Angela Raines Writing & More

The Story Tree by Angela Raines I found the story tree not by accident, but by being called to where it stood. I was driving through my favorite park. It was a warm sunny day. The car window was down to cut the heat coming from the sun. I had taken a new route through and was about to take the turn out of the park when I heard a crying coming from my left. I slowed and tried to focus on where the sound came from. Unable to pinpoint the location I pulled into a parking lot and got out of the car. I stood listening. A few minutes later the sound came again. This time I heard a “please help”. The sound came from the left. I started moving in that direction-thinking maybe someone had fallen and was hurt or stuck. The many trails through the park were always busy. Occasionally someone would wander from the path, but it had been a long time since a situation where someone's life was threatened. Of course there was always a chance. That was the reason why I was foll...

The Ride by Angela Raines “Did you call a cab?” “You know I did, in fact you're ten minutes early.” “Hey, I couldn't wait to pick up my favorite fare. By the way, you look really good in the shade of blue. It matches your eyes.” “Thank you for the compliment. You are looking rather dashing in your yellow shirt.” “Right back at ya'! So where do you want to go today?” “Let's just drive and when I feel like stopping I'll let you know.” “Hey, you're payin' so what you say goes. Which way you want to go first?” “Let's head downtown. By the way, I have loved the stories you tell as we drive along. I especially liked the one about your being shot. Was that really true?” “Here's the scare on my elbow where I pulled the bullet out 'cause the hospital couldn't take the time.” “Stop here. I want to see what's new at the jewelery shop.” “You want me to wait?” “If you would, please.” “Aspen tree stands t...

"Hello Blanche.” said Henry, “You have been a difficult person to find.” I stood staring. What could Henry possibly want with me and why was he trying to find me? I had left that part of my life behind. In coming to Fairview I had hoped to catch up with my childhood friend Sarah. Instead I had found Sarah had already left for California, but I found I liked the mountains and the area brought me peace of mind. Now here was Henry wanting what, I didn't know. “Aren't you going to invite me in?” he asked. “Of course,..No. What are you doing here?” I stumbled over my thoughts and after saying yes, I knew I did not want Henry in my home. “I came to see you.” “Henry, you wanted the farm more than me. After the initial disappointment, I found I was pleased with the choice you had made.” “Blanche, you loved me once. Don't tell me that has changed.” “Henry, nothing has changed. I really never loved you. It was more my fear of being alone. Living here, I f...

by Angela Raines When I arrived on the stage it was a cold, over cast day. My parents had died the past summer and I found that I could not and did not want to maintain the family farm. Henry had wanted the farm and me. I gave him the choice and he chose the farm. That did little for my self-confidence, but I sold the farm and used the proceeds to the travel to west fork of Autumn Creek in the Colorado Territory. The little settlement on the creek was called Fairview. I was hoping it lived up to its name. The house I had rented site unseen was at the edge of the settlement. It had been the home of a family who had died of the fever three years ago. As I opened the door there was dust everywhere. Still the roof seemed sound and with a bit of work it looked like it would clean up nicely. I had a funds, but they would not last long. I needed to look for a way of earning a living. There was little I could do, but perhaps taking in sewing or maybe cooking. Nice job...

An Arranged Marriage by Angela Raines Becky Jean Porter, she got married. It was what was called an arranged marriage. You see she was considered an old maid at twenty-three. Her mother had given up on her making a choice so she did it for her. In Hilltop you just didn't hit the old age of twenty-three without being married, or at least being engaged. Becky Jean's father couldn't say nothing once Mother had made up her mind. On her wedding night she sat and watched DVD's of old Wanted Dead or Alive shows. Now you may think that is a strange way to spend a wedding night, but Becky Jean and Herbert, that was her new husband, got together and talked everything out before the ceremony. Herbert, he had him a girlfriend, but he was broke. Becky Jean, her parents were rich. You see where this is going. Herbert got the money, Becky Jean got away from her parents. That is what the two of them decided would work best given they had no other choice. So that night as Beck...

