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Infinitesimal Happenstance: How Fate Guides Your Life
The author had a near death experience after a motorcycle accident. While on the mend he began having visions. Recurring often over a few years they became complete memories. Over time the author realized these memories belonged to a soldier named Eli. The memories spanned from 1943 to 1945. (This book, however, is not about the war.) The ensuing chapters tell his story as seen through Eli’s eyes and heard through his ears. Since we are in Eli’s head we also know his thoughts.
Eli’s story starts at a USO dance in the Atlantic City Knickerbocker Hotel. Eli is drawn to Mayme (may-mee) sitting at a table across the ballroom. He is shy but after some firm coaxing from his soldier buddy, Parker, he gets the nerve to approach her. She is an experienced ballroom dancer but he doesn’t know how to dance. She convinces Eli to dance just the slow ones with her. Mayme, now enamored, wants some alone time with Eli. She suggests that they walk to Kessler’s, a soda fountain, where they could have more private conversation.
On the walk they share humorous stories and private details. At the soda fountain Eli tells Mayme he is sitting here with her now because a pencil perched over his ear fell to the floor causing a series of events that end up with Eli going to enlist in Des Moines. He claims that this story is an example of his father’s theory that fate’s subtle involvement in one’s life with seemingly small events causes huge effects. Mayme, an avid reader of the dictionary, names this interesting theory Infinitesimal Happenstance. Eli asks Mayme if she could teach him how to dance if they return to the ballroom. Mayme, having learned enough about Eli to realize this is the man she has created in her mind as her husband. She jumps up overcome with zeal then they head back to the ballroom. On the way he asks her to marry him and she accepts his betrothal.
They re-enter the ballroom. Mayme points out a couple that are doing the dance that she is going to teach him, the East Coast Swing. It turns out he is a quick study. For the rest of the evening they practice dancing to the fast tunes and hold each other for the slow ones. Their love for each other grows exponentially during their last few dances. Parker comes to get Eli as the last song is playing. Knowing it may be years before he sees Mayme again the heartbreak is unbearable. As he backs away she remains motionless with her outstretched left hand as it was when their fingertips parted. Eli pauses and burns her image into his mind.
The next morning finds Eli on a train to New York. Parker and a sleeping soldier named Booth are in the seats facing Eli. Booth awakens undetected while Parker is confessing to Eli some private feelings and thoughts. Booth insults Parker for not keeping his sissy feelings to himself. Eli tells Booth to shut up but Booth continues taunting relentlessly. Rage builds in Eli until he confronts Booth physically. Booth and Eli have several hostile encounters over the next two years culminating with Booth shooting Eli in the back. Awaiting death over the next few hours Eli relives in his mind many events of his life that he will share with you. In his final minutes Eli is discovered by a passing soldier, the author’s uncle. They touch hands and Eli’s soul is transferred to uncle.
Two years later Eli is transferred to the author on the day of his birth by the touch of his visiting uncle. John Orrin Chase remained unaware of Eli’s existence within him until his near death experience.
Eli’s story starts at a USO dance in the Atlantic City Knickerbocker Hotel. Eli is drawn to Mayme (may-mee) sitting at a table across the ballroom. He is shy but after some firm coaxing from his soldier buddy, Parker, he gets the nerve to approach her. She is an experienced ballroom dancer but he doesn’t know how to dance. She convinces Eli to dance just the slow ones with her. Mayme, now enamored, wants some alone time with Eli. She suggests that they walk to Kessler’s, a soda fountain, where they could have more private conversation.
On the walk they share humorous stories and private details. At the soda fountain Eli tells Mayme he is sitting here with her now because a pencil perched over his ear fell to the floor causing a series of events that end up with Eli going to enlist in Des Moines. He claims that this story is an example of his father’s theory that fate’s subtle involvement in one’s life with seemingly small events causes huge effects. Mayme, an avid reader of the dictionary, names this interesting theory Infinitesimal Happenstance. Eli asks Mayme if she could teach him how to dance if they return to the ballroom. Mayme, having learned enough about Eli to realize this is the man she has created in her mind as her husband. She jumps up overcome with zeal then they head back to the ballroom. On the way he asks her to marry him and she accepts his betrothal.
They re-enter the ballroom. Mayme points out a couple that are doing the dance that she is going to teach him, the East Coast Swing. It turns out he is a quick study. For the rest of the evening they practice dancing to the fast tunes and hold each other for the slow ones. Their love for each other grows exponentially during their last few dances. Parker comes to get Eli as the last song is playing. Knowing it may be years before he sees Mayme again the heartbreak is unbearable. As he backs away she remains motionless with her outstretched left hand as it was when their fingertips parted. Eli pauses and burns her image into his mind.
The next morning finds Eli on a train to New York. Parker and a sleeping soldier named Booth are in the seats facing Eli. Booth awakens undetected while Parker is confessing to Eli some private feelings and thoughts. Booth insults Parker for not keeping his sissy feelings to himself. Eli tells Booth to shut up but Booth continues taunting relentlessly. Rage builds in Eli until he confronts Booth physically. Booth and Eli have several hostile encounters over the next two years culminating with Booth shooting Eli in the back. Awaiting death over the next few hours Eli relives in his mind many events of his life that he will share with you. In his final minutes Eli is discovered by a passing soldier, the author’s uncle. They touch hands and Eli’s soul is transferred to uncle.
Two years later Eli is transferred to the author on the day of his birth by the touch of his visiting uncle. John Orrin Chase remained unaware of Eli’s existence within him until his near death experience.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 2, 2018
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