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Cigarette Break
Note from Author:
This short story has been unpublished and incorporated into the anthology, "Dear Sugar & Other Sorrows."
This short story has been unpublished and incorporated into the anthology, "Dear Sugar & Other Sorrows."
21 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 26, 2012
5 people want to read
About the author
Irma Fritz
23 books45 followersIrma Fritz grew up in a German town whose name you wouldn’t be able to pronounce. She studied writing at California State University at Los Angeles and worked at Hollywood PR agencies. As a young press agent, she witnessed James Stewart’s grand entrance on an elephant at an L.A. Zoo fundraiser; shared an Orange Julius with Neil Diamond at a Hollywood carwash, and turned down Alex Trebek’s dinner invitation.
Irma bicycled across the U.S. and lived in the Canadian bush country. Her serendipitous life journey took her to Seattle where a friend tricked her into a date with the handsome, young man who became her husband.
A writer of novels and short stories, Irma’s latest novel, “When There Was No Moon,” won first place in the Pacific Northwest Writers Association Unpublished Literary Novel Contest and Nancy Pearl Finalist Best Book Literary or Mainstream.
Irma bicycled across the U.S. and lived in the Canadian bush country. Her serendipitous life journey took her to Seattle where a friend tricked her into a date with the handsome, young man who became her husband.
A writer of novels and short stories, Irma’s latest novel, “When There Was No Moon,” won first place in the Pacific Northwest Writers Association Unpublished Literary Novel Contest and Nancy Pearl Finalist Best Book Literary or Mainstream.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 28, 2012
Cigarette Break: Irma Fritz
Sometimes life takes on a different meaning when a traumatic incident or injury causes you to change your perspective on life. One young couple would pay the ultimate price when something happens to this young soldier whose life crumbles from fear, stress, and distrust resulting from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Meet CJ and Crystal an ordinary married couple with three children. Although they appeared happy on the surface they appeared to be living in two separate worlds CJ is AWOL from the army after returning from a tour overseas left with remnants and visions of what he encountered he can’t seem to function properly without the aid of his meds and Crystal’s calming effect. Hiding from the army and often himself CJ enters a world that only he feels safe in but not anyone else. Enjoying life, his children and his blessings comes hard to him and he often takes out his frustrations on his family. But, a family vacation and meeting two wonderful people might give him some solace and peace for the first time. Paranoid, suspicious of other people and not wanting his family to get close to anyone he constantly threatens and warns Crystal to watch her words and deliver them carefully. Loyal to him and never floundering or faulting her feelings for him, CJ still does not trust Crystal. Always thinking she tempts men or flirts to get their attention he never really appreciates the fact that she is always there for him. Hoping to relax and allow his children to have a proper vacation he decides to give in to Crystal and stay at a Bed and Breakfast owned by Tom and Noreen Lessard. Instant friendships form as CJ and Tom bond and fish together allowing Crystal to talk to Noreen and vent for the first time in her life.
CJ was traumatized from the events he remembers and saw when over seas. Friends killed, car bombs, explosions and the violence ring through his mind on a daily basis. The pressures he encountered and the knowledge that his reason for enlisting was not his own but his father’s plagues his mind as he did not dare disappoint him and the knowledge that the army would provide for his family if something happened to him gave him some comfort. CJ was always a carefree, kind and understanding young man until the army changed him. Although Noreen and Tom were great friends and the children were finally meeting other kids, learning to do things they never did before, CJ never really relaxed and Crystal never really had a life. Afraid she would replace him if push came to shove he decided there was only one way they would never be apart.
Talented in her own right she never had a chance to flourish and gain her own recognition. Able to create fashions on paper, fixed broken jewelry and create her own style, Crystal often made extra money while on the army base when he was away helping out some of the other wives. Making decisions he felt was his job and any time she voiced her concerns or wanted to help in the planning or decision making he cut her down, was abusive and explained he ran things an no one else.
Cigarette Break is a unique story created by author Irma Fritz. Where does the title come in? Every time CJ and Crystal needed a short break from life, doing chores or just after dinner they would disappear and take as their children realized and would chant: A CIGARETTE BREAK! Living on a military base and describing her life to Noreen enabled her to finally come to grips with what she and her family have endured. Picture this young girl caught in a web of her own that someone else created. She seemed to live as a robot whose arms, legs and mind were mechanically controlled by its creator.
Two women wanting the same things: Children and security and one who was content and the other unable to find her way. How far would you go to prove your loyalty to someone you love? How far would you go to protect your children? As the days lingered to weeks and they assimilated into a life that they both really needed and wanted the time came for a change.
