Albert Meyer Lives: the Other Side of the Wall

By G. H. Mills

This story is about how one families dedication to make the human race better. How they struggle through it all, for Albert Meyer is the key. The ability to stay focused through trials and tribulations of huge magnitude. This isnt your common family which fights on, for they rage war against SINE AND EVIL in the world of mankind. With The help of others, will they succeed or will mankind be put under? [Hello, this is Albert Meyer speaking, Please read my life story of FANTASY AND MAGIC. This book is for all, young and old, so have fun and dream of the MAGIC]. Just go downstairs to your basement and look at YOUR WALL. [YES FOR I SOMETIMES SEE YOU, AS I PASS THROUGH].

Volume two of this novel will be available shortly.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 13, 2003
• ISBN: 9781469121581

Book preview

The Other Side

of the Wall, vol 1

G. H. Mills

Copyright © 2003 by G. H. Mills.

ISBN:          Softcover                            1-4134-3431-2

ISBN:          Ebook                                  978-1-4691-2158-1

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.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

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CONTENTS

PART ONE

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER 14

CHAPTER 15

PART TWO

CHAPTER 16

CHAPTER 17

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 20

PART THREE

CHAPTER 21

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 23

CHAPTER 24

CHAPTER 25

CHAPTER 26

CHAPTER 27

CHAPTER 28

CHAPTER 29

PART FOUR

THE TAKING OF A SOUL

BIOGRAPHY

THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED TO MY BROTHER,

STEVEN TOI MILLS, AND MOTHER,

YOLANDA GOLDSMITH.

PART ONE

CHAPTER 1

Albert Meyer, an eighteen-year-old boy genius, was to be one of the youngest people to enter college in Flushing, Queens, New York. His father was the owner of a shoe factory in Green Point, Brooklyn, which had two thousand employees. The father always feared that someone would try to take his company from him. He had no friends outside of work. His beloved wife, Hanna Meyer, was a sickly woman. She loved her family; she helped in every way she could. Hanna was a housewife from the old school of life. Her husband, Herbert, wasn’t the type of man that was affectionate but he loved her just the same. Hanna Meyer came from a very rich family from Douglaston, New York. Hanna married late in life then had Albert when she was much older. They lived near Main Street. At times they would go to the synagogue. Herbert wasn’t a God-fearing man but his wife was. Their marriage was not a marriage of love but more for the fact that Hanna was getting on in years.

The baby boy was born sickly but was strong to overcome it in life. Albert was born at Booth Memorial Hospital on Main Street. As a child growing up, Albert didn’t have many friends in the neighborhood. He was very sheltered but he always seemed to get into trouble at home, moving things or just being a boy. They visited relatives infrequently over the years but they, as a family, never had much fun together. Hanna Meyer’s whole life was wrapped around little Albert, taking him to places as a two-year-old, showing him different things, not talking to him as if he was a child but as an adult. The winter of 1966 was very cold as the snow fell hard but the men at the factory were still working.’

*    *    *

The little boy got ready for school. He went into the basement to find one of his toys. He was only in the fourth grade then. Albert was so sure of the house, moving around, knowing every bit by playing alone. While Albert was walking downstairs, he heard a voice call. This had never happened to him before. Showing no sign of fear, he continued onward looking for his toy. At the bottom of the landing the voice got louder, stronger as it beckoned him to a certain part of the basement. Albert, acting like a child, walked over to the wall then was snatched in. Yes, the wall consumed him. He was alone in the wall. Alone, Albert still was not afraid, thinking it must be some type of game. He was given a chair to sit down near the toy, which he was looking for. The voice told him that he was a very special child for he will do great things within his life.

