Picking up the Pieces

By Alvin Busby

Book 1 Reuben James -- James Wilsons paternal father, Reuben James, has passed away, and he returns to his home town to pay his last respects and say goodbye. While there he discovers a diary that reveals who his real mother and father are and other startling facts.

Book 2 Big Iron -- Texas Red botched the robbery job in Portal, Arizona and killed his younger brother. Now Darrin Liggett is tracking him and his gang down to bring them to justice. All the way to the town of Agua Fria he rode with the big iron on his hip.

Book 3 School Bus Lovers -- Randy Wilcox has started having marital problems and has just started a new job as a school bus driver. While there he is given other duties and advanced training making him an invaluable employee. During this period he has fallen in love with and has numerous affairs with his new protegee.

Book 4 I never Picked Cotton -- When he was just a baby, too little for a cotton sack, Alan played in the dirt while the others worked til they couldnt straighten up their backs. He made himself a promise, when he was big enough to run, that he would never stay a single day in that oklahoma sun. From then on it was fast cars and whiskey, long haired girls and fun. Alan had everything that money could bring and he took it all with a gun.

Book 5 Long Black Veil -- Ten years ago on a cold dark night, there was someone killed beneath the town hall light. There were few at the scene but they all agreed the slayer who ran looked a lot like me. Now ten years later the new sheriff wants the murder reopened and investigated.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 20, 2008
• ISBN: 9781469102665

Alvin Busby

Born Alvin George Busby of German-English-Indian parents, August 5, 1950 in Portales, New Mexico. His family later moved to Alamogordo, then to Tularosa and finally to Las Cruces, New Mexico where Alvin grew up in what is known as ‘The Mesilla Valley’. Later Mr. Busby Joined the Navy and spent twelve years there. Mr. Busby has lived and worked in various cities and states, doing various jobs from working on aircraft to computers. He developed an interest in writing while serving in the military, but gave it up because of the ridicule he received from fellow shipmates. He rekindled his interest later when he literally ran into two of his favorite authors, ‘James Clavell’ and ‘Louis L’Amour’ while on vacation in southern California. Mr. Busby has an unusual and remarkable writing ability, in that he sees stories. He uses this ability in his various works by using excerpts from songs, stories, life, or other items of interest from his life or observations. Currently Mr. Busby is semi-retired and working part-time as a school bus driver.

Book preview

PICKING UP

THE PIECES

ALVIN BUSBY

Copyright © 2008 by Alvin Busby.

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.

The Short Stories in this book were inspired by a variety of separate things: ideas,

thoughts, people that I know and songs I would like to take the time to thank

each and every one of them by simply saying—Thank You for being there.

These books are works of fiction. Names, characters, Businesses, organizations,

places, events, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination

or are used fictitiously. With the exception of a few exalted persons, places and

locales, any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is

entirely coincidental.

These books are for you, whoever you are, with deep appreciation—

for without you, the writer part of me would not exist . . .

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

52339

Contents

BOOK 1

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

BOOK 2

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

BOOK 3

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

BOOK 4

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

BOOK 5

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOR YVONNE and SUGAR – WITHOUT THEIR

CONTINUED ENCOURAGEMENT AND

SUPPORT THIS BOOK WOULD NEVER

HAVE BEEN WRITTEN

THANK YOU

THE FOLLOWING BOOKS ARE CONDENSED FORMS

OF THEIR ORIGINAL FORMAT

BOOK—1

REUBEN JAMES

BOOK—2

BIG IRON

BOOK—3

SCHOOL BUS LOVERS

BOOK—4

I NEVER PICKED COTTON

BOOK—5

THE LONG BLACK VIEL

BOOK 1

REUBEN JAMES IN RECOGINATION OF KENNY ROGERS

ONE

The party in the boardroom was going very good and was a beehive of activity, everyone congratulating everyone else. James Wilson was doing a few special celebrations of his own, for this was his second year with the company, his first major assist with landing a major contract, and his third wedding anniversary. He was the assistant manager of corporate sales, marketing, and advertising, he was bubbling over with pride, because he was instrumental in bring the contract to the attention of the company.

