GIFTS OF DAWN

Monica Brinkman  Email

http://mmarie-newauthor.blogspot.com/ 

Her first attempt at semi-professional writing was as a co-author of a musical “How Lucky Can You Get” at the age of 25 and performed it in San Jose California. All proceeds were donated to the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation.

Monica

owned The Hibiscus Theatre, a small community theatre in San Jose California at the age of 29. She also directed various plays and musicals.  She worked as a singing telegram performer for Easter Onion at this time and enjoyed performing with them for 2.5 years.

Ms. Brinkman

has been performing on stage in community theatre since the age of 17, most recently as one of the Mamas in Fiddler on The Roof at the OATS theatre in Rolla, MO.

She has done radio commercials along with singing in various choirs. This year Monica  has written 2 articles on infidelity, had an interview on 101.com along with a large write up in the Rolla Daily Newspaper for Into the Tunnel of Darkness; a small poetry book she self-published.  

Ms Brinkman

manages to find time to paint in the acrylic and oil medium. She has been writing since the age of eight and is now reaching for her dream of becoming a legitimate published author.  She belongs to AuthorsDen.com, 3Prose (a writers group), Manicreaders.com, and has created a web-site called Poetry, Prose & Books as an outlet for authors to showcase their new works, aspiring writers to chat with the authors and readers to meet and mingle.  Her first book signing on Sept. 12^th of 2009, though small, was quite successful with the sale of all books on hand.

   The Turn of the Karmic Wheel is Ms. Brinkmans' first fiction book. You will find the genre faceted, containing a bit of horror, paranormal, spiritualism and romance. 

You would not have thought much of the man walking in the early morning light. He looked as average a man as any other. Perhaps a bit bulky in the middle and short in stature. He kept large hands hidden from the chill deep within his pockets. If visiable, you'd know he was a working man with raw knuckles, split nails and a rough exteriior.


The sun started to peek through the clouds and cast a bit of light on this lone figure as he slowly walked down Pine Street, kicking away small stones and pebbles in his path. He took no notice of the shops he passed or his surroundings.


It was late April in this little Midwest college town of Rolla, Missouri yet it felt like early March. The wind was picking up something fierce; such a bitter cold that would surely chill you to the bone. Bits of dust and left over pieces of autumn leaves whirled in the air occasionally hitting his face. This caused him to brush the leaves away and rub his already red and irritated eyes.

Yet Euclid Hannigan continued on, pulling the worn and frayed red cap lower on his head, like that would be much protection from this God-
awful weather. His green eyes started to tear and he could feel the moistness running down his chapped and deeply wrinkled face. Still he trudged on knowing it was only 300 feet or so until he arrived at his destination.
                                              ~~~~~~

                Part One – A Glance Inside The Soul


                                    Chapter 1

                            A Hunting We Will Go


“Get em good, get em right, get em day or get em night”, Euclid mumbled as a wide smirk spread across his 57-year-old face.

No one knew the deep secrets he hid inside his head and he aimed to keep it that way.

“Me a friend, me a fool, me is ugly as a ghoul,” whispered Euclid as he broke out in a roar of laughter edged with the sound of insanity.

Morning clouds opened producing fine drops of rain upon the ground. Euclid wiped the wetness from the drizzling rain off his face as he entered McFarland’s Sporting Goods Store. He removed the cap from his head revealing tufts of grey and brown thinning hair, which he brushed to one side with a swift mechanical sweep of his hand.


Forty-eight year old Henry Joseph McFarland stood behind the counter and greeted Euclid with a cheery ‘Good Morning brother Euclid, what brings you here this cold and dreary day?”

Henry was what the women in Rolla would call ‘a catch indeed’. He stood six foot five inches tall with large hazel eyes and sandy, blonde curly hair he wore cropped to his head. The weekly gym workouts kept his body firm and well muscled. At his age, the doc said he required physical activity to keep the ‘old ticker’ going strong, so he opted for the gym. It worked into his schedule just fine.

"I am lookin' for, er, a hunting rifle," Euclid said as he neared Henry, still that smirk on his face.

“Well, what kind of game you after,” Harry inquired. “Turkey? Beaver? Deer? I got the best firearm for them all.”

“I can tell you its big, it's mean and it gets what it wants," Euclid answered.

“Are you seeking dual action for both game and bird?” Harry asked.

