Monthly Archives: March 2019

Chapter 1   I don’t know why I do it, but I always do. The first think I do when awakened abruptly is to check the clock. Somehow knowing what time it is provides a tiny measure of reassurance. At … Continue reading →

                                                                     Prolog Sound is: “(a) Oscillation in … Continue reading →

Bob was immersed in spreadsheets when his cell phone rang. His hand reached for it automatically, and he answered before he could stop himself. He really didn’t want interruptions and needed to focus his full attention on his work. “Hello?” … Continue reading →

“YOU’VE GOT TO BE TAUGHT”   The lyrics of a song from “South Pacific” state: “You’ve got to be taught to hate and fear … from year to year. It’s got to be drummed into your little ear. You’ve got … Continue reading →

In my youth, roller rinks were hunting grounds for teens looking for love – or at least “like”. My school had monthly roller-skating parties where the school’s populous would gather, gossip and eventually pair up, break up and then pair … Continue reading →

Don’t stop… Welcoming sunrises, Singing in the shower, Smiling at strangers, Stretching – physically and mentally, Loving, learning and laughing. Don’t stop… Relaxing to the sound of ocean waves, Hearing the rain tapping on your roof, Jumping in an occasional … Continue reading →

Let’s go to the hop, oh baby, Let’s go to the hop Don’t worry baby, Everything will be alright   I want to hold your hand, oh baby, I want to hold your hand So kiss me and smile for … Continue reading →

During the years twixt twelve and twenty the sox hops appeared at least once a week in the small towns of my youth. The disk jockey spun the 45 rpm records for fours straight with the latest teen tunes and … Continue reading →

Our recent American political environment has brought the concept of hate into the forefront of our concerns. Merrimen Webster defines hate: A-Intense hostility and aversion usually deriving from fear, anger, or a sense of injury. B-Extreme dislike or disgust, antipathy, … Continue reading →

7 They started with the latest victims first, figuring the surveillance tapes would not have been erased or played over this quickly, less than a month. The list of bars within the 7 block parameter that Carl had devised were, … Continue reading →

  Mystifying Marvin and his assistant, Bodacious Brenda, worked the senior circuit, which meant they performed at 55+ and assisted living communities. The duo, whose shows never lasted past 9:00 p.m., bewildered and impressed their audiences with sleight of hand … Continue reading →

    DON’T STOP ME NOW (With apologies to “Queen”) (Further apologies to Joe Rowe)   Joe was perusing the local newspaper. He came across an ad that stated: “Don’t stop me now. I’m having such a good time. If … Continue reading →

“Lets go see Phil and pick his brain over the details of this case,” Carl said.  He and Remus picked up their case files and went up to Philip Forbish, MD’s office, the Police Departments shrink. After reviewing the details … Continue reading →

To Cindy, Snoopy was a constant companion whom she considered a member of the family. He ate at every meal with her; they watched TV together; and his soft, cottony “fur” snuggled with her in bed at night. With Snoopy … Continue reading →

I eagerly boarded an El Al flight for my first international trip, which would take me to Israel and Greece for several weeks. After a 10-hour direct flight, I was to be met in Israel by a cousin who had … Continue reading →

Jolted upright from a sound sleep as if tasered, I reached for the bedside phone. My mind raced in all directions; none of them good ones. Mom had a heart attack. Dad had a stroke. Our son was lost under … Continue reading →

My wife had an 8:30 A.M, appointment to be induced and deliver our son. She was already in the hospital, so all I had to do was to meet her there. Practical me, I loved the idea of setting a … Continue reading →

Every day we see and hear the word “stop” many times.  We need to stop when driving at certain intervals.  Self-help gurus communicate daily via multimedia that we need to stop feeling depressed, stop gaining wait, stop drinking, stop smoking … Continue reading →

Deborah didn’t look in the rear-view mirror as she drove out of the driveway of her home for the past 20 years. “Don’t stop. Don’t look back, just keep driving,” she said gripping the steering wheel as she looked straight … Continue reading →

