Stories to Inspire and Tales that Terrify (Volume four): Stories to Inspire and Tales that Terrify, #4

By Kevin Densmore

The magic returns. 

 

Get ready for an all new collection of short stories. Some terrifying, some inspiring, but all magical in their own way. Join us as we venture with a little girl who gets lost in the woods and comes across an overprotective bear. Witness a horrific display of violence in an all too familiar combat arena. Fall victim to an elderly woman's crippling phobia and revisit the small town of Variance.

 

Inside a world of magic awaits you, some dark and some light. 

 

Grab a seat and keep your eyes on the stage. The lights are going down and the curtains are about to open…the magic is about to begin once more. 

 

Are you ready?

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kevin Densmore
• Release date: Jul 30, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201799823

Kevin Densmore

Kevin began writing short stories when he was an awkward teenager living in a small town in Alabama. Now as an awkward adult, Kevin now lives in a small town in Illinois and still writes short stories. Only this time he is releasing his madness into the world.

Book preview

Introduction: Let the Magic Begin (Again)

Every author has that one book that they enjoy, immensely. That one story. That one idea. Mine are the first two books I ever published, volumes one and two of this series. The stories in those first two volumes were simple and fun. I’m not implying that any of my other stories are not simple and fun, I am merely saying that those stories made me a published author and they hold a special place in my heart. Not long after those first two volumes, I released a few other projects before releasing a third volume of this series. After that book, I never thought I would see this series again.   And I felt like I was cheating on a long time lover.

I released several other short story books, I even released a novella and a  novel. But in the nearly four years that passed, I never returned to the series that started my journey into publishing. Oh and let me tell you, people wanted it. From my editor, to my girlfriend, to my neighbor, to a random dude on the street named Adam. (a charming if not pushy fellow) I quickly discovered that people love this series. I don’t know if it is because of the completely random nature of the stories, or if it’s because there is not a constant theme that runs throughout the book. Regardless, people demanded another volume. So I listened...a little too well.

The one good, or bad thing about my mind, is that the wheels are always turning. So as I looked through old ideas and came up with new ones to fill a fourth volume of this series, I wound up with over fifty stories that I needed to write. Here in your hands are the first 19 of those stories, plus a bonus poem. The good news is, there will be two or perhaps three more volumes in this series coming in the next few years; and potentially more because my mind does not turn off and I am constantly writing.

The more I write, the more I have discovered that writing is quite therapeutic. (especially after writing a larger, more drawn out story, that became a novel) These short stories are a blessing for me. I know you didn’t come here to read my psycho babble, you came to read some pretty good, terrifying,and inspiring stories. So, if you're ready for this new wave of magic to begin, simply reach into my hat, maybe you’ll pull out a rabbit or a rose, or maybe you’ll pull out a bloody stump. Who knows with me. Just stay safe and have fun.

Now with a wave of my wand, here we go!

Southern Bitch Chili

Logan absolutely hated his sisters. This was more than just mere sibling rivalry. There was no mutual disagreement or ongoing contest between them. Logan simply hated his sisters with every fiber of his being. Mainly because they were horrible people.

Logan’s sisters, Karen and Sharon, who were only given names that rhyme because their parents thought it was cute, were the worst sort of people alive. They stole from everyone they knew and every place they went. They lied and teased men just to get what they wanted. Logan couldn’t tolerate what they had become or what they were doing and wanted nothing to do with their toxic lifestyle. In an attempt to cut them from his life forever, he moved away.

Once Logan left the toxic bubble of his family behind in Arab, Alabama, he made his way up north to Sioux City, Iowa. He found work as a dishwasher in a local restaurant called The Paradise Grill, and gradually began to create a life for himself. Logan wasn’t a bright kid, he was a bit slow, but manual labor was something he excelled at. It wasn’t long before he was scrubbing dishes and keeping the restaurant clean with minimal effort. His bosses saw just how well he was doing and paid him accordingly.

