Encounters: Relationships in Conflict

By Fred H Rohn

Social mores change from year to year, but one thing remains constant: conflict between people results from differing perceptions, often between men and women and between different generations. In each story, characters confront a variety of personal and professional problems and must either compromise or adjust to new circumstances. In “The Painting,” a young married woman’s deceit catches up to her. “Doc Brunner” tells the story of a pastor facing a series of interrelated problems during World War II. In “Harry,” music from long ago evokes powerful memories.

Representing a wide range of age groups and set in many different time periods, these stories show that, while times change and circumstances differ, conflict and resolution in human relationships is an ageless cycle.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: May 4, 2018
• ISBN: 9781480859975

Fred H Rohn

Fred H. Rohn is the author of two business accounting books and a memoir, A Fortunate Life. He has been married for seventy years and has four children and nine grandchildren. The short stories in Encounters represent years of accumulated notes for story ideas. He lives with his wife, June, in New Jersey.

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Copyright © 2018 Fred H. Rohn.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-4808-5996-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4808-6139-8 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4808-5997-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018902526

Archway Publishing rev. date: 04/30/2018

Dedication

To each of my family and friends who have provided me with insights into human relationships, and especially to my daughter, Barbara, who suggested improvements to many of these stories and monitored the entire publishing process.

Contents

Preface

The Painting

The Piano Recital

Reunion Deals

Winner

The Claim

Jennifer

Doc Brunner

Bicycle

Hired!

The Job Interview

Letter of Resignation

The Senior Editor

The Old Man

Harry

Doctor’s Visit

The Dan Flanders Column

Vacation

Pride of the Village

My Red Bible

Reincarnation – Chance Encounters with the Past

About the Author

Preface

As we age, being productive is a key to health and well-being. Over the years, I have accumulated notes for possible stories, but until now, my professional careers prevented me from actively pursuing this interest. Now I have the opportunity to put my creative ideas on paper, and many seniors are doing the same. For example, Herman Wouk, the renowned author, is still writing at age 102. Inventor John Goodenough, at ninety-four, is currently working at the University of Texas to develop a super battery to economically store wind and solar power. Grandma Moses, a mother of ten, began her folk artist career in her seventies and was still painting at age one hundred. Doris Lessing, Elmore Leonard and Tom Wolfe are still going strong. Creativity doesn’t stop as you age!

When I was much younger, a popular weekly television show titled Life Begins at Eighty depicted aging individuals who, unique at the time, were energetic and active in various endeavors. Such a show, if aired today, might now be titled Life Begins at Ninety, but the show’s participants would be less unique than the eighty-year-olds, forty years ago.

The stories in Encounters depict situations involving all age groups, from young adults to senior citizens and are set in many different time periods. Social mores have changed over the years, but one thing remains constant: conflict between people results from differing perceptions, often between men and women and between different generations. Some of the situations are uncomfortable and the characters express flawed points of view from earlier times. And modern times bring new types of conflict, underscoring that conflict and resolution in relationships is an ageless cycle.

Younger readers will gain insight into what it was like to have lived in America during the Depression and World War II, as well as during the post-war years. Older readers can compare their own lifelong experiences to these stories.

I hope you enjoy these stories and that they stimulate your thoughts about relationships among people. In addition, I hope I can, in a small way through this book, help inspire aging individuals with health and energy to use their golden years to engage in productive pursuits.

F.H. Rohn

March 2018

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The Painting

The cocktail reception was going well. I really like your painting, Carrie. I can see why it won ‘Best of Show.’ I’m not an expert, but this watercolor is very realistic. The girl with the long blond hair leaning on the rail fence gazing at the meadow with the red barn in the background seems very natural and lifelike. Even the trees look real. You’ve done a great job.

Well, Norman, I had some inspirational help from Arturo Bergano, who you know has been giving me painting lessons at the studio.

Yes, you keep talking about him. Did you invite him to the Women’s Artist Show here at the museum?

No, I didn’t. I wanted it to be a surprise if I won.

This Saturday evening was the final event of the competitive exhibit, and the reception, now underway, culminated in the awarding of the prize as judged by the art museum curator. Carrie beamed when her picture was announced as the winner.

Mrs. Morrow, the curator of the exhibit, presented Carrie with a check for the $1,000 prize award, while the one hundred guests at the reception listened attentively.

We are proud to present this check to a young woman who is showing such great promise as a water color artist. More than thirty women submitted their work for this exhibit, which has brought much good publicity for our painting class program.

Carrie, looking a bit embarrassed, accepted the check with a simple thank you and nodded at Norman who, at her side, beamed proudly.

Mrs. Morrow went on. Carrie didn’t title her painting, and I wonder whether anyone has a suggestion for naming it.

A few hands were raised.

How about just plain ‘Carrie,’ said one middle-aged woman, recognizing the resemblance of the girl in the picture to Carrie.

Another suggestion was ‘The Farmer’s Daughter’ which elicited several murmurs of approval.

What about ‘Henpecked,’ quipped an elderly dowager who was unsuccessfully attempting to be funny.

A few other ideas were presented, but there was no consensus among those in attendance.

Mrs. Morrow concluded the discussion. I guess, Carrie you’ll just have to name the painting ‘Untitled.’

The reception ended, and the exhibiting painters each took down their respective entries from the exhibit room walls.

Norman wrapped Carrie’s painting in a car blanket, placed it in the car trunk, and the couple drove home to their apartment.

As