Service Dog

I’m a Labrador retriever never meant to be a pet.

I was taken as a puppy checked out by the vet
and determined I was perfect to begin a regime

of very serious training to become part of a team

of legendary guide dogs trained to be the sight

for people like my Dad to help resolve their plight

I tell him where to step, when to stop and where to turn.

He brushes me at night and takes care of my concerns.

I still have fun and like to frolic in the hot or in the cold.

My name is Stanley and I am an active three year old.

Daddy never leaves me home, he says I’m better than a cane.

When you see us walking, talk to us and he will explain.

I am working and even though I like my treats of popcorn and ice

when you see my halter on, my mind is on him, he follows my advice.

We are best of friends I watch out and try to do things right

He in turn invites me up to sleep with him at night.

We started out as strangers but we discovered what we had

because he learned to really love me and Man, I love my Dad.

Modified from collaboration poem with J & D Lloyd for Norwalk
in honor of all services dogs. 

Romance

Painting a Homage to Van Gogh by drice

Chapter 1

An ache settled into the small of her back, her feet hurt from the two-inch heels. Her carry-on briefcase seemed too heavy after a full day of lectures. Vera was exhausted waiting outside gate 36 at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago.

Adrian sat next to her talking about the future book tours and the list of talk show requests. She tried to make sense of what he was saying but all she could hear was the hiss and pop as the words tumbled from his mouth.

When they finally boarded the plane and settled into first class seating she closed her eyes in an effort to quiet his incessant talking and try to unwind by remembering more pleasant times. She recalled the day they first met. She was wearing those knee high boots and that flirty little baby doll dress that came half way up her thighs. Her long auburn hair hung loose, falling in waves over her shoulders. She remembered his gasp when she asked for help. His composure lost as he stammered and flushed while trying to give her directions to the administration offices on campus. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her nor would he let her out of his sight from that moment forward. They were married six months later and have been a couple every since.

Vera always knew he loved her more than she loved him but at nineteen she was happy to be with a man who adored her. He was smart and attractive and only had eyes for her. He would do anything to make her happy and for several years it was a perfect relationship. He had the skill to organize her scattered self and create focus for her many talents. Today she was a renowned author and lecturer. He was her business manager and controlled every issue of her life.

It was her fault for letting it happen. She felt so safe in his care she didn’t notice he was making all the decisions until she started questioning his choices. Now they argued frequently and almost never touched. Their only conversations centered around the topic for the next book, the next engagement, the next whatever and he did most of the talking.

She had been thriving in all the attention especially when she started getting nationwide recognition but now it felt like her needs were never considered. She had lost regular contact with most of her friends and rarely had time for her family. All of her relationships were business dealings. He was her only confidant and the relationship was getting too mechanical. If she was going to survive, this had to end.

“Adrian, I don’t love you anymore and I want a divorce,” that’s what I’ll tell him when we get home she thought to herself. I’ll be direct and to the point. That should leave very little room for argument.

Chapter 2

Adrian was thirty-seven and at the height of his game. He loved the wheeling and dealing of managing his wife’s career. She was smart, articulate and nice to look at but she could be the prima dona at times. The more famous she got the more she wanted. Everything she had achieved was the result of his hard work. He worked the contracts, made the deals, created leverage with the media for the next advantage so that she retained the rights to her work and was constantly in the spotlight. When she started making real money he made wise investments to keep the cash flow constant and their financial future secure. They made enough now to travel wherever they wanted, dress in the finest clothes, own more than a few properties and make an impact on their favorite charities. None of this would have been possible without him.

Lately however she was becoming more argumentative and wanted more say in all the decisions. He could relinquish some control but then they would be back to her vacillation, with key appointments missed and loads of opportunities lost to pure carelessness. He wouldn’t let that happen. Maybe a two-week vacation to her favorite villa in Sorrento, Italy would assuage her mood. The Mediterranean climate with good food, plenty of wine and no pressing schedule would help her relax and get back to herself.

He watched her sleeping and wondered what she was thinking about. The smile playing on her lips made him long to lean over and kiss her full lips. He missed the days when they couldn’t keep their hands off each other. He wanted her more than ever. He reached for his sweet beautiful Vera with her fair skin, beautiful golden eyes and auburn hair, an earth angel in an ugly dirty world. He gently caressed her hand and enveloped it within his own.

