S. I. Short's: Cool Water

By Shirley Thompson

This collection of short stories is a roller coaster ride of emotions. It has love, suspense and adventure.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Abbott Press
• Release date: Oct 22, 2014
• ISBN: 9781458217974

Book preview

S. I. Short’s

SHIRLEY IRENE THOMPSON’S SHORT STORY COLLECTION

Shirley Thompson

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Copyright © 1997, 2014 Shirley Thompson.

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 permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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ISBN: 978-1-4582-1796-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4582-1738-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014917042

Abbott Press rev. date: 10/14/2014

Contents

Safety Man

The Dream of Cool Water

You Never Send me Flowers

Grayston Manor

Cabbage and Sausage

Fifty-Seven Chevy

Father’s finest:

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Greek God

Jack and Jill

Dedication

I dedicate this book to my children, Sheri-Lynn, Anthony Sr., Treyvon, Anthony Jr., and my adopted daughter, Ambra. You are precious to me, family makes life worth living.

Thanks for your love and support Joan, (aka… JoAnn), and Wynema. Words cannot express the appreciation I have for my friend’s who encouraged me, Denise J., Yonetta W., (aka… Cookie)., Brenda G., and Debra C.

Thank you

Safety Man

M arc sat down on the steps of the old brownstone, and began to strum his guitar. After a few tuning notes he sang.

Hey baby, I’m your safetyman.

I specialize in Cherchez la femme.

You know I’ll always be your friend.

I’ll see to the safe-ty of your home.

Just ring me up on the telephone.

Cause I specialize in Cherchez la femme.

… Hey baby I’m your sa-a-afty man.

He strummed a few more notes, then leaned back to enjoy the cool summer breeze. His mind drifted back to his childhood. He could hear his mother’s voice, hey little man, you are so good looking, just like Elvis. I’ll bet you grow up to be a lady killer. Just look at those baby soft, sweet blue eyes. Now, I’m going to see to it you learn how to take care of things around the house. Like fixin’ stuff that ain’t safe. He remembered all the Shop mechanics and woodshop classes he took. He frowned as he adjusted his position on the step.

Often he heard his parents argue. His mother always wanted something fixed, she was never satisfied. His father would also tell her at the top of his lungs, how often he worked more than 80 hours a week to earn food to put on the table. How, he deserved a little time to relax, enjoy a beer or two, maybe even some whisky every now and again. He remembered how his mother would storm off, and if he were anywhere near her, she’d come out and slap him in the back of head and scream. Just look at your father, just look at him, ain’t worth anything’ except a good fight. Always promises to fix things, but the only thing he fixes is his stomach, after he vomits up some that rot gut whisky and that nasty beer. Just look at the bastard, child; dirty good for nothing,…but he’s my husband; so till death do us part. That’s what the priest said. And since were good Catholics, there’s no divorce. She’d sit down in her favorite kitchen chair and sigh, then look up and say, come here little man. She’d hug him and hold him tight in her arms " I guess you’ll just have to be my saftyman. Yep! I’m going to make sure you learn how to fix everything. Be handy. Be a little safety-man not like your lazy no good daddy. I could get