When perplexed or depressed, there is a place where human beings go to escape. Many have chosen to escape to the infamous Pier 35 or what is commonly known as death row. The pier is used by storytellers as a symbol of sadness, depression, fear, bad omens, and often associated with the resting place for souls of the desolate, heartbroken, and fool hearty thrill seekers. Those who believe in the legend stay far away or venture there to join those who are known as the Souls of Pier 35. It's the Fall of 2014 in Seattle, Washington; a middle aged man sits on the edge of the aged Pier 35 staring at a small branch floating in the Puget Sound. He's there to take in the beauty of it all while waiting for the right moment to take his life. The man's life is turned upside down when the loss and pain of a loved one finally sends him into despair. The journey of this character is similar to Janie's journey from Their Eyes were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston with similarities to The Runaways by V.C. Andrews.

Race and culture is commonly used to differentiate or celebrate people. On the flipside, race can be used to promote stereotypes and dissension. These superficial differences and common beliefs in people cause a disconnection; however, there sometimes takes an event to effect change in people from all walks.

It's the winter of 2012 in Detroit, Michigan; a young man and woman drive home from separate locations after completing a long workday. An unfortunate fender bender during the commute leaves both of their automobiles damaged. It's the late evening as the two strangers await the arrival of police just outside downtown. Culturally different but otherwise similar in their stations in life; they are forced to come face to face with preconceived ideas of the other after the accident and proves to them both that where you come from doesn't dictate where you go or who you belong with. Can their programmed bias', engrained stereotypes of different cultures, and family prevent them from going against the grain to explore a relationship as friends or more so despite what they have been raised to believe? Can love truly be colorblind?

Race and culture is commonly used to differentiate or celebrate people. On the flipside, race can be used to promote stereotypes and dissension. These superficial differences and common beliefs in people cause a disconnection; however, there sometimes takes an event to effect change in people from all walks.

It's the winter of 2012 in Detroit, Michigan; a young man and woman drive home from separate locations after completing a long workday. An unfortunate fender bender during the commute leaves both of their automobiles damaged. It's the late evening as the two strangers await the arrival of police just outside downtown. Culturally different but otherwise similar in their stations in life; they are forced to come face to face with preconceived ideas of the other after the accident and proves to them both that where you come from doesn't dictate where you go or who you belong with. Can their programmed bias', engrained stereotypes of different cultures, and family prevent them from going against the grain to explore a relationship as friends or more so despite what they have been raised to believe? Can love truly be colorblind?

After a tragic drunk driving accident, the woman who had been my friend, sister, mentor, and overseer was taken from this world. Tonya survives through a tale she began before she passed away what seems like eons ago. As I promised her, the novel she began to write so long ago, I've completed. We combined words to form the story we always wanted to complete together.

"You Were There" is based on her life story of teenage alcoholism and drug addiction, loss, fallen hope, the steps she was forced to take to clean up, and picking up the pieces to move forward with her life. Fortunately, I was there to witness the transformation, which in fact transformed me. As people, we search for great signs and inspiration; however, it can sometimes be found in the smallest places. She inspired me with her courage, understanding of life, strength and caring. I was there with her through college, and through the initial adult years before her passing.

After a tragic drunk driving accident, the woman who had been my friend, sister, mentor, and overseer was taken from this world. Tonya survives through a tale she began before she passed away what seems like eons ago. As I promised her, the novel she began to write so long ago, I've completed. We combined words to form the story we always wanted to complete together.

"You Were There" is based on her life story of teenage alcoholism and drug addiction, loss, fallen hope, the steps she was forced to take to clean up, and picking up the pieces to move forward with her life. Fortunately, I was there to witness the transformation, which in fact transformed me. As people, we search for great signs and inspiration; however, it can sometimes be found in the smallest places. She inspired me with her courage, understanding of life, strength and caring. I was there with her through college, and through the initial adult years before her passing.

Accumulation of material is what many feel they need to better their lives instead of understanding the quality of life is stronger than the quantity of life. Jon Marx, a handsome young professional school administrator, has worked hard to amass material items of which he thinks will bring him that purpose we seek in life. Once Jon has reached his goals in life such as career, home, relationship, and prestige, he finds that it is not all that it seems to be, and that happiness is far from a touch away. On his way to work one beautifully sunny morning on Highway 23, Jon misses his exit and continues to drive for no apparent reason, hearing his tires strike the lines in the weathered road. Not thinking of the person he is leaving behind nor the objects he owns, he drives till he can't drive anymore. Mentally tired, lost, and miles away from the place he considered home, Jon discovers a small town where the people don't own much but they are happy. Jon has searched his whole life to find the secret to happiness and sees it in the meager homes, simple lifestyles and the natural surroundings. With the absence of material and/or possessions, Jon discovers his Clarity of Absence. This journey into the man's soul is a detailed, deeply moving, and often humorous look into the sensitive side of a contemporary metro-sexual's odyssey through life, love, desire, passion, and his ability to reach that place many of us seek: Enlightenment.