One day during down time, Logan watched the chef at the restaurant, a respected man everyone called Chef Allen, prepare a simple chicken dish. He wasn’t sure how, but Logan was able to memorize each step of the preparation without even looking at a recipe card. He hadn’t done much cooking in his life, but when he did, what he made was adequate enough for human consumption. Logan decided that he would try to replicate Chef Allen’s chicken dish at home, after work, that night.

When he arrived home that evening, Logan prepared the chicken dish using only his memory. Soon his kitchen was filled with fabulous aromas, similar to what he was accustomed to smelling at work. When the dish was prepared, he sat down and took a bite of his food. He was instantly surprised and overwhelmed by what he had accomplished. The food was exquisite! It was at that moment Logan realized that he had a hidden talent for cooking.

When he arrived at work the next day, he told anyone that would listen that he had replicated Chef Allen’s chicken dish, perfectly. Eventually, word got back to Chef Allen who later approached Logan and asked if what he claimed was true.

So son, Chef Allen said as he approached Logan near the end of their shift, I hear you can prepare my chicken dish.

Logan looked at Chef Allen nervously and said, Well, I watched you do it and I figured I would give it a go.

Chef Allen let out a little snort and said, Okay, I tell you what, after the last customer leaves, you come into the kitchen and make that chicken dish, and if you replicate it correctly, I will make sure you never wash another dish ever again.

Logan started to panic, he had never been this nervous before. He seriously considered leaving by faking an illness. But in the back of his mind he knew he could prepare the chicken dish almost as good as Chef Allen. Logan simply nodded his head in agreement and hurriedly headed back to the dishwashing station.

Logan anxiously waited for the last customer to leave. He tried to distract himself by keeping busy, but it was a Wednesday night and the restaurant didn’t see much business in the middle of the week, so he didn’t have much work to do. The last customer left at about thirty minutes to closing time and with nothing to keep him busy, Logan spent the remainder of his shift wringing his hands together and pacing the restaurant. Before long the head server announced that the doors were locked and it was time to prove himself to Chef Allen.

Chef Allen was a very respected man in and around Sioux City. Word had spread through the restaurant in no time that Logan was going to attempt to prepare the chicken dish that Chef Allen had recently added to the menu. Logan knew nothing about the dish or how recently it was created. All he knew was that he had figured out how to make it and that apparently telling people he figured it out was a big deal. Chef Allen finished cleaning his side of the grill area and called Logan over to him.

Alright bud, let's see it. Chef Allen said, as he stepped back and gestured with both hands toward the grill.

Logan nervously stepped up to the grill and took a deep breath. He realized it was going to be a bit more difficult to replicate Chef Allen’s dish in this kitchen than it was at home. At home he had modest pots, pans and utensils. Here, he had a professional kitchen, which included a flat top griddle, an iron grill over a gas flame, and four burners. It was indeed an expansive cooking area, but Logan didn’t feel overwhelmed, instead he felt a strange sense of peace. He turned around and scanned the prep table for the ingredients he needed and once he found everything, went to work.

Replicating the chicken dish took less time in the restaurant’s kitchen than it did at home. Logan had completed preparing Chef Allen’s chicken dish in no time. With an unsteady hand, he delivered a plate of his creation to Chef Allen and nervously stepped back. It was then that Logan noticed that several of the servers, the restaurant manager, and a couple of the sous chefs had been watching from the server station. He didn’t understand why this was such a big deal to them.

Chef Allen raised an eyebrow as he examined Logan's dish. Alright, it definitely looks the part, he said. Chef Allen then inhaled deeply through his nose before adding, It smells pretty decent too. Then, Chef Allen picked up a fork and sectioned off a sizable bite of Logan’s chicken. As he placed the sample on his tongue, his eyes went wide and he started to nod his head. Then he took another bite of Logan's dish, before exclaiming, Well I’ll be damned, boy...You did it!

