Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Texas Bootstomp Boogie
    Texas Bootstomp Boogie
    Texas Bootstomp Boogie
    Ebook222 pages3 hours

    Texas Bootstomp Boogie

    By Lee Gabor

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    Brett Blue Blake learns the father he has known all his life is not his biological parent. Brett's biological father was John Blue, a guitarist in Texas. He was murdered when Brett was a newborn. Brett's mom returned with her infant son to her home in New York. When Brett's mother dies and he is left with only an aunt and uncles in New York, he decides to follow his dream of being a keyboardist in a band. Having met a pretty girl visiting New York from Texas, he believes the state where he was born is the best place to start his new career. He can both search for John Blue's family and also try to discover who murdered his dad. During his flight to the Lone Star State and once living in Texas, Brett writes songs for his band to perform as they travel around the state. Among the songs are "Texas Bootstomp Boogie" and "Two Guitars, an Old Piano, Hank and Elvis and Me."

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherLee Gabor
    Release dateFeb 8, 2013
    ISBN9781301412808
    Texas Bootstomp Boogie
    Author

    Lee Gabor

    I am first and foremost inquisitive, always wanting to know what goes on globally and locally and wanting to understand WHY! Being a newspaper reporter was the career with which I began. Then, as a pianist and vocalist, I spent a number of years entertaining throughout the U.S. I also owned a talent agency during that time. After those 25 years, my next career was in public education, which was something I never intended to do. Getting "drafted" into teaching and the time I spent as an Academic Coordinator were very interesting and I do so love the students and teachers, administrators, and staff members I met. I'm very proud of our students. After six years, I left teaching and moved near my son and his family. I became a Master Gardener and Master Composter, joined local organizations, and have been able to enjoy more time with my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. I am thrilled that my professional focus now is limited to writing. I will be publishing both fiction and non-fiction works and begin that in new venture in 2012.

    Read more from Lee Gabor

    Related to Texas Bootstomp Boogie

    Related ebooks

    Romance For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Choice

      Mar 10, 2024

      It was the whine of the mosquito that woke Ellen, but the slamming of the front door that made her get out of bed. Normally, the twenty-three-year-old would simply bat the pest away from her face, then dig herself under the covers so as to avoid gett

      9 min read

    • Article

      A Year in Reading: Scaachi Koul

      Dec 12, 2017

      Oh my god, would you believe that we didn’t die this year? I know that, technically, many people did die this year, but you reading this and me writing this — we did not die. It’s an achievement. You really did your best in the hellfire of 2017. Trea

      3 min read

    • Article

      A Hard Man To Forget

      Jan 8, 2024

      A Hard Man To Forget
      4 min read

    • Article

      Why I Feel Like An Expert In DEATH

      Jun 6, 2023

      At my mother’s interment, my brother gave a eulogy by the grave. ‘Mum and Dad bought this plot on my 24th birthday,’ he said. ‘But it only came with a 50-year lease. So if I manage to survive to the age of 74, I hope I have enough savings left to buy

      4 min read

    • Article

      The Eulogy

      Jul 13, 2022

      The Eulogy
      7 min read

    • Article

      Chuckles

      Dec 23, 2021

      Customer: Waiter, waiter! There’s a slug in my salad. Waiter: Oh, I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t know you were a vegetarian. Dan’s boss calls him into his office. “We both know you’re not the brightest spark here, Dan,” he says, “but over the past five yea

      4 min read

    • Article

      In My Prison, Summer is “Ticket Season”

      Aug 30, 2019

      There isn't much that we can do here in a Level 5 maximum-security prison—which is where they send us unmanageable inmates, to seclude us even further. So I write, read, watch TV and occasionally look out my window, watching the prisoners from the ot

      6 min read

    • Article

      Coma

      Aug 20, 2020

      Coma
      2 min read

    • Article

      Cricket League

      Jan 1, 2021

      “Psst, I need to talk to you.” My best friend, looking super excited, is pulling me toward the nearest classroom. It’s empty, and she shuts the door. “This is really big. I made a time machine, and it can take our brains back in time if you know how

