Reuben's Chair

By David Paul Eich

Reuben's Place is a barbershop with a single customer chair conveniently positioned to allow patrons the opportunity to scan a potpourri of images and other conversation pieces. The photograph of a crucifix imbedded in a tree trunk, quotations from unknown authors, and a steel anvil hanging from the ceiling, share attention space with the pot-belly stove in the corner of the shop. For only a few dollars, customers get a descent haircut, the chance to place their cash in an old-fashioned register, and enough wisdom to get them through the day.Reuben is a distinguished looking gentleman whose slim frame, thinning white hair, and deep brown eyes, suggests that his "earthly" profession is responsible for many customers finding answers to complicated questions. Conversation flows freely among the barber and five visitors who stop by each morning for refreshments and "spirited" discussion. The group's daily agenda has but two line-items: yesterday's encounters and the day's assignments. And though each visitor appears to be retired, they, like Reuben, are angels, or as they prefer to be called, guardians. It is their dialog and personal engagement that will beguile a young clinical psychologist and five of his clients who, to one degree or another, are dealing with depression, marital problems, and anger management.On Alessio's first visit to Reuben's Place he is surprised to be escorted by the owner to a vacant barber's chair even though there are four elderly gentlemen talking and enjoying morning refreshments with a lady named Rita. After only five minutes his attention is drawn to the group's discussion on the personal troubles of an individual everyone in the shop seems to know. But instead of just gossiping the conversation becomes a problem-solving session with each contributor offering a specific strategy designed to help the person who is struggling. And though Alessio's concentration is often interrupted by Reuben's editorial comments, the barber's remarks help bring clarity to the story in a manner the trained professional is unaccustomed with.In time Alessio will come to realize that five of his clients are also customers who, unbeknown to them, are the subject of multiple conversations between Reuben and his team. Art and Charlie are baseball coaching antagonists fighting for the opportunity to take their repective clubs to the nationals; baseball parents, Naomi and David are experiencing serious marital problems; and Benson is an umpire whose actions on the diamond will trigger a war between good and evil.Every encounter at Reuben's Place, Alessio's office, and on the baseball field, will include interactions between humans, their guardians, and a number of demonic characters referred to as shades.During the final visit to the barbershop, Alessio receives a discourse on virtues, life's choices, and one's search for happiness. Confused and angered, Alessio is stunned by Reuben's prediction of a final encounter that will simultaneously involve his clients while challenging his "earthly" senses.Alessio will eventually rush back to Reuben's Place to report the miracle he witnessed only to discover that the barbershop has been replaced by an antique story that has been in the same location for over 50 years!Beginning to question his sanity he is approached by the store's owner who hands him a letter from a stranger matching Reuben's description. With hands shaking he begins to read:"Alessio, we realize today's events have left you quite unsettled..."

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1494983540
• ISBN13: 9781494983543
• Release Date: September 2014
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 124 Pages
• Weight: 0.53 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.3" x 6.0"