PRG 5 star review - Sequin Boy And Cindy

Hi everyone, I'm thrilled I just received a five star review from The Paranormal Romance Group for Sequin Boy and Cindy. Please take a look at
 http://www.paranormalromanceguild.com/reviewsarthurlevine.htm

Regards,
Arthur

An Enchanting Fable

Hi everyone, one o m favorite reviews of  Sequin Boy and Cindy
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085M3BZ6.

5.0 out of 5 stars An Enchanting Modern-Day Fable September 1, 2012
By Susan J. McLeod
Format:Kindle Edition

Sequin Boy and Cindy is a very unique novel. I've never read anything like it. I appreciate that people want to have comparisons in order to decide if they'd like a book or not. Well, I'm afraid I can't come up with any in the literary world. But this story reminded me very much of Forrest Gump.

The narrator is a half-Lakota Native American named Billy. He often refers to himself as "just a big dumb Indian" and his wife, Cindy, affectionately calls him "a big dummy." He comes from an abusive home and has no money, no self-confidence, and no hope for the future. That changes when he meets Cindy. She has also been abused and feels like a social misfit. It's love at first sight. They join the army to be together and earn a college education, but become two of war's grim statistics. Billy loses part of one leg, and Cindy her hand. What they find, however, are many wonderful people to help them.

These characters are endearingly human but larger than life. The contrast between reality's horrors and the child-like wonder that Billy and Cindy can still feel is extremely moving. I admire the way that the author packs what seems to be a straight-forward narrative with so much emotional dynamite. Through the eyes of this couple, we see not only their lives but the world at large. Social issues such as war, violence, poverty and religion are examined. Hopefully, lessons are learned.

Most of all, though, this novel is a celebration of the human spirit: its incredible ability to overcome hardship, to imagine, to love, to persevere and to inspire.

Now run, run, and pick up a copy!

Regards,
Arthur

Excerpt sequin Boy And Cindy - I Really Like This Girl

 

For days the two of us stare across the platform at each other, I always make sure to get to my train platform at the same time every day so I can see her. I don’t know what I will do if one day she isn’t there.

Finally, I get my courage up, climb up the stairs and cross down to her side of the platform. “Hello,” I barely whisper with my eyes on the ground.

I mumble in a quiet voice unused to speaking to other people about anything except yes or no or chicken and garlic sauce at the Chinese take out place, “I’m so lonely. I saw you looking at me. Can I ride with you?”

I get a real shock when Cindy gently takes my hand and simultaneously pulls my hoody back,

She hesitates and says, “Yes.” She is thinking what am I doing with this boy. He look so strange with sequins on his face, yet he looks so sad and lonely and under everything really handsome. Dare I talk to him? How can I let him ride with me on the train? Is it safe? Something makes me want to get to know the real person under those horrid shiny metal sequins.

For some reason I guess she feels drawn to me, makes me feel good.

I hold her hand all the way out to her train stop, I can feel her pulse beat. Her hand is so soft. We don’t talk until the train pulls up at her station except to mention our names.

I say, “My name is Billy what’s your name? Can we go for coffee?”

Cindy nods her head yes, smiles shyly at me and says, “Yes, my name is Cindy.”

I didn’t realize how pretty she is. She guides me across the street to a local coffee shop, and for the first time in years I speak about my life and myself. Words and emotions came pouring out of me about my loneliness, and my drunken stepfather, who used to beat me. I can’t stop. I cry. I feel so foolish, but I think Cindy doesn’t mind. Somehow I think she understands what real loneliness is. Somehow I think she instinctively knows my heart. I can’t believe how fast everything is happening. I have real feelings for this girl. I just wish she talked more. She says so little. I wonder what she is holding back.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085M3BZ6 

A Moving, Ambitious Tour de Force

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Moving, Ambitious Tour de Force August 3, 2012

By Peter M. Leschner

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Sequin Boy and Cindy is an ambitious, sweeping tour de force by Arthur Levine, which examines the "circle of life". It is a touching story revolving around Billy and Cindy, penniless, lost souls who meet while young and naïve, fall in love, overcome adversity, have a family, find success and live the American dream, ultimately giving back to others less fortunate. While describing their journey, the author tackles (often with a dose of humor) subjects ranging from support for returning war veterans, living and dealing with disfiguring war injuries, politics, street gangs, education, the power of the media, raising children, balancing work and family to most importantly, true love, which holds the two together through all their difficulties, defeats and triumphs, even in the face of death. Like life itself, the story quickly moves from one chapter to another painting a rich picture of life's challenges and rewards in the process. Sequin Boy and Cindy is an interesting, provocative and moving read, which I highly recommend. Congratulations Arthur. Great job!

 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085M3BZ6

A Love Story For The Ages

 

Sequin Boy And Cindy – A love story for the ages. Being wounded in war can’t stop our lovebirds from forming a successful union and civilian life.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085M3BZ6

Last Day Free For Johnny Oops

Hi everyone, today is the last day to download Johnny Oops Free at
http://www.amazon.com/Johnny-Oops-ebook/dp/B0041KL52M/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

Johnny Oops Free on Kindle

Hi everyone, Johnny Oops is free on Amazon Kindle today and tomorrow. Go pick up your free copy.
http://www.amazon.com/Johnny-Oops-ebook/dp/B0041KL52M/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

Two different Paranormal Love Stories

Hi everyone,

Johnny Oops and Sequin Boy And Cindy are two very different kinds of paranormal love stories, both with their own unique reality scenario, or spirit world element. Johnny Oops is now part of the KDP program and free to borrow for prime members. It will be free for everyone on the nineteenth and twentieth of September. Don’t miss the opportunity to pick up it’s alter equal Sequin Boy And Cindy to fulfill your desire for action packed non stop adventure and a love story for the ages.

http://www.amazon.com/Johnny-Oops-ebook/dp/B0041KL52M/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

Regards,

Arthur Levine

A TV Wedding

 

The TV interviewer welcomes Cindy and I and says, “The whole Nation is rooting for you. How do you feel about your Army experience?”

I say, “The Army did a lot for us. They took care of us when we were wounded. Gave us a generous disability pension, and are paying for our college tuition, but they never should have separated us. This wouldn’t have happened.”

Cindy starts to cry on live TV and whimpers, “We needed to be together. They promised us.”

The TV Commentator decides crying wouldn’t wash on his program and turning to us with a big smile on his face asks, “So what do you kids plan to do now?” he has to repeat the question because I’m concentrating on calming Cindy down. Finally on his second try he gets me to answer.

I say,  “We want to get married, go to college, and have a family as soon as we can afford a wedding. We want to get good jobs and have a real future so we can raise our kids the way we never were.”

The senior producer on the show runs onto the stage and promises that the station will make us a beautiful wedding free of charge and pay for the honeymoon. He is wearing a green v-neck sweater over a shirt with a torn collar and a pair of dungarees. I guess he wasn’t planning on being on camera. Cindy starts to cry again. I turn to comfort her and I start to cry. Then the producer starts to cry. By the time the interview is over every one in the TV Station and I guess the audience is crying.http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085M3BZ6
 

Love Story For The Ages

 

Sequin Boy And Cindy is a love story for the ages. Being wounded in war can’t stop our lovebirds Billy and Cindy from forming a successful union in civilian life.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085M3BZ6

Excerpt from Johnny Oops - It's A Puzzle

As I grow older I find I know less about a lot of things, or am I just growing wiser? I have more questions than answers and spend more of my time puzzling over what I thought I already knew. I asked Professor Armstrong about the seeming contradiction in this.

He said, “Life is a puzzle. The older you get, the more pieces seem to be missing and they’re really not. We just have to find a different way to look for them. We have to gain a new perspective in order to search them out.”

I think that’s beautiful, marvelous and unbelievably revealing. That’s what I’m trying to do, find a new perspective. I wonder if I ever will. When will I find redemption for my sins and a new beginning? How am I going to fulfill my Promise if I don’t have the proper outlook? I think I’ll have to develop a new dynamic for myself, a new reality, a new dimension to my inner being.