A round of applause broke out from the crowd at the server station. The sous chefs cheered and beamed at Logan, but again Logan didn’t understand what the big deal was. He took a deep breath, relaxed a bit and simply said, Thank you.

Chef Allen turned toward the server station and called out to the restaurant manager. Hey Jerry! Get this boy a chef’s jacket and find yourself a new dishwasher. He looked at Logan and added, This kid works with me now.

Jerry let out an exuberant, You got it! before heading to his office.

It was at that moment that Logan’s life changed forever.

Logan worked hard to learn everything Chef Allen had to offer. For the next six months he did everything the Chef asked, conquering each task that was presented to him. During this time Logan discovered that what made him so good at cooking was what Chef Allen referred to as a Perfect Palette. Not a technical term, mind you, just a term used among the professionals in the community to describe someone with a natural ability to prepare delicious food.

Once a week, Logan would call his parents to inform them of his success. They were very proud of him and promised to visit him the moment he opened his own restaurant. Logan was so happy to have his parent’s approval and couldn’t wait for the day when he would see them again. Knowing that they would destroy his happiness, Logan didn’t tell his sisters anything and instructed his parents to do the same. They reluctantly agreed.

At Chef Allen’s suggestion, Logan took culinary courses at the Western Iowa Tech Community College. He was faithful to his studies for an entire year, excelling at everything he attempted. Feeling he had learned all he could, Logan left college. He was awarded a couple of honors and a degree which recognized him as chef. Logan of course immediately called his parents to inform them of his success. Unfortunately, what was supposed to be a celebratory phone call was one of utter devastation. Logan was informed that his father had cancer.

The cancer diagnosis wasn’t all that surprising. Logan’s father was a pack a day smoker afterall, but that didn’t make things any less painful. He asked for and was granted a week long bereavement leave from the restaurant. Logan quickly made his way to Alabama to be with his father in his final moments.

Logan was grateful that he made it in time to see his father before he passed. The last conversation Logan had with his father was truly a blessing, and became a continuing source of inspiration. His father stated that he was extremely proud of his son for all he had done. Logan left the hospital filled with love and a smile on his face. The next morning, he received a phone call informing him that his father had passed.

A few days later, a memorial service was held, and it was truly wonderful. Logan’s sisters were even civil toward him, which was surprising. Just before leaving Alabama, they all discovered that Logan’s father had left a life insurance policy and a will that stated his children were to receive one hundred thousand dollars each. Logan knew right away what he was going to do with his inheritance. He would use it as seed money to open his very own restaurant.

The night before he left, Logan invited his mother to come back with him to Iowa. Logan’s mother, being a true southern girl, politely turned him down and said, Son, you know my heart is here in Alabama.

The next morning, Logan’s mother took him to the airport, where they said their final goodbyes. Before he boarded the plane, Logan hugged his mother tightly and said, Mom, are you sure you don’t want to come live with me?

Logan’s mother smiled at him and with tears in her eyes replied, I told you son, I just can’t leave my home. Heartbroken, Logan smiled, hugged his mom again and left her at the terminal. This was the last time he would ever see her alive.

For the next two years, Logan kept his head down and worked hard. Chef Allen had such confidence in Logan, he even stepped aside and allowed Logan to lead the kitchen. Logan was extremely grateful for Chef Allen’s trust in him, but he knew that in order to really achieve the success he desired, he was going to have to open his own restaurant. Unfortunately, that would put him in direct competition with Chef Allen. Two years after his father’s passing, Logan decided to discuss his plans with Chef Allen.

Logan and Chef Allen would head to a bar down the street from their restaurant every night. It became a kind of tradition, if you will. After their drinks were served, Logan began one of the most difficult conversions of his professional career. Chef, Logan said with a slight tremble in his voice, I think it’s time for me to open my own place.

Chef Allen beamed at Logan and exclaimed, Wonderful! I’ve been waiting for you to strike out on your own.

