Thinking of You Because

By George H. Clowers, Jr.

Side hustles, trying to come up, and the mysteries of survival. Insights into mental health and dysfunction. Dedicated to my classmates who survived the seventies yet didn't see the turn of the century.

• Language: English
• Publisher: George H. Clowers, Jr.
• Release date: Mar 24, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224429769

George H. Clowers, Jr.

Retired substance use disorder counselor.

Book preview

Dedicated to my classmates who survived the seventies yet didn’t see the turn of the century.

CONTENTS

Grace, Gratitude, Giving

Twon

Tough Enough

Crystal Waters

A Small Piece of Glass

As Time Goes By: A Memorial

Grace, Gratitude, Giving

Hey babe, let me show you something I just read on the internet, he said to his wife as she was looking at her smartphone as well.

What’s that? she answered not looking up but continuing to view the screen.

It’s a poetry book with a dedication to Horace F. and Duane P. that says, ‘old school brothers who taught me about hope.’

What does that mean to you? she asks moving to sit next to him on the sofa.

My dad talked about a guy he met from Brunswick when he cleaned up; his name was Duane.

Do you think the story is about your dad?

I don’t know, it’s by a Larry Fleming.

And you’re Horace F. Jr.

That's right.

You never know. Do you think you can contact the author?

I’m sure I can; let me do a search.

After entering Larry Fleming searches displayed references to criminal cases, obituaries, lawsuits, and people in federal prison, then a retired drug counselor’s website. He clicked on it and saw a list of books by the author and information about his life and career. There was no mention of the book Horace had read but there was an email address at the bottom of the homepage.

I found something, he shouted out to Tracey who had gone into the kitchen.

I’ll be there in a minute, she responds.

This is pretty cool, Horace muttered to himself as he soaked in the information about the author’s life, the number of books he’s written and collaborations with his wife who's a visual artist.

This guy must be really something! Horace spoke when Tracey came back to the living room.

How do you mean?

Oh wait, wait, those are not all about him, the legal stuff. That's somebody else. If he’s the counselor the ages for the others don’t fit him anyway. And the obituaries, not him I don’t think. I’m sure he’s still alive. Dad would only be seventy-two now.

Are you going to email him?

I guess so. This is fascinating.

Horace pushes back, lets the phone fall into his lap and stares far away from where they sat.

What’s wrong? Tracey asks him.

Wow, this is powerful if it’s him. So many years have gone by.

Do you have questions for him, and of Duane for that matter, if he’s still around?

I don’t know. A lot of years have gone by, and I don’t need many answers about him. He was not present anyway. Mom just said it didn't work out. I might just want to let sleeping dogs lie.

There’s a time and place for that, but sometimes you need answers if a resource comes your way.

Yeah, I 'll think about it.

Okay, are we going out tonight?

Yes, I think we’re still meeting Tom and Janet for dinner at the Taco Place about six.

Okay, good.

Chapter 2

Horace woke at six o’clock the next morning and before coffee opened his laptop and searched some more about Larry Fleming and found out that he was still living in metropolitan Atlanta, was working on a new book to come out in the fall, and that he recently