It’s been another topsy-turvey week with the weather. There’s been several thunderstorms and even a bit of hail, mixed with plenty of sunshine but cooler temperatures. At least the grass as turned green and most of the trees are now covered with leaves.
The Detroit Tigers have continued to surge in the Central Division of the American League. They are still in first place, with a 9-5 record. Go Tigers!
The Detroit Pistons are hanging onto the final position for the post season in the Eastern Conference, with a 44-37 record. They play their final regular season game today.
“When all else fails, write what your heart tells you. You can’t depend on your eyes, when your imagination is out of focus.” Mark Twain. Compliments of https://press.barnesandnoble.com/bnpress-blog/inspirational-quotes-writing/.
So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on April 13th, the fifteen Sunday of 2025 and the second one for April. (Compliments of https://www.onthisday.com/birthdays/).
Roger de Rabutin, Comte de Bussy, French writer; Thomas Percy, English literary and bishop of Dromore; Alphonse Wauters, Belgian historian and archivist (Brussels); Thomas D’Arcy McGee, Irish-Canadian journalist and Father of Confederation; Juan Montalvo, Ecuadorian author (Siete Tratados); Enrique José Varona, Cuban author; Richard T. Ely, American economist and author (Hard Times); Alexander Roda Roda, Austrian writer; Demjan Bednyi, Russian writer and satirist; Georg Lukács, Hungarian philosopher and literary critic; Nellallitea “Nella” Larsen [Nellie Walker], African-American Harlem Renaissance novelist (Quicksand, Passing); Samuel Beckett, Irish novelist and playwright (Waiting for Godot, Nobel 1969); Eudora Welty, American novelist (Optimist’s Daughter-Pulitzer 1973); Bert Peleman, Flemish writer; Stephan Hermlin, German writer; Edna Lewis ‘the Mother of Soul Food’, American chef and author (elevated Southern cooking); Phyllis Fraser [Helen Brown Nichols], American actress, journalist, and co-founder of Beginner Books; A. L. [Audrey] Barker, English writer; Maxwell Henley Harris, Australian poet and publisher (Gift of Blood); John Braine, English novelist (Life at the Top); Maurice Ronet, French film actor, director, and writer (Frantic, Sphinx, Circle of Love); Beverley Cross, English playwright and screenwriter (Strip the Willow; Half a Sixpence); Barney Simon, South African theatre director and writer; Lanford Wilson, American playwright (Hot L Baltimore); Seamus Heaney, Irish poet and playwright (Nobel Prize in Literature 1995); Ataol Behramoğlu, Turkish poet and writer; Rae Armantrout, American poet (“Versed” – Pulitzer Prize for Poetry 2010); Amy Robinson, American writer and actress (Mean Streets); and Christopher Hitchens, English author and columnist (Vanity Fair, New Statesman).
Any names familiar to you? There were two for me this week: Thomas Percy and Samuel Beckett. Whether you recognize anyone on the list or not, if today’s your special day I hope you have a great one!
My Work In Progress
I completed chapter eighteen of Vendetta, the sixth novel in my Bedlam series this week and posted it to the two online subscription writing sites I use. There were another eleven reviews this week, bringing the total to 246. As always, plenty of suggestions to improve my writing.
Here’s another snippet:
At the same time as Mongo and Obasi’s meeting took place at the Euphoria Lounge Bar, two other members of the Council of Vengeance met at the Freedom Park in Lagos.
Kelechi Bello, leader of the Renegade Kings, and Chinaka Zabu, the leader of the Crimson Fangs, sat at a table in the deserted picnic area.
Each man brought one armed guard with them.
Kelechi studied Chinaka’s face. “Since you wanted to meet, I assume you feel the same about Mongo’s Council of Vengeance as I do.”
“Yes.” Chinaka nodded. “It sounds like a good idea. However, what if this is a ploy by Mongo to expand his operations by preying on us? I propose we go along with what he wants, but we must be vigilant and watch for anything that might be our undoing.”
“You speak wise words for someone new to our way of life.” Kelechi tilted his head. “I agree with your sentiments. But what should we do if we catch Mongo or his Black Shadow trying to distract us and take over?”
Chinaka laughed. “I can think of only one solution—death.”
“So be it.”
***
Enroute to Jake’s Bar
Benin City
Mongo and Akin returned to the vehicle and climbed inside.
The driver glanced in his rearview mirror.
Mongo uttered two words, “Jake’s Bar.”
The driver nodded and drove off. Forty minutes later, he parked near Jake’s Bar.
Mongo and Akin left the vehicle and walked to a side gate in the wall behind the bar. After Akin pulled a set of keys from a pocket, he unlocked the gate, they entered. He pushed the gate closed and relocked it before leading Mongo to the small building at the back of the property.
Once again, Akin pulled the keyring from his pocket, and unlocked the door, allowing Mongo to enter.
Akin pulled out his pistol and flicked on the light.
Their captive still lay on the flea-infested straw mattress.
Mongo studied the woman. Something’s not right. He stepped forward and kicked her arm.
No movement.
Mongo kicked harder.
The woman’s head lolled to the side. Her eyes stared at—nothing.
Mongo gasped. “She’s dead! What happened?”
Akin knelt and examined the body. He shook his head. “You are correct—this one is no more.”
Mongo pursed his lips. “Find a good place to hide her body. No—wait. Dump her body in a prominent place where the authorities will find it. Her death will be a warning to others.”
More next time.
This brings us to an end for another week. I hope you found something of interest. If you have any suggestions for a topic you’d like to read about, please let me know. Until the next time, thank you for reading and hope you drop in again.
© Copyright 2025 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved
