A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A DIVORCED MAN
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A DIVORCED MAN
Short Fiction
A Long Short Story in Seven Parts
By
VIKRAM KARVE
I am sure you have heard the term “win-win” situation.
But have you heard of “lose-lose” situation.
Here is one of my fiction short stories which depicts lose-lose situations – or does it?
It is a story with a message.
Dear Reader, do tell me your views, can such lose-lose situations be avoided?
Read on. It is a longish story, so if you want, you can read it in parts too.
PART 1 – DAYBREAK
“I’m going,” the man says.
“Don’t go. Please don’t go,” the woman says.
“Don’t go? What do you mean don’t go? You know I have to go.”
“You don’t have to go. You know you don’t have to go. Please. Please. Please don’t go. I beg you. Please don’t go!”
“Come on, Hema, be reasonable, and try to understand. You know I have to go. I promised him I would be there for his school’s Annual Day…”
“No, Ashok, No. You don’t go. His mother can go. He is staying with her, isn’t it? Let her look after him…”
“And I am his father!” the man says firmly, “I promised Varun I’ll be there and I have to be there!”
“You don’t love me! You still love them!”
“You know how much I love you, Hema,” the man says taking the woman in his arms, “But I love my son too. I have to go. Please don’t make it difficult for me…”
Tears begin to well up in the man’s eyes. The woman snuggles her face against his neck and grips him tightly.
“I’m scared,” she sobs.
“Scared? Why?”
“I don’t know. It’s the first time you are going to her after you two split…”
“Please, Hema. I am not going to her. I’m going to meet my son, for his school’s annual day, because Varun rang me up and made me promise that I would be there to see his performance on stage. I’ll meet Varun, attend the PTA meeting, I’ll talk to his teacher, see the concert and come straight back to you. I won’t even talk to Pooja, I promise,” the man called Ashok says to the woman nestling in his arms, “Don’t worry, Hema. You know it’s all over between Pooja and me, isn’t it? Maybe she won’t even come to the PTA meeting if she knows I’m coming, and even if she’s there I’m sure she too will avoid me as far as possible.”
The woman takes his hand, gently places it on her stomach, and whispers in the man’s ears, “Soon we will have our own son.”
“Yes,” the man says lovingly, caressing her stomach tenderly with his soft hand, “a son, and a daughter, whatever you want.”
They disentangle, then he holds her once more, pushes his face into her warm mouth, kisses her lovingly, and says, “Don’t worry, I’m all yours, and I promise I’ll be right back as fast as possible.”
A few moments later, the man sits in his car, wipes his face fresh with a cologne-scented tissue, starts the car, and drives off.
PART 2 – MORNING
“My Daddy has come, my Daddy has come,” a boy shouts gleefully to his friends and rushes towards his father as he enters the school gate.
“Daddy, Daddy, Daddy,” the boy says delightedly and jumps into his father’s arms.
“Hey, Varun, you look so good in your school uniform,” the man says picking up and lovingly kissing his son on the cheek. Seeing his son’s genuine happiness and rapturous delight, the man feels glad that he has come. He warmly hugs his son and then gently sets him down.
“Come fast, Daddy,” the boy tugs at his father’s sleeve, “everyone is sitting in the class.”
“Mummy’s come?” the man asks cautiously.
“Yes, Yes, Daddy,” the boy says gleefully, “She’s sitting in the class, waiting for you.”
They, father and son, walk to the classroom, and at the door the man pauses, looks around, sees the mother of his son sitting alone on a bench on the other side of the classroom, so he begins to sit at the bench nearest to the door.
“No, No, Daddy, not here. Mummies and Daddies have to sit together,” the boy says doggedly, and pulls the man towards the woman, who is the boy’s mother.
As he walks towards her, the man looks at the woman, on paper still his wife. As he approaches, she looks up at him and gives him a smile of forced geniality.
The boy rushes to his mother and exclaims exultantly, “See Mummy, Daddy has come; I told you he will come!”
The man and the woman contrive courteous smiles and exchange a few amiable words for the sake of their son, and for public show. It’s the first time the man, the woman, and their son are together as a family since they split a few months ago.
“Come on Mummy, make place for Daddy,” the boy says prodding his mother, and nudging his father onto the bench, and squeezing himself in between. The school double-bench is small, meant for two children, and for the three of them it’s a tight fit. His wife stares ahead, as he looks askance at her, over the head of their son, their common blood, who has connected them forever, whether they like it or not.
The man looks around the classroom. Happiest are the children whose both parents have come. Then there are those kids whose only one parent, mostly the mother, has come. And sitting lonely and forlorn, in the last row, are those unfortunate children for whom no one has come, no mother, no father, no one. It’s a pity, really sad. Parents matter a lot especially in boarding school, and the man feels sorry for the lonesome unlucky children.
The Class-Teacher, an elegant woman, probably in her thirties, briskly walks in, and instinctively everyone rises.
“Please be seated,” she says, and seats herself on the chair behind a table on the podium facing the class. The Class-Teacher explains the procedure for the PTA meeting – she’ll call out, one by one, in order of merit, the students’ names, who’ll collect their first term report card, show it to their parents, and then run off to the concert hall, while the parents discuss their child’s progress with the teacher, one by one.
“Varun Vaidya!” the teacher calls out the first name, and Varun squeezes out between his father’s legs and runs towards the teacher, the man is overwhelmed with pride as he realizes that his son has stood first in his class.
He swells with affection when Varun, his son, gleefully gives the report card to him, and as he opens it, he can sense the sensuous proximity of his wife’s body and smell the enchanting fragrance of her fruity perfume, as she unwittingly comes close to eagerly look at the report card, and he quivers with the spark of intimacy and feels the beginnings of the familiar stirrings within him.
PART 3 – AFTERNOON
Ashok realizes that their physical proximity, the intimacy, the touch of skin, has rekindled amorous memories and roused dormant desires in Pooja too, for she suddenly draws away from him and blushes in embarrassment. He wonders how people can suddenly cease to love a person they have once passionately loved so much and still desire.
“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Vaidya,” the teacher’s mellifluous voice jerks him from his reverie. He looks up at the charming young lady who has walked up to their desk and is lovingly ruffling Varun’s hair.
“Good Morning, Ma’am,” he says.
“Call me Nalini,” she says with a lovely smile, “Varun is really intelligent.”
“Like my Daddy– do you know he’s from IIT?” The boy proudly tells his teacher.
“And your Mummy?” the teacher playfully asks the boy.
“She is also a genius. But only in computers – she is an IT pro, you know. But my daddy is real good, he knows everything,” the boy says, and the teacher laughs, turns to Varun and says, “You go run along to the hall and get ready for the concert.”
