Roy L. Pickering Jr.'s Blog, page 31

Short Story Sunday VIII

In the wake of recent events such as the group of African American children who were treated in a reprehensible manner at a Pennsylvania pool club; the accusation of racial profiling in the incident involving a lauded college professor and the Cambridge police department; and discussions that came about as result of the sudden death of Michael Jackson and the question of who would raise his children; it seems fitting to post one of my short stories that addresses the subject of racial identity f

President Obama On Message

I don't have much to say about our President's speech before members of the NAACP. My commentary is unnecessary since he speaks exceptionally well for himself, and for his people. It's wonderful to hear a POTUS echoing so many of the sentiments that I conveyed in my novel Patches of Grey. By his words it is clear that he truly understands the issues that plague our inner cities, probably the first US President that this could be legitimately said about. Hopefully he will follow up his eloquent w

Short Story Sunday VII

IN MEMORY OF THE RECENTLY DEPARTED ALEXIS ARGUELLO AND ARTURO GATTI. HOPEFULLY IN THE AFTERLIFE THEY GET TO FLOAT LIKE BUTTERFLIES WITHOUT NEEDING TO STING LIKE BEES.





The Prizefighter

By Roy L. Pickering Jr.
Copyright by Roy L. Pickering Jr.




Looking at him up close and personal for the first time, practically stubble to stubble with our most intimidating scowls presented as greeting, my strongest impression is that he's just a kid. A kid who is packed solid with muscle, no doubt about that, and with

Michael Jackson Memorial Service

Following is a series of thoughts that I had while watching the Michael Jackson memorial service online, expressed via comments of 140 characters or less on Twitter.


Hopefully Michael Jackson will be the final black person buried in this country who spent most of his days wishing he was white.

One can at least hope. By far this was the saddest part of his legacy. Fame & fortune & adulation were no match for MJ's racial insecurity

MJ's racial insecurity may have led directly to his death since addi

Short Story Sunday VI

Wade carried on a silent exchange with the boy. His eyes stated - I did this for you, son. Jeremiah's unblinkingly responded - Thanks, Dad.

THE SCORE

BY ROY L. PICKERING JR.
Copyright by Roy L. Pickering Jr.




Wade observed with indifference each feature of his old neighborhood that had changed, noticed without a trace of nostalgia that which remained the same. He walked with a slight limp on his left side, chewed a piece of gum exclusively in the right half of his mouth. Periodically he re-tucked hi

Interview with Urban Reviews

Urban Reviews: Tell our readers about Patches of Grey.Roy L. Pickering, Jr.: Patches of Grey tells the story of a struggling African-American family. It is set in the Bronx, NY in a time not too long ago, but pre-dating the "rise of Obama". Its narrative focus alternates among members of the Johnson family with primary focus on the eldest child Tony, a high school senior embarking on the first great love affair of his life. Tony has a contentious relationship with his father in part because the

Short Story Sunday - Part V

It so happens that one of my short stories shares its title with a hit Michael Jackson song, making it a most appropriate selection for this week's installment of Short Story Sunday.



SMOOTH CRIMINAL
BY ROY L. PICKERING JR.
Copyright by Roy L. Pickering Jr.


A.J. stepped out of the biting cold and into the brownstone where he resided with his wife Nicki. He inspected the flowers he bought on his way home from work to make sure they had all survived the trip. As he climbed the stairs towards his secon

One Glove-One Love: Michael Jackson tribute

This flood of tender memories set forth by the sudden passing of Michael Jackson has taken me somewhat by surprise, setting my fingertips twittering away. Many things have been said about him by many people, but no truer words have been stated on the subject of the king of pop than these. He was like no one the world had ever seen before him. Below is a running commentary taken mostly from my statements on Twitter over the past couple days about a most amazing performer and fascinating individua

Short Story Sunday IV

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

"My father, despite his many failings, was a man of his word."


Fish Dinner

Short Story by Roy L. Pickering Jr.
Copyright by Roy L. Pickering Jr.



My wife beams with pride over her creation. Computer technology proved far more fascinating during her formative years than emulating Betty Crocker. Yet every so often Grace will don an apron, crack open a recipe book, and take to the kitchen.

Laid out on our dining table is a feast to behold. The main dish of this unexpected banquet is a g

Short Story Sunday - Part III

When one's heart is irreparably broken, sometimes the mind does not lag very far behind.



The Falling Rain

By Roy L. Pickering Jr.
Copyright held by Roy L. Pickering Jr.




The rain started on the day of Billy's funeral. It was neither a drizzle nor a downpour, but instead fell at the intermediate tempo of a long distance runner with half the race behind him, the tough part still to be run. The drops appeared fat, as if pregnant with future torrents. Perhaps they each held grandiose dreams for their fut