The Chianti Chronicles
A series of short stories by Kevin J. Cullen
Old People Ain't Always Old
Overview: A young grandson plays "hooky" to play golf with his grandfather, and learns a few surprising truths about his family.
Excerpt:
As they drove, Dillon asked, “Is it true that you and Grandma met in an orphanage?”
“It sure is Dillon. In fact, I was about your age when I met your Grandma there.”
Bus Stop Friends
Overview: Two former high school sweethearts reconnect at their grandchildren's bus stop after not seeing each other for over 50 years.
Excerpt: “Yeah, they went through a nasty divorce. Since then, the father has been ruthlessly harassing the family, often in drunken stupors. The whole scenario has had an extremely dire impact on Matthew.”
“Sounds like the father needs a good beatin’.”
The Ex-Convict
Overview: An elderly woman on her death bed, shares a shocking truth with her daughter.
Excerpt: Scarlett bowed her head slightly and wept. “I’m so sorry. I did a horrible thing. I love you baby, and I didn’t want you to have to deal with having a father in prison.”
Mister Karaoke
Overview: A beautiful, but naive young lady learns some powerful life lessons at a local dive bar from a legendary karaoke singer.
Excerpt: Louie had phenomenal stage presence and a wide array of moves, some Elvis-like and some of his own creation. He earned a reputation as a captivating entertainer, and many people went to Debbie’s Dive Bar on Friday nights strictly to see Louie perform.
From Brooklyn to Bowers Beach
Overview: Due to a series of unfortunate circumstances, a young college student with a strong appetite for "weed," is forced to move from Brooklyn and live with his estranged grandfather in Delaware.
Excerpt: Freddy’s Journal Entry – Sat. Nov. 7, 2020. Finally, a freaking day off tomorrow after busting my ass for six straight days. When my grandfather comes home each night, he grabs a bottle of Chianti and a small fanny pack, then heads up to that strange looking perch up on the roof.
Nana Needs a Wedding Date
Overview: A widowed grandmother is convinced to search online for a date to an upcoming family wedding.
Excerpt: He was an average sized man who wore black dress slacks, shiny tanned shoes, an open collared black shirt with a gaudy gold chain dangling over his chest, and a multi-colored checkered sports coat that was a bit on the tight side. He also sported a heavily moused combover of his conspicuously died black hair. Can you say “used car salesman?”
The Reluctant Rock Star
Overview: A former world renowned rock musician is interviewed about his choice to abandon his celebrity life early on for a private existence.
Excerpt: With his elbows resting on the table, he closed his eyes and rubbed his temples as he thought about that awful life changing evening on New Years Eve in 1968. He quietly recited the three dreaded and predictable words that were at the heart of his band’s breakneck fall from fame to infamy, “Drugs, women and egos.”
Wrapping It Up at Wrigley
Overview: A recently widowed grandfather completes his quest to attend a major league baseball game at every stadium.
Excerpt: Tommy, a World War II vet, was 74 years old at that time, but had not attended a game in over a year due to a cataclysmic tragedy that devastated him and his small family. But, that was about to change.
What the...!
Overview: An older man experiences an incredibly bizarre Uber ride.
Excerpt: Within seconds, a passing vehicle smashed into the opened front door, which blew off the Prius and spun down the road leaving a trail of broken glass. The vehicle, which Albert noticed was a Hearse, pulled over and came to a screeching stop on the shoulder several yards in front of the now severely damaged Prius.
The Charming Irish Fiddler and Fighter
Overview: A young man from Ireland is forced to move to New York and live with a man who he only recently learned was his father.
Excerpt: Declan paused, looked down with his eyes closed, aggressively scratched the back of his head, and grimaced just a bit. Feeling the weight of all the misfortune he had experienced over the past few years, he took a deep breath, and continued, trying hard not to get emotional in front of his new classmates. “Ah Jaysus, fact is I moved in wit' me Dad, a Yank he is, after me Mam went to the other side.”
Sissy Boy (A Bonus Story by GUEST AUTHOR Daniel Beck)
Overview: A long standing grudge comes to a suspenseful resolution.
Excerpt:
The visitor cut him off. This was the place in his script in which he took control of the encounter. “Sissy Boy,” he said, shaping his mouth around the syllables.
“What?” asked the man in the house, his voice expressing both disinterest and annoyance.
“Sissy Boy,” the visitor said again, this time prolonging the “s” like a hissing snake. “Ssssisssy boy.”