“It’s okay, Shannon,” Heidi attempted a smile, “we no longer behead the bearer of bad news.”
“Jerald date raped me when I was seventeen,” I closed my eyes and blurted it out before my courage failed me.
Heidi’s sharply indrawn breath pierced my soul.
“I think I should sit down now,” Heidi said shakily. “What’s a few wrinkles when the whole wedding is at stake.”
After collapsing on the couch, Heidi asked, “Are you sure it’s the same Jerald?”
Sitting down next to her, I recited, “Jerald Wharton, age 23, born June 21st in Chicago to parents Lillith and George Wharton, 5’11”…although he always claims to be six foot…around 175 pounds give or take, played quarterback in high…”
“It’s the same Jerald,” Heidi admitted reluctantly.
“I saw Jerald and his father for a brief moment in the lobby,” I said dully. “I hadn’t seen him since I was seventeen, but I would know him anywhere.”
“You were only seventeen when he…?”
“If I’d only known sooner…” I began unhappily, tears forming in my eyes. “I just couldn’t let you marry him not knowing…”
I took a deep breath and stood.
“He’ll tell you I agreed to…to…” I faltered for a moment before continuing determinedly, “but I didn’t. I said no and then I begged…and…and…I tried to fight him off, but he was too strong and…and…he hurt me…” I finished in a whisper. “I have to go.”
Turning blindly towards where I thought the door should be, tears streaming down my face, I was stopped before I could take a step by two arms sliding around me.
“No…I have to go…” I cried as I struggled to free myself.
Ignoring my desperate attempt to escape, Garrick pulled me close and held me there as sobs wracked my body. He never said a word, just held me.
Finally, as my wild sobs slowed to mild hiccups, I pulled back swiping at my tears with the back of my hands.
“I’m sorry,” I sniffled. “I didn’t mean to let loose on you like that.”
“I don’t mind,” Garrick smiled.
“But your shirt…”
“It’s not important.”
Glancing around to see how Heidi was taking my outburst, I noticed we were once again alone in the room.
“Where’s Heidi?” I asked in alarm. “She isn’t…”
“She won’t marry Jerald…not now…not ever…”
“But you should be there with her,” I said in panic, “when she tells him. He won’t take it well…”
“Heidi has three brothers, two of which can’t stand Jerald anyway and all of which are truly six foot tall…not just 5’11” wannabees. I’m sure they’ll be able to handle it.”
“I’m so sorry…”
“Do you always apologize this much?”
“Bad habit,” I admitted with a watery smile. “I should get back to my hotel. Michael will be missing me and Maggie will be worried.”
“Give me a few minutes to change, and I’ll escort you.”
“There’s no need…”
“For me there is,” Garrick replied mysteriously. “Promise me you won’t leave the suite without me.”
“But…”
“If you don’t, I’ll just have to wear this makeup and tear stained used-to-be-white shirt, out in public,” he warned humorously. “I’m afraid that wouldn’t reflect too well on either of us.”
“I promise,” I said dutifully.
Garrick was back within five minutes wearing jeans and a polo shirt in place of his suit and tie. For the first time since we’d met, I noticed how nicely built he was with his broad shoulders, muscular arms, and narrow hips…and my heart skipped a beat.
Stop that, I berated myself.
I’d quite successfully avoided men for years, but all of a sudden I realized what I’d been missing…and my heart ached…ached for all those years of sadness and loneliness…and denial that I was sad and lonely.
But Maggie knew…Maggie had lived a long time and knew everything…and she was always on me about finding some nice man and going out, but I knew there was no such thing…that men were bad news.
Somehow, though, I couldn’t find it in me to lump Garrick with Jerald in the same bad batch. Even in the short amount of time that had elapsed since we’d met, it was obvious even to me that Garrick was different.
That thought scared me.
“You don’t have to walk me back to the hotel, you know. I’m fine…really,” I said nervously. “You should go down and be with your family. Heidi needs you.”
“Do you know why I joined you behind that potted plant?” Garrick asked casually.
“N…n…no,” I stammered.
“I was just getting off the elevator, when I saw this gorgeous brunette enter the hotel, and I said to myself…‘Self’…that’s how I usually start conversations when I’m talking to myself…anyway…I said ‘Self, you haven’t been attracted to a woman in a long time so you probably shouldn’t let that one get away without at least introducing yourself’. So naturally, I followed you. Imagine my surprise when you ducked behind that huge potted plant and began peering through the leaves.”
He chuckled and I couldn’t help but smile, even though it was a cautious smile.
“Who’s Julia?” I asked tentatively.
“My wife,” he replied suddenly serious again. “She died eight years ago from ovarian cancer.”
“I’m so sorry,” I said, trying desperately to control the trembling of my bottom lip.
I’d already cried all over one shirt, I thought it hardly appropriate to cry all over another. The way I was going, he’d have no shirts left.
“Thank you,” he smiled. “You have a very tender heart.”
“That’s your way of saying I’m a big cry baby,” I snorted and then promptly hiccupped. “Leftover…” I shrugged ruefully.
