SHORT STORY: "Where are you, Gracie?"

Another attempt at a brilliant short story is coming soon.

Title: Where are you, Gracie Purvis?

Setting: Norwich, Ontario and Southend-on-Sea, England

Time: 1941 - 42

Characters: Dad, Mom, Gracie Purvis

Trouble: Oh yeah!

[Photo of old photo by G.Harrison]

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You Got Away

Backgrounder: “This song was written about ten years ago and was inspired only by my imagination. My wife likely wondered at the time why I would ever go to a laundromat because we had a perfectly good washing machine and dryer in the basement. I think it’s the kind of song Roy Orbison would have enjoyed singing.” gaharrison

You Got Away

Verse 1. I saw you first time at the laundromat,
I was a bit too nervous to start to chat.
But our eyes held while you folded sheets,
My shirt got damp from my body heat.

2. I spoke to you first at the corner store,
You’re arms were full so I held the door.
I asked if you’d like a coffee one day.
You said, it’s hard, then you walked away.


Chorus:

I was trying real hard but you got away,
I’ll try again soon some other day.
It’s so hard to act cool when my hands get hot,
You’re tougher to forget than I ever thought.

3. When I saw you next you were with a guy.
You said, it’s still hard, if I read your eye.
At the laundromat I saw you fold his shirts,
Don’t know why but that still hurts.

4. I can’t help but keep watching you,
You’re everywhere, on my mind it’s true.
I keep rehearsing romantic scenes,
And you’re the main star in my nightly dreams.

gah

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Now That They’re Gone

Backgrounder: “This is a short song, a reminder to treat my friends and family well, and to let them know they mean a lot to me - while I have the opportunity. Part of the song’s inspiration came from learning a fellow teacher (and good friend when we taught together) had died, in the same hospital my dad passed away in, and I didn’t even know he was ill. And after each of my parents died I quickly learned how much I missed them.” gaharrison

Now That They’re Gone

1. I miss my friend now that he’s gone,
I miss him so now that he’s gone.
The Reverend told me that he passed on.
And he went to heaven far too young.
Yes, he went to heaven far too young.

I miss my Mama now that she’s gone,
I miss her so now that she’s gone.
The Reverend told me that she passed on.
And she went to heaven far too young.
Yes, she went to heaven far too young.

2. I miss my Papa now that he’s gone,
I miss him so now that he’s gone.
I know things now I didn’t know then,
And I’d like to tell him he is my friend.
Yes, I’d like to tell him he is my friend.

I miss all these folks now that they’re gone,
I miss them so now that they’re gone.
I know things now I didn’t know then,
And I’d like to tell them they are good friends.
Yes, I’d like to tell them they are good friends.

GAH

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Prose: You Thought it was Hallowe’en

Backgrounder: “While looking for an old wedding photo I found this piece of prose from my university days. It was published in The Gazette (University of Western Ontario) on Feb. 14, 1969, and bears some truth, though it isn’t a very fitting sentiment for Valentines Day. It contains my first reference to whisky, but not my last.” gaharrison


["My university days": March, 1969]

you thought it was Hallowe’en

you thought it was Hallowe’en
all last month.
ever since I first met you,
I thought you were all
dressed up for nothing.

the unmasking took place last
night, and you looked quite
pretty without your mask.

but you were not what
the game had called for.


[Artwork - Tom Rossiter: photo GAH]

(Hallowe’en was over and
the two went tripping home
with an empty bottle of scotch
under their arm,
and when all the ghosts
and night creatures began to play,
she melted into their midst.)

I have not heard from you,
or seen you, since.

GAH

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I Don’t Have to Say Nothing Again

Backgrounder: “This was the first song I sang in front of a microphone. Even though it was recorded in a friend’s basement I was as nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof. Thankfully, my friend is a monster guitar player and made the production sound pretty good. The song itself is from the imagination only.” gaharrison

I Don’t Have to Say Nothing Again

1. I don’t have to tell you you’re special,
I don’t have to tell you I care.
I don’t have to say
you look pretty tonight,
and I like what you’ve done with your hair.
I don’t have to call you my sweetheart,
or say I’ll be true to the end.
‘Cause you’re spending your time
with somebody else,
I don’t have to say nothing again.

Chorus:

No, nothing again, nothing again,
I don’t have to say nothing again.
‘Cause you’re spending your time
with somebody else,
I don’t have to say nothing again.


["This floozie broke my heart": courtesy photo link to Fortune's Pawn]

2. I don’t have to tell you I’m lonely,
and pick up the phone now and then.
I don’t have to tell you
I’m hoping ‘gainst hope,
you’ll stop dancing with the boys in the band.
I don’t have to say that you broke my heart
by sleeping with some other man.
I don’t have to tell you,
you drove us apart,
I don’t have to say nothing again.

3. I don’t have to tell you I’m crazy,
and forgive all the things that you’ve done.
I don’t have to tell you
I’m trying real hard
To find ways that we can have fun.
I don’t have to tell you I need you,
and want you to come home tonight.
I don’t have to tell you
that I still love you.
I don’t have to say nothing again.

GAH

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You’re A Perfect Picture

Backgrounder: “When I sing this song I’m sure my wife, formerly a brunette, wonders if I’m stalking one of the neighbours. No, I’m not. But it’s funny where a simple tune and vivid imagination can lead.” gaharrison

1. You’re a perfect picture.
Long blond hair, old gray sweater.
Faded jeans, a size too small,
My eyes can’t leave your face at all.

* I could watch you, watch you all day long.
You’re a perfect picture,
And girl, you never treat me wrong. (* repeat)


["Black high heels show off your legs"]

2. You’re my guilty pleasure.
I thirst for you like hidden treasure.
When our eyes meet I hold my breath,
I’m lost all day I must confess.

* I get thinking, thinking ‘bout you all day long.
You’re my guilty pleasure.
And girl, you never treat me wrong. (* repeat)

3. You’re my secret passion.
You pass my house in the latest fashion.
Black high heels show off your legs,
Words won’t come quick but I can beg.

* I get dreaming, dreaming, ‘bout you all day long.
You’re my secret passion.
And girl, you never treat me wrong. (* repeat)

GAH

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