Since people have been asking, here is the story and if you wish, here is the link to the book: https://www.amazon.com/Four-Desperate-Strangers-Patricia-Gillis/dp/151775125X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1CBBQGXUHORP6&keywords=four+desperate+strangers+patricia+gillis&qid=1707675255&s=books&sprefix=four+desperate+strangers+patricia+gillis%2Cstripbooks-intl-ship%2C516&sr=1-1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/173127954X

 

 

A short story:

The picture of Elizabeth with the baby leopard in her lap was probably his favorite.  There was such tenderness about the way her hair hung down over the little cat’s whiskers. Mike carried it with him all the time and now, down here, getting ready for the wedding of his niece, he felt good knowing it was in his wallet. The non-profit organization Elizabeth worked for in lower Manhattan was entering its busy season and as much as he would have loved to have her here to meet his family, he understood why she couldn’t come. Next time, she had promised and he knew that she meant it.

Mike really didn’t fit in too much with his sister’s clan. He had moved away from their small town as soon as he could but Chelsea had stayed behind. Like everyone out this way, she had married young. Now his older sister had a daughter getting married even though he was barely out of university. He would never forgo a family obligation but it didn’t take long for the redneck life style to wear thin on him. He had met his future nephew at a dinner Chelsea had hosted.  He had met the whole family actually and they were all the same. They talked the same, got teary eyed about the same things.  Nice enough people but predictably parochial. Every house had a flag fluttering from the porch and you could count on every bookstand having a well-worn Bible. There wasn’t one decent restaurant in town probably because no one ate at restaurants. Everyone was more likely to meet at the church, which stood oppressively in the center of town. Mike knew that more than a few days of it would start to drive him crazy.

He had driven to the pre wedding stag with his brother-in-law Jeremy. It was scheduled to take place at Gus McCormick’s place. Gus had a big BBQ and mosquito lights and a beer fridge and everyone was excited. Mike travelled with Jeremy but the small talk they attempted was strained and Mike was relieved that McCormick’s place was close by. He got out of the truck and stood surveying the back yard. The grass was cut in a huge swath around a pit that had a pig, head and all roasting over the flames. It turned Mike’s stomach a little to see the carcass hanging over the fire but his instincts told him not to disclose his discomfort. Gus saw Jeremy and walked over to greet him. Mike shook Gus’s hand when it was offered, pointedly not noticing the missing fingers on the hand that was thrust towards him. Jeremy gave a brief introduction and then, almost as though he was glad to separate himself from his wife’s brother, he hurried towards the roasting pig.

“So this is your place eh? Nice property.” Mike tried.

“Been in the family for a ways back. Thanks. Here have a drink.”

Mike took it and following Gus’s lead he tossed it back in one gulp.  He was thankful for the darkness as his eyes filled with tears and he felt a burning in his throat. He muffled his cough and again tried to make small talk with Gus.

“Do you see much in the way of wild life out here? My fiancé back in New York is begging me to get some pictures.”

Gus looked at him for a moment and then smiled.

“What kind of wild life does she like? Here have another drink.”

Mike braced himself and again tossed it back in one gulp. This one burned less and Mike began talking as soon as he’d swallowed.

“Oh she loves them all. She was sort of cross with me for not getting a picture of the big deer I saw coming in from the airport. Ran right along side my rental for about 10 seconds. It was really something.”

Gus studied him for a moment. “Maybe she ought to be glad you’re still here to tell about it.”

Mike felt his confidence growing.

“Oh I can handle a car pretty well. I drive in Manhattan after all.” he said laughing.

Gus smiled and then turned and shouted to his son.

“You wanna start getting that hog finished up here so everyone can get to eating.”

He looked back at Mike.

“What are you twitching for?”

“Oh damn mosquitos are having a feast.”

“Well come down here. I got something that’ll keep them off. Keep your glass and grab that bottle now as you come.”

The two men walked down a few stairs that led to Gus’s back door.

Mike hadn’t been aware he had been twitching. In fact he was becoming less aware of everything.

He tripped on the last stair down to Gus’s basement but saved his drink. While he couldn’t be sure, he felt like he garnered a little bit of respect from the old man for that feat of agility. His eyes were just getting accustomed to the darkness when Gus flicked the switch. Mike heard himself gasp. There were rows of animals heads stuck on boards hanging from the walls.

“What the hell?”

“Huh?” Gus muttered.  “What’s that you said?”

“Why the hell have you got all these animal heads on the wall?