“You’ve had a rough time of it,” Garrick moved to stand right in front of me while I craned my neck to keep eye contact.
I loved his blue eyes. They warmed me. I couldn’t imagine how I ever thought they were cold.
He continued, “And I realize you need to take things slow, for Michael’s sake as well as your own, but I’d like the chance to be part of your life…if you’ll let me.”
“But…but…we just met.”
“And I’m not asking for a life time commitment,” Garrick said, “but I want to get to know you better, and I want the chance to show you that not all men are evil.”
“Why?”
“Because I feel something for you that I haven’t felt in a long time…not since Julia…and if I let you walk out of my life, I may never feel that again.”
“Do I remind you of her?” I asked hesitantly.
“Physically…? Not at all,” Garrick grinned. “She was a redhead…hot temper and all…and a bit of a control freak. But deep down, you are very similar. She was warmhearted, just like you are and strong and brave and…”
“I’m not brave,” I protested, feeling the familiar lump in my throat.
No matter what, I had to tell Garrick the truth…a relationship based on a lie was no relationship at all…even if it meant he never wanted to see me again.
“I’m scared all the time and paranoid and neurotic and a total emotional mess…”
“And yet you’ve managed to find a family in Maggie and raise an almost five year old boy all on your own. You could have caved, Shannon, when Jerald did that to you, you could have taken the easy way out, but you didn’t. You survived, and not only survived, but you flourished. You found a career, you raised a family, and you managed to save a wonderful young woman from making the worst mistake of her life, all while you were terrified. That’s bravery…that’s courage…and that’s what I admire most about you.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Just say you won’t shut me out of your life. That’s all I’m asking for right
now.”
“And my son…?” I asked uncertainly.
“My greatest regret is that Julia couldn’t have children,” Garrick admitted. “She would have made an amazing mother and I would have had a part of her to keep with me forever. If you’ll let me, I’d love to get to know Michael…and Maggie. She must be an incredible woman to do what she did for you.”
“She is,” I agreed misty-eyed. “I wouldn’t have made it without her.”
“So…?”
“You won’t rush me into anything…?”
“Slow and steady wins the race,” Garrick grinned holding out his hand. “Do we have a deal?”
Feeling the first tentative stirrings of hope that I’d experienced in a long time, I reached out and took Garrick’s hand.
“We have a deal.”
The End
Who the Heck Decided?
By A. M. Reed
Who the heck decided girls had to wear dresses?
Who the heck decided that it was bad to make messes?
Who the heck decided that diamonds were worth a thing?
Who the heck decided to propose with a ring?
Who the heck decided that disco was dead?
Who the heck decided that black was the new red?
Who the heck decided cats ruled while dogs drooled?
Who the heck decided before you eat let it cool?
Who the heck decided vampires burn in the sun?
Who the heck decided that there had to be none?
Who the heck decided that poetry should rhyme?
Who the heck decided that it had to keep time?
Who the heck decided to use cursive to write?
Who the heck decided it had to be left to right?
Who the heck decided to work and not play?
Who the heck decided that you couldn’t just lay?
Who the heck decided poetry had to be dark and depressing?
Who the heck decided that some need redressing?
Who the heck decided life was unfair?
Who the heck decided that you shouldn’t walk on air?
Who the heck decided that anything was the way it was?
Who the heck decided? It must’ve been just ‘cause.
Time and Space
By C. L. Reed
Meet Charles Limburg. Charles is a reporter for the local newspaper. He writes a column about different events around town and human-interest stories. A job that has kept him out of fights, and out of jail. You see Charles has a very unique ability. If you ask Charles he might not call it an ability, but rather a disability. Charles is what is known in some circles as a Seer and Protector.
As Charles awoke, he knew that this was not going to be an ordinary day. The cool breeze blowing over his face was his first clue that he was not in his own bedroom where he had gone to sleep. Rising up and looking around, he found that he was on the front porch of an older but remodeled home. The porch was large and furnished with a swing and a small table. The trees were large and alive with the sound of birds. Charles had two questions: Why and Where? You see part of Charles’ ability also brought him into the lives of people rather unexpectedly. Whether he had walked here in a trance, or was transported, he never knew. He only knew that he was here for a reason.
Charles knew that this mission was going to be different. Usually his visions showed him definitively who was the good guy and who was the bad guy. However, on this morning the vision was not so clear. So, before hitting this one head-on, he decided he had better do his research. Better to be prepared than be dead. As he scribbled down the address, he headed to work where he knew that he could make certain inquiries without revealing exactly why.
Benjamin Whitman was his name. A professor at the local university. A professor of anthropology. No criminal record. Not even a parking ticket. Ok. So this must be the good guy.
Instead of going back to the home of Benjamin, Charles decided that is would be much less invasive if he would just call the university and setup an appointment. 2 pm. That would be fine.