Do you hear me God? , Do you hear me Game Master?
http://www.amazon.com/Johnny-Oops-ebook/dp/B0041KL52M/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

An Urban Love Story

5.0 out of 5 stars An urban love story with a spiritual twist..., August 15, 2012

By

Tim Greaton "Tim Greaton" (Maine) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Sequin Boy and Cindy (Kindle Edition)

Arthur Levine is an author who savors the exploration of relationships and spirituality, and his fiction displays always come with fascinating results.

"Sequin Boy and Cindy" is at its core a love story between Billy Wolk and Cindy. They meet in New York as young adults, both on the verge of financial destitution, but as most young couples do, they place the priority on their relationship and somehow manage to make a go of things for a while. Unfortunately, life and New York's high cost of living finally force them both to take the drastic measure of joining the military. The young couple went to war.

Now I could talk about the tongue-in-cheek way that the author carries us through a lifetime of challenges which include debilitating war injuries, charitable causes, civic duty and so much more, but I think the important thing to say is that through the prism of lives built on love, dreams and faith in each other, these two amazing characters teach us how to journey to our passions while also remembering to love and care for the important people around us at the same time.

I urge everyone to spend time with "Sequin Boy and Cindy" if only to see how brilliantly Arthur Levine manages to weave Native American spiritual beliefs throughout this ever-evolving love story.

 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085M3BZ

Recovering

Excerpt from Johnny Oops.

I’m not going to bore you with all the gritty details of my three-month incarceration at Happyville or the analysis I went through. I was diagnosed as having homophobic neurotic manifestations brought on by my rejection as an inadequate lover by Alice. I can relate to that.

They also told me that my playing Requiem for a Matador on my trumpet symbolized my wish to die a hero’s death so Alice would mourn me as a martyr. O’Hara told me that my wearing the jock strap represented my desire to do her football player lover both figuratively and literally, and that trying to scrap off my freckles was an attempt to become more mature in the way I dealt with social relationships. Doctor O’Hara said this last part was actually a hopeful sign. There is much more, but most of it’s too painful for me to discuss. When am I going to grow up?

After 3 months they released me to the care of my parents with the strong recommendation that I not to go back to Harvard until I’m sixteen no matter what my folks think. That’s right, blame my problems on my folks. Why not give them a guilt trip. That’s the way these shrinks get new customers. There never was any chance of my returning to Harvard. I don’t want to go through the horror and the loneliness again and the University doesn’t want me back.

For the next few months I moped around the house doing nothing much except growing a beard. I wanted to hide the scars on my face where I’d cut myself. Physical scars you can hide, some mental ones never go away. You can only push them into the background. That’s life: A lot of crazy stuff, a lot of hiding from yourself, and a little love to keep you going.
http://www.amazon.com/Johnny-Oops-ebook/dp/B0041KL52M/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

Regards,
Arthur

Sequin Boy And Cindy Gets Standing Ovation

Hi everyone, I'm honored to share with you a great five star review of  Sequin Boy and Cindy by James A. Anderson.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Standing Ovation July 4, 2012
By James A. Anderson
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

It is not often I'm left at a loss for words, but Arthur Levine's SEQUIN BOY AND CINDY did just that.

I have to dig deep to find the appropriate words to decribe this wonderful romance novel. I haven't been moved so much by a romance novel since Erich Segal's LOVE STORY many years ago. SEQUIN BOY is funny, touching and infused with wonder, as all love stories should be.

This is the wonderful, tumultuous, heartfelt story of Billy Wolk, a half Lakota Native American and Cindy. Two young people from abused backgrounds who find each other and true eternal love. This is a magnificent novel that will grab you, hold you and stay with you forever, long after you turn the final page.

It will make you fall in love with love again. A sweeping story that takes you through their lives, their triumphs, their setbacks, their attempts to pay it forward and help others. Oh that we had politicians like Billy who becomes Mayor of New York City!

SEQUIN BOY AND CINDY is an experience. The reader who responds to this little book will feel less like a reader than one of Levine's characters, living it all out from the inside..In this 'love story' you are not just an observer.

This novel is spiritual on so many levels and a daring departure for Mr. Levine, author of the Johnny Oops novels, very different kind of books.

If a book deserves a standing ovation, this is it!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085M3BZ6

Love Story For The Ages

 Sequin Boy and Cindy is a love story for the ages. Now available in print on Amazon.

Five star review.

A Moving, Ambitious Tour de Force August 3, 2012
By Peter M. Leschner
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Sequin Boy and Cindy is an ambitious, sweeping tour de force by Arthur Levine, which examines the "circle of life". It is a touching story revolving around Billy and Cindy, penniless, lost souls who meet while young and naïve, fall in love, overcome adversity, have a family, find success and live the American dream, ultimately giving back to others less fortunate. While describing their journey, the author tackles (often with a dose of humor) subjects ranging from support for returning war veterans, living and dealing with disfiguring war injuries, politics, street gangs, education, the power of the media, raising children, balancing work and family to most importantly, true love, which holds the two together through all their difficulties, defeats and triumphs, even in the face of death. Like life itself, the story quickly moves from one chapter to another painting a rich picture of life's challenges and rewards in the process. Sequin Boy and Cindy is an interesting, provocative and moving read,
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085M3BZ6

The Hand of God On My Shoulder

Before I left the hospital, after a remarkable recovery from the beating I had taken, I visited every ward and semi private room in the hospital, and was greeted by almost everyone with joy and a sense of anticipation. In each case I did the same thing. I walked over to the patients and put my hand on their shoulder as God had done to me and repeated the story of what had happened to me. In each case I told them that God felt their pain, He understood, and everything would be all right. I truly believe I am His Messenger now. I feel His presence more than I ever have before. I am blessed.
http://www.amazon.com/Johnny-Oops-ebook/dp/B0041KL52M/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

Great new five star review for Sequin Boy And Cindy

5.0 out of 5 stars A Moving, Ambitious Tour de Force, August 3, 2012
By
Peter M. Leschner (Tenafly, New Jersey USA) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Sequin Boy and Cindy (Kindle Edition)
Sequin Boy and Cindy is an ambitious, sweeping tour de force by Arthur Levine, which examines the "circle of life". It is a touching story revolving around Billy and Cindy, penniless, lost souls who meet while young and naïve, fall in love, overcome adversity, have a family, find success and live the American dream, ultimately giving back to others less fortunate. While describing their journey, the author tackles (often with a dose of humor) subjects ranging from support for returning war veterans, living and dealing with disfiguring war injuries, politics, street gangs, education, the power of the media, raising children, balancing work and family to most importantly, true love, which holds the two together through all their difficulties, defeats and triumphs, even in the face of death. Like life itself, the story quickly moves from one chapter to another painting a rich picture of life's challenges and rewards in the process. Sequin Boy and Cindy is an interesting, provocative and moving read, which I highly recommend. Congratulations Arthur. Great job!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085M3BZ6

Excerpt from Johnny Oops - Captured In Egypt

Our release by the terrorists was the high point of our trip to Egypt. We were dumped, bound and blindfolded, in front of the American Embassy exactly at 4 PM on a Thursday afternoon from the back of what sounded and felt like a pick up truck, which sped off.  Two big hulking Marines ran out, grabbed us unceremoniously by the seat of our pants and flung us onto the other side of the Embassy gate and into freedom's outstretched arms. Now I know what it means to be an American and to be saved by the Marines.

We were reunited in the Ambassador's living room with our families. Our respective parents flew over to meet us and take us home. The good professor was there, looking like he was going to cry, rubbing his eyes with his hands. The tall waspish Ambassador gave us a stern lecture in his office, out of earshot of our parents, indicating how unwise we were. He said, "Two strapping young Americans with blonde and red hair shouldn't go wondering around in the red light district of Cairo. You should consider yourselves lucky to be alive. You can't expect the United States Government to go bailing you over-sexed idiots out of trouble every time you get an itch." He suggested we go home and find another way to satisfy our urges. I can relate to that.

