-I wrote the following novel nearly two decades ago. In the years between then and now I've honed my craft, and my perception of this world; my thoughts and ideas; have changed dramatically. However, I still enjoy the premise and have decided to do an overhaul of revisions and rewrites, though likely not until sometime next year. (Though I'm sure I'll do a little as I post chapters)
For now I hope you will enjoy a glimpse into my book writing beginnings...
They are the closest of friends though they have never met in waking life.
Prologue-PT1 Prologue-PT2 Chapter 1
Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10
Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13
Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16
Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19
Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22
Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25
Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28
Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31
Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34
Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37
Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Chapter 40
Chapter 41 Chapter 42 Chapter 43
Chapter 44 Chapter 45 Chapter 46
Chapter 47 Chapter 48 Chapter 49
Chapter 50 Chapter 51 Chapter 52
Chapter 53 Chapter 54 Chapter 55 Chapter 56 Chapter 57
Chapter Fifty Eight
Collin sat in the living room of his dorm staring at the letter in his hand. I didn’t even go over to this table, he thought. The contents of the envelope consisted of a letter directed to him personally speaking of his aptitude for language and computer oriented activities, asking if he’d given any thought to a career in the CIA. It went on to say that with his academic performance they could guarantee him full tuition, housing, a free ride basically to any of the schools listed on the next paper.
He looked it over- all really good schools- but Cornell was not among them, though he had also received an acceptance letter from Cornell, they were offering him a scholarship that covered roughly half the cost. With student loans he would get close to tuition, of course the rest John would pay for. He shook his head in wonder. He had not gone over to any of the military recruitment tables, or any table that would have even suggested an interest in such things.
Brent walked in, “Hey, did you get any letters yet?”
“Yeah, two. Cornell and one from someone in the CIA, guaranteeing me a full ride to my choice of a list of schools that would take me in that direction.”
“I didn‘t know you were interested in anything like that.”
“Neither did I.” He shook his head, wondering.
“So what about Cornell, are they offering anything?”
“Not nearly as good a deal. It doesn’t matter though, that’s where I’m going. What about you?”
“Vasser, I got the letter today. A scholarship covering seventy-five percent.”
“Is that what you’ve decided on?”
“I don’t know... so far yeah. Hey, did I tell you about Ben? He’s moving to California at the end of the year. He was discovered by a talent scout while auditioning for a commercial, apparently they think he has a shot at the movies, isn’t that awesome?”
“F-ing A it is!”
Jake ambled in holding a letter, grinning ear to ear.
“Let me guess, Harvard?”
“Close, Yale. Harvard’s not here yet. Gerald is outside whooping in the snow with a Princeton letter. You guys?”
“Vasser.”
“Cornell and…”
“And..?”
He shook his head and handed his roommate the letter and list of schools.
“The CIA? I didn‘t know you were looking into that sort of thing.”
“I wasn’t.”
Jake puffed out his chest, “’Well, I say we go out and celebrate.”
“Your car or mine?”
“Mine, you drive too fast.”
Collin laughed. He had passed his road test several weeks ago and John waved proudly as he left his house in his new Mustang. It was a beautiful moment. He had been spending most of his free time with John, Katherine too. She would show up in the middle of the day to take him to lunch, then the next day John would take him to dinner. Saturdays he would go to their house, spend the night, go to church, then stay for Sunday dinner. Fridays he hung out with his roommates, mostly at the pool hall. He hadn’t wanted to go back there for a few weeks, but he finally accepted that it wasn’t pool that had killed Jack and gave in.
Christmas was going to be at the Gothan’s household of course. They encouraged him to invite his mom and Jimmy which he did. He didn’t think there was much of a chance they would come, but the offer was out there.
The phone rang and Brent picked it up-it was Ben. “Hey bro! I got into Vasser! I am going to literally be a rocket scientist!” He was quiet while he listened to Ben’s jovial voice. “Tonight? That would be awesome. Let me see if the guys are up for it.”
Gerald sniffed, “Not him again.”
“Oh come on Ger, he hasn’t given you a hard time lately.”
“Yes well, it’s only a matter of time.”
“He’s not coming here anyway, he wants to know if we could go there. There’s a band playing called Stills at the place he hangs out.”
“Go to Boston?” Jake asked incredulously.
“Yeah, why not, it’s only a four hour drive.”
“Where would we stay?” Gerald asked.
“At his apartment, where do you think?”
Gerald frowned, “Stuck with him and his undoubtedly obnoxious friends for a whole night?”
Brent looked at Collin.
“You know I’m in, are you kidding? I’ll drive.”
Jake shook his head, “Like heck you will, I’m driving.”
“Fine, but we’ll take my car.”
Jake considered it. “Fair enough.”
All eyes were on Gerald. “Oh brother,” he shook his head, “all right.”
“Yeah! This will be a night to remember!” Brent cheered.
“Okay then,” Jake with his take charge attitude looked at his watch, “it’s three o’clock, we should pack some things, then go get something to eat at ‘Little Italy’, we’ll be on our way by four-four thirty. What time does the show start?”
“Ten o’clock.”
“So we’ll hang out at your brother’s for an hour and be on our way.”
“Sounds perfect.”
Jake nodded. “Do you know how to get there?”
Brent rolled his eyes. “I should hope so.”
They threw their things together then the four of them ushered out the door.
The Little House of Italy was merrily decorated for Christmas, complete with a train that ran around on a track above their heads.
“They really went overboard,” Jake frowned.
“Oh come on Scrooge, I think the train’s a perfect touch.”
Gerald, who’s hobby at home with his dad was electric train sets in the basement, nodded approval. “Except they could have bought a more realistic set of box cars.”
They ate their food with relish, they were all in a jovial mood even the stiffs.
They finished in record time and were on the road by five after four. The next four hours they fought over the radio, talked about their future lives, and looked anxiously forward to their night.
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