Decisions, Decisions

By Laura Ware

A daughter seeking closure on her past. A man out for vengeance. A cancer patient dealing with the results of her chemo. A desperate father hunting for his daughter. A wife at a crossroads in her marriage. Each face choices that will affect their futures. Follow their decisions in this short story collection.

• Language: English
• Publisher: JJ Press
• Release date: Jul 28, 2011
• ISBN: 9781466128682

Laura Ware

Laura Ware writes in a variety of genres. Her novels are mostly inspirational fiction, although she is currently working on a fantasy series as well. Her short fiction ranges from mainstream to fantasy/science fiction and several things in between. Her stories have been published in a number of Fiction River anthologies, including Past Crime, Last Stand, Editor’s Choice and Feel the Fear. Laura also writes a weekly column for the Highlands News-Sun and her essay “Touched by an Angel” was published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Random Acts of Kindness in 2017.

Book preview

Decisions, Decisions

by

Laura Ware

Published by JJ Press at Smashwords

Copyright 2011 by Laura Ware

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

#

Table of Contents

GOODBYE HOME

VENGEANCE IS MINE

BALD IS BEAUTIFUL

THE LOWER LEVEL

THE TASTE OF SHRIMP

Goodbye Home

Ann’s first thought when she pulled up to her parent’s home was revulsion.

There was yellow paint on the outside. The last time she had been to the house, it had been a peeling green. When had that been? Three – no, four years ago. That had been when she had pulled up stakes and moved to Lincoln City, Oregon, which was not quite as far as one could get from Tampa, Florida but had been far enough.

She nervously got out of the car, making a point to lock it. Her husband had made her promise she would lock the rental car while she was there. That had been the second promise he had extracted from her, the first being that she would not be in that neighborhood after dark.

I can’t believe you grew up there! he had said.

Leaning on the fender of her red Camry, Ann looked over the neighborhood and wished she couldn’t believe she grew up there.

Across the street from her parent’s home (the home she wasn’t really ready to deal with, not just yet thank you very much) was Miss Dolly’s house. Patches of blue daze slapped bright color on the grey stucco of the front. Ann recalled many nights she had fled up the cracked pavement walk to knock on Miss Dolly’s door. Miss Dolly didn’t have to be told that her Momma and Daddy were fighting again; no one living in the neighborhood with hearing had to be told. She would just let Ann in and give her warm milk and Keebler cookies until Momma came for her.

As if her thoughts had been transmitted across the street, the front door opened and Miss Dolly waddled out. Despite a little more grey in her hair and a few more pounds around her middle, she was still the Miss Dolly of Ann’s memories. The old woman carefully maneuvered the stoop with a cane and then squinted at her silent observer. Annie? Is that you?

Ann walked across the street to meet Miss Dolly at the old metal gate that separated the front yard from the sidewalk. Hey, Miss Dolly. How are you doing?

The woman shrugged, sunlight glinting off her glasses. Can’t complain, I reckon. Even if I did, no one would listen. The two women shared a brief chuckle and then Miss Dolly placed a warm hand over Ann’s. How’s your momma? If you’re here, I’d guess the news ain’t good.

Ann bit her lip. She’s in the hospital still. The doctors say… she dropped her eyes to her brown hands which twisted nervously on top of the cold metal of the gate, …they say the stroke was pretty bad. She can’t live by herself any more.

Miss Dolly nodded, as if the news were no great surprise to her. So what are you gonna do?

Ann couldn’t help looking over her shoulder at the yellow house. With a sigh she turned back to Miss Dolly. I’ve been checking out nursing homes. Right now I’m gonna see how bad the house is and try to get it on the market quick.

Miss Dolly’s clear gray eyes had an air of disapproval that Ann found unsettling. I’ve heard tell that the Palms Nursing home down by Regency is pretty good. That is, if folks got no other place to go.

Ann felt a sting in her eyes and swallowed to keep it from coming out of her voice. Miss Dolly, I can’t take her in. My place in Lincoln City is small. Besides, Momma loves Tampa. Though I can’t see why, she thought to herself.

Your momma loves that house, too, but you got no trouble just up and taking her out of it.

No one could love that house, Ann said.

Miss Dolly looked at Ann with an expression the younger woman found faintly