Did you know that I’m a published author?
Yes, I collaborated with Kristopher Zgorski (BOLO Books) on a short story for the HAPPINESS IS A WARM GUN: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of the Beatles edited by Josh Pachter, title “Ticket To Ride.”
Do you read short stories?
We received some positive responses to our short story and have done a few blog interviews to promote the book.
Below is a sneak peek
NOW
Perhaps Lizzy’s recent doctor’s appointments are weighing on us. Whatever the reason, this morning I feel an overwhelming sense that I am losing her, that she is drifting away, and my usual melancholy descends deeper into sadness.
The ancient television on our chipped Formica kitchen countertop flickers into life. Its black-and-white picture rolls, then comes to rest.
“… a memorial will soon be erected to honor the thirteen individuals who lost their lives on that tragic day in 1993. Later in this special edition, we’ll talk with several experts who will explain how a senseless act of violence changed the city of New York….”
I snap off the set in disgust and shake my head, the only sane response to the naiveté of these clueless newscasters.
I mustn’t let today’s anniversary get to me. Lizzy will know something is wrong, and that’s the last thing she needs in her condition.
Though I know I shouldn’t, I let my mind drift back thirty years….
THEN
The Monday-afternoon humidity followed me like a shadow, coating my dark brown skin with a sheen of moisture, like dew on morning leaves. I was on my way to a job interview, and it was hard to tell if the sweat was from nerves or the weather. A teaching job at one of Manhattan’s prestigious high schools would be great—I’d always wanted to make a difference in the lives of young people. At my current school, I was little more than a glorified babysitter.
I darted down the subway stairs, found a token in my pocket, and passed through the turnstile. I felt the breeze of the approaching train and smiled as its sliding doors stopped right in front of me.
A crowd streamed from the train, and I pushed against the flow like a salmon swimming upstream and made it aboard before the doors closed. I found a seat next to a young woman about my age. Her alabaster skin glistened in the dim lighting.
“Do you happen to have the time?” I asked. I almost shook my head at the triteness of the line.
“It’s one twenty-five.”
“Thank you,” I said.
At the next stop, several people got off, leaving the half-full car with some breathing room. A young man stood by the door as if guarding it. I had a weird feeling that something wasn’t right. There were empty seats, so why wasn’t he sitting down?
“A warm day, isn’t it?” I asked, attempting to prolong the conversation with the beautiful woman seated next to me.
Before she could respond, the young man began pacing up and down the aisle, mumbling angrily. I locked eyes with him, and his stare was intense and erratic. The woman beside me wrapped her arms protectively around her black purse. Was it possible that her white skin had become even paler?
I was leaning over to assure her that things would be okay when I heard a pop-pop-pop.
The kid was waving a gun with a randomness that bordered on chaos, and the train exploded with the sounds of more bullets being fired.
“Get down,” I screamed, diving for the floor.
The shooting continued, and the passengers scrambled for cover, screaming for help. Blood splattered on the car’s windows, poles, and floor, and the screams faded into moans, like the drone of a wasp’s nest before a swarm.
When the train finally stopped again, the young man dropped his gun and raced out the automatic doors, running toward the stairs.
There were screams and tears all around me. All I wanted was to escape being trapped for even a moment longer, but I remembered the woman who had told me the time just before the carnage began. Seeing her huddled on the floor, I reached for her hand—and that’s when I noticed the blood darkening her blouse.
Want to read more? You can purchase the book at a variety of online retailers: Down & Out | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Congratulations, Dru!!! You’ve certainly read enough to qualify for a couple of MFAs! Can’t wait to read it. And congrats to Kristopher too!
This is awesome! Congratulations!!!
thank you!
Thank you for sharing.
I’m looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the samples. They make me want more!
Congratulations, Dru! Thanks for the preview. Look forward to reading the rest. And more to come, I hope!
Very cool. “Santa Cruz Ghost Stories” will be out on December 5th. If I’m ever crazy enough to do a sequel, will you write another short story?
Congratulations!!! Can’t wait to read it ❤️
My goodness, I had no idea! I do read short stories, usually in between novels. Mostly I read them in Kobo Plus, their subscription program. But I also read them in KU when I get that subscription! I see you are wide so I’m going to look for your stories at Kobo. I will start a subscription there about the middle of December!! I’ll also tell my blog readers about your book.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Looking forward to reading it,
Congratulations! Can;t wait to read it!!
You and Kris did a terrific job, Dru! I hope that those who read your story will read the whole book — and then rate/review it on the ‘Zon and/or Goodreads.
I bought the book, loved your story! Congratulations, Dru!
Dru, I’m so excited for you. For so many years, you’ve supported authors, and now you’re an author too! I can’t wait to read your story!
Congratulations Dru Ann! I love short stories and read a lot of them. This one sounds exciting!
Wonderful! Congratulations to both you.
Huzzah, Dru Ann!!!! It’s a great story and I am so thrilled for the two of you.
I’m so happy for you and Kristopher!
Congrats on your first publication, Dru. The sample really pulled me into the story. Checking out the book as I really enjoy short stories.
That’s wonderful. Congratulations!
What a terrific excerpt! Congratulations on writing such a fine story, Dru! I can’t wait to read the rest!
Wow. You brought back memories of riding the subways and that occasional something-doesn’t-feel-right sensation. I have to find out what happens next!
That’s awesome, Dru. Congrats
Wow, this is terrific, Dru–had my heart racing! Can’t wait to read the whole story–and book! Congrats to you and Kristopher!
Oooh! Enticing!
Much congrats, Dru! I loved the story!
Yay, Dru! I’m thrilled you’re now a published author – and I wish you every success. I wish your reads – aka me – me stories in the future!!
Nancy Haddock
Yay, Dru! I’m thrilled you’re now a published author and I wish you EVERY success! I also hope there are many more stories to come for your readers!
Congratulations! I’m very much looking forward to reading the whole story. Keep on writing!
Intriguing! Nicely written and paced!
“Bout time you took the leap. It’s a great beginning. Wishing you find the support you have so generously given to others.
This is very cool! Congratulations! 🎉
Congratulations again, Dru! I love the format of the story. I hope this is the first of many.
Congratulations, Dru!! Happy for you!
Big congratulations. I hope this is the first of many to come. Susie Black
Awesome Dru!
You’ve got me totally intrigued.
Poetic descriptions throughout give your reader visuals.
Woo Hoo! Yippee Skippee! Hip Hip Hooray! Yay! Awesome! Way Cool! CONGRATULATIONS DRU! Way to go girl! You ROCK sweetie! Absolutely fabulous news sweet, beautiful, awesome, terrific Dru Ann! So happy for you! I bought the book 📕 and looking forward to reading it and especially YOUR story! This is sooooooo absolutely AWESOME! So proud of you dearest Dru! Muah 😘📚💜🙀👏🙏🥰📚
Congratulations, Dru!
That’s great. I love short stories and you’ve given us amazing teasers. And I spent a lot of time in subways in Manhattan in 1993, so a little scary …
Congratulations, Dru! This is wonderful. I love the excerpt and can’t wait to read the whole volume!
That is so cool (I know, I’m dating myself). I love the idea of short stories based on songs by the Beatles
Congratulations! I didn’t know. Looks like a fun project.
Congratulations, Dru! I look forward to reading the rest of it!
Congrats, Dru Ann! Great excerpt!