All I wanted for Christmas that year was to be left alone. I had recently broken up with my girlfriend. At twenty-two this was a great tragedy, and like many great tragedies, it happened at Christmastime. I had made it to Christmas Eve, so I figured I would live.
The only other question on that Christmas Eve day was—what was I doing a year after my arrival in Old Latham, Connecticut, about to apply for the job as number two cop in some Currier & Ives village set on the Long Island Sound? What the hell was I thinking? Danny McKendrick, about to be a cop? I couldn’t believe it. Where had that come from? My dad was a cop and I hated the idea of being “on the job” as cops term it. To be honest, I should have gone back to Boston and married my high school sweetheart, Kathleen, but I didn’t know what I was doing then. Not much different from now, only then I was still young enough to be surprised by this fact. Now I’m comfortable with my ignorance about absolutely everything in life. I give up. I just let life flow over me and I don’t struggle. Like ceasing to struggle when you’re drowning, or getting older. Note I don’t say wiser. There’s a comfort there. Just let go. And Old Latham, Connecticut, seemed as good a place as any to just let go and sink beneath the waves.
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Illustration Copyright © Kevin Duncan |
... See the rest of this story in November/December 2005 issue of FMAM ... |
Edward Clinton has written for film, television and stage. Six of his plays have been published by Samuel French, Inc. Currently, he has begun exploring short fiction. He’s had stories published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, Futures Mystery Anthology Magazine (July/August 2005 issue “Appearing Live”) Quarterly Fiction Magazine, Eloquent Stories, June 2005 Maiden issue (as Colin Killingworth) on-line E-Zine Fame, as well as various articles published in The Dramatists Guild Quarterly and Writers Digest Magazine.
FMAM Announcement...
It is with sadness that FMAM announces that Edward Clinton passed away in June 2005, shortly after his story “All I Want For Christmas” was accepted for publication. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Edward’s family and friends.
Mrs. Judith Clinton wrote to FMAM staff:
...Edward was very, very happy about your acceptance of “All I Want For Christmas.” It certainly seems most appropriate for it to appear in the November/December issue. He was grateful to you for your open attitude about his writing. He liked to refer to the story as a sort of Christmas card. I think it is charming, and warm hearted. And it’s very nice to see Danny McKendrick live. He’s a big part of Edward Clinton and I am very fond of him. Thanks again for your support. It’s very comforting. God Bless!
Best,
Judith
Mrs. Clinton is building a website in memory of Edward. She says, and I quote her words, “I know he didn’t just write plays, but he did distinguish himself as a playwright and when you go to the site you will see it goes on to say, Edward Clinton Playwright, Screenwriter, Author and Humorist. I believe that about covers it.”
Web site:www.Edwardclintonplaywright.co
