There it was, all the evidence I needed to know exactly what had taken place just minutes ago. I didn't need to even talk to my wife, who was now in the bathroom, because I saw the used condom in the trash. I couldn't believe how much of it had been unrolled. She must have had quite a vehicle to take a ride on. I guess I should tell you a little bit about o...
The Man's shoes squeaked against worn, waxy floorboards as he stepped into the church hall. A low hum of commotion greeted him, excited calls and dull chatter melting together as chairs and tables scraped at the floor. Sighing inwardly, the Man slipped down into the room. He passed as quietly as he could between endless rows of tables, each one surrounded...
I recently took a job at a small liberal arts college in New York. It was necessary for me to go ahead of the family who will join me in the summer. Arriving on Jan 2nd, I stayed in a motel for two weeks until I found a short-term lease on a rental unit. Unfortunately, the central facility room for the building had a boiler explosion which closed the buildin...
Author's Note: This is my fifth semi-annual "invitational." The initial one was based on the Statler Brother's song, "This Bed of Rose's." The second used the Marty Robbins El Paso trilogy: "El Paso" "El Paso City " and "Faleena." The third had stories based on the various versions of "Maggie May" or "Maggie Mae." The fourth invitational was based on any Co...
Due to that little experience at the ski resort in Colorado (see "Sharing the Sauna"), my wife of 15 years and I have had a little change in our relationship. Cindy knew how much I enjoyed the experience of sharing her with my friend and I knew how much she enjoyed it too. The trouble was that we didn't know how to easily re-create that scenario again; she...
Isabeau was born at the moment her mother died and her wicked step-mother moved instantly to comfort the king. Her ministrations soothed his troubled brow and he came to rely upon her. But she was devious, and poisoned the king's mind against Isabeau. She taught him to associate the poor girl with her mother's death, and soon she had Isabeau relegated to the...
"Okay, I'll bite. I'm still a little confused about what happened last night after I blacked out, but I can talk this out over breakfast, guys. You're all my guests, if you're hungry and want some yourselves," I offered anyone who wanted to eat a chance at my expense. "Ah, don't sweat it. I've covered the whole thing last night and this morning. I took over...
Copyright © 2015 Naoko Smith This is a re-edited version of Chapter 1. (I added to the chapter, and also cut it in half and put half after Chapter 2.) Thank you so much for the feedback, which I'm working hard to take on board. Please leave comments for me. Thank you! (Diolch.) Lady Arianna el Jien van Sietter opened her round blue eyes and stared dream...
“M’Lady Elaine, it’s time to leave if we’re to make Barkley Hall by nightfall. The coachman is tending to the horses and will be ready to leave in an hour.” The young woman stirred, then stretched and slowly opened her eyes. “Oh, Millie, why must one wake before the cocks when traveling? This straw tic is hard as a board, and it seems as if I fell asleep o...
Scott the school contractor stopped by Karyn's room. He was ruggedly handsome. His body was lean and strong from years of working hard for a living. "Well, the work is all done until next summer, you won't have us boor-ish contractors around anymore. Anyway, how's the world's hottest teacher?" Karyn laughed. "So what's your next project?" "Um, well that's...