Redwood Summer – A Novel (Homepage)

Below is the link to the home page for Redwood Summer. Though it's a novel that takes place in 1990, it has themes that are relevant to today, and it takes a deeper look at a pivotal time in history that set us on the course that took us to where we are today. Historical … Continue reading Redwood Summer – A Novel (Homepage)

Almaden (repost)

First posted this short story just over four years ago, and I made some more changes to improve the narrative and the dialogue. This particular story means a lot to me, so I really want to get it right. The plot of Almaden is about a family's way of life coming to an end as … Continue reading Almaden (repost)

Redwood Summer Chapter 17

All the important life events of the previous six months finished running through Jason’s mind as he continued staring out the passenger door window of a work truck, and the parties, family gatherings, career change, leaving of school, ordeals, dispersal of friends, and other separate happenings combined together and took their place in his past … Continue reading Redwood Summer Chapter 17

Redwood Summer Chapter 16

Jason drove along a San Joaquin Valley freeway through vast expanses of monocultural farmland and enclosed pastures. In the distance he saw the prison, a desolate cluster of rectangular, institutional buildings imposing upon the surrounding open space. He arrived at the compound and exited off the freeway. He stopped at a gate, was checked in … Continue reading Redwood Summer Chapter 16

Redwood Summer Chapter 15

Jason was looking over the newspaper classified employment ads as he sat at the kitchen table. David was across from him doing homework. “Anything promising?” father asked from the living room. “Not much,” Jason answered as he stared at the grid of small rectangles and abbreviated text. “A lot of the same old stuff.” “Budget … Continue reading Redwood Summer Chapter 15

Redwood Summer Chapter 14

Jason took a long drink from a bottle of tomato juice and leaned back against a three story rack of heavy steel shelves as he waited for it to replenish his fatigued body. He relaxed for a bit as he continued to recover from too much alcohol over the weekend. He glanced up at the … Continue reading Redwood Summer Chapter 14

Redwood Summer Part III Chapter 12

...you don't want to be caught on the wrong side... Jason hurried through downtown San Jose and dodged around other pedestrians along East Santa Clara Street. The glaring, late summer sun heated him from above and the unfamiliar tightness of his necktie stifled him. He loosened its knot and unbuttoned his collar as he moved … Continue reading Redwood Summer Part III Chapter 12

Redwood Summer Part II Chapter 6

...San Jose used to be a small town... Jason slid on a T-shirt and combed his hair in front of his bedroom mirror. He then grabbed his keys, wallet, and change and left his room for the kitchen. The morning sun shone through the windows and the remains of breakfast were on the kitchen counter. … Continue reading Redwood Summer Part II Chapter 6

Redwood Summer Chapter 2

Jason was humming a tune to a song he had just heard on his car stereo during his drive home from work as he walked through the front door and headed to the kitchen . His younger brother was sitting at the kitchen table talking on the telephone. His father was over in the sunken … Continue reading Redwood Summer Chapter 2

Almaden

SANTA CLARA VALLEY - 1964 John struck a match, lit a cigarette, and looked across the maintained rows of green leaved plum and apricot trees under the midday sun as he tossed the burnt match to the ground. Past the trees in the distance he saw a construction crew on a recently cleared lot. He … Continue reading Almaden