Jason Stadtlander [Stadtlander - Ruins of the Mind

The Steel Van Man

Editor: Rebecca Rue

RUINS OF THE MIND

Copyright 2019 Jason Stadtlander

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmit ted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, please write to the publisher.

This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the authors imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Published by BHC Press

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019938918

ISBN: 978-1-64397-017-2 (Hardcover)

ISBN: 978-1-64397-018-9 (Softcover)

ISBN: 978-1-64397-019-6 (Ebook)

For information, write:

BHC Press

885 Penniman #5505

Plymouth, MI 48170

Visit the publisher:

www.bhcpress.com

Feathers in the Wind

The Lantern

The Glass Pyramid

The Terroc

Chance

Dont Lose Your Head

The Sheadroch

Springtime Roses

Downward Spiral

Surviving the Messengers

In the Shadows of a Moment

The Talasum

The Journals

For Ian and Elijah

Who gave life to The Terroc, light to The Lantern and my life a journey that I will treasure forever.

Dreams are just goals you have yet to achieve.

Feathers in the Wind

to the thousands lost in 9/11

and the billions

affected by it worldwide.

Springtime Roses

to Barbara Stadtlander, Nancy Rozen,

Francie Buschur and every woman, man and

child who has ever been affected by breast cancer.

Surviving the Messengers

to my father who reminds me that even toads

can fly and to my sister who spent her early

years chasing dewts and dreams.

The Talasum

for Katerina, for continually guiding me

to reach beyond the next horizon.

Downward Spiral

for Officer Kevin Reen, who has served

the people, our community and most

importantly, the hearts of anyone

who has the privilege of his friendship.

J ake stood at the credenza in front of the mirror in his small hotel room, quickly gulping down his coffee. His shuttle was scheduled to leave the hotel for the airport in eight minutes, and he wasnt about to miss it. If he did, there would be no chance of catching his flight to Los Angeles, and he would miss his daughters fifth birthday. He had promised her he would never miss a birthday, and he would never forgive himself if he did. Jake downed the last bit of what he termed hotel swill. Grabbing his carry-on, laptop and coat, he stole one last glance around the roomall set.

Jake dashed down the hall to the elevator. He punched the down button repeatedly with excessive force, but the car resisted his urgings to move along more quickly. It was taking forever.

The elevator finally came to a stop and opened. Inside stood a calm, poised, well-dressed woman in her late sixties, about the age of his mother but much more attractive. Jake caught himself. Not a very good thing to think about your own mother. In less than a second, his salesman face was on.

Good morning, he said with a hint of charm. Jake tried to sound calm but his labored breathing from running to the elevator made it difficult to put forth the effort toward his usual demeanor.

Morning, the woman replied in a soft, slightly muddled British accent. Running late? she asked.

Late? What makes you think that? Pfft. Jake forced a sarcastic chuckle.

The woman offered a polite smile that softened her face and then turned back toward the elevator door. Clearly, this woman wasnt as susceptible as some were to his charm. Nonsense, youre just off your game, Jake-o.

The elevator door opened. Jake forced himself to hold back, not wanting to run her over as she took her time getting off. Once she was a short distance away from the door, Jake bolted and ran through the hotels revolving doors to the awaiting shuttle. He breathed a loud sigh of relief as he reached the shuttle door, climbing the stairs quickly with his luggage.

Well leave in a moment. Were just waiting for one more person, the driver informed him.

Jake took a seat in the middle of the shuttle van on the bench that ran the length of the wall between the drivers cab and the rear door. He closed his eyes momentarily, feeling a bit more relaxed now that he knew he would not miss his flight. He heard someone step on board up front, followed by the shuffle of luggage and the bus doors closing. Jake opened his eyes. He was surprised to see the woman from the elevator sitting across the aisle, looking at him and smiling warmly.

Jake returned her smile. We meet again, he said.

She raised an eyebrow, dropping some of her smile. If I didnt know better, I would say you were following me, the woman said, teasing.

Dont be so presumptuous, Jake said playfully. After all, I was already on the shuttle when you arrived.

She considered this. Hmmtrue. She smiled again.

Her name was Gwen, and she lived in Boston with her husband of forty years. She was raised in Liverpool, England, but her father had moved her family to California when she was thirteen. Her father was now ill, and Gwen was headed to California to visit him.

Why were you at the hotel then?

A girlfriend of mine was visiting from Montreal. I decided to stay with her at her hotel since I had to leave earlyand the hotel is closer to the airport. We dont see each other often, and we wanted a chance to catch up.

What airline are you taking?

American.

Resisting the urge to smile at another coincidence, he said, Oh, then we are on the same flight. Need any help getting to the gate?

No, but some company would be wonderful, she replied.

Terminal A, the driver announced.

Jake was waiting for the arrival at Terminal B.

What brings you to LA? Gwen asked.

My daughter Isabel has her fifth birthday tomorrow, and I promised her Id always be home for her birthdays.

I see. Youre a good father.

She and her sister are the two best things that ever happened to me, next to marrying my wife, Rachel.

God has been good to me in that way, too, Gwen said. Both of my children are blessings to me, as are my three grandchildren.

Nice to hear.

Terminal B, the driver announced.

The two stepped off the shuttle. Jake thanked the driver, wishing him a good day.