Pushin' 40
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
"Yeah,
Donovan," Rita said, dryly, pushing him aside as she entered. "You
have the right to invite me in, and fix me a drink."
Ignoring
her coldness, Donovan closed the door depositing Rita in a living room chair.
He read off the house menu; Coke, orange juice, skim milk, and water."
"Damnit," she cursed, "I forgot you don't
drink."
"If
you want hard liquor, I do have some cherry flavored Nyquil," joked
Donovan.
Without
cracking a smile Rita chose a Coke.
Donovan
headed for the kitchen. When he returned, with two Cokes in hand, Rita was
standing by the window wiping the sweat off her face.
"How
are you doing?" he asked, handing her a Coke.
Rita
held the can to her head, answering, "I'm fine. I
was just out trying to run off some anxiety."
Both
took a seat on the couch and popped the tops of their Cokes pouring some down.
"What's
causing the anxiety?"
"It's
been a bad day.
"After
talking with you I started thinking about Mel. I'm so alone without him.
"Why
did he have to die, Donovan?"
"I
don't know," answered Donovan, as he put his arm around Rita giving her a
hug. She didn't push him away. Both were silent for a short time.
Rita
pushed away, and faced Donovan. She said, "Donovan, I like you."
Donovan
was taken back. Was she validating his desire for her in someway?
"I
like you too, Rita," he replied but not in a hurried fashion. He didn't
want to sound, too, anxious like he did over New Years.
"I
don't want anything to happen to you. Losing Mel really hurt." As Rita
spoke, she began shedding tears, and sniffling. She pulled away from Donovan's
grasp and looked off as she spoke. She apologized as she wiped her tears away.
Donovan told her their was no need.
Rita
put her Coke down, "I have two more miles to go. "
She stood and headed for the door. Donovan didn't know what to say. He wanted
her to stay but he knew, in her emotional state, the run would be better for
her.
He
made his way to the door telling Rita he hoped she would feel better after her
run. He put his hand on her shoulder, "Call me when you get home, if you
want to talk."
In
response, Rita's eyes seemed to be lost in his, as she smiled passionately. She put her hand
to his face wiping downward. "Thank you, Donovan." She hesitantly
turned to leave, stopping herself in the door way. She turned around facing
Donovan. Sheepishly, she asked, "How long have we known each other,
Donovan?"
"A long time. Why?"
"Since
Mel died all I do is keep myself secluded.
"I'm
afraid of being hurt again, Donovan, that's why I've been pushing you
away."
"I
understand."
"Maybe
it's time I opened up again. Would you like to have dinner with me? Not a ‘business’ dinner, at the Icarus; a real
dinner at my place."
Donovan's,
ear to ear, smile told Rita he'd love too.
"Say
tomorrow, at
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
Pushin' 40, a mystery, is a romantic love affair between Donovan
Maxwell and his childhood sweetheart Cheri Stanton.
They
met in third grade. Donovan was nine and Cheri was a Senior
working as a teacher's helper during her study hall. Donovan developed a crush.
Cheri was flattered.
The
next time Donovan saw Cheri, he was twenty-one and working for the Chronicle.
She was thirty, and working for Channel Three.
The
nine-year age difference isn't so great anymore. They begin dating fall in
love, and marry. The happy marriage turns bad after rivalry seeps into their
relationship. After fifteen years they divorce.
Donovan
falls in love with Rita Scrugs, a cop, and his
contact within the police department. At first his love is unrequited.
Their
relationship buds as they work together on the homicide of coed Sonya Peach.
Cheri
once again enters the picture after a sex video of Donovan and Sonya turns up.
Cheri is quick to cut her ex down on the six o'clock news.
Why
did Sonya make the video? Why did she pick Donovan?
The
plot thickens after more videos of Sonya and other unsuspecting men show up.
About the Author
I
started writing short stories when I was thirteen.
Over
the past thirty years, I've enjoyed dabbling into the fictional lives, I
created.
A
decade ago, I decided to write a full length novel. Seven years later, after
many rewrites, I'd completed my first mystery; P.M.S. (Power, Money, &
Sex).
I
then set out to write P.M.S.; part two.
Somewhere
alone the way, the character's name, and occupation, changed. Even the setting
changed.
Three
years later, I had completed Pushin' 40.
I
based it, in part, on my twentieth class reunion, and the fictional murder, of
a high school teacher, twenty years earlier.