Good-by Again by Angela Raines Copywrite 2010 by Doris McCraw; all rights reserved “Jack, how can you say that?” I asked as we sat at the same table in the same coffee shop we had been visiting each Saturday for the last six months. “Mary, I am sorry but this is the way it has to be.” How many times had I heard those same words? Jack seemed to have problems with committing to anything. In a way that was what had drawn me to him. That sense of spontaneity, of always being ready for the new. “I don't believe it.” I said. “Think of all the wonderful things we shared. The snow, trees, the laughter when we took that trip to the mountains. You are saying that all of that is over?” Every time he went away he was back within a week. I wondered if this conversation was just his way of finding if I would stay with him. This time I wouldn't play his game. When he came back I would say no way Jack. I finally realized that in spite of all the wonderful things I enjoyed about Ja...

Copywrite 2010 by Doris McCraw writing as Angela Raines All rights reserved Tumbleweed Some people would call me a plain old tumbleweed, but I am so much more than that. I am a Salsola tragus from the family of Amaranthaceae. I am very proud of my background. That’s why I have always wanted to show the rest of my family how special life and they could be. You see they’ve always felt that the only thing they needed to do was let the wind guide them through their life cycle. To them you were born, grow to maturity, then break off from your roots and sow your seed wherever the wind took you. When I let those around me know what I intended they laughed, called me a fool. They didn’t think I could control fate. “It is foolish to try to control where you land.” “Stop trying to show off, you aren’t better than any of the rest of us.” “Who do you think you are tempting fate like that, it will come to no good?” I constantly was hearing those words and so much more. Understand I was no ...

by Angela Raines “Beauty in a rose Fades as the sun rides lower. Time changes nothing.” As I read those words to my dear wife Sheila I hoped her favorite words would comfort her. Even as time and disease had ravaged her body, her mind and eyes held the beauty that had caught my attention so many years ago. Our granddaughter Alicia was standing close by. I know some of our friends who wonder about having one so young experience such things as her grandmothers upcoming demise. Since she had lost her parents when she was five, we felt that to understand how death was not always the end or bad, was a good thing. How do you explain to someone so young that to you their grand mother was the most wonderful, caring and beautiful person in the world? Yes, she was famous for her beauty. The world had clamored for more and more of her. Still she only had eyes for me and her family. Alicia might only remember her grandmother Sheila in the hospital. The hands that rested...

A short story by Angela Raines "How's the Little Parasite today?" Aunt Gertrude asked as she walked into the kitchen. I hated to be called a parasite. She constantly called me that. It was not my fault my parents got themselves killed. She took me in when no one else would. She never stopped telling me the story and making me feel less than a person. I was constantly hearing her say "You will do what I say. If it weren't for me you would be dead. You should be thankful instead of complaining about what little work I have you do." It was so bad that I heard those words in my sleep. Little Parasite, Little Parasite. My name was Charity. Why couldn't she just call me by my name? "Little Parasite, you better get this kitchen cleaned up. The floor is a mess." I looked at her and the next thing I knew she was swinging the birch switch again. "I told you not to look at me. I can't stand the site of you. Now get back to work." I dropped m...

True Love a short stort by Angela Raines My mother just didn't understand how it was. She never had the kind of love I had for John. He was the one who sat across from me in study hall. He had the deepest brown eyes and the softest blond hair. He played basketball, football and ran track. Just the kind of man I wanted in my life, and at fourteen I knew exactly what I wanted my life to be like. One Friday, he finally noticed me as I walked through the parking lot. “Hey, cutie what are you doing after school tonight?” he called as he winked at his friends. Stunned I just stood there, then looked over my shoulder to see who was behind me. There he was sitting in his yellow SS396, looking like the perfect person I thought he was. He gave me the, yeah I’m talking to you, what are you going to say look. What could I say? I mean he was the answer to all my dreams. “Nothing.” I stuttered. “Well you are now, let’s go have some fun.” “Okay.” ...