Never Take Your Neighbors For Granted

     I had fallen last week and badly bruised myself – scraped arms and a bad back. I hardly went out all week because of the pain.

     I live on a block where there are only five houses, and we're not a particularly social group, except for a casual hand wave if we happened to be outside. The exception is Doris Oswald, whom I became friendly with through the Writer's Group we both go to.

     After my fall, Doris would check in every day to see if I was okay. I'm not sure why but this morning I didn't hear the phone ring. She evidently called several times and I never picked up. Well, that worried her.

     The next thing I hear is a pounding – I didn't realize it was my door being pounded on. The house around the corner has been having work done on it all week, so I was used to the noise and thought nothing of it.

     Suddenly I heard my voice being called and heavy footsteps coming up the stairs. Talk about being startled. Two paramedics stood there. “Are you alright?”

     Seems when Doris couldn't reach me, she had called 911 to tell them she thought her neighbor might be in trouble.

     When I walked downstairs, my mouth dropped open. Not only was the EMT truck there, along with a police car, but all my neighbors were standing in front of my house. A swirl of confusion and humility swept through. They cared enough about me to be concerned. I didn't know what to say. I felt humbled and grateful. I couldn't hold back the tears that stung my eyes.

     These people cared for me and I just never had realized how much...

     My one neighbor, Ed, had removed my front door before the paramedics could break it down. Then he put it back up. Now that goes beyond friendship. Doris had called a friend, Terri, who had tried to reach me and was becoming frantic because she couldn't. Everyone standing there because they cared for me, each in their own way.

     People who need people are the luckiest people in the world. Today, and forever more, I will consider myself one of those people.

     Thank you, my neighbors, my friends.
                                                                                   Audrey

A Short Stories App For Android Phones Includes My Story "The Phone Call"

For someone who isn't sure about the computer at times, I have a story published on an app for Android phones. I've come a long way, baby. If I only knew what an app is?

More about A Quick Read. This unique project combines an Android phone app and on-line fiction. Both connect to the Internet, where they have an expanding database of short stories for you to enjoy.

My story, The Phone Call, has been included in their data base. To view my story click here, which will take you to their site. When you are on their home page, scroll down to the computor icon and click on it to see the list of stories broken down by categories. My story The Phone Call, is under the mystery section. Be sure to check out all the other stories and have a good read.

This photo is to show you what to look for on their home page, it does not link.

You can also click here to reach the stories index page.

My Pharmacist

There are times I am overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of certain people in my life. Today was one of those days. I have known this man for over twelve years. He has always been like a friend. I once joked with him.

“You know more than my doctor does. Why didn't you go into the medical field?”

He smiled softly. “Because when I was in college I'd rather play than study.”

Well, I trust his advice more than my physician. He has filled my prescriptions while I was working and was one of the last big spenders. He was there to downplay my fears when I was shocked and dismayed at being laid off after ten years. He always was there to comfort me when I couldn't find a job. Sometimes I'm sure he was too busy to listen, but he did.

He's a young man with a lot of compassion. He knows my financial circumstances now that I'm living only on my Social Security.

I was desperately afraid of getting the shingles, but the prescription was so expensive I hesitated. When I heard from a friend whose shingles attack put her in the hospital for over two weeks, I hesitated no longer. At my age, the last thing I needed was another physical problem. So I decided my health was more important than my checking account. When I pulled out the debit card to pay for my prescription he told me had had already paid for it. His gift to me. I owed nothing.

Tears threatened to flow. WHY?

He explained that I was always cheerful in the face of adversity. That even when I had problems I would smile. I was one of the kindest, friendliest people he knew. He took my hand and squeezed it. I wanted to jump over the counter and hug him.

People like this are so rare. If you come across one, treasure that person. He or she is your earth angel.

May this year bring us all together as Americans, regardless of our political beliefs. God bless this nation.

Audrey

Stories in So & So Magazine

 

The January-February issue of So & So Magazine has just come out. I am pleased to say it contains two of my stories: "Snorkling Mama" and "The Captain Who Went To War". I'm still hanging in there with my writing and hope to have more to share in 2013. Meanwhile, I want to wish you all a Happy New Year!

 

                                                                    Audrey

 

 

 

 

 

About the magazine: THE OXFORD SO & SO is a bi-monthly  SOUTHERN   oriented journal of nostalgia, clean humor/satire, poetry, history, jokes, etc.  "SO & SO" is an acronym for "Southern Owned & Southern Operated."  A non-political, non-racist hard copy only.  Now entering our Fourth year!

2012 'St. Augustine Record' Holiday Short Story Contest Honorable Mention

Excited to have placed as an Honorable Mention in the 2012 "Christmas in St. Augustine" Holiday Short Story contest held by the St. Augustine Record. There were two categories, adult and youth. Stories were limited to 500 words.
Winning entries were printed in the Christmas Day edition of The Record.