“I’m Muriel. Muriel the goat!” says Varun animatedly, and runs away.
“We are enacting a skit from George Orwell’s Animal Farm,” Varun’s teacher says, “You are very fortunate Mr. and Mrs. Vaidya. Varun is a very gifted child. He comes first in class and is so talented in extracurricular activities and good in sports too. You must be really proud of him.”
“Oh yes, we are really proud of him,” the man says, and notices that the attractive teacher looks into his eyes for that moment longer than polite courtesy. He averts his eyes towards his wife and her disdainful expression tells him that his wife has observed this too.
He feels his cell-phone silently vibrating in his pocket, excuses himself, and goes out of the classroom into the corridor outside.
“Yes, Hema,” he says softly into his mobile.
“Is it over?”
“We’ve got the report card. There’s a concert now.”
“Concert? The PTA is over, isn’t it? You come back now. There is no need to go to the concert.”
“Please, Hema. I have to go to the school concert. Varun is acting – playing an important part – I promised him I would be there to cheer him.”
“Promised him? What about the promise you made to me – that you would be back as soon as possible and then we’d go to the disc.”
“Of course we’re going out this evening. I’ll start straight after the concert and be with you in the afternoon, latest by four, for tea.”
“I’ll get your favourite pineapple pastries and patties from Gaylord.”
“You do that. And spend some time on Fashion Street and browsing books…” the man sees his wife come out of the classroom and walk towards him, so he hurriedly says, “Bye Hema, I’ve got to go now.”
“You be here by four, promise…”
“Of course, darling. I Promise,” he says and disconnects.
“The bank manager…” he tries to explain the call to his wife, but she isn’t interested and says, “The Headmaster wants to meet us.”
“Headmaster? Meet us? Why?”
“How should I know?” his wife Pooja says coldly.
Soon they are sitting in the regal office front of the distinguished looking Headmaster who welcomes them, “Your son has settled down very well in his first term, Mr. and Mrs. Vaidya. In fact, Varun is our youngest boarder in the hostel. He’s brilliant in academics, proficient in all activities, sports, outdoors – a good all-rounder. ”
They nod, and the father’s chest swells with pride.
“Pardon me for being personal,” the Headmaster says, “I was wondering why you have sent such a young boy to boarding school? Especially when you live nearby in the same city.”
“I have shifted to Mumbai now.” Ashok says.
“Oh, I see. And you too, ma’am?”
“No,” Pooja answers, “I still live in Pune.”
“Aundh, isn’t it? The same address you’ve given us in the admission form?” the Headmaster says glancing at a paper in front of him.
“Yes. I stay in Aundh.”
“We’ve got a school bus coming from Aundh. If you want your son can be a day-scholar…”
“Thank you, Sir, but I have kept him in boarding as I work night shifts.”
“Night Shifts?”
“I work in ITES?”
“ITES?”
“Information Technology Enabled Services.”
“She works in a call centre,” Ashok interjects.
“I’m in a senior position in a BPO,” she retorts haughtily.
“Oh! That’s good,” the Headmaster says, and looks at both of them as if signalling the end of the interview.
“Sir…” Ashok hesitates.
“Yes? Please feel free Mr. Vaidya,” the Headmaster says.
“Sir, I thought I must tell you, we are separated.”
“Divorced?”
“Yes.”
“How much does the boy know?” the Headmaster asks Pooja.
“He knows. We try to be honest with him. We’ve just told him that since his father is in Mumbai and since I’ve to work night shifts, boarding school is the best for him,” Pooja says.
The Headmaster ponders and then says, “It may seem presumptuous of me to give you unsolicited advice, Mr. and Mrs. Vaidya, but why don’t you try and patch up? At least for your boy’s sake, he’s so young and loving. At such a tender age children must continue to feel they are a part of a family. They need to feel loved, to belong and to be valued. I know how much your son loves you both. He’s so proud of his parents.”
“We’ll try,” Ashok says, and looks at his wife.
Patch up and come back together – for Varun’s sake – he knows it is out of the question. Their relationship had become so suffocating, so demoralized by distrust, that it was better severed than patched up. And now, in his life, there is Hema …”
“We’ll try and work it out,” he hears his wife’s voice.
“I am sure you will – for your son’s sake. Thank you for coming, Mr. and Mrs. Vaidya. I’m sure you’ll love to see your son’s acting skills in the concert,” the Headmaster says and rises, indicating that the interview is over.
Later, sitting in the auditorium, they watch their son enact the role of Muriel, the know-it-all Goat, in a scene adapted from Animal Farm, and Ashok’s heart swells with pride as he watches his son smartly enunciate the seven commandments with perfect diction.
After the concert, they stand outside, waiting for Varun, to take off his make-up and costume and join them. Ashok looks at his watch. It’s almost one, and he wonders whether he should stay for the parents’ lunch, or leave for Mumbai to make it on time by four after the three hour drive.
“You look as if you’re in a hurry,” his wife says.
“I’ve an appointment at four. He called up in the morning, remember, the bank manager…” he lies.
“Where?”
“Nariman Point.”
“Then why don’t you go now? You’ll barely make it.”
“I’m waiting for Varun.”
“Doesn’t matter. I’ll tell him.”
He tries to control the anger rising within him and says firmly, “Listen, Pooja. Don’t try to eradicate me from your lives, at least from my son’s life.”
“I wish I could! Please Ashok, leave us alone. I didn’t ask you to come all the way from Mumbai today – I would have handled the PTA alone.”
“Varun rang me up. Made me promise I’d be here. I’m glad I came. He’s so happy, especially so delighted that I came to see him in the concert.”
“I’ll tell him not to disturb you in future.”
“No you don’t,” Ashok said firmly, “Varun is my son as much as yours.”
They stand in silence, a grotesque silence, and then he says, “I didn’t come only for Varun. I came to see you too!”
“See me?” the woman’s face is filled with ridicule, contempt and astonishment at the same time.
Suddenly they see Varun prancing in delight towards them and they put on smiles on their faces.
“You liked the concert?” he asks breathless.
“I loved your part. You were too good – isn’t it Mummy?” the man says.
“Yes. Varun is the best,” the woman says bending down and kissing her son on the cheek. Then she says, “Varun, Daddy has to go now. He has important work in Mumbai.”
“No,” protests Varun, and looks at his father and says, “No! No! No! First, we’ll all have lunch. And then the school fete.”
“School Fete?” they say in unison, and then the man says, “You didn’t tell me!”