Chapter 3

She pulled away and said, “I need to sleep before we land.” He had interrupted her dream of an Adrian free life. She could see herself selling their Mansion in Beverly Hills and moving to the beach. She would buy a home right on the waterfront in Laguna Beach. She could get lost among the gays and eccentrics and be just another artist living close to the sea. 

She took a deep breath. You’ve got to do it tonight or you will never get free. She swallowed the lump in her throat and made up her mind to act. The plane landed without incident after a six-hour flight. Their driver was already curbside and took care of their luggage while they waited in the car.

“What are your plans for tomorrow?” Adrian asked pulling out his blackberry to check the master schedule.

“Why do you ask me if you already know?” she tossed a vague glance at the blue glow from his electronic gadget.

He smiled sweetly and put his arm around her, “We can make phone calls and change the schedule if there is something you want to do,” he whispered in her ear and then kissed her cheek.

She pulled away and mustered up her courage. “Adrian, we need to talk tonight. It may take a while but it has to wait until we get home.”

“Ooooh, it sounds serious,” he voice sounded playful yet paternal. “Are you going to leave me?”

She stopped breathing for a second, until she managed, “What?”

“I was just joking, what would you do without me. We’re a team and a team like ours can’t be pulled apart. I am you, and you are me… we’re inseparable, ” he said looking into her eyes.

It was like a blow to her midsection. This was going to be harder than she thought.

They didn’t talk the rest of the way home. Fortunately the traffic was good and the trip didn’t take long. After the driver brought in their luggage Adrian closed the door and walked into the living room. Vera was already pouring two glasses of wine.

Vera took a deep breath, and brought the glasses to the couch. She invited him to sit near her. After a few minutes of conversation about the trip and some minor business issues she started, “Adrian, it isn’t working for me anymore.” Her finger traced the lip of her glass.

“What do you mean? What’s not working?”

“My work schedule…our marriage.” Her voice sounded hoarse.

“I was thinking we could reserve our favorite villa in Sorrento and take some time off. Get reacquainted and refreshed.” Adrian paused, “What do you think?”

A long silence followed. “I think it is going to take more than a vacation. I don’t love you anymore. I want out.”

“Are you asking me for a divorce?”

“Yes,” Vera said.

“Just like that and it is over?” he sounded deeply hurt.

Vera took a deep breath. “This has been building for awhile. The only reason you’re surprised is because you haven’t been listening.”

Adrian stood up and moved to the other side of the room to get a better look at Vera then his words came out like a roar. “A divorce, I don’t think so. That will not happen. Not now. Not ever.” He threw the glass across the room and approached her.

She stood up to meet him eye to eye.

He pushed her back on to the couch. “You can’t do this Vera.” His fist clenched and unclenched. “You can’t discard me like last night’s garbage. After seventeen years together I deserve more than this. Is there someone else?”

Vera grimaced and started slowly, “This is not a sudden decision… I have been thinking about it for sometime now… I’m not happy being married to you anymore… I need space to make my own decisions regarding my life and no… there isn’t someone else.”

Vera got up again and continued, “Since it is my decision I will let you stay in the house. I will find a place of my own. I want this to be an amicable separation. I think we can work it out.

Adrian started pacing back and forth, his breathing in quick gasps, “There is more involved here than whether we stay together Vera. My livelihood is wrapped up in you.” He stared at Vera for a long time and his eyes went icy cold, then he said, “I think future conversations should be between our lawyers.”

“Why is it always business with you?”

Chapter 4

Vera learned to shop on the Internet. She felt satisfied with the mental stimulation and communications she’d established with a world wide virtual community. She learned how to generate income through the use of this technology. She could live in isolation but have access to the best minds on the planet.

After her divorce from Adrian she withdrew from the physical world. She had stopped her lectures, completed any last book contracts and declined television appearances. The world wanted to elevate her to guru status. She didn’t want that position so she quit.

It wasn’t the followers who alienated her but Adrian had bastardized what she was trying to accomplish and distorted her message. He was her husband but acted like her pimp. He would promise them anything to get a contract. He became infatuated with the money and power and wanted more and more.

She withdrew before she became the next headline news of another famous person captured on tape in a very public breakdown. She didn’t make excuses just gradually withdrew from public view. She needed to regroup and find her center and purpose in life once again. 

