Pathway

By Tom P. Alberti

Pathway is a collection of six short stories. The main characters in these tales will choose a path that will change their lives forever. Some will achieve happiness (The Unforgettable Dance), or tragedy (Night Visitor). Some will hope to find an easier path in life until it all goes wrong. (The Holiday Heist). And, there is a path that brings hope (Tony's Dilemma). Or a path where the character wishes to start all over again (The Precious Moment)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tom P. Alberti
• Release date: Sep 20, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310042522

Tom P. Alberti

Born in Chicago, went to Wright College, father, grandparent & foster father to a three-year old Beagle. Publish children's book, Adventures of Hippie, won Tom Reid short story contest and pubished article, "You Can't Do That, You're Handicapped".

Book preview

Pathway

(Short Stories)

By Tom P Alberti

Copyright 2014 by Tom P Alberti

Published by Tom P. Alberti at Smashwords

ISBN 978130042522

License Notes:

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be re-sold or given to other people. If you would like to share this book with someone else, please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it to your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the work of this author.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Night Visitor

The Unforgettable Dance

For Better or Worse

One Precious Moment

Holiday Heist

Tony's Dilemma

Introduction

Pathway is a collection of short stories. The characters in these shorts experience life's uncertainties. These unpredictable events can bring happiness to some, as in The Unforgettable Dance, or tragedy to others like The Night Visitor. Others make their dreams come true (Tony's Dilemma) while others believe their plan will make their life easier until they get caught (The Holiday Heist). Nevertheless, this author wrote these tales with heart, mind, and soul, hoping to entertain you, the reader.

All characters and written in these short stories are purely fictional.

Thank you to Jose F. Stueffer for image of path in spruce forest

Rita Toews-book cover

Night Visitor

During the midnight hour, Officer Mickey Powers sat alone in the police car. Across the street from where he parked, Officer Powers saw a man approaching the window of a garden apartment. The young rookie stayed vigil to avoid any plights the man may offer. Being his first solo assignment, Mickey became strained. His nerves were tight like barbwire. He retrieved a pair of night vision binoculars from the glove compartment for more precise observation. He wanted to do everything accordingly to police policy.

Mickey observed the man to be in his early twenties. He wore dark trousers and a tan corduroy jacket over a white shirt. Powers saw the young male gaze up and down the street, and then lightly tapped the window with his fist.

Mickey laid the binoculars beside him. He grinned, assuming the person forgot his keys. No excitement here, the officer thought. He decided to drive to the highway, maybe catch a few speeders. Suddenly, he saw a light shined from the window of the apartment.

Powers grabbed his binoculars. The white shades, hanging from the window, opened. The officer focused on a portly woman with bushy gray hair. She stood at the window, shaking her head and gritting her teeth. She looked angry, waving her hand and gesturing for the man to leave. She walked away and the apartment became dark once more.

The man knocked on the window several times but to no avail..

Powers grasped the door handle, preparing to restrain the man from any act of violence. He then remembered his partner, O’Leary, always repeating to him, Don’t be a hero, call for back-up.

Powers sneered. Six months on the job, he realized this perilous district was full of gangs, prostitutes, and dope dealers He assumed that he had enough fortitude and competence to make his own decisions. Suddenly, he let go of the door handle. His tension evaporated, as he glanced out the window and watched the man sauntered away from the apartment.

Powers guffawed. He was satisfied the guy had the smarts to know when a woman says no, she means it. Mickey leaned back in his seat, his finger and thumb grasped the ignition key, ready to start the car when he saw a cab stop in front of the apartment. Out of the corner of his eyes,