“Surprise! Surprise! But Mummy, Daddy, we all have to go to the fete and enjoy.”
So they have lunch and go to the sports ground for the school fete – merry-go-round, roller-coaster, hoopla, games of skill and eats – they enjoy themselves thoroughly. Tine flies. To the outside observer they seem to be the happiest family.
On the Giant Wheel Ashok and Pooja instinctively sit on different seats. Suddenly Ashok notices that his son looks hesitant, wary, confused, undecided as to which parent he should go to, sensing that he couldn’t choose one without displeasing the other. So Ashok quickly gets up and sits next to Pooja, and a visibly delighted Varun runs and jumps in between them.
As he gets off the giant wheel, Ashok notices his mobile ringing. He detaches himself from his son, looks at the caller id and speaks, “Yes. Hema.”
“What ‘Yes Hema’. Why aren’t you picking up the phone? Where are you? Have you crossed Chembur? I’ve been calling for the last five minutes – just see the missed calls.”
“I was on the Giant Wheel.”
“Giant Wheel?”
“We are at the school fete.”
“School Fete? You are still in Pune? You told me you’d be here by four!”
“I couldn’t help it. Varun was adamant. He didn’t let me go.”
“She’s there with you?”
“Who?”
“She! Stupid. She! Your ex-wife. Is she there with you?”
“Yes.”
“You simpleton, can’t you see? She’s trying to get you back through your son!” Hema pauses, takes a breath, and pleads, “Ashok, you do one thing, just say good-bye to them and come back straight to me. Please. Please. Please. Don’t be with her. Please. Please…”
“Okay,” the man says and cuts off the cell-phone. Then he switches off his mobile.
“Daddy, Daddy, who was that?” the boy asks.
“Someone from the office,” the man says. He thinks for a moment, looks at his son, bends down and says, “Listen, Varun. I’ve got to get back to the office fast. Mummy will stay with you – be a good boy.”
“No, No, No! It’s only three o’clock . We can stay out till eight…” The boy sees his housemaster nearby and runs to him, “Sir, Sir, My Daddy has come all the way from Mumbai. Please can he take me out for dinner?”
“Of course you can go, Varun,” the kindly housemaster says to the boy, then looks at Ashok and says, “It’s the first time you’ve come, isn’t it? Okay, we’ll give Varun a night-out. Why don’t you take him home and drop him back tomorrow evening by six? Tomorrow is declared a holiday anyway!”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” shouts an ecstatic Varun is delirious delight, “Let’s go to the dormitory, collect my stuff, and go out. I want to see a Movie, and then we’ll all go home.”
PART 4 – EVENING
So they, father, mother, and son, see a movie at the multiplex, then have a good time strolling and snacking on Main Street, and by the time they reach their home in Aundh it’s already seven in the evening.
Ashok stops his car below his erstwhile home in Aundh, where Pooja lives all by herself now.
“Okay, Varun, come give me a kiss and be a good boy.”
“No, Daddy, you’re not going from below. Let’s go up and have dinner. And then we’ll all sleep together and you go tomorrow morning.”
“Please, Varun, I have to go now,” the man says.
The boy looks at him, distraught, and the man gives a beseeching look to the woman, who smiles and says, “Okay. Come up and have a drink. You can take your books too – I’ve packed them for you.”
“Yea!” the boy exclaims in glee.
His wife’s invitation, the warming of her emotions, confuses and frightens him. He thinks of Hema waiting for him in Mumbai, what state she’d be in, frantically trying to reach him on his switched off cell-phone, feels a ominous sense of foreboding and tremors of trepidation. He is apprehensive, at the same time curious, and his son tugs at his shirt, so he goes up with them.
“I’ll freshen up and come,” the woman says to the man, “Make a drink for yourself – everything is in the same place.”
Varun, back home after three months, rushes into his room to see his things.
He opens the sideboard. The whiskey bottle is still there, exactly in the same place, but he notices the bottle is half empty. It was almost full when he had left – maybe she’s started having an occasional drink!
He sets everything on the dining table, and when she comes out, he picks up the whiskey bottle and asks her, “Shall I make you drink?”
“Me? Whiskey? You know I don’t touch alcohol, don’t you?” she says aghast.
“Sorry. Just asked…”
“You want soda? I’ll ring up the store to send it up.”
“I’ll have it with water.”
“Okay. Help yourself. I’ll quickly make you your favorite onion pakoras and fry some papads.”
He looks warmly at her, with nostalgia, and she looks back at him in the same way and goes into the kitchen.
Varun comes running out and soon he sits on the sofa, sipping his drink, cuddling his son sitting beside him, and they, father and son, watch TV together, and soon his son’s mother brings out the delicious snacks and they, the full family, all sit together and have a good time.
PART 5 – LATE EVENING
Her cell-phone rings, she takes it out of her purse, looks at the screen, excuses herself, goes into her bedroom, closes the door, takes the call, and says, “Hi, Pramod.”
“What the hell is going on out there…?” Pramod’s angry voice booms through the wireless airways all the way from Delhi.
“Please Pramod, speak softly. There is someone here.”
“I know he is there,” Pramod shouts, “What’s wrong with you? I leave you alone for a few days and you invite him into your home.”
“Listen, Pramod, don’t get angry. Try to understand. He came for Varun’s Annual Day.”
“But what is he doing there in your house right now so late at night?”
“He’s come to drop Varun.”
“Drop Varun?”
“He’d taken him out from school for a movie…”
“Why did you let him?”
“What do you mean ‘Why did you let him?’ – Ashok is Varun’s father.”
“You shouldn’t have called him to Pune…”
“I didn’t call him – Varun rang him up and told him to be there for his School’s Annual Day.”
“Anyway, get rid of him fast. I told you that you two are supposed to stay separate for at least six months.”
“Please Pramod. We are living separately. He’s just dropped in on a visit – we are not cohabiting or anything.”
“Just stay away from him – he could cause trouble!”
“Trouble? What are you saying, Pramod? He’s just come to drop Varun.”
“Pooja, can’t you see? He’s using your son to get you back. He’s a nasty chap – he may even withdraw his mutual consent and then we’ll be back at square one.”
“Pramod, don’t imagine things. And please Pramod, we had our differences, but Ashok was never a nasty person. Just get the papers ready and I’ll get him to sign on the dotted line,” she pauses for a moment and asks angrily, “And tell me Pramod, who told you Ashok is here?”
“That doesn’t matter. Now you are mine. I have to look after you, your welfare.”
“Look after my welfare? You’re keeping tabs on me, Pramod?” Pooja says irately.