Albert of course didn’t understand any of this but was happy for he had found his toy. Years later he will remember all of this. In a flash, the little boy was back in the house upstairs, walking towards his mother. Hanna Meyer grabbed her son close to her and talked to him with love and affection. These times Albert Meyer would never forget, for that was the only place he got love and it was from his mother, Hanna Meyer. Hanna put on his warm pants and pulled a sweater over his head, changed his shoes then tied them up. Holding hands, they walked to Albert’s room where his coat was waiting on the bed. She cradled him again, talking to him with whispers of love, saying, Now, Albert, you be a good boy in school. You’ll have a good time with the other children, don’t let anyone stop you from learning. This was something that she always told her son before he went off to school.

Mr. Meyer walked downstairs with his hat and coat, yelling, Is little Albert ready, Hanna? I have to get to the factory and I don’t want to be late. Now bring the boy. It was very hard for Hanna to let her son go anyplace without her in tow. She would always cry when her son left her arms, nevertheless she would then off they went. At times she would take him to school but not this day. The school was just off Main Street right in the back of Queens College where Hanna Meyer hoped that someday her son would attend. The sky was so cold but lovely that day. Cold winds swirling around making snowdrifts as high as you could see.

While driving towards the school, Albert was looking at his father. Albert never really knew him for Albert was a mother’s child. The 1965 Chrysler spun in the snow like a man tying not to drown, but it finally stopped just off of 66 Drive, which was where Albert’s school was. You could see the bagel shop still pumping out those raisin donuts. The Tanumbaums were neighbors of theirs but rarely spoke to each other except for Passover. The teachers outside the school were happy to see little Albert safe from the snowfall. Hanna would play with her son in front of the house when she could. She was always trying to show her son how to make friends, not wanting her son to be like his father, which, in many ways, was a loner. Albert and his father said their good-byes as the teacher grabbed the little child, taking him into the warm school auditorium. Then the teachers would play games with the children before taking them into class. Most of the time, Albert only remembered his father waving good-bye, not kissing him nor holding him. This he never forgot but still he loved his father. Albert knew his next-door neighbor’s son who was Ricky. Ricky was much younger than Albert but not as smart.

In class the children would play word games and Albert would always win for some strange reason. Some teacher thought he was an old man in a child’s body which was the joke in the teachers’ cafeteria. Albert could always tell which word would come out of the teacher’s mouth long before she said anything. This made the other kid dislike Albert but it never bothered him for his mother always said, Don’t let anyone stop you from learning in life for this is a driving force in a child at this age of his life. As the days progressed, Albert’s learning never waned. He always remembered what he was told and he was the brightest child in the entire school. Children would always trade lunches but not our little Albert. He would always eat what his mother gave him. He never touched anyone’s food while in school. His mother told him to remember that which he did.

The car moved down the Van Wyck Expressway going towards Brooklyn which was a long ride for Mr. Herbert Meyer. He had to turn onto the Interborough Expressway. This was a winding road and the snow on the ground made it even harder for Mr. Meyer to get to work. He was a stickler about being there on time. He was a man of habit, having to be at work at the right time so he could see his employees clock in while he watched them. The snow was still falling while the heat in his car was on the frits once again. His car was doing this long before the snow came but he never found the time to take care of it. His head turning and looking at other cars struck in the snow gave him a feeling of hopelessness, thinking he should be down in Florida somewhere, yes somewhere besides New York in the winter months. He had asked his wife many times but she never would say a word about it.

Mr. Meyer turned into his factory located on Kent Street and parked his car in the spot where his name was located. The workers were going in and punching in. Herbert Meyer said hello to a few workers, got some response but not many. The security guard spoke with a smile but as usual, Herbert nodded his respect to him. The secretaries were moving papers around on their desks and were getting ready for the day’s work. Gail Summers was Mr. Meyer’s private secretary. She had been with the company since it started years ago. She was a well-mannered middle age women with children of her own. Hello, Mr. Meyer, she said as he passed her desk on his way to his office. Hello, Gail, I’m glad you got in today. The snow came down and the city is locked up tight. I hope you didn’t have any problem getting in today, as he unlocks his office door. No, I got up early and had plenty of time to get here. As she was speaking, Herbert turned his head to look at her. Well, I’ll be in my office and if you or anyone needs me, take a message for me, thank you. The girls in the office who were just there had mixed emotions about Herbert Meyer but never let their feelings be known. In his office, Herbert looked around to see if anything had been disturbed as always before getting to work. Herbert who was now sitting down, pulled out a few papers then checked the mail. The company was going through rough times now. His supplier was asking for more money and he had to find a way to get the money fast. Herbert knew he couldn’t ask the workers to take a cut in pay because they still remembered the unhappy circumstance he had taken them through before. He felt that a person should be glad they had a job in the first place. He was living in the past, the past of his mother and father which came to this country with nothing but what they had on their backs. The snow was coming down harder by the afternoon. Workers were calling in sick or they were stuck and couldn’t come to work. The shoe orders had to be filled that day as always and Herbert was feeling the pitch. He turned on the radio in his office and heard that the weather would get worse. He became upset with it all.

