Cindy Bradford

Keeping Faith by Cindy Bradford (serial 9)

Chapter 2, Part V

Cindy Bradford
Though usually a second-level sport, this basketball season even the visitor bleachers were packed. Some of the overflow hometown backers were forced to sit across the gym, just to gain a seat. Students had to be posted to help reserve the front rows behind the clock keepers for the university recruiters. And the crowd was getting there earlier and earlier. Concession sales were up for the first time in four years because the Cherokee Indian basketball team had the town in a frenzy and Patrick was having his best season yet. If next year was anything like this, he knew he might have a shot at going to a powerhouse university. [Read more…] about Keeping Faith: Chapter 2 Part V

Keeping Faith by Cindy Bradford (serial #8)

Chapter 2, Part IV

Cindy Bradford
The Pizza Joint looked crowded. Small, dark, and smoky, the main room was quaintly furnished with small tables, each covered with a red and white checked tablecloth. No two coverings had the same kind of checks, or the same faded red color. Three old photographs of Townsend’s own sports heroes hung crooked on one wall, yellowed by smoke and age. A poster of an Italian countryside and a worn map of Italy were tacked with pushpins to another wall. [Read more…] about Keeping Faith: Chapter 2 Part IV

Keeping Faith by Cindy Bradford (serial 7)

Chapter 2, Part III

Cindy Bradford
As the bell rang announcing the start of English 101, Patrick dashed to grab the last available seat, only to find Sue sitting across from him. He smiled and nodded.

“We meet again,” he mouthed, careful not to interrupt the instructor who had already begun spilling her welcome to grammar and composition speech that he figured she must had reiterated for at least the last twenty years. There was scarcely time for conversation as Ms. Bigsby explained prefixes and suffixes as if she were unlocking the secrets of an unknown language. She was still talking when the bell rang and students began to gather their books to leave.

“Well, what do you think of Cherokee so far?” Sue asked, turning to Patrick. [Read more…] about Keeping Faith: Chapter 2 Part III

Keeping Faith by Cindy Bradford (serial 6)

Chapter 2, Part II

Cindy Bradford
Riding into town, Patrick looked out the window of the Greyhound and decided he had stepped back in time. Along the main street were three clothing stores, all adorned with  faded awnings of various colors and styles, but inside each window were mannequins dressed in plaid dresses or paisley jackets, several tilted or slightly askew probably as a result of unwatched children crawling through the tempting displays. All manner of plastic decorations lined the windows along with footballs and pompoms, a couple of used helmets and an occasional red and white jersey. Back to School banners hung on outside posts, announcing special sales. Across the street stood what appeared to have once been a Woolworth’s, its lettering still visible under a thin or worn coat of paint. On top of the flat roofed building stood a giant sign, flashing red in the shape of 5¢. Hand drawn in shoe polish on the window of the front door were the words, Under New Ownership. Come see what you can get for a dime. Fountain open daily 11:00 ‘til 4:00. Best sodas and grilled cheese sandwiches in town. [Read more…] about Keeping Faith: Chapter 2 Part II