Chapter 1

I was the third child born into what was supposed to be a large family. The first three of us were named alphabetically, as per my father’s family. My brother was Adrian, my sister was Belinda, and I was called Clarence. Our father had been from a big family and was called Gordon Higgins. He had been born in 1988, while my mother, Annabel, had been born in 1990, and was an only child.

That didn’t cause me any panic. I was expecting a few deliveries and I was hoping this was the one I was really waiting for. When I opened the front door a delivery-man was standing there, brown uniform, a cardboard box in his arms and one of those sign-in document thingies for me to register that I had received the delivery.

Why did I feel the need to mess with my hair?

The Poise that Josey Found 2
Josey at Dancing Camp

Fairy Tale
A Vignette
By Maryanne Peters

We both got jobs at “Storyland” the big amusement park themed around classic fairy tales, but I always ended up in some of those bulky hot outfits that were like hell, especially in the summer months.

It was her idea that I try out for Snow White. They needed a larger girl because the dwarves needed to look smaller. She said that with a bit of work I could pass for a girl.

Fifteen - Love

Anyone who tells you that tennis is a gentle sport is lying through their teeth. At the grass roots level, it is populated by eager children with overbearing parents, and overbearing competitors with overbearing managers and trainers at the professional level. In my experience, the best time to be a tennis player is the bit in between, where you can shed the parents clutches, and before someone wants to be your ‘guardian’.

“Did something happened to Vinnie?” Grace asked on entering the room. “She has always been here before me.”

“Indeed!” Mommy almost jumped. “She is always among the first here… Anyone to know something?…” She opened the door of the room. “Fabricia, do you know if Vinnie has called sick?”

“She hasn’t… Wait, the elevator!”

Unblocked
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

Vincent Page wrote “High Flies the Hawk”. You may have heard of it. It sold well, in fact it sold well enough to earn a retainer for his second book. There is always the assumption that every writer has a second book in them if their first is any good at all. But where does that assumption come from?

Carrie begins to take over Cory's life, and big decisionshave to be made.

Blowing florets
I want to dance in the air
Blowing florets
And just not care about anyone or anything
But you and me
So don't let go of me
Don't let go of me

The elevator quietly chimed and started up. Filippo politely watched the floor indicator. Gab just stood, thinking about something. I silently cursed myself for overstuffing with the omelet, then wondered if Gab will try and look at Vinnie who was standing right next to him. Sure, the long skirt of her uniform covered her legs completely, but a man would always try to steal a glance after such a talk. To be honest, I did several times while nobody watched me.

“Um, G-g-gab? M-m-m-may I a-a-ask for s-s-something?”

“Huh… Yeah, sure.”

“I… I p-p-plan b-b-bying a g-g-game c-computer. C-c-could you a-a-advise me w-w-what to b-buy?”

In 2026, the United States embarked on a daring and audacious endeavor: testing a new weapon intended to replace atomic weapons. This singularity bomb, a marvel of cutting-edge technology, was engineered to unleash the destructive power of traditional nuclear weapons without any of the radioactive fallout. However, the test didn't unfold as planned.