“Oh I hunt in my spare time. There used to be a demand for them. Not so much any more. Anyhow, I kind of feel like I’m disrespecting them if I throw ‘em out.” He continued looking in his cupboards.

“Disrespecting?  You’ve killed them and cut off their heads to use as trophies and you’re worried about disrespecting them? That ship already sailed I’d say.”

Gus seemed unperturbed as he offered Mike a small spray bottle.

“I never had much interest in it but I had some clients up north that seemed to get a kick out of having them. I imagine some of those fellas bragged about bagging ‘em themselves. Whatever. Anyway a number of years back they stopped calling. And so I still got a bunch. You want one for your girlfriend?”

Mike ignored the bottle Gus held. “She is my fiancé and I would no more bring her a dead animal head…she would be disgusted and frankly so am I.”

Gus studied him for a minute and then chuckled.

“I imagine I just seen why the bottom fell out my market.” He laughed. “Here have another drink Mike. It’ll help settle your nerves some.”

“My nerves are fine, Gus. I don’t know what would make you think it is okay to take innocent wildlife and kill it for your pleasure.”

“It isn’t always for pleasure Mike.  Sometimes it’s just something you have to look after. Fact is we’re organizing a hunt next week once your niece’s wedding is over. Wanna come?

“No!” Mike bristled.

“What are you hunting?” Mike asked after the silence got uncomfortable.

“Oh there’s a big male grizzly coming in pretty close to the backyards. Some town folks got feeding it when it was young and now it’s getting too brave.

“Why do you have to kill it? It was here before you, you know.”

“Well not really. I’ve been living here for close to 70 years and we’re guessing that bear is only coming 5.”

“I mean bears generally. They were here before you, or us or…whatever.”

“Might be so.” Gus demurred.

“Okay so like, I don’t understand why or how you can hate like that.” Mike was slurring his words now.

“Who says I hate the bear? I don’t have to hate the bear. I just have to know the bear.”

“Well I know the bear too!” Mike said angrily.  “He’s out there minding his own business and you guys are going to go out on some drunken party and kill him for no reason. It really makes me sick. I don’t know why you won’t just leave it alone.”

Gus poured him another drink.

“Well everyone’s entitled to their opinion Mike. You wanna hear mine?”

Mike drank down the contents of his glass, shrugged and watched dully as Gus refilled it. If the mosquitoes were still biting he was no longer capable of noticing.

“You know how sometimes you look at things that have happened and they only start to make sense to you once its over? You stand back and follow it from beginning to end and then you can sort of untangle it. Maybe even understand it on some level. That’s not how it is with bears. You see, because it’s a bear, you can always count on the bear doing what bears do. You don’t actually have to wait until the end and look back on it or untangle it. You can understand it just on account of the fact that it’s a bear. Bears do what bears do.”

Mike was really drunk now. “Like they crap in the woods, right?” He started laughing at his own joke.

“Yep. There’s that too.” Gus smiled as he watched Mike.

“You know, you’re kind of like a bear right now too.”

“Huh?”

“See that bucket over in the corner…why don’t you go stand next to it.” Mike was too drunk to argue.

“Good. Now I’ll see you back out by the pit. You stay there and do what city folks do.”

He chuckled as he heard Mike retching uncontrollably into the bucket.

The next morning Mike’s sister knocked gently on his door.

“You okay?” She asked.

Mike groaned. His head felt swollen and he was sure his eyes were bruised. He tried to gin up a cheerful tone and answered that he would be down shortly. As he tried to walk softly down the stairs he heard Jeremy laugh.

“Rule number one is never try to keep up with Gus.”

Chelsea shook her head. “Jeremy, I don’t know why you didn’t keep an eye on Mike. He was your guest.”

“It’s all fine. I’m fine.” Mike insisted. “Has anyone seen my phone?”

“It’s here in your jacket I think. It was ringing a bit this morning but I wasn’t sure how to answer it.”

Mike shook his head. Figures, he thought.

He listened to his message and it was Elizabeth. She was worried he hadn’t called last night. Mike was a bit ashamed. He couldn’t remember much from last night and if it weren’t for the pounding in his head, he would almost be able to convince himself that it had never happened. At least when he got through to her he would be able to tell her that he stood up to the old trophy seeking hunter. He knew she would be proud of him for that.

He waited as the phone rang into New York. Somehow being out in the boonies gave him a different perspective on how amazing it was that he could be standing here in his sister’s house and yet talk to Elizabeth as though she were right next to him.

The phone rang through to her voice mail and Mike smiled unconsciously as he heard her voice again. She was in meetings for the day so he would have to wait to talk to her later.