After pondering the question a moment, Euclid responded, “If it will do the job, sure”.

"Hmm, well your best bet is a 243 Winchester Super Short Magnum. Not only is it accurate and versatile, it’s easy to use and get’s the game. I’ll grab one out of the back and see if it’s to your liking,” Harry stated as he walked toward the warehouse door.


A few moments later Harry returned to the counter with rifle in hand.

"I have a great deal on this Winchester rifle right now, it going for- - -

“I'll take it" Euclid responded as he cut off Harrys offer while trying to hide that ever present smirk. Excitement in his voice, Euclid stated, “Wrap it up. Oh, and I got a few extra bucks for ya’ if you speed up the legal stuff.” Kin’ yah’ do this fer’ me, Harry. I would be much obliged.”

Looking directly into Euclid’s eager eyes, Harry responded “Sure, “It’s a deal!”

He never was one to look a gift horse in the mouth but couldn’t bring himself to take advantage of what seemed to be a very desperate man. Probably needed food on the table as soon as possible. Turkey season was ending shortly and there was still enough time to tag a few of them. No, he couldn’t take one more cent than the purchase price.

Gesturing by a wave of his left hand to follow his lead, Harry said, “I’ll have none of that, my friend. Come on over to the corner and we’ll fill out the documents the state and government requires.”

Following Harrys lead, Euclid walked to the corner.

“Appreciate yer’ help, Harry, knew I could depend on yah’. Bout’ time I fended fer myself.”

“Not a bad idea, Harry answered. “You’ll need a hunting license and you might think of getting a fishing license soon. As I said, I’m giving you a decent price and if I can help with some tips on hunting techniques, you let me know. Those wild turkeys can be tricky to snare.”

“Jest’ may take yah’ up on that offer, Harry. I’m much obliged”, Euclid responded.

After completing the mass of paperwork along with providing Harry the documentation required, Euclid extended his arm, gave Harry a strong handshake, nodded his head and stated, “Will be callin’ yah’ soon.”

“You should be able to pick up the rifle tomorrow. Give me a call mid-morning. Should be cleared and ready to go by that time.”

Euclid nodded his head and exited the store.

Harry had owned this shop for many years, seen some come in and go out in a sea of police gunfire, but hell, he couldn’t worry about every customer who purchased a weapon. Fact was, he had given up trying to figure out mans’ nature years ago. Course’ Euclid wasn’t one to carry arms of any sort. He didn’t remember him ever going hunting or showing interest in the sport. Perhaps now that he was alone in life, with much time on his hands, he had decided to take up the sport and save some money by providing his own meat for the table.

In any event, Harry knew Euclid to be a solid citizen of Rolla with a pure heart. Yes, he was a good man and a great friend.

Harry went to the window and watched as Euclid walked down the street. He wondered if he should be concerned. For some reason he felt a bit of uneasiness; just couldn’t put his finger on the why or wherefore.

Aw hell, he reasoned, it ain't none of my business. Yet there was something eating at his mind, a voice telling him to go no further with this transaction. Perhaps it was the gut feeling he couldn’t shake, a feeling that his friend and neighbor of over 30 years was not ‘quite right’. There was definitely something ‘off the scale’ about Euclid today.

A vivid image entered his mind. A vision so unfathomable he had to let it go.

Harry shivered as he slowly closed the stores door, continuing to watch the retreating figure kicking stones along the road, unable to shake his feelings of dread.



Chapter 2

Jimmy & Euclid

Jimmy Johansen watched the man perched upright on the weather beaten wooden bench hoping he would be agreeable to some company. Jimmy had known Mr. Hannigan ever since he could remember, which wasn’t that long since Jimmy was a mere 7 years old.

His family had moved next door to Mr. Hannigan some six and a half years ago when Jimmy was only a baby. Most of the other kids lived in town or in a more residential area. Mr.Hannigan had been the only friend Jimmy had known for quite awhile; at least until he entered school last year. Now he had a few friends, Bobby Jones, Edgar Philby and this one girl named Alicia. She had a twin but he liked Alicia much better. She was friendlier and liked to play baseball with him. Plus, even though he’d never admit to it, he thought Alicia was so pretty with those brown eyes and blonde hair. She treated him real nice and he could talk to her about anything. Still, he didn’t get much of a chance to see his friends unless he walked the ten miles into town or some grownup would give him a ride. Jimmy figured Mr. Hannigan and he would remain friends for life.