Meanwhile back at the house, Hanna was cleaning and cooking as housewives do. She always had her son on her mind, even when she was sick. What hurt her so was that if something happened to her, how would her little boy do and whether her husband would love him like she did. The doctors told her that she had to rest more and not worry so much. They felt that in her condition if she continued she would surely die in the next few years. This worried her more but she was strong with the situation at hand.

In the backyard of the house was a big tree, under which they would sit and drink Kool-Aid in the summer day while Hanna watched her baby boy play all day. Looking out at the tree it seems to her that if never looked the same anymore. She felt the tree moved on certain days. Her husband thought she was losing her mind at times but never really listened to her anyway. Outside in the yard, one could see how ice formed on the limbs. The tree for some reason seemed to shiver in pain, bend to the winds. She just closed the curtains and continued working. The phone rang, making her almost jump. Standing next to the phone, she waited a few seconds before picking it up. She always felt that some bad news or something would come from the phone. She wasn’t a phone person and maybe that was her reason for not using it. On the other end she could hear a voice saying hello. This is Doctor Durant speaking, how are you, Mrs. Meyer? You know you have an appointment with me today? I barely can hear you, are you all right? Putting the phone closer to her mouth, she said, I’m doing fine, Doctor. Why have you called, Doctor? Durant, thinking she was on her medication again but her response was the same, said, You must try to see me as soon as the storm lets up. I’m worried about you that’s all. How are you getting alone with your condition? You know I need to hear from you from time to time. But Hanna just stood there and spoke little if nothing at all. Mrs. Meyer, I’ll call later to see if you’re willing to talk, okay? Hanna hesitated then said, Why, hello, Doctor Durant, I’m sorry. My sister just handed me the phone how have you been? Yes, I’m taking car of her. She is a bit under the weather with all of the snow coming down, she’s sitting down now. How can I help you? Is there something you wish to tell Hanna, she’ll be very happy to hear from you. Hanna then turned, looked at an empty chair, and then said, Oh Hanna, its Doctor Durant on the phone, will you come and talk to him? He has made an effort to call you. I think the least you could do is come to the phone. Excuse me, Doctor Durant, she is right here but she doesn’t want to talk right now. I’ll tell her that you called and why don’t you call back later. Yes and who am I speaking to? the doctor asked. This is her sister, Gladys, speaking. Well, tell her I’ll call later. Thank you, bye now.

Doctor Durant hung up the phone, knowing that Hanna Meyer had no sister and this wasn’t the first time she did this. Her condition was making her do this. She was two people wrapped up in one. Doctor Durant was trying to help her years ago, long before Albert was born. But after the child, her sickness got worse and she started to deteriorate rapidly. As she put the phone down it was as if nothing had happened. The only time she was her real self was when her son was around her. The boy was her link to this world and others.

