The Man in the Corner

By Martin A. Dickerson IV

Blood trickled down onto his shoulder, his eyes filled with tears for the last time. He inhaled, his chest expanding outward and then exhaling slowly. There was no breath left in his lungs. It was now over. The gun fell out of his hands and hit the floor. He could feel no pain. The outcome was now known, and there he was the in the corner. I remembered this story our father use to tell us, about this guy in the corner. He use to called him, the man in the corner.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 2, 2006
• ISBN: 9781465324825

Martin A. Dickerson IV

In writing this story I wanted my family and friends to know who and what I am: Martin A. Dickerson IV. A storyteller. And although, I am living in Philadelphia PA, working as a tax accountant, coaching youth basketball, a father of four wonderful children, and now the owner of my first book, that really doesn’t tell enough about my imagination, goals and inspirations. So I wrote some stories. This is who and what I am. Please enjoy my novella’s... there’s more to come…

Book preview

Copyright © 2006 by Martin A. Dickerson IV.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in

any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,

recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission

in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the

product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance

to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

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Contents

BOOK ONE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

BOOK TWO

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

BOOK THREE

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

BOOK FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY

DEDICATION

Dedicated to my children 1993

avoid the corner . . . never give up

Oddwind Michael Adams

(and your father)

BOOK ONE

CHAPTER ONE

There was a shadow on the wall in the corner that slowly rose to its feet and embraced me openly and lovingly as if it knew me without words or emotion just by the way it touched me I knew. The shadow was warm and understanding as it guided me too see yet another world, a world without fear or misunderstanding a world without death or sorrow. Cautiously I followed not fully knowing the outcome but suddenly I saw and enjoyed the air around me and the happiness, the feeling was wonderful. I left behind my fears and haunts of this world to see a more perfect side to life, then suddenly while in the full grip of my emotions with the shadow, in an instant it slowly disappeared and there I was standing in the corner.

CHAPTER TWO

There was a slight misty rain and distinctive chill in the air that hit the crowd of nearly twenty or more friends and relatives that were on hand to witness and pay their final respects at the burial of Elizabeth Adams. On the early morning of this Easter Sunday in April a light fog hovered close to the ground as the dedication of friends and family stood teary eyed grieving on the east walk of the newly built King Memorial Cemetery.

On hand to witness in the pack of sorrowful faces and bowed heads stood her sister Nelly Parker four years younger and two hundred pounds heavier in weight.

Standing in the front she could be clearly seen wearing a one-piece pullover dress and overcoat that didn’t close over the front due to the fullness of her breast.

She held tightly with her hand her youngest nephew in whom she adored. His name was Sam Adams. He stood six feet tall and had turned twenty-five just two days before. He held an umbrella over himself and his Aunt to shield the both of them from the rain. The mist however found all the places that had been uncovered. Sam or Sammy as he had been known, played basketball for the New York Knicks, a team that was partly owned by his mother. It was a job all but sure to be his straight from collage.

Sam being much thinner than his aunt stood extremely tall in the legs. He wore a black and gray pin stripe suit and even though his closeness to his mother showed little emotion during this tearful time.

Despite the popularity of the deceased all eyes got their glimpse of the man standing in the far rear out of sight from the others. Many turned completely around to see any reaction on the face of her oldest boy for whom had been in a long standing never forgiving feud.

As they looked for signs they only were able to see him from time to time adjust his footing in the wet grass below.

Michael Adams stood small and stocky at five foot five with a close shaved head, not as handsome as his younger brother Sam but well off in his looks otherwise. He wore a three-piece double-breasted blue suit with rounded eyeglasses and a well-trimmed mustache. He carried no umbrella to shield the rain but wore an overcoat matching the color of his suit.

Mike as some of his friends called him was a practicing psychologist in New York and currently interviewing for a job at the University of Florida with better paying power. Although he attended he all but shrugged when hearing of his mothers death.

Michael had noticed from time to time some of the people looking back at him. At times he even returned the glances with a devilish smirk.

He had noticed that neither his younger brother nor his aunt turned around and he not once went to greet them.

As the burial completed Nelly Parker and Sam Adams walked slowly back to their awaiting limos gradually being stopped by other guest wishing to give prayers and love. As they approached, Mike was standing at the end of the fence leading to the parked cars, Sam reached out to hug his older brother and in return received a loving hug as well.

I’m sure glad you were able to show, said Sammy with Mike nodding in reply not saying anything.

Nelly walking next to the two as they talked and walked looked with an evil eye and sense of discomfort in the most part.

I’m sure sorry it took so long to see each other, says Sam to Mike with his arm still around his brothers’ shoulders.

Yeah it’s been a long time for sure Mike replies coolly.

Nelly at this point started pulling Sam’s hand toward their limo.

Okay aunt Nel he said to his aunt, whom still pulled him over.

Mike looking in the direction of his aunt said not a word. She did notice his stare and needed to say what was on her mine.

I’m sorry you were not welcomed in this family anymore but you got what you deserved and for that I have nothing to say to you, to me and your mother, rest her soul you are no more.

Well what makes you think for a moment that I want to say anything to you, for maybe the same goes for you as well. Respect is only given to those who deserve it, you kicked me away I didn’t kick you away, the hell with the both of you, then turning to Sam he says you ought to be going.

Looking at his brother and shaking his hand they parted their separate ways.

The mist in the air became heavy as Mike Adams walked towards his parked car he had been driving. It was a 1990 black BMW, on loan from an old friend. Before getting in the car he looked back at the limo containing his brother and his aunt, and asked himself just how his mother was able to have so much influence on them.

While driving off, the Florida rain began to fall more steadily.

The friend of Michael Adams was one of the biggest movie directors at the present time. His name was Matthew Evans a former patient of the doctors’ and turned good friend. Matthew was on the edge of life without work and success. His wife had left him and took the children away. After wanting to kill himself Mike stepped in and helped him along by giving him a place to live and a positive attitude in life. For that Matthew felt he owed Mike the world.

Since now that he was on top again, he was extremely able to do for Mike at all cost.

They were the best of friends, and Mike referred to Matthew as the brother he had once known and loved. Matthew owned property in Florida and let Mike stay there while attending the funeral.

At the house there was a 1990 BMW, an indoor spa, five rooms, one with a playroom for guests and parties, four spacious bedrooms and an outdoor heated pool. It was the perfect summer home.

It was also the perfect place for Mike to relax and not think of his business in New York. The landscape was of a marvelous sight with a mini golf course. Of the six homes that Matthew owned this house was his favorite. He thought of it as a mini palace for a mini king.

The fog after a damp and dreary day had thickened throughout the state of Florida. Most, if not all flights heading in or out had been delayed. Sam and his Aunt Nelly had sat in the airport awaiting their flight to depart from Washington D.C. for hours.

I hope this isn’t an all night thing, I have a game to play tomorrow night said a concerned Sam pacing back and fourth, now looking above at the monitors. Nelly then exhales aloud, Things will be ok you’ll make it in time.

Still pacing back and fourth Sam shakes his head in denial.

This won’t work Aunt Nell, I surely didn’t expect such a thing to take place. Wow, fog of all things. Damn!

Don’t worry son, you’ll make it in time, if God wants you to play you’ll play. Don’t you worry about that says Nelly assuring Sam that he would not be stuck in the airport.

Taking up nearly two seats in the waiting area Nelly reaches out for Sam to help her up to her feet.

Come help me up she says as she struggled to stand erect. I’m going to the ladies room while we wait she says while walking towards the restroom with a sort