Listen to My Kaleidoscope

By Robert J. Moore

LISTEN TO MY KALEIDOSCOPE is a collection of extraordinary fictional stories inspired by extraordinary real people. Author Robert J. Moore welcomes you to indulge in these life altering tales of love, family, life, hope and dreams. A man will stop time for love. A soldier will make a journey with Jesus. A man will forget love to find love. A guy will return home to claim a lost love. A man will travel back in time to learn lessons in order to survive today. A woman will live the worst day of her life. An old friend will travel around the world to fulfill a promise. A teacher will learn the most valuable lesson. Grandchildren will attempt to discover a love long lost. A husband will confess to his wife. A man will have his world turned upside down. Slaves will stop for love. A prince will search for his princess. A girl will learn what family is. A young girl will hold onto her dreams. 20 stories dedicated to the gift of life. Smell a rainbow. Taste a song. Listen To My Kaleidoscope.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Mar 24, 2013
• ISBN: 9781300645078

Book preview

Listen to My Kaleidoscope

Listen To My Kaleidoscope

Robert J. Moore

MooreWriting Publications

www.MooreWriting.com

Listen To My Kaleidoscope

Copyright © 2013 MooreWriting Publications

Robert J. Moore –Executive Editor for MooreWriting

Jimmy Rosenberg – Editor for MooreWriting

Ann Somplack – Editor

Scott M. Duncan – Photography

Amara Jackson - Modeling

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written consent of MooreWriting Publications.

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www.MooreWriting.com

ISBN: 978-1-300-64179-7

MooreWriting Publications

Dedication to Keely Robinson

There are times in life when you believe you have reached your absolute depth, people hand you a shovel.  Those people are sometimes friends and family.  There was a point in my life where I was at my lowest and people around me felt the need to motivate me to descend further.  With God's blessing I was able to overcome financial, physical and emotional setbacks.  Once I had escaped the abyss I craved vengeance.  My wrath would come in the form of a weapon I could wield best, the power of language.

I immediately began to craft stories with characters based on the people who tried to hurt me the most.  Each horror story showed the world the faults of those people and my perceived punishment for their bad deeds.

During that project God intervened again.  He asked me if this was the way I wanted to get to where I was going.  Did I want to put so much time and energy giving birth to something negative?  The answer was no.  Instead of thinking of those who tried to wrong me

I thought of those who were there for me during my time of turmoil.  I thought of the woman who nursed me back to health and took me to doctor's appointments.  I thought of the doctor who worked with me each step of the way.  I then began to think further back to those who were there during different stages of my life.  There were the elderly brothers Bill and Art from the country who came to the city to sell produce to needy families on credit.  There was C.J., the man with only one eye who would ride his bike to the local convenience store and collect all day old sandwiches to distribute to the starving families.  There was Mr. Tom, the daycare teacher who paid close attention to the kids who needed it most.  I realized that throughout my life I had been blessed with remarkable people who were selfless enough to change the world without acknowledgement.  I decided to switch directions and write a book of short stories inspired by those people.  I wanted to do in words what those people did for me.  When I thought about this project, the first name that came to mind was my dear friend Keely Robinson.

For many years, a group of men and women from all over Ohio of different backgrounds came together in Columbus for a weekend of fun.  The group was made mostly of men and women in their early twenties trying to figure out tomorrow while having fun today.  Everyone was extremely different from one another.  The common denominator was Keely.  She would drive from Terre Haute, Indiana to see everyone.  Keely was able to make a connection with every person around her.  She would flash a smile and everyone was instantly drawn to her.  If anyone knew Keely they could tell a tale of a good encounter with her.  Keely changed everyone’s lives for the better.

Keely Robinson had a tremendous impact on my life.  If it weren’t for her I may not have been here to write this book.  She cared for me when I thought I wasn’t worth the time to care about.  She let me know that I was special when I thought I wasn’t worth anything.  Even though I was too emotionally immature at the time to let her know, she saved me from a dark place.

One evening I was sitting at home when I received a phone call from Indiana.  It was one of Keely’s friends informing me that she had passed away.  She had apparently suffered a blood clot.  Keely and I regularly had disagreements, usually over something silly and we would be out of touch with each other for about a week.  After a week’s time we would do something silly or say something silly that put us back on good terms.  I told Keely’s friend to tell her that the phone call was not funny and I would call later.  After ten minutes of persuasion I realized that his wasn’t a joke or a prank call.  Everyone who knew Keely was just as shocked and devastated as I was.         

We all gathered our wits and formed a caravan that travelled to Terre Haute.  Along the way the group had many funny and memorable moments.  Even in death, Keely had brought together individuals who were different in every way but who loved her very much.

