Stranger Danger
The neighbors you know and the neighbors you don't know.50 total reviews
Comment from TAB_that's me
How horrible that you were treated different from other treat-or-treaters.
I know of a local 'white trash' family whose house was torched probably 20 years or so ago.
I don't know how anyone can treat another human being this way.
Your story is perfectly written. I'm so sorry it is true.
teresa
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2016
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How horrible that you were treated different from other treat-or-treaters.
I know of a local 'white trash' family whose house was torched probably 20 years or so ago.
I don't know how anyone can treat another human being this way.
Your story is perfectly written. I'm so sorry it is true.
teresa
Comment Written 08-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2016
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Yes, Teresa, this story is sad but true. I made the calculated decision as a kid that it would not be safe for me to trick-or-treat at the Powers' house. Little did I know that they would torch mine. Thank you for your review
Comment from artisart4u
I decided to read a story so I picked this one.
I think you are right, it is the people you know sometimes that will do you more harm than ones you don't know. Halloween is like a get even day where it will
be hard to find the one who is to blame. You can gather a lot of memories from life to write about. I am glad the fire wasn't worst than what it was and you
somehow got awake.
I think it is well written and one a lot a people will like to read as well as the different fonts you used for emphasis.
Congratulations on your wins.
Good luck with your story.
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2016
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I decided to read a story so I picked this one.
I think you are right, it is the people you know sometimes that will do you more harm than ones you don't know. Halloween is like a get even day where it will
be hard to find the one who is to blame. You can gather a lot of memories from life to write about. I am glad the fire wasn't worst than what it was and you
somehow got awake.
I think it is well written and one a lot a people will like to read as well as the different fonts you used for emphasis.
Congratulations on your wins.
Good luck with your story.
Comment Written 08-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2016
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Yes, artisart4u, "it is the people you know sometimes that will do you more harm than ones you don't know." Halloween can be a dangerous time for many people whose enemies play "tricks" on them.
Thank you for your generous, six star review and for wishing me success with my story.
Comment from jpduck
This has to be one of your best, Andre. Certainly one of the most passionate. Almost all your postings are informed by their spoken origins. This has the marvellous effect of creating great tension and presence. It is totally 'showing' and not 'telling'.
I must admit that, being a boring old Brit, I have always had a hearty dislike and disapproval of 'Trick or Treat', regarding it as teaching children the arts of protection rackets and destroying their teeth. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed this dark piece.
Adrian
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2016
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This has to be one of your best, Andre. Certainly one of the most passionate. Almost all your postings are informed by their spoken origins. This has the marvellous effect of creating great tension and presence. It is totally 'showing' and not 'telling'.
I must admit that, being a boring old Brit, I have always had a hearty dislike and disapproval of 'Trick or Treat', regarding it as teaching children the arts of protection rackets and destroying their teeth. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed this dark piece.
Adrian
Comment Written 08-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2016
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Thank you, Adrian, for you generous, six star review and for declaring this story one of my best. This story is my script I will perform and act out word for word, This is why "Almost all your postings are informed by their spoken origins." Thank you also for pointing out "the marvellous effect of creating great tension and presence." I am glad you "thoroughly enjoyed this dark piece."
Comment from Jay Squires
Andre, this is one of the best, most moving, while balanced of your posts here. It ranks right there with the tense one about the shooting (when I first discovered your power), and, I think, your crowning achievement about the freight car your ancestor lived in during a racially tense time. Of course the memoir about your Mother and Father and piecing together their lives through your Mom's poetry. You are an amazing person, Andre, with whom I've always felt privileged to be friends.
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2016
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Andre, this is one of the best, most moving, while balanced of your posts here. It ranks right there with the tense one about the shooting (when I first discovered your power), and, I think, your crowning achievement about the freight car your ancestor lived in during a racially tense time. Of course the memoir about your Mother and Father and piecing together their lives through your Mom's poetry. You are an amazing person, Andre, with whom I've always felt privileged to be friends.
Comment Written 08-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2016
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Thank you, Jay, for your generous, six star review and for declaring this one of my best. I particularly appreciate that you noted its balance. To me, the story would not have worked if I had not acknowledge the good neighbors who helped.
You are am amazing person and writer, too, Jay, and I am privileged to be your friend. Thanks.
Comment from RGstar
And bless you all. Came to support you and found not to be disappointed.
I saw the visions,
even felt the heat,
saw the innocence,
even with trick or treat.
Reality burned
all logic spurned,
the acceptance of then,
Nicely written, and a feeling all too familiar though time and space spared me such past. That is not to say there was no other forms.
Bravo.
Let us all hold special the things that are, for we learn to right the wrongs...if only for a while.
My best wishes, author.
RGstar
now when lessons learned.
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2016
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And bless you all. Came to support you and found not to be disappointed.
I saw the visions,
even felt the heat,
saw the innocence,
even with trick or treat.
Reality burned
all logic spurned,
the acceptance of then,
Nicely written, and a feeling all too familiar though time and space spared me such past. That is not to say there was no other forms.
Bravo.
Let us all hold special the things that are, for we learn to right the wrongs...if only for a while.
