After the Rain is a story about a young man's problematic life; his struggles, his demeanor and survival. When it rains it pours. At the age of nineteen, Thaner Morays was convicted of a crime he did not commit. He was sent to prison for fifty years. He became bitter against society; mostly against himself. He later met people who cared, and helped him to believe in himself.
AFTER THE RAIN
By Luis MarteneAuthorHouse
Copyright © 2009 Luis Martene
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4389-5801-9Contents
Preface...........................................................xiChapter 1 Thaner's Woes...........................................1Chapter 2 Fedora Ann Morays.......................................5Chapter 3 Thaner and Lamar Confrontation..........................9Chapter 4 Ben's Supermarket.......................................13Chapter 5 Thaner's Best Girl......................................19Chapter 6 The Arrest..............................................25Chapter 7 Senter City Lockup......................................33Chapter 8 Fedora Distressing News.................................39Chapter 9 Fedora Visit Her Son....................................43Chapter 10 Senior Dance, Class Of 2011............................51Chapter 11 Pastor Jenkanis Assist Mrs. Morays.....................57Chapter 12 Lucea And Fedora Visit Thaner..........................61Chapter 13 The Mysterious Stranger................................71Chapter 14 Graduation Day.........................................75Chapter 15 Thaner is Devastated...................................87Chapter 16 Thaner's Court Appearance..............................93Chapter 17 The Verdict............................................97Chapter 18 Sentencing Day.........................................101Chapter 19 Thaner's Ordeal in Prison..............................105Chapter 20 Thaner Meets Tobey.....................................111Chapter 21 Thaner Cross Path with the Past........................119Chapter 22 Dinner with the Silkens................................125Chapter 23 Thaner's Job is Terminated.............................131Chapter 24 Near Fatal Accident....................................139Chapter 25 Thaner Meets his Nemesis...............................147Chapter 26 Tobey's Obsession......................................153Chapter 27 Thaner is Threatened...................................161Chapter 28 Lamar is Propositioned.................................167Chapter 29 Thaner Meets Natashe...................................171Chapter 30 Tobey Follows Ophana...................................179Chapter 31 Thaner and Natashe have a Nightcap.....................187Chapter 32 Lamar Gets a Lawyer....................................197Chapter 33 Thaner's Good Fortunate................................201Chapter 34 Lamar and his Attorney Disagree........................213Chapter 35 Natashe is Harrassed...................................217Chapter 36 Thaner Angers Sal......................................223Chapter 37 Thaner Invest in P.U.T.S...............................229Chapter 38 Thaner went Snooping...................................237Chapter 39 Legna Meets Sampsun....................................243Chapter 40 Thaner is Warned.......................................247Chapter 41 Graduation Party Preparation...........................251Chapter 42 Sampsun takes Legna's Advice...........................267Chapter 43 Graduation Party Tragedy...............................275Chapter 44 Bennie Tells Sal What he saw...........................283Chapter 45 The Raid on P.U.T.S....................................289Chapter 46 Thaner is Followed.....................................297
Chapter One
Thaner's Woes
Saturday, March 04, 2023 8:00AM
The alarm clock at Thaner's bedside woke him up from a restful sleep. He rubbed his eyes, stretched, and turned the alarm off, wondering, what's next.
"My name is Thaner Morays. I was born in Sheppardsville, thirty years ago. My life has been one rollercoaster after another. I had been employed as an auto mechanic at Freddie's Auto Mechanic Repair Shop. Today is my day off. It was tough for a while trying to find work, especially for a convicted felon. When not working, I begged for money and food to survive. My woes began on that bleak rainy Saturday morning, April 09, 2011. That rainy day, is one day, I'll never forget. When it rains it pours."
Saturday morning, April 09, 2011, the clouds were very dark and gloomy, as if the end of the world was near, the ambiance of doomsday. It had been raining heavy every day this past week, and it is predicted to get worse. Thunder rumbles, rolling across the darkened sky leaving lightning strikes in its path. Tornado warnings were announced all day. One touched down twenty-five miles south of the city, leaving destruction and death in its path. A dog hustled across the street to avoid being hit by a speeding car or drowned by rushing water.