I really struggled with Keely’s passing.  I found myself wondering why such a loving, caring and overall good person could be taken from us so soon.  I thought and prayed about that.  The answer was delivered to me.  Keely Robinson was not a person.  She was an angel.  She was an angel sent down to us to make sure the people that she came in contact were changed for the better.  Once her mission was complete, she was called home.  This may not be true but it is what got me through the grief.  Through laughter, tears, thought, love, and encouragement Keely Robinson changed everyone’s life for the better.

This book is my small gift to the world.  It serves as a thank you to some of the most influential people I have ever had the privilege of knowing.  It is my attempt to do what Keely Robinson did for so many: change lives for the better.

Jack’s Story

Jen slightly opened the door to Jack’s room.  She saw his messy black racecar bed with him still hidden underneath the black sheets.  Various black and white toys were scattered across the white carpet.  She pushed the door opened and shouted to wake the boy.

Jack, I told you to get up thirty minutes ago.  Does mommy still have to come and wake you up in the morning?  You are six years old now.  You should be able to wake yourself up, Dear.

Jack exposed his head from underneath the blankets with incoherent grunts.

Your clothes are hanging on the closet door, Jen said, pointing to the small black suit with white shirt and black tie neatly hanging on the clothes hanger.

Jen walked back down the stairs, through the living room and into the kitchen to join her husband for a quick breakfast.

Is he coming?

Yes he is getting dressed.

You should have told him to get dressed thirty minutes ago.  We are going to be late.

Peter I did.  I assumed he was getting ready.  We still have a little bit of time.

The couple ate their cereal out of their black bowls in silence until the sounds of footsteps slowly descended the stairs.  Peter spilled the milk from his raised spoon onto the white countertop at the sight he saw.  There stood Jack at the head of the table wearing red pajamas, snow boots and a cowboy hat.

Jack, you were supposed to be in your suit, Jen said in disgust.

Look at me Jack. I am wearing the same suit.  Do you want to be just like Daddy?

Jen jogged up the stairs and into Jack’s room.  She noticed various components of the suit scattered all over the white carpet of the room.  She quickly gathered them and jogged back downstairs.  She grabbed Jack and sat on the black leather couch.  Realizing what was about to take place, Jack let his entire body go limp.

Jack you might as well cooperate.  You are getting dressed if you like it or not, Jen said as she slipped the garments onto the boy’s body.

Jen eventually dressed jack in his black suit, white shirt and black tie.  The moment after he was dressed he ran out the door.

Jack, Jen called at the closing door.

Peter, that boy is a monster today.

I know.  He has been having a rough time.  It will pass.

I wish I knew what your father used to say to him, Jen murmured.

What?

Your father.  Whenever Jack would get squirrely, your father would grab him by his shoulders.   Not hard, but very gently.  He would faintly say something to him and his behavior would straighten up. I wish I knew what it was.

We will get through this together.  All of us, Peter said straightening his tie.

The couple exited the large black door and saw their son waiting next to their black luxury sedan with large white rims.  Peter seated himself in the driver’s seat and started the car.  Once the car was running, Jen opened the rear passenger door exposing the white leather interior.  She sat her son in his booster seat and handed him a strawberry pastry.  She closed his door, opened hers and seated herself next to her husband.  Peter pulled out of the driveway and accelerated down the street.

Do you think we will see any of your aunts at the church today?

I am pretty sure of it.  I expect them to be there, Peter answered without taking his eyes off the road.

He is too quiet back there.  Can you see what he is doing?

Jen looked in the back seat and saw Jack’s face covered in red jam and fragments of pastry.  The same covered the white leather seats.

Jack! Why did you put your pastry all over the place?  I did not give it to you to play with.

The family continued down the road with only the air conditioner making any noise.  Peter occasionally cleared his throat.  Everyone was focused on the surroundings of the car.  After a while Jen felt a nudge in the small of her back.

Jack, quit kicking my seat.

A few minutes later the kicks returned along with grunting.

Jack, please.

The kicking returned with increased grunting.

Jack!

Peter pulled the car to the side of the road.  He turned on the hazard lights, opened his door and stepped out of the car.  Jack turned to see his father walk across the back of the car and to his door.  Peter opened Jack’s door and grabbed the boy by the shoulders.

Jack what is wrong with you today?  Are you purposely trying to ruin today? Huh?  Because it is working!  You are ruining today!  Today is going to be ruined and it is going to be all your fault!

As Peter continued to shake and berate the boy Jack looked through him with an emotionless gaze.

Peter please, Jen yelled out of her window.

Peter ceased in shaking Jack and stared at his dispassionate son.  He slowly placed him back into his booster seat and closed the door.  Peter walked along the back of the car to his side and reentered the car.  He slowly closed the door and proceeded to drive.