“Now, you listen to me Pooja. Just throw him out right now. He has no right to trespass…” Pramod orders her.
“Trespass? Pramod, remember this is his house too – in fact the house is still on his name.”
“Don’t argue!” Pramod commands peremptorily, “Just do what I say!”
A flood of fury rises inside Pooja and she snaps angrily, “You know why I split up with Ashok, don’t you? Because I felt suffocated in that relationship. And now you are doing the same thing!”
Tears well up in her eyes, trickle down her cheeks, her throat chokes, she breaks down and she begins to sob.
“I’m sorry, Pooja. Please don’t cry,” Pramod pleads, “You know how much I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“I’ll cut short my trip and be with you in Pune tomorrow evening.”
“It’s okay, finish your work first and then come.”
“Give Varun my love.”
“Okay, take care.”
“You also take care,” Pramod says and disconnects.
She stares into the darkness, at the sky, the stars in the distance and tries to compose herself.
In a while, Pooja comes into the drawing room. Ashok looks at her face. After her tears, her eyes shine in the bright light; the moisture from her unwiped tears solidified on her cheeks like dry glass.
“I’ll make us some dinner,” she says to him, “Let’s eat together.”
Totally taken aback, confused and startled, Ashok looks at his wife and says, “Thanks. But I’ve got to go.”
“Stay, Daddy! Please Stay,” pleads Varun.
“Daddy is staying for dinner,” Pooja says with mock firmness, and then looking at Ashok says, “Please. Stay. Have dinner with us. By the time you get back your cafeteria would have closed. You still stay in the bachelor’s hostel don’t you?”
“Yes,” he lies, “But I’ll be moving into flat soon.”
“That’s good. Where?”
“Churchgate. Near the office,” he says. Now that is not entirely untrue. Hema, with whom he has moved in, does indeed live near Churchgate!
“Churchgate! Wow! That’s really good for you. Food, Books, Films, Theatre, Art, Walks on Marine Drive – everything you like is nearby,” she says, “And Hey, now that you’re moving into a flat please take all your books. I’ve packed them up and kept them in the study.”
“Come Daddy, I’ll show you,” Varun jumps and pulls him into the study.
He looks around his former study and sees his books packed in cardboard boxes on the floor. The room has changed; except for his books there is nothing of him left in it.
He opens the wardrobe. There are some men’s clothes and a pair of shoes he has not seen before.
He is tempted to ask his son, but doesn’t ask. Varun has also come home after a three month spell, his first stint at boarding school.
He takes a towel, closes the cupboard, and goes into the bathroom to freshen up. The moment he comes out his son excitedly says, “Come Daddy, let’s help Mummy with the cooking.”
So they go to the kitchen and cook together – like they sometimes did in happier times.
Later they sit in their usual places at the small round dining table for dinner. It is the first time he, his wife and their son eat a meal together as a family since they had split three months ago. It is a happy meal, with much banter, primarily due the sheer joyfulness of their son, who is so happy that they are all together after a hiatus.
Then they sit together on the sofa, father, son, and mother, and watch her favorite soap on TV. Ashok notices how happy, natural and relaxed they all are. It is almost as if they have resumed living their old life once again.
PART 6 – NIGHT
Suddenly, he remembers Hema, waiting for him in Mumbai, and says, “I’ve got to go”
“Stay here Daddy, please,” his son implores, tugging at his shirt.
“It’s late. Let Daddy go,” Pooja says to Varun, “he’ll come to meet you in school soon.”
“He can’t. Parents are not allowed till the next term break. Please Mummy, let us all sleep here and tomorrow we can all go away,” Varun says emphatically to his mother, and pulls his father towards the bedroom, “Come Daddy, let’s all sleep in Mummy’s bed like before.”
“No, Varun, I have to go,” Ashok says with a lump in his throat, disentangles his hands, bends down, and kisses his son, “Varun, be a good boy. I’ll be back to see you soon.”
At the door he turns around and looks at Pooja, his ex-wife, and says, “Bye. Thanks. Take Care.”
“It’s good you came to see your son,” she remarks.
“I didn’t come only for the child,” he says overwhelmed by emotion, “I came to see you too.”
He sees tears start in her eyes, so he quickly turns and walks out of the door.
PART 7 – MIDNIGHT
The clock on Rajabai Tower is striking midnight as he parks his car below Hema’s flat. The lights are still on. He runs up the steps to the house and opens the door with his latchkey.
Hema is sitting on the sofa watching TV. She switches of the TV, rushes towards him and passionately kisses him. He kisses her back and recognizes the intoxicating sweet aroma of rum on her breath.
“You’ve been drinking. It’s not good for you,” he says.
“Promise me you will never go to there again,” she cries inconsolably, holding him tightly.
“Please, Hema. Try to understand. I don’t want to be eradicated from my son’s life.”
“No, Ashok. You promise me right now. You’ll never go there again. I don’t want you to ever meet them again.”
“But why?”
“I am in constant fear that you’ll leave me and go back to them. I’ve been dumped once, I don’t want to be ditched again, to be left high and dry,” Hema starts to weep, “I’m scared Ashok. I am really very frightened to be all alone, again!”
“Okay, Hema,” Ashok says gathering her in his arms, “I promise. I promise I’ll never go there again.”
“Kiss me,” Hema says.
He kisses her warm mouth, tastes the salty remains of her tears, which trickle down her cheeks onto her lips.
“Come,” she says, “it’s late. Let’s sleep.”
He doesn’t have a dreamless sleep – he sees a dream – a dream he will never forget. He is drowning, struggling in the menacing dark fiery turbulent sea.
To his left, in the distance he sees Varun, his son, standing on a ship beckoning him desperately, and to his right, far away, standing on a desolate rock jutting out into the sea he sees Hema, his newfound love, waving, gesturing and calling him frantically.
Floods of conflicting emotions overwhelm him. He looks at his Varun, then he looks at Hema, and he finds himself imprisoned between the two.
His strength collapses, his spirit yields, and slowly he drowns, helplessly watching the terrifying angry black sea swallow him up and suck his body deep within into the Davy Jones’s Locker.
Jolted awake by the strange scary nightmare, Ashok breaks into cold sweat with a terrible fear.
Ashok cannot sleep. He starts to think of his innocent adorable son Varun, imagining him sleeping soundly in his bed in Pune. The father in him agonizingly yearns and excruciatingly pines for his son, the pain in his heart aches unbearably, and he wishes he could go right now, at this very moment, lovingly take his son in his arms and kiss his son goodnight, like he used to do.
