Magpies Minutes Mysteries: Volume 3

By Barbara Ann (Myers) Van Sant

My stories are a conglomeration of different fictitious people and events put together with the intent of giving its owners a source of enjoyment and relaxation. Propping your feet up every day for half an hour is very good for blood pressure. Hopefully, my words give you a chuckle, a new thought, maybe nostalgia, and not too long to give you boredom. As a child I would read when the stories were short. I was born with a case of boredom.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 16, 2016
• ISBN: 9781514426197

Barbara Ann (Myers) Van Sant

My new Magpies Minutes Mysteries, due out in December 2015, will have one lengthy story with bumpy action, mishaps, and power of suggestion spooks. The characters, Tristin, Swifty, Harry, Gabby, and a trailing policeman named Kalan have bumps, bruises, and mud up to their missing fenders. “Lollipopalooza” is a fast-moving, action-filled story with an exciting real clad pirate who has a magical makeup artist that can reproduce a look-a-like (Mr.) Johnny Depp / Capt. Jack, Disney World! I am sure “An Unbelievable Lollipopalooza” plus two short stories, “Cydalhia” and “The Party,” will give you a chuckle, maybe a new thought, possibly nostalgia, and not long enough to give you boredom.

Book preview

Copyright © 2016 by Barbara Ann (Myers) Van Sant.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2015919571

ISBN:      Hardcover   978-1-5144-2622-7

                Softcover     978-1-5144-2620-3

                eBook           978-1-5144-2619-7

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.

Rev. date: 07/15/2016

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CONTENTS

Introduction: An Unbelievable Lollipopalooza

Chapter #1

Chapter #2

Chapter #3

Chapter #4

Chapter #5

Chapter #6

Chapter #7

Chapter #8

Chapter #9

Chapter #10

INTRODUCTION: AN UNBELIEVABLE LOLLIPOPALOOZA

M Y HUSBAND HAD just left for work. On his way out the kitchen door he kissed me and wished me good luck on my trip to visit my parents. I followed him to the door peeked outside to see what the skies were like. The weather forecast had predicted snow but it looked as if I might make it to my parents home before any accumulation…Turning back towards the kitchen I heated my cold coffee, picked-up my cup and headed towards the bedroom. While sipping on my coffee I managed to finish dressing, close my over night suitcase, comb my hair and fix my make-up…Within fifteen to twenty minutes I grabbed my suitcase and purse; locking the house, then placing my suitcase in the rear of the car I headed in the direction of my hometown and parents.

I had phoned earlier and told mother and daddy I would arrive at their house within a couple of hours…The trip so far seemed to be going smoothly until heavy snow flurries started falling everywhere. To make sure I had plenty of gas and my tires had enough air I decided to stop at a gas station that the signs kept directing me to. I made a right turn, following the turn off to an old gas station that advertised motels for rent. At the top of the hill stood an old Victorian house. I thought to myself, this must be some kind of a joke! Very slowly I pulled-up to the pump and tapped on my horn; watching the snow flakes from inside my car deepen. Suddenly: from out of nowhere someone was tapping on my driver’s window. I slowly cracked the top of the window…I know my eyes were stretched out of their sockets…Suddenly, a tall, lanky, black haired man with piercing eyes uttered, Can I help you miss?

I couldn’t believe my voice; I was actually stuttering, Would you please fill my car with gas? My voice was stuck on gas I couldn’t pronounce the words to get my tires checked.

My eyes were glued to my side mirror to see as much as I could. When he finished pumping gas and returned I immediately paid him, started my engine, turned around and slid back to the main highway. Scared stiff, I found the exit heading straight towards my home. I was never so spooked in all my life. I told my parents I was afraid of the snow stranding me, that I would visit with them when the weather turned better.

