On The Beach

Here is the eighth installment of Drag Strip Date.

Synopsis:

Darla Rigs is a freshly minted medical doctor with a bright future.  She’s escaped a bad relationship and moved to Victoria, British Columbia.  But now she’s met Luke Bertolucci, a philosopher/stone mason.  Darla likes Luke a lot, but will she be able to put the past behind her and start fresh?

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DRAG STRIP DATE (eighth installment)

by Jerry Donaldson

Dawn gathered in the east.  The pale disc of the morning sun ventured above the Coastal Mountains to cast long shadows in the quiet, Sunday-morning Victoria streets.  Those shadows grew shorter as the sun, emboldened, rose higher and higher into the sky. A few early risers were up and about, enjoying another beautiful west-coast morning.  On Darla’s street two women walked five dogs silently down the centre of the deserted pavement, on their way to the nearby dog park. Continue reading “DRAG STRIP DATE (eighth installment)”

Here is the seventh installment of Drag Strip Date.

Synopsis:

Darla Rigs is a freshly minted medical doctor with a bright future.  She’s escaped a bad relationship and moved to Victoria, British Columbia.  But now she’s met Luke Bertolucci, a philosopher/stone mason.  Darla likes Luke a lot, but will she be able to put the past behind her and start fresh?

DRAG STRIP DATE (seventh installment)

by Jerry Donaldson

Darla saw him standing in the pool of light at the front door of her building as she drove by.  Conor was smoking a cigarette and staring into the road.  She pulled her Honda to the curb a hundred feet past her building, because didn’t want to be trapped in the parking garage.  Remember what Mr. MacDonald said, she thought, stay with groups of people.  But it was late, and there were no people around.  She sat there behind the wheel for several minutes, while memories of Conor’s abuse rolled through her head.  Tears rose to her eyes, and she felt close to panic, until the Inner Voice spoke up.

“He’s just a guy you knew once,” the Inner Voice told her.  “You’re not the woman you were then, and you are probably going to have to confront him sooner or later.  You can do this.”Continue reading “DRAG STRIP DATE (seventh installment)”

Here is the fifth installment of Drag Strip Date.  In this episode Darla and Luke return to the track.   Darla meets some new friends, and confronts a person from her past.

Synopsis:

Darla Rigs is a freshly minted medical doctor with a bright future.  She’s escaped a bad relationship and moved to Victoria, British Columbia.  But now she’s met Luke Bertolucci, a philosopher/stone mason.  Darla likes Luke a lot, but will she be able to put the past behind her and start fresh?

DRAG STRIP DATE (sixth installment)

by Jerry Donaldson

Tonight at West Coast Speedway the action was on the quarter-mile oval dirt track.  By the time Darla and Luke arrived the heat races were done, and the main event was set to begin.  The grandstand was full of rowdy, cheering race fans, and the couple found seats near the very top row, where there was space and a chance, as Luke so gracefully put it, “to suck some face.”

“Ouch,” said Darla, “that sounds a little graphic.” But she knew what he was getting at, and she was on the same page.  A little privacy to snuggle, and neck a bit, maybe feel each other up. But, the Inner Voice was feeling prim and proper tonight.Continue reading “DRAG STRIP DATE (sixth installment)”

Here is the fifth installment of Drag Strip Date.

Synopsis:

Darla Rigs is a freshly minted medical doctor with a bright future.  She’s escaped a bad relationship and moved to Victoria, British Columbia.  But now she’s met Luke Bertolucci, a philosopher/stone mason.  Darla likes Luke a lot, but will she be able to put the past behind her and start fresh?

DRAG STRIP DATE (fifth installment)

by Jerry Donaldson

Darla ducked into the clinic with her heart in her throat.  The waiting room was full of patients, as usual.  She crossed the waiting room, responded to a young staffer’s cheery ”Good afternoon, Doctor Sims” with a muttered “oh, yes, hi”, then went into the staff washroom and locked the door.  She stood for a good five minutes, leaning on the sink cabinet and staring into the mirror until her breathing slowed.  How did he find me? she thought.  Once her breathing and heart rate return to normal, it became obvious  how Conor located her.  She was a medical doctor and her name and office address would be published in the Physicians Directory her professional association published annually.  The more pressing concern was: why was he in Victoria and what did he want?Continue reading “DRAG STRIP DATE (fifth installment)”

Here is the fourth installment of Drag Strip Date.  Today, Darla faces a test of her skills and training, and an unwanted turn of events may complicate her life.