      7 min read

    • Article

      The Madcap Kidnappers

      Mar 20, 2023

      The Madcap Kidnappers
      21 min read

    • Article

      The heartbeat OF PARIS

      Apr 24, 2024

      The heartbeat OF PARIS
      9 min read

    • Article

      Monster

      Dec 1, 2022

      Monster
      7 min read

    • Article

      Two Poems

      Mar 1, 2019

      It’s 1 AM on the east coast and midnight in Iowawhen the Russian lawyer with a house in Newarkand an office in the city sends me an e-mail:“Your writing is so emotional yet so detached.It’s wonderful.” I respond without delay:“Dear Oleg, I don’t know

      3 min read

    • Article

      Avuncular Irregularities

      Sep 1, 2019

      Avuncular Irregularities
      10 min read

    • Article

      Philip Roth

      Jun 4, 2018

      Philip Roth
      25 min read

    • Article

      The Power Of Love

      Jan 25, 2024

      The Power Of Love
      6 min read

    • Article

      The Power Of Love

      Jan 25, 2024

      The Power Of Love
      6 min read

    • Article

      The Kill Registry

      Dec 10, 2022

      My sister chose to use her bullet years ago and ever since she has badgered me to liberate my own from its chamber. Beth leveled her pistol at her husband five years into their marriage, and she has no regrets, which is one of the things I admire abo

      14 min read

    • Article

      TOUGH Love

      Jul 14, 2021

      TOUGH Love
      2 min read

    • Article

      How Long Does GRIEF LAST?

      Sep 23, 2021

      How Long Does GRIEF LAST?
      3 min read

    • Article

      Just Make Someone Feel Something: The Millions Interviews Bud Smith and Rae Buleri

      May 12, 2022

      "I come to fiction to suspend my disbelief. The book is a drug. I'm trying to take this drug. Get melted off this drug." The post Just Make Someone Feel Something: The Millions Interviews Bud Smith and Rae Buleri appeared first on The Millions.

      8 min read

    • Article

      Proverbs Of A Faceless Time

      Dec 1, 2023

      Proverbs Of A Faceless Time
      9 min read

    • Article

      From ATOPIA

      Jan 1, 2019

      See, the thing is poet, is that you’re failing.You’re failing at capitalism.You’re failing at “self-care.”You’re failing at feminism.You’re failing at activism.You’ve fallen deep into your addiction.Your despair spreads everywhere.None of this is you

      6 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Texas Bootstomp Boogie

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      Texas Bootstomp Boogie - Lee Gabor

      Texas Bootstomp Boogie

      By

      Leciana (Lee) Gabor

      Published by Leciana (Lee) Gabor and Aquarian Age Incorporated at Smashwords

      Copyright 2012 by Lee Gabor and Aquarian Age Incorporated

      Smashwords Edition, License Notes

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      Cover Layout by Leciana (Lee) Gabor

      Thank you for downloading my ebook. I hope you enjoy it as much as I savored writing it. Your comments are welcome. My goal is to provide you with an excellent reading experience. Your support and respect for this property is greatly appreciated.

      DISCLAIMER

      This ebook is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events, locales, or places is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author's imagination and are used fictitiously.

      To find out more about me and see other titles I've published, please visit http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/leegabor

      *****

      Table of Contents

      Dedication

      Chapter 1

      Chapter 2

      Chapter 3

      Chapter 4

      Chapter 5

      Chapter 6

      Chapter 7

      Chapter 8

      Chapter 9

      Chapter 10

      Chapter 11

      Chapter 12

      Chapter 13

      Chapter 14

      Chapter 15

      Chapter 16

      Chapter 17

      Chapter 18

      Please Review This Book

      How This Book Came About

      My Next Book

      About The Author

      Connect With Me Online

      Other Books by This Author

      *****

      Dedication

      This book is dedicated to the patrons of The Cellar Door Piano Bar 1979-1983 and other nightclubs in the Houston and Dallas Texas areas where customers listened to, danced to, and paid compliments to the song, Texas Bootstomp Boogie.

