CONVERGENT COINCIDENCES

Richard Miles

Description

Convergent Coincidences – Book II – (1964). An older high school boy, almost a loner, cannot deal with the military death of his father whom he worshiped, especially when his father's reputation is called into question, yet continues to emulate him while a related blackmail and murder occur; he awaits baseball season while pursuing dating haphazardly with his attempts failing to fulfill his dreams until he sees 'her', whose true essence is more complex, even mystical than her delightful, warm persona exudes.

Sujets

• Young Adult Fiction
• Adventure
• Action

Informations

• Publié par: eBookIt.com
• Date de parution: 19 décembre 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781456639846
• Langue: English

Extrait

CONVERGENT
COINCIDENCES
 
BOOK II
THE LEAP YEAR SERIES
 
 
 
 
 
RICHARD BLAND MILES
Copyright © July 2021 by Richard Bland Miles
First Edition

 
All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopy, recording, or by any information and storage retrieved system without the written permission of the author.
 
This book is a work of fiction. Names and characters are products of the author ’ s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Some events and incidents actually occurred but were enhanced or supplemented as needed. Names of some institutions and businesses were changed, others remained fixed.
 
Historical events and data are accurately depicted. All merchandise and products are true to their time. Television shows are correctly sequenced. Recognizable persons, authors and their books, singers and their recordings are properly described.

 
 
 
ISBN: 978-1-4566-3984-6
 
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
 
 
 
For the still beautiful Georgiann
who was at the core of some c onverg ent coincidences
a long, long time ago.
Acknowledgements
 
My reviewer and critic, John Gatschet, who provided insightful suggestions, ideas and changes.
 
To Kelli Blohm, my other wonderful reviewer who can catch any error while offering solid advice for change.
 
To Cathy Macek and Tim Macek who provided automotive expertise.
 
My wife, for her always helpful suggestions.
Memoriam
 
In memory of Aunt Georgia or “ Georgie, ” without whom, a lot of wonderful things in life would not have been possible.
 
In memory of my Grandmother Miles who would read to me frequently — when she became tired, she would tell me that was enough for now. Without fail, I would beg her to continue. She always would.
 
In memory of the Jesuits — Robert R. Lakas, S.J., William C. Doyle, S.J. and John Kavanaugh, S.J., all of whom provided positive guidance and unwavering support.
Author’s Notes
 
“ Thinking is hard work, which is why you don ’ t see many people doing it. ”
Sue Grafton
 
“ Things are not always what they seem; the first appearance deceives many; the intelligence of a few perceives what has been carefully hidden. ”
Phaedrus
 
 
“ We can believe what we choose. We are answerable for what we choose to believe. ”
John Cardinal Newman
 
 
 
A dollar in 1964 = $8.00 in 2020
CONTENTS
Author’s Notes
PREFACE
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
MARCH 1972
JULY 1984
PREFACE
 
 
 
Convergent Coincidences, caused by nothing more than Chance, are a striking and remarkable set of circumstances which materialize, then intersect to connect a few individuals who forge unwavering bonds, as together, they pursue common goals or desires, sometimes continuing throughout their entire lives.
Even at the beginning of the mid-60s, the youth of the time were still simply typical teenagers. They hung out and “ goofed off ” , flirted, dated, went steady, broke up, then started through that cycle again — ad infinitum. They even studied during the school year, worked summer jobs, trying to grow up enjoying those “ so carefree years ” . At least, that ’ s what their parents tried to persuade them to believe that ’ s what they should be doing. However, it seemed like it took a lot of stumbling and bumbling to get through them. The parents were right — it was best to be lighthearted and untroubled. They could have added — unknowing.
Viet Nam was not even deemed a “ Conflict ” yet, but more than 150 soldiers had already died with 9000 deployed there when the Marlowe family moved to Wyandotte in 1963. Overnight, the idealism and dreams that created a magical aura faded into the mist, as Jackie so correctly predicted, “ there would never be another Camelot ” . The American public was kept in the dark as the Government ’ s foolish involvement in the South Vietnamese quagmire steadily increased, culminating with Americans being horribly deceived by Johnson and McNamara, resulting in The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving the President broad war-making powers. The underpinnings of this Conflict began breeding problems for society like a fast growing, undetectable cancer. The counterculture movement, bolstered by the SDS and the hippies [or hipsters who had taken over from the beatniks], began to exponentially accelerate its rise. Marijuana and drugs, previously the purview of lowlifes, were quickly becoming mainstream. The Gates of Hell had cracked open.
All of this, of course, happened a long time ago as Richelieu Marlowe was beginning his junior year in a new school in a new city. He, along with his sister and others, experienced how Chance could trigger a series of Coincidence s which meshed together so thoroughly and intensely.
 
