Finding Fidel

Bad Luck and Trouble

At the dawn of the 1980s, JoAnne is the local party girl. She’s a foxy redhead that has men following after just to see if maybe, just maybe, she will put out; she never disappoints. Rose is the Morrison family matriarch. Now a widow in her seventies, Rose is an integral part of her children and grandchildren’s daily lives. To the world, Rose’s life seems full, maybe even a bit hectic. No one might imagine there would be room for romance, and that’s the way Rose intends to keep it. Mrs. Pauline Roland is a proud member of her church community, attending services throughout the week as well as on Sunday. Her adult son Eddie used to be an active member as well, but his head has been turned – by a woman. Mrs. Roland will use every resource a mother has to put this right.Doris Schmidt was no more than a teenager when she lost her young husband, the father of her three sons, all under the age of four. Just as she entered her twenties, life gave Doris a second chance at love and another son. That chance meant change, more change than Doris was willing to accept. Now, Doris’ decisions have left her alone, maybe for the rest of her life. 

One of the things I have noticed when I’m writing is whatever I’m writing reminds me of a song. This is true when I write emails or novels. It doesn’t always happen 100 % of the time but it happens so often, when it doesn’t it grabs my attention. It’s the reason I started naming chapters of my books with song titles.

This book takes place in the 1980s, and while not every song is from that decade but a number of them are.

1980s does have a certain cashet. It was the beginning of MTV and very much about appearance, fashion and image. It also birthed Hip Hop, Glam metal, Techno (thank you Detroit) and so much more.

As I wrote the movie reel of my life was spinning. It was an exceptional experience – I loved it. This book took me longer than it should have just because it took me back.

In the very early 1980s I was a bartender and worked in every sort of bar imaginable. From shot and beer joint in the city to a trendy Mount Clemens spot where we had dance bands and really great food.

My bartending life back then was accompanied by whatever juke box favorites were being played. Not all the songs back then conger up wonderful memories for me, probably because I was a captive audience for the likes of  the J. Geils Band and Angel is a Centerfold. This song inspired half drunk twenty something guys to sing to whatever attractive woman was handy, usually singing way too loud and they never got the lyrics right. Or, sorry to say it Ole Blue Eyes, New York, New York. This song was generally played, over and over, late in the evening. It normally got a group of women into a Rocket type chorus line complete with high kicks. Occasionally, but too often for any of the bartenders, the gals would forget themselves and flash the on lookers.  Dignity is never preserved in alcohol.