She was doing fine until she met Michael yesterday. Vera peeked out the window avoiding the attention of the man who had interrupted her meditation.  She wasn't expecting company nor did she expect the sudden flutter in her heart when she saw him. Her hand went up to her chest and she took a deep breath and then opened the door. Slowly she pulled the door toward her body being cautious to position her shoulder and foot in such a way to block it from a forced entry if necessary. "May I help you?" she asked.

He proceeded to make his pitch. "I hate to bother you but I couldn't help noticing the pressure that tree is putting on your roof. If you don't prune it this season it could cause expensive damage to your house."

"What?" Vera said, shaking her head. She could hear each word but she couldn't understand what he meant. "What do you want again?" She asked leaning her head to one side.

"I'm sorry… I'm looking for work," he said. "I just got discharged from the Marines… I was in Iraq… When I saw your tree I thought I could help you out and make some spending cash for myself… I'm not thinking clearly. I shouldn't have bothered you," he apologized turning around to leave.

Under normal conditions she would have locked the door and notified the police but there was something disarming about this young man. She wasn't afraid of him. "Beware of that wolf in sheep's clothing," she sighed under her breath and then to him she said, "Wait a second. Let me see what you're talking about," and she walked out onto the porch.

Was she so desperate for human company that she was infatuated with his presence? Did she recognize him from her dreams and actually anticipated his arrival?  Or was he evil dressed in white and she needed to run back inside and lock the door?

He pointed out the problem with the tree. It made sense to Vera to have it taken care of and Michael’s price seemed fair, besides his muscular build under that white T-shirt made him look like a hero and she did appreciate his willingness to sacrifice his life for her by going to war it was the least she could do.

Chapter 5

Michael liked the feeling of Vera’s eyes on him while he worked but after a few minutes he heard her let out a long sigh and he watched her go back inside the house. He could see her through the kitchen window. From what he could tell the sink must have been clogged and she was going to work on it. He was thrilled to see her handling what for many women is man’s work. 

He watched her take the plunger from the tall cabinet beside the kitchen sink and carefully put the suction piece over the drain. With her small hands on top of the handle she gave a push. He tried not to laugh when he heard the loud whoosh as the rubber piece slipped and dirty water splashed on to her blouse.

He was ready to offer his help but she reached under the sink and pulled out a small step stool to get better leverage and then tried again. Soon she was pushing the plunger up and down in a steady rhythm. Her hands midway down the shaft, the tip positioned against her shoulder, her midsection convulsing while she exerted the pressure necessary to clear the clogged drain. 

She was so concentrated on her work Michael knew she didn’t see him standing outside the window watching her feverish efforts. He stepped closer when saw her auburn hair fall forward over her bare shoulders, he could see the beads of sweat form on her upper lip, the movement of her delicate breasts exposed as she bent over the sink. Her groans blended with the sounds of the plunger as it created the necessary suction to pull the debris from deep within the pipe.

He stepped away from the window overwhelmed with desire to ravage her. He thought he’d better go back to work before he got himself into serious trouble.  He never dreamed clearing a drain could be so sexy. He had to get to know her better. 

Musings From The 24th Floor

I’ve 

never lived 

in the heart 

of a city 

preferring 

the safety 

of suburbia, 

a perfect place 

to raise a family, 

away from 

the traffic 

and the noise 

but not as 

isolated 

and alone 

as the countryside.

Although
today
these
safe havens
are awash in flames
      the security         
of gated communities,
life savings
and investments
all endangered practices.

I’ve witnessed
the fall of the
Twin Towers
and the buckling
of Wall Street.
Even the
housing industry,
which was once
 a get rich scheme,
is now a wasteland
of abandoned dreams.

I’ve got
to regroup,
rethink, retool,
to determine
what is important.
to let go of excuses
and loss of hope
and create a future
worth living.

It’s time to cut
out excess and waste
and get my feet back
on the ground
if things are going
to turn around.

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy. The word caused the hairs on the back of her neck to stand straight up.  The loss of every possession in a public setting caused her intense humiliation and yet Carla Ferguson had to go on. She had been wandering the beach for days and still no solution.

It started when Harold, her husband and CEO of the Savings and Loan Company was handcuffed and hauled off to jail. Photographs plastered across newspapers and magazines. It was a classic case of greed and arrogance unleashed. The mighty king hath fallen and all who envied or were victimized by his power stampeded and trampled him. The doctors say he’ll never recover. Good riddance, Carla thought.

