Chapter III. Painter’s Eye

Click here to download the third chapter of K. C. Wilson’s novella Doing the Dead – 1983, presented by Faraway!

Click here to purchase a copy of Doing the Dead – 1983, or click here for complete coverage of the publication of this new novella.  And be sure to return on December 19 for the second part of our interview with K. C. Wilson!

Support independent publishing: buy this book on Lulu.

            By the time Lyle Stone moved in, I was well ensconced in my abode. T.S., my friend from North Carolina, had a problem with Russell, his father. Rondele and Fatima, the two lesbians T.S. rented a room from, had decided they had put up with Russell Sharpe long enough.

            They liked Russell fine when he was sober. They had met him at the train station when he arrived, brought him home and let him stay on the couch for a couple of weeks, no problem. He painted their house. He was sober at first, then he wasn’t. Then they came home and found him sprawled out drunk on the living room floor beside an empty bottle of cooking sherry and they put their feet down.

            “What am I going to do with Hoss?” T.S. turned to me for help.

            “I guess bring him on by.” A sudden, short deliberation.

            Russell was actually there before Lyle. He was sleeping on the floor for some reason, and the house was still dark from too few light bulbs, or no light bulbs, and, coming in late, Lyle tripped over Russell in the dark and fumbled a twelve pack of beer.

            “What the hell’s going on?” Lyle blustered.

Chapter II. Take A Number

Click here to download the second chapter of K. C. Wilson’s novella Doing the Dead – 1983, presented by Faraway!

 

 

            In the late half of my thirtieth year, I was making an effort to take stock of my life. Moving acted as a catalyst. Certain tenets and theorems of my philosophy regarding women were drawn into high relief and reconsidered.
            All my possessions went in one carload from Doris and Lyle’s apartment, where I was staying in their guest room, to the beach house on 28th Avenue. 
            Doris and Lyle’s relationship was dying a slow and torturous death. They took me in when I was flat broke, after Darla, the dancer, flew back to New York, and they let me stay there with them for several months while their relationship disintegrated.

Click here to purchase a copy of Doing the Dead – 1983, or click here for complete coverage of the publication of this new novella.  And be sure to return on December 16 for chapter three!

Support independent publishing: buy this book on Lulu.

Four Poems by David Kowalczyk

We’re pleased in this issue to feature a series of four poems by seasoned New York writer David Kowalczyk.  I’m excited to change the pace today from the short stories we have been featuring and post these poems, for your reading enjoyment.

Life Is A Funny Old Dog

After prayers for white French tulips
at my doorstep arrives
a bouquet of wilted dandelions.

 

Click here to read more poems by David Kowalczyk or click here to download the newest issue of Faraway.

What is Life? by Vic Fortezza

We are privileged to include a short story by Italian-American, New York-based novelist, Vic Fortezza, in the latest issue of FarawayWhat is Life? is an exquisitely-written piece of fiction in which a man ruminates on the meaning of life while visiting his elderly Italian mother in the hospital.  Visit Mr. Fortezza on the web here, where you can order his novel, Close to the Edge.

     He heard her crying out behind the curtain that had been drawn around the bed.  Each cry was more strained than the last. She complained about the burning, called the nurses “putane” and threatened to rip out the device they’d inserted into her.  He sat there, torn, flesh crawling, wondering, should he intercede, if the nurses would be insulted, if they would think him a mama’s boy.
     Again she cried out.  His eyes glazed as he fought back tears. He could not bear to see anyone in pain – and this was his mother. He slipped behind the curtain. Each nurse was restraining one of her arms, imploring, trying to soothe her. She’d have none of it, asking what devils had sent them to her. He took her hands. She stopped resisting.  Surprised, the nurses quickly completed their chores and left, apparently relieved.  Vito wondered how they stood it day after day.  And this case was minor compared to many they no doubt faced here in Emergency.

Read more of What is Life? here  or download the latest issue of Faraway.