The Figure at the Fountain

This is one of the most intriguing and charming short stories from Discoveries: A Journey Through Life (ISBN 0-7414-0771-X, ISBN 9780741-407719). A son and brother returns to his family home in Southern California upon the imminent passing of his father with whom he had a tumultuous relationship. But it is his glimpses of the spirit of his beloved mother that make him wonder why he came back. The dialog between other characters is real and the setting is almost tactile. All the stories in the collection reflect family values from a visual and humane writer with a powerful sense of place.