Pairings

By Linda Imbler

Linda Imbler's second ebook "Pairings," is a collection of wonderful short fiction stories loosely coupled with excellent poetry selections which help intensify the reading experience. The topics address myriad subjects and styles ranging from selective mutism to speculative short fiction to revealing new historical facts. These are vital writings rooted in the values of a valiant civilization.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Soma Publishing
• Release date: Nov 3, 2018

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About This Book:

Linda Imbler's second e-book, Pairings, can best be described as a collection of wonderful short fiction stories loosely coupled with some excellent poetry. Within these short fiction pieces there are cautionary tales as well as inspirational tales. The topics address myriad subjects and styles ranging from selective mutism to speculative short fiction to new historical facts. These are vital stories rooted in the values of a valiant civilization.

The poems associated with each story have some connection, although they were not initially written to be related or even written within the same year. But, the pairings work beautifully.

Thanks for your purchase. Please enjoy Pairings.

Thank you so much to Editor Mark Antony Rossi of Soma Publishing for allowing me another opportunity to share my work through this up-and-coming medium of e-books.

Table of Contents

1a. Isaac’s Robot

1b. Mute

2a. Frantic Call

2b. Girl

3a. Relic

3b. Understood

4a. The Bargain

4b. Bitter Cold Can Burn

5a. Tarot

5b. Madame Lenormand

6a. Number Eight

6b. The Devil’s Picnic

7a. Many Alone

7b. The Lonely

8a. The Jellybean Man

8b. History

9a. Queen of Cups

9b. Becoming Mad

10a. Dead of Night

10b. What’s Not To Believe

11a. Tattoo

11b. Flags

12a. Public Executions

12b. Tyrant Fallen

13a. The Old Shepherd

13b. Grab the Sun

14a. Room of Voices

14b. A Proper Life

15a. Fool Across the Water

15b. The Strong’s Strength

16a. Animal Plots and Schemes

16b. Animals

17a. Digging the Day

17b. Weather the Night

18a. Zoology

18b. Zomday

19a. Robots in Love

19b. One

20a. My Song For Small Things

20b. Heartstrings

21a. Just Don’t

21b. In the Dark

22a. The Brown Man

22b. Apology to the Bison

23a. Porch Waving

23b. Tower of Bones

24. Commentary on Old Shepherd

25. Acknowledgments

26. About the Author

27. About the Publisher

Isaac's Robot

Third grader Isaac was different; smaller, quieter. He smiled a lot, but he never spoke. He listened carefully to his teacher, Mrs. Kendrick, and did his best, but he learned slowly and he read even more slowly. Choosing books from the library was a challenge and book reports in front of the class were all but impossible.

He watched other kids play at recess, but he never joined, even when asked. No one made fun of Isaac. They would just smile at him and he would always smile back.

On one particular library visit, a picture on the front of a book caught his eye. He chose this book, although he could not really read it. It was a book about how to build a robot. Isaac wanted to build a friend. He worked on his robot after school every day and on the weekends. Isaac made some progress, but not much. It takes a long time for only one person to build a robot, especially when they can’t read the instructions. But he never gave up and he kept at it. When it was time for the next round of book reports, Isaac raised his hand to let Mrs. Kendrick know he was ready. She got tears in her eyes as he stood up with the book, pointed to the cover, and smiled. The class smiled back and, wow, did they clap!

In February, Isaac was not at school one day, nor the next day, nor the day after that. That night, the teacher called Isaac's mother. Isaac was in the hospital and the prognosis was not good. Mrs. Kendrick shared the news with the kids. They didn't say a word. However, at recess, she noticed the kids in a tight huddle.

Saturday morning, the doorbell rang at Isaac’s house. His mother was at the hospital, but his dad was home. After talking to the kids, Isaac’s dad took them to the garage. They were there all day that Saturday and again on Sunday, and the next weekend and the next. After six weeks, they had built Isaac a robot.

Mrs. Kendrick took the robot to the hospital to show it to Isaac. He was very weak, but he managed to smile. His mother asked her to thank the kids.

The next morning Isaac's mother came to the class with the robot. Isaac had wanted to share his new friend with the class because they were the best kids in the whole world. That's the last thing he told his mom.

The robot sits in Isaac's seat at his desk. It reminds the kids that they once had a classmate, a little boy who never spoke but always smiled. Just like Isaac’s robot.

Mute

What leaves a child

not wishing to speak?

A physical ailment?

Perhaps he's just meek?

To accept such a fate

for one so young

is to condemn him to loneliness,

as he must live among

others who ask

and others who tell

and he must respond

to live his life well.

To learn to talk with others

opens doors now closed.

And to request what's needed

helps that child grow.

There's much in the world

that must be explained.

And to live in isolation

means he must remain

shut away from potential

answers and friends,

staying limited

in what he comprehends.

Do not seek to shame him

or force an interplay.

He should express himself

in his own time and way.

Do not seek to change him,

creating dismay.

Just