Silver and Red

By Xlibris US

Why do bad things happen to good people? Its all just chance. Theres nothing special about the good people that would make them a target. Bad people, on the other hand, truly have something to worry about. Silver and Red follows the journey of two teens in Indianapolis, IN who are faced with challenges that would drive any ordinary person crazy. Sex, drugs, and a blood stained history bring them closer together and pull them further apart. What are the chances that something good would happen to them?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 2, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499044119

Book preview

PART ONE

Lexi

THE STAGE

There comes a point in every one’s life where they find themselves in a situation they can’t escape. Some people have the tools necessary to squeeze their way out, and others have to put in a lot of time and energy to overcome their problems. However, I never really cared to escape my problems. In fact, I embraced them. I saw every one of my malevolent acts as an invitation for conflict. Every action has an equal but opposite reaction, thus I was under the impression that if I do something really horrible the consequences will be equally satisfying.

There was one night, in mid-October, where I vividly remember sitting on the roof of my house smoking a cigarette. My dad never liked it when I smoked, but I never really cared about what he wanted for me. I cared more about ways to piss him off just so that he would send me to my mother’s house. She lived with her filthy rich boyfriend somewhere on the West Coast. She was living in the lap of luxury while I was stuck here, in Indianapolis. I was stuck here with minimal friends because of the stigma of being the Chief of Police’s daughter.

I had one really good friend though. His name was Errol, and that night, he came to visit while my dad was at work. As I sat there, smoking my cigarette, he climbed through my bedroom window and sat next to me on the roof. He never really asked to be invited into my home, but rather he just walked in and made himself at home. Whenever he called out to me, but he didn’t receive a response he would just assume that I was on the roof.

Errol was one of those guys that was really attractive, but you couldn’t really tell why. His skin was deathly pale and his hair was fire red which made him look even paler, but there was just something about him that I found alluring. In all fairness his complexion made him look unhealthy, but I don’t think that the pull I felt toward him was because he was aesthetically pleasing, but I couldn’t think of anything else.

Hey Lexi. Is something wrong? Errol had a puzzled look on his face, and this is when I realized that I was staring at him.

No, I’m fine, I said as I felt my cheeks burn from embarrassment. Want a smoke? I asked him, pulling out the pack of Pall Malls from my jacket pocket.

No thanks. You know I am not really into the whole smoking thing. He smiled at me and took his cell phone out of his pocket. I have something to show you. He pushed a bunch of buttons on his phone searching for something. When he found it he smiled and turned the screen to me. It was a picture of a newborn baby wrapped in a light blue blanket. The baby had Errol’s fire red hair and he even had the same pointy little nose, except Errol has had his nose broken a few times so it points due west most of the time.

Awww, he’s adorable! What’s his name? I asked.

My mom opted to name him Oliver, but my dad wants to name him Eli, after his brother.

Wait, so they haven’t decided what to name him yet? I asked.

Nope. I left them at the hospital feuding about it. I just had to come show you how cute he is.

Well, he is cute. He looks just like you actually. I didn’t really mean to say it like that. I mean, I thought that Errol was cute, very much so actually, but the way I said it came off as some sort of sick excuse for flirting. He didn’t seem to mind though, he just smiled. His cheeks were red now, which was a nice change from the porcelain pale. I couldn’t tell if he was blushing though, because it’s just really cold mid-October in the middle of Indianapolis Suburbs.

I am not completely sure what to do with that information, but thank you. He put his phone back in his pocket and sat there staring at the houses down the street and hugging his knees. Do you think I am ready to go back to school? Be honest. The seriousness in his face threatened tears, but I was used to it whenever we talk about this. Errol was one of those people whose emotions changed on a dime. One moment he could be on ‘cloud nine’ and the next moment he wants to blow his brains out. His fickle nature was less than desirable, but I accepted it.

I think you’ll be fine, Errol. It’s been four months since he died and you can’t do anything about it. I know it’s gonna be hard, but you’ll never know until you try, right? I listened to myself saying all this and I didn’t sound too helpful, but I was genuinely trying to be. I don’t even think I was convinced of what I was telling him.

Lexi? You know you’re my best friend right?

Um… yeah, I guess. Why? I looked at him and could see that his eyes were turning red and I could hear the scratchiness in his voice.

I don’t know how to handle any of this anymore. I mean, my parents just lost one of their kids while the next one was on his way and they are acting as though Mason never even existed. They are so happy and I am sitting here remembering everything. Errol wiped his nose on his jacket sleeve and wiped the tears away from his eyes. "You know, I wake up some nights and I feel as though he’s in the room with me. I still hear his laugh in my head sometimes, but then I remember finding him in the bathroom with all that blood everywhere and it just brings me back to this hole. It’s like I died too and it hurts, all the time." He didn’t say anything after that. His voice had gotten so scratchy that even if he wanted to talk he probably wouldn’t be able to get the words out.