Benjamin Whitman was not a tall man. Rather thin, but definitely not skinny. You could tell from the fit of the suit that he was well built. Dark, almost black hair with a beard to match and eyebrows that almost met in the middle. As Charles interviewed the man he tried to find how in some way there may be trouble lurking for such a mild mannered individual. Again, nothing stood out as anything that could put him in danger. So finally the question: Has anything happened recently that has been out of the ordinary? The answer was not as expected. Ben described how he had seen someone or something in his house. He could not give much detail and he had only seen a glimpse of it in the mirror. As he gave the vague description, Charles began to get the picture that it was an animal. But what kind of animal, as the questions persisted. Finally, Ben revealed that what he had seen was a werewolf. Odd for most people, but not for Charles as he had seen many things stranger.
With this information, Charles headed back to do more research. Had anyone else reported animal sightings in the neighborhood? If not, then why would Ben have been the lucky one? Ben had traveled recently. Germany, South America, Africa … Black Forest, Rainforest, jungles. Yes, so maybe he had come in contact with a werewolf.
Charles decided that he should go back to Ben’s home for a little more info. As Charles approached the slightly lit house, he could see a movement in the basement window. Crouching down and looking in the window, Charles could see Ben. But wait, was it really Ben. As Charles watched, it was Ben transforming into a werewolf.
Case solved. That was the reason the vision had been so unclear. Villain and victim – one and the same.
The End
Death of a Dream
By L. M. Reed
“What a shame!”
“A crying shame…”
“It just seems so…final.”
“Yes, it does.”
“Don’t get too close…it’s hot.”
“I’ll miss you…my creation.”
“I’m sorry it didn’t work out.”
“No more than I am.”
“What will you do now?”
“I don’t know…I feel so empty inside…all used up…and…hopeless.”
“Will you try again?”
“Perhaps…someday…”
“If it’s any consolation, I thought it was good, if a bit…creepy.”
“Thanks, but after a decade of rejection…I just don’t know if I can do it anymore.”
“So all those months…years…of hard work are gone…burned up…just like that…”
“Well…not exactly.”
“What do you mean…not exactly?”
“I still have it saved to my hard drive.”
“Then what the devil are we doing with a bonfire out here in the middle of nowhere at midnight in thirty degree weather burning a manuscript one page at a time?”
“I told you, I got a rejection letter today and was feeling low.”
“But why ask me? We’ve only known each other a week.”
“Oh, that, well…my other friends were…unavailable this time.”
“This time…you’ve done this before?”
“Maybe once or twice…”
“You know what? It’s time to go. I’m freezing and this is just plain nuts.”
“So I’ve been told. You know what my rejections used to say?”
“I’m more concerned with frostbite right now.”
“That my book was unrealistic…that it lacked believability. Go figure. I mean it’s based on fact…how much realism do they want.”
“I think you should take me back to town now.”
“Then they had the nerve to criticize my plot…said it was weak.”
“I don’t…”
“After that they said my supporting characters were one-dimensional.”
“That’s too bad. Could we…?”
“Now they tell me my main character is…well…isn’t likeable or n
ice enough. That no one could ever identify with her. I’m likeable…aren’t I?”
“You’re Francine…? The girl in your book…?”
“Of course, didn’t you see the resemblance? No, of course not, you haven’t known me long enough. Unfortunate that…”
“You mean Francine looks like you…right…? I mean, she is rather insane…what with the murders and the cannibalism and…stuff…”
“Yeah, right, of course that’s what I mean.”
“I really need to get home. We both do…tomorrow’s a work day.”
“I’m not going into work tomorrow.”
“Well I am…so if you don’t mind…”
“You’re right. We should get this show on the road. Are you ready, then?”
“Ready…? Ready for what…?”
“The best part of the evening…the grand finale…”
“Which is…?”
“Time to prepare the food.”
“Food…? I didn’t see any food in the car. You never mentioned food.”
“That’s okay, I have it covered. Another chapter for my book…”
The End
The Decision
By A. M. Reed
What a choice…
Earlier, Kyla-Ann had watched as a human man and human woman were joined together “forever” in the bonds of holy matrimony. They had agreed to love each other for “as long as they both shall live.”
And Kyla-Ann had the ability to decide exactly how long that would be.
“Beautiful wedding, wasn’t it?” a teary-eyed woman joined Kyla-Ann’s side, dabbing her eyes as she watched the happy couple swaying on the dance floor.
“Quite,” Kyla-Ann replied shortly.
"Are you a friend of the bride or groom?"
"A friend of a friend," Kyla-Ann lied smoothly. "Pleasant day for a wedding, is it not?" she continued, steering the conversation away from dangerous channels.
“Yes, it is a nice day… Though, they picked such an odd date,” the woman commented curiously, “December twenty-first… You know, the Mayans predicted that the world would end today.”
“So I heard,” Kyla-Ann allowed herself a ghost of a smile.
“The bride said she decided on this date because she didn’t believe in such rubbish,” the woman’s tinkling laughter filled the air briefly, “She said that today would be a day of hope, not the end of the world.”
“Charming.”