“You gonna have lunch with us Mike?”

“No. You know sis I think I’ll just go for a walk. Clear my head a bit.”

He heard Jeremy snort but he ignored it.

He went upstairs and grabbed his camera. Then he set out, determined to get a few pictures for Elizabeth.

He walked along the path in the woods behind his sister ‘s house. The leaves were changing colors now that September had arrived and it reminded him of a painting somehow. He was barely one hundred yards into the forest before he saw a deer. It matched the background almost perfectly and Mike felt pretty lucky that he had noticed it at all. He drew his camera up very slowly and got off at least five shots before the deer leaped back into the woods. Elizabeth would love that he thought to himself.

He continued walking although the path got a little narrower. He got some shots of rabbits, chipmunks and a beautiful cardinal. But then as he came around the corner he stopped dead in his tracks. In a clearing about two hundred feet from where he stood was the bear. The bear was reaching his paw into a log and seemed oblivious to anything else. Mike stared in awe. It was huge, shaggy and lumbering. He could hear the snuffling sounds as the giant creature investigated the log.

Very carefully, Mike raised his camera. He snapped incessantly, capturing the bear lying on his back and rolling the log with his paws. At one point the bear stood up on his hind legs and looked towards him, casting about with his nose.  Mike was sure the bear had seen him and for a moment he felt a primal terror. But the bear dropped back down to all fours and went back to his log.

Although Mike couldn’t be sure, he felt he had watched the bear for about ten minutes before the huge shaggy mass left the clearing and disappeared into the forest.

Mike was elated and his exhilaration was such that he barely noticed his pounding headache anymore. He knew Elizabeth would be thrilled when she saw the pictures.

As he walked towards his sister’s house he reflected on his adventure. Gus had said the bear was so dangerous and yet he and the bear had just shared an experience, a moment in time. The further he walked the more convinced he was that the bear had seen him and his confidence grew. Mike sensed that the bear had recognized that he wasn’t a threat, which was why they had had this wonderful interaction. He planned to use this ammunition to shut down the likes of Gus, Jeremy and all the other hunters.

He could see his sister’s house from the path but stopped one last time to take a picture of the cardinal. He only noticed it because of the loud squawking the bird was making. Mike raised his camera but the bird flew up to a higher branch still squawking hysterically.

Mike heard a rustling behind him and turned to see what had caused the noise. Charging out of the underbrush on to the path was the bear. The speed at which he covered the distance was stunning. There was no time to run, or to climb or to even grab a stick to defend himself. Mike just watched as the bear launched himself, both front legs stretching wide and reaching, coming towards him.

The impact sent Mike to the ground and he felt his head become encased in the bear’s mouth. Somehow Mike rolled away as he felt the bear’s teeth tear at his scalp. The massive claws ripped through his jacket and blood was seeping through his shirt. He couldn’t believe that he would die this way.

Mike struggled under the weight of the huge bear but it was futile. He could only smell the bear and the bear smelled like death.

Two shots rang out and the bear slumped. Mike felt someone grab his arm and pull him out from under the bear.

“You still alive?”

Mike couldn’t see but he recognized the voice right away.

“How did you know I was here, Gus?” Mike gasped.

“I was dropping something off to Jeremy and Chelsea said you’d gone out the back for a walk. I just thought I’d best come out and see how you and the bear were getting along.”

Gus used a strip of Mike’s shirt to wrap his head and staunch the bleeding.

“You okay to walk out of here?”

“Yeah.” Mike started rambling incoherently. “But I don’t get it Gus. I didn’t do anything to provoke it. I just took pictures and then I left it. I didn’t threaten it. Hell I was walking away from it.  Damn it.”

Mike grew angrier as the blood from his torn scalp continued to drip into his eye.

“Well now Mike. Remember what I was telling you. Bears do what bears do. There’s people like that in this world too. You can provoke ‘em just by existing. Give me your arm and let’s get you out of here.”

An ambulance arrived within minutes and Mike was placed inside. His thoughts turned to Elizabeth.

“Can you call her? Please. Just don’t tell her about this. Say anything. Just make it up. Gone out with the guys…anything.  Just don’t tell her this or she’ll just worry herself sick.”

He felt himself growing faint as the ambulance doors closed.

Mike missed the wedding completely. He had lost quite a bit of blood and it was determined that he should stay in the hospital for a couple of days. By Monday he was itching to leave and he was eager to talk to Elizabeth.

His sister picked him up at the hospital early Tuesday morning.

Mike’s first question was if anyone had called Elizabeth.