Homeless people lingered inside doorways wishing they had a place to stay, a hot meal or a cot to lay their tired bodies to rest. Others were rushing about with umbrellas opened, clutching them tightly trying not to get wet. The city needed this long awaited rain. The ground was so dry it started to crack from the heat. In this city, on this day, several groups of people are unaware of what is in store for them; an incident that would trigger a phenomenon that would change their lives forever.
Standing at the window of his home, Thaner Morays looked out at the rain as it came down in sheets. Trees were swaying, as the wind blew through their branches. It had been raining steady for several hours. The streets are flooding, causing motorists to drive slowly to avoid stalling their cars. He saw his neighbors across the street having a good time. They seemed to be ignoring the happenings around them. Some of them are dancing; others are staring out the window, pointing at the street, as the water flowed by. These homes are located in one of the world's blighted cites and in one of the world's poorest neighborhood. Thaner smiles and raised his fist in delight. He is excited to see people having fun again. They seem to be, not worrying about the uncontrollable events that may destroy the inhabitants, and other creatures on earth.
Thaner walked to the front door, opens it and stepped out onto the porch. The wind is blowing rain in every direction. As he walked across the porch, a light mist blew into his face, it felt cool and refreshing. He pulled one of the chairs that's on the porch closer to him, and sat down. He looked up far beyond the dark clouds; and saw a large shining star encircled by a colorful rainbow.
With his eyes focused on that star, his mind wanders with thoughts of being somebody someday. He whispers, "Lord, will we ever be accepted in this cold and heartless society? I know you speak of peace, but no one listens. My brothers and sisters listen to the words of others. They learn how to hate and accept greed and violence as a way of life. What manner of love is this? How long will the earth tremble beneath our feet from bigotry, and killings. How long will illegal drug trafficking plague our neighborhoods? How long will drugs continue to weaken our minds, and waste away our young? How long will world population have to suffer for those who have a passion for power, and greed? How long Lord, how long?"
He stood up and walked toward the edge of the porch, his clothes are damp from misting rain. He looked across the street, and again up toward the heavens. With tears of sorrow in his eyes he whispers softly, "We should hide our faces in shame, and think of what we have done to each other ... mentally, morally and physically."
His thoughts are interrupted by his mother's voice, calling him. He turns, and dashes for the front door. He stepped through the portal and closed the door behind him.
Chapter Two
Fedora Ann Morays
Thaner's mother sat at the kitchen table; counting money she earned working as a domestic. Fedora would leave home at seven am and return at seven pm. She is very tired from the long twelve-hour day. Her petite body is so weary, from the days she has worked. When she gets home, she had no control over her emotions and falls asleep.
Fedora Ann Morays was born July 18, 1954. She has grey hair peppered with strands of black hairs, rolled in a French twist. She is five feet six inches tall. She is a calm natured person her love for people, make her unique. Her complexion is brownish in color, and very smooth. Her cheek bones are the features of the Mohawk Indians. She worked very hard the years that she could remember; now she is trying very hard to save enough money to help with Thaner's graduation needs. She knew it would be difficult for him to attend college without assistance; but with him working part time and her support, he will make it.
Her face show signs of aging, from stress and loneliness. There were many sleepless nights worrying about her son's career. After all, he is nineteen years old, and her only living relative. He is employed part time at the local drug store after school and full time on weekends as a stock clerk. He also makes deliveries to the shut-ins and the disabled. He had to find employment to assist his mother with the household expenses.
She closed her eyes for a moment, her mind drifted with thoughts of her husband. She thought of what a good provider he had been ... sometimes. He and Thaner were not very close, they were always at odds.
She married Cidrick when Thaner was four years old. He was a year old when his father was killed in a senseless war that made no sense. Ever since that day, their lives were always full of disappointed moments.
Cidrick was six feet tall. He had a head of wavy white hair, peppered with strands of straight black hairs. He was a dock worker at Sheppardsville's ship yard. He was a member of the Merchant Marines Dockers Association. When he had a job, he had a good one. He was murdered six years ago, his life snuffed out by a single bullet to the chest. As the story went, two males approached him and demanded money. When he refused, one of them struck him across his face with his gun, and the other fired one shot into his chest. His assailants fled, leaving him lying in the street, his blood flowing in the street where he had counseled the young. It took the paramedics forever to arrive. When they examined him, they pronounced him dead at the scene. To this date, the person who murdered her husband was never caught. She thought of how people perceived that there are scientific experiments, to genocide people of color. Why should there be experiments? Young people have been doing a good job of destroying themselves for years.
