The Writer's Life 11/30 - Wayward Sons

Some days I have no idea what I'll blog about, as world news offers nothing more than old hat. I then post an excerpt from one of my works. I thought that was what I'd be doing right now, but a couple of interesting visits to the floating book shop gave me plenty of fodder, and reminded how lucky I am. While I was setting up I heard a blower being operated on the next block. Mike, the Super of the building that stretches from 84th to 85th Street on Bay Parkway, was cleaning his sidewalk. He stopped by on his way to Burger King. He got to talking about his step sons, grown men. He doesn't live with their mom any more, but he gives them work maintaining the huge building, which he is unable to oversee entirely on his own any more. One or the other will show up drunk. One has four kids. He doesn't know what to say to them any more. And what could he say, really? They are at an age where they must reform themselves.
Later, a young man showed who'd purchased a few books a couple of weeks ago, a garrulous sort who I guessed also had a drinking problem. He said he was a liberal, a supporter of Green Party candidates, and asked if I thought the 2004 election were stolen and if 9/11 were an inside job. He complained about lower back pain and I demonstrated an exercise I do each day to ward off the problem. Passersby gazed at him warily, although I sense he's entirely harmless to everyone but himself. He thanked me for listening to him go on and on, saying it showed I was a good person. What right have I to shoo him? He tests my patience in the same way Ol' Smoky does when I operate the business at my usual nook, but I don't have it in me to tell either to take a hike even when their visits turn into marathons. It's obvious they are tormented souls who have major issues. This guy said he has a Bachelor's in Psychology and a Master's in Sociology. He then backtracked and said he was actually a few credits short, as he got sidetracked by the drug life. I have no trouble believing he has a degree, as his vocabulary is good and he is familiar with many authors. He then laid a bombshell on me -- he's HIV positive, diagnosed in 2010. I guess he was doing heroin. I tried to show no emotion. To my chagrin, I immediately thought of the transfer of fluid through spittle, although I doubt that is one of the ways the infection is passed. I think he said he was 30, although he looks a lot older than that. When he picked out three books to buy I felt guilty and said he didn't have to pay. He insisted and I asked for three bucks. I'm certain he isn't working and money is tight for him. Fortunately, he lives in a three bedroom house with his brother. The third bedroom is filled with books and art, he says. I thank him for the purchase, and also thank the gentleman who purchased Javier Sierra's The Secret Supper, the one who bought the textbook on Business Ethics, and the couple who asked for information on my own works. Their eagle-eye elder son, pre-teen, I'd guess, spotted the portion of my sign that says they are available electronically.  So far only one person, the Lady Eve, has followed up a street inquiry and made a purchase on Kindle. I tell myself not to get my hopes up, but I'll be disappointed if no sale ensues.

Vic's 4th novel: tinyurl.com/bszwlxh

Vic's 3rd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3

Vic's Short Story on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/k95k3nx
Vic's Short Story Collection: http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tiny.cc/0iHLb Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/kx3d3uf
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/rP7o9

Vic's Rom-Com Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/kny5llp

Vic's Horror Screenplay: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3f

Vic's Blog: http://vicfortezza.blogspot.com/

Vic's Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/