Dream in Color A Novel

by JOHNSON, DARLENE

• ISBN13: 9780345501240
• ISBN10: 0345501241
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-12-26
• Publisher: One World

Summary

Victoria's marriage is on the rocks, and she copes by daydreaming about fantasy men. But can these fantasies help fix her real life? At age twenty-five, Victoria Chandler has a husband with a good job, a five-year-old daughter, Reese, and a house in the suburbs. She should be happy with her life. But she's not. She suspects that her husband, Gerald, is having an affair, and she finds her loveless marriage a big disappointment. But Victoria stays married for the sake of her daughter. And to get by, she starts daydreaming about two fantasy men: James, a very handsome man she meets at a club, and Michael, a rock star. As she ponders her attraction to these men, Victoria slowly realizes that her marriage to Gerald is doomedthey're just not meant to be together. Inspired by the freedom that she exhibits in her fantasies, Victoria develops a plan to escape her marriage and create the reality that she's always wanted. From the Trade Paperback edition.

Author Biography

Darlene Johnson lives in Indianapolis, Indiana, with her two sons. She is currently working on her second novel, As We Lay. She would love to know what you think of Dream in Color, and you can e-mail her at [e-mail].


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Excerpts

Tonight I was willing to forget all that and become a partner. Perhaps afterward Gerald would notice the difference as well and respond to me as a partner rather than just an object for getting off.

When I walked into the house, I followed the sound of voices into the family room. Gerald and our daughter, Reese, were sitting on the sofa wines and champagne. I chose a sparkling white that best resembled what I hoped would be the mood of the evening, energetic and definitely bubbly. I ran back upstairs and placed the bottle and two of our best goblets into the freezer for a quick chill. Witd at them and walked to the window and pulled the curtains back, letting the remaining rays of sunlight strike me and add more heat to a kettle that was about to boil over.

“Gerald,” I said, bouncing on the sofa beside him and taking his hand. I followed his eyes as he looked first at my hand touching him and then at me. “I asked Stephanie to watch Reese for a few hours for us tonight.”

Gerald squinted.

“So that you and I can enjoy a nice, relaxing evening alone.” I leaned forward and gently kissed his cheek.

Gerald pulled back from me. “What’s up?” he asked in his usual suspicious tone.

“Nothing. I just want to spend some time with you. Some real time. We haven’t done that in a while.”

He continued to look at me suspiciously.

“Nothing is up. I promise. I just want to spend some time together. Cook a nice dinner,
listen to some good music, and have some fun.” My faint grin hinted of enticement.

Gerald picked up on the tone and nodded. “Sounds good to me,” he replied.

I was surprised that he didn’t turn me down cold and cite my disinterest in sex and anything associated with it as the reason. Perhaps he was missing that integral part of our relationship as well. I knew that one night wasn’t going to send the five-year downward spiral of our marriage into an upturn, but it was a start, and we needed that more than anything else.

“Wonderful!” I exclaimed. “You go ahead and drop Reese off while I get things started here.” I jumped off the sofa and practically ran into the kitchen to start our meal. A few minutes later I heard the door close, but not before Gerald yelled into the kitchen that he’d be right back. With that, I began preparing for a date with my husband.

The entrée of choice was his favorite, salmon steak. I covered two large, pink steaks in a special lemon marinade that was a recipe from Gerald’s mother and set them in the refrigerator. I started cooking some wild rice and prepared the asparagus to steam later while the salmon cooked.

I ran to the cellar to select a bottle from our collection of prized , splattering some, but at that moment I wouldn’t have cared if the food was smeared all over the kitchen wall. I never wanted to see salmon steak again.

“Oh, shit,” I murmured, and rushed to the freezer. I cringed as I pulled open the door and peered insih a push of the remote control, I started the CD player.

I stood in the middle of the living room with my hands folded in front of me. I closed my eyes and listened to the smooth melody. Pleased, I nodded, then returned to the kitchen to finish dinner.


From the Trade Paperback edition.

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Excerpted from Dream in Color by Darlene Johnson
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.