We were filthy and hungry. My folks took us back to the Hilton Hotel for showers and a good meal. They were relieved we were still alive because now as they said, "We will have the opportunity to kill you ourselves."

The Episcopal Bishop told my parents, "Be patient and have faith. Boys will be boys." I think I like his religious beliefs.
We returned home to what turned out in my case to be relative house arrest. I think I had more freedom of movement when I was a captive of the terrorists. My old friend Billy offered to come over and keep me company. I was so bored that I said okay. Our meeting was pathetic. He hasn't changed and said he was sorry for being so boring. No wonder Billy is still in High School. He will probably be there forever.

I can't wait for the summer to end so I can return to college and freedom. I've made all kinds of plans. You have to be careful what you plan. My experience in Egypt has left me with a more abiding faith in the Almighty.  God has his own plans for us and I believe that on a one to one basis his plans always come first.

Until this point in my life I have studiously avoided facial ornamentation of any kind. I don't feature having my ears, nose or mouth pierced-that's disgusting. I feel the same way about tattoos, but with my newfound faith, I couldn't resist one small ankle scripture that reads, "God Heals," in Navy Blue. Getting this Tattoo is one of the few over the top things I've ever done and never been sorry for.

The summer is almost over. After the horrors of Egypt, I'm happy to be alive. I was so scared when the terrorists grabbed us. I never thought about my own mortality before. I wonder if I am - mortal
http://www.amazon.com/Johnny-Oops-ebook/dp/B0041KL52M/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

We need to do more for our returning war Vets -Johnny Oops

(1) Long Road Home - 50,000 veterans will have returned home physically wounded since 2001.

(2) According to the Veteran’s Administration not-yet-published statistics, 367,749 Iraqi and Afghan vets have sought mental health care treatment. That's 51.7 percent of the total caseload - and also 28.2 percent of the returning 1.3 million vets - a number that's sure to grow larger as those who returned home recently begin acknowledging cases of delayed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). It's common for vets not to begin experiencing combat stress until after the euphoria of being home has waned, typically six months to a year or more.

(3) 45% of Afghanistan, Iraq Vets Seek Disability
By Daniel Politi | Posted Sunday, May 27, 2012, at 3:32 PM ET

My novel Sequin Boy And Cindy takes a long hard look at the plight of our returning war Veterans, and although basically the love story of two disabled returning war heroes manages to pose the problems we face as the result of the Iraqi and Afghanistan wars.

We need to be able to do more than we have for our returning Vets. Not everyone can hope to be as blessed as our principal characters Billy and Cindy in http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085M3BZ6

Regards,
Arthur

Sequin Boy and Cindy

www.amazon.com

Spirit ancestors charging through the night sky and a White Buffalo with blazing red eyes show our young lovers the way to true happiness. Two lonely young people from abused backgrounds find each other, fall in love, join the army, and both suffer injuries in a war in Iran, but go on to build a ...

Explosion - Sequin Boy And Cindy

 

I still don't remember everything, but I can piece together most of the tragic events that ensue according to Cindy's fellow soldier who accompanied her on the fateful trip. One day near the holy city of Qom-the site of a nuclear bomb facility American bombs have destroyed-Cindy is driving her armored fighting vehicle (AFV) to the site of a place where her control has just radioed her that an IED has been diffused. She spots the yellow teepee with the sequins sitting on a little rise in the sand that I have left. She knows immediately upon seeing the sequins that this is from me. She jumps out of her AFV, grabs the canvas, and looks at the note from me. The note say, "I disarmed this at seventeen hundred hours and am heading west. I love you." Cindy looks at her watch. It is only 1720 hours.

Cindy jumps back in her AFV and takes off at break neck speed, much to the surprise of the private with her who says, " Slow down. You'll kill us. What's the rush?"

Cindy had just gotten a field promotion to corporal. She doesn't bother to answer the private on the seat next to her. In the distance she sees another AFV stopped at the side of the road. Instinct tells her this is me. She races towards my AFV. As she approaches I look up and see her driving towards me with her head out the window of her AFV waving frantically. I start gesturing wildly with my hands and shouting at her to stop, but I guess in her excitement she doesn't recognize I'm warning her to stop, to stay away from my location where I'm in the middle of diffusing an IED. I jump up and start running up the road towards her waving her off, shouting, "Stop, stop." Just as we reach each other another IED buried at the side of the road goes off. I must've missed that one.

I'm thrown in the air. All I can feel is extreme pain shooting through my right leg. I have lost my leg up to the kneecap and blood squirts from ruptured veins and arteries all over the place. Cindy's AFV is tossed in the air and crumples like an accordion. Somehow, bleeding profusely, I drag myself the few feet over to her vehicle and with all the strength I have left pull her vehicle door open and grab Cindy out of her AFV. She has lost her right hand up to the wrist. This is the hand I always hold.

"Don't worry," I cry as I tried to stop her bleeding. "They will be here soon. We will be all right. I love you." Then I pass out from shock and loss of blood. The soldier with her later told me that Cindy sat there half on top of me shaking and screaming, and clenching her remaining hand over the stump of my shattered leg trying to stop the bleeding. The stink of burning motor oil and smoke is everywhere. She was shouting at him, "Get help, get help, he's dying. I can't stop the bleeding." She disregarded her own wound. She was so hysterical I don't think she fully realized she'd lost her hand.

The private with her was miraculously unharmed. He called in our location and tried to tie off our gushing wounds. He says to headquarters, "Need help now. Two down both missing limbs. I can't stop the bleeding. Need immediate Medivac. Our position is . . . In minutes a rescue medical helicopter lands, does immediate triage on both of us to stop the bleeding and flies us to the main emergency medical facility in the area transfusing both of us in the copter. We both have lost a lot of blood. I'm fading in and out of consciousness I guess from the shot of morphine they give Cindy and me for the pain. Cindy keeps crying and holding my hand with her remaining good one. We are both covered with blood and sweat from the stinking heat. Must have been one hundred and six, but I feel ice cold from the loss of blood. If not for the quick action of the medics and the private with Cindy we would never have survived.
Excerpt from http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085M3BZ6

Regards,
Arthur

Sequin Boy and Cindy

www.amazon.com

Spirit ancestors charging through the night sky and a White Buffalo with blazing red eyes show our young lovers the way to true happiness. Two lonely young people from abused backgrounds find each other, fall in love, join the army, and both suffer injuries in a war in Iran, but go on to build a ...

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Explosion - Sequin Boy And Cindy

I still don't remember everything, but I can piece together most of the tragic events that ensue according to Cindy's fellow soldier who accompanied her on the fateful trip. One day near the holy city of Qom-the site of a nuclear bomb facility American bombs have destroyed-Cindy is driving her armored fighting vehicle (AFV) to the site of a place where her control has just radioed her that an IED has been diffused. She spots the yellow teepee with the sequins sitting on a little rise in the sand that I have left. She knows immediately upon seeing the sequins that this is from me. She jumps out of her AFV, grabs the canvas, and looks at the note from me. The note say, "I disarmed this at seventeen hundred hours and am heading west. I love you." Cindy looks at her watch. It is only 1720 hours.

Cindy jumps back in her AFV and takes off at break neck speed, much to the surprise of the private with her who says, " Slow down. You'll kill us. What's the rush?"

Cindy had just gotten a field promotion to corporal. She doesn't bother to answer the private on the seat next to her. In the distance she sees another AFV stopped at the side of the road. Instinct tells her this is me. She races towards my AFV. As she approaches I look up and see her driving towards me with her head out the window of her AFV waving frantically. I start gesturing wildly with my hands and shouting at her to stop, but I guess in her excitement she doesn't recognize I'm warning her to stop, to stay away from my location where I'm in the middle of diffusing an IED. I jump up and start running up the road towards her waving her off, shouting, "Stop, stop." Just as we reach each other another IED buried at the side of the road goes off. I must've missed that one.

