The Grinch of Bright Lights and Candle Glow

I’m excited to announce the AIW Press release of  Bright Lights and Candle Glow,  an anthology of eight holiday short stories, available on Amazon and other eRetailers. And, as a gift to readers, this anthology is FREE!

Here’s an excerpt to my story, “Wabi Sabi Grinch:”

I was only seven when I first met the Grinch, when we moved to the house by the lake, right after Mama took me away from Daddy. His real name was Mr. Dean, and he lived across the street. I remember thinking he was a mean old man the first time he yelled, “Get off my damn lawn,” as I cut across on my way home from school one day. I couldn’t figure out what the big deal was. It wasn’t that great a lawn.

Later, he told me he’d only scolded because he didn’t want me to be frightened if Lulu, his big old Mastiff, came charging after me.

I’d never seen anyone so tall and skinny as Mr. Dean, and he stood even taller with a funny looking top hat he’d wear when he lumbered around his yard, often with a big, stinky cigar hanging out of his mouth, which he seemed to chomp more than puff, though he liked showing off by blowing smoke circles in the air.

In the afternoons, he carried a glass of what I thought was water, and I figured he must be awfully thirsty to drink so much. But one day, when I caught a sniff of that “water,” I realized it was something much stronger. I still remember that smell, and now, having some experience of my own with the drink, I know it was gin.

One of the joys of being a writer is choosing someone who has touched my life and creating a story around it. In real life, Mr. Dean was an old boyfriend of mine, who later became a dear friend. The seven-year old was a real little girl he met while living at a real lake. He used to tell me stories about her.

And he really left without saying “goodbye.”

Though some of the details about the little girl in “Wabi Sabi Grinch” are from my imagination, the lessons and memories “Mr. Dean” left her–were created from the real ones he left me.

I know you’ll enjoy the stories by the seven other authors in this anthology! Happy holidays from all of us!

Pamela Foster
Staci Troilo
Joan Hall
P.C. Zick
Michele Jones
Dave Kwiecinski
K. E. Lane