THE DESTINY CHRONICLES The Patch Chicago native Mike Matthews cleverly chronicles some of the most intriguing aspects of human relationships that he has encountered. Based on real events, The Destiny Chronicles is his most compelling writing over the past 30-years. Stories so revealing in love and tragedy they continue to move and inspire his readers to embrace life. Written as pure dialogue, you will immediately find yourself at the heart of each story for an engaging and emotional experience unlike any other. While your hands will know you are reading a book, your mind s eye will watch a movie unfold giving you a real life experience limited only to your imagination. Come discover first hand one of the most unique reading experiences you ll ever have and you will never see the end coming. Each book cleverly picks-up right where the previous one left off to provide you with a continuous flow of this amazing six part series: The Pitch, The Punch, The Patch, The Peach, The Porch, and The Perch. 1
North Avenue Publishing 2015. All rights reserved. 2
Forward The Patch is the third book in a series chronicling the life of fictional best-selling author, Mike Matthews. Each book is written entirely as pure dialogue giving you a real time experience as all the stories unfold. True to form, each installment picks up exactly where the previous installment ends, and includes a story within the story, like a drive-in double feature. In the first installment, The Pitch, you were introduced to Mike as he meets with his literary agent, Ryan, in a local coffee shop at two in the morning to discuss the concept of his next book, A Day with Destiny a timeless love story of regret and sacrifice. It is here where Mike meets their waitress named Destiny, who invites Mike to her upcoming art show. In the second installment, The Punch, you witness the relationship between Mike and Destiny develop during the night of her art show, and the subsequent dinner they share together as they discuss Mike s next novel a modern day love triangle where a tragic turn of events leads to murder and cover-up. The Patch picks up right where The Punch left off 3
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Chapter 1 Good morning, Romeo That it is, Destiny that it is. Umm did we? Come up with a title? No Hmmm, that s kind of what I thought coffee? Sounds wonderful. I ll be right back why don t you hop in the shower and I ll get the coffee going. How about you get in the shower and I get the coffee? Such a gentleman. Well, I figured you know how much hot water you have to spare. True Just get in the shower and don t worry about anything else I ve got the morning covered, unless you have to be somewhere? What day is it? Saturday. I m free all day what about you? I just need to get back to Ryan sometime today. 5
Ahhhh, the book title we still need to work that out, huh? I think we got it covered, but I m still open to suggestions. You certainly were last night. Well, you had some amazing suggestions Amazing? Amazing Hmm, we might have to revisit them just to make sure. Seems only logical. So, can you manage in the kitchen? I know my way around. That you do, Mike that you do. Save me some hot water. There s plenty. This place has the biggest boiler system I ve ever seen. Sounds great. I ll get the coffee and give Ryan a quick call. Really? Did you decide on a title? I have a favorite and hopefully Ryan will be on-board with it. What is it? What did you decide to call it? The Punch Oh, that is fantastic I love it, and so will Ryan. I think so too. The Punch why didn t I think of that? Umm, you did actually. Get out!! I don t remember I mean I remember last night, but I don t remember deciding on that title with you. 6
You didn t but it was still your idea. You re losing me, Romeo. Remember when we were talking on the sofa and I was telling you how much I loved the restaurant last night? Right, Chòng Tóu I remember. And then I asked what it meant. Oh, I forgot that s right. How amazing is that!?! Pretty amazing pretty freaking amazing. And my art show that really happened, right? It wasn t a dream I had last night, was it? Art show? Must have been a dream come true. Oh, you little turd how s that coffee coming along? Getting on it right now. Don t take too long I m a monster before my morning coffee. Hard to believe. Tell Ryan I say hello umm, maybe not considering. I ll give him your regards. After all, you get credit for the title. That s sweet. You re sweeter Dear Mary, please tell me you didn t just use that line on me. Coffee coming up. 7
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Chapter 2 Hey, Ryan sorry to call so early on a Saturday, but I got the title for you. Business never sleeps, Mike and apparently neither do I. So? The Punch. I like it. I get it. What about your other title ideas? None seem to be as simple and clean. Just get the publisher to make it work. I spent all night on this and that is the title. So what were you up to last night? I thought you were going to the art show. I did. How was it? Amazing Destiny was a total sold out show she still can t believe it. What do you mean still? Oh, man are you serious? Is she there at your place right now? No. Good for a minute I thought well, never mind. I m at her place. Seriously? Do you think that s a good idea, Mike? What s your concern, Ryan? You were the one who was 9