Susan Wittman was little Albert’s teacher and she would always count on the boy being the brightest child in her class. He was always asking questions. Little Albert would always have his hand raised before she could ask the question. The boy would tell the teacher the question that she was about to ask then he would answer it for her. Ms. Wittman, at times would get frustrated, and sometimes get angry but as time went on, she understood that Albert was indeed a special child with a gift t she had never seen in a child which now was an adult. Recess came and the children would usually go outside to play but since the snow was so bad they stayed in the auditorium, playing, singing songs which the teacher would sing with them. Albert wasn’t happy doing this, he just couldn’t get past it. He would just sit and read his books and watch the other children sing. At first the teacher found this to be very disturbing and once called his parents up to school. But his mother was a strong and forthright in her conviction that singing wasn’t a problem and that Albert was in school to learn his subjects, not to sing, if he didn’t want to. The day was moving fast as the snow kept on. The amount of snow was more than there was in the morning. There was a broadcast in the news that more snow would be on its way. So the teachers called each parent and told them to come and pick up their children early for there would be no more school for the week. Mr. Herbert Meyer heard this on the radio in his office and called his wife to tell her she had to go and pick up young Albert. The reply was: Herbert, I can’t hear you. I said that I was on my way to pick him up, can’t you hear? He was shocked but not surprised for she had done this to him before. He could never figure out how she had done this all the time, knowing what he would say before he said anything. This was a trait that she had but he didn’t know that his son had it too.

Hanna took herself upstairs and got ready to pick up little Albert. She could hear voices telling her that she would be all right even though she was failing and sickly and Gladys would protect her. The ground was cold underneath her feet as she walked through the snow towards Main Street and towards the school. Hanna would always stop at the light if it was red. She had watched her cousin get run over when they were young. This stayed with her all her life, the pain she never would let go. Reaching the school she could hear her son calling to her. When apart they could always communicate with each other. Pulling the doors open and entering the school, Hanna had noticed that the teachers had the children ready to go. Little Albert ran into his mother’s arms and they hugged for a while before leaving. Mrs. Wittman called out to Hanna Meyer to ask her if she could speak to her about Albert her son. They walked back into the class as the teacher spoke, Mrs. Meyer, it seems that your son is doing so well in class that all the teachers and the principal think Albert should skip two grades. He is very bright for his age. The principal was there also as everyone agreed that this was the best for the child. That if he weren’t it would harm his learning, which they didn’t want to happen. They have a special school for him to attend. While listening, little Albert was smiling at his mother all the while as if he knew what they where talking about.

Hanna agreed and Albert would be skipped as soon as possible. They walked out into the cold air while talking. The air blew out of their mouths. Holding hands and smiling at each other, Albert knew that his mother and his Aunt Gladys were and the same. They stopped at the candy store on Main Street and Jewel Avenue to sit down and have a cup of hot chocolate. Little Albert stayed in the corner of the booth where he kept warm as they where being served. They came here often after school for a treat and the owner knew them by names. Hello, little Albert. Hi, Mrs. Meyer. I’ll get you two your coco, all right? Albert, looking out at the snow still falling, asked if the snow was ever going to go away. Hanna, looking at her son with love, said, Yes, Albert, but this is part of the changing of the seasons. How is your chocolate? Nice and warm to your stomach, right? Oh yes, Mother, very good. Reaching now the front door of the house, Gladys was looking for the keys when the door opened up. There stood Hanna grabbing her son and saying, Gladys, I said I would go and pick him up. Why didn’t you wait for me? as little Albert ran inside to take off his cold clothes and get his books out to read. The door was slammed and silence was in the house for now.

