When I decided to simplify my life and only do weekly posts, I had to decide if I wanted to keep doing 5-part short stories during the months with 5 Wednesdays (switched from Saturdays). I decided, yes, I will keep at it for a while anyway. The first 5-Wednesday month was in April which seemed like plenty of time for me to prepare a story. If you know me, you know that isn’t my style. I was plagued with my usual writer’s block until the 11th-hour. But inspiration came from real events. I should say, real events mostly. Real events with a little modification and a whole lot of what-if.
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The New Seasons: Chapter IV
Winter
The first thing I did after I left Stuart’s was to find all that literature he had given me. Thankfully I didn’t throw any of it away. Some of it was lost but I found most of it in a pile. The pages with the diagrams were pretty tattered and on top of the pile but I didn’t need those pages any longer. I spent the rest of that day scanning through it all and any time I saw the word shift I read the paragraphs around it for context. No matter how many paragraphs I read, I still didn’t understand. I needed someone to translate it to my level of understanding. There was no way I would go back to Stuart though. It just didn’t feel safe. That left me with one choice: Carpenter.
I used my phone and took some photos of the paragraphs that I thought might be most helpful. Was I taking pictures of too much? Too little? The wrong thing? I had no idea but this was my best plan.
The next day I stayed after work for an hour waiting for a chance to nonchalantly catch her in the break room. When she finally came in and sat on the couch another coworker was in the room. I nervously waited for 10 minutes and it was getting close to Carpenter to return to work. Just in time, the other coworker stood up and left which means now was my chance.
Continue readingStory Behind the Post: A New Chance
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and I was excited for another opportunity to write a Thanksgiving story. However, this fall I worked on two fairly big projects that both culminated the same weekend in November. The second. One finished with a big event on Friday and the other on Monday. Sharing all that to explain I was pretty busy all of October and into the first part of November and did not spend as much time on my 5-part short story yet again. But I always say that, don’t I? So, let me just jump in and share the inspiration for this story.
Continue readingThe Drifting Tumbleweed
Chapter V: Tyee and Lawrence and Eddy and Gil
In all of his 61-years on the Earth, Tony Twomoons could probably count on one hand all the times he felt truly surprised by events. This was about to be one of those times.
He just witnessed that both Larry and Eddy were still alive and received what he felt as personal confirmation about both of their innocence. Not only that, he had just shifted his focus to his boss as a leading suspect. His mind couldn’t settle on which to think about first. But then the front door to the bar flew open and several law enforcement came forcefully into the bar. About a half-second latter, another intimidating group came in from the kitchen where they had made their entrance through the back door.
A tall man with slicked black hair and wore a jacket that said FBI flashed a badge quickly. “This place is now considered a crime scene,” his voice boomed even though the bar had grown quiet quickly at their presence. “Please vacate the premises immediately.”
Continue readingThe Drifting Tumbleweed
Chapter IV: Gil Sanderson
Tony arrived home after his shift to a dark house and his wife in bed. Which told him that yes, Sheila was still mad he chose to go into work every night instead of hiding out at home. He fixed himself a quick bite to eat while mulling over the events of the night.
As he reviewed what he knew, he felt pretty certain Larry or Eddy would be the next victim. Maybe both. While neither one seemed too drunk when they left the bar he couldn’t figure out why they would leave together. Why would a guy like Larry choose to hang out with Eddy – Eddy? That made no sense. No one in town willingly hung out with Eddy.
Continue readingThe Drifting Tumbleweed
Chapter II: Larry Dowd
It should probably be mentioned at this point, that Tony Twomoons did not, in fact, wish anyone any harm. Ever. His personal mantra aligned with ‘live and let live’. But that was the problem in the area at the moment. Not all the people were being allowed to live, were they? Someone had taken it upon themselves and started robbing other people of the most precious gift – the gift of life. For whatever reason, the fact that the victims had all been up to this point Native American and not white like the stranger that walked into the bar did not factor into Tony’s quick succession of thoughts. He also couldn’t explain why he naturally assumed the stranger would be another victim and not the killer. All Tony knew is when the stranger walked into the bar, Tony thought the blond-well-coiffed man with the popped up collar would be a victim not a perpetrator.
The stranger didn’t exactly do anything to change Tony’s mind either.
Continue readingThe Drifting Tumbleweed
Chapter I: Tony Twomoons
Tyee Twomoons stood behind the bar drying glasses. His face expression hard as flint. Newcomers often made the assumption that he didn’t notice anything. That assumption was generally incorrect but typically lacked tangible proof. The regular patrons had learned not to underestimate what Tyee observed. Many a bar fight had been settled by Tyee recounting the events leading up to the brawl. No one could dispute his word. Tyee’s version was always accepted as fact and unruly patrons soon found themselves on the other side of the door if they attempted to argue. In the Drifting Tumbleweed Bar, Tyee’s seldom heard voice was law.
Although when he wasn’t on the reservation and here at the bar he was known as Tony Twomoons. While he grew up in an orphanage on the reservation his school was in town and only hired white teachers. None of his teachers could pronounce his first name. Until one teacher didn’t even try to say it and just called him Tony. Everyone could pronounce Tony so he just accepted it. It saved him the repetition of pronouncing his name at every roll call. Now he was usually surprised when he heard his own name and sometimes forgot to answer to Tyee.
Continue readingStory Behind the Post: Two Halves
Last month was a 5-Saturday month. If you have been a reader of this little blog for more than a minute, then you are aware that on 5-Saturday months I attempt to write a 5-part short story. The intent is to practice my writing skills. Lately, I’ve been a bit lazy. So, my effort in this endeavor is waning. a little bit. But last month, I followed through even though May – as you know – is as busy as December. It tends to fill itself up with activities. Still, I managed to give it a go.
Three things came together and provided the spark of the story.
Continue readingPlan B: Chapter I
Chapter I: Coming Home
Lizzie looked out the bus window and sighed. Even though she had done everything she could to prepare herself emotionally for this trip she could feel it taking a toll. It wasn’t just the journey but the reason behind the trip. When she left New York, she tried to play it cool, like this was what she wanted. But she knew she wasn’t fooling anyone even though they played along. This was not what she wanted to do or where she wanted to be.
Continue readingThe Most Beautiful Story – V
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Harrison opened his eyes. It took a few moments for him to see enough of his surroundings to realize he had not, in fact, died yet. He was still here. Wherever here was because at the moment he couldn’t remember.
“Hey Pop,” his son Brian said. He held Harrison’s hand and squeezed it. “Still here.”
At this point, Harrison had no recollection of who Brian was or what he was saying. But he could feel the loving pressure on his hand and realized he was somebody he probably knew once. It made him frustrated that he couldn’t remember but there was literally nothing he could do about it.
“He’s awake,” Brian said to his sister Fran who sat at a desk at the other side of the room.
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ck's days 