He clearly recalls Varun’s words when he heard that his parents were going to split: “I don’t like it…”
He remembers the phone call Pooja did not want to take in his presence – maybe a new man in Pooja’s life. Pooja hasn’t told him anything – but then he hasn’t told Pooja about Hema either.
And suppose Pooja remarries. That guy would become Varun’s stepfather.
“Step-father…!” he shudders. No. If Pooja remarries he will get Varun to stay here with him.
Then he looks at his newfound love Hema, sleeping calmly beside him, and the beautiful serene expression on her pristine face. He gently places his hand on her forehead and lovingly caresses her hair. She warmly snuggles up to him, turns, puts her hand over his chest, and with a heightened sense of security continues her tranquil blissful sleep.
Will she accept Varun? No way! He remembers her tantrums in the morning, her insecurities… she is fearful that the “baggage” of his past, the “debris” of his broken marriage, will destroy their new relationship. A flood of emotion overwhelms him as he thinks about Hema. Poor thing. She’s just recovered from a terrible break up, and is holding on to him so tight – apprehensive, anxious, insecure…
Torn between his past and future, between the conflicting forces of his love for son and his love for the woman beside him, he feels helpless and scared.
He knows he has lost Pooja, his wife, forever.
Now he doesn’t want to lose both his son and his newfound love.
Varun and Hema are the only two things he has in this world.
And he knows can’t have both of them together.
His life is a mess. Maybe he is responsible – if only he had tried harder, if only he had stayed on with Pooja in that suffocating relationship, if only they had made more efforts to save their marriage, just for Varun’s sake.
If only? If only?
It’s no use. One can’t go back in time and undo what has been done.
The more he thinks about it, the more helpless and hapless he feels, and soon his mind, his brain, starts spinning like a whirlwind.
In the whirlwind he sees all of them, Varun, Pooja and a new unknown face, Hema and himself, all of them being tossed around in disarray.
There is nothing he can do about it, so he breaks down and begins to cry.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A DIVORCED MAN
Fiction Short Story
By
VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2009
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
About the Author
VIKRAM KARVE educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU and The Lawrence School Lovedale, is an Electronics and Communications Engineer by profession, a Human Resource and Training Manager by occupation, a Teacher by vocation, a Creative Writer by inclination and a Foodie by passion. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles in magazines and journals for many years before the advent of blogging. His delicious foodie blogs have been compiled in a book “Appetite for a Stroll”. Vikram lives in Pune with his family and pet Doberman girl Sherry, with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.
Vikram’s Creative Writing Blog – http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com
So, to Cut or Not to Cut.
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Miller forge hair cutting scissor $10.49 Hair cutting scissor |
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Brain Games $21.22 National Geographic’s groundbreaking three-part series provides a fascinating window into the inner workings of the brain as never before. Through interactive experiments and tricks, Brain Games reveals how our brains create the illusion of a seamless reality. As these revealing experiments provide a unique view into our brains, the world’s leading experts explain how and why these tests work. Brain Games explores cutting-edge science to examine real people with extraordinary brains, revealing new discoveries about attention, sensory perception and memory. |
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On Numbers and Games $67.48 ONAG, as the book is commonly known, is one of those rare publications that sprang to life in a moment of creative energy and has remained influential for over a quarter of a century. Originally written to define the relation between the theories of transfinite numbers and mathematical games, the resulting work is a mathematically sophisticated but eminently enjoyable guide to game theory. By defining numbers as the strengths of positions in certain games, the author arrives at a new class, the surreal numbers, that includes both real numbers and ordinal numbers. These surreal numbers are applied in the author’s mathematical analysis of game strategies. The additions to the Second Edition present recent developments in the area of mathematical game theory, with a concentration on surreal numbers and the additive theory of partizan games. |
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Punk Rock Dad: No Rules, Just Real Life $13.98 Jim Lindberg is a Punk Rock Dad. When he drives his kids to school in the morning, they listen to the Ramones, the Clash, or the Descendents and that’s it. He goes to all the soccer games, dance rehearsals, and piano recitals, but when he feels the need, he goes into the slam pit at punk shows and comes home bruised and beaten–somehow feeling strangely better. While the other dads dye their hair brown to cover the gray, Jim occasionally dyes his blue or green. He pays his taxes, serves jury duty, votes in all major elections, and reserves the right to believe that there’s a vast Right Wing Conspiracy–and that the head of the P.T.A. is possibly in on it. He is a Punk Rock Dad. |
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Healthy Hair Cream $54.98 Nature’s Therapy For Thinning Hair! Healthy Hair Creme™ visibly reduces excessive hair fallout. Unique creme feeds the hair follicle with over 70 all-natural proteins, vitamins, essential oils and selected herbal extracts necessary for the hair and its growth cycle. Just massage into scalp at least 3x a week. No animal testing. Made in the USA. |
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Games $45.48 GAMES BY JESSIE H. B AN CR OFT, M. P. E. FELLOW, AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE FELLOW, AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION FELLOW, AMERICAN PHYSICAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION. FORMERLY DIRECTOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, BROOKLYN PUBLIC SCHOOLS FORMERLY ASSISTANT DIRECTOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NEW YORK CITY. AUTHOR OF THE POSTURE OF SCHOOL CHILDREN Revised and Enlarged Edition of Games for the Playground, Home, School, and Gymnasium THE MACMILLAN COMPAN NEW YORK M C M X L V-I I Revised Edition Copyrighted, 1937, By THE MAC MILL AN COMPANY. Copyright in the Philippine Islands All rights reserved no part of this book may be repro duced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who wishes to quote brief passages in connection with a review written for inclusion in magazine or newspaper. Printed in the United States of America Set up and electrotyped. Revised and enlarged edition, published December, 1937. Reprinted January, 1938 January, 1939 April, 1939, May, 1940 February, 1942, April, 1942 Octo ber, 1942 April, 1943 December, 1943, May, 1944 October, 1944 July, 1945 March, 1946 March, 1947 November, 1947. Published and copyrighted 1909, by The Macmillan Company Copyright renewed 1937 by Jessie H. Bancroft. TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE FOREWORD vii INTRODUCTION 3 To THE TEACHER OF GAMES . .27 COUNTING-OUT CHOOSING SIDES AND TURNS WHOS IT 41 ORGANIZED ATHLETICS 49 MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVE GAMES 57 SOCIAL AND QUIET GAMES 269 STUNTS AND CONTESTS FEATS AND FORFEITS . . .325 SINGING GAMES 343 GAMES FOR ONE OR TWO 381 BEANBAG GAMES 389 BALLS AND How TO PLAY THEM 407 BALL GAMES 425 TRACK AND FIELD EVENTS 657 INDEX 667 FOREWORD The changesin this book consist mainly of additions, required by the amazing spread of the play spirit and its practical appli cations in education and community life since the book was first issued in 1909. So thoroughly is the material in the original collection a part of game programs that but few items could be eliminated without lessening the usefulness of the volume but the wider use now made of many games that were not in the original book, the invention by instructors of many other games whose popularity warrants their inclusion, together with many finds from new research in foreign countries, constitute the sources from which new material has been derived. To each section of the book new games have been added. Most significant perhaps is the need for including the major ball games, such as regulation Football, Basketball, Hockey r and other highly organized athletic games. When this book was first pub lished these advanced games were issued in a separate volume, as appealing to a distinct field, mainly of older players but these games are no longer the exclusive quarry of the college, or the sporting club for adults. They have sifted down through the high school to the elementary school, the playground, and the camp, in a way that indicates great increase of skill am |