While Mr. Meyer was sitting at his desk, the phone rang. Hello. Meyer and Meyer Shoe Factory, how can I help you? Hello, Mr. Meyer this is the bank. I’m calling to tell you that your loan has been approved this time, but you can’t default on it this time. Mr. Meyer said, thank you, and that he would be down at the bank as soon as possible to sign the papers. The phone call ended with a sigh of relief coming from Mr. Meyer. There was a knock at the door, and when it opened, there stood Alex Glover. Alex was the foreman at the company. He had been there for fifteen years and lived in Brooklyn with a wife and three children of his own. Hello, Alex, come in, what can I do for you? Mr. Meyer, the machinery in section two is not working up to par. We’ll have to do something about it soon. Alex, everything will be fine. We’ve just got a loan from the bank, they just called me. So how many men didn’t show up for work today? Well, Herbert, there were twenty men and five women that called in sick because of the snow. I divided up section three and sent them to work in section two. That is where most of the people that called in sick worked at. I’m sure we’ll get through this all. I’m just worried about tomorrow that’s all. Alex, you’ve been here the longest, right? We have been through a lot together and I thank you for all that you’ve done. Alex, looking at Herbert, said, That’s all right but you have to give the workers a raise. The union is on my back about it and the men don’t seem to be working at full capacity ever since they almost walked out. This merger thing, the men want to know about it and they keep asking me about it. I keep putting them off. So what is it, what’s really going to happen, Herbert? Alex, to tell you the truth I don’t really know yet. I’ll be going down to the bank later and then I’ll be able to tell you more. We have stood mergers before but this time I really don’t know. Okay, Herbert I got to get back to the plant now, keep me informed. The men have a right to know what is going on with the company, Herbert. Alex, you’re right but as long as I can pay them they should just worry about getting the product out on time, that’s all. You know how I feel about the men; they’re just going to have to wait. Listen, Alex, if I don’t see you after I go to the bank tell the men that I’m going to try and give them their raises. I’m really trying, Alex. I know you are, Herbert, they just need reassuring that’s all. See you around, Alex, and have a good day. While Alex Glover left his office, Herbert Meyer was hoping he won’t have to lay any of the men off. He has kept the same men working for him for all but five years of his company’s life. He called Gail Summers. Gail, I’m going to the bank and I need you to take care of things while I’m away. Take all of the calls and if any bill collectors call just tell them nothing, okay? Will that be all, Mr. Meyer? Yes, Gail, that will be all and if I don’t see you, get him safe, okay?

As Herbert was getting into his car, he was hoping that the money was enough to keep his company from the merger. While starting the car and as the snow fell harder, Herbert was thinking about his wife and child. He put the car in reverse and drove out the parking lot. The trains that ran overhead made sounds as it passed. The sanitation department had its trucks out in the street, moving, trying to clear the roads full of snow. Big plow trucks were running up and down the street in tandem with each other. Stopping at the red light, Herbert Meyer was wondering and looking at the people in the streets. Some were moving and running for buses and some were trying to catch trains in the snow. I have had enough of this snow, he said to himself. When he stopped again at another light, a girl called out to her friend in the street. Hey Lucy, are you going to see Paul tonight? Please tell his brother to call me. Okay, I will, her friend called back. The light showed green and Herbert Meyer was driving once again towards the bank.

