An American Trilogy

By Edmund Darris and Chester Sirrad

Debaulivare Park

Isaac Brune and Thomas Crawford do not see the world from the same view.

Where one sees America as great, the other sees the country as deeply flawed and in need of repair.

While neither man agrees with the other, questionable acts run like a river between the two. Brune and Crawford are men who have done wrong, each blaming the other for the things that they have done.

What starts as a debate in ethics ends in slurs and cruel jokes. Though they know the same hardships, their differences are too much to overcome.

Can the hate of two grandfathers be passed to their grandchildren?

Chicken Wing

Embezzling half a million dollars from The Sloan Mortgage Company was no easy feat. After eight months in prison, the four women bold enough to steal were back on the streets of St. Louis.

Their parole officer is a cruel man, determined to make their lives a living hell.

Late one night, the parole officer arrives at the house of one of the women. Her probation is slipping through her fingers. One after another, the women are at risk of losing their freedom. However, their parole officer has a way to solve their problems, no matter how questionable his morals may be.

What happens when the man who is supposed to help you, holds your freedom at ransom instead?

Cyber Lovers

The first year of marriage is difficult. In a single year, two lovers who swore to spend their lives together can be torn apart with nothing more than angry outbursts. Bianca and Steve are no strangers to the hardship of their first year.

After another heated argument, Bianca heads online to connect with Wild Child. Though the conversation is a nice distraction, it isn't long before Steve is home again. His anger turns from verbal to physical, determined to have his way.

What lengths will one woman take to rid herself of an abusive husband?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Edmund Darris
• Release date: Apr 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201071486

Book preview

An American Trilogy

By Edmund Darris

Contents

DEBAULIVARE PARK

CHICKEN WING

Cyber Lovers

DEBAULIVARE PARK

The grayish hue lining the horizon coupled with the chilling breeze frequenting the city was all the reminder the inhabitants of the city needed to know that winter was fast approaching. Located somewhere at the center of the city is Debaulivare park, one of the most popular landmarks in this city. For some reason however, the park was unusually quiet that day, except for the sounds of the two little boys serrating the background as they played in a sandy pit, chasing each other, laughing and wrestling.

Sitting on opposite sides of an old bench just a stone throw away from the little boys were two men; Isaac Brune, a retired real estate mogul and Theophilus Crawford, a worshipful master of his masonic lodge and a former superintendent of public schools. Looking out into the distance and puffing his pipe with a smile on his face, Isaac eventually decides to break the silence by starting up a conversation. They seem to be having the time of their lives, Isaac said in an almost stereotypical New York Yiddish accent. Immediately snapping out his thoughts but unsure of what the man sitting opposite him had just said, Theophilus politely asked, pardon me?

They seem to be really having a great time, Isaac said as he raised his voice a little higher to reach Theophilus. Of course, they certainly do, replied Theophilus as he gazed at the little boys playing, saying nothing further to keep the conversation going. Taking a puff off his pipe and graciously letting out the smoke, Isaac says with much enthusiasm, I guess we’re watching MLK’s dream in real time. America is the greatest country on earth and probably always will be.

This statement from Isaac came a bit unexpected to Theophilus. Isaac’s openness in voicing his opinion was a rather annoying to Theophilus, but trying to keep his cool, Theophilus maintained a steady gaze in the direction of the little boys wrestling in the sand, as he replied Isaac saying America is indeed great for some people, but for others it appears not to be so great. Crossing his pinstriped leg over his knee, revealing his Johnston Murphy shoes, a staple apparel of all successful business executives, Isaac positions himself to face in the complete direction of Theophilus.

Taking yet another puff off his pipe, Isaac pulls up his mask and points in Theophilus direction as he says, I know who you are, I’ve seen you severally on television over the years and I must say you have done pretty well for yourself. Still trying to solidify his claim that he knows Theophilus very well, Isaac asks, you are the former superintendent of public schools, aren’t you?

Theophilus now more than ever infuriated but he still maintaining his gaze away from Isaac responds to his question, saying that’s interesting, you really do know me, but I on the other hand do not know you. I hope you’re not one of those high paid hitmen? Theophilus asked with a grin of surprise on his face.

Letting out a loud laugh, Isaac responds no sir, that racket belongs to the Dagos, I on the other hand I’m a Kosher Jewish guy. I’m just a Kosher law abiding Jew, Isaac says. Giving Isaac a dead pan stare, Theophilus responds of course, Brune...the slum lord that takes the front and back doors off of the shotgun houses of black residents in subzero temperatures back in the day. You see, I know a little bit about you too Sir. I can see why you think America is so great! It only makes complete sense for you and people like you to feel America is great, great if you are sucking the economic life out of Black neighborhoods, Theophilus said, withholding absolutely no truth from Isaac.

Knocking the ashes out his pipe, Isaac sits up straight as he lowers his mask to enable him speak more freely. Speaking in a stronger tone, Isaac demonstrated with his hand as he replied firstly with a question saying Dr. Crawford...you own a PHD in Education am I correct? Speaking some more Isaac went down memory lane as he said, remember that it was the Jewish community and people like me who supported the civil rights movement, marched with King and other leaders! Dammit even died for the cause of your people...we made it possible for Blacks like yourself through affirmative action, so that ambitious Negroes like yourself, and I put emphasis on ambitious, because let’s face it, many of your people lack ambition, but those like you who were ambitious could become a doctor a lawyer or even president of the United States... like your Obaama did! He did it, Isaac said.

Turning towards Isaac, Theophilus says well thank you Mr. Brune for the works of your people, both the evil and the good. Looking Theophilus in the eyes, Isaac lights his pipe after taking his time to pack it with fresh tobacco, then asks Theophilus in a low pitched voice, evil? Isaac continues I made all of my midtown apartments section eight so that your people could have the experience of a nice new renovated home to stay in. And instead of cutting their grass and painting occasionally, they let their kids run the grass down until the ground is bald. The kids pee in the corridors between the buildings. The parents let the apartments go down to the pits while the teenagers rob and burglarize their neighbor’s homes. We try to do good, we try to help, but it seems that your people refuse to help themselves.

What about the schools? Isaac continues, those very schools that you were paid about a quarter of a million dollars or more to oversee, they are doing a disservice to your own children! They drop out before they reach eighth grade...but look at you, you’re doing very well, very well for yourself.

Turning towards Isaac, Theophilus exhales then says, okay Brune, you just outlined the good, I think it’s time we talked about the evil. Attempting to prevent the smoke from Isaac’s pipe which he just puffed from getting to his face, Theophilus waves his hands in reverse direction, then pulls his mask up. He will be doing the rest of his speaking through his mask, as long as Isaac’s pipe was lit. Still feeling uncomfortable despite having drawn his mask up, Theophilus said to Isaac, you may want to blow your smoke in another direction, I don’t want it penetrating my mask.

Sarcastically responding to Theophilus, Isaac said, make your point if you want man, don’t be ridiculous. Speaking further Isaac continues, "we’re practically six feet away and