Empathy - Softcover

Hoff, Stacey

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1660666775 ISBN 13: 9781660666775

Publisher: Independently published, 2020

Synopsis

The multitudes who choose to migrate to the U.S. illegally are particularly vulnerable to all forms of violence, including sexual assault. And yet hundreds of thousands make the trek anyway, in search of a better life than they faced in their home country. Often crimes against migrants go unreported due to the fear of retaliation and deportation. Empathy is a novel born out of this violence.This is the story of Avery, who is born in the bathroom of a small dilapidated trailer in the desert hills outside a small border town in Southern Arizona. Her mother, Maria, is a young border-crosser with the misfortune of encountering two very dangerous men on her journey north. Avery spends her first years in isolation with her mother, who is so beaten down that she has given up hope of a better life. Because she often cried, Avery spent most of her hours in the small, dark closet in a back bedroom of the trailer. When her family is swept away in a flash flood, Avery is rescued by Ruth Daniels, who discovers Avery’s keen sense of empathy and provides her with a safe and nearly pain-free environment growing up. But as she matures, Avery yearns for more.Through trial and error, she learns that loud noise, television, music, whatever—keeps the pain away, but no matter how loud the distraction, if someone physically touches her, overwhelming pain will follow. She meets L.B., a mysterious man from her past who seems to understand her and helps her get a job. But just as things improve, Ruth is diagnosed with advance-stage cancer and dies.L.B. encourages Avery to face her fears and embrace the pain. When she asks, he admits to being with her mother the night they crossed the border. He tells her that the men who attacked them that night were Big Larry and his partner, Carl Hawkins. Hawkins is the father of Melissa Hawkins, Avery’s new supervisor at work, who happens to bear an uncanny resemblance to Avery. At work she learns that if she looks someone in the eye as she touches them, she feels the pain of just that one person. She learns that whoever’s pain she feels seems to feel relief from having “shared” their pain. She meets Norm, a curmudgeon with emphysema, diabetes and bad hip joints, who appreciates her touch immediately and becomes her friend and fan. She also meets John, a card-dealer supervisor, who wears too small of shoes and makes her blush. As Norm gets to know her, he encourages her to try new things. Then one night three illegal immigrants crossing Avery’s ranch are attacked by someone hiding in the dark and one is murdered. Another man who was picked up later reported that he and two others were assaulted as they passed through the ranch. He tells the sheriff that the attacker seemed to be watching Avery’s house when they stumbled upon him.Despite Melissa’s continued interference, John and Avery grow close and Avery tells him about her affliction. When Norm dies, their relationship deepens and she agrees to go camping with him. Melissa shows up at their campsite and tricks Avery into going with her to her family’s ranch to meet her father. Avery must overcome her fear of pain and face Carl, who believes she belongs to him. Her pain becomes her salvation that saves her from Carl, but overcoming the pain itself may prove too much for her.Avery feels your pain. And the person next to you. And everyone in the vicinity. Literally. It hits her in waves, washing over her and threatening to drown her until she blacks-out. Somehow, she must learn to navigate the sea of pain humanity faces every day.

Edition details

• Publisher: Independently published
• Publication date: 2020
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1660666775
• ISBN 13: 9781660666775
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 205