Chapter 24 - The Hot Springs

Polly, I've got to hand it to you," Little Rose said. "You have a lot of nerve taking your parents on a hike to a clothing optional hot springs. For that matter, you have a lot of nerve going anywhere where clothing is optional!"

Not What We Expected by Tiffany B. Quinn Eventually, the time came for the couple to leave the reception. The wedding party had all gotten together to decorate the Rolls Royce parked at the top of the circular driveway. It had all the traditional streamers, signs, tin cans, etc. and was ready to go. About the time we finished with the car, we heard the thumping of helicopter rotors approaching. I had slapped my forehead. Of course, I had thought, what does a rich guy do to make a statement? The helicopter landed on the front lawn and the happy couple was soon airborne and heading into the night to the well wishes of the assembled guests. Before they left, Sandra told me that she still didn't know where they were going. After Tom and Sandra had made their exit, the party started to slowly break up. I had been exhausted when I finally slipped into bed at the hotel well after midnight. I fell asleep with a sense of peace and wondering where the happy couple had gone.

Chapter 16

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Chapter 11
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When Judy awoke in the morning, it was to a gentle touch on the shoulder by Kyra. Her equally soft and genuine smile highlighted the winning battle against being up so close to sunrise. Or was it a losing battle? Judy couldn’t be sure with that one, but to this day she was certain alarm clocks were the epitome of evil.

Moss felt an enormous sense of gratitude when Barfield raised his head and asked his guards, “Do you think I could get a cup of coffee?”

“Uh… yeah,” the first guard said, and Moss could see the two guards mentally struggle to find a joke connecting coffee and Uranus.

She stood there. She stood there on the corner. She stood there as if time had stopped. She stood there not feeling the breeze as it stirred her skirts around her legs. She stood there in shock at the last words she had heard. Biting words, hurtful words that had no place in public or private. Words that could cause one pain and suffering. Words that altered those around them and tore down the very walls that we erect in defense of our very sanity. It was those words that froze her in place. Those words that froze her mind.

 
Photo by Roberto Nickson on Unsplash

Chapter 23 - Sisters

"Good book, Vicky?"

"Oh, hi sister. Gee, that still sounds weird. It's OK so far, but I just started it."

"Kind of like me, then?"

"What?"

"Being Polly is OK so far, but I've just started."

"So I suppose Sheila can read you like a book, then?"

"She prefers reading in braille."

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Chapter 10
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As to that, I have a long tale as to why I was held up. My story begins around eleven a.m., about five minutes after I got off the phone with Wyatt. I was in the downtown Steel Canyon area on other business that had been concluded for the day when I placed the call, and I was walking to where I usually catch a taxi.

Walter strolled across the round walkway where countless other people walked. He stopped, and some people screamed, when a van pulled up behind him with a screech.

Debbie looks at her husband as she helps remove his body armor. She couldn’t believe how dented it was or the bruises she was seeing on his chest. His face was a little swollen from the punches he took.

“What the heck hit you, Jack?” Debbie knew her husband was a well-trained fighter.

There weren’t many people her husband couldn’t defend himself against or takedown. She examines him carefully, to make sure he doesn’t have any broken bones or fractures.

 
Chapter 22 - Pillow Talk

Each day, any day, no mater how the humans packing the surface of this planet act, react, stumble, fight, love or hate, they must bow to the reality of physics. Sailors fear that if all the passengers on a boat should move to one side it could capsize, and that very thing has happened. Not even if some demagogue should convince the entire population of the Earth to all move to one side of the planet would it change the rotation of the Earth.

Erica is finally released from the hospital but still needs to live in a secret safe house until the rape-gangs are imprisoned.

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Chapter 09
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Vidnyanta’s old body fell and diminished until it was nothing more than a heap of dust and cloth. Such was the fate of powerless mortals. Her new body, however, opened from its fetal position, and she felt so strong. So chilly.