As Tom and Noreen had another couple staying at the B&B they became involved in their upcoming wedding. Great people they also included Crystal, her kids and CJ too. But, after the wedding and taking pictures, CJ decided it was time to leave and test his wife’s loyalty and trust.
One conversation and several to follow allows the reader to learn of what he has planned. Leaving the B&B and saying goodbye to Tom and Noreen they stop at a diner for lunch. What happens next you will have to decide for yourself as the author leaves the ending wide open to speculation. Lunch, dessert and then as the children chant, “ Cigarette Break, Cigarette Break,” as their two parents exit the diner. Thinking they would return they continued eating, have their lunch and drinks never realizing the ultimate outcome. This story will leave the reader asking many questions. Where are CJ and Crystal? What really happened to them? Would they really leave their children unattended? What caused them to fall off the face of the earth an unable to be found? Many soldiers commit suicide when things in their own minds become too difficult to handle. This they feel is their only way out. But, how many would take another person with them? After reading this story, hearing the voices of CJ and Crystal relating the events, as Crystal is your narrator for most of it, you decide for yourself what happened. Did they take the ultimate way out? Author Irma Fritz brilliantly and deliberately leaves the ending open for the reader to decide for himself/herself. From the author of Irretrievably Broken comes a story that will make you stop and think and realize the sacrifices our young men and women in the service make everyday. Cigarette Break: Will she write the rest? Just how long is too long: This story will definitely give you pause for thought.
Fran Lewis: Reviewer
Sometimes life takes on a different meaning when a traumatic incident or injury causes you to change your perspective on life. One young couple would pay the ultimate price when something happens to this young soldier whose life crumbles from fear, stress, and distrust resulting from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Meet CJ and Crystal an ordinary married couple with three children. Although they appeared happy on the surface they appeared to be living in two separate worlds CJ is AWOL from the army after returning from a tour overseas left with remnants and visions of what he encountered he can’t seem to function properly without the aid of his meds and Crystal’s calming effect. Hiding from the army and often himself CJ enters a world that only he feels safe in but not anyone else. Enjoying life, his children and his blessings comes hard to him and he often takes out his frustrations on his family. But, a family vacation and meeting two wonderful people might give him some solace and peace for the first time. Paranoid, suspicious of other people and not wanting his family to get close to anyone he constantly threatens and warns Crystal to watch her words and deliver them carefully. Loyal to him and never floundering or faulting her feelings for him, CJ still does not trust Crystal. Always thinking she tempts men or flirts to get their attention he never really appreciates the fact that she is always there for him. Hoping to relax and allow his children to have a proper vacation he decides to give in to Crystal and stay at a Bed and Breakfast owned by Tom and Noreen Lessard. Instant friendships form as CJ and Tom bond and fish together allowing Crystal to talk to Noreen and vent for the first time in her life.
CJ was traumatized from the events he remembers and saw when over seas. Friends killed, car bombs, explosions and the violence ring through his mind on a daily basis. The pressures he encountered and the knowledge that his reason for enlisting was not his own but his father’s plagues his mind as he did not dare disappoint him and the knowledge that the army would provide for his family if something happened to him gave him some comfort. CJ was always a carefree, kind and understanding young man until the army changed him. Although Noreen and Tom were great friends and the children were finally meeting other kids, learning to do things they never did before, CJ never really relaxed and Crystal never really had a life. Afraid she would replace him if push came to shove he decided there was only one way they would never be apart.
Talented in her own right she never had a chance to flourish and gain her own recognition. Able to create fashions on paper, fixed broken jewelry and create her own style, Crystal often made extra money while on the army base when he was away helping out some of the other wives. Making decisions he felt was his job and any time she voiced her concerns or wanted to help in the planning or decision making he cut her down, was abusive and explained he ran things an no one else.
Cigarette Break is a unique story created by author Irma Fritz. Where does the title come in? Every time CJ and Crystal needed a short break from life, doing chores or just after dinner they would disappear and take as their children realized and would chant: A CIGARETTE BREAK! Living on a military base and describing her life to Noreen enabled her to finally come to grips with what she and her family have endured. Picture this young girl caught in a web of her own that someone else created. She seemed to live as a robot whose arms, legs and mind were mechanically controlled by its creator.
Two women wanting the same things: Children and security and one who was content and the other unable to find her way. How far would you go to prove your loyalty to someone you love? How far would you go to protect your children? As the days lingered to weeks and they assimilated into a life that they both really needed and wanted the time came for a change.
