This is the fourth excerpt from my novel, The Shattered Vase. When The Shattered Vase is published, do you think you could be so kind as to buy it as a Christmas gift for someone you love?

The Shattered Vase – 4

The children were already in bed. Suzie decided to introduce
them to the aberration in the morning. After breakfast, Suzie told
the children that their daddy had added an unusual piece of art to
the wall in their bedroom. Michael was awestruck by the mount.
Sarah was mildly amused. Baby Jonathan could have cared less.
At first, Suzie was disgusted with the mount; but in due time, her
aversion to the object softened into pity.
In the mornings, Suzie talked to the buck’s head, making it her
confidant. It listened well, gave no condemnation for her feelings,
and merely stared at her as if every word she said had meaning.
She began to act as if the mount was a friend of hers. She needed
to name it. Maybe the kids could help. She corralled them in her
bedroom and begged for names. There were all kinds of suggestions,
from Bambi, to Rambo, to Batman. Finally, after a vote, they decided
to name it “Uncle Buck.”