I looked over at Rachael, she was sitting down on the couch watching something on television. She was wearing some black skirt and that blasted white blouse I hated. Our daughter was at daycare until 530, we had the whole day to ourselves. I sat by the fireplace pretending to be reading one of my novels, but actually scrutinizing her outfit as she sat there....
Chapter 2—A Tangling of Vines "Good grief!" Alvin exclaimed, glancing at the breakfast menu. "Did you see the prices? I thought we were eating breakfast, for crissake, not buying a car." "Another of the joys of New York City," Frank agreed. "I'm having a couple of eggs over easy with the trimmings. I'm hoping it'll last me until dinner. I just had a sandwi...
Funny thing, scandal. One should find a scandal wrenching, considering all the pain and humiliation involved. Yet people love the devastation of others. It breaks up the monotony. Gives the bystanders a new topic to hash out in the break room or by the water cooler. 'Why do you think he did it?' followed by the inevitable speculation. Walking through the o...
The morning was like every other. I got up, got ready for work, got the kids off to daycare, and went back home to get logged into work. My day wasn't looking too busy. I only had a couple of assignments to take care of. I started checking my business emails and was about the pack up and leave. Just as I was about ready to go, I heard my wife coming down th...
"Are you free?" "Yes." Click. When the call comes, I move fast. A hurried straightening up, quiet the lights, soft music. I've got it down. She lives down the block, just a three minute walk if she's in a hurry. She always is. I'm ready when she knocks. Today she's come right after work, deduced from her outfit - paired, conservative jacket and skirt,...
Pass Me the Festivus Pole: Group gift exchanges. As Frank Costanza from Seinfeld would say, "The tradition of Festivus begins with the airing of grievances." Pass me the Festivus Pole, and listen up. Takes Festivus Pole This year, the number of group gift exchanges has gotten out of hand for my family. I appreciate that it's an attempt to limit the number...
Johnny took a bite from his egg sandwich and glanced out the large window as two short figures scurried by. He watched as the two kids climbed into a dark SUV and closed the doors. The driver casually waved at someone standing on the sidewalk. Turning his head Johnny noticed a woman in a jacket with a few rollers still in her hair quickly wave and th...
"Hon, do you remember what we talked about before we left, Friday?" I had asked my wife "No, what...?" When her face turned totally white and her hand went to her mouth in disbelief, I knew she had remembered, obviously for the first time since at least early Saturday. Before we left, we had talked about the fact that this was her most fertile time and we w...
"She knows I can't be with her the way she wants...right?" Dane Moore thought to himself as he hefted his trash bags to the curb. He has spent all morning contemplating his relationship, non-relationship with Lily. "Last night felt different...it's never been so real. I've never told her that I love her. I have to tell her the truth about Taylor..." "Daney...
"When will we hear from Omaha?" "I already told you, I have no idea when we will hear from them," Jordan replied, "Why do you keep asking me?" "It's not for me, June over in three keeps calling. I tell you that one is on edge." "Hell we're all on edge down here." "No I mean really on edge, like kind of makes me worry she's like only fourteen protocol ste...