Differing Hues of Solitude
This debut book is now available in Kindle ebook format at Amazon.com. This collection of short fiction paints five perspectives on individuals' lives and the events, actions, pathways and circumstances that lead to personal realms of enduring isolation:
I. DEVOTION AND DUPLICITY: A TALE OF FRIENDSHIP AND BETRAYAL explores the dynamics of two longtime and dedicated companions and the moment when their connection must irreversibly terminate.
At that point he proceeded on a gradual but persistent solo drive southward, eventually reaching Roanoke Island, North Carolina, midafternoon on the second day. He journeyed over farmland and waterways to the barrier island of the Outer Banks where he abandoned his vehicle on a side street off US Route 158 at Kill Devil Hills. Rashad Benadi made his way on foot casually to a predetermined location on the beach. A shining monument to the greatness of humankind’s quests, towered on a nearby hill in the short distance behind him, serving as a visual locating beacon. There Rashad waited patiently reading the New York Times and savoring a soft drink on the sandy beach.
As the sun began to set, the faint hum of a motor on the water caught his attention. He proceeded to the waterline and watched as a man clad in a wet suit and floatation device navigated the light waves and breaking surf to bring an oversized wave runner onto the beach. He instructed Rashad to strap on a black vest then pulled two straps to inflate the device. The two waded the vehicle back into deep enough water, both straddled it then struggled through the surf back into the open sea. Roughly three miles out a thirty-five foot double-masted yacht awaited Rashad's arrival for a lengthy voyage eastward toward the port of Hamilton on the paradise island of Bermuda, where he would begin a roundabout and inconspicuous return from a long business trip, back to his home and family in Malta.
II. Working aboard the ferry boat, MV Persistence, Drew Tharson reluctantly observes the dichotomy between his passengers' inconsequential challenges and the deeper travails overwhelming the broader and distant world in RAPACITY AND REFLECTION ON REDEMPTION SOUND.
Shortly after he started working on Persistence, Drew began hearing these things, often at first faintly and then gradually, more intensely, until clearly, realizing they were human voices. Their messages and dialogues were sporadic and varied, sometimes deeply intense, sometimes shallow, or playful, singular or more recurring. They'd arrive then recede, quickly reveal their persona, or remain nameless and anonymous. They were Persistence’s commuters, tourists, travelers, all candid and revealing, with apparently no comprehension that the bowels of the boat betrayed their stories and vividly revealed their lives. And among those conversations, there was one particular situation in which too much detail around one couple’s intriguingly different relationship was inadvertently and unintentionally revealed to Persistence’s Officer’s Mate.
Drew first noticed this particular conversation upon returning to his post one evening shift. He had just finished casting off for the seven forty-five departure from Channel Street. It was a darkened April evening, but unseasonably mild, clear and moonlit. His newspaper lay open on his lap ready for further consumption. Settled into his chair, comforted, tucked away, Drew perused the headlines of the day. They offered not much more than a troubling perspective on the tragedy and pain, the travesty and pity, the turmoil so prevalent outside and far beyond, and quite in contrast to the sheltering comfort of Persistence's peaceful isolation. The front page headline on that day read: Gunmen Hold Scores of School Children Hostage in Rural Mountain Village.
III. A young man, office worker Martin, spends his lunch break patiently awaiting the return of his lover, reminiscing on the perfection of their blissful times spent together in SEASHELLS AND SEDUCTION.
The incident was difficult for Martin; it would be difficult for anybody. He was embarrassed to speak with the police, although he had no choice. In the momentary aftermath of the attack, Martin's agonizing struggle to his apartment entrance was witnessed by his concerned neighbor and was called into the precinct station house. A pair of officers arrived shortly thereafter, only to find Martin alone in the apartment, visibly bruised and battered, but unwilling to seek medical treatment.
The police officers attempted to commence an investigation by briefly questioning Martin: Were you able to recognize any distinct facial features? Was he large or small? Was he black? Was he white? Was he an acquaintance? Was he your lover? Were you having an argument?
"No"! And Martin heard nothing further regarding the police department's efforts. Two days after the incident, he returned to his office, blaming his absence and bruised face on a clumsy stairway stumble. And now as Martin sat in solace on this particular springtime day, six months after the troublesome incident, waiting for Jessica's arrival, he thought further on the mugging and wished it had happened to her.
IV. TRANSACTIONS AND TREACHERY AT CROWE & SCHMIDT follows wealthy and successful entrepreneur and CEO, Stanford Chamberlain, as his greedy foray into cybercrime combines with a coincidence of time, rendering fatal implications.
In his years at Crowe & Schmidt, Ricky Nettles often found himself in the middle of, on one hand, a relentlessly determined Stanford Chamberlain letting nothing stand in his way, and on the other hand, the passive and pathetic Schmidt cousins. A distinct dichotomy between their manners and motives was vivid. The combined ownership interests of the Schmidts versus that of Chamberlain were technically equal. However, Chamberlain ran the business, made the decisions, devised and drove the strategy and executed the plan. Any management input offered by the cousins Kenneth and Coleman Schmidt typically entailed simple verbal concurrence at the corporate board table. On the rare occasions that the Schmidts might collectively disagree with Chamberlain on some issue, their dissent would undoubtedly be communicated, not face to face behind the closed doors of an executive suite, but by way of their lawyers.
Stanford Chamberlain despised most lawyers, almost as much as non-billing salesman and late-paying customers. And Chamberlain often and candidly shared with his corporate lieutenants his unyielding opinion that Kenneth and Coleman offered absolutely nothing of value, other than the invested capital of their deceased ancestors, and both provided a presence alone that was an unnecessary but unavoidable cost. Most others tended to agree.
V. In THE SUFFERING AND PASSION OF LUCAS BRAHMS, a convicted murderer dwells upon his wasted life and the young son whose love he lost long ago.
The father and son shared a sacred experience of kinship that day and as the afternoon grew late it became clear to Lucas that they might not catch a single fish. He felt pained by Peter's frustration and reluctance to depart for the day. He felt sorrow when packing their gear and supplies, the boy stumbled along the bank of the pond, soaking his trousers and shoes. He wept silently to himself on the late afternoon drive back to Brooklyn as Peter lay drenched and sleeping across the back seat.
On July 23, 1959 Lucas Brahms drove his battered taxicab traversing a colorless and quiet New Jersey meadow and swamp land. Sun setting brilliantly behind him, he approached the Lincoln Tunnel. Young son, Peter, lay across the back seat, sound asleep with exhaustion, trousers still damp and muddy, but kept warm, snug in a surplus woolen blanket. The day shared by father and son was nothing but joy and Lucas bathed himself in the gentle glory of this soft and serene Saturday evening.
About the Author
J.D. Lockstitch works and resides in the Boston area. In addition to writing, the author enjoys spending time with family, outdoors activities, the beach, sporting events, pets and friends, and reading. Differing Hues Of Solitude is the first work of fiction written and published by J.D. Lockstitch.