A nine-year-old loses his father to a random shooter and struggles to not only make sense of it but to understand what it means to be a man.
Losing his father at a young age is almost more than Mark Fortier can handle, especially when he feels responsible for his father's death.
His life takes many twists and turns on his road to adulthood as he struggles to understand who he is and what it means to be a man in today's world.
Leaving Mark takes you back to the 1950s and 1960s, a tumultuous time in this country's history and in Mark's world, as well.
Excerpt
July 16, 1957. He approached the New Haven Green, an idyllic oasis of grass and walkways, surrounded by tall steel buildings. His steps were erratic, his eyes glazed over, and the hood of his sweatshirt covered his head even on this hot July day. Around the Green, a few office workers sat on benches while others sprawled on the grass enjoying their lunch break. Those sitting together were engaged in quiet conversations. No one saw him coming, or if they did, they chose to ignore him, until a shot rang out.
The peace and quiet of the New Haven Green was shattered as people scurried in all directions desperately trying to find a place to hide. The bearded hot dog vendor cried out then crumpled to the freshly-cut grass, relish dripping into his puddle of blood. A woman, dressed in a navy blue suit and heels, fell backwards, her briefcase scattering its contents on the Green. Attorney Leonard Fortier, who had left his office in the Fisher Building to grab a quick lunch, was shot as soon as he stepped outside. The wild-eyed hooded gunman then aimed the gun at himself and pulled the trigger.
Survivors waited until no more shots were heard before cautiously emerging from their hiding places. They looked in stunned silence at the carnage. The New Haven Green quickly came to life as a building security guard put in a hurried call for help and onlookers came to the aid of those who were dead or injured.
Flashing lights of ambulances and police cars, their sirens screaming, ascended on the grizzly scene and, as if out of nowhere, television and newspaper reporters appeared, rushing to get the scoop only to be shooed away by the police.
When the shooting began, Eleanor Rawley had been sitting on a bench enjoying her hot dog. After the first shot, she crouched behind the bench and from that vantage point saw her boss, Attorney Fortier, exit the building and collapse on the grass. When it was over, she ran to her boss calling his name, but when she saw his blood pooling on the walkway, she let out a scream and collapsed next to him.
Eleanor came to in the arms of a New Haven policeman. He checked her for any visible wounds while an EMT tended to Attorney Fortier. In a shaky voice, Eleanor said, “We have to call Mabel . . . his wife!”
The Green was buzzing with first responders, ambulances and gurneys. Cries and wails were loud enough to be heard over the sirens. Inside the lobby of the Fisher Building, people lined up at the two pay phones.
Ten minutes ago the Green had been a peaceful refuge from stuffy law offices; now, four people lay dead.
Professional Reviews
A story of tragedy, despair and the salvation that hope brings
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Leaving Mark. Loegel has captured the time and era--not as a dry history--but as one might remember being in the moment.
In Leaving Mark, Loegel has created a formidable young person who would have to learn to pardon and befriend a family whose father had killed his own. Although Mark will have to endure some tough challenges, each with the power to ruin him, loving and caring friends helped turn the tide of destruction into hope. Watching Mark work through his anger and turn it into something forgiving and caring is deeply moving. He became a better young man for it. In the end, the good man—the one he was destined to be—came through. He found the meaning and purpose he had longed for. This is an uplifting story for adults and young readers.
Good First Effort
The characters were finely drawn and the action was visual
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