A Mother’S Dream and Other Stories

By Craig Lawrence

This is a book of short stories with no particular theme. Though some will deal with real issues in our society, which all can relate to not only in America but anywhere there is poverty and violence, others are for simple enjoyment. It is my hope that everyone who reads this book will in some way be changed by its contents in a positive direction and that it will help those who do not understand the less fortunate to open up their eyes to the world around them. After all, we are all the same.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jun 13, 2011
• ISBN: 9781463410261

Craig Lawrence

As a child growing up in east Los Angeles California Craig Lawrence was a witness to poverty and violence which were crucial in his future development. Encouraged to read and to receive an education by his parents Craig found refuge in books. It was in this early stage of his life that he would form his opinions about right and wrong and the hypocrisy that surrounded him in his youth. At the age of thirteen his family moved out of the city to the small town of Alhambra California, a predominantly middle to upper middle class neighborhood. The contrast between life styles was an eye opening experience that would drastically change his outlook on life. It was here that the differences between those that had and those that had not would become clear and as an early teen he realized the selfishness and greed that permeated society. Though he would in later life go on to work in the land development industry, he continued to read and write and is now working on several books of various subjects including short stories, children’s books and novels.

Book preview

Contents

DEDICATION

INTRODUCTION

A MOTHER’S DREAM

A NICE WHITE HOUSE

ON THIS SIDE OF MADNESS

THE BUS DOWNTOWN

THOUGHTS OF AN INNOCENT MIND

WILLOW RIDGE

THE CITY OF RATS

THE HUNT

MAKING IT OUT

POOR MRS. FENMORE

SOMEPLACE SAFE

NO WAY OUT

A CONVERSATION WITH GOD

A VISIT TO THE GRAVEYARD

INEVITABLE CHANGES

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to not only my Mother and Father who worked so hard to get my brothers and I out from under the oppression of the inner city, but to all those who live in these uncertain times. I hope that at least some of these stories can inspire those without a voice to rise up and escape the invisible walls that hold them at bay and to help those who have no knowledge of the unfortunate circumstances that surround the less fortunate, to understand the hopelessness these people are faced with on a daily basis. It is only through understanding that we as a nation can move on in peace and prosperity.

INTRODUCTION

Here you will find stories about real life and stories to simply enjoy. It is my hope that all who read them will take away something positive, something to make you think or something make you laugh. America has reached a crucial crossroads in its rather short history and what we do in the very near future as a country will determine weather we stay a strong and vital society or fall victim to failure as the many great nations throughout history have. We are all brothers and sisters, as science has so recently proven, and the bloodshed and violence we see today on an all too frequent basis only helps to kill the world as a whole. As a child I was born into poverty and violence yet lucky enough to have parents that would not accept these circumstances as a permanent way of life. Through hard work, discipline and perseverance my mother and father rose out of this oppression to give my brothers and I not only an excellent education but a very nice and comfortable existence. I have seen both sides of life first hand and know that poverty is not impossible to conquer. As a child I can remember a time when a hungry man or woman could approach a house and ask for something to eat and the homeowner was happy to oblige. Today these hungry men and women would be arrested for trespassing. Perhaps we have forgotten what it is like to care about each other or maybe we are just too busy to see. In any case we as a society are failing to understand what is going on around us and the future does not look good. It is time that we act like the civilized human beings we claim to be.

No man is an island entire of itself. Each man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manner of thine own were or of thine friend’s were. Each man’s death diminishes me for I am involved in mankind. And so therefore, send not to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.

John Donne

A MOTHER’S DREAM

Mama. I’m hungry.

I know you are my child, but we’ll have to wait until morning when I get my first check from the welfare department.

Is Daddy ever coming back mama?

No. Your father’s gone to heaven. He won’t be coming back anymore.

Why did he go away?

I guess the good Lord wanted him now instead of later. Now get yourself to bed and I’ll see you in the morning.

