Every story needs a character that readers love to hate, and the Torn Robes book series is no different in that respect. Even though there are a few within the storylines, Linda Gallo is in a class all her own. She is a stay-at-home mother of teenage twins: Brittany, the captain of the cheerleading squad, and Joshua, the quarterback for the Gilford High School Bulldogs football team. Linda is the wife of a powerful Boston attorney, and her days are filled with hair, nail, and shopping appointments. She always wears the finest clothes and accessories that perfectly complement her outfits. Classic and very Vogue, Linda is constantly planning events and parties that become the talk of the town. The family spends a lot of time at the Gilford Country Club. However, Linda is also known throughout the town for her meddling and creating chaos. She is a hurricane-force wind, sweeping away anyone who stands in her way. I believe you understand the type of woman I’m referring to: the classic “don’t mess with me or I’ll destroy you” archetype.
In creating Linda's character, I modeled her look after my great-aunt Marie. She was always impeccably put together, embodying classic style and grace. However, that is where the similarities between their characters come to an end. My great-aunt was gracious, loving, and extremely generous. She passed away at the age of 102, just a month before her 103rd birthday. After her passing, I read her memoir and discovered that she and my grandmother, whom I adored, were best friends. I always thought they met while Aunt Marie's brother, my grandfather, was dating my grandmother. During their teenage summers, they spent time in Kennebunkport, Maine, working as "salad girls" and earning $50 a month, which came with room and board. The thought of her and my grandmother together, leaving behind the burdens of the Depression and enjoying their teenage years, warms my heart.
It's funny—my great aunt Marie wanted to be a journalist and travel the world. Instead, she became the wife of a Boston lawyer and the mother of three amazing children. Between the two of them, my great-aunt Marie was undoubtedly more glamorous than my grandmother. Nan was more of a tomboy; however, both of them possessed generous souls.
That is where the character comparison between my great aunt Marie and Linda Gallo ends. Although Linda Gallo feels it is her duty to help the less fortunate, her soul is cold in doing so.
Linda certainly meets her match when she encounters Pastor John. His character is the opposite of hers, which only frustrates her further. She is accustomed to people agreeing with her and not questioning her judgment or her family.
Below is the exchange between Linda Gallo and Pastor John during their first meeting in Torn Robes: Choices. After exchanging pleasantries, they delve into the reason for this meeting.
“John. Mrs. Gallo contacted Karl after her daughter Brittany came home from school the other day, very upset over something that had happened in your class. Do you recall anything out of the ordinary that would have upset Brittany?”
“Out of the ordinary?” came a sarcastic reply. “He humiliated my daughter in front of the entire class. Unless of course, that’s how he conducts his classes. Then I suppose it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary. Would it Pastor John?” She finished her sentence with such venom John was taken aback.
At the end of the scene, after John explains his side of the story, the following occurs:
Jumping to her feet Linda glared at John with contempt. “I don’t believe you and I don’t care about your opinion. It means nothing to me. You owe me an apology, and you owe my daughter Brittany an apology.” Unabashed, Linda waited for an apology.
John decided not to stand up knowing he would tower a good foot over Linda. He stayed seated and simply stated the facts.
“I cannot apologize for something I did not do or say. I believe if anyone is owed an apology it is the student Brittany embarrassed.”
Linda looked from Karl to Kristina with bulging eyes. Her face tightened and a tinge of red spread across her cheeks. “This is not over Pastor John, you obviously don’t know who I am. I will have you thrown out of this school, out of this town and sent back to wherever it is you came from. Karl might be onto something, religion, in a public school. I don’t think so.” With one last glare she left Karl’s office with him running after her like a lap dog.
While Linda experiences many twists and turns throughout the Torn Robes book series, she will always remain a hurricane-force wind, sweeping away anyone who stands in her path.