I didn’t know that he was still that upset about Mason’s death. He seemed to be at peace with it, but the stress of going back to school must have gotten to him. I mean losing a loved one is almost always the hardest thing that someone will have to endure, but it has to be doubly painful to see yourself in a tub full of blood, but knowing that you aren’t the one that died. Losing a twin is like losing a piece of yourself, in away. And now I felt like I was slowly losing my best friend to his grief and I didn’t know what to do about it. All I could do was wait until school the next day and see how he handled everything.

BACK TO MR. BAKER

The following morning began like any other day. I woke up twenty two seconds before my alarm. Got up and took a shower and sat at the breakfast table across from my severely repressed father. I have, on occasion, whipped out a cigarette and had a drag or two during my breakfast, but I didn’t feel like myself. Surprisingly my dad picked up on it and tried to start up a conversation with me.

Are you feeling okay this morning? he asked with his eyes glued to his newspaper.

I am fine, but it’s not like you would care if I wasn’t.

He looked up from his paper and scoffed at me. I don’t know why you have to have such a bad attitude all the time.

I sighed and rolled my eyes at him. You really don’t know what my bad attitude is about? Are we even living in the same universe?

What is that supposed to mean? he asked folding up the newspaper and putting it on the chair beside him.

You know what? Just forget it, I am going to school. See you later. I got my backpack from beside the door and began to walk out.

I don’t think so, young lady! Come back here! His effort to discipline at this point was futile. I was already out the door and half way down the street before he could say much of anything else to me. I don’t know why I acted that way. He didn’t provoke me or say anything that was really troublesome. I guess I really didn’t want to talk to him. So, anything he said set off The Bitch Alarm in my head.

Going to school now felt strange. Errol was back from some clinic out in the country and Mason wasn’t with us anymore. Over those last few months I had become accustomed to walking to school by myself, but Errol was back so I had company, but having company feels off balance when someone is missing. It’s like an all or nothing deal, but I had to admit that it was really good to see Errol waiting for me at the corner.

He was wearing a green zip up hoodie and baggie jeans. The green of his hoodie made him look like a leprechaun against his fire red hair and pale skin. His black converse were torn and tattered, but they were his favorite shoes, and acted much like a security blanket. Whenever he felt like he was stressed out or uncomfortable with something he would slip on the black converse and it was like all the worry and anxiety just melted away.

Rockin’ the old Chuck Taylor’s I see. I smiled at him and playfully punched his shoulder.

You know it. I couldn’t let them sit in the garage by themselves forever. They were just begging to be worn today.

I scoffed at him. Are you sure that they were begging to be worn or are you just nervous about school again?

Errol’s smile turned into a look of uncertainty. How can you tell that I am nervous?

Really dude? You’re my best friend and there are several things that totally gave you away.

Like what? he asked with a look of bewilderment.

Well first you came to my house last night freaking out about going to school today. Secondly, you’re wearing your black converse, which you only wear when you are nervous about something.

I do not. I just wear them because they are comfortable.

Uh-huh, sure. And then lastly you’re wearing that green hoodie I told you to stop wearing because it makes you look like a leprechaun.

I don’t look like a leprechaun! For the last time, green looks good on me.

Well yeah, I said, that is if you’re going for a leprechaun look. Then it looks absolutely fantastic.

He was smiling now, which is exactly what I was going for. His laugh was the kind of laugh that made you laugh. His smile made you smile. So when he didn’t smile it felt as though it was impossible to smile in the first place.

When the laughter subsided, we made our way to school. We attended George Washington High School. The school got its name, not because George Washington founded it, nor was it dedicated to him. Our school is named after George Washington because the founder of the school claimed that the grounds upon which the school now stands is haunted by the ghost of George Washington himself. I don’t know if I should embrace the insanity of our founder or if I should be concerned by the fact that someone let a schizophrenic man start a high school.

The entire building was made of red bricks and there was a series of maple trees that lined the boundaries of the school. Being mid-October, the leaves began to change colors. The vibrant reds and oranges would be an interesting contrast between the green and red of Errol’s garb and hair, respectively.

One of my greatest fears about Errol going back to school, a fear I am quite sure that we share, is that everyone that he met would try to comfort him. There is nothing more frustrating than someone coming up to you trying to wish his or her condolences for someone you’ve lost. They say things like: I wish he was still here, or I hope you’re doing okay, it must have been horribly traumatizing seeing all of that blood. Stuff like that just gets under my skin. And can you believe that that’s exactly what happened. The second we walked through the door we were greeted by the horrid blonde troupe that’s always too bubbly and at the same time beyond bitchy.