“OK.’ Carl mused, ‘here’s what I see that we have!  6 bodies in the last 3 months, that we know of ‘cause one missing a heart hasn’t yet been found, all killed in the same manner, steel spike to the … Continue reading →

The clouds were growing darker. I noticed the leaves coming to life, rising, turning and twisting trying to break free. Some succeeded and flew across the road before me rushing to some unknown destination.   I tried to concentrate on … Continue reading →

  The two brothers stood atop a rock outcropping two hundred feet above the Maine coastline anticipating the events about to unfold. At the base of the cliff, a coast road wound its’ way around a picturesque cove. Strategically placed … Continue reading →

I bought a “Surprise Box” at Goodwill and took it home to explore the contents. I found mostly old dishes and silverware, wrapped in a couple of well-worn and stained tablecloths. At the bottom, wrapped carefully in a beautifully hand … Continue reading →

This was Ed’s first visit to the Silver Goblet wine bar.  He hoped to hook up with the opposite sex for a one nighter and his recent attempts at other bars had been less successful, so he was feeling a … Continue reading →

Dear Christian… I hate it here.  It smells.   I have been forgotten.  What happened to my life? I mostly used to hang out with close friends and pretty often, I went places. I saw big buildings and listened to music. … Continue reading →

LA NOTA   Lee stopped by a Good Will store on his way to work in order to drop off a load of clothing he and his wife no longer needed. He opened the bin and noticed an envelope, tied … Continue reading →

It was a hazy day in the city. Soft, blurry clouds were putting on their brown bottoms to prepare for tonight’s rain. The morning papers spun their fake news, making our mood still darker. My wife and I walked past … Continue reading →

As a young boy I accumulated many toys, things, sports apparel, and baseball cards. A Lionel electric train, and an orange semi-trailer truck. I suppose my sisters collected dolls and Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books. They were all more … Continue reading →

Jake returned from his tour in Vietnam on January 31, 1969 and proceeded directly into the arms of his high school sweetheart Jackie. Several months later they were married and began building their life together. Like most newlyweds, they were … Continue reading →

There it sat, staring sadly into my eyes. It has been consigned to solitary confinement in a box in the basement for at least six years. I tried to give it a good home, but my wife said it didn’t … Continue reading →

Ken and Laura had only been asleep for a few hours when the phone rang.   Still drowsy, Laura blindly searched her nightstand.  Finally, her hand and the phone found each other just before it went into voice mail. “Hello,” she … Continue reading →

THREE O’CLOCK MIRACLE   Barnard was deep in la-la land, after a night of debauchery, drinking and carousing with his buddies. He miraculously found his way home drunk as a skunk, fell into bed and passed out. The jarring sound … Continue reading →

My eyes opened to a familiar musical sound and complete darkness. Why do I insist on total darkness, with no night lights! Why don’t I put my phone in the same place every night? “Ow! dammit, Shit!” I shouted as … Continue reading →

It was annoying. The phone rang at 3:00 AM last night but it stopped after three rings. Probably a drunk calling for a cab at closing. The rest of the day was uneventful. The usual workday- data collection, risk assessment … Continue reading →

Consciousness came crawling back from the edge of oblivion as I slowly recognized where the annoying sound was emanating from. I pushed “accept” on my phone and listened to the electronic voice coldly say, “Get up now!”  3 a.m., right … Continue reading →

Detective Carl Willets phone rang at 3AM, he was only half asleep.  He had the night call and and was lead tonight for he and his partner Remus Forsythe.  He took the call from the night desk, Sergeant Thomas, “ … Continue reading →

  STRANGERS ON A TRAIN   My girlfriend and I were traveling from Stockholm to Paris in a Euro rail compartment. We closed the drapes on the window, hoping no one would wander in. Hey, we were young and adventurous, … Continue reading →

She was probably in her late sixties at the time I met her on a city bus. I told her I was on my way to my first job interview. She wished me luck and said she was going to … Continue reading →

I worked as a chemist at Clairol in Stamford, Connecticut. It was a low-level job and I fed my boredom by playing practical jokes and trying to synthesize new hair dyes on my own. One day, I was told to … Continue reading →