Traffic inched forward in a snarl of overwhelmed intersections. Somewhere on the other side of the interstate, a fire engine's siren screamed through the hot air. The light turned green and Holly started to go, but the big Silverado in front of her didn't budge. She swore under her breath. Just then the fire engine turned in front of them followed by an ambu...
June 23, 2018 Hyannis, Massachusetts Brandon Goodwin could feel it coming. In less than thirty minutes, the ceremony would begin, and his fantasy would come to an end. He couldn't bear it. This whole thing was just too damn much. He quietly excused himself and went to the downstairs bathroom of St. Francis Xavier Parish. He rested his head on the side of...
Author's note: This is, in all its seven parts and their many chapters, one very, very long story. If long stories bother you, I suggest you read something else. No part of this story is written so as to stand on its own. I strongly suggest that you start with the beginning of Part 1 and read sequentially—giving up at any point you choose, of course....
I mentioned in a later story that that I carry Mace. I just say that. I carry pepper spray, but "Mace" has a nice ring for those who enjoyed the "Medieval Weapons" chapter in seventh grade. How mankind has advanced. A mace was a club with a round metal head bristling with sharp spikes. You could crush your opponent's skull. With Mace, you burn out his brain,...
This story begins the long-awaited continuation of my Road Trip series also posted on this website (see the end of 'Road Trip -- California' for a list of the chapters of that series, in order to be read). You need not read that series to enjoy this one, although I do make references to events and characters in that story to tie this story and that one toget...
My name is Alan. Just Alan. I am a collector of fine and unusual antiquities and rarities. I also have a fine disregard for the law, so the nature of my collection is not openly discussed. It would be of interest to the police of several countries, some of whom have shown enough interest in my career that I find it necessary to choose my travel routes carefu...
This editorial originally appeared under my real name in the newspapers I edit. The late historian William Manchester wasn't in the same class as David McCullough or others, but once in a while he would come up with some particularly good information. One example came in his never-finished biography of Winston Churchill, some years before he was thrust int...
Chapter 33 – Renee does Playboy. Ellen The photographer and set that Renee was to use for Playboy were in Chicago, right near the Playboy mansion. Renee and Ellen were there three days, and most of that time from nine in the morning to six or seven at night, Renee told us she was either naked or wearing some frilly piece of lingerie that wasn't too differe...
Thanks to all who leave meaningful feedback, and a special thanks to those who email suggestions. Keith Noel Emerson, Gregory Lake: "Welcome back, my friends, to the show that never ends. We're so glad you could attend. Come inside! Come inside!" + + + + I'm not sure what happened. I must have had a dizzy spell or something. My forehead was on the steerin...
As Cindy Nelson hit a perfectly placed drop shot over the net for game, set and match she never thought about the prize that went along with the club championship, she was just thrilled to have won. She raised her racket in victory, shook hands with her opponent across the net and acknowledged the cheers of the crowd. Later, as she emerged from the locker r...