Trisha was the leader of the pack and she was probably the most horrid of them all. She had the kind of blonde hair that blinded you in the sunlight and teeth that were equally bright. Her pink preppy department store garb was enough to make a homeless person spit on their greed and wasteful demeanor.

Trisha walked right up to us, leaving the pack behind her, lost and confused like little posh puppies. Hi Errol, she said giving him a hug. How are you doing? she asked.

Errol put on a fake smile. I am fine, Trish. How are you doing?

Oh, I am fine, as usual. Trish grabbed both of his hands and looked him dead in the eyes. You know that if there is anything that you need, I am here for you. In fact we all are, she said motioning toward the dazed and confused puppies.

Look Trish, he said.

It’s Trisha, she said forcefully then quickly returning with a smile.

Sorry, Trisha. He sighed and shook his head at her. I am fine, but if I wasn’t what makes you think I would want to talk to you about it.

Well, I just thought that since we are friends you might need a friend to talk to about it. Trish put on a smile that invited a compliment or two for her consideration, but Errol looked at her with disgust.

We really aren’t friends Trisha. And even if we were you aren’t the kind of person who wants to listen to people’s problems, especially mine. You just don’t understand it.

What is that supposed to mean? I totally understand what it’s like she said in an offended tone.

"Okay, Trisha, imagine you came home from soccer practice and found your twin brother in the tub with both wrists filling up the bath. Imagine him turning to you and mouthing ‘I’m sorry’ right before he died. Imagine hearing the blood-curdling scream of your pregnant mother as she holds her dead son in her arms. Imagine losing one of the few people you were actually close to. Let me know if you’ve been through something like that, then you can talk to me about understanding it." Errol pushed his way past the pack leaving Trisha there, dumbfounded.

I couldn’t help but smile at the look on Trisha’s face. She was red with embarrassment and I couldn’t help, but make it worse as I walked past her.

He told you, Trish, I whispered as I walked past her.

The pack rushed to her aid, as though she had been horribly wounded, but she was too embarrassed to speak.

Errol was walking away from me now, but I caught up to him and his face was as red as his hair. I was trying to avoid that kind of thing today, but it always finds me, he said.

What do you mean? I asked.

I mean, whenever something bad happens people always try to pretend like they care and try to console you when you really just want to be left alone. Errol sighed and popped his neck. I feel better though. There’s something about telling her off that took the edge off of my nerves. I feel kinda good now.

That’s good, I said. But unfortunately we have to go to Psychology now, which has been pretty interesting recently.

Why? What are we talking about? he asked.

We are talking about how experiences can change the way that one’s mind functions.

Oh, that sounds fun, Errol said sarcastically, rolling his eyes. "I am starting to remember just how much

Reviews for Silver and Red

[therebelprince · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Possibly my favourite Bradbury work, this is a seriously transcendent piece of literature, that had a disproportionate impact on my writing and critical faculties. It's not perfect, certainly, int its elements of Bradbury's usual flaws as a writer and in its occasional sledgehammer subtlety yet... that's to request something of the book which it is not, which is surely bad criticism. This is wonderful.

[renbedell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A fantastic set of short stories that are loosely connected about the first encounters on Mars and the colonization of it. Each story has its own theme that is incredible and thought provoking. They can be humorous, haunting, or suspenseful. I loved each one as they would blow my mind on concepts that I would have never thought of. Incredible book!

[gbelik_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a great collection of short stories about life on Mars as a colonist. It still holds up quite well after all these years.

[subu0820 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A beautiful, horrifying book. I love Ray Bradbury's style of writing immensely: Descriptive, imaginative and it defies most of the boundaries that many authors fail to escape. This book drew me in when I first started it and it pulled me along right till the end, when I hungered for more of the martians' stories. If you find this book, pick it up right away.

[brucecoulson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A lyrical, poetic view of near-space colonization. Bradbury's Mars doesn't exist, but oh, it should! The irony is that one of the classic stories in the original Chronicles couldn't be published in a major SF pulp at the time, and was censored out of many published editions, as life imitated Fahrenheit 451. (Way in the Middle of the Air; a surprisingly bitter and cynical story from Bradbury.)

[rrainer-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love Bradbury, but somehow had managed not to read (all) of this until now. Some of it was really uncomfortable, and some is now very dated, but most of it was funny and interesting and thought-provoking.

[blue56_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Although I enjoyed reading this novel I must admit that it is not my favorite Bradbury novel: Fahrenheit 451 is my all-time favorite novel. I did admire the intertwining stories: the connections between various characters, who made several appearances in different chapters. However, I felt that some of the chapters (you may also call them short stories) had similar ideas to close it.

[danconsiglio · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great short stories. Classic sci/fi.