I'm thrown in the air. All I can feel is extreme pain shooting through my right leg. I have lost my leg up to the kneecap and blood squirts from ruptured veins and arteries all over the place. Cindy's AFV is tossed in the air and crumples like an accordion. Somehow, bleeding profusely, I drag myself the few feet over to her vehicle and with all the strength I have left pull her vehicle door open and grab Cindy out of her AFV. She has lost her right hand up to the wrist. This is the hand I always hold.

"Don't worry," I cry as I tried to stop her bleeding. "They will be here soon. We will be all right. I love you." Then I pass out from shock and loss of blood. The soldier with her later told me that Cindy sat there half on top of me shaking and screaming, and clenching her remaining hand over the stump of my shattered leg trying to stop the bleeding. The stink of burning motor oil and smoke is everywhere. She was shouting at him, "Get help, get help, he's dying. I can't stop the bleeding." She disregarded her own wound. She was so hysterical I don't think she fully realized she'd lost her hand.

The private with her was miraculously unharmed. He called in our location and tried to tie off our gushing wounds. He says to headquarters, "Need help now. Two down both missing limbs. I can't stop the bleeding. Need immediate Medivac. Our position is . . . In minutes a rescue medical helicopter lands, does immediate triage on both of us to stop the bleeding and flies us to the main emergency medical facility in the area transfusing both of us in the copter. We both have lost a lot of blood. I'm fading in and out of consciousness I guess from the shot of morphine they give Cindy and me for the pain. Cindy keeps crying and holding my hand with her remaining good one. We are both covered with blood and sweat from the stinking heat. Must have been one hundred and six, but I feel ice cold from the loss of blood. If not for the quick action of the medics and the private with Cindy we would never have survived.
Excerpt from http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085M3BZ6

Regards,
Arthur

Sequin Boy and Cindy

www.amazon.com

Spirit ancestors charging through the night sky and a White Buffalo with blazing red eyes show our young lovers the way to true happiness. Two lonely young people from abused backgrounds find each other, fall in love, join the army, and both suffer injuries in a war in Iran, but go on to build a ...

On the Beach for a fun holiday read with Sequin Boy And Cindy

We do so many exciting things together. We go to the beach at Long Beach, Long Island taking the train directly there. I have never been to the beach before. Cindy buys me a black bathing suit that comes down to my knees. She wears this little bikini type pink bathing suit. What a figure. All the guys are staring. I don’t know whether that makes me happy or jealous. I guess both. I find myself protectively putting my hands around her shoulders. Can’t let any of these other guys get the idea she’s available.

I don’t know how to swim. There was never any one around to teach me. I will go into the water knee-deep holding Cindy’s hand like a little kid, and when the waves rush in I run out of the pale green water squealing as I pull Cindy along with me. I didn’t know how great the summer could be. I love the beach.

I ask Cindy, “Can we come back next weekend?” I kept sifting the golden strands of sand through my fingers in disbelief at their sparkling fine-grained beauty. There is so much I know nothing about and so much I’ve missed. Where have I been all my life?

She kisses me gently on the cheek and says, “We can do anything you want, Lover Boy.” No one ever called me that before.

I say, “Guess what I want to do next, Cindy?”

Cindy giggles. “We can’t, Billy, people will see.”

I shake my head no. “We can do it under the blanket.”

“We’ll get full of sand, Billy.” I notice she is looking around for a private place.
“I don’t care, Cindy. I want to make love to you now. You said I could do anything I want.”

“Okay Billy, let’s go under the Boardwalk. You are getting me hot just thinking about making love. Tell me this will never change.”

“I promise, I promise. God you are so wonderful, Cindy. I’m so happy.” There’s a certain look that Cindy gets on her face when we are about to share the moment that I can’t describe. Ecstasy? I wish I was a painter.

We stay on the beach until the sun goes down. Then we stop for pizza at some stand on the boardwalk. The pizza is greasy, very cheesy and loaded with tomato sauce. We sprinkle the pizza with pepper flakes, garlic powder and oregano, making an aromatic treat that tastes great. We each have two slices, which we wash down with super sized cokes. Finally we take the Long Island Railroad home. I hold Cindy’s hand all the way. In spite of all the soda, my thirst for Cindy is insatiable. I can’t get enough of her.


Sequin Boy Blurb – Paranormal Romance –Adventure - Love Story - Young Adult

Tags – Paranormal Romance, Coming of Age, Young Adult, Lonely, Lost Souls, Lovers, Fantasy. Indian Ancestors, White Buffalo, Playing House, God, Faith, Love Story, Inspiration, Disabled Vet

Hi everyone, the White Buffalo is coming. She can make your dreams come true. Sequin Boy and Cindy my new novel will show you how.http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085M3BZ6

Regards,
Arthur

Sequin Boy and Cindy

Spirit ancestors charging through the night sky and a White Buffalo with blazing red eyes show our young lovers the way to true happiness. Two lonely young people from abused backgrounds find each other, fall in love, join the army, and both suffer injuries in a war in Iran, but go on to build a ...

Standing Ovation

5.0 out of 5 stars A Standing Ovation, July 4, 2012
By
James A. Anderson "Author" (London, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Sequin Boy and Cindy (Kindle Edition)
It is not often I'm left at a loss for words, but Arthur Levine's SEQUIN BOY AND CINDY did just that.

I have to dig deep to find the appropriate words to describe this wonderful romance novel. I haven't been moved so much by a romance novel since Erich Segal's LOVE STORY many years ago. SEQUIN BOY is funny, touching and infused with wonder, as all love stories should be.

This is the wonderful, tumultuous, heartfelt story of Billy Wolk, a half Lakota Native American and Cindy. Two young people from abused backgrounds who find each other and true eternal love. This is a magnificent novel that will grab you, hold you and stay with you forever, long after you turn the final page.

It will make you fall in love with love again. A sweeping story that takes you through their lives, their triumphs, their setbacks, their attempts to pay it forward and help others. Oh that we had politicians like Billy who becomes Mayor of New York City!

SEQUIN BOY AND CINDY is an experience. The reader who responds to this little book will feel less like a reader than one of Levine's characters, living it all out from the inside..In this 'love story' you are not just an observer.

This novel is spiritual on so many levels and a daring departure for Mr. Levine, author of the Johnny Oops novels, very different kind of books.

If a book deserves a standing ovation, this is it!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085M3BZ6

Sequin Boy and Cindy

www.amazon.com

Spirit ancestors charging through the night sky and a White Buffalo with blazing red eyes show our young lovers the way to true happiness. Two lonely young people from abused backgrounds find each other, fall in love, join the army, and both suffer injuries in a war in Iran, but go on to build a ...

Excerpt - Sequin Boy And Cindy

CHAPTER 5

Months fly by and we are so happy. I race home every day after work to be with Cindy. We must call each other at least ten times a day. We are in love, and every moment together is an exploration of how wonderful life can be. We are growing up together, that’s how I think of our love, and I believe my darling Cindy feels the same way. I look forward to the warm embrace I get when I come home.

I’m constantly planning little surprises to make Cindy happy. I never had any one to care about before. One day I will bring her flowers. Another day a new blouse I buy off the rack from a corner peddler. I think I have terrible taste, I love vertical stripes and the color purple is my favorite, but Cindy never says anything. I guess she just appreciates that I’m thinking of her. Took me two months of yellow daisies to find out she doesn’t like daises and doesn’t like yellow. It’s a good thing I’m a writer and not a graphic designer.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085M3BZ6 

Boom - Sequin Boy And Cindy

 

For Immediate Release

Boom

New York, NY – Two young people from abused backgrounds fall in love, join the Army together, are separated and then their whole world goes boom—up in smoke. The smell of burnt flesh, tires burning and the stink of blood and sweat is everywhere when an IED explodes as the two young lovers are desperately trying to reunite in the middle of a battlefield.

Saved by a miracle and Army surgeons, Billy and Cindy return home as disabled war heroes to the enthusiastic support of their local community. The whole Nation falls in love with their earnestness and desire to make a place for themselves in the aftermath of war.

They go on TV, receive a TV station sponsored Wedding and honeymoon, and go on to college together partially paid for by the Army and the rest by the University they attend.

