Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    From $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Status: The Grand Mal Series, #3
    Status: The Grand Mal Series, #3
    Status: The Grand Mal Series, #3
    Ebook131 pages

    Status: The Grand Mal Series, #3

    By Joshua Holmes

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    Status is the continuing story of Chris, experienced academic and freelance graphic designer with Epilepsy, seeking to please his latest client, aspiring author, Nadine, and to achieve a sense of normalcy, even as he adjusts to an unconventional, seizure treatment plan. It is the story of past friend, Michael, who, with each passing day, becomes a distant memory. Meanwhile, Hank, a local church servant, helps Chris acclimate to a new community in York, Pennsylvania. It is the continuing story of Mary Grace, of how, after the big date, Chris discovers she isn't the classy woman he thought she was, or the one for him. It is the story of Greta, of her late, ironic introduction, of Chris's new attraction to her, and of how she fills his existing void. It is a vivid reminder of the transition process, the search for integration, the impact of old and new relationships, and the importance of never forsaking life's endless pursuit.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherJoshua Holmes
    Release dateMay 29, 2016
    ISBN9781310870323
    Status: The Grand Mal Series, #3
    Author

    Joshua Holmes

    A GRADUATE OF the Pennsylvania State University (M.Ed.), the Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (B.A.), and the Art Institute of York-PA (B.S.), Joshua Holmes has studied the fine arts, design, and writing for over 20 years. The sole proprietor and lead designer of JAHbookdesign, he also specializes in all areas of publishing, graphic design, and illustration (portraiture, animation, and wildlife). He has been commissioned by numerous collectors and authors within the community, and has won several awards in various shows and fairs. He has authored an autobiography, a how to series, and two fiction series about life with epilepsy, seventeen novels to date - The Art of Pastel Mastery, The Art of Colored Pencil Mastery, The Art of Oil Paint Mastery, The Art of Graphite Pencil Mastery, Memory Lapse, Grand Mal, Seizure, Status, Trigger, Design To Kill, Design For Justice, Shattered Lung, Design To Escape, Design For Honor, Design For Power, Design For The Cure, and Painting The Whole Picture: Portrait of an Artist with Epilepsy - all of which are available in print, ebook, and audiobook. He attributes his success to the Lord, and the strength God gives him in order to persist and grow as a more patient and thorough artist and writer. A vision cut in both eyes from brain surgery for epilepsy, and CP in his right side since birth, with the Lord's help, Josh continues to write, to see more detail, and to improve with time. He encourages you to explore and exercise your creative side, and enjoy what the Lord does through it. Visit Joshua Holmes at his professional site jahbookdesign.com and at all online book distributors.

    Read more from Joshua Holmes

    Related to Status

    Titles in the series (4)

    View More
    View More

    Related ebooks

    General Fiction For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related categories

    Reviews for Status

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      Status - Joshua Holmes

      ALSO BY JOSHUA HOLMES

      THE GRAND MAL SERIES

      GRAND MAL

      SEIZURE

      THE DESIGN SERIES

      DESIGN TO KILL

      DESIGN FOR JUSTICE

      SHATTERED LUNG

      DESIGN TO ESCAPE

      STAND ALONE WORKS

      MEMORY LAPSE

      This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, or persons, living or dead is coincidental.

      Visit Joshua Holmes at

      www.behance.net/Artman706 and

      www.jahbookdesign.com

      Printed in the United States of America

      Kindle Edition: May 2016

      10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

      Copyright © 2016 by Joshua Holmes. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

      All rights reserved.

      ISBN-13:

      ISBN-10:

      Cover Design by Joshua Holmes

      DEDICATIONS

      This book is dedicated to my Parents and Grandparents.

      …

      PREFACE

      Just a quick note to my readers: As I’m sure most of you are aware, Status is a degree of epilepsy seizure nobody wants to reach – although some do – and, while there are various seizure scenes within these pages, I can assure you none of my characters experience Status.

      On a more abstract level, Status is a state that calls to mind words like ‘permanent’ or ‘continuous’. As it relates to the Grand Mal Series and latest book, this title works thematically and serves a dual purpose in that I’m describing Chris’s (my) life with epilepsy, particularly as it pertains to interaction with others, and I’m doing so in such a way that will – if all goes according to plan – unfold with finality. I say it’s a positive spin on an otherwise dangerous and all-too-real occurrence.

