Shadows of Yesterday

By robert crudup

Donnie Taylor is a 17 year old, mid-west adolescent living in Montecqua, Arizona who'd just graduated high school and was in the middle of a debate in which his father wanted him to work in their family business. A store in the middle of the town that had been in their family for thirty years. His grandfather had started it and gave it to his father who, in return, gave it to Donnie's father. Now Donnie's father wanted him to follow that pattern. Their battle of confilct began on the second week of his graduation. The appearance of Mr. Steindam, who moves into his neighbor's old house serveral blocks away, gives Donnie Taylor options he'd never had before. The mysterious Mr. Steindam is a man whose past is unknown, but his future with Donnie Taylor by his side, is breathtaking. Donnie future will leave nothing to the imagination as he grows into a person that no one will recognize. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: robert crudup
• Release date: Nov 5, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393326021

robert crudup

In writing fiction, some people have a tendency to skip over the little things in describing a story. Robert Crudup takes the reader into worlds that makes the reader wonder about the possibilites as the story unfolds for the reader. He wants you to see what he has written. And, what he has written is breathtaking to read.

Book preview

It was a warm, hazy day in Montecqua, Arizona. Donnie Taylor was a mid-western seventeen year old who’d recently graduated from high school two weeks previously. He was a blond hair, hazel eyed, tall, broad shouldered young man who didn’t socialize much with kids his own age. He was an introverted person who had big plans outside of his small town. His greatest entertainment was the Internet. He enjoyed surfing and chatting online. His brother and sister thought he was born with a metal disorder because of non-socialized skills. He ignored them as much as possible. He was the middle child who always seemed to be the one who gathered all the negative karma.

His brother Eric, was two years older, and possessed the typical mentality of the first born whenever something had to be done around the house it never reached him. His chores were usually designated to Donnie because Eric was always studying. His sister Sandra was different. She possessed a whiny voice and very selfish. In her world, Donnie always concluded, she seemed more concerned with her looks and her nails than anything else. She was exempt from most of the chores around the house. She was a tenth grader who constantly attracted college guys with her mature looks and much older body. Her brunette hair, beautiful green eyes, and strong mind made young men swoon when she gave them her attention. She could be shallow at times, Donnie thought. Yet he loved her dearly.

At the moment, Donnie was sitting in the living room watching television as he listened to his parents walk by talking about what to do with the old washing machine that was in their basement. His parents were hard workers who’d married when they were teenagers. He smiled as he let the image flood his mind. He could see the love they had for each other after all these years. They were good parents.

Laura Taylor was a woman who’d grown rotund after giving birth to three children. She was a conscientious woman who was aware of her waning youth and used it to her advantage whenever necessary. She exercised regularly during the week. She was also a brunette like her daughter, but she bleached her hair red and had it highlighted at the beauty salon every two weeks.

Wilbert Taylor was a man whose myopic appearance gave a person the impression that he wasn’t all that smart, but he was very smart. He’d created his own business by selling encyclopedias from door to door for ten years. He’d saved his money and bought a shoe store after locating a good accountant to help him manage his books. Over the years his business grew. Their house was on a block with several other middle class families. Donnie, Eric, and Sandra had all been born in it. It was a beautiful house that held wonderful memories as they became older.

Lately Donnie had been feeling pressured by his father in deciding which college he was thinking about attending in the fall. His answer was non-communicative and a shrug. He had no interests in going to college. No matter if it was a college in a different state. Why did he have to go to college right away? He’d asked himself every time his father inquired about his college future. Couldn’t he take the summer off just to think about his options after finishing high school? He’d been trying to explain to his father what he was feeling, and whenever he tried, his father would tell him that he was confused, and didn’t know what was best for him.

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Donnie picked up the remote control. He pointed it at the fifty-four inch colored television in front of him. He began channel surfing. The satellite dish on the roof of the house picked up over one hundred and eighty channels. He enjoyed watching those old black and white movies of the forties and fifties. Donnie was an old soul seventeen year old. He was about to get into a Gary Grant movie when his mother walked into the living room.

The Taylor’s living room was very spacious with a warm floral look in furniture. There was seven-piece sectional beige leather colored sofa that was in a semi-circle. The beige carpet did wonders to a person’s tired feet whenever they kicked off their shoes. The cream colored walls complimented the beige sofa and carpet. Even their own rooms were painted to compliment the living room with different colors of beige and chocolate. Except for Sandra’s room, which had girlish colors of pink and white. It was a beautiful house.

What are you going to do today, Donnie? Laura asked her son, as she sat down on the other end of the sofa. Your sister said she’s going to have some friends over for a pool party.

Uh-huh.

Your father thinks you ought to work in the shoe store for a few hours a week with him. He wants you to get accustomed to working and feeling a sense of responsibility.

Laura was wearing a nice blue summer dress that took off a year or two from her age. She had her hair done two days ago, giving her a youthful experience. She stared at her son as his eyes were glued to the television.

