When We Were Young

By W. F. Redmond

IMAGINE . . .
living in a constant state of yesteryear, when the worst days of your past were the “good ol’ days.”

MEET . . .
Milton—a man so burdened with guilt and shame that he is unable to find peace; and worse yet, he cannot remember any real happiness.

Annette—the woman whose love for Milton remained pure for an entire lifetime...even as he carried on an illicit and at times torrid affair with her closest friend before, during, and after her marriage to him.

Sheila—the fiery, irresistible lover who staked a claim on Milton’s lust that never subsided. Her roller-coaster, lifelong friendship with Annette would torment her, even in death.

A tumultuous story of love, deceit, and the dark side of humanity...

When We Were Young!

• Language: English
• Publisher: W. F. Redmond
• Release date: Feb 12, 2015
• ISBN: 9781938727047

W. F. Redmond

W. F. Redmond was born in the backwoods of Arkansas, the eldest of eight children, whose parents' lives were anchored to the cotton fields. But it was on the streets and playgrounds of Compton, California, that Redmond came of age. His daughter, six grand-children and four great-grands inspire, challenge and keep him young at heart. His work is also dedicated to his mother Rosie Lee, and his sisters, Amy, Jackie and Sharon, all of whose lives were cut far too short. He spends his days working at and and striving to improve his craft. He is author of the critically acclaimed two novel set, Compton Connection Books 1 and 2; the mid-west urban thriller, All is Fair in Hate; and the soon to be released, Arkansas Has Rainy Nights Too. He tells us that, "I have only just begun. The best is yet to come!"

Book preview

When We Were Young

W.F. Redmond

WHEN WE WERE YOUNG

Copyright © 2012 by W.F. Redmond

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form—mechanically, electronically, or by any other means, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system—without permission in writing from the author.

ISBN: 978-1-938727-04-7

Dedication

To date all of my work has been dedicated to Rosie Lee and SaLisa, my mother and daughter, for they have inspired me to become a better person. However, in addition it must be said that I dedicate this project to Sandra and Deirdre, the other two-thirds of the SANDEIJUN team. Without them, and God, none of this would be possible.

To Sherita and Shelonda, my much-loved daughters; the only thing perfect about me is my love. And along with SaLisa, you two own huge condos in my heart.

To Tracy, Meredith, Janet, and Donna; you ladies are the epitome of friendship and I love you all.

To Richard Mejico, founder of Criminals and Gangmembers Anonymous; the program works miracles in freeing us from lifestyle entanglements. I am free and so are many because of your stick-to-it-ness. I miss you, my friend, and so does C.G.A.

Finally, to Judge Steve White; a truer and more firm friend could never be found. Your faith and trust in me has pushed me to higher heights than I ever thought possible. Thank you!

Acknowledgments

As always, I wish to acknowledge the Wordsmith, Cris Wanzer. Thanks for believing in me and hopping aboard the W.F. Redmond express. For us as a team, the very best is yet to come!

Table of Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

About the Author

• 1 •

Come on Sheila, ya don’t really believe that, do you, girl? I asked in consternation.

Silence. Always silence from her every time I pointed out just how ridiculous she sounded making such an outlandish accusation.

Well, shit, Milt. Why in da fuck shouldn’t I think so? spat Sheila venomously, rolling her big, caramel-colored eyes to accentuate her point.

Man, talk about shock. I was speechless. All I could do was stare down at her petite, diminutive figure as she glared up at me defiantly. Though she stood only 5’2" — a full foot shorter than my 6’2" and change (I know because we’d measured ourselves a couple of times when we were young) — Sheila more than made herself my equal with attitude, energy, and smarts.

Ba-but come on now, girl. In order for Annette to wreck her car by ramming into that Sparkletts Water truck just to get back at you after so many years, she would’ve had to hate you more than she loved life. That’s hard to believe, don’cha think? I stated, trying my best to interject a bit of logic into our conversation.

She took one small step backward and craned her neck upwards, as if by doing so she could see me better, or some other such Sheila Knightism.

"Thas, th-that’s entirely possible. You yourself know that the woman has always been jealous of me, constantly accusing me of interfering in her marriage. Knowing her ass the way I do — shit, like we both do — who knows what a wife who has been cheated on her entire marriage, and even before, might’a been thinking? Shit, dat girl might’a just got ta where she couldn’t take it no more and decided to end it all, and to take me wit her. But she could never do no wrong in your eyes. Pure, clean, innocent, holier-than-thou Annette Reed. Yo ass is constantly making her good and me bad, just ’cause of one stupid mistake. But she wasn’t perfect, Milton, no more’n