Hollywood: Starring Stories & Poems

By Carolyn Croop

Fifteen short stories along with fourteen poems feature the stories, "Tribal Mind" and

"Inside Banking Fable". In "Tribal Mind", Kendall is afflicted with amnesia. She seeks

help from a slew of doctors to no avail until...she meets a witch doctor. "Inside Banking

Fable" metaphorically tells a story relating to money. Bill has t

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Regency Publishers
• Release date: Dec 9, 2022
• ISBN: 9781960113627

Carolyn Croop

Carolyn’s childhood dreams were to become a mother and an author. After receiving her associate’s in applied science degree from Monroe Community College, she began writing poetry. Two years later, writing was put on the back burner to focus on her career at Eastman Kodak Company and eventually motherhood. She is the proud mother of three grown children. Carolyn resides in Canandaigua, New York. As the survivor of domestic violence, she looks to be a role model and inspire others through her writing.

Book preview

Dedication

To My Shining Stars

Timothy, Lisa and Michelle

AND

To The Star in All of Us

Forward

The joys and turbulence of life is what makes life an adventure. From this book, you may discover new adventures and maybe even a little magic. Don’t stop believing because the unexplained mysteries of the world have a sense and logic to them. Whether you believe in fairies or not, magic is real and does exist. It solves the answers to the unresolved.

My higher power is God, the Almighty Creator and the maker of magic. I have learned so much in doing research for my books that I am now even more amazed at the perfect world He created. I know I hold little knowledge of the vast universe; however, I do speculate the perfection of its existence. A little knowledge can go a long way. A lot of faith can go even farther. Some amount of hope is necessary to sustain life and most importantly, love, no matter how great or small, is a true blessing – that’s magic within itself.

Take away what you will from this book. Hopefully, you will gain some knowledge. Although, my primary aim is to broaden your imagination, entertain, and maybe even take your focus away from problems if only for a while.

You are as great as you believe you are. Take that star within yourself and reach great heights. Believe in yourself. Enjoy your reading!

Tribal Mind

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Chapter 1

I have a husband and two children, or so I had been told. My memory of them had been lost. I lived in a world of disbelief, uncertainty, and emptiness, trying to remember life with my family.

The everso fateful day began as my husband Braydon packed the car with baseballs, bats, and mitts for the Children’s League Parents playoff game. My eight-year old son, Raven, was the Vermont Stealers team pitcher. However, on this particular day, mothers and fathers were set to play baseball. The team they were up against was the Vermont Giants. I chose to watch the game instead of participate.

While inside the house, I was helping Starr, my six-year old daughter, get ready for dance class. Raven was by the front door telling me to hurry up. He didn’t want to be late to the game. We had to first drop Starr off at the dance studio.

I love you, sweetie, I said to Starr inside the dance studio before leaving.

I love you too, mommy, she said back to me.

I’ll be back in time to pick you up after your dance class, I said, not knowing I would not return.

Raven and I sat in the bleachers cheering on the Vermont Stealers. Raven found it humorous to watch his father fumble around with the baseball bat. Braydon hadn’t played the game since his high school years. I thought I was the smart one by not playing. I didn’t even know how to properly swing the bat. My story would have been vastly different if I had chosen to participate.

It was the third inning. The bases were loaded. Braydon had been selected to pitch even though he could have used some practice. Anthony Baxter from the Vermont Giants was up to bat. Braydon amazingly threw the perfect pitch as strike one was called. Anthony had a look in his eyes that seemed to say, I’ll get it this time.

Braydon threw the next pitch as Anthony swung the bat, hitting the ball out of the fence. The game was over. The ball had knocked me in the head and threw me to the ground unconscious. By the time I was inside the ambulance, I had opened my eyes. I heard the sound of the siren and wondered where I was and why. Even moreso, I wondered who I was.

Chapter 2

Since my injury was within my brain and not physical, I was released from the hospital within a week. During my stay there, I questioned everything. Braydon displayed sorrowful, weary eyes with each hospital visit. I felt numb and somber. No one seemed familiar to me – not even Braydon. The doctors were certain I would regain my memory within the month. A month turned into a year. I still could not recollect my family despite all of the doctor visits and pictures I was shown from my past.

