And So It Seems
A collection of short stories by Jacqueline Clay Chester
by
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I’ve been searching for her for more than a year, the man was thinking. It was only three weeks ago, that I had finally found her. His eyes slid down her slender body. His hand, which was in his jacket pocket, caressed a steel blade knife. Touching the knife made him feel calm, reassured and in control. He knew how easy it would be to take the life force out to her, a life she didn’t deserve to have. A life she had many years ago, taken from him! She would be no match for him. He could overpower her easily and that would make him the happiest man alive! He had dreamed of finding her since he was a pitiful little boy of seven, and all alone in that horrible place where his father had been forced to take him. He remembered the days, he was made to stay in that tiny room all by himself even when it was cold and he had only a thin blanket. He saw various men come and go and who were not always kind to the women there. The woman were, eager to please and many found themselves abused for, their kindness. He too had been used once or twice by some of the men, but when his father returned, he put a stop to it. But he remembered it all and his father had said it was her fault. If she had never been born, his father would not have had to take him away. Much of the details Jerome had forgotten because he was just a child, but what really mattered, was that his father’s last words placed blame on this girl for taking away any normal life they could have had. He knew he could only live when she was no longer alive! Only then would he feel clean and whole for the first time in his life. Taking his change and his receipt from Jasmine, he made his voice tender. "By the way, my name is Jerome, and since I’m responsible for your not closing on time, would you allow me to buy you a drink as a form of apology or maybe dinner if you have the time? I’d love to know what you think of a few of the latest authors on the best seller list." He paused to let her think about his request and then he added, "It is Saturday night and I’ve got nothing planned. So you’d be doing me a favor by saying, yes." His green eyes, soft and appealing looked hopefully at Jasmine as the two of them walked towards the front door. Jasmine opened the door to let Jerome out. From the inside she set the alarm, turned out the lights and then stepped out into the balmy night air and joined him. As she was locking the door, she was thinking about his offer. Since she began working at the bookstore, she had had no time for dates and this might be a good way to break the cycle. Plus, she had seen him in the bookstore several times in the last month, so she felt he wasn’t a complete stranger. He was about her age, give or take a year or two and was very good looking, plus she really didn’t have any plans for the evening either. She didn’t know where he lived but she was only a few blocks from her apartment. She would also make sure they ate at a local restaurant and if the date turned out to be really bad, she would simply go home. Making up her mind, she returned his gaze and was again startled by his green eyes. They were so much like the person she loved most in the world, her mother. She made a mental note to share this strange coincidence with him over dinner. "I must confess, my plans for this evening weren’t very exciting," Jasmine laughed and said. "They consisted of a TV dinner and a video." "Well, good," Jerome chuckled good-naturedly. "Then you’ll have dinner with me?" Again, she thought about how nice he seemed and how handsome he was. She had worked all week, so why shouldn’t she enjoy herself a little? Jasmine, aware Jerome was looking at her and waiting for an answer didn’t bother to question the invitation any further. She simply smiled brightly and said, "I’d love to have dinner with you Jerome."
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About the Book
And So It Seems is a collection of short stories about the ironies that exist in all our lives. What seems to be is not always what is, what is expected is not always what occurs. My book, however, propels you forward and you discover truths around corners you might not have previously explored. Suddenly this hour, this day, a truth you did not see before is clearly evident . . . and so it seems, whether you are rich or poor, young or old irony always has the last word.
About the Author
While studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology, Jacqueline was selected as a runway model for a hot new fashion show. "The American Exhibition in Moscow," a presentation of the Fashion Industries in New York would take her to Moscow, Russia. As an African American model in the then Soviet Union, her national and international fame grew. Articles appeared in The New York Times, Life Magazine, Pittsburgh Courier, Ebony Magazine, Sepia Magazine, Time Magazine, Paris Match and other publications, of Jacqueline as a high fashion model bringing her American charm to Russian audiences. After her successful return to New York, she was booked by an agency to work with Hiro a world famous, fashion photographer. The resulting photographs of Jacqueline graced the pages of the Sunday magazine section of The New York Times. She was the first African American female model to appear in that esteemed newspaper publication. Jacqueline also designs jewelry and is a painter and the mother of three. Her son, Captain Shawn M., is a National Guard helicopter pilot as well as a commercial pilot who, from early childhood, expressed a keen interest in flight. Her son Scott L., is an artist who has built a diverse business using his considerable creative gifts. Her daughter Rachel E., is an insightful businesswoman and a loving wife and mother. Jacqueline is a native New Yorker, who now resides in Atlanta, Georgia.