"The Wreck" a short story by Craig Zimmerman

Brian Murphy looked out into the darkness of the field. He couldn't see it, but he knew the car was out there. After 37 years, his beloved  Plymouth GTX was slowly being consumed by Blackberry vines.

Brian moved his wheelchair away from the window and once again thought of that night. It was just after graduation and he was challenged to a race by Mike Simmons. 

The two cars met on an abandoned road in the hills. Kids from school lined the side of the road near the starting point. One of the kids volunteered to start the race with a makeshift flag. Brian could feel the raw power from the engine. No one was going to beat his car.

As the flag dropped, Mike's Chevelle  moved ahead, but Brian quickly caught up. About mid-way down the road, Brian began to pull away. The race was almost won when his front tire blew. Brian fought to control his car, but there was nothing that could be done. 

The big GTX swerved into a ditch and then began to roll. When it stopped, Brian was pinned in the wreckage. After he was taken to the hospital. Brian found out that he was permanently paralyzed from the waist down.

Even when he was barely conscious, Brian insisted to his father that he wanted his car towed back home. 37 years later, the car remained in the field where it was towed all those years ago.

Brian was alone now. His parents had died several years before and he hardly left the farm anymore. From his window, Brian would stare at the car, willing it to come alive again... to save him. At night, he dreamed of the race, but in his dreams there was no blown tire and no accident.

On the anniversary of the race, a spectacular full moon illuminated the car. Brian stared intently at the wreck and soon heard the throbbing of the big V-8. The Plymouth's headlights came on next. His car was alive again!

Brian moved his wheelchair from his bedroom to the outside. The night was beautiful and he was young and strong again. Brian got up from the wheelchair and walked to his car. The GTX shined in the moonlight  and Brian took his seat behind the wheel. This time it would be different. This time he would win the race.

The next morning, a neighbor found Brian quietly weeping in the driver's side of the wrecked, silent car.

"Dash Point Adventure" a short story by Craig Zimmerman

 Jenna found out a month before school was over that her parents were going on a "Second Honeymoon" to Europe and that she was going to stay with her Aunt and Uncle near Tacoma, Washington until her parents got back.

Jenna tried to be supportive, but she couldn't help but  think of all the things she was going to do with her best friend Michelle this Summer.

The day after school was over, Her parents took Jenna to the airport. Jenna felt so grown up getting on the plane by herself. In a about six months, she was going to be sixteen.

Several hours later, the jet landed at Sea-Tac Airport and Jenna looked around the crowded luggage pick-up for her Aunt Terri and Uncle Bob.

After about twenty minutes, Jenna spotted them. They looked about the same as they did the last time she had seen them at a family reunion the year before.

"How was the flight?" her Aunt asked.  "At first, I was scared being on the plane without Mom and Dad, but after about an hour I got used to it." Jenna said honestly.

"How would you like to get something to eat?" her Uncle Bob asked.  "Sounds good. Jenna replied. After leaving the airport, they stopped at a small Cafe' and had hamburgers.

After eating, Uncle Bob took a narrow road that partially followed the Puget Sound shore. Being from Iowa, Jenna loved the inland sea that cut deep into Washington State's western half.

Her Uncle eventually stopped at an old house that sat directly on the beach. "Can I stay in the room that I had the last time I was here?" Jenna asked her Aunt. Her Aunt Teri smiled. "I spent the last few days getting it ready." she said. 

After entering the home, Jenna offered to help  with dinner, but her Aunt suggested that she should go to her room and rest for a while. Jenna had to admit that she was tired.

Her room was on the second floor with a big window that looked right out on the Sound. Jenna collapsed on the big bed and in a few minutes she was asleep.

The sound of thunder woke her. Jenna was fascinated by the view from her window. Lightning lit up the water followed by the crash of thunder.  For a few seconds, Jenna watched  as an old sailing ship was illuminated by the lightning flashes. After a few seconds the ship disappeared.

The next morning, Jenna went downstairs to find her Aunt in the kitchen. "You must have been really tired. You slept right through dinner." she remarked.  "I was." Jenna admitted. "Did the storm wake you.?" her Aunt asked putting a plate of pancakes in front of her niece.

Jenna nodded. "The thunder was really loud." She decided it was best  not o mention the disappearing ship. 

"Any plans for today?" her Aunt asked. I think I will just do some exploring if It''s ok with you." "Just be back for lunch." Her Aunt said.

Outside, the sun was shining. It was hard to believe that just a few hours before a storm had been raging. Jenna sat on a smooth rock on the beach and texted her friend Michelle everything that had happened so far including the ghost ship. Jenna also texted her parents tot tell them that she had arrived safely.

Jenna was watching the antics of a flock of Seagulls when the hottest boy  that  she had ever seen strode out of the surf. For once, Jenna was tongue-tied. The boy took a towel from behind a gym bag hidden behind a log and began to dry off.

