Change of Luck: Not Losing My Mind (Book 4)

By Ken Saik

Lock me up for my good 

No Son. Not a chance.  

In this fantasy/mystery novella, an elderly father's dilemma begins when he accepts a crinkled $100 bill from a friend. He soon discovers each time he uses it, the bill returns like magic. 

Good luck? Spend to your heart's content?  

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stratton Press
• Release date: Jun 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9781648959547

Ken Saik

              Ken Saik, retired social studies teacher with the Edmonton Public School Board, was once a member of the executive of the Alberta Teacher’s Association. During that time, he became a member of the Greater Edmonton Association, a local pressure group working to improve housing for the poor. He enrolled in their training on “engaging people for political action.” In his latest book, The Caretaker, Ken Saik uses the lessons he learned to arm Steve, the story’s protagonist, to stop Walter Kohlberg, a developer, from converting a public park into a housing development for the rich.

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Change of Luck

Copyright © 2022 Ken Saik

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Stratton Press Publishing

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Wilmington, DE 19801

www.stratton-press.com

1-888-323-7009

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in the work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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

ISBN (Paperback): 978-1-64895-953-0

ISBN (Ebook): 978-1-64895-954-7

Printed in the United States of America

Contents

Chapter 1  Friends to the Rescue

Chapter 2  The Good Life

Chapter 3  A Mistake, Maybe

Chapter 4  Payback time

Chapter 5  Damn You

Chapter 6  You’ve Got to Help Me

Chapter 7  You’re a Thief

Chapter 8  This Can’t Continue

Chapter 9  Strange Boy

Chapter 10  For Colin

Book 4

Chapter 1

Friends to the Rescue

Edgar approached the table at Mable Pastry’s shop, where Maggie and Alex were seated. His pace lacked his earlier energy when he left them to go to Westland Computer Shop.

Hey, Edgar.

Alex’s loud call pulled Edgar out of his deliberations. Edgar forced a thin smile as he gazed at his friend. Good cut, he thought. The barbershop was one of his stops today. Six weeks was too long to wait.

A thin white covering topped Alex’s head, unlike Edgar’s. Many male residents at Brylls Senior Continuing Center envied Edgar’s thick snow-white hair. Good genes, he’d tell them with a chuckle.

The energy in Alex’s wave encouraged Edgar to move faster. Alex slid his horse-head cane off the table to make room for his friend.

Why so glum? asked Maggie as she directed Edgar to the empty chair beside her. For a second or two, he admired the woman with a white sweater and a loose blue and white scarf. No makeup, but not a strand of hair was out of place.

Want one? Alex pointed to his apple custard croissant.

Edgar nodded.

Tea too?

Edgar agreed, so Alex voiced his instructions to the owner of the shop at the counter. Since she only had customers at two other tables, she also served today. Weekday afternoons were usually slow.

Didn’t get my new computer, said Edgar, sitting down. With lips pursed, he slowly shook his head. The one I wanted, the advertised one with the twenty-four-inch screen. It’s gone. They only had two for sale. The clerk showed me a few other computers with twenty-seven-inch screens for another hundred dollars. Not on sale, but I would be happy with one of those. He also had a Mac. Smaller screen and another hundred more. Without saying another word, he looked at the table.

So why didn’t you buy it? When he didn’t answer, Maggie reached out and put her hand on his arm. Edgar?

He slowly looked up at her and, in a low voice, mumbled, I didn’t have the money. I mean, I’d have to go back to the bank.

Alex understood his friend’s dilemma. Edgar didn’t use credit cards or checks. To make a purchase, he’d go to the bank and withdraw what he needed. No more. It was a strategy he adopted to curb his former gambling addiction. If he had no extra money, he couldn’t bet on the horses or even buy a lottery ticket. For the last ten years, he forced himself to follow that strategy. His savings grew. He wasn’t rich, but he had a little financial flexibility that would allow him to make sizeable purchases like getting a new computer.

So what are you going to do? Was he bored last week? thought Alex.

After Edgar heard his hard drive was shot and he’d need a new computer, he called Alex every other day just to talk. The tech suggested that Edgar wait a while. The shop was likely to have a sale to unload some old stock. Two days ago, Edgar heard of the sale.

Well, I’ll tell you what I am not going to do. Edgar’s decisive tone left no doubt that he’d made up his mind. I’m not going to ask Mr. Morrison to drive me to the bank and back here again. He was kind enough stop at the bank after lunch and bring me here.

Bring us, corrected Maggie.

Yes, agreed Edgar. And I’m very thankful you asked him to do that. He doesn’t really know me.

True, but Ron knows Maggie, added Alex. He loves her baking. And he knows she’s going to be making butter tarts tomorrow. Alex’s bright smile disappeared after Maggie kicked his leg under the table.

The owner of Mable Pastry’s shop placed Edgar’s order before him.

Put it on our bill, said Alex. She nodded and left.

So what are you going to do? Maggie’s attention focused on Edgar.

Edgar raised the cup of his steaming tea, blew on it more times than necessary, took a sip and then a second. Two faces patiently waited.

Best I can come up with is tomorrow. If the center’s shuttle is not available, I’ll take a cab to the bank. Pick up the extra cash and come here for the computer.

Oh no. The shock in Maggie’s voice drew the attention of Alex and Edgar. That’s such a waste. If the cab waits for you at the bank and then the computer shop, that’ll cost you a fortune. To call a cab again each time you stop–– She paused. That’ll eat up your whole day.

I know, but that’s all I can come up with.

Maggie looked at Alex. After a couple of seconds, he nodded. She reached down by her foot, grabbed her black leather purse, and fished out her wallet. Take this, she said, unfolding a crinkled one-hundred-dollar bill.

No. I can’t. I’ve got the money in the bank. Honest.

Then pay me back when we visit next time. Maggie pushed the bill to the cardboard plate holding his croissant. Take it, she insisted.

"Didn’t you bring this to buy some kind of planter at

Home Hardware?"

We did, said Alex. But I didn’t like their wooden boxes. Too heavy. I know where I can get some plastic ones. They’re lighter. But I did get the stair frames to put them on.

Well, if you don’t need the money now––

We don’t, cut in Maggie. Now finish your croissant and get that computer before it is sold. Ron has room in his trunk. You’ll be able to set it up tonight.

You guys are the greatest, he said. With renewed optimism, he placed the money in his wallet and began eating.

*****

So far so good, thought Maggie. Before bringing the raisin bran muffins and coffee to the plastic patio table, she’d checked