Stories of Life

By Edward John Mastronardi

Stories of Life in four parts are a variety of tales of men, women, and youth experiences in a broad array of situations, some ending in a surprising manner, a few tragically, illustrating the challenges faced in their lives. For the most part, they are based on real-life situations, many observed, some experienced, a few imaginatively created. The author believes, based on the favourable reviews of the stories from the book read thus far by a variety of individuals, virtually every reader will discover tales they can relate to based on their own life experience, finding others of more than just of a passing interest.

The first part emphasises trials and triumphs in their working lives. The second part describes a number of sometimes shocking experiences occurring in their lives in youth and adulthood. The third and fourth parts are self-explanatory.

Seduction, a timeless, astonishingly effective instrument of Lucifer, is not confined to sex; it is also a lust for power, wealth, authority, recognition, and domination, manifesting itself ruthlessly on all levels of society. It's not restricted to a repetition of the biblical historical confrontation of Eve with the evil one in the guise of a snake, seducing her, subsequently Adam, into eating the forbidden apple, a blame appellation over the ages many women found unacceptable. The former archangel Lucifer's apparent ability engaging in the thought processes of unwary humans asleep or awake, the nature of his appearances unlimited, has made him mankind's most formidable lifetime enemy. Despite this, although frightening to most, strangely appealing to some.

The tales following are not related to religious Bible punching only to the human experience of women and men in a variety of times and situations. Some tragic, a few amusing, using the speech patterns of today not emulating those of the period being covered. While they change over time, human nature does not.

Following are a collection of tales about a severely wounded Canadian Korean war hero, Michael Reardon, a major figure in the novel Mock the Haggard Face: A Canadian War Story, starting with Two Nights to Remember, his experience following a short trip to Seoul after the Royals' successful capture of a major Chinese winter line position hill 187 bordering the Samichon Valley in North Korea. Also noted Reardon's remaining impact on his former command, The Deuce, in The Royals Second Battalion, particularly on his successor, Craig Sparling, finding Reardon a hard act to follow.

Also described are some incidents in his working life after Korea as well earlier in his boyhood, finally, an indication on several occasions in his life, of the impact, in the poet Robert Frost's words of The Road Not Taken.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jan 8, 2016
• ISBN: 9781514439739

Edward John Mastronardi

Edward Mastronardi spent eighteen years in the three Canadian military services (the navy, the army, and the air force), four years in the Canadian aerospace industry, followed by twenty-one years working for the Canadian federal government. He earned the Military Cross for Valor by Great Britain, investiture into the Order of Saint George, the Canadian Forces Decoration in Canada, and the Order of Military Merit by the Republic of Korea, its highest military award for valor and courage. Now retired, he is also the author of Government Policy-Making and Issue Management in 1988, Mock the Haggard Face: A Canadian War Story in 2014, Dancing around the Hill in 2015, and Stories of Life in January 2016.

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Copyright © 2016 by Edward John Mastronardi.

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.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 01/12/2016

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Part 1 TALES of WORKING LIFE - TRIALS and TRIUMPHS

CONTENTS

Introduction

Chapter 1 Fired! Injustice and Retribution

Chapter 2 Overqualified and Underpaid

Chapter 3 The Competitor

Chapter 4 The Tragic End of a Great Career

Chapter 5 The End of an Affair ‘Love - Duty - Honor’

Chapter 6 A Wagon Hitched to a Star

Chapter 7 A Business of Their Own

Chapter 8 On A Matter of Principle

Chapter 9 ‘Zero Sum Charlie’

Chapter 10 Another Appointment in Chicago

Chapter 11 The last Appointment in Chicago

Chapter 12 The Lady and The Florentine

Chapter 13 Where is My Jellied Donut?

Chapter 14 ‘Aunt Cathy’ Another Kind of Family

Chapter 15 Big Dreams Little Dreams

Chapter 16 ‘Boy! Do I Have Experience!’