CHAPTER 2

Morning was fresh as the snow that stopped after two days. It was Saturday and Hanna was in the kitchen, making breakfast. Little Albert was in his room, playing while Herbert Meyer was shoveling the snow off the sidewalk. The air was crisp and hard on his face but the winds have gone away. Mr. Tanumbaum and a few other neighbors were doing the same thing as Herbert called out to Saul and said, Saul, how are you doing with all this snow? I know you’re glad it stopped. Mr. Saul Tanumbaum was a tall stringy man that had a business in the Diamond District in Manhattan. Oh you’re so right, Herbert, as he called back. I haven’t been to the office since last Wednesday. How have you been? he asked, as he was walking over to Herbert. Oh a little here and there, you know. I just got the loan I was telling you about. There is a run on my company and I think I have enough money to keep them off my back for at least two years or so. I’m still worried but for now it’s safe. Herbert, you should have talked to the rabbi. I’m sure he could help you. When I needed him he was the one who got me out of the problems I had last year, remember? Yes, you’re right. I forgot with all having to keep my wife’s health in check. How is your wife anyway? asked Saul. Is she getting better, Herbert? Oh some days are good and some are well, you know. But we can make it. Did you hear that my son moved up two grades in school last week. They say the little one is too smart and bored in class. He knows too much. Saul, still moving the snow, said to Herbert, You should be very proud of yourself, Herbert. Yes, I’m very proud, Saul. Herbert, I think I’ll get inside, the wife has my breakfast ready and I have some calls to make. Salome, see you at the synagogue, Herbert, if you come. See you then, said Herbert, and I would talk to the rabbi. Thanks. They parted and Herbert continued shoveling snow from in front of his house. Meanwhile, inside, Hanna called out to her son to come downstairs but Albert wasn’t there. Albert was in the basement, playing with his toys. Albert, come over and talk to me, said the wall. Albert’s imaginary friend was speaking and it was coming from the wall. Albert walked over to the wall and walked right through it. The seat was put there and he heard the voice tell him, Albert, you are the one that will do great things, you do understand me? Albert shook his head and continued to play with his toy. The wall was warm and offered Albert a place to go where no on could find him. The voice said that he would always be in the wall. Whenever you need me just come to the basement and we can talk, okay? Albert shook his head once again and got up to walk out of the wall. The seat was snatched away from him and Albert walked back upstairs with his toy to his mother. Mommy, I just finished talking to my friend downstairs in the basement. He is funny, Mommy, he said. Hanna looked at her son with a smile and told him to come to the table and eat his eggs and toast. Doctor Durant called to find out how Mrs. Meyer was feeling. Hello, Mrs. Meyer, and how are you feeling today? I’m feeling fine, Hanna said as little Albert was eating. I know the weather is bad but I would like you to come to see me if you can. Her eyes were wondering around as if she wasn’t listening to the doctor. I’ll try to get there tomorrow, Doctor. I don’t want to take my son out in this weather anymore if possible. You understand that, don’t you? The doctor replied, Yes, I do, Mrs. Meyer, but please come see me tomorrow at one, okay? I will be there, I promise, said Hanna while she put more food on her son’s plate. Well, you take care now and take your medicine on time, Mrs. Meyer. I don’t want you to have a relapse now. She couldn’t wait to put the phone down. I will doctor and good day. She walked over to little Albert and rubbed his head as he finished his food. Now, Albert, Mommy has to lie down for a while. You come up with me and take a nap. As she cleaned the table, little Albert was clinging to her dress. Yes we’ll just take a nap and your father will be in soon.

The day moved on as they slept, then the phone rang. Hanna woke up more tired then she had been before she and her son lay down. Hello, Hanna answered, who is this? The person on the other end answered, Hello, this is the hospital. Your husband, Herbert Meyer, has just been in an accident and he is at Booth Memorial Hospital. He is banged up but he is fine now, I don’t think you should worry. You can come and see him later tonight at visiting hours, Mrs. Meyer. Hanna was sitting up on the bed while little Albert was still asleep. What happened to him? I need to know, Hanna said. He was hit as I said by another car while driving. Since we have had all this snow their have been a lot of people coming in with car injuries. But as I said he would be fine, there is no reason to get alarmed, Mrs. Meyer. I will call you if there is anything further to tell you. Well, thank you very much for calling, Doctor. I’ll be coming to see him in the morning, bye now. As she hung the phone up, little Albert’s eyes opened and he called for his mother. Oh Albert, everything is fine. Your daddy had an accident and he is at the hospital. Albert being at the right age could understand what she was saying but didn’t know why it happened to his father. They were not close but he still loved him nevertheless.

The next day they went to the hospital and Albert watched his father in bed and looked sorry for him in some way. Doctor, is my husband going to be all right? asked Hanna while Albert looked on. The doctor led her out of the room and said that her husband would not recover from the accident at all. I’m sorry but we can’t do anything to help his spine. The car accident severed it and he will be confined to a wheel chair for the rest of his life. The only thing that I can say is he’s very lucky to be alive at this moment. When will he be able to come home? asked Hanna. I don’t think he will be able for a long time. He will have to go through a lot of therapy and emotional programs. I see, Doctor, and thank you very much. Albert, come and let me talk to you, said his father. Herbert, who was in the bed, took his son’s hands and said, "Your father has hurt himself very badly and he wouldn’t be the same. I want you to promise me that you will do everything to