 
Richard Bland Miles
July, 2021
AUGUST
 
 
 
As my mother pulled out of the parking lot of Melton ’ s, the family restaurant in Auburn, I happily answered, “ Thanks Mother, for letting me drive almost to the Kansas line. It was good practice for my test next week. ”
“ Well, I would let you drive all the way, but I don ’ t know if a Nebraska learner ’ s permit is good in Kansas. Best not to take a chance. We should be in Topeka soon, then it ’ s a straight shot into Wyandotte. ”
My sister DeeDee, now sitting in the front seat, announced, “ I can ’ t wait to turn sixteen. ”
I bet you can ’ t … you already look sixteen … even older.
“ Only eleven more months, Mother, then I can drive too. I ’ ll take you shopping. ”
“ Yeah, ” I teased, “ for groceries. ”
“ No, you big idiot … shopping for clothes and shoes and accessories, go to lunch, the movies, other girl stuff … fun girl stuff. ”
DeForrest Dani è le and I could not have been physically more dissimilar except for height. DeeDee is about five foot nine with auburn hair and vivid green eyes, their color our grandfather Richelieu calls “ Paris green ” . She bears a moderate resemblance to our mother who passed on her high cheek bones, straight-edged nose, porcelain skin and the beautiful eye color. I just got thick black hair from her. My very dark, almost black eyes come from my father. I ’ m five foot eleven now, but I ’ m going to get to six feet and beyond, like him.
I had the back seat all to myself — never been here before. My mother had bought the ’ 63 black, two-door Ford Galaxie 500 “ Custom Fastback ” about three weeks ago, trading in the old ’ 58 Country Squire wagon. Certainly unbelievable my mother would buy such a cool car. I figured she would buy a lime green four-door Dodge Hideous or a Plymouth Embarrassment in breathtaking Yellow Cab yellow. Sometimes my mother can be surprisingly hip and really with it. I stretched out lengthwise and began thinking about this move.
So we ’ re doing this to be closer to family. But the only one left in Wyandotte is Aunt Dani è le. Grand-p è re and Grand-m è re Richelieu moved … uh hmm … seven months ago. Really liking Florida.
Offutt must remind Mother too much of Dad. Bet we ’ re moving from the Air Base to get away from all those memories. Oh God, she really broke down at his grave after those Memorial Day services. She was a mess … a complete mess . My miserable, heartbroken mother, Genevi è ve Georgette Richelieu Marlowe, widowed at 37.
Thanh Da area in Saigon, Vietnam, morning of May 12, 1962 … evening of May 11 in Omaha. Forrest Macey Marlowe … killed by a sniper ’ s bullet. Dead at 38! Just 15 months ago . God, I miss you Dad. Oh God, so much … so DAMN much. Maybe this move will get rid of these damn nightmares.
Probably miss some of the guys, like Luke and Hermie. DeeDee will miss them more than me. That girl is boy-crazy. Yet fun … even if she is my sister.
And you, Linda … I ’ ll write … maybe even call you. No wonder I went steady with you this summer. You ’ re incredibly cute with an incredibly cute pair. Oh wow … in your blue and white two piece at Peony Park or The Officer ’ s Club Pool. How you stayed in that low-cut top, I ’ ll never know. Oh, but you didn ’ t stay in your top two nights ago in your parents ’ dorky ’ 61 Parkwood. ‘ My amazing twins … fantabulous going away presents for you to always remember me by. ’ That ’ s right Linda, won ’ t be able to forget your two beautiful baseballs
Aaaah baseball. Maybe I ’ ll start at first base for St. Ignatius. Wish I could have played more at Loyola … still not bad for a sophomore. And a damn, damn good season in the A League. Hit .345 … five home runs. Guess I ’ ll miss some of the Cardinals too.
“ Richie, are you still with us? ”
Why does she still call me ‘ Richie ’ ? Well, DeeDee, too … so does Aunt Dani è le.
“ Don ’ t worry Mother, he ’ s just thinking about Linda. How much he misses her. Richie, aren ’ t you going to miss Linda? ”
I smiled whimsically, “ Yeah, some … I guess. ” … … Certainly her pair of baseballs. Whole new meaning to the saying, ‘ play ball ’ .
“ Oh, you bet he will, Mother. He ’ ll miss making out with her. ”
“ Bet you ’ ll miss Hermie and Luke more than I will, ” I weakly retorted.
“ Even though we never went out, I know they both liked me. A whole lot. ”
“ Angel, I told you repeatedly you were too young to date Hermie. ” My mother continued her chiding, “ He ’ s two and a half years older than you. And I know Luke wanted to date you too … he was much too old as well. ”
“ I am a sophomore now. I should be able to date whoever I want. ”
“ Only farm boys can drive at fifteen in Kansas, but I think just tractors. ” I snickered. “ Anyhow, don ’ t think there ’ re many farmers in Wyandotte. ”
“ Who says I have to date only fifteen-year-olds? ”
“ Why don ’ t we talk about school? Oh Angel, I know you will like Notre Dame de Sagesse . ”
“ But there ’ s no boys there! ”
“ Really ? ”
****************************