Introduction

‘Stories of Life’ in four parts are a variety of tales of men, women and youth experiences in a broad array of situations, some ending in a surprising manner, a few tragically, illustrating the challenges faced in their lives. For the most part, they are based on real life situations many observed, some experienced, a few imaginatively created. The author believes, based on the favourable reviews of the stories from the book read thus far by a variety of individuals, virtually every reader will discover tales they can relate to based on their own life experience, finding others of more than just of a passing interest.

The first part emphasises trials and triumphs in their working lives. The second part describes a number of sometimes shocking experiences occurring in their lives in youth and adulthood. The third and fourth parts are self- explanatory.

Chapter 1

Fired! Injustice and Retribution

Early on an Ottawa bright September morning Lawrence ‘Larry’ Deveraux couldn’t believe his eyes reading an E mail from his office sales manager Howard McAllister, cryptically stating, Your services have been terminated effective immediately! You are not to return to the office. Your personal effects along with your separation cheque are being sent to you by courier. Telephone calls or E mail messages will not be responded to. H. McAllister Acting General Manager.

Slowly raising his lean six foot rumpled pajama clad muscular frame from his home study computer table chair, his ruggedly handsome face contorted by his shock over the damning unbelievable enraging message. Standing up, Deveraux addressed his beautiful raven haired wife’s studio portrait on the wall above his computer desk. In an angry shaking voice he rasped, Rachel, that son of a bitch McAllister has finally done it! He’s fired me!

Gratified his wife was at her Vancouver home helping care for her mother recovering from heart surgery, he decided to spare her the bad news at her difficult time. Moving to the kitchen preparing his usual morning cup of strong percolated coffee, he sat heavily in a kitchen chair recalling how this had happened, considering possible courses of action, his first thoughts being of the genesis of his problem, Howard McAllister.

Lieutenant Colonel Howard McAllister, a graduate of the School of Engineering Management at the United States Air force Institute of Technology at the Wright Paterson Air force Base in Ohio, was head of the Canadian Air Forces Missile Engineering Review Directorate in Ottawa. Fortyish, trim figured, of average height, a full head of carefully trimmed brown hair, McAllister was sitting back reviewing the file of a new member of his missile engineering review staff who had just arrived back in Canada, Captain Lawrence Deveraux, who had successfully completed the intellectually demanding two year course in missile systems engineering at the Royal Air Force Technical College in the United Kingdom.

McAllister noted although Deveraux’s academic record at the RAF Technical College had been unspectacular he was lauded for his excellent thesis, rated as the premium one in his class, describing his proposed resolution of a serious high altitude instability problem in the defense missile system under development for The Royal Air Force. Seeing his general service performance consistently rated superior, McAllister concluded Deveraux would be a good addition to his team of engineers all post graduate trained in other prestigious schools such as the Massachusetts Institution of Technology and the University of Chicago. His most significant acquisition to date a brilliant MIT graduate, his deputy Major Eugene Halls.

Larry Deveraux was very pleased with his initial meetings with both McAllister and Halls especially the latter with whom he developed a strong enduring friendship. He had a cordial meeting with the Branch’s Head, Colonel Roger Jarvis, whose highly recognized powers of command and administration assured him an early promotion to the rank of Brigadier General.

A major function of the McAllister team consisted of reviewing proposals by American weapons’ systems and missile developers such as Hughes Aircraft in Los Angeles California. One particular company, Advanced Electronics and Aerospace Systems, its major plant in New Jersey, with McAllister’s help, appreciated by the American company’s president, Eric Brooks, established a Canadian division in an industrial complex located on Ottawa’s western boundary.