She decided to assume her maiden name to detach from his shame. She would use the resources available to her among the homeless and rebuild her life. However horrific she would fix this public opinion machine and resume her place in society. She would rise again. 

Michael

I’ve learned to shop on the Internet. I feel satisfied with the mental stimulation and communications I’ve established with a world wide virtual community. I’ve even learned how to generate income through the use of this technology. I can live in physical isolation but have access to the best minds on the planet.

When did I withdraw from the physical world? I had my own practice. Business was booming and I had established a credibility that made me in demand for lectures, book contracts and television appearances. At one point I felt that I had too many depending on me. I couldn’t sustain and nurture all of them. They wanted to elevate me to guru status, to a place where they didn’t have to think or act for themselves. I am no cult leader.

It wasn’t the followers that alienated me but those closest to me who bastardized what I was trying to accomplish and the worst one was the one I trusted the most. Adrian, my husband, who acted like my pimp. He became infatuated with the money and power and wanted more and more.

I left before I became the next headline news of another famous person captured on tape in a very public breakdown. I didn’t make any excuses I just gradually withdrew from public view. I had lost sight of my center and purpose in life and needed to regroup. 

Yesterday I met Michael. He came to the front door and asked to prune the trees. He showed me where the branches were putting pressure on the house and said they must be cut back before there was structural damage. He said he could do the work in about three hours.  He took me by surprise with his sweet innocence and sincere desire to provide a service for me. Standing outside for the first time in a year I felt like an angel had arrived at my doorstep.

Was I so desperate for human company that I was infatuated with his presence? Did I recognize him from my dreams and anticipate his arrival?  Or was he evil dressed in white and I needed to run back inside and lock the door?

There Goes The Bride

Chapter 1

“I went into the dressing room and Joaquin, the limo driver, was kissing 
Lorraine in a passionate embrace,” I blurted out as soon as I walked in the house.

Al put down his newspaper and said, “but Estella, you see that kind of stuff all the time with young couples now a days.” 

“The problem is Lorraine is marrying Henry Liston the richest man in town. She shouldn’t be hugging the penniless driver like that.”

“I’m sure it's nothing. Don’t jump to conclusions before you get more facts.” He went back to reading his paper.

“I don’t like the idea Henry is paying out all this money and his bride is disrespecting him in public.”   I didn’t look back at Al and headed into the kitchen to start dinner.

Al and I were newlyweds even though we are both approaching fifty. It was the second marriage for both of us. Al was a widower and I was a divorcee. We met online through a dating network and now we are in business together. He owned the tuxedo shop and I recently bought the bridal store next door. As a matter of fact, the previously mentioned Henry Liston is the venture capitalist who helped me finance my purchase.

We didn’t talk about work again even though I was still agitated by what I had seen.

I waited until Al was asleep before I allowed myself time to think about it.

I tried to recall what happened before I came into the room. When I saw them I stepped back then called out before I reentered by then Joaquin was sitting on the chair near the front door while Lorraine was waiting for me on the platform in front of the large mirrors. 

I kept my mind on my business and opened the box to let Lorraine see the custom ordered shoes. I pointed out the exquisite beading and crystals that matched her dress. Lorraine followed me into the dressing room where the dress was hanging. 

I pulled back the plastic  to show her the gorgeous detail with the low cut back and let her finger the bodice with embellished embroidery of Swarovski crystals and beads. Then I held out the skirt so she could see the full skirt and chapel train. “You'll be the most beautiful bride of the season,"

I reminded Lorraine to close the curtain then strip down and replaced her lingerie with a backless bra and some slimming underwear. When she was ready I stood on a stool to be tall enough to help her lift the dress over her head.

The dress slipped perfectly on to her curvaceous body but the tops of her breasts spilled over the top. “This isn’t right,” she said trying to push her flesh back into the bodice.

I tried to calm her but she kept tugging at the dress I was afraid she would tear it.

"I’ll call in the seamstress and we can make adjustments, but with your diet, I don't advise it until closer to the wedding."

“I am marrying Henry Liston, the richest man in the county… I am not going to look like an over stuffed burrito. This has to be done right.”

