Thomas F. Root, III, The Elixir

The Elixir

Thomas F. Root III

Twilight Times, May 2006, $16.95

ISBN: 1933353031

Attorney Tom grew up in Long Island, while his wife physical therapist Carole was raised in New Jersey. However ironically, though both are almost equidistant from the Big Apple they met and fell in love at the Church of the Resurrection in Dania Beach, Florida as if God intended them to be soul-mates. Though she is handicapped suffering from RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy), they married and are currently renting a house from eccentric Lucille on Cape Cod.

Tom meets Lucille who upsets him when she seems to criticize his walking of Carole's service dog Yukon. However, at dinner, Lucy joins them and Carole and she hit it off. Lucy, who sells teas and herbs, offers Carole an elixir that she believes will provide relief from RSD. A desperate Carole tries it and a seeming miracle occurs, as the pain vanishes along with the debilitating illness. Now Lucy offers the unbelievable cure to beat death indefinitely to her guests, though she and her well mannered companion Sammy the cat have recently found longevity tiring.

Though there is a whimsical underlying fantasy element to this wonderful storyline, the tale is a deep character study that focuses on the importance of love and faith, even for those who could live forever, if one is to remain human. THE ELIXIR centers on relationships, mostly between the loving duo, but also between them and the strange Lucy; she with Sammy, and she with her late family. Thomas F. Root III provides a terrific Shangri-la in the Cape tale that will leave the audience entertained and pondering what essentials are needed to live not just exist.