When Colors Bleed
By Estevan Vega
Release Date: March 4, 2011
Format: Kindle Edition
Source: Author
Description: WHEN COLORS BLEED is a short story collection that features three unique colors: love, loss, and regret. Both palpable and haunting, each story is a glimpse into human frailty and desperation.
BABY BLUE:
Casey never had any luck with men, even though she was employed by one of the finest clothing stores in New England and saw attractive, “sure kinds” strolling through her section every day like clockwork. At twenty-three years old, she has given up on her dreams of the spotlight, of finding love, and of ever getting out of the small town she reluctantly calls home. But one rainy afternoon, Thomas Rayford, a very unusual and kind stranger, stumbles into her life looking for an odd, baby blue suit. One thing is certain: Casey, the twenty-three-year-old dreamer stuck in a line, will never be the same.
VANILLA RED:
From his cold hell in Block C, a nameless man unfolds this twisted tale. This is the story of a man who becomes something else. A man who had a father once. A man who loved once. “They want to know why. They want a reason,” he confesses. “But nobody likes the reasons. They’re like unwanted children or cancers with no cure. A reason is a justification, an excuse so we can’t be blamed. But I know what it is I’ve done, and there is no reason that can take it back.” So begins Vanilla Red, a confession, a story, a prayer, or perhaps a drip of dark truth in the batter of humanity. Take a look inside and tell me what color you see.
THE MAN IN THE COLORED ROOM:
Colin awakens in a room, jittery, afraid, and confused. He knows not how he got here, who brought him, or why. And the only thing waiting for him is a hot cup of coffee and a seemingly flawless room that bleeds colors. As an architect, he understands that no room is perfect, but somehow this anomaly has crawled through the cracks and pushed the limits of perfection. No seams. No lines. No windows. Enter a bald man in a suit. Once he steps through the door, he makes the colors disappear with the push of button. His name is Jack, and he claims to be a friend. Still unsure of anything, Colin wages war with his mind, with a dark truth he isn’t ready to accept, and with Jack. In the moments that follow, Jack asks Colin a series of questions, questions that will reveal the where, the how, and the why of his arrival.
My thoughts: I was asked by Estevan Vega to review this collection of short stories and seeming how I loved his book Arson I felt honored to do so . The first story Baby Blue gave me such a lump in my throat. It tells you the story of a unique relationship developed over a suit but the end is so very heartbreaking. The characters made me realize that even someone you meet in such a short time can change your life forever and you shouldn't be afraid to take chances. My heart broke for Casey in the end. Then we move on to the second story Vanilla Red which is total opposite storyline and quite might I say creepy. It takes you into the mind of a guy who has murdered a woman. Let me tell you his mind is a mess but makes you think ,do alot of other murderers think like him. I was at loss for words after reading that story but not in a bad way. The Man in the Colored Room was the last of the stories and kind of surprising at the end. All the stories have similar themes like loss,hurt,and rethinking themselves. Estevan did such an amazing job making them very realistic and making you want to know more about their stories. I can not wait to read more of Estevan Vega's work. What an amazing storyteller....
