The Critics Corner
Words manipulated by my visions
The Wrong Way Down (title in works) – Chapter 1
–This is my first book, hopefully of many. I am writing this online and in Full view. My hope is for readers to follow along, comment, and provide feedback with the intent on growing the story based on what you want to see. –
The over sized rain drops splattered the windshield, as the wipers tried to keep up pace. The red and blue lights, rotated and peered through the dark thickness of the night in Putnam, as the ambulance raced cautiously towards Day Kimball Hospital. Carl’s Ford escort, lay broken down on Reynold’s road where he had to leave it. His neglect on fixing the leak in his front right tire had finally caught up with him. His argument with Suzie had apparently led to this moment. 8 and a half months pregnant, with a flat tire in the rain, and knowing Carl’s neglect was the cause of it all was too much for her, and she began having contractions before she could even finish giving him a piece of her mind. Suzie was short in stature standing about 5’5”. Slender in her figure with her over sized pregnant belly protruding from her New England Sweatshirt. She typically has soft, More >
Chapter 6
Aug 29th
“When life hands you grapes, step on them, make juice, bottle it, and sell it back to the source.” That was my dad’s take on the whole when life hands you lemons thing. I never understood what he was saying. My memories aren’t always fond. Maybe I have to many negatives to even think I could hold up his sayings. At this point it’s useless and practically impossible.
I do remember the first time I felt like I hated my father. I never really hated him, but as a kid, it’s easy to use that word freely. I was 6 years old, and just starting 2nd grade. Ms. Solinski was our teacher. I have no rhyme or reason why I am still able to remember her name, but I do. She stood about 5’8”, she was a thin lady with long brown hair that never seemed to be doing what she wanted it to do. Her glasses looked like they were stolen from an Army Bootcamp. To make it worse, when she would correct you, her ignorantly large glasses would slide down her beak-like nose and she’d continually push them back onto her face, which made it impossible to pay attention More >
Chapter 2
Jul 22nd
“It’s time go get up Suzie Q!” Carl smirked the sideways smile that only he could pull off, half way mumbling his sentence. Maybe he wasn’t mumbling, maybe that was just my brain’s way of saying, it wasn’t time for me to wake up yet. I peeked open my left eye and slightly twisted my neck to see Carl standing by the bed, fully dressed and apparently with an idea. The light bulb was practically flashing above his head like a scientist working on a flying car system.
“Oh my God Carl, I don’t rememba askin’ you to play the role of alarm clock today!” Barely opening my mouth, trying to avoid actually waking up, I tried to display my unwavering desire to continue sleeping.
“You said you needed a nap, I’m pretty sure 2 hours of sleep accomplishes that nap.” Again, smiling and talking to me playfully. Carl knows it annoys me when he wakes me up like a happy little chipmunk. To say I’m not a morning person would be an understatement. Let’s say I’m more of a ‘Don’t wake me up person’. I reached down, fumbling for the edge of my comforter. It was a hand me down from More >
Chapter 3
Jul 22nd
Our picnic was going well. What a success this was turning out to be. Big Brownie points for you Carl, I outdid myself on this one. Under the willow tree, I sat there, just gazing at this woman, carrying my child, with, let’s be honest, a giant belly, but she glows with beauty. I’m a lucky dude for sure. How in the world does a geek like me land someone like Suzie? I never fathomed it. I remember our 1st date.
–I left the factory early, not that it mattered. No one ever really missed me. I work with typewriters and word processing, not exactly the attention getter here. No one really noticed if I wasn’t sitting there in front of my vanilla box set, staring at those green letters blinking on my screen. But, I remember it like yesterday. I pulled up to her folks place and she was waiting outside for me. I knew instantly I was out of my league and would struggle to have anything in common with a girl who was clearly the high school sweet heart of every guys desire. She was by far 30 leagues under the sea more beautiful then any of the More >
Chapter 4
Jul 21st
Suddenly I was being rushed down the hall. I was scared, and nervous and felt like I was probably going to pass out all at once. This was SO not what I had planned for. I tried to keep my mind off the chaos and just concentrate on breathing; Staring straight into the ceiling while I was being rushed through double doors. The hospital walls couldn’t have been drearier. I’m sure at one point these walls were white, but after years of neglect they felt as though they were the color of vanilla pudding gone bad. The horizontal tube lights were flickering, from the storm I suppose and the hallway was barely wide enough for the doctor, nurse and their apparent entourage to all join in on this rollercoaster. The stethoscope was cold, because God forbid anyone warm it up before the start moving it around your exposed skin.
“Take her to room 2 quickly. Nurse, come with me to discuss prep.” The doctor spoke as though his words were being timed. His sentences flew out of his mouth faster than I could process what he was saying in my brain.
I could hear Carl asking what was going on, and trying More >
Chapter 5
Jul 20th
I remember some things more than others. I have been told my memory is quite impeccable though. However, I hardly feel as though having a great memory is of any use to me. If I was blessed with a good memory, I would trade it all in for some good luck. I remember my mom’s smile. Her smile was one of those things in the world that God took his time with; assuming there is a God of course. I remember the way she would rub my back when I was in pain, or sad, or sometimes just because she wanted me to feel better. I remember the way she used to tell me she loved me. It was one of those things that when you hear it, it would soothe you. Like a smooth BB King melody. I always knew she was sincere. My dad was the encouraging type. “The world is yours.” He used to tell me. He always made me believe I could do anything. Unfortunately, the ‘World’ apparently had other plans with me, and doing anything, wasn’t one of them.
I was surrounded by love. Truly. My parents were the best. I never felt left out. Ironically More >