As Thaner approached the kitchen, he called to his mother. Her thoughts faded as she turned toward the doorway. He looked at her, noticing she had been crying. "Have you been crying again, mama? What's the matter?"
She wiped her eyes with her hands looked at her son as he came in the kitchen; she smiled and beckoned him to come to her. He walked to where she stood and she embraced him. "Why are you so wet, son?"
"I was outside on the porch, watching the rain."
They stood there for a moment; he asked her again what is wrong.
"Everything is fine son. It's going to be all right. I was thinking of your father. I love you very much don't you ever forget it!"
She handed him a list of items she needed from the store. "I want you to go to the store get these items. Take your time. You don't have to hurry back. I'm going to take a nap. I'll start supper when you get back. And change those clothes son before you catch a cold."
He kissed his mother before he left; he told her he would return as soon as he could. When he left the kitchen, she went upstairs to her bedroom.
Chapter Three
Thaner and Lamar Confrontation
Thaner opened the front door to see if the rain had stopped, it had slowed down to a drizzle. He closed the door and went to his room to change clothes.
After waiting fifteen minutes for the rain to stop, he decided to leave. He reached for his umbrella in the rack and stepped out on the front porch. He stood there for a few minutes; he looked up and down the street it was deserted, as always when it rains. He walked to the edge of the porch, opened his umbrella and stepped down.
He started walking unimpeded toward the grocery store. The water in the street had receded, leaving small muddy puddles. He had to step around them to avoid getting his feet wet. Before he reached the corner the rain had stopped. He closed his umbrella and held it in his hand. The ground was very hot before it rained, when the rain stopped, the ground dried rapidly. After it rains, everything smells fresh and clean. Everybody comes out to play; young and old doing their thing.
As he approached the middle of the next block, he noticed a group of people in a circle. They were arguing and cussing very loud, disturbing people as they passed by. When he came abreast of the circle, he saw them engaged in an argumentative dice game. One of them stood up. It is Lamar Musfer, cursing one of his friends.
He and Thaner went to the same high school. Lamar came to school when he felt like it. He was always tardy. He dropped out of school in the tenth grade because of poor attendance, and low-grade average. He would always beat up on the school kids for their lunch money or anything that he would concoct. He was categorized as the school's bully. He never was up to par with his class subjects, but, he was hell of a football player. He played line backer for Sheppardsville High's football team. He is 6 feet 5 inches tall, weighs 235 lbs; very strong and fast, to be so big. His hair is jet black he wears it in braids. His schoolmates loved him for what he did on the football field, but loathed his personality.
Lamar glanced in Thaner's direction, and with that deep baritone voice of his, he yelled. "Yo, Tha, git over here I want to talk to you.
"What the hell do you want, Lam?"
He shouted, "To whip your ass if you don't give me ten dollars!"
Thaner shuddered from the thought of what Lamar had done to others who didn't do as he asked.
"Where in the hell am I going to get ten dollars ... I don't have any money asshole. Go back to what you were doing and get the hell off my back!"
That remark enraged Lamar it made him a wild man. He lunged at Thaner, grabbed him by the neck and punched him in the face. The blow was powerful enough to knock him down. A small gash opened up across his nose it began to bleed. Blood flowed down to his lips, and chin. He took a handkerchief from his pocket and put pressure on the cut to stop the bleeding.
"Maybe next time I ask you for something you won't be so fucking smart. Git the fuck up before I step on your ass."
Thaner was hurting as he started to get up, he was angry and frightened. He came up swinging stabbing his umbrella blindly into thin air. Lamar jumps back to avoid being hit. He grabs the umbrella and threw it on the ground. They begin to scuffle; he knocked Thaner down again. Thaner is no match for Lamar. He is the strongest of two. He held him down and started going through his pockets. Carl, one of Lamar's friends, came to Thaner's defense.