The duties of the team members included visiting proposal submitting systems and hardware developing companies in the United States. Especially satisfying to both Halls and Deveraux were those located in California, ranging from San Francisco in the north to San Diego in the south. Over time McAllister delegated increasingly more of his responsibilities to the talented deputy regularly passing off Halls’ efforts as his own, a trait not unobserved by the perceptive Colonel Jarvis who. on his well earned promotion to Brigadier General, failed to recommend McAllister as his replacement. Embarrassed, the highly ambitious Lieutenant Colonel resigned from the Air Force. Soon after he was appointed by Eric Brooks, as the marketing manager for the New Jersey company’s recently established Canadian division in Ottawa at a significant increase over his service salary as well as given a clear indication of his replacing its current American general manager, Carter Reynolds planning on retiring in two years.

One of his first acts on assuming his new responsibilities was to gain approval for the establishment the position of Chief of Engineering sales, a position he offered to Halls, who politely declined accepting a senior engineering position with a world renowned California airborne systems company. Failing that, he offered it to Larry Deveraux at a salary greatly exceeding his current one which he readily accepted.

One of the products developed by the division, based on the work of a brilliant Research Council engineer, a very reliable exceedingly lightweight space communications module was believed to be a potentially great winner in the highly lucrative airborne and space systems market in the United States if properly promoted. The General Manager expected McAllister to personally take the lead on the marketing of this exciting Canadian development. Instead as was his nature, he delegated it to Deveraux who enthusiastically accepted the challenge, succeeding beyond anyone’s expectations, much to Carter Reynolds’s delight as well as the company’s American president, Eric Brooks.

After a Friday afternoon divisional manager’s meeting Reynolds took McAllister aside, Howard, that man of yours Deveraux is doing a wonderful job for our division, the President also thinks so. I’m a little surprised you weren’t more involved. Please pass on my regards to him. No, on second thought, I’ll do that myself on his return from his meeting with the NASA engineers in Washington.

Trying to control himself an infuriated McAllister responded anxiously, Carter, I have been very much involved regularly directing him over the telephone.

Ah yes. I see. It’s not quite the same as being there is it Howard? Have pleasant weekend.

McAllister did not have a pleasant weekend, just two sleepless nights enraged by Deveraux’s success as well as Carter Reynolds’ veiled criticism of his performance. Another nagging concern his less than cordial relationship with the division’s Chief Engineer, Fred Landry, he was convinced, wanted to be the next general manager determined to overshadow the embattled marketing head. Landry’s reaction was to avoid contacting him instead meeting with Deveraux who after all, as he once stated to Reynolds, The one bringing in the business. Another major irritant was Deveraux’s refusal to support his sometimes childish, rant filled battles with Landry such as one over the comparative size of their offices as well as the difference in quality of their office furniture.

A Deveraux characteristic endearing him to the expenditure conscious division financial manager Sam Caruthers, was his prudent use of his travel expense account, a trait not shared by either Landry or McAllister, resulting in their forming a close friendship often lunching together.

Immediately after his return from Washington armed with two large NASA contracts Deveraux was called into his managers’ office expecting to be complimented for another successful sales foray instead left standing in front of his desk by a frowning angry looking McAllister coldly saying, Deveraux, I’ve just about had enough of your grandstanding, your disloyalty and lack of support! As your manager you could at least given me some credit for your efforts.

Dismayed, Deveraux responded, Howard I don’t understand I’ve never been disloyal to you. I’ve just done my best for the division.

A suddenly calmer McAllister replied, That may be so. In the future I want you to share the credit and I prefer to be called Mister McAllister and not Howard!

Having received a message that the GM wanted to see him Deveraux dropped by his office learning from his secretary he had left early feeling ill. Arriving home an expectant congratulating Rachel on opening the door was shocked by the look on her husband’s face. After wearily putting down his flight bag and brief case asked her to prepare drinks for them after which told her about his completely unexpected critical treatment by McAllister.

Shaking her head in disbelief replied in voice shaking with emotion, Oh Larry it’s inexcusable his treating you that way after all you’ve done for the division. What about Mister Reynolds, surely he doesn’t think that way?

No, I don’t think so. He left a message he wanted to see me but left early feeling unwell.

Well dear you’ll have to make a point of meeting him as soon as possible.

Don’t worry Rachel I fully intend to!