      *****

      Chapter 1

      Em, can I fix you anything else?

      No. Char. The soup is plenty. Leave the cooking alone and sit down, please. There's something I want to talk to you about.

      Okay. Charlotte Blake pulled out the wooden chair and sat down across from her sister.

      Emily asked, Are you going to tell Brett that Tom wasn't his real dad?

      Oh, Em, I'm so confused about this. I don't plan to tell him soon. He'll be so upset that we've lied to him all these years.

      Emily placed her soup spoon on the edge of the plate beneath the bowl and replied, Probably. But he has a right to know. Don't you think so?

      Yes, but I don't want to lose him.

      You won't, Char. I know you won't. He's a great young man and he loves you.

      Charlotte said, For all we know, he'll take off for Texas to try to figure out the murder and to find his father's family. I want him here.

      Manhattan's his home. He may travel to Texas, but he would be back. He would never leave you, Char. You must know that.

      An hour later and in downtown New York City, Brett Blue Blake jerked from his dark tresses the wireless telephone headset and rushed from his desk. He exited the large double doors and repeatedly punched the down button for the elevator. After adjusting the shoulders of his Armani suit, he picked off a tiny scrap of lint from the lapel and cast it to the floor.

      His manager opened one of the glass doors and yelled, Anything I can do for you?

      No. I'll call you as soon as I know what's happening.

      Okay, Brett. Hope it isn't serious.

      Yeah, thanks, Brett answered as the large stainless steel elevator doors opened.

      In the underground parking lot, the 28-year-old stockbroker climbed into the vintage Cadillac El Dorado his dad Tom left to him. The rumble of the huge V-8 motor filled the concrete area and in less than a minute, the convertible with its dark top up sped along wet Manhattan streets to the hospital.

      By time he parked, the rain was pouring. He didn't bother to reach into the backseat for the oversized black umbrella. As he rushed toward the front door of the massive building, his hair and skin glistened from the rain that bathed him.

      Once inside the glass doors, Brett shook himself, casting water onto the walls and tile floor. He was displeased with the puddle he left, but it wasn't as important as getting to his mother. He sped along the main hall to the bank of elevators and grimaced when he saw all the arrows pointing to the upper floors. He gauged it would take minutes for the old cubes to reach his level and be available to the waiting people.

      The tall and athletically-built man ran to the stairwell and skipped every other step to reach the 3rd floor as quickly as possible.

      Emily, his mother's older sister, arose from the chair as he entered the room. She thought how much he looked like the photos of his real dad, the murder victim Brett knew nothing about.

      What happened, Aunt Em?

      Emily Ralston replied, I was at Char's house and we were enjoying soup. All of a sudden her hand went to her chest and she collapsed.

      She fainted or what?

      Her breathing was shallow, very shallow. The ambulance got there fast and now we're here.

      What's all this equipment she's hooked up to for?

      I didn't want to tell you on the phone, sure didn't want you to have a wreck getting here.

      Tell me now, Em.

      Char had a massive heart attack.

      His eyebrows formed a deep V as he stared silently at the woman. Finally, he said, I don't understand. How could she? She exercised, ate well, went to her yoga class every week. She's too young and healthy to have a heart attack.

      Sometimes, Brett, it's just genetics.

      Neither spoke for a few minutes as both stared at the pale woman lying on the bed. Brett turned to his aunt and asked, Em, does that frighten you? The genetics thing, I mean.

      A little, but I just had a checkup a month ago and my doctor saw nothing. Your mother hadn't had a physical in years.

      She hated doctors and hospitals.

