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    3 Paths Crossed Here
    3 Paths Crossed Here
    3 Paths Crossed Here
    Ebook170 pages2 hours

    3 Paths Crossed Here

    By Matt Kratz

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    About this ebook

    this is a collection of three stories. the first story, "bastinili," details the life story of baseball star bobby bastinili from his childhood to his retirement and coincidental rise and fall of his ego. the second, "the Words' Path," deals with a small town school teacher. she starts receiving strange correspondence in the forms of letters and emails;one of her students is acting strangely;and her hospitalized brother is getting divorced from his golddigging wife. is there a connection? in the third story, "the lyrics hunt," two stars, a country music star and a hockey star, are kidnapped. it is up to two talent agents to find them as clues are left for them-and only them.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMatt Kratz
    Release dateJan 3, 2013
    ISBN9781301049929
    3 Paths Crossed Here
    Author

    Matt Kratz

    I was born in Cambridge, Massachussetts. After living in Columbus, Ohio, for a few years, I moved to Richardson, TX, in 1978, when my father got a job teaching at UT-Dallas. I switched schools a couple times before settling back into the Plano schools and graduated from Plano Senior HS in 1990, Midwestern State (BA in History) in 1995, and UT Dallas (MA) in 2008. I am an aspiring writer, and my interests include movies (especially those from New Zealand), photography, Australian & New Zealand Wildlife, birds, spectator sports (I love baseball and attend Dallas area ball games), and I love to travel. 3 Worlds Journey is my first novel, and I am currently working on more. I love letting my imagination go wild. Most of my stories and characters are based on what I read and what I thought of when I was younger.

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      Book preview

      3 Paths Crossed Here - Matt Kratz

      Prologue

      Are you sure we left him in the proper care?

      We checked all of her credentials, the man seated next to her in the car assured her. and she had plenty of experience with two-year-olds and came with excellent referrals. I'm sure all is fine.

      If you say so, his wife sighed. So how long is it to the boss's house?

      About fifteen minutes. He indicated a cross street about 100 feet ahead. It always comes in handy to notice such things.

      What's this party celebrating?

      A new account our firm just acquired.

      That's nice-WATCH OUT!!!

      Those words were the second-to-last thing either of them ever heard.

      The last was the loud THUD of two cars colliding.

      Chapter I

      Can't you play catch with me now, Uncle Rex?

      Sorry, but we just played half an hour ago, and I've got to figure out how to juggle finances for the next few weeks. Maybe tomorrow.

      Gee, thanks.

      A seven-year-old Bobby moped off to his room. He had been living with his Uncle Rex and Aunt Lindy for as long as he could remember, and Uncle Rex had always seemed to find time to do something with him except in times like this.

      Uncle Rex didn't answer questions like this. He had always told Bobby that his parents were gone, but the question still got to him. All six feet, 180 pounds of him.

      No, he sighed. Not for a very long time.

      He threw his baseball glove into his closet and plopped down on his bed. At least the tomorrow part gave him something to look forward to.

      I'm sorry, kiddo, he heard someone say from the doorway. He recognized his uncle's voice. I know how much you love baseball. But I needed to write checks for utility and insurance bills, and I got another check from your mother's estate in the mail with orders to place it in your trust fund. I just didn't have time.

      Bobby, of course, didn't have the slightest idea what these words meant. He had no memory of his mother or father, and was lost on matters such as this.

      I understand, he lied. But will I ever see my mother or the check?

      Uncle Rex walked off. He had to find some way to tell Bobby the truth.

      Bobby needs more friends, his wife said. You need to find them.

      But how? Rex asked. He always has his friends over, and we take him to the park, where he plays with plenty of them.

      But they never share the same interests, Lindy pointed out. And summer is just about to start.

      He does love baseball, Rex said.

      There's your answer. Sign him up for Little League. He's bound to make more friends that way. And I know someone else who might want to be a friend to him.

      Who?

      Do you know the name Danielle Quinn?

      THE Danielle Quinn? An incredulous Rex asked. She has to be the wealthiest lady in the city!

      She has a little daughter Bobby's age, Lindy said. I'm sure they would be instant friends. Anyway, I met her at an office function last night, and Ms. Quinn invited us to a dinner party at her estate on Friday.

      You accepted, I hope, Rex said.

      In an instant, Lindy smiled.

      Rex couldn't believe his good fortune. He and Lindy had always struggled to make ends meet until Lindy had been promoted at work. Now she knew Danielle Quinn!

      Ms. Quinn had been left most of her wealth when her late husband died eight years earlier, shortly before their daughter was born. Being asked to socialize with her was no small potatoes.

      As soon as school lets out, I will sign Bobby up for Little League, he said. I'll use some of Leslie's life insurance money. He'll love it.

      * * * * *

      Good day, Mr. and Mrs. Rendix, Danielle said as the family entered her mansion. "The rest of the guests are already here. And who is this with you?

      This is our nephew, Bobby Bastinili, Rex told her. We have been his guardians for the past five years. We thought maybe he could play with your daughter.

      Ah, yes, I'm sure he will, Danielle said with a frosty smile. Oh, Suzy, could you come here for a minute?

      A little girl with her hair in pigtails and a charming aura about her came into the foyer.

      This is Bobby Bastinili, nephew of our most recent guests, Danielle told her. Be a good little girl and entertain him during the course of the party.

      Follow me, Bobby. Suzy replied.

      He followed her into a spacious room in a back corner of the first floor. The room was filled with stuffed toys and elaborate decorations. A silk sheet covered the bed, and crystal seemed to be everywhere.

      Do you like my room, Bobby? Suzy asked. Mommy bought all of this for me. My favorite is the stuffed bear on the top shelf.