pushing me about my social life. She s just a kid, Mike. She s gorgeous and all, but you need someone a lot older what is she, twenty? Twenty-two? I like her, Ryan so what does age have to do with it? Your professional image, that s what! Do you really want to come off as some type of playboy? Ten years difference I can see, but you got at least listen, you re old enough to be her father. Sure, if I had her when I was around her age. Is it serious? Who knows? Last night was the first time we saw each other since that night at the diner. Was this just a hook up then? I don t know what it was, Ryan or what it is, but I really like her. Just be careful, Mike that s all I m saying. Ryan, I ll be fine we will be fine. It s all good and she really inspires me in fact, the title was her idea in a back handed way. What do you mean? We left her show early and went to dinner at this place called Chòng Tóu not far from the gallery. I know the place they got this dessert there Chocolate suicide? That s the one killer!! Sorry, go on. Anyway, I told her the story over dinner and we worked on a couple of ideas it was a working dinner, not a date. And yet, here you are calling me the next morning from her 10
place. We came back here last night to celebrate her sold out show. Right She wanted to show me some of her other paintings. Right I wasn t expecting anything. Right It just happened. Right Is that all you re going to say? No just calling it like I see it. So, was the night productive? Yes, that s how we came up with the title, actually she did. Turns out Chòng Tóu means The Punch. Well, there s one for the books. I know, right? So that s what we re sticking with? Can you make it work? It would mean a lot to her And so it begins. What does that mean? You obviously care about her. Well, of course I would not have, you know, otherwise. Ok just be careful. The Punch it is. Thanks, Ryan. I have one question. What? Does she have any single friends? 11
I m sure she does in fact, that just reminded me. What s that? I want to put Destiny in touch with those business consultants you know remember? They re down in SoHo. Nickelsen Consulting? Why? The girl has some serious talent and needs to put a business plan together. I want to help her. Help her how? Financially? I don t know maybe? But I promised I would at least get her a meeting with them and the sooner the better. I ll do it, Mike, but this is very out of character for you. What do you mean? I haven t seen you move this fast since well, strike that I guess you re doing what you do. You got a good feeling about her, huh? A great feeling, Ryan. Even if only friends, she just needs a little help in the right direction. You should have come to her show. Prior commitments, remember? Of course all the same oh, before I forget, she told me to tell you she says hello. Right back at her. I ll check in later anytime today would be great. Umm Saturday? Business never sleeps and neither do consultants. Point taken I ll call and see what I can arrange for you and 12
Destiny I won t be there got plans of my own later tonight, but tell Destiny I m sorry I missed her show and congratulations. She really is something, huh? She s amazing, Ryan. And an artist to boot. Just text when you know something. Today would be perfect. Sure thing, Mike. I ll be in touch as soon as I can. Thanks, Ryan I ll tell her when she gets out of the shower. Shower? Why wait? I would deliver the good news right away, if you know what I mean and I think you do. I m hanging up now. Wait, what about her friends Got to go, bye. Did you say something, Mike? Ryan says hello and congratulations on the show. Tell him thank you. Already hung up. Oh, ok so does he know you know? Yes. Did he say anything? He said a lot that s what he does. I asked him to get in touch with those business consultants I mentioned over dinner last night. Really? I guess I forgot all about that. I didn t he might be able to set something up for today. 13
Today? Wow, you really are a man of action. Can t promise what will come of it or if they re even available today, but I m going to carry the ball on this for you. I know that is a good thing, but I m not sure what you re saying. Meaning, don t worry about the cost. I ll cover their fee if they take you on as a client. That s sweet, Mike, but I don t know if I m comfortable doing that I mean dinner is one thing, but consulting fees sound seriously expensive. It s not as bad as you think. Either case, I ll cover their initial fee to meet they may do it free as a personal favor, so who knows. Pro bono would be good I could afford pro bono. After last night, I think you could afford a little more. I know, right? Geez, make sure I get to the bank. I ll make sure. So, how s that coffee coming along? Oh, right got side tracked and came to tell you about Ryan. That s ok care to join me? Was that a come on? Guilty as charged. 14