Part 25

While all this was happening I suppose that the band and the other dancers were working through the general shots and close-ups. I expected that Damini would be dancing around at the dholaks to make it look like she was producing the sound we had created. For nearly an hour Anudeep and I worked with the dancers before the choreographer was happy.

Saturday morning Avery awoke to the smell of bacon and eggs cooking. Mom was fixing a nice breakfast so, presumably, he would have a full stomach to make a full confession. When he went into the dining room, she put a full plate in front of him and inquired, “Can we talk after breakfast?”

He gave the only answer he felt would satisfy her, “Yes, ma’am.”

“Thank you, Honey. You know ….” Her cell phone chimed. She looked at the screen and the blood went from her face. “Hello?”

Snake Oil
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

“Doctor Nutbrown’s Incredible Remedies” was emblazoned on the side of the wagon that rolled into the town of Pratchett, Arizona.  Holding the reins was Doctor Thaddeus Nutbrown himself, if that was his name, and beside him the pretty woman Susan, Mrs Nutbrown, if that is what she was.

“You can set yourself up beside the livery stables,” said Sheriff John Bigelow.  “Just so long as you understand we will have no cheating in this town.”

Jenelle Conner was sitting on top of the rock outcrop near the picnic table her family was using for the picnic lunch. She thought how easy it would be to stand up and pretend her feet slipped out from under her, and allow herself to slide off the outcrop and onto the craggy rocks 200 feet below. It would only be a moment and then the fear, pain, and anger she felt for so long would be gone. She had just given her legs the command to stand, when another thought muscled its way into her mind, asking one question. ‘What about Patty?’ The muscled in thought then stood back and watched Jenelle’s reaction. And hoped.

My second week as Sir Charles' PA went just as well and I was becoming happy and relaxed in both my professional life at Cunninghams and living as a girl, but this was soon to be completely torn apart.

For 35yrs the border between the Human Empire and Gorgonzola Empire as remained mostly peaceful. The citizens for the Human Empire of this border region are loyal to the last man, woman, and child to the Empire. It was on one of these worlds that gave birth to a legend. The world of Apollo 6 is one of the harshest worlds within the Empire. One so harsh that only it could claim to be the birth world of James J. Owens, the most feared of Death Dealers. A world that is even now poised to give birth to a new legendary warrior. One who shall be baptized in the blood of the Empire’s enemies. Robert Wolff youngest great grandchild of James Owens’ sister Cecilia Owens.