In spite of their handicaps Cindy becomes a one-handed registered nurse and Billy the first one-legged part Lakota Indian Mayor of NYC. They have twins—a boy and a girl and go on to raise a great family.  They usher in an era of kindness and caring into the Big City, but life for our eternal love bugs is not without adversity and the almost constant ramifications of the wounds and trauma they have endured in the service of our Country.

They never forget their love for one another and their desire never to be separated and alone again. As Billy says, “God you are so wonderful, Cindy. I’m so happy. There’s a certain look that Cindy gets on her face when we are about to share the moment that I can’t describe. Ecstasy? I wish I were a painter.”

Throughout their lives together, God, A raging White Buffalo and Billy’s spirit ancestors protect them in this paranormal romance love story for the ages.

James A. Anderson the author of Deadline and The Scorpion says in his five star review,

 “It is not often I'm left at a loss for words, but Arthur Levine's SEQUIN BOY AND CINDY did just that.

I have to dig deep to find the appropriate words to describe this wonderful romance novel. I haven't been moved so much by a romance novel since Erich Segal's LOVE STORY many years ago. SEQUIN BOY is funny, touching and infused with wonder, as all love stories should be.”

Sequin Boy and Cindy is available on Amazon Kindle and Smashwords.

Contact:

Arthur Levine

Sequin Boy and Cindy

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085M3BZ6

Sequin Boy And Cindy

James A. Anderson says:

Folks:

Sequin Boy and Cindy by Arthur J. Levine is one beautiful love story. If you don't like it, you don't have a heart!

Bravo, Arthur!

The White Buffalo is Coming - Sequin Boy And Cindy

\

Hi everyone, the White Buffalo is coming. She can make your dreams come true. Sequin Boy and Cindy my new novel will show you how. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085M3BZ6

Indie Spotlight interview on Sequin Boy and Cindy

Hi everyone, Sequin Boy and Cindy got written up on http://www.theindiespotlight.com/
Please check it out.

Regards,
Arthur

Are You Sure - Johnny Oops

I just finished reading In One Person by John Irving. I was induced into reading it by someone who thought I write like him, I don’t.

It was as to be expected well written by such a famous author, but that’s not what stuck with me.

I have always assumed that the main character in my novel Johnny Oops had nothing to do with me, but reading Irving I discovered that Johnny really did. No, I’ve never done the things that Johnny does, but evidently I thought about doing them or I couldn’t have written the book.

I guess there is a little part of Johnny in me, and maybe his or her counterpart in you. That’s what Irving does so well in my opinion, he brings out the possible in all of us readers. We may not like what we learn about ourselves, but yes, it has an all too familiar ring to it. We may not like some of the stereotyping—that can’t possibly be me, but in some vague and yet familiar way there are parts of the story that remind us of ourselves.

 I like you reserve the right to say, “Oh no, that’s not me. Are you sure that maybe even a little bit isn’t in your mind waiting to be revealed.

After reading In One Person I sure am glad that my alter ego is Johnny and not John Irving’s principal character, but how can one be absolutely sure.
http://www.amazon.com/Johnny-Oops-ebook/dp/B0041KL52M/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

Against All Odds - Sequin Boy and Cindy

Billy and Cindy overcome all obstacles to find true love in Sequin Boy and Cindy - a paranormal romance.  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085M3BZ6

Second Chance - Sequin Boy and Cindy

Learn how two young people in love can come back from war disabled, but form a great life and family together in this paranormal romance. A love story for the ages. They are protected by Billy's spirit ancestors, a White Buffalo and God. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085M3BZ6

Introducing my new novel Sequin Boy and Cindy

Spirit ancestors charging through the night sky and a White Buffalo with blazing red eyes show our young lovers the way to true happiness. Two lonely young people from abused backgrounds find each other, fall in love, join the army, and both suffer injuries in a war in Iran, but go on to build a miraculous future together. This is the heartwarming tale of the art of the possible as Billy and Cindy return from war and capture the hearts of an adoring public.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085M3BZ6

5 STAR REVIEW Sequin Boy and Cindy

A Standing Ovation July 4, 2012

By James A. Anderson

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

It is not often I'm left at a loss for words, but Arthur Levine's SEQUIN BOY AND CINDY did just that.

I have to dig deep to find the appropriate words to describe this wonderful romance novel. I haven't been moved so much by a romance novel since Erich Segal's LOVE STORY many years ago. SEQUIN BOY is funny, touching and infused with wonder, as all love stories should be.

This is the wonderful, tumultuous, heartfelt story of Billy Wolk, a half Lakota Native American and Cindy. Two young people from abused backgrounds who find each other and true eternal love. This is a magnificent novel that will grab you, hold you and stay with you forever, long after you turn the final page.

It will make you fall in love with love again. A sweeping story that takes you through their lives, their triumphs, their setbacks, their attempts to pay it forward and help others. Oh that we had politicians like Billy who becomes Mayor of New York City!

SEQUIN BOY AND CINDY is an experience. The reader who responds to this little book will feel less like a reader than one of Levine's characters, living it all out from the inside..In this 'love story' you are not just an observer.

This novel is spiritual on so many levels and a daring departure for Mr. Levine, author of the Johnny Oops novels, very different kind of books.

If a book deserves a standing ovation, this is it! 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085M3BZ6 

Special Holiday Treat

My novel Johnny Oops 11 - Timeless is free for the month on Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/100269 Be sure to use Coupon Code SSWIN

The Beach

For a fun holiday read - Sequin Boy and Cindy

We do so many exciting things together. We go to the beach at Long Beach, Long Island taking the train directly there. I have never been to the beach before. Cindy buys me a black bathing suit that comes down to my knees. She wears this little bikini type pink bathing suit. What a figure. All the guys are staring. I don’t know whether that makes me happy or jealous. I guess both. I find myself protectively putting my hands around her shoulders. Can’t let any of these other guys get the idea she’s available.

I don’t know how to swim. There was never any one around to teach me. I will go into the water knee-deep holding Cindy’s hand like a little kid, and when the waves rush in I run out of the pale green water squealing as I pull Cindy along with me. I didn’t know how great the summer could be. I love the beach.

I ask Cindy, “Can we come back next weekend?” I kept sifting the golden strands of sand through my fingers in disbelief at their sparkling fine-grained beauty. There is so much I know nothing about and so much I’ve missed.  Where have I been all my life?

She kisses me gently on the cheek and says, “We can do anything you want, Lover Boy.” No one ever called me that before.

I say, “Guess what I want to do next, Cindy?”

Cindy giggles. “We can’t, Billy, people will see.”

I shake my head no. “We can do it under the blanket.”

“We’ll get full of sand, Billy.” I notice she is looking around for a private place.

“I don’t care, Cindy. I want to make love to you now. You said I could do anything I want.”

“Okay Billy, let’s go under the Boardwalk. You are getting me hot just thinking about making love. Tell me this will never change.”

“I promise, I promise. God you are so wonderful, Cindy. I’m so happy.” There’s a certain look that Cindy gets on her face when we are about to share the moment that I can’t describe. Ecstasy? I wish I was a painter.

We stay on the beach until the sun goes down. Then we stop for pizza at some stand on the boardwalk. The pizza is greasy, very cheesy and loaded with tomato sauce. We sprinkle the pizza with pepper flakes, garlic powder and oregano, making an aromatic treat that tastes great. We each have two slices, which we wash down with super sized cokes. Finally we take the Long Island Railroad home. I hold Cindy’s hand all the way. In spite of all the soda, my thirst for Cindy is insatiable. I can’t get enough of her.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085M3BZ6

Excerpt from Sequin Boy and Cindy - Sequin Crutches

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085M3BZ6
Before I wake up, I'm dreaming that an old Indian with white braided hair and riding a White Horse flies up to me as I sit on the top of a mountain bemoaning my fate. He is carrying a pair of homemade cru...tches decorated with Indian beads in the shape of colorful little feathers that look like sequins and says, "Here, there is more work for you to do on this earth. This will help you get around. Your spirit will do the climbing for you, but you must do the heavy lifting. You must fight to overcome your disability. Here take this. We, your Ancestors, are always with you. Go with the pain Na-go-to-cup-wah-the Indian name for Billy Flower- do not fight the flow of the river of life. "

I ask myself what all this means. Is this a sign? Is this just a dream, or is this a vision that I'm having. Why Billy Flower? Is this my real Indian name? Is God with me too or only my Ancestors?

