It was Christmas Eve and as our kids were well into their teens my wife and I decided to open all our gifts early. After coming home from a traditional night at our friend's house of singing Christmas carols and cocktails we arrived home. Unknown to my wife earlier in the day I had set up a little treasure hunt for her main gift. I thought it romantic and s...
They struck at dawn. From the east, their dragon ships approached in silence, hidden by the rising sun at their back. By the time the townspeople saw their draconic silhouettes, all too familiar from their nightmares, it was too late. There was no time to prepare a defense, only to hide and pray. The great drum, around which the temple itself had been bu...
Trevor Burbage had arrived in the country from New Zealand just six weeks ago, and found himself a nice apartment, as we call it here in the States. He hoped that his stay in the U.S. would be permanent, in fact, but he naturally worried about whether or not he would get to keep his green card. How many New Zealanders got to stay in America? In any case, h...
Thanks to the Hip and Knee doctor for editing assistance. * Magnolia Retreat was a beautiful place, but I still didn't understand why my mother insisted on going there rather than stay with us. I was the eldest daughter and felt responsible for her since Dad died three years ago. She was only sixty-three years old and in pretty good shape for an old lady....
He finished the ghost story and watched as several of the younger campers huddled under blankets in groups of three and four. A wry smile came to his face as he stood and stretched out his legs. Andrzej Charron wasn't much older than the campers, but he was 16 and had attended Camp Jumping River for eight years, so he filled the requisites to be a "Teen Coun...
There was a knock on the front door and Sam Wilson opened it. There stood two police officers. “Sam Wilson?” the officer said. “Yes,” Sam replied. “Are you Chris Wilson?” “Yes,” I said. “Boys, I’m afraid we have some bad news for you,” the taller officer said. “We regret to inform you that your parents were killed in a car accident this evening.” “What...
He had spent all day getting everything ready for the night ahead. There were candles everywhere, on the mantle, in the fireplace, on the window sills, and even on the floor. A small table was set in the middle of the room covered in a pale pink table cloth and covered with deep red rose petals. Next to the table was a bucket of chilled champagne to go with...
Most of us are raised in one of two cultures in this world. One side sees no dilemma in asking for something they desire. They do not feel they are intruding, for all you need do is to say no to the query. The other factor tends not to ask for things unless they feel the answer would be yes. This side would prefer to put out feelers to find out what the othe...
Little Owl held the tipi flap open and waited for permission to enter. Trails of sacred smoke poured out of the opening and flowed upward. The acrid scent of the smoke mixed with the smell of sweat, blood and urine. He let the scent envelope him as he prepared to enter. "You may enter Little Owl." Running Elk spoke slowly, with a raspy voice. The oldest of...
The sun burned a dusty orange; its incessant heat scorched the landscape even as it set on the distant horizon. Dust hung in the air choking everyone and everything. The only sign of water was the tear tracks on the children's faces, and yet he still had hope. Though the dusty haze he watched as an old man approached him, walking very slowly. "The fever......