Running Out of Sand

Synopsis

A story of tragedy, endurance, love, and the grip that alcohol can have on a really good man.

After a tragic loss on his watch, Silvester Fandel becomes acutely aware of his shortcomings, leaving him with emotions only alcohol can tame. When he learns the truth about his sister’s rape, his remorse over not protecting her catapults him into despair. Sil’s myriad of shortcomings flood his mind, and he becomes desperate to handle the stress in the quickest way possible. His drinking threatens not only his faith but also his standing with his family, his career, and his relationships with women. Sil goes on a mission to salvage everything he holds dear. Mostly, though, he questions the strength of his resolve to salvage himself.

Excerpt

He checked his watch. Midnight. Good. There was close to zero chance anyone would awaken to the sound of the liquor cabinet opening. He used the edge of the steps to snap open the bottle of 7Up and stuck the cap in his pocket before going into the house. He dropped his blanket next to the mound of shoes in the laundry room and entered the kitchen.

Sil drank a few gulps of pop before hoisting himself onto his knees on the counter and opening the cabinet above the refrigerator. He spotted the Seagram’s 7 whiskey and pulled it out to determine how much was left. A little over half. Worth the risk. He peeked around the edge of the cabinet to make sure no one was coming. He poured about two inches of booze into the skinny green bottle. Corking the whiskey, he placed it into the cupboard exactly where he had found it.

He flattened his palms on the counter and lowered his body to the kitchen floor. He slunk into the bathroom and used the end of his toothbrush as a swizzle stick. A guilty face stared at him from the mirror. “I promise!” he whispered. “I promise to stop once I land a job and a new girl.” But, please, God, not Barbie Bennett. Sil downed the 7 & 7, brushed his teeth, and rinsed out the bottle. He filled it with water to take up to his room. He finished up his nighttime bathroom needs, taking long enough for the liquor to take effect. He let out a relieved sigh. He was calmer and happier. That is, until he opened the bathroom door.

His eyes bugged out of his head. “Dad! You scared me!”

His father’s eyes were trained on Sil. “How was your night?”

“Great, Dad. The band was great,” Sil replied as he slid past his father.

“Good to hear it. Happy graduation again, son. Your mom and I are so proud of you.”

Sil cringed. He didn’t deserve that compliment, but he couldn’t let on. “Thank you, Dad.

I’ll be up in time for Sunday Mass tomorrow.” Sil breathed into his hands on the way up the stairs to see if his breath smelled like booze. All he could smell was toothpaste.

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Endorsements

“The beloved Fandel family is back, this time with a bittersweet tale of addiction and deceit, forgiveness and grace. In her signature style, Mary Jo Thayer bravely and masterfully tackles tough, real-life issues, including rape and addiction, with compassion and dignity. With themes of self-acceptance, forgiveness, and hope, Thayer underscores the importance of faith and family when trying to overcome life’s adversities. Running Out of Sand is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever struggled with addiction, or has loved someone who has. At its heart, Running Out of Sand is a beautiful, hopeful story about the unwavering power of faith and love.“

Lori Nelson Spielman

New York Time's Best-Selling Author of The Life List

“If you were moved by MaryJo Thayer’s award-winning debut, Close to the Soul, her second novel will not disappoint. Running Out of Sand continues the Fandel family saga, following Silvester’s struggle with alcoholism from the 1950s into the early 1970s. With compassion and honesty, Thayer portrays not only the addict’s battle, but its deep impact on the entire family. She also offers a beautiful glimpse of marital love and the quiet gift of children within that bond.
At a time when so many families are touched by addiction, this story brings both insight and hope—reminding us of the strength and beauty of marriage as God intended it. A heartfelt and compelling read.”

Denise-Marie Martin

Award-Winning Author of The Better Part of Worse

“I’ve been a fan of Mary Jo Thayer since having the honor of reading Close to the Soul, a beautifully and lovingly written story from the heart. While her books are set in what we nostalgically think of as the simpler times of the fifties and sixties, Mary Jo does not shy away from her characters facing devastating life challenges. This remains true for her sequel novel, Running out of Sand, where the main character, Sil Fandel, fights the battle of coping with trauma and guilt through alcohol that could destroy himself and those he loves. An inspiring story that I highly recommend to readers seeking intriguing characters who don’t give up on life or on each other.”

Jim Sano

Author of the Father Tom Series

“Running Out of Sand is a heartfelt, deeply human story that follows Silvester Fandel from adolescence into adulthood as he wrestles with guilt, faith, and the weight of responsibility. The novel shines in its intimate portrayal of family life, chaotic, loving, and imperfect, and in Sil’s internal struggle to reconcile tragedy with hope. The writing is warm and immersive, and Sil emerges as a flawed but compelling protagonist whose journey toward healing feels honest and earned.”

Rick Boyne

Author of the Josh Westen Chronicles

“Running Out of Sand is a deeply emotional and reflective novel. It is a thoughtful, character-driven story about trauma, redemption, and the ongoing effort to move forward, while the past still lingers. It is quite emotional, and at times heavy, but also meaningful and well developed in its exploration of faith, family, and personal growth.”

Karin Thompson

Australian Author of My Best Friend's Secret

“Running Out of Sand is a very moving and powerful story, one that is very well written. It does an amazing job capturing addiction and specifically alcoholism. Reading this, I could not help but think about my family and many families who have had to deal with addictions and its impacts. This is an excellent read. It is a great sophomore novel. An example of Catholic Christian fiction at its best; a great example of Catholic literature. It is one I can highly recommend.”

Steven McEvoy

Book Reviews and More

“In Running Out of Sand, Mary Jo Thayer’s very real and flawed character, Silvester, exemplifies the struggling Catholic who wrestles with sin, addiction, and guilt. While at the same time, he embraces the sacraments to aid him in his fight against the world, the flesh and the devil. Thayer gives us a story in which we journey along, as Sil continues to grow in resolve to conquer what enslaves him to sin.”