by J. M. Fabrizio

If Fate Allows' is a work of romantic fiction that tells the story of a man and a woman who are destined to fall in love but are repeatedly sidetracked by the circumstances of their lives. Born during the same year in Mississippi, Evelyn Clarkson and Tony Maggio come from very different family backgrounds. Evelyn's parents are well-to-do farmers who have a good name in their small town. Tony was born out of wedlock to an alcoholic father and an unhappy, neglectful mother who lives in poverty. They meet for the first time by chance at Evelyn's private academy, where she is a student and Tony a maintenance boy during the summer months while still in high school. A few years later, both of them are students at Southern Mississippi University, where Evelyn is a popular sorority girl and Tony a promising star on the football team. Fate will keep attempting to bring Evelyn and Tony together. Tragedy soon befalls them: Evelyn marries and is soon widowed; Tony suffers from paralysis and must work for years in therapy to bring back the feelings in his legs. Brought together briefly by their tragedies, they soon drift apart again. Fate will finally win in their 'twilight' years, when all circumstances that have kept them apart no longer exist. 'If Fate Allows' ultimately asserts that true love will prevail over the many tests of time. The author has had articles published in magazines over the last couple of years. Joseph M. Fabrizio 3221 Player Dr. New Port Richey, Fl. 34655 JFABRIZIO4@TAMPABAY.RR.COM