He remembered when Mr. Hannigans’ wife, Gina, was around. She would bake him cookies and cake and make him ice cream sodas, way better than you could get at a store. He liked Mrs. Hannigan but she had been gone about a year now. Pa said it was the cancer that got her while Ma said it was ‘Gods Will’. No matter what it was, his friend Mr. Hannigan hadn’t been the same since she died. He tried to hide it but
Jimmy could sense some change in him. It was just a little change but noticeable even to a young boy.

Mr. Hannigan used to let him go to work with him every once in awhile and look at the new cars coming off the factory line. Since Mr. Hannigan got layed off he couldn’t go back there again. Jimmy knew what layoff meant cause’ his Pa told him. It meant Mr. Hannigan didn’t have the job at the auto factory no more.

Jimmy shuffled his feet in the loose dirt and wondered what Mr. Hannigan was up to now. It kind of looked like he was whittling again. “I sure hope so’, thought Jimmy;” cause he promised he’d show me how to be the world’s best whittler ever.”

Euclid Hannigan caught a glimpse of the young man out of the corner of
his eye, which brought a full smile to his wrinkled face. He turned toward the young boy saying, “Well, howdy partner”.
“Watcha up to this mornin?” he asked, as he placed the bit of wood he was working on next to his side on the wooden bench.

“Nuttin much”, answered Jimmy as he walked up the well trodden stairs and sat next to Euclid on the bench.
“Was hoping today would be the day I was big enough to learn to whittle.” Watcha say Mr. Hannigan? I promise I’ll be extra careful and listen to everythin’ you tell me.”

Euclid ruffled Jimmy’s light brown shaggy hair, leaned closer to him and
whispered in his ear “Don’t be asking to do somethin’ yer’ not yet ready to take on, my friend. First you have to watch, cause’ whittling takes a steady hand and the love of handling the wood. Yah have to gain a feel for it, yah know. I’ll show yah some tricks but as I’ve said to yah before, yer’ Pa needs to be the one who tells me when yer’ ready to handle the knife. It’s sharp as a tack and can cut to the core. Are ya’ ready for that kind
of responsibility Jimmy?"

Jimmy nodded his head up and down sos’ Mr. Hannigan would know he felt ready to get on with the whittling.

Euclid laughed, patted Jimmy on the arm and said. “I don’t think as
yet, my friend. No, best let it be fer’ right now, okay?”

Though a bit disappointed, Jimmy answered ‘Sure, Mr. Hannigan, but I gotta’ someday try it or I’ll never ever learn it, will I?"

“That time will come soon enough, Jimmy, you mark my words” said Euclid as he picked up the wood and chipped off a bit from the corner, turned to Jimmy and said, ‘”Now boy, you watch what I am doin’ and watch it with a keen eye. Keep these tricks in yer’ young head sos’ ya’ are ready when the time comes to handle the knife.”

Jimmy nodded yes; his eyes ready to take in all that Mr. Hannigan would show him.

As Euclid whittled away, each clip of the knife hit the exact spot to bring about the results wished for his piece. He was lost in the art of the craft, forgetting the deep despair and anguish losing both his wife and his job had brought him this last year.

For a while, life felt good to this kind and loving man; a man whose recent thoughts had been fraught with suicide, hopelessness and deep depression. These views he kept to himself. Along with so much more. Ideas that grew in the night, messages he couldn’t control or ignore,
and deeds he felt compelled to carry out. At times, Euclid felt himself growing quite mad indeed.

Chapter 3

Joshua Allen


Joshua Allen walked rapidly toward his two-year-old Corvette, on this cold, windy, rainy Missouri day. He tapped the hood of the vehicle in an almost seductive way and reveled at the great job the Mission Auto Paint Shop had done. It looked brand new.

The manager said that red was cliché; every man over 30 wanted a bright shiny red car. Then he had the nerve to ask him to be unique and paint it a classic black pin stripe. Obviously, this jerk had no idea who he was dealing with. If Joshua wanted red and said red, then red it had better be. Had to give the shop credit for the brilliant job. Of course it cost a pretty penny, not that he had to worry about expense.

As Joshua slid his long lean body into the exquisite black leather drivers’ seat, he caught a quick glimpse of himself in the rear view mirror. Not bad, he thought to himself as he carefully placed blue tinted sunglasses on the bridge of his nose, slid them down over his sky-blue eyes, flicked back a stray black hair from his forehead and settled comfortably into his seat. You could hear the roar of the engine when he turned on the ignition and drove off heading home.