Mom, we go through this every summer when I’m out of school. Dad really doesn’t need me in the store. It’s just his way of pounding me to give in to him so I’d go to college. I’ve grown use to it by now. He asks me when, and I say I don’t know.

Well, you know your father better than I. It’s his way of wanting you around him, Donnie. And regardless of his taunts in trying to persuade you to go to college, he believes it’s for your own good. He’s a father trying to do what he thinks is best for his son.

Well, how come he doesn’t ask Sandra or Eric—when he comes up from school break—to go work with him at the store?

He enjoys having you around more than your brother and sister. You’ve always been his favorite. Fathers can’t say it in words because they don’t want any of their children to become competitive for their attention, but it’s you who has always had his most attention. He is always saying that there was more to you than the naked eye.

Mom, his ridiculing of me isn’t something I think is being considered a favorite. Questioning me regarding what I think as a person might be something to think about. Maybe even a little probing, but he doesn’t enjoy me the way you’re describing it.

He’s a man, and men have a different way of showing what their true affections lay. You’d understand that when you become older and have children of your own. Anyway, no matter what you might think. Your father wants what’s best for you. That’s all.

The doorbell ranged. Donnie went to answer it, leaving his mother in mid-sentence. When he opened the door, a smiling face greeted him. It was Nancy.

Nancy was a dark hair, voluptuous fifteen- year- old girl who wore the tightest clothing. But he thought she wore the tight clothing so she wouldn’t be label as a nerd. She was voted president of her class. She was Sandra’s best friend.

Hey, handsome young man! You’re looking good, Donnie, Nancy said as she walked in.

––––––––

There were times when Donnie thought Nancy was rude, like now. There were other times when she could make a person feel like they were the only person in her eyesight as she gave off warmth. At the moment he was wearing a purple tee shirt with a pair of black shorts that had holes in them all around the leg area. The black sneakers on his feet didn’t do much to his look, so how handsome could he be?

How are you, Nancy?

Nancy nodded her head as she continued walking toward the living room. Hello, Ms. Taylor, she said as she entered the living room. Your hair looks beautiful today. How is Mr. Taylor?

Laura demurely acknowledged her with a weak smile. He’s fine. Thanks for asking, dear.

Laura believed Nancy had too much influence on her daughter. And that, along with a few other issues, made her distrust her.

I brought my swimsuit, Nancy exclaimed with glee. Is Sandy in her room?"

Laura hated when someone called her daughter Sandy. It depreciated the essence of the name she’d given her daughter.

Sandra is in her room, Laura replied. Her words were frosty and unfeeling as her smile remained.

Do you want me to take you up, Nancy? Donnie asked. Maybe it was a little too aggressive, he thought, after the words were out of his mouth.

No, thank you, Nancy answered, walking to the stairs. Are you swimming in the pool with us, Donnie? she asked, batting her eyes seductively at him.

No, honey, he’ll be at the shoe store helping his father, Laura answered quickly for her son.

Donnie turned toward her. There was a look of anger on his face, as well as a look of utter disbelief. His mother smiled at him affectionately. He returned his attention to Nancy who was flirtatiously walking up the stairs. The cut-off shorts she was wearing, were now showing her upper thighs, he thought. He sighed with a longing, as his eyes continued to follow her up the stairs.

At the top of the stairs, Nancy stopped. Turning around, she looked down at Donnie seductively. Well, just imagine me in a bathing suit if you decide to come to the pool and join us today, she said smiling, making Donnie blush.

Donnie cleared his throat, and blinked hard as the image filled his mind of Nancy in a bathing suit.

Donnie, don’t you think you ought to get ready for work? his mother called out to him.

Donnie, with patience, walked over to his mother. Mom, I’m not going to the shoe store today. Please, can I just be left alone?

Laura rose from the sofa. Alright. But your father will probably be calling to talk to you about your decision later today, Laura said, as she exited the living room. Not the slightest bit of being upset.

Going back to the sofa, Donnie flopped down. He picked up the remote control. Aiming it at the television, a thought entered his mind to turn around. When he did, he could see a moving truck through the window a half a

block away. It was parked in front of Fred and Esther Riley’s old house. They’d been gone for over a year. He’d saw several people come back and walk through the place. For some reason he felt an attraction to the house he’d never felt before. He stood up and walked to the window.

He was standing at the window for about ten minutes when he saw an old man with white hair standing beside the moving truck. His back was toward Donnie. When he turned around Donnie gasped as he saw the man smile. His smile seemed to be directed at Donnie.

Sandra was in her room listening to music when Nancy entered.

Hi Sand. Nice bra.

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Sandra was wearing a cream and green colored silk bra with cut-off jeans. She was sitting in front of the mirrored dresser brushing her long brown hair that fell to the middle of her back. I bought it from Madam Love, she said. My mother bought it for me. Shut and lock the door. On my night table there’s a scented candle. Light it up.

After lighting the candle, Nancy pulled out a cigarette pack. Shaking out two rolled up marijuana sticks; she sat on the edge of the bed. I love coming to your room. It’s so warm and cozy, Nancy said, as she crossed her legs while lighting a match to the marijuana stick that was in her mouth.

