High Priced Silence

High Priced Silence is a captivating story about Victoria Mackey, an HBCU college Senior with her sights set on being the first of her parents' children to graduate from college. On the path to reaching that goal, her strength (physically, mentally, and spiritually) was constantly being tested, so she was used to digging her heels in and overcoming every obstacle that came her way. However, when being strong meant being silent, the weight was almost too much to bear. She thought that by "living through it" and not giving it any of her energy, it would fade away into oblivion. But little did she know, her anger, fear, and bitterness kept her secret from dying. Instead, it haunted her. She soon realized that as long as it lived, she would have no peace. And for her, that was unacceptable...the cost was just too high. It was time to take her life back!

"High Priced Silence" is a captivating, emotionally charged story about Victoria Mackey, an ambitious senior at a historically Black college and university (HBCU), determined to become the first of her siblings to graduate from college. Her journey is fraught with challenges that test her strength in every way imaginable—physically, mentally, and spiritually. Victoria is no stranger to adversity and has always faced obstacles head-on, determined to overcome whatever stands in her path. However, she soon discovers that true strength isn't just about overcoming physical challenges or academic hurdles. When her resilience demands silence in the face of profound personal suffering, the weight of her unspoken pain becomes almost unbearable. Victoria believes that by enduring her struggles in silence and refusing to acknowledge them, they will eventually disappear. Instead, her unresolved anger, fear, and bitterness only grow stronger and keep her secret alive, tormenting her relentlessly. As the story unfolds, Victoria grapples with the haunting realization that as long as she harbors her secret, peace will elude her. The toll of her silence becomes too much to bear, and she recognizes that the cost of maintaining it is far too high. Driven by an unyielding desire for peace and freedom, Victoria embarks on a powerful journey to reclaim her life. She learns that true strength lies not in silence, but in the courage to confront her fears and speak her truth. "High Priced Silence" is a profound exploration of resilience, the burden of secrets, and the liberating power of facing one's inner demons. Victoria's journey is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the transformative power of owning one's story. This riveting narrative will resonate with anyone who has ever faced the difficult choice between staying silent and finding the courage to speak out.

TJ Thomas was raised between Winston-Salem and Salisbury, NC. She is a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and an HBCU alumni of North Carolina Central University. TJ is a proud southern country girl, through and through. She happily resides in Powder Springs, GA with her husband Allan and their Boston Terrier furbaby Winston.