Love, Lust, Longing, and the Human Condition: ‘SCRAPS’

DENVER, Oct. 14, 2009 — Everyone, at one time or another, endeavors to find their place in the world. Written in the best tradition of American story telling, “SCRAPS” by David Luck, (published by iUniverse), is a collection of short stories exploring the search for love, lust and longing, and the quest to discover an invaluable sense of place. In one way or another, as the assortment of characters spills forth their lives in an array of everyday settings, they learn how to compromise with a sense of value, either of their life or with the space surrounding them.

In “SCRAPS’” opening vignette, “Angelica and Carlos,” readers are introduced to Angelica as she waits for her son to be returned from a weekend visit with his father, Carlos. Through remembrances, the story unfolds of a romance between a teenaged Angelica and the much older Carlos. Like a voyeur, the reader watches the two meet, fall in love and then eventually consummate their love which results in the birth of their son, Roberto. As Angelica waits for Carlos to return with Roberto, the young, unwed mother questions whether Carlos should be a part of her life.

“SCRAPS’” story, “Growing Up Ordinary in Idaho,” portrays Havel Joe Wickers as he finds difficulty coming of age in a small town. Sandwiched between two sisters, one smart and one beautiful, he struggles with being completely average. Havel Joe discovers himself in a place where there is often not much else to do but listen to the tree leaves tickle the metal sides of the family trailer. Havel Joe stretches through more confusion while attending college in Moscow, only to find his niche in some very peculiar ways.

As I closed my eyes, I felt a light, warm touch on my arm. Opening my eyes, the redhead was motioning me toward the back of the bus. She smiled as she pulled out a large, rainbow colored Afghan from her backpack and headed down the aisle. I got up and followed her, not knowing what she wanted.

About the Author

David Luck was born in rural Wyoming during a June snowstorm. The wide-open spaces of Wyoming’s high plains provided the perfect place for a young boy to grow and develop a keen imagination. It was along the Laramie River that Luck developed the ability to write from a cowboy perspective: sparse, direct and from the heart. While he played football and basketball in his early years at Colorado State University, he gave up sports and focused on veterinary medicine. Luck lives in Denver with his wife Shirley. Together, they have four children and six grandchildren. Luck has written two other books: “Ghosts of Leadville,” a book of poetry and photography about Leadville, Colorado, from the mining days, and “Men Are,” short story fiction about the loves, lives, and feelings of men as they age.