At first glance, people thought James Wilson was Puerto-Rican, because of his light olive skin, his short coarse black curly hair. This coupled with his facial features of a medium squat nose, protruding lips, dark bushy eyebrows, and dark blue eyes. It was his eyes that set him apart from other persons, the eyes could glare at you making you feel unimportant or be cool and calm giving you reassurance in everything.

Rick Henderson, one of the executive assistants came into the room and started talking to John Erickson, James’ boss. Rick had his hand on his shoulder as John carefully listened, he then looked up and around the room, and spotting James he gestured towards him and nodded his head. Rick came up to James leaned toward him and told him loudly over the din in the room that he had a long distance phone call and that he could take it in the board room. Rick helped James over to the head of the table and the phone, James picked it up, acknowledged a comment someone had made and answered the phone.

He looked at the phone, Hello he paused listening intently. Yes, this is James Wilson. Another pause, What . . . , who . . . , yes, yes, go ahead.

John was watching James on the phone, he was leaning into the phone doing his best to hear the party that was on the other end. Suddenly James’ expression changed as if someone had hit him a hard blow in the gut. His eyes went wide, his mouth opened and then closed, he was turning his head from side to side. Then the wine glass fell out of his hand and fell onto the floor, he sat down hard into the chair at the head of the table, the phone almost falling out of his hand. Several other people noticed this as well, and the noise level in the room suddenly went down to a dull roar.

James slowly hung up the phone, looked around the room, rose, made apologies and quickly left the room. John made his own excuses and hurried to follow him. He watched him leave and go to his office, John reluctantly followed, he looked at the door that James had closed, he waited a few minutes then slowly opened it, went in and closed the door after him, he remained by the door waiting for James to say or do something, anything.

James was standing there looking out the seventh floor window at the skyline of the greater Baltimore metropolitan area with a tall glass of water. John was the first to break the silence, What’s the matter James?

James turned around surprised that anyone was in the office with him, Nothing.

I know that something is wrong, you would not have left the party if there wasn’t.

James sighed and looked out the window again, Do you remember the man that raised me?

John looked at him, Yes I do, a poor black man from Tennessee, Why?

Well I just got a phone call from the preacher back there, James looked at his glass and took a long drink and continued, He had a heart attack and is not expected to live out the rest of the week.

John came over and placed his hand on his shoulder, I’m sorry James, he thought a minute and said, Why don’t you take the rest of the month off and go see him.

James turned around stunned, You mean it? I mean, I can’t leave right now.

Yes, I think that we can run things here while you are gone, he took a deep breath, Besides you desire it more than anyone. John smiled at him.

Let me give some instructions to my assistant and then I’ll go. Thank you.

John left the office and remembered how they had found James, he had made it to college on a football scholarship and was majoring in marketing and advertising. He had wrote a couple of papers and submitted them and it made some advertising companies sit up and take notice, this one as well. They had gone to Madison County Community College to interview him for the company. They had learned that he was not only carrying a four-0 grade point average and the top in all his classes, even the football team, but also working as well at two local businesses.

They were shocked to learn that he was an orphan and raised by a colored man that he lived and worked with. After all James was white though his skin was a light olive-tan and he dressed impressively. They then later learned that not only was James carrying a full class load, playing football, but managing two part-time jobs as well. They did not indulge in his past, just interviewed him and offered him a top job with their company upon completion of college, which he accepted. Even they did not how far James would take them in the upcoming years.

TWO

James’ wife was in the family room entertaining the neighborhood bridge club and some of the local domino kings. She was surprised to see her husband home so early, she looked at the hall clock as she went to greet him, it was barely two-thirty. She hugged and kissed him, You’re home early, is there something wrong.

He hugged her and looked deep into her green eyes, those same large green eyes that first attracted him to her, No, umm, yes, I mean, can I tell you later after everyone is gone.