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Design and Use of Serious Games $142.48 During the last few years, a new area of creative media industry, namely Serious Games, has started to emerge around the world. The term serious games has become more popular for example in the fields of education, business, welfare and safety. Despite this, there has been no single definition of serious games. A key question, what the concept itself means, has stayed unsolved though most have agreed on a definition that serious games are games or game-like interactive systems developed with game technology and design principles for a primary purpose other than pure entertainment. In this book, serious games are understood as games which aim at providing an engaging, self-reinforcing context in which to motivate and educate the players. Serious games can be of any genre, use any game technology, and be developed for any platform. They can be entertaining, but usually they teach the user something. The central aim of serious games is to raise quality of life and well-being. As part of interactive media industry, the serious games field focuses on designing and using digital games for real-life purposes and for the everyday life of citizens in information societies. The field of serious games focuses on such areas as education, business, welfare, military, traffic, safety, travelling and tourism. |
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Real Hair Italian Moustache $31.99 Serious Man Mouth Hair! Made with real hair, easy to apply with spirit gum that is included. |
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Life’s Games $14.48 Some of our earliest memories are of making games out of life. That is true of me. I clearly remember at one point my sister and I using our parents home/restaurant as our stage or playground. So began my life-long love affair with games of all sortsafun, challenging, and sometimes tragic when life itself plays mercilessly with you. This collection of poetry found in Lifeas Games, written between 1993-2003, is a reflection of the impact that lifeas curves can throw at a person and the insights viewed from youthas eyes. And whether or not it feels like a strange, cruel game, it is still life as we each in our own way know it. |
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Welcome to Real Life! $15.48 This book for youth contains 13 lessons divided between "Daniel–Man With A Plan," "Lessons From The Life Of Christ," and "Peer Relationships." The series, called "Destination Reality," combines exciting activities, games, relevant issues, and the timeless principles found in the word of God. Besides the skits, melodramas, role-play and interactive discussion starters, the book provides reproducible worksheets for the students. |
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Massaging Hair Brush $9.98 Two-speed massaging brushes not only detangle hair, stimulate the scalp and improve blood circulation, they also have a static charge that gives your hair a thick and full appearance. Back side of brush can be used to massage your neck, back, arms and legs to relieve stress. Choose large 9″ brush or small 7″ travel brush. Each brush uses 2 “AA” batteries, not included. |
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The Games Real $4.99 We believe it is important to preserve what makes music special, and make it easy to craft listening experiences. At MOG, browse millions songs and play them instantly. Or just turn on radio where you can stop and replay songs. You can also create playlists for any occasion, and even download songs to your mobile. We are dedicated to employing the cleanest but most powerful technology so you can enjoy music as much as ever. |
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The Real Life $6 The Real Life – 3 Doors Down |
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Mind Games $3.98 Award-winner William Deverell proves that when you mess with a psychiatrist’s mind, anything can happen Psychiatrist Dr. Tim Dare’s life is falling apart: his wife has just left him, he’s being hauled before a disciplinary committee, and now someone’s threatening to kill him In his gripping new novel, "Mind Games," William Deverell returns to the intriguing territory of the law and lawyers and of human psychology and motivation, and he does so in familiar Deverell surroundings: the streets, courtrooms, and waters of Vancouver. Dr. Tim Dare is a forensic psychiatrist whose life is in a mess: his wife has just left him to find herself; his mother is being sued for libel by a small-town mayor over a mystery novel; he’s been made the monitor of a man just out of psychiatric hospital, a man he considers a psychopathic murderer; he’s being hauled before a disciplinary committee for "misplacing" a file; one of his patients is "transferring" feelings to him rather too romantically; and now someone’s threatening to kill him. He can’t even get into an elevator without falling apart. No wonder he thinks he needs to see a shrink himself. Under the guidance of fellow psychiatrist Dr. Allison Epstein, Dare gradually learns how to face the demons within – and those in the real world that are really out to get him. "From the Hardcover edition." |
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Real Life Kitchens $30.48 More than just a place to cook, the kitchen has become the heart and hub of the home. It’s where we entertain friends, spend time with family, and indulge in a moment alone. The modern kitchen has to be equipped for working, studying, socializing, and hanging out; it should be functional without sacrificing an ounce of style or comfort. Now, homeowners are putting more of themselves into the kitchens they renovate or build, working to create spaces that reflect their personalities and complement the way they live. In "Lyn Peterson’s Real Life Kitchens, " the acclaimed designer and decorator tells you everything you need to know to transform your kitchen. This practical book is packed with cutting-edge ideas and information, from the latest options for appliances, countertops, and cabinetry to advances in seating, lighting, flooring, and kitchen configurations. "Lyn Peterson’s Real Life Kitchens" takes you step-by-step through the decisions you’ll need to make on all of the most important functional and stylish elements. The Big Picture: Deciding when and why to update, knowing how to optimize your space, nailing down a budget, and learning from the shortcomings of your previous kitchen The Layout: Thinking outside the traditional kitchen triangle, matching an island to traffic flow, and putting your plan to paper The Appliances: From cooktops to warming drawers, dishwashers to refrigerators, the latest advances and options in all of the working elements The Cabinetry: Choosing between ready-made, semi-custom, and custom; judging quality construction; saving money on this most expensive element of your renovation The Surfaces: Floors, countertops, and backsplashes, from painted to pine, tile to granite to limestone–the choices seem endless, but here’s how to match your budget to the style you want The Lighting: The looks, the lingo, and the low down on task, natural, ambient, accent, and mood lighting The Auxiliary Spaces: Pantry and storage options, wine cabinets and cellars, mudrooms, and a "desklet" for kitchen office activities like checking e-mail and scheduling A Survival Guide: Must-have information for working with contractors, designers, and architects, as well as creating a substitute kitchen while yours is under construction The Resources: A host of all-important sources to help you start your search Sprinkled with enlightening recollections from families who are veterans of both high-end and budget-conscious renovations, and packed with no-fuss advice for getting the most out of your space and your budget, "Lyn Peterson’s Real Life Kitchens" is the key to achieving your dream kitchen. |