Deena James could only sigh a deep, painfully lonesome breath as she turned toward her bedroom. The feelings of fear and loneliness were more than she could bear and if it weren’t for her little girl she would not want to live another day. There were times when it all seemed like a bad dream. Tony would come walking through the door at any minute and take her in his arms and hold her tight. He was working hard in school and would have graduated in spring, then they would move away from the insane city which had now consumed their future. College was their ticket out of this hell they called a home and Tony knew it. What right had these animals to take her husbands life, she thought.

Mama, Marisa called from her room. Will you come say goodnight?

Deena wiped the tears from her eyes and went into Marisa’s bedroom and sat down on the bed. Are you okay honey? she asked.

I’m okay Mama. Just a little hungry, answered Marisa with a childish innocence.

I know you are child. We will go to the market first thing in the morning. Now try to get some sleep. The feelings of despair were incredible. With Tony gone she would have to receive welfare, something her husband had always refused to do no matter how tight their finances were. Things would be different from now on and she would have to be strong to survive.

Goodnight Mama.

Goodnight my little darling.

Entering her bedroom, Deena lifted a picture of her husband from the nightstand and held it to her chest. Why would someone kill such a nice man, she asked herself. He only wanted to work hard and leave this horrible place. He just wanted to take his family somewhwere safe.

It was his last semester and he would have been the first to graduate from college in his family. Deena loved to watch him study, working long hours into the night, all the while doing it for her and their child. How could such a man be sacrificed, she thought, his life extinguished by a sixteen year old crack dealer. People here acted worse than wild dogs.

There was so much to think about now, so many changes in plans. She would not be leaving this place any time soon and she now had to be concerned about Marisa. What kind of life will my daughter lead in this godforsaken place, she thought. Hookers, drug dealers, gang bangers shooting each other in the street along with their innocent victims.What chance will she have now? Deena fell to her bed and began to cry.

It is not unusual in the inner city to be awakened by sirens and this night was no different. Looking across the bed to the nightstand, the blurry face of the clock read two a.m. Her thoughts were confused and dream-like and she felt as if she were suffocating. There was no wish to continue, there was only Marisa. Her girl was a victim of an uncaring, unfeeling society and she would never get to know her father. Again she began to cry, not stopping until sleep took her over, bringing with it a temporary peace of mind.

Mama, wake up. It’s time to get ready. Off in the distance Deena could hear a voice calling to her; the voice of an angel; the precious, unknowing sound of youth, unaware of the terrible changes that were about to take place.

Mama, wake up. It’s time to go.

There it was again. That voice used to make Tony smile. She’s going to be someone important someday, he would boast. She’ll be educated and wise, a fine example for her race.

Tony was always so positive, she thought. Even in this place he could find a ray of light. But for now the light was fading fast and Deena was forced back to reality. I’m awake child, she said. I just need a few minutes to gather my thoughts. Go brush your teeth and I’ll be right there. Slowly and unwillingly, Deena James rolled onto her back and rubbed her eyes until they were clear and rose from the bed.

By the time Deena entered the living room Marisa was ready to go. We can leave whenever you’re ready Mama. I’ve already cleaned up, she said. Though she was only eight years old Marisa seemed much older and as she stood in the living room waiting Deena could not help but cry. Don’t cry Mama. Everything will be all right. Marisa moved to her mother and hugged her. She was aware of her mother’s pain but could not comprehend its origin. After all, her father was in heaven with God, there was no reason to be sad.

Deena did not know how to explain the position they were now in. Marisa would have to grow up in a place more terrible than any jungle, more frightening than death itself.How do you tell your child there is not enough money to pay for food? How do you tell such innocence that the street may be your next home? She felt like dying, but the arms around her waist insisted that she somehow try to make it.

* * *

The lines at the welfare office were long and the number of people milling about was staggering. What a terrible place this is, Deena thought. It all seemed so tragic to her. She looked at all the expressionless faces that walked throughout the building; lifeless creatures resembling humans on the outside, but living the lives of sad, forgotten, faceless people on the inside. Am I one of these, she thought. Am I to live the rest of my years standing in welfare lines? A deep feeling of loneliness overcame her and she only wanted to