As Tom and Noreen had another couple staying at the B&B they became involved in their upcoming wedding. Great people they also included Crystal, her kids and CJ too. But, after the wedding and taking pictures, CJ decided it was time to leave and test his wife’s loyalty and trust.
One conversation and several to follow allows the reader to learn of what he has planned. Leaving the B&B and saying goodbye to Tom and Noreen they stop at a diner for lunch. What happens next you will have to decide for yourself as the author leaves the ending wide open to speculation. Lunch, dessert and then as the children chant, “ Cigarette Break, Cigarette Break,” as their two parents exit the diner. Thinking they would return they continued eating, have their lunch and drinks never realizing the ultimate outcome. This story will leave the reader asking many questions. Where are CJ and Crystal? What really happened to them? Would they really leave their children unattended? What caused them to fall off the face of the earth an unable to be found? Many soldiers commit suicide when things in their own minds become too difficult to handle. This they feel is their only way out. But, how many would take another person with them? After reading this story, hearing the voices of CJ and Crystal relating the events, as Crystal is your narrator for most of it, you decide for yourself what happened. Did they take the ultimate way out? Author Irma Fritz brilliantly and deliberately leaves the ending open for the reader to decide for himself/herself. From the author of Irretrievably Broken comes a story that will make you stop and think and realize the sacrifices our young men and women in the service make everyday. Cigarette Break: Will she write the rest? Just how long is too long: This story will definitely give you pause for thought.
Fran Lewis: Reviewer
May 8, 2012
Thought provoking indeed.
This is the second book I have read from the author. The first was "Irretrievably Broken."
I must say, Irma Fritz's writing style is very fluid and soft. She tackles social issues that weigh heavily on society every day whether it occurred sixty years ago or just yesterday. She paints excellent scenes with wonderful character development. The reader finds themselves immersed in her stories and the plights they are encountering. For this, I commend her.
My only drawback with this on is how the story ends. Unfullfilling. The story covers the lives of the couple Crystal and C.J. C.J. is back from his second tour in Afghanistan. He is scheduled to be redeployed but is suffering from severe post traumatic depression. The thought of returning to the battlefields is tearing him apart. His wife (no matter how many attempts she makes) can not reach the boy she fell in love with in high school just seven short years ago. During the brief "leaves" the army allows C.J., they bear three children (one when he graduated high school and two during home leave) who keep Crystals days tenuously busy while C.J. is on station.
Approaching the end of their meager savings as they travel from town to town, Crystal convinces C.J. they should stay at this very quaint B&B in Colorado. It will be a huge improvement over the other motels they have frequented of late. C.J. is AWOL. Crystal hopes the surrounding countryside and the wonderful folks who host the B&B can help C.J. regain his lost childhood and replace his nightmares of fallen comrades bodies being torn apart from shell,shrapel, and bullets with those of her and their beautiful children.
Will the peaceful calm surroundings allow C.J. do fall back to the carefree days or will his torment continue until the weight is too heavy to bear? Will Crystal supported his decision 100%?
The readers time and money will be well spent finding the answer.
This is the second book I have read from the author. The first was "Irretrievably Broken."
I must say, Irma Fritz's writing style is very fluid and soft. She tackles social issues that weigh heavily on society every day whether it occurred sixty years ago or just yesterday. She paints excellent scenes with wonderful character development. The reader finds themselves immersed in her stories and the plights they are encountering. For this, I commend her.
My only drawback with this on is how the story ends. Unfullfilling. The story covers the lives of the couple Crystal and C.J. C.J. is back from his second tour in Afghanistan. He is scheduled to be redeployed but is suffering from severe post traumatic depression. The thought of returning to the battlefields is tearing him apart. His wife (no matter how many attempts she makes) can not reach the boy she fell in love with in high school just seven short years ago. During the brief "leaves" the army allows C.J., they bear three children (one when he graduated high school and two during home leave) who keep Crystals days tenuously busy while C.J. is on station.
Approaching the end of their meager savings as they travel from town to town, Crystal convinces C.J. they should stay at this very quaint B&B in Colorado. It will be a huge improvement over the other motels they have frequented of late. C.J. is AWOL. Crystal hopes the surrounding countryside and the wonderful folks who host the B&B can help C.J. regain his lost childhood and replace his nightmares of fallen comrades bodies being torn apart from shell,shrapel, and bullets with those of her and their beautiful children.
Will the peaceful calm surroundings allow C.J. do fall back to the carefree days or will his torment continue until the weight is too heavy to bear? Will Crystal supported his decision 100%?
The readers time and money will be well spent finding the answer.
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