      I’d also like to add that I did attend a couple long-term group meetings in the past two years (two new experiences), and – like Chris – struggled to feel integrated. I was careful to note my own insecurities in this book, not those of anyone else. My depiction of a group was not a reflection of one, in particular, or of any specific members, and was included in the plot to add dimension to my protagonist, to show group membership is interesting but not easy by any means, and that it takes commitment to something, regardless, to reap the benefits.

      Thanks for your support.

      Josh

      …

      PART ONE

      PROLOGUE

      INVASION

      Apparently, the call never ended when the phone slipped from my hand to the floor. Instead, the device hit hard, and the impact activated the speaker. My client, Nadine, would hear the second half of the episode through the receiver that settled just feet from where I seized.

      It had to be the combination of the low light exhibited from my lamp and the competing light streaks that came at me from every other source. I wasn’t stressed, consciously anyhow. But my emotional state had never been a reliable predictor. Perhaps it was that I constantly had to stay alert, had to recognize the seizure could evade me, but also expect that it likely could invade me this very instant?

      With each passing hour, the likelihood of a scene increased a bit more. And yet, several seizure-free days came and went, causing me to wonder if, just maybe, I would get through the project without frightening anybody. Not to get too melodramatic here, but the uncertainty followed you like a thief anxious to attack and secure a spoil. As Nadine quickly learned.

      …

      Extremely pleased with the proof, Nadine said first. The book turned out nicely."

      For an instant, I imagined her narrow, expressionless face scrunching up in satisfaction, her free hand pulling at her long, brown/blonde-streaked hair.

      That’s just great, I said. That’s what I love to hear.

      Better than expected, to be honest.

      Even as she talked, I tried to distance myself from any stimuli. I hurriedly turned off the TV. I drew the blinds further. Pushed aside my portable technology. It was a race against time.

      I can’t believe we did it! Nadine continued, oblivious to my situation. So surreal!

      Yes, I agreed, now walking to a darker place in the house. Surreal.

      And it was. Up until now, the freelance design job – the consultation, editing, cover creation, and compilation processes – had gone wonderfully, and I hadn’t exposed Nadine to any of my condition’s antics.

      So what next? she asked. We talked about making it into an e book? That option had been discussed, and my payment for it had already arrived.

      My thoughts were getting jumbled. I was struggling to remember the order in which I should act out: Should I sit? Should I walk? Should I talk? I pulled out a chair at the dining table, stopped and put my hand to my mouth, and then internally scolded myself for behaving in a manner that made no sense.

      Ah… Uhuh… I… uh. Ughh. Here we go, I thought. The notion of more paid work was exciting, but it wouldn’t stop what had started in my head. In more darkness, the electrical storm was spreading, and the next thing I knew, I couldn’t reply. The fuse that powered my speech had blown.

      My auras were light initially, slight waves, and I did mean to terminate the conversation then, but they grew stronger, into flashes, and, well, you know, inevitably overwhelmed me until I couldn’t complete a sentence or even stand upright.

      In my final moments of clarity, I grunted and panted, my eyebrows twitching as I attempted to continue the exchange. But it was a lost cause.

      There was a heavy pressure in my chest. I took a spill, the burden elevated, and twisted up under the lamp’s long cast shadow, I headed into the next phase. A blank phase.

      Chris?

      …

      I came to what felt like a lifetime later, at an entirely different place in the house, and ironically to the phone ringing.

      My forehead, chin, and right hand stung, the signs of carpet burn quickly forming in the three most common points of impact.

      In an exhausted frenzy, I got up and stumbled towards the sound. The noise was coming from somewhere near the couch, and last minute I realized from under the cushion.

      Phone in hand, I had to rectify the situation, had to allay Nadine’s fears; convince her everything would be ok, and that this didn’t change anything. Although it would.

      I knew I still wasn’t in my right mind. Exhaustion and pain had me saying and doing things I never would in my proper state.

      I heard once that seizures shouldn’t last longer than five minutes…

      I checked my door lock. Not really sure why.

      I’m sorry, I said. Really sorry.

      No don’t be, said Nadine. But yeah, I thought you should like call 911 after five minutes.

      I then walked to the light switch. Still unsure why.

      No, I said. Honestly. I’m fine.

      Isn’t that like dangerous?

      I was intent on convincing Nadine to forget what she witnessed, but instead slurred an unintelligible response.

      Like couldn’t it lead to… What’s it called? Status?

      …

      1

      SHADES OF BLUE

      As I finished at the computer terminal, reading the online, blog article – about a

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1