Attention to Detail

By Andrew J. Roffers

There is no available information at this time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 13, 2006
• ISBN: 9781462832859

Book preview

Copyright © 2006 by Andrew J. Roffers.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

30452

Contents

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

DEDICATION

This story is not meant to attack the United States Navy. It is a salute to the young men and women who didn’t quite mesh into the Navy system, but their effort and spirit were there.

A. J. R.

INTRODUCTION

Dyslexia is an impairment of the power of reading due to a central lesion. Churchill, Einstein, Nelson Rockefeller, Cher, and Bruce Jenner are all famous people who suffer from this silent, unseen disability. Problems in school, being able to hold a job, drive a car or fill out forms are some of the problems hampering dyslexics—but they also sometimes endure mental torment as others see them as being stupid or mentally imbalanced. Doctors studying the disability have come up with conflicting theories; that it is a coordination problem, or caused by inner ear or eye problems. Although dyslexics are not in wheelchairs, nor wear hearing aids or dark glasses, their troubles continue to plague them because the problems are so misunderstood or unknown.

Frank Gregory is a timid 22 year old man growing up in the unemployment-ridden Midwest, surrounded by the frustration of his continued unemployment woes and drowned by continued feedback from his family and friends. Frank, a dyslexic, decides to enlist in the United States Navy. He quickly realizes it is not just a job, it is a nightmare. But he learns about himself, and makes some friends as well as some enemies along the way.

CHAPTER ONE

The Decision

It was a cold, windy February day in Columbus, Ohio. Frank Gregory, still groggy from sleep, awoke in disgust and fear to notice the clock read 12:30 on a Sunday afternoon. Boy, my parents are going to kill me he thought, as he arose and ran out of his room, down the stairs and into the kitchen. Frank could hear the television down in the basement. His sister Cindy was watching a Bruce Springstein video on television. She turned the T.V. up extra high because she adored Springstein. He was her idol. Ya seen Mom and Pop?, he bellowed. They’re grocery shopping Cindy replied. And Frank scrambled back upstairs. As he reached the top he thought, that’s the same song I heard at the Rock Show Ballroom last night. He remembered the pretty girl in the Jordache jeans with the flattering, suggestive wink. He made himself a cup of coffee in the microwave and sat down to read the paper. He was through with his first cup, and about to make a new one when he heard his parents pull into the garage. They were going on a trip to California and leaving early Monday morning. They came in with four bags of groceries. Lillian Gregory, Frank’s mother said they were leaving right now. We heard the weather report and there is a blizzard on the way. We bought you and your sister some pizzas and burgers to have while we’re away. The address of where we are staying is written down on this tablet. Just then Cindy came up. Leaving already? Yeh honey, there’s a blizzard coming. We have to go right away. Frank Sr. and Frank the son went out the door with the luggage. Cindy and her mother followed. Frank and his father stuffed the luggage in the trunk of a white Buick. They all embraced and said their goodbyes. The engine started and their mother and father sped away. Cindy and Frank walked back to the house. Frank began to jump up and down saying, We’re free, a whole month—a whole beautiful month!" and gave his sister Cindy a great big hug.

The first week went a little rough for Frank. His parents were gone, he fought with his sister Cindy. And he was turned down at the grocery store when he applied for a job. The next morning Frank went out job hunting at about 8:00 a.m. He returned home about 10:30 a.m. and saw his sister Cindy sitting on the couch holding her head. What’s the matter Cindy, you okay? Oh, I feel awful Frank. I just got home about 5 minutes ago and I’m going to miss the game against Jackson. Well I’m going to get a cup of coffee, you want something? Frank asked. No my stomach really hurts. Wow spaghetti Frank yelled. Cindy held her stomach and quickly ran to the bathroom. Hey Cindy, want some toast, Cindy?, Cindy? He heard the faint sounds of violent vomiting. Ugggh, blahhh. Frank looked at the spaghetti he had taken out of the fridge, held his stomach, and put it back in. Cindy came out of the bathroom. You don’t look very good deary Frank said. Cindy let out a painful sight and went upstairs. Frank made a cup of coffee and lit a cigarette. He felt bad that his sister was sick. He went out later to get some aspirin and some other medicine for Cindy’s flu. When he returned the telephone rang. It was the manager of Burger King who called to set up an interview with Frank. It was another chance for him and he was very hopeful. By the time Cindy awoke it was 6:00 p.m. Cindy, Frank said. You sure slept late. How ya feeling? Oh, a little better. At least I stopped puking she said. Hey I went job hunting yesterday. Ya Know, filling out a few applications at the fast food places. Well, I’ve got an interview tomorrow Frank said enthusiastically. That’s great Frank. Where at? Burger King Frank answered. Well, I really hope you get it. This could be the break I need. I know, Cindy said, and gave him a kiss. I’m just having pizza. Can I make you some soup? Yeh, maybe a little… my stomach still feels funny. You think you can go to school tomorrow? Frank asked. I’ll see how I feel, I don’t know. The way you were this afternoon, I’d stay home. Frank said in a concerned tone.