Book Title: WITH EVERY MEMORY
Character Name: Xander Dixon
Who are you?
No doubt you were expecting one of the Mendenhalls, right? This story is really about them. They’ve been a bit busy ever since the, uh, accident. That’s why I’m here. But who I am probably depends on which member of the Mendenhall family you ask. Mr. Mendenhall – Michael – would say I’m the kid who eats through all the food in their pantry. Not that I can help it. Mrs. M. – I mean, Lori Mendenhall buys those animal crackers that are dipped in frosting and sprinkles because she knows they’re my favorite. She’s a cool mom. At least she used to be. Honestly, I’m not sure she remembers who I am now. As far as Avery Mendenhall goes? I’m her twin brother’s annoying best friend. Don’t listen to a word she says about me. Wait. Has she said anything about me? Nevermind. I don’t care. And you can’t ask Austin, can you? He’s gone. What else do you want to know?
Where do you live?
In the foothills of the Rockies, between Denver and Boulder. The Mendenhalls used to live in my neighborhood. That’s how Austin and I became such good friends. We were only a few houses apart. But they moved out. Maybe if my dad had opened a Wealth Management company like Mr. M. instead of taking off on my mom and me we could’ve gotten one of those huge houses. I still live in the same old house.
How would you describe your family or your childhood?
I spent a ton of time with the Mendenhalls. Back before they moved, they were the family I’d always wanted. Whenever my mom worked second shift, I’d eat dinner there. Austin would have me over for a sleepover which basically meant we bugged Avery all night long. And way back when, Mr. & Mrs. M. actually seemed to love each other, unlike my parents.
Speaking of love, do you have a girlfriend?
Oh, I don’t date.
And why is that?
I’ve only ever liked one girl, and I guess you could say I’m not her type.
Do you have any enemies?
Same girl. I mean, I don’t hate her. She probably thinks I do, but I don’t.
Are you talking about Avery?
Next question, please.
Sure. My notes say you’re an All-American percussionist. Any other talents?
I play guitar, sing, write songs and all that. Not saying I’m talented. My dad’s a failing country music artist so it’s in my blood to write terrible music no one will ever hear.
You’re starting your senior year of high school in a few days. What are your plans for after graduation?
The plan was always to attend Belmont University in Nashville. Austin and I had hoped to room together and study music. Now I’m not sure. Even if I want to go alone, I’ll have to get a scholarship or get a job to pay for it. If I want to go alone.
It sounds like you and Austin were great friends. Do you miss him?
One hundred percent. Austin was great. Everybody loved him. He was like a brother to me.
Can you tell me about the accident?
I’ll try. It was last October. The night of the homecoming football game. Austin and I marched in the band. Avery was crowned homecoming princess. It should have been a great night. I don’t know why or how the train hit their car. Not sure anyone knows. Mr. M. and Avery, thank God, weren’t hurt. Mrs. Mendenhall, she was hurt bad. I think she hit her head on the window, got a traumatic brain injury. She’s still recovering at a clinic but I think she might be coming home soon.
What happened to Austin?
The brunt of the impact was on the back passenger door, where Austin was. The hospital tried to save him. I think he’d lost too much blood. Next question, please.
What role did he play in the Mendenhall family?
He was the glue, especially the last few years. I don’t know what’ll happen when Mrs. Mendenhall comes home from the rehab clinic. I guess she still can’t remember a lot from before the accident. Amnesia or something. Maybe that will be good. Or not. I just know Austin wouldn’t want to see his family like this – all broken and stuff.
It must have been tough for Avery to have lost her twin brother at only seventeen years old. How is she doing?
I wish I knew. She stopped going to school and sort of locked herself in her room for the past ten months. I haven’t seen her.
Have you tried to speak to her?
Yeah. An embarrassing amount of times. Their neighbors probably think I work for DoorDash with how often they see me on their porch. She doesn’t want to talk to me, or anyone according to Mr. Mendenhall. I’ve talked to him a bit. He works until late at night though, so most of the time I just ring the doorbell and stand there like an idiot.
What is your greatest personal failing, in your view?
Knowing there’s someone I care about that’s hurting and I can’t do anything about it. Like maybe if I hadn’t teased her so much, if she didn’t hate me, she might let me help her or at least let me know how she’s doing. It’s the wondering, you know? Wondering if she’s okay or if she ever will be. That’s what kills me.
What keeps you awake at night?
Trying to understand why God let this happen to a good family like the Mendenhalls. Begging him to fix it somehow. Promising to help any way I can.
Is there something that you need or want that you don’t have?
Not so much something as someone.
Why don’t you have it? What is in the way?
That’s complicated. I’ve decided grief is like a school bully, always nearby to jump out and punch you in the face. And after he’s done that enough times, you can’t focus on anything but protecting yourself. You actually become blind to everyone else. As bad as it is to be the victim of a bully, it’s worse when someone you care about is the victim. If I could step in and take the punch for her I would, just to give her a short break.
Why should people read With Every Memory?
This family has been through a lot, and it’s just the beginning. Mrs. M. – Lori – has a long recovery ahead of her, physically and emotionally. Michael has avoided reality by burying himself in work. Avery has quit school and is basically throwing her life away. But they are fighters. If this family can overcome these terrible circumstances, maybe it will give others the courage to fight whatever they are facing. And maybe I’ll share one of my songs if the timing, and more importantly, the audience is right.
By audience, do you mean Avery Mendenhall?
Um, you said twenty questions, not twenty-one. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get ready for the first day of my senior year.
WITH EVERY MEMORY by Janine Rosche
Is the Life She Can’t Remember One She’d Rather Forget?
One year after her family was in a tragic car accident that killed her teenage son, Lori Mendenhall returns home with a traumatic brain injury that has stolen the last eight years of memories from her. She is shocked to find that the life she was leading before the accident is unrecognizable. Her once-loving husband, Michael, is a distant workaholic she isn’t sure she can trust and her once-bubbly daughter, Avery, has spent the last year hidden away in her room.
For Avery, life stopped when she lost her twin. Now, if she wants to graduate high school, she’ll have to accept help from Xander Dixon, her brother’s best friend and the boy who relentlessly teased her for years. And if Lori wants to reconnect with her husband, she’ll have to grapple with information her brain is trying to keep secret. With every memory that returns, she can’t help but wonder if the life she can’t remember is one she’d rather forget.
Romance Contemporary | Christian [Revell, On Sale: June 6, 2023, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780800742959 / eISBN: 9781493441419]
Buy WITH EVERY MEMORY: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | Apple Books | Kobo | Google Play | Powell’s Books | Books-A-Million | Indie BookShops | Ripped Bodice | Love’s Sweet Arrow | Walmart.com | Target.com | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR
About Janine Rosche
Prone to wander, Janine Rosche finds as much comfort on the open road as she does at home. This longing to chase adventure, behold splendor, and experience redemption is woven into her Madison River Romance series. When she isn’t writing or traveling, she teaches family life education courses to college students, takes too many pictures of her sleeping dogs, and embarrasses her four children and husband with boy band serenades.
No Comments
Comments are closed.