Synopsis:

Darla Rigs is a freshly minted medical doctor with a bright future.  She’s escaped a bad relationship and moved to Victoria, British Columbia.  But now she’s met Luke Bertolucci, a philosopher/stone mason.  Darla likes Luke a lot, but will she be able to put the past behind her and start fresh?

DRAG STRIP DATE (fourth installment)

by Jerry Donaldson

Darla showered and put on a terry robe.  She made herself coffee and toast in her little kitchen and took it out onto the balcony to enjoy the early June sun.  Her tidy little one-bedroom condo was on the top floor of a newish building on a quiet street near the water.  She’d borrowed the down-payment from her mother when she was finished her residency and ready to start earn a living. Darla pulled up the local newspaper on her IPhone and read the front page while she ate.  When she was done she put the phone down, closed her eyes and thought about taking out her guitar and practising a few scales.  Then the phone rang.Continue reading “DRAG STRIP DATE (fourth installment)”

Here is the third installment of Drag Strip Date.  The plot thickens.

Synopsis:

Darla Rigs is a freshly minted medical doctor with a bright future.  She’s escaped a bad relationship and moved to Victoria, British Columbia.  But now she’s met Luke Bertolucci, a philosopher/stone mason.  Darla likes Luke a lot, but will she be able to put the past behind her and start fresh?

DRAG STRIP DATE (third installment)

by Jerry Donaldson

“So, then what happened?” Carol said over the phone, a few hours later.  As she’d promised, Darla had phoned her sister as soon as she’d returned home.

“Oh, not much,” Darla replied, “We sat and watched the races and talked and ate popcorn, and I thought it was the greatest thing. Drag racing has a lot to recommend it, really.  It’s very involving.”

“Don’t be thick,” Carol said. “I want details.”

“Hang on a sec. Sparks wants food.”  The cat was swishing around and between Darla’s bare legs, meowing loudly.  Darla put the phone down, went into the kitchen and poured some dry food into his bowl.  Sparks crouched over the bowl, crunching and purring.

“So,” Darla said, back on the line, “What were you asking?”Continue reading “DRAG STRIP DATE (third installment)”

This is another of the smoker-stories I wrote a while back.  My Dad was an old-time newsman, and he wrote for the Toronto Telegram in the old days.  I was thinking about him when I wrote this.

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By Jerry Donaldson

about 500 words

Morales killed his cigarette in the overflowing ashtray on his desk with a single angry stab. His nicotine-stained right hand shook as he brushed at the ash on his shirt.

“She said what, Kane?”

“She said she’s done talking to the Telegram, Chief. She’s clammed up tight. Nothing more for us.”

Morales wasn’t happy. But that’s the news business, brother. Sometimes a source dummies up and that’s that. Editors know this.

Besides, the Vincenzo scandal was my story so I wasn’t exactly happy either.

I chewed on my cigar. Morales swore as he fished a fresh Lucky Strike out of its pack and stuck the cigarette in his yap. He crushed the empty pack and flung it at a metal wastebasket.  I snapped my Zippo open and reached across the desk to light him up. Morales leaned back and exhaled, the cigarette gripped between his teeth. He squinted at me through the smoke.

“So,” he said, “did you get fresh with this broad or what? Piss her off somehow?” He took another puff. “Jesus, Kane! Were you bangin’ this dame? You can’t keep your pecker in your pants for five minutes, goddammit!” The Lucky waggled up and down as he railed on. Ash rained unheeded into his lap.

I took the black cigar out of my mouth and examined it. Miserable old bastard! I thought, Go on, get it off your chest! Then I put the stogie back in my mouth and bit down hard. When I spoke, my voice was even.

“You know me better than that, Chief,” I said.  “I’ve been a reporter for twenty years. I’ve got the good sense to keep business and pleasure separate. Losing the source, well, that’s just buzzard’s luck.”

