Synopsis

In this collection of stories, Jim shares with the reader the lives of ordinary people who each have a unique story to tell. Mitch’s life is enhanced immeasurably when he meets fellow stargazer Loren and his daughter. Doug and Evie form an unlikely friendship while riding the bus to work. Dan and Tim meet Michael at a concert and learn the importance of a caring friendship even if it’s only for a short time. Outcasts Poppy and Sid form a singing duo and perform in the fifth-grade talent show. Lenny’s sad death affects young Cal for the rest of his life. The summer between 6th and 7th grade is one Tommy will never forget. Widower Marv saves a drowning boy and gets a new lease on life. Cory attends his father’s funeral and meets a man who changes his life forever. A single mother and her daughter are thankful for their lives together even though their home is their car. Two brothers find that playing in marble tournaments helps them deal with the complexities of life. Maggie makes a fateful decision. Will she live to regret it? Straight-laced businessman Dave spontaneously decides to play hooky from work and get more than he bargained for. These stories are quietly told and character-driven. If you are looking for thoughtful stories where you can sit back, relax, and take your time to read them, then this is the book for you.

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Excerpt

The night was quiet and still but the longer he was there the more sounds he heard: the breeze rustling through the corn stalks, some small (he hoped) animal noisily walking through the grass on the edge of the field down to his right, and the low hooting of an owl in the woods to his left. It was like he was in a different world.

Mitch was mesmerized, slowly turning around and around watching the stars, unaware of how much time was passing.

When his neck started to hurt from being bent back for so long, he began looking around to find a place where he could sit and rest. Maybe relax his neck and still be able to see the sky. He was starting to make a move to the right when he heard a voice.

“Nice night for stargazing, isn’t it, young fella’?”

Mitch jumped and let out a sharp, “Geez!” All he could think of was that there was some nut case ready to attack him with a knife or something.

The voice laughed. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you.” And then added, chucking, “Well, maybe I did.”

The voice came from a guy about twenty feet away to his right who had been sitting in a lawn chair at the edge of the cornfield the entire time Mitch had been up on the hilltop. He had blended in so well as to be almost invisible. “I guess you didn’t notice me. I always dress in dark clothes,” he said by way of explanation. His pleasant voice helped Mitch’s racing heart start to return to normal. “I just like being part of the night.”

Throughout the last few years of his life, Mitch had started taking more of a cautious approach when it came to interactions with other people. Maybe it was all the stories on the news of people being brutalized for no particular reason. Unexpected attacks by strangers on unsuspecting citizens. Whatever. He had to admit he was growing more paranoid as he got older. So he was cautious and didn’t say anything as he started backing away from this guy in the lawn chair sitting out on the edge of a cornfield in the middle of the night.

“I’m Loren, by the way,” the voice said. “Loren Johnson.” He made a motion with this arm. “Do you live around here, young man?”

Mitch stopped backing up and thought about what he should do. Really, the guy sounded OK. Polite and all. Looking more closely he appeared to be an old man. Probably harmless. His voice was soothing. Besides, something was intriguing about this person who would take the time to sit up on the top of a hill late at night to watch the stars. Mitch took a chance and decided to stay. And that was how Mitch met Loren Johnson, the guy who he eventually would refer to as The Stargazer.

About the Author

Jim’s stories and poems have appeared in nearly five hundred online and print publications. His collection of short stories, Resilience, is published by Bridge House Publishing. Short Stuff, a collection of flash fiction and drabbles, is published by Chapeltown Books. Periodic Stories, Periodic Stories Volume Two, Periodic Stories Volume Three – A Novel, and Periodic Stories Volume Four are published by Impspired. Dreamers, a collection of short stories, is published by Clarendon House Publishing. Something Better, a dystopian adventure novella, and the nove, The Alien of Orchard Lak, are published by Dark Myth Publications. In the fall of 2022, his collection entitled Holiday Stories was published by Impspired as was his collection of poetry, Haiku Seasons. In February 2023, Periodic Stories Volume IV was published, as was his collection of poems, The Alchemy of Then, both by Impspired. In June 2023, a collection of flash fiction, Dancing With Butterflies, was published by Impspired.In July 2023, his YA novella The Battle of Marvel Wood was published by Impspired. His short story “Aliens” was nominated by The Zodiac Press for the 2020 Pushcart Prize. His story “The Maple Leaf” was voted 2021 Story of the Year for Spillwords. He was voted December 2022 Author of the Month for Spillwords. He also reads his stories for Talking Stories Radio and for Jim’s Storytime on his website. He lives in a small town west of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

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