Defining Molly
an excerpt

Defining Molly is the story of a young married woman grappling with her identity and self-image as her desire for motherhood reveals complex layers of family history and family secrets. A novel of love, loss and laughter. (Well, hopefully! *grin* )

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Prologue
sur·re·al adj.
1. weirdly unfamiliar, bizarre, or disturbing

The shadowy figures encircle me, indistinct in the glare of the bright lights shining in my eyes. I am conspicuously undressed, prone on a raised table and the shadows flit back and forth in the confined space near my upraised feet. Cold steel implements probe me – pinching, stretching, examining, exploring. Needles stab my delicate skin as the shadows continue harrying me. My eyes squeeze tightly shut against the blinding glare and against the onslaught of unshed tears at the invasion. A few minutes more and the torturous steel is removed, the light dimmed, the shadows retreated, and I am alone. I quickly dress and make my escape on wobbly legs.

“Mrs. Walker?”

The voice stops me in my tracks and I turn to confront one of my tormentors.

“You’ll need to call in this afternoon after two for the blood results and your dosages. Things look promising. We’ll probably see you again tomorrow.”

The plump nurse smiles widely and gives me a thumbs-up. I bare my clenched teeth at her, flashing just enough dimple that she thinks I’m returning her smile, and then stalk out the door. Coming back for more tomorrow? Ah, the rapture. Oh, joy. As if. My name is Molly Walker, and I am infertile. Lucky me.