I did visit them years later after my husband died and I had rented my home and moved-in with Swifty. He is a sailboat enthusiast who loves sailing. He told me he had a very important project he was working on and Harry, his best friend, was helping him with the project. Swifty was very closed mouth when it came to his private life…

CHAPTER #1

Y EARS HAVE PASSED since that snowstorm! My husband died leaving me alone, except for Lollipopalooza; for a long time until I made the decision to move……

My new live-in boyfriend of two weeks is called Swifty and in case I haven’t mentioned the fact that my name is Tristan; I’m telling you it’s Tristan. Swifty left our rented new home this morning around 9:00A.M. He is on his precious sailboat and has been practicing maneuvers on his new boat whenever he has free time. I know absolutely nothing about his past except he says he’s not married and can’t help the fact he fell in love with me and wants to make us a couple. He seemed so sincere and loving when he said those sweet words. "I want to see your pretty face and see your smile every morning.

I also like looking at him, seeing his smile and hearing his voice as we eat our breakfast and the rest of the day. But I can’t help being leery of everything. My first husband was divorced and had been when I met him. He asked me to marry him approximately one month after we met…No one would believe it but we had a wonderful marriage—about fifteen years. After the fifteen years, so much illness ravaged him and his pain made a wonderful man into two different people. He told me

at the end of his life, My only problem has been I started to like the taste of alcohol. He and I were not good drinkers—early to bed and proper meals made us a healthy existence. Other than his health our similarities were unbelievable; we shared many interests and sincerely cared and loved each other. Aging can be mind boggling; when you are accustomed to all of your body functioning painlessly it starts marching to a different drummer. Doctors and nurses do their best to keep our parts together and working properly but living a healthy pain free life is not always possible.

Pushing that train of thought to the back of my head the worry for Swifty returned. I’ve only been able to reach him once on his cell phone since he left the house and he didn’t sound well at all.

Just as I started down the stairs, dragging the sheet full of clothes behind me, the phone rang again. Maybe that’s Swifty, I moaned, as I kicked the tied sheet down the stairs and hurried to the kitchen. Hello! I uttered, out of breath and afraid for Swifty.

Tristan, I took two of your aspirin that were in your pill box, on the end table this morning. I felt like a cold was coming on, but now I’m feeling worse. I’m heading back to the boatyard, see you soon.

He no sooner spoke than he hung-up, not hearing me say, Swifty, I’m going to check those pills, hold on.

I quickly laid the phone down and ran back into the bedroom…When I studied the pills laying on my end table; I almost fainted. Instead of washing his face and checking the label, Swifty had taken two of my sleeping pills and was trying to steer his sailboat half asleep. As soon as I realized what had happened I dialed the phone where he kept his boat, Hello Harry, this is Tristan, Swifty’s girlfriend. I have an emergency, I’m positive Swifty has mistakenly taken my sleeping pills and is trying to steer his sailboat, he needs help right away!

Don’t you worry Tristan, the coastguard is on its way and so am I.

Bless you Harry, I don’t need another funeral. When I placed the receiver back I knew that for me waiting patiently was an impossibility. Swifty had just moved in the two weeks before, my luck just couldn’t be that bad. I can’t take this I’m going down to the boatyard. I grabbed my pocketbook and the dummy my husband made and started out the door. I had a habit of holding onto Lollipopalooza when I was in trouble. I don’t know why but I felt as if she was my good luck charm. When I was lonely or sad I would put her in the front seat where my husband sat and she always made me feel better. I needed to calm down, I was terrified. Before I turned the key in my car, I decided to try and reach Swifty again on my cell phone, the phone rang and rang. Finally; the receiver picked-up, Hello! a weak sounding voice said.

Swifty, it’s me Tristan! I called Harry, he’s on his way. The phone went dead!

I thought I was going to pass out. When I turned the key in my ignition, the skies turned threatening and black. The winds picked-up to an extreme, causing the tree limbs to sway and bend in a breakable position. I wanted to race to the boatyard, but the limbs and rising waters were making it almost impossible to drive. Many times I remembered the newscasters warning: do not drive in rising water your car is unpredictable, it is possible to lose complete control. I kept hearing Swifty’s weak voice as I plowed on through every rising puddle. Suddenly another shocking sound interrupted my maniac determination, the sound of police sirens. I looked to the left side of me and saw a police cruiser motioning me to the side of the road. I had no alternative but to pull over and stop.

The next thing I knew my side window was being tapped on, Roll down your window, the officer demanded.

