Flotsam and Jetsam

Returning from Phillip Island was a bit emotional for everyone else minus Lauren and me, as we had no clue who this man everyone was sad about was. As we arrived at the huge two storey house, already the small gathering had begun with meat on the grill, Harleys lined in a row at the front of the house and music on blast. The mood suddenly shifted as we joined more people and gathered around a table containing a photo frame. Sausages and burgers were handed around and the music was decreased in volume as people began to take turns in speaking about the man who had recently

“Not bad,” replied Gabby, who had thrown her bag up on the counter and was trying to fish out a lighter, “just got off!” Both of her stockings had a run in them and flicks of discarded food stuck to the sides of her tennis shoes. Her dress was black and sparkling. Vernon could tell she worked at another diner the moment she got out of the cab. The waitress flipped over an empty cup and poured out what was leftover of the coffee. Gabby had lite her cigarette, inhaled a drag, took a sip, and exhaled out a thick cloud of smoke in one single breath. “Ended up pulling a double?” The swirls in the smoke seemed to actuate Gaby's words. “Don’t remind me!” replied the waitress, who had removed one of her flats and was rubbing her heel, “I’ve been on and off my feet since 9:30 this morning.” Gabby looked towards the front of the diner at the back of Vernon’s head and then back at the waitress. “Rough night?” “Nope,” replied the waitress, “he’s been coming in here late for the last month or so, keeps to himself.” They both could see that Vernon was moving his hands while he was talking to himself. “We still on for tonight,” asked Gabby. “Maybe,” said the waitress, “as long we can get a table.” The band aids on the back of her heels needed to be replaced with new ones. Gabby

The setting of this short story is in Timbuktu. Timbuktu city in the western African country of Mali. Timbuktu was added to the

The hotel also acted as “a placeholder that would be there for him sometime in the future (252).” In the beginning Henry thought, “his own broken heart might be found there,” but when Henry decided to explore the hotel he found Keiko

Years after the restaurant incident, Twyla meets Roberta at the Food Emporium. Although Roberta had treated Twyla so harshly years earlier, she is overjoyed to see her. When Roberta meets Twyla, she states, “I got married to a man who lives here. And you, you’re married too right” (1409)? While Roberta has married a very rich man, Twyla has married a fireman named James (1408-10). Because of their marriages, Twyla and Roberta find peace and joy in their lives. Twyla begins to love her lifestyle because of her husband and his family. Roberta begins to live an even more lavish lifestyle than before because of her husband and seems to enjoy every moment of it. Because of mothers’ lack of emotional support, Twyla became very hard on herself and Roberta became self-righteous. Eventually, Twyla and Roberta find their source of validation through their marriages in different ways.

“ (285). Keiko also shows her optimistic personality when decides to see Henry again. Despite, not talking to Henry in over forty years. Her optimism allowed her to stay hopeful even in Japanese internment camps. Keiko’s positive personality keeps her throughout Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet from giving up on Henry.

The novel begins as Henry reminisces his time with her, which suggests that she is the focus point of the story. “The hotel had always been a perfect landmark. A perfect meeting place―where he’d once met the love of his life” (1). Henry’s relationship with Keiko is the relationship the book revolves around for many reasons. Due to her Japanese descent, Henry found himself falling in love with a girl that his father would never approve of. In turn, Keiko fueled Henry’s rebellion against his father, and taught him valuable lessons about how to love and what it means to be a family. When Keiko is sent away to Camp Harmony, Henry is driven mad by their separation. He searches for ways to get in contact with Keiko, and eventually finds a job that will allow him to find her while he is serving food at the camp’s cafeteria. His desperation to find her shows the impact Keiko has on his life. He tells her he will wait for her, however long it takes, so they can be together. Since Henry is only 12 years old, it is clear that his love for her is deep and true. Keiko influenced Henry’s character the most because she was the turning point of his

In New York City, Jeannette is surprised how quickly she is able to find a job and get work as a reporter, which is her goal in life. She and Lori eat

The inn keeper's parlor was the best in town, they told her. His wife was wearing a heavy dress, adorned with lace and a massive broach that she raised a plump hand to touch, as if to be certain it was still there. They spoke of the massive rug, bought from Paris, and the finely crafted furniture they all sat upon. The preacher listened quietly, smiling as though their vanity wasn't a sin, while Mrs. Hartford eyed the dress with longing. Della thought that the dress was tasteless. The lace was poorly made, and the line of the bodice wasn't flattering. The fabric was an odd shade between blue and green, and the woman inside it was far less appealing. She didn't bother to mention that her own parlor had been filled with crystal, and priceless art her father had collected around the world. She didn't mention that her toys had cost more than Mrs. Johnson's gowns, or that she was mispronouncing the tea they'd been served. Not to be kind, not to be deceptive, but because did not matter anymore. Nothing mattered anymore. She'd given up that life to marry Ben, given up her family, given up her home and her gowns and her education.

He rushed over to her to make sure she was okay. Kate just nodded, a bit groggy from the events that took place just several of hours earlier. Once fully awake, Kate began blurting out questions like an auctioneer.

The manager raised his voice and ordered her to leave, before they called the cops. Fancy noticed up close she didn’t look like an elderly woman, but reminded her of her mother, whom she hadn’t thought about for years, felt sympathy toward her and invited her to dinner. After listening to her story, Fancy wanted to help her, after dinner, she got her a room for the night. The next morning, she spoke with the hotel manager about him hiring her. Which he did against his better judgement. After giving her sufficient funds to take care of herself for several months, Fancy said goodbye and promised to see her soon.

The women was portrayed as such a gullible person that she believed they would send her $1000 a month if she informs them about every incident in hotel. What I find even more ridiculous is the fact at how ignorant she is; if we

He then transfers me to the waiter’s number. The waiter explains that he served a couple and a close friend last night. However, during the dinner, the friend and Caroline had gotten into an altercation. The husband, on the other hand, was very quiet; all he did was smoke the tobacco pipe. The one thing that caught the waiter’s eye was a pipe that had a design of the Essex ship. The information that came across, led to a woman named Madeline Crook. She has been a close co-worker of Caroline for the past few years. I rush over to the address of Miss Crook’s home. Before I even knock, a woman with blonde hair, average height, and strong makeup swings the door open.

Then, the story flashes back to several months prior. This time Anna is in Nantucket trying to collect herself after leaving her husband. The back-story to their affair is given in the explanation of how they met and how they spend their time. The chronology is again thrown out as the storyline makes a jump forward to what was supposed to be their last meeting. Anna expects her lover to understand that she must go back to her secluded world and he must go back to his, but he doesn't seem to want that for them. Anna, since the start of this affair, has been indecisive and confused, but as the story moves she grows out of touch with herself and the rest of the world. She alarms herself when she looks in the mirror. "She returned to her husband and saw that another woman, a shadow woman had taken her place" (181). In contrast, the final even takes place in perfect sequential order, and as a consequence Anna leaves the event with a clearer understanding of herself and the way she relates to the rest of the world. When she leaves her lover for the final time, she is content and no longer confused, she even seems happy. "Suddenly, joyfully, she felt miraculously calm" (190). The confusing sequence of events is wrapped up nicely with the sequential order of the ending, which culminates with a clearer minded Anna.

1. 1.the story opens in the Botswana border and The chapter begins full suspense and intensity as the author does not reveal any names and only describes the surroundings and qualities of the character. The protagonist who is described as a preserved and mysterious person “infact the inner part of him was a jumble of chaotic discord, very much belied by his outer air of calm, lonely self containment”.