Pittstop, the cafe near Merlyn, had been in the same family since it was a country stop for truckies, thus its name. Sometimes, one of the owner’s cousins worked in the cafe. They were nothing alike. Months ago, the cousin, Tom, decided that Merlyn should know his name.
The next time he saw her, he asked, “Can you remember my name?”
Merlyn usually didn’t remember names well. She remembered people’s energy exceptionally well.
Here is the next part of Pittown.
Before anyone can improve their life, they must get the idea that change is possible, that life can be different and better, and that it is worth the effort it takes to make it happen.
Chapter 8: Different and Better
Although there were nicer shops a suburb or two closer to the city, Merlyn made a point of shopping at the Pittown ones. It seemed to her disloyal not to use them. Besides, she found the people interesting. Not infrequently, someone walked past her and turned their head to give her a second look. They looked like they thought they knew her but then decided that they didn’t. Sometimes, they looked at her quizzically as if they were thinking that she didn’t belong in Pittown.
Merlyn had grown up in a similar suburb to Pittown although much water had flowed under the bridge since then. She knew what life felt like in a place like this. The thing that most struck Merlyn about the average Pittown resident was the dulled look of acceptance that sat in their eyes. It wasn’t the acceptance of a peaceful mind. It was the acceptance that shouldn’t be accepting; the acceptance when fire is needed. Fire to educate oneself, to create a better life, to move and not come back, to do something. Before anyone can improve their life, thought Merlyn as she walked along the main shopping strip, they must get the idea that change is possible, that life can be different and better, and that it is worth the effort it takes to make it happen. She picked up some rubbish which had blown in front of her and put it in the bin. Since moving to Pittown, Merlyn was forever picking up rubbish. Continue reading “Pittown: Moving On”
Here is the next part of Pittown. The friendship retained its purity of intention unhampered by the complex motives of couple relationships.
Chapter 7: Edgars Lake
Edgar was not only named after the famous clairvoyant, Edgar Cayce, but he was also named after his great grandfather, Edgar I, who lived in Pittown all his life. Those days, Pittown was an agricultural area. Later, it became a residential and industrial area. Edgar I built a concrete weir and dammed the creek running through his property creating a lake for wildlife. He bequeathed that part of his property to the people of Pittown. It was aptly named Edgars Lake. It was the lake at the bottom of Merlyn’s street. Continue reading “Pittown: Firsts and Seconds”
Here is the next section of Pittown.
Acceptance is easier when one is powerless.
Chapter 5: Unexpected
“It’s good for the money,” said Benjamin glancing around Merlyn’s Pittown unit.
He wanted her to have a decent place because he was decent. Relationships are a different thing. Decent can go out the window. Sometimes, it should.
Merlyn messaged him yesterday asking him to visit.
“How’s your new job?” enquired Benjamin.
“The lady is adorable,” said Merlyn.
“And the son?” asked Benjamin.
“Just as lovely but more reserved,” said Merlyn. “I don’t see him much. Only at handover.” Benjamin nodded. The undercurrent was starting to swirl. Merlyn felt it best to get to the point. Continue reading “Pittown: The Moving Buddha”
Beauty is the soul of life. If we learn to see beauty, we are never far from God.
Chapter 2: Benjamin
Although the Pittown cafe owner had misjudged Merlyn’s friend to be her husband, she actually did have a husband. An estranged husband, anyway. The estrangement was how she came to be living in Pittown. Merlyn and Benjamin had only been married for three years. It wasn’t long but, as it turned out, long enough. They had known each other for two years previous to getting married. Merlyn wasn’t a big fan of getting married but Benjamin had fallen in love with her and very much wanted the marriage to work. For her part, Merlyn both loved and was in love with Benjamin in return. However, unlike Benjamin, she knew that he was ill-prepared for the reality of a committed relationship. She also knew that love is the most powerful force in the universe, so she gave Benjamin and the marriage her best shot and put her faith in his love to get him through. Continue reading “Pittown: The Sleeping Prophet”
Good fiction is not only based on believable and interesting characters but, at its centre, is THE QUOTE. The whole point of storytelling is to set the scene for something important to occur. This is generally encapsulated in the words of the characters at strategic points along the way. When we recall loved novels, we recall moments of meaning, change, and insight. Often, we can remember the exact words that were said. I sometimes think, with a little amusement, that writing fiction is like a long, drawn-out way of writing nonfiction. It takes a lot of words, conversations, and stage-setting to get to the point we want to make.
Here is the previously unpublished final part of the Waldmeer Series, Faith: For Nothing, For All.
Chapter 36: Annihilation
Although the Lowlands army was primed and ready to attack, the little group at Floating Cave Monastery did nothing – nothing out of the ordinary that is. The six members of the household – Faith, Aristotle, Odin, and the three mystics from the other Borderfirma lands – went about their day as calmly and quietly as if it was peace time. It’s not that they sat in meditation all day. They had their normal prayer and meditation times common to any monastery, however, they also gardened, cooked, and cleaned. They went shopping to the local village. They talked about minor things to the villagers and asked them about their lives. They volunteered at numerous local charities. They did normal things, but they did them with abnormal love and inclusiveness. Continue reading “Faith: For Nothing, For All”