The trauma took a great toll on everyone. I was supposed to show love towards people I didn’t seem to know. Raven and Starr attended therapy sessions to help them both deal with their emotions and gain an understanding of why I could not remember them. Braydon was so busy with managing the household, his job in the banking industry, and caring for me that he hid his frustrations within himself. His stress level reached its peak when I showed no signs of improvement after eighteen months.

Kendall, darling, I’m taking you to a new doctor tomorrow morning at nine o’clock, Braydon informed me.

What’s wrong with the old one? I like Dr. Livingston. He’s been very kind to me, I said with wonderment.

Dr. Livingston has a great personality and he’s full of hope, but there’s no results. We need to get you to someone who can cure you. Dr. Andrews comes highly recommended, said Braydon.

My husband had consulted with Dr. Andrews prior to my first appointment. He assured Braydon that he would be able to help me. Braydon pulled me out of sessions with Dr. Andrews after the third appointment.

My wife tells me that she’s been sitting under beams of light called light therapy. It’s my understanding that it is for depression. How is that going to cure her?, asked Braydon.

Mr. Singer, said Dr. Andrews.

Braydon politely interrupted, saying, Call me Braydon.

Very well. Braydon, your wife is depressed. You are correct that light therapy helps depression. You should see improvements in her mood very soon if you haven’t already, said Dr. Andrews.

No, I haven’t. You’re curing the symptom and not the root of the problem, Braydon directly addressed the doctor.

Dr. Andrews couldn’t disagree with Braydon’s statement. Although, the doctor did try to bypass it and talk around it. I never saw Dr. Andrews again after the third session. Braydon pulled me out of there, as well. I went to three more doctors that were unsuccessful in curing my amnesia before taking a flight to Utah. My mother-in-law took care of Raven and Starr while Braydon and I met our last bit of hope.

Chapter 3

As we drove up a narrow dirt road high into the mountains, I wondered why a doctor would be located so far from civilization. Braydon assured me that he had done thorough research and that this time would be different. He was definitely correct about that. My experience was like no other I had ever known or heard of.

Just as I was losing hope that we were actually getting somewhere that could help to regain my memory, the car stopped. Braydon got out, walked to the passenger side, and opened the door for me.

It’s not that far from here. Come with me, Kendall. It’s only a short walk, Braydon said to me.

As I glanced at my surroundings, I saw no signs of human life. There were trees and mountains in my view, but I saw no other cars or people in the area. After walking a small distance towards the mouth of a cave, Braydon and I were greeted by a young boy. He was carrying a bow and arrows to ward off wild animals.

Are you here to see my father?, said the boy.

Just then, a man wearing a plain dark shirt, ragged tan shorts, sandals, and a chain of herbs around his neck stepped from the cave. He was, indeed, the boy’s father.

Ah, I see you have met my son, Marco. And you are Braydon and Kendall, he said.

I wondered how he knew who we were. He didn’t even ask. He just stated our names as fact.

And you must be Curandero, Braydon said to the man.

Yes, I am Curandero, meaning healer, he boldly declared.

My father is known as the great mindful witch doctor, stated the boy, Marco.

I was taken back. The shock of Braydon traveling for me to see a witch doctor stirred my lifeless emotions into fear and excitement. I felt alive for the first time since the day of the baseball game. Ever since losing my memory, my mind was filled with frustration and my feelings went dead. I was beginning to believe that the witch doctor might actually be able to help me.

A couple of feet from the cave were two old worn down wooden chairs. Curandero sat down and instructed me to take the remaining seat. Marco wandered off to protect the perimeters of the cave as Braydon stood close by me. Curandero was about to begin the healing process.

What brings you here today, Kendall?, asked the witch doctor.

I can’t remember my past or my family. I have amnesia, I replied.

I have cured many ailments and healed bountiful numbers of minds from their dark despair. You have come to the right place, said Curandero, as he mixed herbs, water and even mud in an old beaten up tin can.

