Alley Rose:

In the late 60s-a chaotic time of war protests and racial tension- Savannah Donovan and her family move to Fisherville, Tennessee. Within her alley house, she feels out of place. Maybe because her dad, Roger is often overbearing... and racist too. Though not an abused, neglected or orphaned child, she has a persistent sense of being adrift in an ocean of insignificance. After a family member is unexpectedly arrested, Savannah decides to step outside of prejudicial boundaries and forge a true friendship with a neighborhood girl called Frankie-no matter the cost.

As years go by, the Vietnam war progresses and Savannah, now a teen, becomes spiritually disillusioned by doubts, hardships, and prejudices. During this time, she grows stronger bonds with the Vivaldis, a Jewish couple who befriended her family years earlier. Despite their kindness and godly love, unresolved bitterness and sorrow in Savannah's heart send her on a darker path than she has ever known. Will she ever stop running from the truth of God's love and discover who she's meant to be?

Anywhere but here...

After feeding and petting the cat, Savannah walked off the porch, into the yard, and raised her head up toward the sky, expecting drops of rain to hit her in the face. Instead she spotted dense, gray clouds gliding toward the midday sun. It was disappointing not being able to see the ‘great eclipse’ everyone at school had been talking about.

Mom and Dylan didn’t seem interested in it. But it would’ve been so exciting to see it happen. After all- it’s a once in a lifetime event. And all anybody has to do is look up into the sky at the right time. If she could’ve been at Mamaw Liza’s Savannah knew she’d be having so much fun. Maybe it’s not cloudy in Newport. Melia and her parents might be there. I wish I was.

Returning to the back of the house, she headed for the porch steps. At that moment a flash of light pierced through the gray gloom in the sky. In front of the sun the clouds rolled swiftly back and revealed the moon’s shadow engulfing the sunlight. A thin, silvery ring appeared from the edges of the giant fireball. Untimely darkness had enveloped everything in its midst, causing the stars to emerge in the background.

Previously chirping birds and barking dogs were silenced as crickets and cicadas began their nightly rhythmic tunes. Feeling the effects of the temperature drop, Savannah wrapped her hands around her shivering arms. Turning away from the cosmic scene above, she covered her eyes with trembling hands and fell on the ground, mud soaking the knees of her polyester pants.

I looked at it! I saw the eclipse! Am I going to go blind now? I thought it already happened and I’d missed it. I didn’t know I was going to see it! Oh God! When will it be over? Or is this the end of the world? God are you mad at me? Will I go blind?

Roosters, from the back of Ms. Mackeys’ house, started crowing in confusion as light slowly returned. “Savannah!” her mother yelled from the open kitchen door. “Where are you?!”

March 7, 1970

Dear Diary,

I saw something amazing and scary today! A solar eclipse happened and I saw it. It wasn’t that long but it seemed like it lasted forever. I knew it was going to happen today but it still surprised me. Dylan and Nathan said they saw it when they were fishing. I talked to Ellie on the phone and she said her dad let them watch a part of it from their front porch.

Eclipse Scene

from Alley Rose