Al was probably right, Lorraine was just nervous about the upcoming wedding and was overwhelmed with the people she had to impress to convince them she was the right choice for Henry, but that didn’t explain why she was kissing Joaquin. 

Maybe like many famous people, the "Help," becomes their confidants. I have to give this a rest because I have too many things to do without worrying about details that are none of my business. 

A Joy Ride

Chapter 1  - The Plan

“You don’t need keys to start it,” Mitchell whispered as he huddled with his friends on the school playground.

“No. There are some wires underneath the dashboard, and if you clip them and then put them together the engine starts right up,” said Greg with a snap of his fingers.

“When will we do it?” Jonathan asked.

“Tonight. We can come back here at 10:00 when everyone is gone,” said Mitchell.

“I gotta go and find my dad’s clippers. I’ll see you guys later,” Greg said.

“Are you going too?” Mitchell asked Jonathan.

“No, I’d go crazy at home. Do you want to play a game?” he asked tossing the basketball to his friend.

 “Sure,” said Mitchell catching the ball and dribbling it out to the court for a lay up. 

They played for an hour and then started home. They walked past the district office parking lot when Jonathan said, “Look at all the school buses parked nice and neat along the back fence waiting for us to pick one out.”

“You’ll be the lookout and Greg the mechanic. He can clip the wires and start the engine. I’ll do the driving, because I’m the tallest and then we can go pick-up Sylvia,” Mitchell said.

Tomorrow was Sylvia’s birthday and Mitchell thought it would be a cool surprise to pick her up in the bus since she lived outside the district and had to walk three miles each way, every single day. In five hours he and his two best friends would put his plan in motion.

  

Greg looked at the clock. It was early but he grabbed the clippers and a pair of gloves and headed out the door to the bus yard. When he arrived he saw Jonathan, “Hey man!”  Jonathan was standing in the bushes near the pavement. “You couldn’t wait either?”

“Nah, I felt like my stomach was on fire. It is better waiting out here,” Jonathan said. “Did you have any trouble getting out?”

“Nah, my parents fall asleep watching T.V. and my sister talks on the phone with her boyfriend for hours. They don’t know what I do after 9:00. Hey, looks like everybody left work early today," he said nodding his head toward the parking lot.

“Yeah, but we’ve got to wait for Mitchell,” Jonathan reminded him.

“We’ll just get the thing started. We won’t leave without him,” Greg said.

“Okay. We can warm up the engine and wait,” said Jonathan as they headed toward the bus.

“Which one should we take?” Greg asked.

“The biggest one,” laughed Jonathan.

They headed for the largest, shiniest bus.

Greg pushed on the door and it didn’t budge. Then he tried to put his fingers between the rubber and the metal but he couldn’t pry them open. “How are we going to open these doors?” Greg asked

Jonathan was small and muscular and he backed up for a running start. “Get out of my way,” he said. Then he ran to the door ramming it with his shoulder. “Ouch,” he buckled over in pain.

Greg was taller and beefier. “Let me try,” he said. He stepped back and then ran forward and hit the door with enough force it knocked him to the ground but still didn’t open.

“What do we do now?” asked Jonathan.

“We’ll ram it together,” Greg said without hesitation.

Both boys backed up about six feet and took a run at the bus hitting the door. At ten years old they hit hard but had little impact. They both got up and were ready to make a second run when they saw the red and blue flashing lights of a patrol car. "What are you boys doing?" shouted the officer.

Without looking at his friend, Jonathan ran to the dark alley behind the buses and disappeared between the houses. Greg froze, staring at the bright glare from the flashlight as Officer Shelly approached him. “I…um…I … left my homework on the bus!” He stammered. 

“You’ll have to get it tomorrow. Now go on home!”  She scolded.  Greg tore out of there without looking back. “Kids!” she thought to herself as she scanned the area. “They’re always forgetting their stuff.” Thinking back to this morning when she had to make a U turn in the middle of traffic to go back to pick up her daughter’s homework left on the dining room table.

Mitchell saw the flashing lights and heard the officer’s voice when he arrived. He stayed hidden in the shadows as he watched what was unfolding. He was glad he wasn’t with his buddies but was frustrated they were caught. He wasn’t going to let a cop scare him from his mission. He would have to wait until the coast was clear.  The patrol car lingered for a long time after the boys ran off but it finally drove away. It was almost 10:30.