There was a pause. “Yeah, okay. You’re right,” Morales said finally. “Sorry, Kane. I’m burned up is all.” The Lucky hung from his lips. Smoke curled toward the ceiling.

The office door opened and Ralphie from the City Desk scurried in. A breath of relatively fresh air blew in with him. Beyond the open door typewriters clattered.

“Better take a look at this, Chief,” Ralphie said, tossing a newspaper onto Morales’s desk. “The Star’s got an exclusive in the Vincenzo scandal.”

Morales grabbed the newspaper. I saw the huge, gloating headline.

CORRUPTION GOES RIGHT TO THE TOP!

Vincenzo and Henchmen Facing Fresh Charges

 “Scooped!” Morales roared. “The blasted Star scooped us! They’ve got the inside track on this story now, and goddammit I’ll. . . I’ll . . . ” Morales collapsed into a coughing fit. He jammed his cigarette into the ashtray as he hacked and hacked. Eventually he produced a stained handkerchief and spat into it.

“We need a new angle in the Vincenzo story, pronto!” Morales croaked finally, his face purple. He produced a half-dollar and tossed it onto the scarred desk top.

“Ralphie, there’s four bits, go out and buy me some smokes. Kane, you’re staying late. We’ve got work to do!”

Here is the second installment of Drag Strip Date.  I’m strongly influenced by pulp fiction writing.  The story’s a little “R” rated, but there it is.  Maybe it’s not for everyone, but it’s all I’ve got!

Synopsis:

Darla Rigs is a freshly minted medical doctor with a bright future.  She’s escaped a bad relationship and moved to Victoria, British Columbia.  But now she’s met Luke Bertolucci, a philosopher/stone mason.  Darla likes Luke a lot, but will she be able to put the past behind her and start fresh?

Drag Strip Date (second installment)

by Jerry Donaldson

about 2000 words

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Darla slid her arm around his neck and pulled his blond head close to her lips.  She whispered in his ear, “You were about to tell me about your university adventures.” And then her tongue darted into his ear and he caught up his breath.

“Whoa, doll,” he said, “Don’t be writing cheques you can’t cash.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” she said, straightening the collar on his paid shirt and sitting back. “I am very liquid.  Financially, that is.”

“Oh,” he said. “That’s a very good thing.”Continue reading “DRAG STRIP DATE, (second installment)”

Drag Strip Date is a 60,000 word romance novel I’ll be posting in installments. 

Here’s Installment 1.  You can read all the installments at once by going to the button *DRAG STRIP DATE above.

Synopsis:

Darla Rigs is a freshly minted medical doctor with a bright future.  She’s escaped a bad relationship and moved to Victoria, British Columbia.  But now she’s met Luke Bertolucci, a philosopher/stone mason.  Darla likes Luke a lot, but will she be able to put the past behind her and start fresh?

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DRAG STRIP DATE

about 60,000 words

by Jerry Donaldson

Installment #1

It was 7 pm and she knew he wouldn’t be late; he was reliable. Reliable and gentle, but not predictable and staid.  She liked that about him, liked it a lot.  This evening she wore a short,  tight skirt and a crisp white blouse, because she knew he liked that. She felt cool, slim and elegant and that’s the way she liked to feel.  So it was all good.

From the corner booth at Nick’s Cafe she watched through the plate glass the officer workers rushing for home way-late; and the skater kids on their battered boards, rolling in pairs amongst grumpy, harrumphing after-dinner shoppers.  And the young lovers, hand in hand and smiling, bound for the beach down past the end of the narrow road. They would sit on the white sand and watch, rapt, the great ocean, mother Pacific, take the sun to her bosom as the world turned dark blue, warm, and sweet.

And then there he was, striding tall, blond and boyishly handsome on the sidewalk.  He winked at her through the glass, knowing right where to look for her because the corner booth at Nick’s was where they always met. Then he was out of sight for a moment, and then he was coming through the door, and then he was sliding into the booth, sliding along the soft, red bum-worn leather, sliding right up next to her.  And then he was kissing her.Continue reading “DRAG STRIP DATE (first installment)”