      Nice, Bobby told her. A large stuffed bear adorned the top shelf. He had never seen a toy so big.

      Would you like to hold it? It is very soft and cuddly.

      It's too high. Do you have anything else you can show me?

      Just this crystal bracelet mommy bought me. Suzy walked over to a table and gingerly picked it up. The light reflected in the crystals, producing a beautiful array of colors. "Would you like to hold this instead?

      I'd be honored, Bobby said.

      As he held his hands out, the bracelet slipped out of her hands. Bobby could have sworn that she did that on purpose. He barely had time to garner that thought before Suzy started screaming.

      Mommy! Mommy! She screamed. Bobby got into my stuff! He dropped my bracelet!

      Danielle, Rex and Lindy rushed into the room. Suzy was in tears by now, and a flabbergasted Bobby stood nearby, his mouth agape.

      He picked up the bracelet without my permission and dropped it on the ground, Suzy wailed. He loved doing it too.

      Bobby, is this true? Rex demanded.

      No, I- Bobby started to say.

      Never mind, Danielle said. I believe my daughter. I think it is time for you and your nephew to leave before he causes her any more distress.

      I am very disappointed in you, young man, Rex said to Bobby as they climbed into the car. It is not every day that we get invited to something like that.

      Bobby was crying himself by now.

      Chapter II

      His first day of Little League practice, Bobby glanced nervously around at his new teammates. He loved playing baseball with his uncle, but he'd never played on a team before.

      Okay, kids, listen up, the coach told them. His rather large stature and mangy beard were imposing to Bobby. Today, we are going to work on our batting stances. Watch and learn as I-

      His lecture droned on, and Bobby lost track of the coach's words and thought about Mrs. Quinn and her daughter. His attention shifted back to playing baseball.

      He was glad Uncle Rex had signed him up for the Little League. He was looking forward to playing, and his teammates seemed to like him a lot.

      Bobby? He suddenly heard the coach say. Bobby Bastinili?

      Yes, coach?

      Have you been paying attention, Bobby?

      Yes, sir. Bobby had gotten used to calling his superiors sir or ma'am. His teachers at school were always insistent that the students use sir or ma'am.

      Okay, demonstrate a proper stance for us, Mr. Bastinili, the coach said.

      Bobby picked up a bat and held it up high. Spreading his legs to shoulder width apart, he choked up on the bat and held his elbows at right angles. Uncle Rex had gone over this with him lots of times.

      Very impressive, Bobby, said the coach. Meanwhile, for the rest of you so-called baseball players…

      The remainder of the practice consisted of the coaches making the boys practice their swings. Making contact was not of major importance at this point as the head coach threw practice pitches, but Bobby hit every pitch, giving the coach a little exercise.

      Practice finally ended. As Bobby picked up his glove and bat, another boy, Alan, approached him.

      Hi, Bobby, he said.

      Hi, Alan, Bobby said in response. Alan was a friend of Bobby's from the neighborhood.

      Did you want to come over to my house and play? Alan asked. My mom always says I should have more friends over.

      I really can't, Bobby said. I told my Uncle Rex I'd come right home after practice and help out with chores. Sorry. Maybe later in the week?

      Sure, Alan said. I'll ask my mom.

      Thanks anyway, Bobby said as he walked away. His home was right across the park from the baseball field, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was not right. He stopped several times to glance around, but saw nothing.

      Goin' somewhere, kid?

      Bobby looked up to see a tall man. All adults look tall to you when you are seven, but there was something in this man's height that was different. Six-foot-six, Bobby thought to himself. Maybe as tall as the basketball player he saw on sports last night.

      Please, mister, don't hurt me, Bobby quivered.

      Ol' Marlis don't hurt no one, the man sneered. Not unless you give me a reason to.

      Wh-what do you want? Bobby managed to stammer.

      A friend, the man said. The thick beard, broad shoulders, barrel chest, and crooked nose reminded Bobby of pictures of old sailors he had seen on Uncle Rex's wall. Rex had been a sailor. The crooked teeth formed a pattern Bobby had never seen before.

      Adults have adult friends, don't they? Bobby said. He could feel his jaw tremble and his palms start to sweat. What d-do you need me for?

      Adults don't want to be friends with ol' Marlis, the man said. They look at me and they see a crusty bum. But children are different. They see things in a different light.

      The man was still scary, but Bobby was starting to trust him a little bit. Maybe he wasn't so bad after all.

      Besides, I need some food, the man said. Ol' Marlis ain't ate in almost two days.

      I-I'll see what I can do, mister. Bobby ran across the street to his house.

      Rex and Lindy weren't at home. Bobby walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge. He noticed the chicken Rex had left for him to tide him over until supper. Peeling off the tin foil, he found a knife and carved out about six or seven slices. He shoved them into a Ziploc bag and rushed back to the park.

      Mr. Man? He called out. Sir?

      I knew you'd come back, the now familiar rough and gravelly voice said. It was still very rough and gravelly.

      H-here is some chicken, Mr. Man, Bobby said.

      Thank you, little boy, the man said. He reached into the plastic bag and wolfed down the slices of chicken in seconds.

      I-is it enough? Bobby asked.

      For now, the man said. I appreciate it.

      The man kneeled down eye-to-eye with the boy and smiled. The man's breath smelled rotten.

      Remember the name Marlis, the man said. Erwin Marlis. You might be saying it over and over one day.

      Y-yes, sir, Bobby said. Erwin Marlis. I won't forget, sir.

      Now move along, Marlis said. But first, tell me your name.

      Bobby, sir. Bobby Bastinili.

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