The Deveraux’s weren’t the only ones concerned with McAllister’s bizarre behaviour so were Carter Reynolds and the company president Eric Brooks hesitating taking any action at a time they were making an important company airborne system proposal to the Canadian government, believing the embattled marketing manager still had significant contacts in the Canadian military as well with the Defence Production Department which could negatively impact on the current negotiations. When Reynolds’ illness turned out to be more serious than expected requiring him to take a leave of absence, Brooks reluctantly temporarily replaced him with McAllister who wasted no time exercising his newly delegated authority. He called a divisional meeting of senior staff in the boardroom concluding his address with the importance of loyalty looked pointedly at his eminently successful Chief of Engineering Sales, not unnoticed by the others.

Deveraux astutely concluded, with McAllister now in charge his days at the division were probably numbered. Since it wasn’t possible for him to contact Reynolds at this time. His conjecture proved to be too true receiving the Email firing him on his return from a systems engineering trade show in New York not telling his wife, who was staying temporarily in Vancouver caring for her ailing mother.

In the kitchen still lost in his reflections of Howard McAlister his musings were interrupted by his phone ringing, his caller Sam Caruthers a good friend, Hello Larry, I assume you got the bad news but not to worry. I’ve been in touch with Carter. He wants you to call him. He told me to give you his private number but keep it to yourself.

Of course Sam. How is he doing?

He’s doing fine Larry, enjoying the Florida sun and should be back on the job by the end of October maybe even sooner meanwhile I’ve been instructed to hold back on anything financial for you. You’ll know why when you speak to Carter. Take care my young friend, I miss our lunches.

After speaking briefly with Caruthers Deveraux dialed the Florida number, a woman’s voice answered, it was Carter Reynolds’ wife, Hello, Missis Reynolds speaking, who is calling please?

It’s Laurence Deveraux Missis Reynolds, I was told your husbanded wanted me to call?

Oh yes Laurence you’re the young man he’s told me so much about. Hold on I’ll get him for you.

At his wife’s beckoning Carter picked up the phone lying on the bedside table, Hello Larry, you can forget about the firing nonsense. It should never have happened. I have great news for you. Our president greatly impressed with your performance particularly the favourable impression you’ve created with one of our California clients wants you detached to the head office to carry out an important assignment involving a major aerospace systems producer in San Diego. It’s one you sold a number of our space communications modules to, who sent a complimentary impression of you to our president. The assignment shouldn’t take very long, after which you have nothing to worry about. Mister Brooks will brief you on the details when you arrive in New Jersey. Give my regards as well as my congratulations on this new important assignment, to your lovely wife. Good luck Laurence!

Deveraux called his wife telling her the exciting news not mentioning the firing incident as it hadn’t happened they deciding she would remain in Vancouver until his return to Ottawa from New Jersey. On arriving at the company headquarters located just outside of Grafton, he was enthusiastically greeted by the president and some of his senior staff curious to meet ‘The Canadian’, his accommodation arranged for at the premier hotel in Grafton. That evening dining at the palatial Brooks’ home on the outskirts of the city, he was well attended to by the tall very attractive long blonde haired single youngest daughter of the trim physically fit, fiftyish, tennis playing corporate head.

Seated beside Deveraux an animated Shirley Brooks asked, Are you involved in any sports Laurence? You look like you are.

Oh yes, football back in my high school and university days, now tennis and handball. he replied smiling, feeling completely at ease with his charming, beautiful companion.

Tennis! My father is so good he easily could have played professionally.

After dinner they retired to the lounge for an after dinner aperitif while the kitchen staff cleared the dining room table. Later that evening Deveraux was driven back to his hotel in the Brooks’ limousine after a warm goodbye, especially from Shirley Brooks who said she was looking forward seeing him again. They did meet again in a completely unexpected manner.

Back in Ottawa things weren’t faring well for the division’s acting General Manager, Howard McAllister, some major clients not wanting to deal with him, asking for the more product knowledgeable, likeable Laurence Deveraux, whose completely unexpected transfer to the company’s head office, he found unbelievable. The reversal of his callous firing decision, shattered McAllister’s considerable ego.

Deveraux spent the next two days touring the huge plant facility with the Company’s operations vice president, briefed on its engineering projects and product lines then a half day briefing by the president on the joint operation proposal submitted by the San Diego company Aerospace Dynamics he had previously visited. Finishing, with a half day briefing by the company’s contracts vice president, Gerald Rogers, on the draft contract for the joint operation submitted by the south California aerospace company, leaving him with a sheet of written questions to ask during his upcoming meeting with its principles.

Meanwhile Eric Brooks’ headstrong. sometimes uncontrollable daughter was in a quandary. Shirley, having a very close frank relationship with her father, expressed to him her warm feelings for this exciting Canadian only to be told emphatically he was already married to a very attractive young woman, to forget this foolish impulse. She didn’t! On Deveraux’s last night at the hotel, as he was packing his things readying himself for an early morning departure to San Diego she showed up at his hotel room.

Shocked by her unexpected appearance Larry exclaimed, Shirley! What on earth brought you here at this late hour? What would your father say?

Quickly taking of her coat, throwing it on a chair moving close to him breathlessly replied, Never mind my father, I just had to see you before you left Larry!

Shirley! For heaven’s sake Why?

Putting her trembling arms around his neck, hungrily kissing his resisting lips panted, Oh Larry! You wonderful fool! Since meeting you I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind. I want you to make love to me!

Pushing her gently away he quietly replied, Shirley I’m extremely flattered. You are a very beautiful young woman and quite desirable. I’m a happily married man! You need a man of your own. I find it hard to believe there isn’t someone.

There have been others but no one like you. she tearfully replied.

Larry, picking up her coat draped it over her shoulders gently kissing her on the forehead as she left.

Later a worried Deveraux, readying himself for bed was shaken by his ringing phone picking it up. It was Shirley’s father, Hello Laurence! I Hope I didn’t awaken you.

No sir not at all. Deveraux anxiously replied.

Well young man you should know that my daughter and I have a very frank open relationship. She told me everything that happened between you when she came home.

Deveraux quickly interjected, Mister Brooks I’m extremely sorry for what happened.

Now now Laurence, there’s nothing for you to apologize for. I’m extremely gratified by the intelligent way you handled this delicate matter, not only confirming your strong character also my confidence in you. Once again good luck, by the way if anything important occurs you want help with don’t hesitate to call either Rogers or me.

Deveraux’s first class flight to San Diego was uneventful, on arrival housed in the prestigious downtown US Grant hotel driven there by a car and driver provided by the company he was visiting. After touring the aero systems company’s vast facility, detailed briefings on its product lines, it was down to business on the contractual joint agreement. With all of Rogers’ concerns adequately dealt with, Deveraux, when asked if he was ready to sign off for his company hesitated, enquired if he could use a private telephone to call his company president readily agreed to. Calling Eric Brooks briefed him on the situation.

He then asked, Sir, do you think Gerald Rogers should join me here to finalize the matter?

Why Laurence? Is there something wrong with the arrangement?

Not at all sir. I think it will be a very good one for our company providing us with a lot of sub-contracting opportunities particularly for the Canadian division, a real bonus for us and our relations with the Canadian Government.

Then Laurence, you sign for us. Tell the president I’m immediately faxing him my approval. Hurry back Lawrence I want to be the first to shake the hand of the next general manager of our Canadian division.

Deveraux stunned responded, But sir What about Mister Reynolds and McAllister?

Well, when Carter recovers, having heartily approved your appointment as his replacement, he’ll be joining me here for a less arduous duty until he retires. As for McAllister, he’s left us for a less demanding role with a Toronto company.

After a jubilant Deveraux signed off for his company, Aerospace Dynamics arranged his return flight to New Jersey, receiving enthusiastic welcomes from