In the far distance was the setting sun glaring in my eyes. I hadn’t realized the time of day until then. My anxiety and nerves began to surface at the thought of being at a high altitude in the pitch black. I addressed my concern to Braydon, though he seemed impassive. Curandero spoke up, stating that the healing ritual only works at night in the outdoor air.

The witch doctor continued to stir his concoction with a long, flat piece of wood. I hoped and prayed that I would not have to eat the mixture. Suddenly, Curandero began chanting. He took the piece of wood with the remedy and made a circle on the ground surrounding me. He then instructed me to close my eyes. The witch doctor became adamant that I must locate a man named Augustin Montgomery. He claimed it was imperative to my well being that I find him. Moments later, I fell into a world of cities, towns, bridges and rivers within my own mind.

Chapter 4

The flashing red sign read, Welcome to BrainStem City. I was unaware at the time that it was my brain I was inside. My only instructions were to locate a man named Augustin Montgomery. But for what purpose?, I thought to myself. The reason would be clear later on.

BrainStem City appeared as an average city. Tall buildings lined the landscape and people everywhere were walking on sidewalks. As I entered the city, I stopped at the tallest building which was the BrainStem City Hall. Feeling lost and alone, I walked up the steps into City Hall in hopes of finding someone to talk to. People were busy with the hustle and bustle of their own lives. I had no idea where to go, so I took an elevator ride to the top floor.

When I stepped off the elevator, the office sign said, Thalamus Mailroom. I had always assumed that mailrooms were located in the basement. Though, the Thalamus offices overlooked the skyline of BrainStem City.

May I help you?, asked the receptionist.

I wasn’t sure of how to respond, so I asked if there were scheduled tours for the Thalamus Mailroom. The receptionist told me that no one had ever asked that question before. She was exceptionally kind and extended an invitation for me to have an individual tour. The receptionist then buzzed the mailroom director, Dan. She explained to him that I was interested in a tour. Dan was more than happy to oblige. I think the mailroom employees had never had the spotlight shown on them.

It’s refreshing to have someone here who has an interest in what we do, said Dan.

I followed Dan as he led the way from the office area to the mailroom. As we walked, he informed me that the Thalamus Mailroom relays sensory and motor signal mail to its destination. Dan then introduced me to Homer who was in charge of regulating consciousness and alertness. Dan joked that in other words, Homer makes the coffee. I don’t think Homer found that to be funny because he then accidentally spilled coffee on Dan’s shoes. Dan looked in my direction with embarrassment and continued on with his tour.

Upon stepping into the mailroom, I met Arnold and Barb. They were both mail clerks. As we chatted with one another, I suddenly remembered that my priority was to locate Augustin Montgomery. I asked Dan, Arnold and Barb if they were aware of him. I thought luck was on my side when Dan said that he had, indeed, known him. Unfortunately, he did not know what became of Augustin since firing him. Apparently, Augustin worked for Dan as a mail carrier on a temporary basis. Dan said he had to let him go when he kept losing mail.

No one else in the mailroom knew what became of Augustin either. After being introduced to the mail carriers Susan, Toni, Scott and Donovan, my luck had run out. They vaguely remembered working with Augustin, though they had no leads on his current whereabouts. I knew I needed to move on and continue my search.

Dan walked by my side to part ways at the elevators. I pressed the button to ride back down to the first floor. As I waited for the elevator to stop at the top floor, Dan said his goodbyes to me.

I really hope you enjoyed your personal tour of our mailroom, said Dan, with true sincerity.

I did, indeed, I responded.

Now you get the joy of visiting Heartbeat City. Don’t let all of that rock and roll music turn you into a rockstar yourself, Dan joked.

Heartbeat City? I thought I was in BrainStem City before entering this building, I said with confusion.

Oh, yes. You were in BrainStem City, Kendall. The natives here nickname it Heartbeat City since the city’s main function is keeping the heart beating. The heart is kept functioning by playing music – mostly rock and roll as I had mentioned before. You’ll find many bars and concert halls in BrainStem City, Dan informed me.

Nice. Are you sure you’re not a tour guide for BrainStem City instead of the Thalamus Mailroom?, I joked.