      I know, Brett. She had such a horrible time when Benjie was born and I guess the fear of pain just warped her rational thinking. I hope this isn't something a doctor could have predicted if she'd had an annual physical. She'll be quite angry with herself. Anything less than perfect upsets her.

      We sure know that, don't we? At least she's in a great hospital.

      Brett grimaced and briefly turned his back to the thin woman standing next to him. To take his mind off the frail and ashen look of his mother, he asked, Aunt Em, you still writing a bit?

      When Emily and Charlotte Ralston were born, they were named for the Brontë sisters and both dabbled in penning never-published poetry as well as gothic novellas.

      Emily replied, Some. I've been working a lot of overtime at the library and, if you're asking me about my writing, I can tell you're upset, even more than you want to let on.

      I'm okay. Was just thinking I haven't been in this place since Benjie died.

      You two were so close. I'm sure you still miss him.

      Very much.

      Brett, do you ever see the guys in the car with him? I heard the driver of the pickup truck is out of jail now.

      Mom told me. How does ten years in jail pay for my brother's life and the injuries to the others. Matt's imprisoned in that wheelchair, although he does get around well. And he plays in some of the wheelchair basketball games. But, still, his life has totally changed.

      Emily placed her hand on his arm and replied Nothing could balance the books on what happened. And you not being there with Benjie changed your life so dramatically.

      Yes it did. I would have been there except for working overtime at the deli. I guess I've never forgiven myself. For a little extra money, I gave up being with my brother when he needed me most.

      Brett, you can't think like that. If you'd been in the car, Charlotte might have lost both her sons and I don't think she could have handled that. Emily smiled and said, I still remember you and Benjie in the garage with your band, you on keyboards and him playing the drums. He had that dramatic flair every time he lifted the sticks.

      Brett chuckled. He would have been great in any band.

      And you, young man, you would be, too. I've never seen anybody play classical music and then transition quickly to rock to play it with a classical sound.

      We had fun with that.

      The two heard a groan and rushed to the side of the bed where the petite Charlotte Blue Ralston Blake breathed in a labored manner. She slowly opened her eyes and looked at each. Her smile was faint and her hand barely moved, but she was able to press her palm against her son's long and thin fingers.

      A second later, the sister and son heard the single tone of a flat-line. For seconds they were frozen in place. Before either could run into the hall, a nurse rushed into the room and behind her two more nurses entered pushing a cart.

      Out, you two, now! the first nurse ordered.

      Brett and his aunt backed up.

      Out of the room!

      They both scampered into the hall just seconds before the doctor blustered through the open doorway.

      Brett and his Aunt Em heard the word clear followed by a buzzing sound. The activity was repeated twice and then there was silence.

      Brett moved toward the door while his aunt stood in the hall dabbing her eyes with a lace-bordered handkerchief.

      The short Japanese man, still wearing greens from his hurried run out of the operating room, exited the door and walked to him, I'm sorry, Mr. Blake. Her heart just gave out. There was really nothing we could do. We weren't able to keep her alive long enough to even start a search for a replacement organ.

      Brett could hear his aunt weeping in the background. In shock, he stared at the doctor for a moment and then brushed past him to return to his mother's bedside. The nurse was about to pull the sheet over the patient's face and, instead, stopped. Her hand in mid-air, she lowered it to gently lay the sheet down on the lifeless body to reveal only the head. Staring at Brett, the nurse backed away from the bed.

      Brett took his mother's soft hand and stared at her. He didn't cry. He had learned years ago that tears couldn't make anything better. He simply stared and then leaned over to kiss his mother's cheek.

      A moment later, his aunt joined him. She wept uncontrollably.

      Aunt Em, let's get you out of here, Brett ordered as he put his arm around the woman's shoulder and pulled her to him. He nodded at the nurse and then led his relative from the room.

      I'm taking you downstairs for coffee.