"The Sound is a little chilly this morning." he remarked. Jenna could only nod. " Do you live around her? he asked.  "I'm visiting my Aunt and Uncle, Jenna said pointing at the house. "The Bakers? They are good friends with my parents. The boy held out his hand "I'm Matt Fischer. We just live just down the beach." Jenna took Matt's hand"Jenna Ryan" she said releasing his hand.

"How would you like to go sailing sometime? Matt asked. "You have a boat?"  Jenna asked. Matt looked down. "Well, it's my parents' boat, but they let me use it sometimes." he answered sheepishly. "I'll have to ask my Aunt and Uncle first, but if they say yes, I would love to go." Jenna answered. Matt's face broke into a huge smile. 

Jenna's Aunt and Uncle approved of the sailing trip as long as she always wore a life jacket and they stayed in the area. Matt brought the sailboat by the next morning. Jenna had never seen a sailboat up close. "The Islander" was about twenty feet long with multi-colored sails that were furled to the mast.

Matt handed her a life jacket as she stepped on the boat and he showed her how to strap it on. As Jenna took a seat, Matt pulled a lever and the boat slowly headed out into the sound. The weather was beautiful and the water was calm. "When do we use the sails?" Jenna asked. "Unfortunately, there isn't enough wind right now to use the sails." Matt answered. 

Matt kept the sailboat close to the beach and at one point, he let Jenna operate the tiller. Around noon, Matt turned off the engine, dropped the anchor and they had lunch.  "You are so lucky to be able to live here." Jenna commented. Matt laughed "You probably wouldn't say that when it rains month after month during the winter." After lunch, Matt took "The Islander" back to her Aunt and Uncle's dock. "Did you have fun?" he asked. "It was great." Jenna said truthfully and gave Matt a light hug.

That night, Jenna had a nightmare about the ghost ship sinking in a terrible storm. The dream was so realistic that Jenna remembered the next morning where the sinking occurred.

Saturday turned out to be a beautiful day with a light wind and Matt asked her if Jenna would like to take the boat out again. This time, Matt was able to open the sails and "The Islander" flew across the water.

Later in the afternoon, they approached Vashon Island and the area suddenly seemed familiar to Jenna. This was the place from her dream. Jenna asked Matt to anchor the boat at a spot on the west side of the island. Jenna looked into the clear water and sure enough she could see the remains of something resting on the bottom. They spent the rest of the afternoon cruising around Vashon Island and Jenna learned a little about  how to work the sails.

Jenna was having so much fun that she forgot that her parents' trip to Europe was just about over. On her last day at Dash Point, Matt let her be the skipper of "The Islander" and he played First Mate. They cruised most of the day and had lunch near the city of Tacoma. 


The next morning, Jenna was packed and ready to go. Dash Point almost felt like home and she hated to go, but her parents had suggested that Jenna might be able to come back again. She could hardly wait.

Book Review- "The Curse of Ravenscourt." by Sarah Masters Buckey

"The Curse of Ravenscourt." by Sarah Masters Buckey is part of the American Girl series of books in which fictional adolescent girls have adventures at various periods in U.S. history.

The Curse of Ravenscourt takes place sometime in early 20th century New York City. While their house is being renovated, eleven-year old Samantha Parkington and her extended family move into the  new "Ravenscourt" apartment building in downtown New York City.  

Almost immediately, strange things begin to happen and Samantha  thinks that a curse placed on the building's owner-Horace Raven by a tenant of one of his slum properties is to blame.

Author Sarah Masters Buckey has written an exciting story complete with many historical details of the era including the terrible living conditions of the tenements.

"Jake the Logger" a short story by Craig Zimmerman.

They brought Jake's father in just before dinner. A falling snag had broken his leg. The logging camp doctor set the leg and gave his father something for the pain, but there was nothing to take the worried look from his mother's face.

Jake knew what his mother was worried about. Without his father's paycheck, there would be no money for food or anything else. It hadn't always been like this. Once they had a nice house and plenty of everything. Then the Depression came and Jake's father lost his job as a teacher.

Eventually, they all moved to a logging camp near the small town of Enumclaw. Later that night, after the smaller kids had gone to sleep Jake's mother came to him. She told him that even though he was only 15, he would have to go to work. There was no other choice.

The next day, Jake walked alone to the makeshift office of the boss of the logging camp. Jake looked at the massive man behind the  desk and cringed.Most of the loggers were large, powerful men and Jake felt like a runt compared to them.

The large man held out his hand " Eric Olson" the man said in a low rumble. Jake grasped the man's hand "Jake Wagner." "What can I help you with Jake?"  Mr. Olson said. Jake looked into the hard face of Mr. Olson. "I need a job." he said simply.

 Mr. Olson nodded grimly. "I'm sorry about your father. and I know your family needs the money, but I don't know." "Just give me a chance." Jake pleaded.  Mr. Olson was silent for several moments, but then smiled.

"I am going to give you a chance." he said, but you are going to do everything you are told. Do you understand?"  Jake nodded. Be here tomorrow at five in the morning and I will get you started Mr. Olson said.