She looked at him mysteriously, she could read him most of them time, but this time he was a blank page with what seemed a lot on his mind. She gave him a peck on the check, Sure, just let me know when. She watched as he went into the study and closed the door.

Normally if he came home early and she was entertaining, he greeted and visited with the guests, but this time was totally different. He seemed distant and preoccupied, and she did not know why, and it bothered her a great deal.

Jenny said good-bye to the last bridge club member and turned to the door of the study. James had been in there for the last three hours and not come out to say hello to anyone that was there, what is wrong. She slowly opened the door, saw him behind his desk, and saw that he had been crying.

She went around the large desk and sat down in his lap, putting her arms around his neck and laying her head on his shoulder, James, tell me why you have been sitting in here crying.

He looked at her and tried to smile but could not. I got word today that the man who raised me had a heart attack and is dying.

She sat more up right, You mean that black man that you always talked about? Now she knew why he was the way he was.

Yes, the same one. He still looked sad and distant.

We are going to go and see him aren’t we? She knew that he had not seen or gone to visit him for over four years that she knew of.

Yes, but I did not know if you would go or not. He pushed her back and held her face in his hands, You want to go and say hi and bye? Tears running down his cheeks.

She placed her hands over his, closed her eyes, and said softly, Yes, I would like that very much.

With that said he got up, and picking her up by the waist, placed her down on the corner of the desk and said, If we can get the kid next door to watch the house, we can leave in a couple of hours.

They spent the next several hours making arrangements with neighbors and friends explaining that they were going out of town for a few weeks or so and could they watch the place for them. They then drove to the airport and caught the next plane to Memphis, from there they drove to Madison county and the small town of Denmark where James had grown up.

THREE

It was a beautiful and cool spring day for driving from Memphis to Denmark, Tennessee where James had lived and grew up. The roads were windy sometimes rough and almost too narrow for two cars to pass safely. After several hours, they entered Denmark and stopped at a local motel that was off the beaten path and about four blocks away from the local church.

As James registered them at the front desk, he ran into two high school friends who offered their condolences on what was happening to the man who had raised him. They then went to the church to make arrangement with the local minister for services when the time came. After James concluded what business he could he drove them out to the two-room cabin that he had called home for several years.

As they walked toward the front door and porch, Jenny was shocked about the way the yard looked. The grass was almost knee high and unkempt, as they started up the steps an elderly man walked out the door. His face was unshaven, his silver-gray hair mussed and in bad need of a haircut. He sported faded blue jeans, plaid shirt and hastily pulled on rubber boots, which needed to be fastened. Stopping in the doorway, he vigorously grasped and shook James’ hand.

Good to see you James. He is in the back room, and has been asking for you the past several days.

James returned the man’s handshake, Thank you Doc. This is my wife Jenny, is it okay if we go inside?

Yes, yes go right ahead, he does not have long to live.

The doctor moved aside and let James and Jenny enter the shack. James walked to the back room, skirting the furniture that was scattered about the front room knowing where it was, as if he had been here just the other day. He walked into the small bedroom where the black man was laying in the small bed. He looked down at the man, and through tear filled eyes, knelt took his hand and cried, Hi dad, I’m home.

The man slowly opened his eyes, smiled at James, reached up and stroked his face then peacefully passed away, a smile on his lips. Two days later in the pauper’s corner of the county graveyard beneath umbrellas in the pouring rain, James, his wife and the preacher buried Reuben James, and sang one last refrain before retreating to their motel.

Two days later James and Jenny went out to Reuben’s cabin shack to go through things and to see if he could find any lead to a relative that he might be able to contact. While digging and searching through an old trunk he found a dairy with yellowed pages and faded writing. He found a kerosene lantern and while Jenny cleaned and opened the curtains so that the sunlight could come thru, he sat down and started to read the entries.

FOUR

James learned from reading the first three pages, that Reuben James’ Great-great grandfather, Jonathan Wilkes built the cabin while working as a slave for the then Reverend Bernard Wilkenson. At the