"Leave him alone, Lam. Git your ass back here and finish this damn game! It's your turn, sucker! Why is it every time it's your turn, you have to fuck things up? Come on man, let's finish this game. Leave him alone."
Lamar flashed his middle finger at Caul and said, "Fuck you. I was only having fun with the little punk."
He picked up the dice and tossed them vigorously on a cardboard padding, out of play. They rolled across the board into a puddle of water.
Chapter Four
Ben's Supermarket
Thaner got up slowly, brushed himself off and staggered to the grocery store. He is so angry; all he could think about is revenge. "One of these days man I'll be in charge, and in control. That's the day I'll make sure he won't mess with anybody else."
His face felt stiff, he touched it, it is sore and it ached. He knew his face had begun to swell, it hurt something awful.
Thaner is the editor of his school tabloid. He is a well-mannered person, an ideal student who loves everybody. He is very astute in everything he did. When he walked, they called him Dan the Man, the manners of Dan Doppler, the newspaperman. He has the looks and gait of a professional model. The girls thought he is the greatest and the boys labeled him a nerd.
By the time he reached the store the weather had cleared everything started to dry out. It was hot and miserable. Steam rose from the wet ground, circling through the air. The heat is drying the streets and the surroundings rapidly.
He is tired and dirty. He is sweating profusely. When he stepped into the store, he looked as if he had been plowing fields all day. The store is practically empty. Beside two other people, he and Ben Fostear (store owner) is the only people in the store.
"Where are your customers, Mister Fostear? Today is always you're busiest day."
"The rain kept them away, Tha. Every time it rains it's this way. I guess people don't eat when it rains."
"I guest not. The weather report said it's going to get worse. I don't like this raining all the time. It floods a lot, and it keeps people inside.
"Mister Fostear, if that happens, you probably won't have anyone in the store for a long time."
Ben agreed with Thaner as he moved closer to him. He looked at Thaner, and stepped stuttered, he almost fell. He is shocked to see him bruised and bleeding.
"What in God's name happened to you, son? You look like a Mac Truck slammed into you."
Thaner is still groggy from the beating. The long walk to the store didn't help his condition either.
"No, Mister Fostear, I was not hit by a truck. I had an altercation with Lamar."
Thaner is very nervous. He turned sharply and stumbles into a display of canned green peas. It started a domino effect on other displays. This made Ben Fostear very angry. When Thaner saw the expression on Ben's face, he apologized; he started picking up cans, and other items that had fallen. His work experience in a grocery store is nil. He did his best to place things as they were, but is unsuccessful. When Ben saw him struggling trying to correct his mistake, and getting nowhere ... he stopped him.
"That's all right son, leave them, you look tired. I know you want to do what's right, Tha, but it's impossible if you don't have the experience. I'll get a stock person to take care of it in the morning."
"Thanks, Mister Fostear, for being considerate. I am tired."
"That's all right Tha, I know you meant well, I understand. Now what can I do for you today?"
He handed Ben the grocery list. After it was filled, he paid Ben; he left the store carrying a small bag of groceries. Thaner's face began to hurt more. It puffed up more. It did not hurt as much as his feelings for making Ben Fostear angry.
"Mister Fostear is a good person. He helps anyone that is in need. God is going to bless him someday. He will get his just reward."
Ben closed the door locked it behind Thane. He turned looked at the mess, and put his hands on his head. "Man, what a mess. That's a lot of work to get things back in order."
Ben Fostear is 52 years old. His mingled gray hair is combed neat, and parted to the side. He is stocky and very strong for his age. He has the body of a pro wrestler and is a neat dresser. He is a good person; a friend to everyone. Ben is very tired from the day's activity. He took a paper towel from a roll to wipe the sweat off his brow. He walked to one of the cashier's chairs, and sat down. He looked around the store; he thought about when he came to Sheppardsville. It was sad to see the people here were inaccessible to supermarkets. The nearest supermarket was twenty-five miles away, in Senter City. Most of them had no transportation. Their only means was to ride with someone or take the local bus. This made grocery shopping difficult for the elderly.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from AFTER THE RAINby Luis Martene Copyright © 2009 by Luis Martene. Excerpted by permission.
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