Living on Powdered Sugar

About the Book

Although a few of the stories are inspired by real-life characters and events, this work is mostly fiction and no real names have been used. The sole nonfiction story is called “Carefree Roses for Her Funeral.” The story speaks of my brief stay on Harlem’s Sugar Hill where, following a downturn in my personal fortunes, I’d gone to live with a brother. The brief stay turned into a period of six years. While there, I was privileged to witness the gradual gentrification of the area and the loss of what some would then and now term a piece of the area’s heart and soul. It is a story told from my bench view of a fir tree surrounded by carefree roses. Donnelly Square Park is one of the area’s smallest parks. One block west of the larger Jackie Robinson Park, it is located at the crossroads of 150th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue. It is known by the locals as “the little park” and “the dirty park.” I have dedicated the poem “Ode to a Tree” to my father and to my sister who was a published poet. All of the other stories are just for fun. I had a great time writing them and these are eight stories from what has now become a two-volume work. So enjoy this first publication and look forward to the next. Read, laugh, and think. Maurice P. Fortune

About the Author

This is my second publication with iUniverse. It is a collection of short fictitious stories and it is presented as the first volume. Volume 1 contains eight short stories based on various subjects from the mysterious to mayhem. I have explored several aspects of my imagination and set out to present different points of view. The stories are primarily intended to appeal to the adult mind both young and mature. I think everyone will find something in these short stories that they can identify with. Happy reading!