I replied firmly, Officer, I like policemen, they have always been nice to me, but, may I see your badge?

I will flash open my rain coat while I drown, he replied in his nastiest of nasty voices. Before I go under standing in this rising puddle, trying to save your life, remind me to tell you the dangers of driving in flooding waters.

I know officer and I wouldn’t be in this car, in this storm, if it weren’t an emergency. I am terrified!

Where are you headed? he asked, sounding a little less nasty, standing in his drowning puddle.

To the boatyard, a few blocks further down the road. My boyfriend is in a life threatening situation.

Be cautious, I’ll follow you in case you have trouble, he replied, returning to his cruiser.

Thank you God for that nice officer, I mumbled, as I turned the key in my ignition. I looked over at Lolli and said, Your dad must be sitting with you and knew we needed help. It was amazing how much safer I felt with the police officer following me…Soon, my car was parked in the boatyard parking lot. I wanted to thank the officer again, but when I looked in the rear view mirror, he was pulling out of the lot.

The rain was pounding the blacktop as I ran from my car, not locking the doors…Just as I put my hand on the door knob of the boatyard office; I turned to see if my car had floated away. I couldn’t believe my eyes, a stranger was opening the passenger side. Storms do not stop thieves! I thought.

I started screaming, Get away from my car! I saw a hooded man grab Lolli and started running. I took off running after him, still hollering, Put Lolli back in my car, she’s mine!

When he saw a hysterical woman running after him, with an amazing strong arm he pitched her out into the storm. Her wobbly and gangly legs were flying. My sorry eyes saw her land way out in the water, making it impossible for me to get her. The stormy waves caused her arms and legs to flap across the waters like an Olympic swimmer. I didn’t know which incident was worse, losing the memories of my husband or Swifty’s situation—more salty tears on my raw face. I was drenched to the bone and sobbing, Oh Lolli, I’m going to miss you. Opening the door to the office, I mumbled, I can’t even cry on Harry’s shoulder, he’s gone!

A cutting voice piped-up and asked, Can we help you? Her voice sounding cynical and curious.

Looking at the four women seated in the same room with me, I momentarily lost my sadness about Lolli and Swifty. Swifty’s connection to the four women consumed me. He’s not married! I thought. He told me those exact words. He never said anything about being married before. I know, maybe the four women are his cousins? My imagination was working overtime. Are you relatives? Grinding my teeth and frowning as I spoke.

They all cracked a smile like puppets and replied, You might say that! I felt worse, I wished I had kept my mouth shut and that’s what I intended to do until Swifty was found and he could defend himself…From that time on, there we sat five dummies waiting for the door to open…It seemed like an eternity before Harry and the coastguard rolled Swifty in on a stretcher. When I saw him I couldn’t believe my eyes he was holding Lolli. She saved my life! he remarked, handing me my drippy, sodden and torn wooden mannequin.

How did Lolli save your life? I asked. I don’t remember ever being so choked up. My entire body started to tremble as I hugged my sodden piece of wood.

I would have drown except for a huge limb with plenty of leaves to cushion my fall and one Lollipopalooza with flying arms and legs that Harry spotted. After rescuing both of us Harry called the coastguard searching around the sailboat. My boat has been rescued and if exposure doesn’t do me in I may still be with the living, his words were slurred and his eyes heavy.

He was having a terrible time staying awake and I felt terrible pushing him further when I asked, By the way Swifty can you stay awake long enough to see all the ladies waiting to see you? Harry’s wife Gabby called and told them the predicament you were in.

Hi Swifty sweetie. Hope you’re all right. The dark complicated, pretty women commented."

Squinting he replied, Lacy, it’s good to see you. Gabby called all of you? That was thoughtful of her. You could see between being extremely sleepy he was in a strained situation.

Seeing the situation I quickly said, Lacy, it was nice of all of you to come here in this storm for moral support for Swifty. But, I do think all of us had better let him rest. We can wish him well after the hospital checks him out.

Harry quickly remarked, "An ambulance was called. As soon as it arrives Swifty is supposed to go to the hospital, you can all wish him well there. The storm must be getting worse or Swifty would have already been in the hospital. I called 911 from the boat.

It was amazing