Shortz

By K.M. Carter

About the Book
Shortz is a collection of short stories with a moral attached. What would you do if you were granted the power to change your past and live your life over again? Would you squander it again or change for the better. Several people get this chance when granted a “Replay” of their lives in a collection of short stories. Others include a woman who suddenly wins the lottery but has to fight for what she won and a woman who reflects on her life as she sits dying. All of these compelling stories have an important lesson to teach about the frailty of life and the consequences of our actions.

About the Author
K.M. Carter was born and raised in Philadelphia. This is his first book, but he's been doing creative writing since the age of 15. His original intent was to become a disc jockey and announce radio news, but life had other plans for him. Due to a stroke, he's a double amputee and wants to pursue writing full time. He is also an artist. His music can be heard at soundcloud.com/reesecarter41. He has no children and currently still resides in Philadelphia. He enjoys basketball, cycling, and card games.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Company
• Release date: Aug 2, 2023
• ISBN: 9798886837605

Book preview

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The contents of this work, including, but not limited to, the accuracy of events, people, and places depicted; opinions expressed; permission to use previously published materials included; and any advice given or actions advocated are solely the responsibility of the author, who assumes all liability for said work and indemnifies the publisher against any claims stemming from publication of the work.

All Rights Reserved

Copyright © 2023 by K.M. Carter

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted, downloaded, distributed, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, including photocopying and recording, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented without permission in writing from the publisher.

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ISBN: 979-8-88683-187-0

eISBN: 979-8-88683-760-5

Imagine if you will, the universe grants replays. Replay by definition means to re-live events for a different outcome.

1. Whatever the outcome is, it’s final.

2. Once your Replay begins, it doesn’t stop.

3. You only get one Replay, No changes or exceptions.

With that in mind, let’s begin the Replay of three people: Willy, Sharonda, and Lucy

Replay

Willy’s Replay

Willy, a.k.a. Jonathan Barnes, was done for. He had worked a double shift at The Pancake House and could take no more. He came home more dead than alive and collapsed in his dirty bachelor pad. Beer cans and trash lay all over the floor and he could not figure out where that squeaky noise from. His wife took their two kids in the divorce and he has been miserable ever since. He could no longer see his junk because he gained so much weight over the past two years. Nightly, he asked the universe for his Replay in tears. His pudgy frame and ashy skin were really getting on his nerves this night. His nappy hair was in desperate need of a haircut and he knew it. On this night, he couldn’t sleep and tossed and turned most of the night.

Suddenly, he noticed a strange glow and what looked like steam coming from underneath his door. The mist slowly formed into a muscular figure that spoke to him with a stern but angelic voice.

Hi Willy.

Hello, he replied curiously and continued. What are you?

A friend.

Why are you here?

I have been listening to your request for your Replay and will grant your wish. You do understand the rules of Replay?

Yes, he replied.

He still thought he was dreaming or hallucinating as he scratched his eyes and grabbed a sip of water.

Now with that being said, you will awake tomorrow with your Replay in motion. Sleep my son and then your journey will begin.

Willy drifted off and just assumed he was working too hard and was overworked. It didn’t help that he ate that packet of powdered gravy that he found in the parking lot