The duration of the trip was uneventful.  There were no more instances of kicking or grunting.  Everyone focused on the trees that looked back at them as they passed.  It seemed as if no other cars were on the road.  Peter spotted a tall building on the horizon.  As the car approached the church with the white steeple became more visible in the blue sky.  Peter turned left into the church’s parking lot.  He slowed down to be sure not to hit any of the various black vehicles parked on the sidewalk.  Peter noticed that all of the paved parking spaces were taken so he parked underneath a tree on the church lawn. Peter stopped the car and unfastened his seatbelt.  Jen removed herself from the sedan and opened Jack’s door.  She quickly cleaned his face and wiped the crumbs from his suit.  She looked over and saw Peter still sitting in the car.  She walked over and opened his door.  Peter accepted her extended hand. 

As the family walked up the path to the door Jack allowed his body to go limp once more.

Jack not now.  You are going in if you like it or not.  Please, if you want to behave, now would be the best time.

Jack continued to refuse.  Peter grabbed his left hand while Jen grabbed the right.  They dragged Jack’s lifeless body through the church doors.

The family walked down the center aisle with all eyes on them.  The entire congregation was in complete silence.  The three continued to approach the front row.  Once at the front Peter and Jen went to take their seats.  Jack continued to walk toward the front without his parents’ knowledge.

He climbed the three stairs and walked over to the casket.  He stepped on a small stool and looked down at the lifeless body.  He lightly moved his small hands over the elderly man’s face. 

Grandpa, Jack cried as he hugged the deceased man.

The entire church shrieked in sadness.

What did you say grandpa? Ok. Yes, I’ll tell him just like you always told me.

Jack gave his grandfather a kiss on the forehead.

I love you, grandpa.

Jack stepped off the stool and walked down the stairs.  He made his way down the first aisle.  He stared at his sobbing father whose face was moistened with tears from his reddened eyes.  Jack jumped onto his father’s lap.  He gently grabbed his father’s shoulders and began to speak.

Listen.  I need you to hush all of that racket.  I need you to behave for me.  You are a big boy now.  To me, you are a man.  A man that I love.  I need you to behave like a man because I will not always be here to remind you.  You need to behave on your own.  I am proud of you when you are happy and smiling.  I know that sometimes you will be mad or sad or jealous.  You are a human and that is what humans feel.  When you have those bad feelings inside of you that is when you have to find a way to beat them.  Do not let those feelings beat you.  Deal with them and then let them go.  I will help you.  Even when you cannot hear me or see me I will be watching you to help you.  Now stop the tears and close your month.  Be strong and happy because your family loves you and needs you.  Can you do that for me?

Peter wiped his tears and shook his head up and down.

Good, Jack said with a smile.

I love you.  Always remember that, Jack said as he kissed his father’s forehead

Time of Her Life

Each day, Maddy sat up at a quick ninety-degree angle in her bed.  Her subconscious clock realized her conscious clock ran fifteen minutes behind schedule and would have to make up for lost time. 

Upon sitting up Maddy took a moment to try to figure out what was different that particular morning.  With the only opened eye she peered over at her alarm clock.

Great, the power went out last night. Late for work again, she groaned.

With both eyes open she took in a larger view of her small brown dog sleeping at the corner of the bed.

Bowser, why didn't you wake me up?

The dog did not bother to respond.  Slightly annoyed, Maddy threw her upper body over her toes inverting her body on the bed and gave the dog a slight nudge. What she felt was not her dog but a cold solid object.

Maddy immediately crawled back to the head of the bed. She kept her knees tucked into her chest with both eyes wide and fixed on Bowser.  After remembering to take a deep breath she slowly placed one toe, then a foot and finally both feet on the floor.  As she exhaled her imprisoned breath, she opened the bedroom door and ran out.

She saw her roommate concentrating on Monday's newspaper at the kitchen table.

Becky, I think Bowser is dead!

Becky didn't move.  Her eyes stayed on the material they were focused on.  The apple she was holding didn't budge.

Becky did you hear me?  Bowser isn't moving, Maddy repeated.

Maddy placed a hand on Becky's shoulder and quickly removed it.  She found Becky to be in the same condition as Bowser.  She slowly backed away from the kitchen table with her hands tugging at the bottom of her shirt.

It’s carbon monoxide.  It must be, she whispered.

Maddy immediately dropped to her hands and knees.  She quickly maneuvered out of the kitchen and into the living room.  She made her way to the door.  Without lifting her body she raised one arm and turned the knob.  As soon as the door opened she crawled out into the hallway and began to descend down a set of stairs head first.  When she reached the complex door she jumped up