“I gave Jeremy the number. He called her that night. It’s okay. He didn’t say anything about you being in the hospital so you don’t have to worry.”

Mike could barely wait to get back to his sister’s so he could call Elizabeth himself. He went upstairs and got his phone. There was a message from her. He clicked the keys until he could access his voice mail. It was Elizabeth but she was angrier than he had ever heard her before.

“Hunting? You went hunting?  Why would you do that? Why would you tell me all this time that you feel like I do and then you betray me by going hunting. I couldn’t believe it when Jeremy said it Mike. I think we have to talk when you get back home. I’m really not sure how we can go forward.” He could hear her crying as she hung up and he started yelling at the phone telling her that it wasn’t true.

It was just before nine and he dialed quickly, hoping he could catch her before she got to her office.

“Damn it.” He cursed. “The connection isn’t working. What are the bloody odds?”

He went downstairs. He would try his sister’s phone and if he saw Jeremy he would demand to know why he had told Elizabeth such a ridiculous story.

As he walked into the living room he could hear his sister crying. For once, Jeremy seemed to have nothing to say about the event that was unfolding. Mike stared in silent disbelief at the small TV set on the Formica wall unit. He didn’t even notice the old fashioned knobs that were needed to turn the channels even though it had struck him as so funny when he saw it a few days ago. He felt something intense, but as yet unfocused, stirring deep inside him. He was silent as his sister organized everyone into a semi-circle right in front of the TV.  Mike joined hands with his family and recited words to a prayer that he was surprised he could remember.

As the second tower fell, he knew that when he found Elizabeth, he would have to tell her about the bear.

The End

 

 

 

 

 

 

A short story:

Don knew how dangerous it was to pass through this place. There was always someone watching and entrapment could come quickly. Still, it was an area he had to get past if he was going to find his partner and so he waited quietly, watching, planning his route. He was hungry but resigned to that reality. The mission was everything and at this point it was only necessary that he consume enough to stay alive.

Don and his partner, Joe, had been in a few hot spots together and Joe was the bravest person Don knew.  Always, always they had each other’s back. Now that Joe had been called up again, he hadn’t hesitated. Joe’s wife had been understandably upset and his kids had cried when he told them. But that was Joe. Always duty first.  Brave. No other word for it.

When Joe talked about why he did what he did, there was a calmness that came over him and it seemed to calm everyone around him, including Don.  He wasn’t quite matter of fact but quietly determined and never any drama. That was one of the things that made Joe so great to work with. Even when Don had his doubts about a mission, Joe was solid.

Because all of the discussions he had overheard were not in his first language, Don wasn’t too clear on what was happening. But he had grasped enough to know that his partner was going to need his help. That was sufficient. The two of them shared an unspoken but unbreakable promise and Don was determined to hold up his end.

He’d been travelling for six days and this was one of the last obstacles to overcome. It was dusk now and Don watched carefully, waiting for his opening. He edged out and then ran, skirting the edge of the road before suddenly dashing across. He heard people yelling and the sound of screeching brakes but no contact occurred and in a final leap he rolled down the embankment and made it to cover in the trees.  He tried to quiet his gasping breaths and stopped to listen. He was a bit surprised at the effort that had taken him and he was worried someone might have seen the path he had escaped onto. He strained to hear but after a few moments he concluded that he had eluded any trackers. He set out again, walking now but no less determined. Perhaps it was the fog of war that had separated the two warriors, but Don knew that the error needed to be resolved. He jogged for a few steps but then returned to walking until the high fence of the compound came into view. He stayed well back.

As he crouched in the cool grass, the thought of Joe fighting and risking everything without any help was almost more than he could bear. He shook his head as though to remove the worry from his brain. Concentration. Concentration was the key. Worry was the lock. He began studying the lay of the land.

The fence was high and there had been a time that he could have scaled it without much effort.  Now he was either going to have to find away around it, dig underneath it or most likely, make it through the gate.

Don heard footsteps coming from the compound. He sank lower in the tall grass as a flashlight passed over the area where he crouched. Overseas, Don had always prided himself on being the first to distinguish between friend and foe. But back here, he mostly counted on Joe.  Under these circumstances, it just seemed better not to take any chances. Although the men with the flashlight were speaking, the words were difficult to comprehend. It only seemed clear they were unaware of his presence. He stayed close to the ground for a few moments, even after they had walked the other way.
Don rose stealthily and prowled around the fence. He knew where the gate was but he hoped that maybe there would be another way. He crept around the compound staying in the tall grass near the trees. After a few perimeter checks it was becoming increasingly obvious that the gate was his only chance. There was a sentry there and Don knew he would be seen if he tried to enter. Knowing Joe was in there was almost enough to make him run wildly towards the gate and take his chances but he checked that irrational thought and continued studying the entrance to the fenced building.