What a day it had been! Crazy, exciting and prosperous; the type of day Joshua had made it a point to experience as often as possible. It wasn’t luck, only suckers believed in luck. You had to know what you wanted out of life and go after it no matter what the cost. He was living proof that anyone whose goal was money and wealth could have it.

Too many people get stuck in doing the right thing; finding their selves full of guilt or remorse or both. Losers feel those emotions. He never had and never would; that was a fact. Joshua had viewed numerous individuals hold the same type as he, yet could not make a decent living
from it. Maybe a Financial Advisor in the banking industry was not set up to be the most profitable form of income, still, Joshua took advantage of every opportunity presented.

Rolla wasn’t the most affluent town; most people got by in either the Retail or Restaurant industry; eeking by on minimum wages with an occasional ten cent raise every year if they were lucky.

Funny thing was, it only helped his career as people sought him out for financial advisement. They were not the sharpest knives in the drawer when it came to handling their investments with the little extra money they were able to put aside for that rainy day. Like sheep to the slaughter they came to him; ready to listen and heed the sorry advice he’d lend them.
In the eight years he’d held the job he’d managed to go from earning $42,000 to over $175,000 annually. To some that wouldn’t seem much
income however, in rural Missouri, only physicians and attorneys brought in this type of salary. He could live very comfortably and did so from the 2-story stucco home surrounded by 20 acres of fertile soil to the collection of golden jewels he bestowed on himself; not to mention his name brand suits, expensive wine collection, finely manicured hands and exquisite furnishings and paintings found in his home.

Nope, surely couldn't complain.

The ringing of his cell phone interrupted this train of thought. Joshua hit the listen button on his dash, answering with a friendly upbeat ‘”Hello, Joshua Allen here.”

What occurred next shook Joshua to the bottom of his soul as he heard a non-specific; nearly unrecognizable voice say “Ya gotch money; yah gotcha fame; ya gotcha future of hurt and pain”, followed by the most hysterical, crazy, shrill bouts of laughter he’d ever heard in his life.

“Who is this? What do you want? Is this Brent? I know it is you, come on, the joke is over, Joshua spoke confidently.

When he heard silence on the other end, his confidence soon turned to apprehension and trepidation as in a trembling voice he inquired, “Who the hell is this? How’d you get my private cell number?”.

The laughter continued for what Joshua thought was a full 3 minutes, though in fact it was merely a matter of seconds, then click the line was silent.

“Steady, Josh, keep your bearings; probably some lunatic or wrong number; no one but his two close and trusted friends, Joansie and Brent had this particular cell number. It had to be a misdial on this nut-cases part. He unquestionably was not going to allow it to ruin his plans for the evening or wreck his weekend.

After all, he was not one to make enemies. He showed great concern and care to his clients when the financial advice he gave them went awry. More often than not, explaining that he had also lost a bundle with the stock deal gone bad when, in fact, he had invested the money and when the stock was up, sold his share letting his clients hang on while their shares of the stock plummeted to an all time low.

He usually sent them a small amount of money; a token to show his sincere unease over what they were facing. Instead of retaliating against him or holding him responsible, they felt him to be a good, kind, reliable neighbor and friend who took funds out of his own pocket to assist them
and a man they could always turn to in times of despair. He’d be there to help get them back on their feet again.

“What a group of idiots; dangle a carrot in front of their faces and they grasp it without one bit of hesitation. When that carrot turns rancid, they come back for more." This brought a leering smirk to Joshua’s face, once again assured he was the controller and maestro in the lives of his fellow locals.

The Master Maestro he liked to think of his self – ah yes, one who led the orchestra with such finesse and expertise.

“I’m that good, yes I am” Joshua stated aloud followed by a few chuckles, though no one would suspect he had such thoughts; so careful was he to keep this dark side a secret from the world and most definitely from residents in this down and out pitiful town.
“Can play them like a piano, oh yes," he gloated.

Home was approaching rapidly as he pulled into the long winding driveway, relaxing a bit from the stress of the workday. He knew the Jacuzzi’s warm subtle waters were awaiting his tired body.

“What a life you have my fine man” he expressed as he drew closer to the red brick residence he called home.