My best wishes, author.
RGstar
now when lessons learned.
Comment Written 07-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2016
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Thank you, RGstar, for your generous, six star review and support. Holding on to the good shown my family by the neighbors who lived behind me is how I cope with the evil inflicted upon my family by the neighbors who lived down the block. I hope we can all learn a lesson from this. thank you for stopping by. I am glad that a man with your talent was not disappointed.
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My pleasure. Sis Cat, for you have plenty of your own.
Best wishes
Comment from MTF1955
What a tragic but yet inspiring story. It's sad those people ruined Halloween for your family and nearly killed all of you. There are good people and bad people in this world but I truly believe the good outweigh the bad. Nicely done. Mary
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2016
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What a tragic but yet inspiring story. It's sad those people ruined Halloween for your family and nearly killed all of you. There are good people and bad people in this world but I truly believe the good outweigh the bad. Nicely done. Mary
Comment Written 07-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2016
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Yes, Mary, there are good people in the world. I am glad that I acknowledged them because it would have been easy for me to rant about the neighbors who almost killed my family. That would have destroyed me which is what the bigots wanted. Thank you for your review.
Comment from Mastery
OMG, Cat. this is spectacular writing. So many great images conveyed in the telling and that doesn't even take into account the sadness of the story itself. I do apologize for members of my race that are so ignorant. You are one fine storyteller,my friend and I only regret that I squandred all of my sixes today....now ehn I need one...I am out.
So sorry becaue this is so good. Images like this:
"We turned from our doorway. Ghosts and goblins, witches and warlocks floated down Jamieson Avenue. The aroma of dried leaves, lit jack-o-lanterns, and sugared breaths filled the air. I called to my siblings, "C'mon, before all the candy is gone!"
God Bless you, my friend. Bob
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2016
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OMG, Cat. this is spectacular writing. So many great images conveyed in the telling and that doesn't even take into account the sadness of the story itself. I do apologize for members of my race that are so ignorant. You are one fine storyteller,my friend and I only regret that I squandred all of my sixes today....now ehn I need one...I am out.
So sorry becaue this is so good. Images like this:
"We turned from our doorway. Ghosts and goblins, witches and warlocks floated down Jamieson Avenue. The aroma of dried leaves, lit jack-o-lanterns, and sugared breaths filled the air. I called to my siblings, "C'mon, before all the candy is gone!"
God Bless you, my friend. Bob
Comment Written 07-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2016
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Yes, Bob, I am thrilled by the results of this story which took me over forty years to write. Enough time has passed that I can look upon the event with perspective and recognize the neighbors behind us who helped put out the fire.
Yes, I love those lines about the ghosts, warlocks, and sugared breaths. Given that this will be a timed story I will perform from memory in five minutes, I needed descriptions that paint a picture without slowing my story down.
Since following your advice to take my time to write reviews to earn member dollars to promote my work, I have won several contests and many fans.
Thank you for your review and support.
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You have always been very supportive of me and my work, my friend, I am just sorry I squandered my sixes so fast. Lots of good writing this weekon here. :) Bob
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Yes, lots of good writing. I wish we were given a dozen sixes to give out each week.
Comment from Phyllis Stewart
Good writing, and a tragic story, but certainly not the only one of its kind. Hatred is a powerful curse in people's hearts. Just look at what ISIS is doing to non-Muslims!
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2016
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Good writing, and a tragic story, but certainly not the only one of its kind. Hatred is a powerful curse in people's hearts. Just look at what ISIS is doing to non-Muslims!
Comment Written 07-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2016
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Yes, and what ISIS is doing to Muslims is not better. Other Muslims are ISIS biggest victims.
I chose in my story to focus in the end on the good neighbors who helped my family. Thank you for your review.
Comment from JW
Wow, What an experience.
I knew that hate like this did experience. But I never knew anyone who had been a victim of it.
Thanks for sharing your story. JW
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2016
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Wow, What an experience.
I knew that hate like this did experience. But I never knew anyone who had been a victim of it.
Thanks for sharing your story. JW
Comment Written 07-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2016
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Yes, JW, this experience happened over forty years ago for my family, but just last week in a town of upstate New York the only black fireman received a threatening note to leave the department. When he refused, the bigots burned his apartment down. I was shocked that this is still occurring today. I am glad I shared my story with you. Thank you for your review.
Comment from abbasjoy
A truly frightening story, but also one with a great moral, as you clearly pointed out.
Many times it's not the people we don't know, but the ones who may even call themselves friends, that we have most to fear from.
Well done.
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2016
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A truly frightening story, but also one with a great moral, as you clearly pointed out.
Many times it's not the people we don't know, but the ones who may even call themselves friends, that we have most to fear from.
Well done.
Comment Written 07-Aug-2016
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2016
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Yes, abbasjoy, I love that twist I put on my story. As kids, adults told us to watch out for stranger danger, but the fact of the matter is that more children are victimized by people they know than by strangers. Sometimes it is the strangers, the Good Samaritans who come to our aid. Thank you for your generous, six star review. I deeply appreciate it.
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You are most welcome.