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Mathematics in Games, Sports, and Gambling: The Games People Play $70.48 A Fun & Interesting Way to Teach an Introductory Mathematics Course Presents a Mix of Discrete Probability, Statistics, & Elementary Discrete Mathematics Topics With an emphasis on mathematical thinking and problem solving, Mathematics in Games, Sports, and Gambling – The Games People Play shows how discrete probability, statistics, and elementary discrete mathematics are used in games, sports, and gambling situations. It draws on numerous examples, questions, and problems to explain the application of mathematical theory to various real-life games. Only requiring high school algebra, the text offers flexibility in choosing what material to cover in a basic mathematics course. It covers permutations in the two-deck matching game so derangements can be counted, introduces graphs to find matches when looking at extensions of the five-card trick, and studies lexicographic orderings and ideas of encoding for card tricks. The text also explores linear equations and weighted equations in the section on the NFL passer rating formula and presents graphing to show how data can be compared or displayed. For each topic, the author includes exercises based on real games and sports data. |
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Cutting Your Family’s Hair $6.98 No more bad hair days ever again Give those you love the cut they want–plus remedies to keep those tresses healthy and shining. Close-up photos and detailed instructions teach you how to hold the scissors and comb, the angles at which to snip, and how to establish guides to the correct lengths. Then comes an array of cuts, with and without bangs, shown from start to finish: easy-to-care-for trims for children; blunt-cut, wispy, and layered styles in all lengths for women; and basic short versions for men. As a bonus there are recipes for natural, homemade hair-care products. |
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Games for Actors and Non-Actors $56.48 "Games for Actors and Non-Actors" is a unique piece of writing. Boal’s Methods transform theatre into a democratic arena where the spectator becomes the spect"actor"’, contributing ideas, taking over roles, and using theatre to confront problems such as sexual harrassment, poor pay, homophobia, and racism. For this first translation into English, Boal has included fresh material to make it the most up-to-date introduction to the techniques of Image Theatre and Forum Theatre available. "Games for Actors and Non-Actors" is a valuable handbook of methods, techniques, games, and exercises, and is a genuinely inspiring work by the world-famous author of "Theatre of the Oppressed." It is designed to help anyone – whether actor on non-actor – rehearse for real life: make the fictional real. |
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Real Hair Spanish Moustache $31.99 Super Spanish style bigote! Made with real hair. Apply with spirit gum that is included. Great for completing any Spanish character costume. |
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Real-Time Cinematography For Games $49.95 Today’s game audiences expect Hollywood-quality cinematography. But to produce this quality in games, programmers need to understand the traditional film principles of lighting, camera positioning, and motion. Unlike movies, games provide non-linear, interactive storytelling, so to use film and T.V. techniques effectively, the techniques need to be modified for games. Real-Time Cinematography for Games provides this translation by teaching programmers and artists how to incorporate tried-and-true filmmaking techniques into their games. Beginning with an overview of filmmaking and cinematography basics, the book teaches how to tell a compelling story using camera placement based on character and environment. It explains how to handle a camera for panning, zooming, and cradle movement, and it details how to program these techniques into your games through code examples. From there, camera lenses and methods for achieving a variety of effects with software cameras are explored. Hands-on examples illustrate the importance of good lighting and how to handle transitions to new lighting arrangements. The next part of the book covers the essential areas of filters, sound effects, interactive music, movement, and dialog, including coverage of current voice recognition technology. The book wraps up with coverage of directing essentials. Programmers will find the entire book extremely useful, and designers and artists will find the large amount of creative uses of filmmaking techniques invaluable. Every chapter is written with two major parts: creative and technical. The creative section looks into the techniques and practices of the film industry and teaches how artists and designers can use these techniques in games. The technical sections then explain how to implement these techniques into games through practical code and equations. The technical sections require knowledge of basic programming and computer graphics concepts. This is the one resource programm |
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Real Hair $4.99 For everything you do, there’s a song that hits the spot. MOG brings them all to you: a world of music on demand, unlimited mobile downloads and ways to discover music free from the limitations of Pandora. The music you love, with you everywhere you go. |
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Games Alcoholics Play: The Analysis of Life Scripts $3.98 The most lucid account of the patterns of problem drinkers ever set down in a book @lt;br@gt;@lt;br@gt;Drawing on soundly tested theories of transactional behavior, Dr. Steiner describes the three distinct types of alcoholics — Drunk and Proud, Lush and Wino — and their games, scripts and rackets: Debtor… Kick… Cops and robbers… Plastic Woman… Captain Marvel…Ain’t it awful… Schlemiel… Look how hard I’ve tried… and others.@lt;br@gt;@lt;br@gt;His approach is the single most useful tool for dealing with alcoholism since A.A. and the Twelve Steps, and offers the first real help — and hope — for problem drinkers and their families. |
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Cutting My Hair $4.99 We believe it is important to preserve what makes music special, and make it easy to craft listening experiences. At MOG, browse millions songs and play them instantly. Or just turn on radio where you can stop and replay songs. You can also create playlists for any occasion, and even download songs to your mobile. We are dedicated to employing the cleanest but most powerful technology so you can enjoy music as much as ever. |
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Scissors Cutting Hair $4.99 We believe it is important to preserve what makes music special, and make it easy to craft listening experiences. At MOG, browse millions songs and play them instantly. Or just turn on radio where you can stop and replay songs. You can also create playlists for any occasion, and even download songs to your mobile. We are dedicated to employing the cleanest but most powerful technology so you can enjoy music as much as ever. |
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Real Life Entertaining $17.32 Real Life Entertaining |
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Get A Real Food Life $17.46 Get A Real Food Life |
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Real Life Cooking $13.56 Real Life Cooking |
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Real-Life Entertaining $24 Real-Life Entertaining |
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The Real Life Body Book: $14.95 The Real Life Body Book |
