Trois De Trois: (Three of Three) Three Short Stories

By Geraldine F. Johnson

Trois de Trois is a book consisting of three short stories that focus on circumstances and relationships. The novel includes “Louisa,” “Passion B,” and “La Gare du Nord.”

“Louisa” is a narrative, not so much about circumstances but an account of the series of events that made rich family relationships.

“Passion B” is in the spirit and how that which is not circumstantially possible may become possible.

“La Gare du Nord” is the tale of the existing battle with the mesh of circumstances. How do you win?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 6, 2018
• ISBN: 9781984560384

Geraldine F. Johnson

Geraldine F. Johnson's career has focused on education. She has worked as a teacher, research assistant, and school principal. Ms. Johnson has a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. There are, however, other facets of her character. She likes dance, music drama, and writing. She has performed and taught dance. Her belief is that the Arts motivate students and increase learning, creativity, and communication. Ms. Johnson's first novel, The “I” Illegal, is about and dedicated to students.

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Copyright © 2019 by Geraldine F. Johnson.

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 Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 05/06/2019

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CONTENTS

Acknowledgement

Louise

Passion B

La Gare du Nord

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Appreciation is extended to family and friends whose conversations have caused me to think more about circumstances and relationships.

A special thanks to Jean Jacques for having me as her guest in France. At that time, I began thinking about the story, La Gare du Nord.

LOUISE

by Geraldine F. Johnson

He zigzagged as he ran down the block trying to increase his speed and lead on the bulky body that was behind him. He was younger and a good runner, but she the older, seemed relentlessly propelled in the chase of the figure ahead of her.

‘There’s no telling what she’ll do to me if I’m caught. She’ll probably plummet my head and body with blows from her heavy fists. I’ll run faster.’

Ron thought he could out distance his pursuer, but before he reached the end of the block his legs were becoming fatigued, and her tireless sprint was closing in on him.

‘If I can reach the intersection, she might not cross the street,’ he was hoping. He was almost there.

Louise reached out to grab the culprit, but his body gave a pull against her hands, and she was left holding the jacket as he bolted across the street and down to the next block. She stood there heaving and breathing heavily as she watched him disappear from sight.

I’ll get you! I’ll get you! Her voice echoed. Then she stood there silently as her gaze dropped to the garment in her hand. He had worn the light jacket tied around his shoulders. It did not tear when she had torn it loose. The adrenalin pumped the rage within, and she started to throw the clothing on the ground and step on it.

Two boys who had witnessed the episode interrupted her. They approached but stood several feet away.

He was only playing!

She heard the voice and looked in its direction.

He was teasing. Here’s a peppermint stick.

She turned her head to see the candy. Alan slowly moved closer and put it in her hand.

We’re your friends.

She took the sweet offering and started walking toward her house located at the other end of the block. She carried the limp jacket in the other hand as her feet made a mechanical gait with the boys walking on her right and left.

It was a long block starting with the doctor’s house with a yard that wrapped around the west corner. The other houses consisted of bungalows and brick homes. The only large apartment building was across the street from Doc’s house. They made small talk about the latest Superman movie that she had not seen. After they reached the fireplug in the middle of the block, she was responding.

What he do next?

He beat up four guys leaving them flat on the ground.

Then what?

He untied the girl, took her in his arms, and flew away. Want to see the movie? Ask your uncle to take you.

I will. She was smiling and breathing normally. Before she reached her house, the boys looked at the jacket she was holding.

That’s Ron’s jacket. His father gave it to him for his birthday.

Mine now.

Do you think it’ll fit?

I’ll wear it round my neck or put it in drawer. They continued walking.

Ron was just kidding you. You know, boys like to play.

Yes, especially if they like you.

She stopped at the bottom step.

Names like big pig isn’t nice.

I told you he was playing. You look nice in that dress.

Louise smiled slightly.

And if we see you at the movies, we’ll give you some popcorn.

Convinced, she started to hand the blue jacket to Alan.

You owe me popcorn. If I don’t see you at movies, bring popcorn to house.

We will, a big bag!

She handed over the jacket and walked up the stairs.

Thank you!

She turned toward them sucking happily on the peppermint.

Tell Ron don’t call names. Her face became angry again as she stood at the door glaring at the boys.

She opened her door. They walked away and started laughing as they saw Ron approaching them. Alan hid the jacket behind him. Ron had stopped moving and waited for his friends to reach the house where he sat on a step to rest.

She almost caught me.

Yes, they were laughing now. And she would have beat you to a pulp. She would have sat on you and crushed your head.

That was fun, but I think she took my jacket. Did you see it?

No, she must have taken it home.

Ron stood and looked toward Louise’s house.

I’d be afraid to go there to get it.

Tell your dad you lost it.

He won’t believe me. Ron looked desperate.

Then ring her bell, and ask her aunt to give it to you.

I’d rather go to the lake and jump in with my clothes on. Now I’m sorry I called her a name. My dad is going to be angry.

What’ll you give me if I get your jacket from Louise?

I don’t have any money now, but on Saturday when I get some, I’ll pay your way to the movies.

You won’t forget?

No, I said I’d pay for you.

Alan was standing so that Ron could not see the object he held behind his back.

Get my jacket. It’s almost dinner time.

Her aunt is going to give a long talk about name calling. I’ll have to listen to it!

Ok, I’ll give you half of my candy bar at the movies.

