Desert Blues

by Bill Albert

On the fifth day of July, 1957, Harold Abelstein’s father, Norman, tried to make a U-turn on the Pasadena Freeway. A short time later, Harold awoke in a hospital bed battered and parentless. That was bad enough. Worse was that his remaining relative was Aunt Enid and everything about Aunt Enid embarrassed him. Wearing too much make up and not enough clothes, she talked loudly and touched everyone, especially Harold. He didn’t like being touched. Having to deal with each other, Harold and Enid are forced to learn important truths about themselves. The result is a poignant, extremely funny tale of misunderstanding, understanding and self-discovery set in the small town which was Palm Springs in the 1950s.