[mobill76 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Mixing poetry and science fiction wasn't such a bad idea. It's this book and Fahrenheit 451 that solidified Bradbury's reputation as a sci-fi author. He really didn't write that much of it. What he wrote, he wrote well, though. Modern exploration has long since made the Martian Chronicles rather implausible. But it's still a beautiful read.

[salimbol · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A thematically-connected collection of vignettes and short stories about the colonisation of Mars. Always lyrical, it veers between poignancy and a marvellous evocation of place on the one hand, and being clunkily didactic and glaringly dated on the other.

[tlockney_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It's easy to forget how Bradbury is such a poet with his writing, but this book brought it all back. Honestly, I cared little for the stories, but the words themselves were beautiful. Also, is it just me or are Bradbury's stories some of the saddest stories ever written?

[kendrarenee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I hardly ever give books this high a rating, but Bradbury's short stories about a science-fictional completely captivated me, because they were so imaginative and yet so deep and honest. Something to entertain AND make you think. LOVED this book.

[rmagahiz · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sometimes the sentiment is turned up a little high, but I think it was more a matter of the times when these stories were written. It's been so many years since I first read this that I largely forgot the details.

[flying_monkeys_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Rating: 4 of 5Status updates - 7/4/2012, page 37: The imagery, especially of the Martians' masks, is so vivid. I'm not sure where this story's going ... and I dig that.7/7/2012, page 205: Not what I expected; although, I'm not sure I really expected anything except maybe typical sci-fi stuff. One to think about before I write a "review."

[dlweeks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The first time I had read this treat from Bradbury. The collection of shorts tie together seamlessly to produce an amazing collection. All of the stories explore aspects of humanity set in an inhuman environment and lead us to new conclusions about what humanity really is. I won't say much more, because this collection is a classic and has been reviewed by better people than I.

[ksmyth_18 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What makes these stories so interesting to me is not just the tales of the Earth exploration and settlement of Mars. It's the stories about the devolution of life on Earth into nuclear war, forcing its evacuation that accompany the Martian stories. These aren't just stories of space exploration, they are cautionary tales.

[carmelorafala · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful prose and a thoughtful, if a little whimsical, metaphorical take on colonialisation. Recommended.

[addunn3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Ah, I should have read it when I was a kid. This is a collection of stories wrapped around the arrival of man on Mars. This is a classic!

[samerk-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

While I did like the movie, there is nothing like reading the book. Bradbury is a true artist with language and imagery, drawing the reader in from page one. The Chronicles will take you on a timeless journey into the future.

[radaghast_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Arguably the best example of science fantasy. Some stories are better than others, but Bradbury is doing what he does best here: Making you think.

[martybrandon · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Cornball and silly. Fahrenheit 451 is one of the finest books I've read, so I enthusiastically got this hoping for more of the same. What a let down. Goofy stories, no big ideas, no science (okay, it does take place on Mars) all together made it unenjoyable. One or two of the stories rate a little higher, but very disappointing on the whole.

[danajean_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was pleasantly surprised to recognize parts of this story in episodes from The Twilight Zone (I think it was the Twilight Zone.) Science Fiction isn't necessarily my thing, but Bradbury seems to be the go-to guy when it comes to Martian anything and I can see why. He can be hit or miss for me, but this was definitely a good one.

[heidilove_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

these stories work together to present a novel of a view of mars. though it was written ever so long ago, the timliness of these stories is still valid, and a tribute to bradbury.

[radicarian · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

By far my favorite book I ever read for school. Still powerful.

[auntmarge64 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A group of linked short stories written in the 1940s and 1950 and describing a group of colonizing missions to Mars. Human reactions to the Martians and their culture are predictably destructive, whether through violence or carelessness. It is Bradbury's imagining of the Martians and their effect on the men and women who travel there that make the collection well worth the read.

[anamuk_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Although the dates & the science haven't ages well, Bradbury's spare prose still moves the reader. Some of the individual stories are texture for the main narrative, which has ideas that are still relevant today, as they were nearly 60 years ago.

[mtemples_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The best (and most poetic) science fiction book of all time.

[jbreedlove_6 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An uneven classic from the late forties and early fifties. It took a while to get into the book but once I did I sensed the Bradbury sense to it. Full of post-war mid-century technical and apocalyptic references mixed with Bradbury's early 20th century sensibilities. Not his best but certainly a distinct work.

[tabatha014 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Man this book got me thinking!!! And quite frankly it was a little disturbing. But that being said it was really good! Probably one of my favorites!

[yourresidentvillain · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Utterly terrifying and mysterious, the things in this book would probably be the truth if we ever try to conquer a planet not our own. The psychological feel and timelessness of the whole thing amazes me to no end. To think: what if, what if, what if? what if...?