The sky was darkening and the air smelled like rain. It began, momentarily as a drizzle and then suddenly a down pour and Don watched as the sentry turned hastily to close the windows of his guardhouse. Don ran, threw himself to the ground and scrambled under the barrier and jumped as far as he could behind the car parked near the gate. He waited in the rain. The guard turned back to his watch and Don allowed an almost audible sigh to escape him as he realized he had not been seen. He crawled on his belly into the shallow ditch along the driveway and then with a last look at the guard, he ran towards the building.

He was unerring now and within moments he had arrived at the area where he could see the door.  He lay down in the tall grass, keeping his profile as low as possible while he considered his next move.

* * * *

It was the fourth call Kathy had made and she was sounding increasingly frantic. Joe tried to calm his wife but he knew there was little he could say that would be useful.

“You know I can’t come and help you, Hon. You and the kids? You’re going to have to try without me, okay? You guys have to keep looking Kathy.

Joe could tell Kathy was crying, and her attempt at stoicism reminded him of why he loved her so much.

“We fly out Wednesday. Let me know, okay?”

Joe shook his head. Why now? Why now when he had to leave them and when Kathy needed as much help as she could get? Why now when no one was going to be there to offer it to her?

PFC Jackson knocked on Joes’ door.

“Sir. Staff Sergeant Wilson thinks you need to come out here.”

Joe grabbed his jacket and followed Jackson. Wilson watched him enter the room. He pointed to the window.

“Have a look Corporal.”

Joe looked out the window and froze.

“It’s impossible. How? At his age…?”

He ran to the door and out into the pouring rain.

Don saw him immediately and attempted to get up but the cold and the rain had troubled his joints and he struggled. Joe ran to him and fell to his knees in the wet grass. He took Don’s head in his hands and looked into the cloudy eyes that stared steadily back at him.

“You have to go home Don. I need you to look after things there for me.”

Joe was having trouble speaking.

“You can’t come with me Don. I’ve got this job to do but this time you have to stay behind. It’s our duty Don. I’ll go over there and you stay here and keep them safe at home for me until I get back.”

Joe was talking as though Don would understand every word and although it wasn’t his first language Don was content just to listen to Joe’s voice. Solid, just like always. He found himself leaning a bit on his partner.

“I’ve got your wife on the phone Joe. She says she’ll come and get him tomorrow.”

Staff Sergeant Wilson looked at Joe.

“Bring him inside Corporal. Retired warriors get special access.”

Joe lifted his old dog into his arms and wept as he buried his head in Don’s fur.

THE END

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wrote this book after re-reading Animal Farm on New Years Eve, 2008. I had always loved that book as a child and remember growing very fond of Benjamin and Boxer when I first read it.

It was only on a second reading when in high school that I appreciated the book for what it really was

Unlike John Reed’s parody of Animal Farm, I wrote this short novel not as satire but as a sequel or follow up to what happened in Orwell’s classic.

Despite the deceptive way they were often portrayed by the media, I was inspired by the Tea Party movement in the United States. Their ardent desire to return the levers of power back to the people seemed a noble endeavour. I also felt, given the chance, that Benjamin would be smart enough to lead his colleagues to that end as well.

Taking it back: A Path to Freedom is the story of what happens when free citizens come to believe that liberty can be taken for granted.

Dedicated to the “American Idea”. May the light of freedom always shine.

The book is available here.

This book was written because I felt I needed to somehow memorialize the four wonderful horses that came into my life quite unexpectedly.

All four were special but Hawke was perhaps the most uniquely wonderful horse I have ever known.

At any rate, their story is told here.

A video ‘trailer’ so to speak, is available here.

 

 

My interest professionally has always been horses and I currently own 35 of them. They serve as associate teachers with me at my riding school and over the last 33 we have taught a lot of people how to ride. I mention this because I think working with horses can alter the way you see the world.  Utopian views of how things could be perhaps hold less sway when one is confronted daily with reality based creatures such as horses. Like all animals, they are what they are and there is a refreshing honesty in the way they interact with each other and with us.

Writing has always been a hobby although not one that I have practiced with any consistency.  But it is an enjoyable diversion and I am honoured that you have take the time to visit.

Many thanks.

Pat

P.S. This is a link that Amazon provided for my books.

https://www.amazon.com/Patricia-Gillis/e/B00APQJWZ8