Where are you dear God? I didn't hear anything from you in my dream. I don't know what possessed me to say that. Sorry, God, another poor choice of words on my part. The words just tumble from my mouth. Must be the medication.

I finally awake after the better part of a day in Intensive Care to unbelievable racking pain. I feel my whole leg is inflamed, but the truth is the leg isn't there. This is just phantom pain-feels real enough. I spend better than a month in the hospital living on strong and addictive painkillers. Most of the time I'm only half coherent. Cindy says I keep mumbling about flowing rivers of pain and ancient Indian Warriors. I constantly ask Cindy for my sequin crutches so I can get out of here. Some of the time I repeat over and over, "My name is Na-go-to-cup-wah. Cindy is beside herself. In my more lucid moments I explain to Cindy about the dream I had. She doesn't know what to say or to do. Finally she asks the hospital for a pair of plain wooden crutches that will be the appropriate height for me to use.

Cindy, when she isn't at the hospital with me, spends her evenings at home working on my crutches, painstakingly applying little colored sequins all over them in feather patterns with crazy clue except where I will hold them for support, or on the armholes. Finally after about two weeks she's finished. She shows them to me and says, "What do you think?"

I say, "I think they are perfect and just what my Ancestors brought me in my dream. Suddenly I feel a heavy cloud of depression lifting from my heart."

Cindy says. "Here, these are from your Ancestors and me. I think it's time you climb out of the funk you are in and start living again. We need you at home, the City needs you." Cindy finally understands that the sequins are not really anti-social, but a symbol of my Indian past. She isn't sure I understand this. She needn't have worried. I do.

I get a big smile on my face. I hop out of bed and start wheeling around the hospital ward on the crutches saying to everyone, "These are a gift from my Ancestors and my wife, Cindy. She made these for me. I'm going home."

I insist on leaving that day, and get the doctors to agree only by promising I will come back three times a week for rehab and chemo treatments.

On the way out of the hospital I grab Cindy by the hand, holding the two crutches to one side and say, "Thank you for this. Thank you for understanding my spirit. I love you."
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085M3BZ6

Hold The Presses, Johnny Oops Thoughts Are Running Off the Page

New York, NY—Johnny Oops, the principal character in the novel by the same name has such a vivid imagination that it’s hard to contain his thoughts to the printed page.

Unlike you or I, Johnny is not in the least inhibited. He is used to saying what he thinks and meaning what he says. How he comes up with wild story after wild story that baffles the good intentions of the author is beyond contemplation. Let’s just say that it’s hard for the author to keep up as Johnny jumps from one world to another and from one reality to the next.

Join Johnny Oops as he charges across the country acting as if he were a prophet, sinning like a charlatan, and in his own way attempting to spread the word of God by touching other people. Travel with him as he survives a plane crash in Venezuela, drowning in France, and a stabbing at his home in California. Enjoy yourself with Johnny as he discovers his inner self—a one-foot tall albino with pink eyes dressed in a Boy Scout uniform. Suffer with him as his scandalous affairs are revealed. Have fun trying to predict what Johnny will do and say next in his self appointed role as a guru. Question with Johnny whether everything that is happening is real.

And if that isn’t enough, with Johnny there is always more. Watch as Johnny reaches out to touch other people in the privacy of their inner souls.

What does, womanizer, sex maniac, prophet, charlatan, and genius have in common? They all aptly describe Johnny Oops. Johnny spends his time veering from one reality to another as he travels different worlds and experiences numerous second comings, and tries to fathom whether he is being controlled by a game master in a virtual reality game or is actually in the service of God.

Johnny Oops, The Rocket Fuel Of Captivating Fiction

Available for only $0.99 on Kindle and in print on Amazon.com at $14.95

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0041KL52M

Spirit Ancestors

Spirit ancestors charging through the night sky and a White Buffalo with blazing red eyes show our young lovers the way to true happiness. Two lonely young people from
abused backgrounds find each other, fall in love, join the army, and both suffer injuries in a war in Iran, but go on to build a miraculous future together. This is the heartwarming tale of the art of the possible as Billy and Cindy return from war and capture the hearts of an adoring public. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085M3BZ6

Regards,
Arthur

Sequin Boy and Cindy Featured

Hi everyone, Sequin Boy and Cindy just became a featured book on Indies Unlimited. Please check it out at http://astore.amazon.com/indieunlim-20.

Regards,
Arthur http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085M3BZ6

What people are saying about Johnny Oops

11)
4.7 out of 5 stars

“ Highly recommended for those who like smartly written, terribly inventive, totally fun reads. ” Rebecca Forster  |  5 reviewers made a similar statement

“ I look forward to the further adventures of `Johnny Oops' and hope Mr. Levine continues to keep us as well entertained as he did here. ” Jim Burkett  |  5 reviewers made a similar statement

“ Levine showed superb style throughout this book, especially with the humorous elements that make this book into the great read it is. ” J Bryden Lloyd  |  2 reviewers made a similar statement
http://www.amazon.com/Johnny-Oops-ebook/dp/B0041KL52M/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

Regards,
Arthur

Spirit World - Excerpt Sequin Boy and Cindy

While I’m half asleep, I have a vision of one of my Ancestors riding on a White Horse and waving at me from a distance.  He says, “Not now, you’re not ready. You have much to do. Watch out for the White Buffalo. When he comes a miracle will occur.”

I say, “Cindy, “what does this mean?” but she doesn’t know.

Then I ask John Wild Goat who frowns and says, “I don’t know how to explain this to you. This is very complicated. It means a coming together of the people in body, mind and spirit. Are you sure that’s what you saw in your vision? This could mean a miracle is about to take place.”

I say, “Well we’ve been trying to get a meeting of the minds in the community in body and spirit. Maybe this means I have to try harder to bring everyone together.”

John Wild Goat says, “Be careful Billy, this may be an illusion.”

“Don’t tell me I didn’t see my Ancestor on a White Horse talking about a White Buffalo.”

John Wild Goat says, “You do not understand. In the spirit world much is illusion and symbolism. That is the only reality that exists.”

 “I don’t understand.”

John Wild Goat says, “When you need to, you will. You will learn the symbolism of the flesh and how a beautiful young Indian lady can turn into the miracle of the White Buffalo as myth explains to us so that all might be fed and prosper. In the spirit world all is symbolism and the reality is a matter of shifting images, illusions and intentions. You have to learn to believe and listen to your elders.”

“John, I don’t know what the hell you are talking about.”

John says, “I know, I understand. In the goodness of time you will. Your Ancestors and I, we will show you the way. Open your heat to your spirit Ancestors.  In the goodness of time and nature everything will be all right. Look to the trees and the earth and the stars, you will find much beauty there. We are part of nature. Never forget. ”

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085M3BZ6 

I try to explain all this to Cindy. She says, “I think you and John are smoking something.”

Mabels Cat Heaven - Excerpt Sequin Boy and Cindy

Mabel’s Cat Heaven excerpt from Sequin Boy and Cindy. We love cats and dogs and people.


I say, “And what state agency are you licensed by Mabel to run a home for wayward cats?” That’s when the fun begins.

Mabel frowns and says, “What state agency? I don’t need any license to love my cats.” At which point several members of the TV audience start to applaud and then the whole audience joins in.

I sense I have a cause in the making and say, “I think you’re right Mabel. Government is interfering too much in the good works of well meaning people such as you. It’s time we get government out of our lives. It’s time we get our independence back. It’s time we are allowed to care about other people and cats and dogs without interference from any government agency telling us what to do. What can these government agencies tell us about being kind to animals?”

