About the Book
ABOUT THE BOOK
Is that seat
Taken
What are you doing on Friday night? Do you want to go to the movies next weekend? Do you feel like getting some pizza? All simple questions that we address toward friends every day.
The story centers on two young adults, who are different in every way, but share one commonality – inflicted isolation by their peers. By nature, we are built to interact with others, but that premise requires action by two parties. Studies have shown that being isolated from others at any age of life is unhealthy, and being treated as invisible by those around you can be irreparably harmful and damaging to one’s spirit.
We explore the effect of isolation through the eyes of these two young people, who want nothing more than to be accepted into their social circles. We will follow their will to fit in and not miss out on all of the coming- of -age times of one’s life. These early days can often set the emotional foundation of who we are and will become. Do you usually seamlessly mix well with other groups of people or are you more of a loner in life? Now think back to your early adult years and re-examine how you felt back then.
BOOK
WHAT'S INSIDE THE BOOK
1
Chapter 01
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2
Chapter 02
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3
Chapter 03
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4
Chapter 04
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ABOUT THE BOOK
Role of a
Lifetime
Do you remember how you felt when you went on your first serious job interview? Giving your clothes a quick glance in any reflective glass you passed by to make sure everything was in place. Doing a last- minute breath check, to make sure you weren’t going to ward off any werewolves. Sitting in a waiting area, going over and over your pre- rehearsed talking points and well -prepared answers to anticipated questions. Were you naively confident or knowingly nervous.
Now imagine the scenario where you are a little older and wiser, but find yourself in the situation of being unemployed with a family and responsibilities and desperately in need of a job. Initially you may seek assistance from family, friends or others in your social circle to aid in getting any leads. Then you stumble your way through a number of disastrous interviews with often ill- prepared or uninterested interviewers. Slowly, uncertainty and fear creep into every interview and you begin to lose faith in your ability to find suitable employment. You alter your sights from seeking the ultimate job to seeking any job.
Although job loss and any related financial hardship that may follow can be somber topics, my story attempts to provide a humorous slant to the ordeal. The humor is mostly drawn from the bizarre real -life experiences I had while going through the mid-life interviewing process.
I have incorporated a number of the ridiculous situations that I encountered into my story – Role of a Lifetime.
ABOUT THE BOOK
A LIFETIME OF SHORT STORIES
Coming of Age Moments & Memories
Are you ever curious about your personal family history? Do you know the first names of your great grandparents? How much do you know about your grandmother’s life? How did your grandparents meet? What about your parents. What do you now about their school, work or friendship history? What were they like growing up?
What if the most important stories of your life were ones that you never shared or were never asked about?
In this warm, funny, and deeply human collection of memoir vignettes, Steven Fortuna takes readers back through his coming-of-age days, growing up on Chicago’s west side, where life was lived out loud, neighbors were family, and every street corner invokes a story worth remembering.
From the nervous excitement of a first date at Wrigley Field, to the bittersweet task of clearing out mementos from a family home, to accidentally starting a fire on Thanksgiving Day. Critical moments such as encountering trouble while working alone on the late shift or saying goodbye to your children when they go away to college or your parents when they go away forever are powerfully expressed. Each story captures moments that are relatable to readers of all ages and backgrounds. Some of the stories will make you laugh, while others may bring a tear to your eye. Just like real life. Hopefully most will bring a smile to your face, as they remind you of similar narratives from your own life.
Steven writes with the honesty of a gifted storyteller using self-deprecating humor, honesty and the kind of warmth that allows everyone to find a connection. Whether he’s mourning a childhood friend lost too soon, or slow-dancing with the woman who would become his wife, each story resonates with the universal truth that our lives are defined not just by the big moments that everyone witnesses, but by the small ones we privately carry with us forever.
A LIFETIME OF SHORT STORIES is for anyone who has ever looked back at the road behind them and smiled.
ABOUT THE BOOK
A LIFETIME OF SHORT STORIES
Coming of Age Moments & Memories
Are you ever curious about your personal family history? Do you know the first names of your great grandparents? How much do you know about your grandmother’s life? How did your grandparents meet? What about your parents. What do you now about their school, work or friendship history? What were they like growing up?
What if the most important stories of your life were ones that you never shared or were never asked about?
In this warm, funny, and deeply human collection of memoir vignettes, Steven Fortuna takes readers back through his coming-of-age days, growing up on Chicago’s west side, where life was lived out loud, neighbors were family, and every street corner invokes a story worth remembering.
From the nervous excitement of a first date at Wrigley Field, to the bittersweet task of clearing out mementos from a family home, to accidentally starting a fire on Thanksgiving Day. Critical moments such as encountering trouble while working alone on the late shift or saying goodbye to your children when they go away to college or your parents when they go away forever are powerfully expressed. Each story captures moments that are relatable to readers of all ages and backgrounds. Some of the stories will make you laugh, while others may bring a tear to your eye. Just like real life. Hopefully most will bring a smile to your face, as they remind you of similar narratives from your own life.
Steven writes with the honesty of a gifted storyteller using self-deprecating humor, honesty and the kind of warmth that allows everyone to find a connection. Whether he’s mourning a childhood friend lost too soon, or slow-dancing with the woman who would become his wife, each story resonates with the universal truth that our lives are defined not just by the big moments that everyone witnesses, but by the small ones we privately carry with us forever.
A LIFETIME OF SHORT STORIES is for anyone who has ever looked back at the road behind them and smiled.
WHAT'S INSIDE THE BOOK
CHAPTER
1
THE BOUNTIFUL TABLE
– FOND MEMORIES OF FOOD, FAMILY AND FRIENDS
2
THE AUTOGRAPH
– FIRST DATE JITTERS
3
SNOW DAY MEMORIES
– BEST DAY OF THE SCHOOL YEAR
4
MY FRIEND MATT
– REMEMBERING LOST FRIENDS
5
WOULDA COULDA SHOULDA
– A MISSED OPPORTUNITY?
6
SHE’S LEAVING HOME
– SAYING GOODBYE TO YESTERDAY
7
LIVIN LA VIDA LOCA
– THE BEST OF TIMES AND ALMOST THE WORST OF TIMES
COMING SOON
There is a serial killer loose on the streets of Chicago. Self -named “The Cobra”, he is a cold blooded and cold- hearted predator, always on the hunt seeking to cull his environment of undesirables. He is both vicious and cunning and seemingly always two steps ahead of the police.
Introducing Detective Anthony ( Tony) Gallo of the CPD. He draws the short straw and gets assigned the task of catching this killer. Can a guy, not considered the sharpest tool in the Chicago P.D box match wits and outsmart the lethal eradicator, who is terrorizing the city?