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The Frustrated Songwriter’s Handbook: A Radical Guide to Cutting Loose, Overcoming Blocks, and Writing the Best Songs of Your Life $17.48 Stop pulling out your hair and crumpling up paper – The Frustrated Songwriter’s Handbook blasts away your mental roadblocks so you can tap into your deepest creative resources. Whether you’re a total novice or a seasoned pro, whether you’re a pencil-and-paper songwriter or a gearhead with way too much recording equipment, whether you just want to go further as a songwriter or throw out everything and start over, The Frustrated Songwriter’s Handbook will revolutionize the way you write music. It outlines a radical new system – Immersion Music Method – designed to help you smash through creative block, become recklessly prolific, and make quantum leaps in your musical and compositional skills. Bursting with mind-blowing tips and games and tales from the trenches of extreme songwriting, The Frustrated Songwriter’s Handbook will show you how to summon those elusive moments of inspiration on command, resulting in rogue creativity and fulfillment you never dreamed possible. You’ll learn how to: * Confront and slay your biggest songwriting phobias * Roll over procrastination like an armored tank * Form a self-motivated group of composer friends (a "songwriter lodge") * Concoct new musical styles like a mad scientist * Use technology to supercharge your creativity |
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The New Rebellion Handbook: A Holy Uprising Making Real the Extraordinary in Everyday Life $3.98 The New Rebellion Handbook is a wealth of resources to awaken a generation to its heavenly destiny. It addresses twenty-four real world, cutting-edge themes of life with fresh ideas, biblical insights, and life applications. |
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The Ascension (the Wordwick Games, #2) $14.98 "As usual Kailin Gow rocks out the YA genre with her work. I absolutely adore her books and think she’s one to watch. This book, of course, was great I love the world building that she did…For me, it’s always just right. The characters in this one were great and I loved the storyline. Here’s a sneaky little thing that Kailin did with the book…she made it educational. *shhh Don’t tell anyone * LOL In it you learn a lot of new words along with definitions but it’s combined so well into the story that you don’t really think about the fact that you’re learning. It was awesome Besides all that though, it really was just an excellent story…I always manage to get lost in her writing and I’m through the books before I even realize it. If you haven’t checked her out yet then I think you should." –Kris, Cajun Book LadyDESCRIPTIONAfter finding out the truth about Anachronia; Gem, Sparks, Rio, Kat, and Jack returns to Henry Word’s castle. Henry Word, the inventor of The Wordwick Games, is missing, and only he can control the portal that leads to all the worlds. The gamers must find him at all costs, but in doing so, it may change everything they know about themselves and their own world. When they learn a war is brewing within the worlds of The Wordwick Games, which will spill out into their own world, and the gamers are pitted against each other in a real fight to the death, dreams become reality…In this exciting second book of The Wordwick Games Series, the stakes to The Games are higher, and the prize is life. |
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1658 Poker Games and One Joke $14.48 This book might just be the answer to making you a better poker player. It may also improve your sex life, re-grow your hair, vanquish acne, cure any and all diseases, and help you shed those extra pounds. The only thing this book can really do is arm you with a ton of games to take to the next poker night. Spice-up your next game, and have the advantage of knowing and understanding the rules before anyone else |
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Real Life Simpsons $10 Real Life Simpsons – Stupid Videos |
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False Love In Real Life $6 False Love In Real Life – Emmure |
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Office Sportz: The Official Office Games $15.98 OFFICE SPORTZ is a handbook filled with fun, exhilarating and often ridiculous games that make life in the workplace a lot more entertaining However, a fantastic thing can happen when a team works together on something enjoyable and, yes, even goofy: actual change can occur. By that, we mean that these games can be used to create an opportunity for real growth within your organization. No, none of your staff will come out of these games better at using PowerPoint or suddenly certified to do taxes. But, what is possible-if you use these games well-is that you can create an experience for your team that results in greater cohesiveness, improved trust and more healthy communication. Studies have shown that all of these results have the effect of raising employee engagement levels which is directly linked to a healthier bottom line. The games use common office equipment and supplies to create easy, stress-free yet hilarious challenges that break up the monotony of daily corporate life and bring coworkers together in the process. Whether you are looking for a distraction from the status quo or an engaging way to increase communication, interaction, positive energy among your coworkers, OFFICE SPORTZ is the book for you |
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The Science of Healthy Hair $13.98 In this book Chuck reveals the answers to questions many beauty industry professionals have been trying to master for years. He identifies the real true one and only cause for hair breakage. He outlines all the culprits for breakage and damage and he gives the antidote to the many problems that have been plaguing the industry since the beginning of the profession. Chuck has been working along side and consulted with renowned scientists who have been researching the reactions of chemical relaxers on the hair and the damage it can cause. These scientists have invented a profound solution and remedy for the damage and breakage as a result of this service and Chuck has been given authority to enlighten the industry about it. This book is a must for anyone in the beauty industry who wants to have a monopoly over the population where it pertains to maintaining and preserving the integrity of the hair in effort to promote hair growth and longevity of life in the hair. |
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Cutting Comb $30.66 A long, lowprofile tapered hair cutting amp; styling comb handmade in switzerland made with traditional swiss techniques features sleekly tapered teeth amp; rounded tips gives greater comfort than traditional comb ideal for shorter hair styles or fine hair… |
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4th Grade Math Games & Puzzles $12.98 Success in math requires children to make connections between the real world and math concepts in order to solve problems. Successful problem solvers will be ready for the challenges of mathematics as they advance to more complex topics. The games and puzzles in this workbook are designed to help children enjoy practicing their math skills. Best of all, they’ll have lots of fun doing it Here’s a peek at what’s inside: Number Factory Numbers go into the machine, but what numbers will come out? Students crunch the numbers to solve the puzzle. Shape Scavenging Using the scorecards provided, students go on a scavenger hunt for shapes around the house, earning higher points for more unusual shapes. Secret Location Students find points on a map, write the names of those countries, and then unscramble highlighted letters to determine the secret location. Cat’s out of the Bag After cutting out cards of cats, dogs, and mice, students calculate the probability of choosing particular cards. Plus Game Pieces The workbook includes fraction and decimal cards, pentominoes, tangram pieces, and pattern blocks for students to cut out and use with the games and puzzles. Give your child’s confidence in math a boost with "4th Grade Math Games & Puzzles." |
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Real Faith for Real Life $3.48 For Christians seeking to apply their faith to everyday life, Real Faith for Real Life invites readers to answer the call of discipleship and provides guidance and examples of how to do so successfully. Michael Foss, author of Power Surge, encourages readers to rely on six time-tested marks of discipleships that encourage the practice of faith in everyday life: Daily prayer Bible reading Weekly worship Christian service Relationships that encourage spiritual growth Giving in the spirit of generosity Using Bible passages and real-life stories, Foss illustrates how each mark of discipleship enhances and supports the growth of a person’s faith journey. This book also includes study questions and journaling suggestions for small group discussion and individual reflection. |
