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Night Shift by Red Haircrow

“To escape a troubled home, Jamie works the night shift at a department store, among a rag-tag group of punks, war veterans and bickering couples, unsure what direction he wants to take in life until a mysterious new co-worker arrives.

With a long ponytail, faint accent, and quiet manner, Derrik manages to disturb or fascinate everyone, not just one pint-sized Southern boy who wants to escape from his boring life.

Jamie finds himself falling for Derrick, but the older man harbors a secret that threatens to come between them.”

Character Derrik Lehmann is one of my favorites "created". Yet in actuality, he was inspired by a very tall, handsome and intelligent German I met on a train in Berlin one fine spring morning. The background story can be found at my blog, in the entry titled "Herr Zug and Night Shift". I was both surprised and shy when he asked me on a date ;-)

Character image drawn and cover designed by Red Haircrow. Guess what? A sequel is already in the works, visit The Berlin Shift for more information about the work in progress!

Excerpt:

"He was still trembling inside. Derrik had the most amazing voice, the depth and timbre of it combined with the faint accent rocked Jamie to the depth of his soul. When Derrik had taken his hand and pulled him close for that split second, looking down on him with those mesmerizing gray eyes, he could have fainted dead away. Gooseflesh still stood on his arms, though he'd stepped back out into what promised to truly be a scorching day.

"So do you want the answers to your questions today, or some other time?" Derrik asked, coming up behind him.

Jamie scoffed, incredulous. "Now, of course. I'm the impatient sort! Can't wait another minute."

"Ah, I see," said Derrik, looking around. "Well, it's too damn hot to sit outside in the parking lot, too conspicuous also. I'd invite you back to where I live but it’s about twenty minutes outside town. Maybe another restaurant or something?"

Greatly daring, not quite meeting Derrik's eyes, Jamie said, "We could go back to my house." Those dark brows rose a fraction. "I don't mean it like that ... well, not exactly. It's just that ... it's nearby and ... no one's there."

"Hmm," Derrik sniffed, shaking his head. "I don't think I've ever been invited to someone's parent's house." Then he added ruefully, "Well, I live with my mother right now, too, so -- technically I guess it's the same."

"At least it's cool," Jamie pointed out. Derrik still looked undecided. "But ... if you don't want to, that's fine." He started walking away.

"I want to, Jamie." Derrik spoke low but quite distinctly.

"Okay," Jamie said, still trying to gauge Derrik's sincerity. "You can follow me, or I can drive."

"I'll follow you." Their eyes met again. "Let's get out of the heat."

And where will their romance lead? Find out by visiting JMS Books and downloading my story! "Night Shift 2", the further story of Jamie and Derrik's love is currently a work in progress, look for it by spring of 2011!

Jamie Holloway: Original drawing and early prototype..

The original drawing,then:

Colourful but no

...still not finished

Derrik Lehmann: my inspiration for the character:

"It was my first time in Berlin, I was riding the S-bahn having pulled out of Zoologischer Garten bahnhof a couple of stations before. I then noticed a man looking at me. In the way of most Germans, he was not shy or surreptitious in his glance. Even seated I could tell he was tall and long-limbed. He was no more than 25 or 26, but that could be hard to tell for he had a classically handsome face which would age well: very clean, strong lines, a firm mouth, and those kind of blue eyes also common in a certain ethnicity of Germans, deep and dark. You will think them dark brown or black even, until you’re close up. (I learned that later passionately attentive). From his hairstyle, slicked back except for a few long strands loose around his cleanly shaven cheeks, I could tell it was long even before, while still watching me, he reached up, unfastened then refastened it tighter. Near to black was his hair, very straight.

By that time I couldn’t help but smile a bit, because of his intentness, and he gave a small smile also, finally looking back down at the textbook which was across his lap. Now it was my turn to look at him all I wanted. I pulled out a sketch book to make a drawing of his shoes (I still have it). They particularly caught my eye. Although his clothing was all dark: fatigue trousers of a kind you can zip the bottom pant legs off in warmer weather and a matching coat, ironically his socks were short and white showing a measure of black haired leg, and those shoes with big loopy bows.

Gleaned: A student who shopped in second hand clothing stores, was perhaps on his way to class, and despite his outfit had a whimsical twist to his personality exhibited in his footwear.

The calm automated female voice announced the next stop, and with a practiced motion he closed his book and slipped it into his rucksack and stood, glancing at me boldly again as he walked past and turned towards the soon-to-open door giving me an excellent view of his well-muscled rear end. He must have felt the gaze. He turned just before the little bell sounded, looked down at me and asked, “Ein tasse kaffee?” in a dark, melodious voice. That means in German: “a cup of coffee?”, and in the evening, it might have been “ein bier?” (a beer) or if he were particularly direct, “ein fick?” (A fuck?). Yes, Berlin can be as easy as that.

“Ja, warum nicht?” I replied (sure, why not), standing, though this was no where near my own stop and I’d never been in the area, yet I had nothing to do anyway and he was infinitely interesting. This man I met on the train and got to know to the full extent I desired, I titled “Herr Zug”. (Mr. Train).

I created “Night Shift” around Herr Zug, named him Derrik and settled him into a past work experience I had. A romantic interest had developed between myself and another employee, but not as nearly satisfying as the one shared by Derrik and the other main character, little Jamie Holloway...."

Back to main page, The Journey of Red Haircrow

My other book excerpt pages:

"Katrdeshtr's Redemption", The Night Cat, Book 1, a vampire novella.

"A Lieutenant's Love", a gay historical fantasy available from Dreamspinner Press, an e-book.

"Convenience Store Romance", modern gay romantic tale from STARBooks Press, part of the Boys Getting Ahead anthology. In print and Kindle format.

"The Berlin Shift", the sequel to Night Shift!

"The Agony of Joy", modern romantic drama.

"Twin Masquerade", a Regency novel.

"The Children of Driy", a series of fantasy tales of an androgynous race. (Coming Soon)