The few dozen words in the summary part of the email from ‘Sam’ was enough to turn Sergei’s world upside down a few dozen times.

“I think he sought his bride-to-be; and awaited her return after her day was over. I believe.”

Back At The House:
Jasmine arrives home and carries her backpack upstairs to her bedroom. She saw her grandmother’s pickup in the driveway and noticed that the shotgun was missing from the mounting rack. She grabs her Glock and quietly walks back downstairs. As she entered the kitchen, she noticed two teacups and the shotgun in the kitchen.

A Family Mystery
A Vignette
By Maryanne Peters

I found this picture in the attic just before Grandma died. She wanted me to bring down some photos of her in her youth, but this one seemed much older. She recognized it immediately.

“That is my grandmother’s brother,” she said. “I know it is hard to believe, but that pretty young thing is a young man.”

I needed to know more. I was deeply fascinated by the image even without hearing about who it was.

Orphan Petal

August 2023 - Part 1

Shirley must decide if he is brave enough to be like the girl in his dreams

Occulta puella

To those who helped I give my blessing.
To the rest, may you one day receive what you deserve,
On my deathbed, alone as always,