A Butterfinger.

Ron nodded, looking up at Alan’s face. Alan slowly revealed his possession and held it in front of him. Henry was laughing.

He fooled you, man.

We had already talked Louise out of it.

Ron quickly took his jacket. He was angry at himself for losing his temper with Louise, and now Alan had outwitted him. He didn’t thank Alan but was thinking, ‘well I got my jacket.’ The boys started walking south toward their homes enjoying the May spring air. Ron stopped to tighten his belt and put on his jacket. He was shorter than the other two boys.

It all started when Louise was sitting on the porch as they passed her house. The boys were talking about a softball game to be played in the vacant lot when she said, Hi.

They did not respond when she repeated her greeting. Feeling snubbed and somewhat rejected, she shouted Hi ugly, ugly, and shorty

What did she say?

She called us names

They walked back a few feet to stand near the bottom of her front steps.

What did you say?

Louise was in a bad mood. She had their attention. I called you skinny boys ugly and him shorty.

You need to look in the mirror! Alan said nastily.

Well, I’m tall, you short. She was pointing toward Ron. Ron was the shortest boy in his fifth grade class. Although he was popular, he had to work hard to play sports as well as his classmates. Suddenly, Louise had touched a sensitive spot in his self-esteem. Ron pointed his finger toward her.

You look like a fat pig! His utterance brought to the surface the ugly images, frustration, and hurt that she concealed. She seemed to hurl herself down the stairs, and the chase had begun.

I’ll try to see you after dinner for the softball game. If I can’t make it, I’ll call.

Maybe you had enough exercise. Alan was still smiling.

Yeah, they laughed as Ron ran up the stairs of his house.

‘Hope her uncle won’t tell my father about it. I’m not going to worry. I’ll have a good explanation!’

He could smell the aroma from the dinner on the stove.

Hi, Mom. He stood next to her at the table.

You’re late. How many times have I told you to come straight home? Start your homework and wash your face and hands. Your father will be home soon.

He didn’t argue. He hoped Mrs. Arnold wouldn’t mention the chasing incident when she saw his mother. Ron had almost finished his assignment when he heard his father’s voice coming from the kitchen. He ran to the living room where his father was now relaxing in a stuffed chair.

How’s my favorite son?

They hugged, and Ron sat beside him while they read the newspaper together. He forgot the troubles of the day as he felt the comfort of his home and father’s love. These were the good times because when he was fifteen, his father would die of a disease that he never heard of––cancer.

As for Louise, when she stepped across the threshold, she bumped into her aunt who was approaching the door.

Where were you? I had put on my sweater to come to look for you. Aunt Mae’s face looked stern but relieved as she looked closely at Louise who put the candy behind her back.

Did I hear you talking to someone? She was staring at her niece’s face.

Yes, saying hi to Henry and Alan.

They weren’t bothering you? I’ll speak to their mothers if they were.

She shook her head to indicate no.

Satisfied, the aunt walked to the kitchen to finish cooking while the niece hurried to her room to finish the peppermint.

The house was large for three people with a kitchen that was considered modern in those days. There was a white refrigerator, gas stove, and wooden cabinets. The thick linoleum on the floor with a welcome mat at the door made the room look larger and somewhat elegant. In the back there was a large yard with tulips and daffodils beginning to bloom. Occasionally, birds played on the stone bath statue splashing water on the lawn. They did not own the corner vacant lot, but kept it free of debris and planted tomatoes and vegetables. Aunt Mae worked at home, and gardening was a task she enjoyed. Uncle Mark worked as a school custodian and did odd jobs for people in the neighborhood. He was good at plumbing and carpentry as well. For him, working with his hands provided a good living for the couple and his niece, who was his youngest sister’s child. Actually, Louise was not a child, she was 19 years old.

Having finished her candy, washed her face and hands, and changed her dress, Louise was in the kitchen helping Aunt Mae with dinner when she saw Uncle Mark come in the back door. He hugged her first and then kissed his wife on the cheek. Although the uncle had what some people might consider a menial job, he changed clothes, washed, and had a clean appearance when he left work. He believed that Cleanliness is next to Godliness.

After dinner they read the Bible. Louise listened because for her the words were difficult to read. She was able to memorize several Bible verses. Louise especially enjoyed listening to stories and music on the radio. Uncle Mark screened the programs. He’d sometimes say, They’ll have something new in a few months––pictures you can see on a small screen at home.

Movies! Like Superman. She liked to hear about the new box.

Louise slept peacefully at night in her room that had an adjoining bath, but at different times, her aunt and uncle worried. When she was asleep, sometimes they would talk in their bedroom.

She’s lived with us since she was three. I’d wanted her to be a teacher like the ones at my school. She seemed smart.

Well, something happened because she stopped talking and began walking like a puppet.

The doctors don’t seem to know much about her strange condition.

It was so sad, especially when her mother saw how she was, it was like she didn’t want her. She practically begged us to keep Louise.

You have to understand, Mae, that’s my sister. Louisa always wanted to be a singer and even after she had a child with no husband, she still had her dream.

But she didn’t have to take advantage of us because we didn’t have children.

Aunt Mae thought about what she was saying realizing that she needed to soften her words. It’s been a blessing having her. She keeps me from being lonely while you’re working.

Her husband gave her a hug as they sat on the bed together. He was grateful that his