My story is below. I hope you enjoy it!

Christmas In St. Augustine

     It was a cold and dreary night and I was alone. Even the lights in the Plaza, as I came out of midnight Mass, didn't cheer me up. It was the second year I had been a widow. My children lived too far away for a Christmas visit and so, what should have been a joyous night, had turned into my own “pity party”. I started to walk to my car when an elderly gentleman with a short white beard waved at me as he came out of the Cathedral.

     “Excuse me for approaching you this way, but I watched you during Mass. You looked so sad. Is there anything I could do to help?”

     I explained how I felt and he smiled, his eyes twinkling.

     “Could I at least offer you a cup of coffee at the Pub around the corner? That's about the only place open this late.”

     Why not? I thought. Maybe a little conversation would lighten my mood.

     When we were settled inside, hot black coffee warming me, he asked how long I had lived in St. Augustine. I explained that when my husband died, I decided to move here just a year ago. I had opened a small store on Aviles, lived above it, and rarely had time for just old-fashioned sight-seeing.

     “I've lived here all my life. Do you like Christmas lights? I know all the people with houses that are magnificently decorated. Would you trust me to drive you around and look at them?”

     I hesitated only a moment before accepting this stranger's invitation. He didn't look like the type who would attack me, so why not take a chance? I needed something and Christmas lights were always my favorites. He pointed to his car and held my elbow as we crossed the street. We were off and running. I hadn't realized how many different areas there were in St. Augustine.

     We wove through back streets where he pointed out certain houses. The old Victorian houses sparkled like gems. He explained about the people who lived there. Some were his close friends. I laughed at the stories he told me about his youth. St. Augustine wasn't such a tourist town when he was a teenager, at least not by today's standards.

     “We didn't have the traffic problem we have today,” he explained. “I could ride my Schwinn all over town without worrying about being hit by a car. Look over there. Magnificent, isn't she?”

     I turned to look at where he was pointing. A large schooner was anchored in the bay. Its sails gleamed with white lights. A Christmas tree was decorated on the deck.

     We drove around town for over two hours. When he finally dropped me back at my car, I glanced at the Plaza. Yes, Christmas was here and I felt the glory of it all around me.

Looking forward to a wonderful New Year and wishing you the best! Audrey

Christmas Blessings

As the year is coming to an end, I look back at some of my disappointments, but most of all I have so many blessings that have happened to me this past year.

My disappointment is the fact that I haven't gotten a job, so I've decided to stop looking. The economy is terrible, and there are so many young people needing jobs, someone my age doesn't stand a chance.

Ah, but the blessings I have far outweigh  the disappointments.

Love of family has always been first on my list. My daughters have been by my side through thick and thin. Their phone calls lighten my day like a shimmering star.

Having true good friends who care about me is another blessing. I have also made new friends this year. While they live far away, our daily correspondence and interest in writing has given us a bond. Thank you both!

As for my writing, I was thrilled to win first place in the St. Augustine 450th essay contest. I have been lucky to have many of my stories published in “Dew On The Kudzu”. I write daily and I think my writing is improving. That's another blessing.

Above all, though, I am blessed to have my God who is always there, carrying me through the tough times.

My thoughts will be with all of you and I wish you a very blessed Christmas.

                                                                                   Audrey

            

Halloween Nonsense

Getting Ready For Halloween

     Night had almost descended. Lights were on by every porch, waiting for the little children who would knock on the door yelling “Trick or Treat”. Dressed in fanciful costumes, clinging to their bag of goodies, they laughed and giggled as they went from house to house.

     When they got to our place, they were going to be tricked before treated. My teenage son, Steve, loved Halloween, but he had a wicked sense of humor and spent hours preparing for the children to arrive.

     One year he purchased a “monster kit” containing putty and various other items that he plastered to his face and nose. Watching his transformation from human to monster was fascinating to my daughters and me.

     Still, he wasn't satisfied. One more thing was needed.

     He took soapy water and splashed it in his eyes until they were so bloodshot he could barely see. Plastic fangs completed his black outfit. When he partially opened the door he would let out this howl. Talk about shocked children. They didn't know whether to cry or just run away.

     Steve would immediately open the door wide and laugh.

     “Gotcha, didn't I?”

     The giggles and laughter would return as Steve filled their bags with several kinds of candy. By the time the last goblin or princess left, Steve's eyes were almost back to normal, much to my relief.

     One year he decided to try something different. He convinced the local movie theater to rent a coffin to be placed in the lobby. Dressed as Dracula, he laid in the coffin quietly, arms crossed on his chest. The minute he heard footsteps on the padded floor, he would rise slowly, bare his fangs and howl. On that one night he was Dracula. The startled movie goers would gasp, then delightedly laugh. Candy and drink sales soared, making the manager one happy man.

     Steve's pay? He and his friends got to see free movies.

     Looking back to those days I still smile at my son's antics.

                                                           Happy Halloween to all!