The TV audience erupts in applause. The producer of the TV show is waving his hands no, no, frantically from the control booth, but I don’t recognize him. That’s when he cuts to an unscheduled advertisement trying to calm me down and stall the head of steam I’m building. I’m getting mad.

I resume saying, “Let’s get big government out of our lives. Let’s take back control of our own destinies. Let’s be kind to cats and dogs. When you see a lonely stray animal please try and take them into your home and care for them. Bring them to the ASPCA for their shots and to be sure they are all right, but don’t leave them there. We know what happens to animals that are left there too long.

 Mabel says, “You can bring them to me if you can’t care for them.”

I say, “You can’t care for all the cats that might be brought to you.”

Mabel says, ‘I guess you’re right. I need help. That’s why I’m here. If you could see the look in these poor abandoned cats eyes’ you would want to help.”

I say, “Everyone can send their donations to Mabel’s Cat Heaven care of our TV station’s administrative office at PO Box 22, New ERA, NN 68243-A97.”

The TV Producer looks like he is going to have a heart attack. He grabs me after the show is over and says, “Billy we are not a charitable institution.”

I smile innocently at him and say, “We should be.”

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085M3BZ6http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085M3BZ6

Drifting - Excerpt from Johnny Oops 11 - Timeless

Drifting, we’re just drifting through the sands of time. Ala and I are enjoying being together, discovering each other, laughing together and sharing our love together. One thing I discovered. This mind meld thing really helps making love a lot more passionate. Wow, just gets better each time. Poor Outy, my inner self, he has been trying to find a place to stay. He says the vibrations are driving him crazy. You’d think he’d get used to this by now. How come I’m enjoying this so much and Outy isn’t.

“Ala, I have to ask you a question, don’t get mad, but how old are you?”

“I could never get mad at you, Johnny. I’ve been thinking about this too. From what you tell me Human life expectancy is about one hundred years. Ours is two hundred years. I’m twenty in our years so I guess that’s about forty in your years. Does that make sense?”

“Sounds reasonable to me. I’m thirty in our years so that’s about fifteen in your years. Does that make sense?”

“I always liked younger men, Johnny. That’s fine with me. Just don’t tell my father. I don’t think he would approve.”

“When am I going to meet your parents, Ala?”

“As soon as I get up the courage to tell him about you. You’re so white and we are true blue. I don’t know how he’ll react, and you’re an alien. Might be too much for him to contemplate.”

“I understand. The Council didn’t seem to mind us being together.”

“They have their own agenda, Johnny. They have more of a galactic viewpoint. My Dad’s a farmer.”

“My Dad was a genius and a prophet and a charlatan and a sex maniac.”

“That’s wonderful, Johnny. No wonder you’re so brilliant, and good at making love too.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment, I think.”

“Johnny, what’s a compliment? Does it have anything to do with our love making?”

“Only indirectly. A compliment is when you say something nice about me or me about you. Makes me feel good.”

“I always feel good when I’m with you, except now I have a stomach ache. I don’t know why. I never get sick. All I want to do is go to sleep.”

“Ala, do you want to see a doctor?”

“No Johnny, I think I know what this is. I think I’m with baby.”

“You’re kidding me? That’s great. I hope it’s going to be a boy.”

“If you want a boy, Johnny, I can arrange that. Most men want girl babies.”

“You’re kidding me.”

“No, we women control these things, don’t yours?”

“No they don’t, or at least not all the time. How long do you carry the baby, Ala?”

“About seven months.”

“We better tell the Council, and I think its time I meet your parents.”

“Okay, Johnny, can we tell them tomorrow? I just want to go to sleep. They probably know already. They can read our minds.”

“Ala, I think that’s an invasion of our privacy. Don’t they need our consent to read our minds?”

‘What’s privacy, Johnny? Is that like when we make love behind the curtained wall? What’s consent?”

“That’s right Ala, and I like my privacy and didn’t give my consent or agree to the council reading my mind.”

“Why don’t you think to them, Johnny, and explain to them why you’re upset. They’ll understand. Can’t have them invading our privacy. We might as well be doing it out in the open with the whole council as our audience.”

“It’s not just about sex, Ala.”

“There is something more important, Johnny? What could be more important?”

http://www.amazon.com/Johnny-Oops-11-Timeless-ebook/dp/B005XP2GPO 

 

The Sheriff says, “The good news is we’ve dredged the river up and down stream for half a mile and no sign of little Timmy.” The bad news is that a black bear and her two little ones have been spotted in the area. It’s going to start to get dark soon. If we don’t find Timmy in the next few hours, we are going to have to call off the search until daylight and I don’t know what the hell we are going to do with all the volunteers that keep piling in to join the search, some from as far away as upstate. There must be a thousand people here. They have no camping gear and no food and we have no accommodations for them except I can house about ten in our jail, which is empty because I let the drunks out to help search for Timmy.

When Cindy hears about the black bears she starts to sob again.

She says, “I can’t keep Amy out in this mess any longer—a light drizzle has started to fall—she’s tired and hungry. I’m going home. Billy, don’t you come back without my Timmy, do you hear me?”

I just nod wearily. This thing is really starting to take a toll on me.

When Cindy gets home she goes to the kitchen to make Amy something to eat. Then she hears the front door open and she runs into the living room thinking its Billy. Standing in the hall looking a little bedraggled and dirty is Timmy. She runs over to him and picks him up and hugs him.

“Timmy where were you? We were so worried. We have everyone out searching for you.”

“Sorry Mommy. I woke up early because I had to pee. That hot chocolate you made us was great. Dad and I finished all of it while he told me stories about the White Buffalo and my Ancestors. When I went outside I saw a deer. I started to follow it. Then I got a little lost. Then I got sleepy so I lay down to take a nap. I had a dream that the White Buffalo came to visit me. An Ancestor on a White Horse rode over on a big cloud and said, ‘go home,’ and pointed the way so I did. My Ancestor has different colored sequins on his bow and arrow. Why is that, Mommy? Walking home I saw the cutest little black bear. He yelped at me, but I didn’t stop because you told me never to talk to strange people or animals.  Looked just like the brown stuffed bear that Daddy got me. Can I try to catch it tomorrow and make the bear into a pet?”

The nanny says that’s when Cindy really lost it. Took her five minutes to calm down enough to call me to come home because Timmy has miraculously appeared. I come back with the sheriff who said we should keep that kid on a leash. I agree. After seeing that Timmy is all right I go outside to thank the crowd of volunteers who have gathered holding Timmy in my arms, but not before Cindy cleans up Timmy’s dirty cheeks and skinned knees. The volunteers give him a big cheer and start on their way home, or out to dinner if they can find anything left to eat in town, but not before I make a short speech about how grateful I am that so many people cared enough to come out and search for my son. Then I start to cry.

When we come back inside, Cindy says, “If you ever tell Timmy or Amy any more stories about your Ancestors I’m going to give you a White Buffalo that you will never forget.” Then she punches me in the stomach as hard as she can with her good hand.

After I stop coughing I say, “Think what you want. The White Buffalo and my Ancestors showed Timmy the way home. Can I have some dinner? I’m starving.”

Cindy says, “No.”

It takes Cindy the better part of a week before she speaks to me again in more than one word sentences, which for the most part are “no” or “dummy” or “idiot.” She refuses to let Timmy out of the house for the entire time, and when he finally does go out it is with Cindy holding his hand.

Timmy says, “What did I do?”

Like father, like son, I guess.

I feel like an idiot standing here scratching my head and looking at my son in wonderment, but in the final analysis I guess it’s all about friends and family and even strangers banding together to help you find yourself when you’re lost. If that includes White Buffalos and Ancestors riding on White Horses with colorful sequin feathers on their bows and arrows pointing the way home so be it. The real question in my mind is how did little Timmy have the intuition to recognize his Ancestors? Must be something in the genes, some instinct that God instills us with, that helps us find our way home to the people we love.