 When he got home, Jake heard his parents arguing. It didn't take long to find out that he was the subject of the  disagreement.Eventually, the argument faded and Jake's mother exited the bedroom. "Your father would like to talk to you Jake." His mother said upon seeing him."

Jake entered the bedroom and saw his father lying on the bed. His leg was wrapped in bandages. His father motioned for him to come closer. "What did Olson tell you." he asked. " I got a job." Jake said.

His father shook his head. "I wanted so much more for you son. You're smart and you could be so much more than a laborer." Jake waited until his father fell asleep before he left the room.

The next morning, Jake walked to the logging camp. All the men were heading into the woods with their tools. No one paid any attention to him. Finally, one of the loggers came up to him.

"Are you Jake? The man asked in a German accent. Jake nodded. My name is Wagner. I'm going to show you what to do." Jake shook hands with the man and immediately noticed the heavy scars that covered his arms.

When they reached the logging site, Wagner pointed to a couple of men who were sawing on a huge tree. "You go take over for Joseph, he's the one in the red shirt."

Jake shyly walked over the the two men. Both of them ignored him as they pulled the crosscut saw back and forth. Finally, Jake tapped the man in red on the shoulder. "What is it boy?" the man asked in a Polish accent. "I'm taking your place." Jake said over the noise of the lumber camp. The man laughed and took his hands off the saw handle. "It's all yours boy."

Jake grabbed the long handle of the saw and nodded at the other man that he was ready. After an hour of pulling the saw, Jake was exhausted, but he didn't quit.The work of felling  the huge tree went on for most of the day. Finally, they were done and Jake watched in awe as his partner shouted "Timberrr!" and the massive tree tumbled to the ground.

Over the next several weeks, Jake learned how to handle an Axe, cinch a  heavy choker chain on a felled tree, and drive the Oxen team that pulled the logs down from  the mountain.

One day, there was some kind of mix-up and several men were badly hurt by a falling tree. Afterwards, Wagner came up to Jake. "Always pay attention to what is happening around you. Always." the big German said. Jake nodded.


In late October, Jake's family received some unexpected good news. His father, now recovered from the  broken leg had been offered a job teaching in Enumclaw. Unfortunately, that meant Jake would also  have to quit his job.

Jake had learned  to love working at the camp and would miss the rough loggers who had become friends. On his last day, all the guys gathered round and Wagner presented him with his own Axe. " You did good work Jake and anytime you need a job you come back and see us." Jake shook hands with Wagner and the rest of the men and slowly walked down the mountain. 

"Pothole" a short story by Craig Zimmerman

Jason cursed the county as he narrowly avoided a pothole that had sprung up on his street. It sometimes took weeks for the county to fix the road.

The next day, the pothole was even larger and Jason plotted a way to get around it without going into the ditch. As he drove around the edge of the hole, it seemed to expand and Jason felt his car being pulled into the chasm.

In moments, Jason's entire car began sinking into the hole. He struggled to get out, but it was impossible to open the door as his car began to fall through space.

The car stopped with a jolt and Jason opened the door. Every trace of his world was gone. There were no houses, or trees, or anything familiar. His present location was almost dark. A dim light came from somewhere and there was smoke from a fire.

"Welcome to Garnton" a voice said. Jason turned to see a tall, hooded figure approaching him. "Who are you?" he asked the hooded figure. 

"I am Traymor  the leader of Garnton. Most of our new arrivals have a lot of questions, so I will attempt to answer them." Traymor said.

"Garnton is a world of few natural resources and in order to get the materials we need we are forced to use unorthodox methods." "Then the pothole was some kind of transportation device." Jason said.  Traymor nodded. 

"If you want my car, you can have it, but I would like to go home." Jason said. "Traymor smiled. "I'm afraid it's not that simple. It is true that we need your car, but we also need workers, so  you will stay as well."

"There is no need to get upset, most of our arrivals come to like Garnton." Traymor said. Jason looked through the dim light at the barren landscape and thought he heard Traymor laughing.

"Alone" a short story by Craig Zimmerman

For the first time in her life, Julie was alone, completely alone. In a daze, she looked at the buildings and people around her. Nothing looked familiar and all of the people were strangers.

Julie wandered for hours and finally realized that she was lost. Without any hope left, Julie tried re-tracing her steps. Somewhere along the way, a woman asked her if she needed help. Julie ran away from the woman as fast as she could.

Eventually, Julie's surroundings started to look a little familiar. She entered a coffee shop and moved through the tables. There it was! Julie picked up her phone from the floor. Everything was alright now. She was no longer alone.

First Crush by Craig Zimmerman

Her name was Sandy and she was tall, dark-haired, and slightly older then my eleven years.

Sandy and I were in the same class that combined the fifth and sixth grades at Panther Lake Elementary School. I recall speaking with Sandy a few times, but I was much too shy to carry on a real   conversation with her. It would have been nice if I could have  gotten to know  her.

In any case, I am grateful for Sandy's kindness to me. Not all girls at that age are as gentle and sweet.

The last time I saw Sandy was while I was voting in one of the presidential elections. She smiled at me from across the room. I hope that she is doing well.