CJ Woods III’s Story Archive

The Tintinnabulation of the Bells

October 3, 2019 | by CJ Woods III

A great ringing racket in the hallway outside the metal door to my brother’s apartment startled me; I bounced from his couch and in two short strides, reached the door. I opened it and set the ringing free to bounce off the interior walls; in the hallway, a light was … Read More

A Moment of Joy

September 26, 2019 | by CJ Woods III

As we two prammed down University Avenue past the Irvington Preparatory Academy on the sidewalk opposite the school, my granddaughter and I heard the sudden rushing and rustling of clothes, and the slap of shoes on the ground. I’m assuming that Myah heard the things I did, but she had … Read More

Connections

September 19, 2019 | by CJ Woods III

“So, it says here that you have a history of cancer, right?” The doctor paused to listen for my brother’s answer, and I restrained myself from answering for him. It was late  in July, and I had traveled from Indianapolis to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to help my brother with his medical … Read More

Everything Happened Fifty Years Ago

September 12, 2019 | by CJ Woods III

“Fifty years ago, this summer,” the newscaster began, finishing with a tribute to actor-screenwriter Peter Fonda, who died on August 16, 2019 and whose seminal film, “Easy Rider” debuted fifty years ago. I used to grumpily muse on the fact that I could recall things that had happened decades ago. … Read More

Bird Church

September 5, 2019 | by CJ Woods III

In the woods surrounding my brother’s eight-story apartment building, I heard some birds that seemed to be interacting with each other. From an unknown distance, one of the birds called, and after a few seconds, closer to where I was, the other bird responded. I spent some quiet moments listening … Read More