Logan, completely taken aback at Chef Allen’s response, looked at him quizzically and asked, Really?

Chef Allen let out a hearty laugh and clapped Logan on the back. Of course, son! Look, you were never gonna work with me forever. Any chef worth his salt always strikes out on his own, eventually.

Logan smiled brightly and said, Thank you!

Chef Allen waved off the gesture of gratitude and asked a question of his own. So, what’s the plan?

Over many more rounds, Logan told Chef Allen about all of the ideas he had for his own restaurant. He explained that he had already been scouting for a location that would suit his needs. Just before closing time, Logan had finished telling Chef Allen his plans.

As they paid their tab and were preparing to leave, Chef Allen smiled at Logan and said, That sounds like a plan if I ever heard one. If you ever need my help, just let me know.

When they left the bar, Logan offered a handshake to his beloved mentor. Chef Allen grabbed Logan’s hand and didn’t just shake it, he pulled Logan in for a huge bear hug. We’re family kiddo...and families hug! Chef Allen exclaimed.

Chef, Logan squeaked out from inside the bear hug, you’re drunk.

The two men let go of one another and couldn't help but laugh, hysterically.

The following day, Logan submitted his two week notice to Jerry and began the arduous process of opening his own restaurant.

It took the better part of six months, but after loads of hard work and dedication, Logan was finally able to open a quaint little cafe in a nearby strip mall that he called Logan’s Eats. While he was excited for this new chapter in his life to begin and the prospect of future successes, no one was more jubilant than his mother. Logan called her everyday to keep her up to date on his progress. She would smile and laugh and offer words of encouragement and affirmation. Logan spoke to his mom every afternoon, without fail for about an hour, at precisely one o’clock. Sometimes he would speak with her in the evening if things got too hectic during the day, but one o’clock was literally a special time for the two of them. Logan couldn’t explain why it felt so special, it just was. That was until the afternoon his mother didn’t answer the phone.

Logan called several times that day, but no one answered. He tried his sisters and wasn’t at all surprised when they didn’t answer. For two days Logan heard absolutely nothing from his family in Alabama. Then, on a bright, warm, beautiful Sunday morning, his cousin Joe, called him out of the blue.

Logan was happy and relieved when he saw Joe’s information flash on the screen of his cell phone. They hadn’t spoken in a very long time and Logan was hopeful that Joe could explain why he wasn’t able to get ahold of his mother and sisters.

After a brief exchange of hellos and pleasantries, Joe offered Logan his condolences.

Hey man, I’m so sorry about your mom, Joe said.

Logan didn’t understand and asked, What are you talking about?

Your mom was in a car wreck like three days ago, Joe continued. Didn’t the girls tell you?

Tears began to well up in Logan’s eyes and his heart sank into his stomach. He was furious, saddened and couldn’t breathe, then he started to see red. Why didn’t his sisters tell him what had happened? He had so many thoughts swirling in his head that he completely forgot he was still on the phone with Joe.

Hey Logan?  Dude? You still there? Joe asked.

Logan snapped out of his melancholic state and answered, Yeah. Sorry. No, the girls hadn’t told me. He took a deep breath and asked, when's the funeral?

Joe paused for a second before carrying on in a shaky voice, Dude, the service is today. The girls had your mom cremated.

Rage began building up inside of Logan and he slammed his phone to the ground. He was beyond vehement. One thing was for sure, his sisters went too far and he had to confront them.

Logan had to make preparations. He picked his phone up off the ground and dialed Chef Allen’s number. After Logan explained what had happened, Chef Allen offered his condolences and asked what he could do to help.

Logan had only one answer, Could you watch my restaurant for a couple of weeks and keep it open while I go to Alabama to handle this?

Chef Allen replied, Of course Logan, anything you need. Go be with your family and I’ll handle your business. Logan quickly thanked him and ended the call. His next task was to arrange a flight home to Alabama.

Logan managed to get himself on the next flight