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Short
Stories
THE KOOKEN, a children's book
"Nothing's safe when Kooken, Granny's Doberman, is in the house. He chews up everything - from all the geraniums in the windowbox to the Sunday BOSTON GLOBE. To make matters worse, the things Kooken doesn't chew up he knocks over, so that Granny must keep her Bible on a high shelf and even nail the TV to the floor. Flowers and newspapers are one thing. But who would have thought her niece Johanna's cello was in danger? Johanna has to practice for the upcoming concert in Carnegie Hall. How can she play when all she has is a klutzy Doberman and a ruined cello? Then Johanna discovers Kooken's musical talents, and what happens next surprised even New Yorkers . . . Clement Oubrerie's wild and witty illustrations perfectly complement Julia Lebentritt and Richard Ploetz's hilarious take on the nature of friendship and artistic talent."
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MONTANA FIX
In a marital crisis, Bert goes to visit his good friend, Alex in Montana to regroup and gain perspective. But he discovers, after a wild evening of fishing, drinking and eating elk with a strange couple living in a tipi . . . that his friend had slept with his wife when they were all living in New Haven years ago. A story that reconsiders the nature of love, lust, and friendship.
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THE BATTLE OF MILLERTON
Furious at his girl friend's infidelity, a man sets off to confront her and her lover. But his car has broken down, it's 2 am, and he finds himself storming across a golf course in the pitch dark. Remarkably, there is George Washington playing the fifth hole. A former caddy, the man can't resist giving the General advice on which club to use, and accompanies him as he plays out the hole. There may be a lesson here, if he pays attention . . .
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INCOMPLETE
A college professor reflects back to a time when she had a promising black student in her English 301 class. When he suddenly stops attending class, she learns that he was murdered by his insane brother. She and her husband (both white) attend a memorial service for the student at a church in Harlem (he is black), where she speaks in praise of him. Years pass, she divorces, takes a younger lover, continues teaching, but often reflecting on this young man, who had so much promise, with "Incomplete" grade, his unfinished life.
CROSSING THE WILLIAMSBURG BRIDGE
While riding his bike home after visiting his grandmother, a man encounters Addie the Williamsburg Bridge whore. His life is never the same.
THE INVITIATION
A middle aged couple in Italy on vacation visit Etruscan tombs, encounter a street musician in Florence playing an entire Bach Toccata and Fugue on his accordian, walk the Appia Aniqua in Rome, witness the brass plaques set in sidewalks that memorialize the Jews taken by the Nazis. History is both overwhelming and an invitation to reassess their lives.
THE BATTERY
Trudy, divorced, middle-aged, lonely, risks a date with a man she accidently met at the Strand BookStore. Over a picnic at the Battery, he reveals that he believes he was killed in a Civil War battle, producing the mini ball that did it. After he drinks too much wine . . . this becomes a date not made in heaven.
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GOLFERS IN THE FOG
An elderly man, his grandson, and his friend, go golfing on a foggy morning. The day turns into a scorcher with sobering results for all three.
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