Use the ashtray, Nancy. I don’t want you burning my comforter.

Why do you have an ashtray in your room? You don’t smoke. Wouldn’t that send out red alerts to your parents as they searched you room? I think your brother likes me.

Every guy with blood in his veins likes you, Nancy!

Nancy laughed, then stood up and walked over to give Sandra the marijuana that was now lit. Sandra took it and inhaled deeply while Nancy began brushing her hair.

Your mother hates me, you know, Nancy said.

My mother hates all girls our age. She can’t be fifteen anymore, or go out on whims whenever it suits her. Don’t take it personally. She’s a mother.

You know something. I think my mother is the same way.

They both started laughing while smoking the marijuana.

Wilbert Taylor was walking through one of his two shoe stores at that moment. He watched as one of the girls he’d recently hired assisted a customer. She seemed to be verbally abusive to the customer as Wilbert watched her. Her hand gestures appeared to be intimidating. An act he didn’t tolerate. He wouldn’t say anything until after the customer had walked away not wanting to create a scene.

Minutes later after the customer had departed, Wilbert causally walked up to the girl as she straightened out some boxes behind the counter. Her back was facing Wilbert. He cleared his throat to get her attention.

Lisa, right? asked Wilbert, standing in front of the counter.

Lisa was a typical eighteen year old working for the summer. Her doe-like eyes gave off a trusting appearance and her innocent demeanor was very warm. Yes, Mr. Taylor, she responded.

I heard the conversation between you and that customer. I don’t think you handled that professionally, he stated.

Sir, the woman wanted a discount when there is no discount for that item. I was explaining to her when she became very abrasive toward me. When I was—

Lisa, Wilbert said patiently quickly cutting her off. Customers must feel that they’re welcomed here regardless of what we know about our merchandise. Politeness. Respect. That’s what will keep our customers coming back."

Yes, sir.

Wilbert walked away feeling like he’d enlighten one more child in how to represent themselves in the business world. Wilbert, being a man of principle, wanted to always give a young person a leg up in life when it came to dealing with others.

He directed the movers while trying to stay out of their way as they brought in the furniture. He didn’t move as fast as he used to. Age had stolen that from him, but he still possessed a little agility. As he stood in the middle of the living room looking around, a glimpse of his youthfulness flashed through his mind. It didn’t last long, though. Things would be good here, he thought. He could feel the calling within. It was a strong feeling in this area. Very strong, he thought, as he inhaled deeply. He’d wait for him. Whoever he might be. They always came to him.

One of the movers approached him.

Mr. Steindam, where would you like the piano to go?

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Leaning heavily on his cane, his long white wispy hair falling to his shoulders, Steindam pointed to the corner on the other side of the room.

Donnie had decided to take a ride on his bike. He liked riding his bike. It gave him a sense of freedom. He enjoyed the fast and breathless trek that came with riding his bike hard and with no confinement. There was no pressure from his parents concerning his future when he rode his bike. There was no pressure on his appearance at the store to work for his father while working day in and day out. Riding his bike gave him space to make his own decisions. He’d thought about going by his friend Matthew’s house, but he didn’t want him questioning him about his sister. Matthew was fixated with Sandra. No, maybe he’ll call him later to come over when everyone was in the pool. That way, he’d be able to see Sandra and not bother him by telling him how much he liked her.

Donnie was riding by the Riley’s old house. The movers were carrying in a refrigerator. For some reason, Donnie had a desire to stop at the house and acquire about who the owner might be. Why would he want to stop there, though? It was something he’d never felt before.

When the afternoon arrived that day, the sun was up and spraying its warmth onto everyone. It was hot. Over ninety-five degrees as it beamed down from the sky.

Sandra, Nancy, and two other of Sandra’s girlfriends were in the pool. They were enjoying themselves as they laughed and threw each other into the pool or chased each other around. They were all wearing bikinis a size too small. Being that the pool was behind the house their playful screams caught the attention of some neighborhood boys. Soon, the boys were also wearing their swimming trunks as they chased the girls around the pool. Within two hours the pool was clustered with many other neighborhood kids all vying for the coolness of water. It suddenly transformed it into a huge party with a lot of screaming and game playing.

By the time Donnie and Matthew pulled up to the house on their bikes, they could hear the music coming from the backyard. When they walked around to the back of the house, they could see that they’d arrived too late. There were potato chips, soda, dip, and other refreshments throughout the pool. Matthew screamed with joy as he ran toward the pool while taking off his shirt, shoes and socks with each step toward the pool. By the time he reached the edge of the pool, he was wearing only his pants. He jumped into the pool with a scream.

Matthew’s infatuation for Sandra was obvious as he called out her name continuously while jumping into the pool. Coming up for air, he saw Sandra and began swimming toward her.

Sandra, waiting with her arms folded across her chest while sitting in a beach chair near the edge of the pool watched Matthew approach. Her annoyance of Matthew was apparent as she began shaking her head while staring at him.