      Emily didn't say a word. She simply walked beside him toward the bank of elevators. Occasionally, she became conscious of the heels of her shoes tapping against the tile floor.

      Half an hour later, after refilling his aunt's coffee cup twice, he announced, There'll be a lot of arrangements to make. I'll take care of everything.

      Oh, dear Brett, I know I should help, but she was my only sister. I don't think I can do much.

      At least you've got two brothers and they both live in the city. You won't be alone.

      I know, but they never had your mother's spirit. She was a lively one. I'll have to tell you sometime.

      Mom was lively? What does lively mean? I've known her as composed and sophisticated.

      Emily laughed. Oh no, well of course she was after Benjie was born. You were two years old then so you wouldn't remember her before that. She had a wild streak and always told me her grandiose plans. I kept her secrets and she gave me enormous joy, almost like watching a television show.

      Mom had secrets?

      Yes. I guess it's about time you should know a few things, but we'll get to that after the...

      Emily couldn't bring herself to say the word funeral. She simply pushed the coffee cup away and laid her head on her arms and wept.

      Brett lets her cry a moment and then asked, Did you drive here?

      She raised her head to answer, No, I came in the ambulance. My car is at Char's. The minute she said her younger sister's name, she began to weep again.

      Then I'll drive you there, Aunt Em. In fact, I can drive you home if you want me to.

      No, I want to go to Char's.

      Moments later they slowly walked across the parking lot in front of the hospital. The rain had stopped and now only a mist blanketed the city.

      As soon as Emily spied the Cadillac she laughed and said, Brett, you still drive that elephant?

      It was Dad's. He left it to me in his will. I've never had the heart to get rid of it.

      They walked toward the vehicle, but hesitated at the passenger door.

      She said, I remember him leaving it for you and I remember the note also.

      Yes. It was strange. I didn't understand what it meant. Still don't.

      Brett, do you remember what it said?

      Not word for word, but the gist was that a day might come when I wanted to know the truth and only if I had the courage to handle it would I be free to let the car go.

      Sounds almost like he tied you to it.

      I've thought that.

      His way of imprisoning you.

      Imprisoning me?

      Making sure you knew you were his son.

      So, Aunt Em, sounds like you know something I don't know. I've always thought the note hinted at a mystery.

      After the.... uh, service, we'll talk.

      And you'll tell me only what you want me to know?

      No, Brett, I'll tell you everything. You're 28 now; your mom and dad are gone. Benjie too. You'll get the whole story from me, every fact I have.

      Okay. I'll hold you to it.

      Without speaking another word, Brett drove his aunt to the four-bedroom ranch style house in the suburb. As he pulled to the curb in front, Emily asked, Do you mind if I go inside for a bit? I mean the house is yours now. And, I have a key. Do you want it?

      Of course I don't mind. I'll go with you, if you need me to. And, stay as long as you want to. And, no, I don't want your key. I have one of my own. You keep yours.

      "You can come in if you want to, but I'll be fine alone.

      You sure you'll be okay?

      Yes, I'm sure.

      Then I'll go on over to the church, get started on arrangements.

      Okay, honey. Are you okay?

      Yes. I'm more worried about you.

      Emily stated, I'll call Henry and Jerry. They need to know right away.

      Brett realized he hadn't called his fiancée with the news and informed, I'd better call Caroline.

      You haven't mentioned her all day and you two haven't set a date yet for the wedding have you?

      No.

      Who is hesitating? You or her?

      Me. I don't know why. Something's been holding me back." He didn't admit he met a young woman visiting New York City and his heart and mind were drawn to her.

      Hmmm. I always believe things work out for the best. Maybe your hesitation has been for good reason.

      Let's not talk about that now, Aunt Em. You go on in the house and I'll call you in a couple of hours.

      Char was so particular. I'm sure she wrote very specific instructions about her ...service.

      "She did. I laughed a few months ago when she gave me the envelope. I didn't open it to read anything. I just placed the envelope in my safe

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1