Everything happens so quickly. I’m at a meeting with a bunch of holdout gang members who aren’t participating in the New Horizons project to try and convince them to join. I’m arguing with one particular kid with tattoos on his neck and arms about the virtues of the program when a young thug pulls out a knife, rushes over to me and stabs me once in the stomach and once in my side before security and Sergeant O’Hara can subdue the young hoodlum. I feel this searing pain in my gut, see blood gushing and black out. I’m seriously injured and I’m taken by ambulance to the nearest hospital. I remember fading in and out of consciousness in the ambulance and then in the hospital—lot’s of white jackets and blurred faces working on me. I’m scared.

Cindy picks up the phone, listens for a moment to Sergeant O’Hara trying to explain to her what happened to me and starts screaming. Sergeant O’Hara says he never heard such a blood-curdling scream even in the Army. The nanny says she could hear her from the other side of the house. Cindy leaves our children with the nanny, calls a taxi and races over to the hospital.

I lose a lot of blood, but fortunately the stab wounds don’t hit any vital organs just my gall bladder. I’m in surgery for over two hours. After another hour in intensive care I’m wheeled back into a private room. I don’t even remember most of what happened to me until Sergeant O’Hara explains. Cindy sits at my hospital bed holding my hand and crying softly, my poor Cindy. When I’m stronger she makes me promise on our children’s lives I won’t go on any more recruiting field trips.

Evidently the kid who stabbed me has recently been released from juvenile detention for stabbing another kid in an argument over a gold chain and is shouting that no one was going to lock him up again in some camp. This time they try him as an adult and he is sent away for four years, which in my opinion is not long enough, God forgive me.

The Mayor comes to visit me later that day and says, “Enough is enough. You are going to have to slow down. We don’t want to lose you.”

Their Indian vows of marriage are taken in a quaint Native American custom as bride and groom each take seven steps around a small ceremonial fire set on stones, alternately making a different vow to each other about their responsibilities to each other. With every step they exchange gifts such as kernels of corn to symbolize fertility.

The Oneida spiritual leader borrows from a famous Apache Wedding Blessing while holding hands with Bull and Rose.

He says, “Now you will feel no rain, for you will be shelter to each other. Now you will feel no cold, as each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there is no more loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other.”

There is more to the blessing, but on that last phrase I’m afraid I start to cry and sob loudly. I guess the line about loneliness gets to me. I get distracted and don’t remember the rest, but I remember the sentiment is beautiful and poetic.

 I say to Cindy, “We should renew our vows in a similar ceremony.”

Cindy holds my hand and says, “We can renew our vows along with Bull and Rose if you’ll just stop sobbing and follow the ceremony.”

Sequin Boy and Cindy is the story of two young people who go to war, come home as disabled vets and their struggle to successfully reintegrate into civilian society. I think you will find it heartwarming and spiritually uplifting. Please check it out.

Cindy and I suffer a lot of phantom pain—when you think that the limb you lost is hurting—and when it rains our wounds hurt like hell, but other than an occasional over-the-counter extra strength Advil, we are pill free, and our love life is terrific again. I was a little shy at first about Cindy seeing my stump, but the heat of passion soon rids me of that hang-up. Cindy says she’s happy I haven’t lost any other body part. All of a sudden my gal has a sense of humor.

I think Cindy is getting used to the loss of her hand. She has an artificial one, but can’t really do much with the damn thing, which is really for cosmetic effect. Her face is another matter. The droop bothers her. She tries to hide it with her good hand. I keep kissing her face on the bad side, which only serves to make her remember that her face is deformed. Sometimes I’m not too swift.

Homecoming to the local community and our apartment is a gas. Our apartment is secure due to a liberal monthly disability allowance from the Army and a landlord that really feels sorry for the nice young couple who live there. When we get home, curtsey of Army transportation all the way including a direct flight on an Air force C 17 cargo plane to an Air force base in New Jersey, and door-to-door Army Jeep service, we find the apartment stocked with every conceivable kind of food courtesy of our local merchants and the building super who let them in.  The refrigerator is full of fine French meats from the local butcher and a beautifully roasted chicken. The fruit store stocked the place with melons, lettuce, string beans, and out of season white peaches. The community has gotten together and bought us a real king sized bed whose mattress goes up and down electronically. Of course there are more cigars, which Cindy secretly smokes, all the latest magazines, and a gift certificate for Cindy to the local beauty parlor. She at first refuses to go, but I eventually convince her. I grab Cindy’s good hand and say, “Life is good. We’ll have to take a walk tomorrow and thank everybody for our great welcome home.”

We needn’t have bothered. The local community is planning a big home coming parade for us. We are a little embarrassed, but we feel great to be home. The only problem I have is when the snows came later in the month. There are four steps out front leading to our apartment and I tend to slip on my artificial limb. I have to lean on the guardrail to go up sideways grasping the railing for support, and walking together as a couple at first is awkward. I have to walk on Cindy’s left side to hold her good hand and that means my artificial limb on my right leg is on the inside. I still use a cane. We practice together and work it out. Both of us use each other for support and I keep the cane in my left hand.

One morning, a few days after we came home, Cindy wakes to find me lying on my side of the bed facing her and listening to her breath. Tears are running down my cheeks. “I thought I lost you in Iran. I was so scared, I didn’t want to live without you,” I say.

Excerpt from Sequin Boy and Cindy

“I hate that bastard,” bubbles from my lips whenever the image of the beatings and the hurtful words I got from my stepfather cross my mind.

 I found a job working for ten dollars an hour at a pulp romance magazine with offices in Jamaica, NY as an article writer. I was always good at English and writing in high school. Any one could have written for that rag their standards were so low, but I’m digressing.

I live in a one room fourth floor walk up on Eleventh Street and First Avenue in New York City. I guess you could say it’s a dump, and am headed home when I see her. I wish I had the courage to cross the train platform and talk to that girl. I wish I had some faith in myself and wasn’t so shy.

Self-consciously I pull at the sequins on my upper lip.  I have a neat row of four gold colored sequins sewn on either side of my nose, one long row of nine sequins in red, yellow and blue sewn on my forehead, and a tinier row of six silver sequins above my upper lip. Why did I ever let some tattoo and piercing artist in the Bronx talk me into doing this as a eighteenth birthday present to myself? I guess I wanted to keep people away from me. How anti-social can you get? I must be an idiot. Maybe my stepfather was right about me.

I’ve never been with a girl before, never even kissed one. I haven’t had much interest until now. I’ve been more in a survival mode just wanting to be left alone, but this girl across the platform with the blond pigtails really turns me on. I think she is staring at me. I wonder how much of my face she can see while I’m wearing this hooded sweatshirt? Maybe I should step back into in shadows. Why did I get these damn sequins sewn on my face? Makes me look like a real weirdo. Guess that’s what I wanted. What am I going to do now?

Happy Times – Excerpt from Sequin Boy and Cindy

We decide we will stay home for the Holiday and greet our old friends and former staff on an informal basis for the whole week of Christmas through New Years. The local merchants on Eleventh Street send over all the fixings for an endless buffet and refuse to take any money, but they come and celebrate with us and renew old ties and friendships.

The French butcher sends over a huge Christmas goose and an eight rib standing rib roast and all kinds of fancy cheeses and salamis.  The Bakery sends over a huge chocolate Yule log and ten pounds of Christmas cookies. Everyone who comes brings a different dish. I make a gigantic bowl of eggnog every day heavily laced with brandy, and Cindy makes a steaming pitcher of hot chocolate with tiny marshmallows for the children and me. Many of my former staff come and give their best wishes. My old secretary comes and sits in a corner crying, “There will never be another one like this,” she says. Cindy can’t get her to stop bawling until she gives her a large glass of the spiked eggnog. That does the trick. From then on Mabel is all smiles. The twins have never seen so much food in one place and promptly got sick on the hot chocolate and too many cookies.

This is a magical time, a wonderful time, culminating with Cindy and me taking a walk on Eleventh Street on Christmas Eve to thank all our merchant friends before we go to the small local church. A light snow is falling, but that doesn’t stop me. I skid a couple of times on my sequined crutches, but Sergeant O’Hara and you know who are there to keep me from falling.