tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45159382381519050832024-03-26T20:32:52.751-06:00N. R. Williams, Fantasy AuthorGreetings everyone and welcome. I hope to entertain you and bring you news of my published books as well as my upcoming books. Yours,
N. R. Williams.N. R. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.comBlogger540125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-57990445283305743702024-03-01T09:39:00.008-07:002024-03-01T10:03:37.529-07:00WEP Get Together from Kindle Vella to E-book<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZSltdo6libqvJvcW79reATt0b3hmJYe2AKo0zYfRh_y9uDYqX9cGCv2u3MV3tRbhR2Lt9AMa-hdwXvhhWcYByF8Rr4HZFljkzNa0v95fzsIHNriRsLsnJDlvzRVZJIvGKw3IltBnG_HzpmkdxwCW4soONlh3IYogxRP_pvWBfM3Ln8HBHVu1U-cBBgk/s490/Header_Geralt_Earth2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="145" data-original-width="490" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZSltdo6libqvJvcW79reATt0b3hmJYe2AKo0zYfRh_y9uDYqX9cGCv2u3MV3tRbhR2Lt9AMa-hdwXvhhWcYByF8Rr4HZFljkzNa0v95fzsIHNriRsLsnJDlvzRVZJIvGKw3IltBnG_HzpmkdxwCW4soONlh3IYogxRP_pvWBfM3Ln8HBHVu1U-cBBgk/w502-h149/Header_Geralt_Earth2.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><br /><p>Greetings, WEP'ers. I missed the first get together and I would have missed this one too, except a lightbulb hit my head. Haha.</p><p>So, what am I doing? Amazon now allows you to make an e-book of your Kindle Vella stories and also leave it on Vella at the same time. Well, they've been allowing that for some time now, I just didn't know it. Haha.</p><p>Therefore, I'm re-reading and making changes to Nilmalith's Journey. If you read The Treasures of Carmelidrium, Nilmalith makes his first appearance there. I loved the character so much, that he is in subsequent books and now has his own story. I'm writing the sequel to Nilmalith's Journey which will be titled, Nilmalith's Voyage. These are short stories. </p><p>Let me just say, I'm a damn good writer. I rarely realize that. But I am. I told my husband, someone will feed my stories to AI when I'm gone. Haha. I don't think AI will become a living, breathing person afterwards, but at least it won't come back in time to murder anyone. </p><p>So, that's my news. I've finished King Julian too and I'm still working on 5 Friends & Lovers. King Julian will become an e-book soon. When I'm satisfied, I'll remove the stories from Amazon and publish wide.</p><p>Here's to book series.</p><p>Nancy</p><p>If curious, here is the first chapter of Nilmalith's Journey.</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Romans</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: center;">Chapter 1</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Nilmalith </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">bent beneath the tall grass, peering forth as the foreign army marched across the land. Their gold-fringed red banner with strange writing, and the golden eagle statue perched on top was held by men in the lead. Each soldier had a shield, and heavy swords sheaved at their sides. Only their leaders were mounted on horseback.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Some of the human tribes sent peace envoys. Others tried to resist. A futile attempt against a much superior force. Many faerie folk had fled, especially when an entire ancient oak forest caught fire. Whether by man or nature, Nilmalith didn<span style="font-family: Calibri;">’</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">t know. </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Keeping low, he backed up. Once he reached the woodland, he stood and ran toward his home, located deep inside the enchanted beech and birch trees that concealed the elfin community.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Ordinary sounds reached him. Those of birds, red squirrels, and rabbits. The high summer scents of flowers and green growing plants were offset by the musky scent of a fox. A brook lapped over rocks while otters played in the currents. He crossed, his feet barely sinking in the water. As evening approached, moonlight managed to glide between limbs laden with leaves and pooled at his feet. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">He passed the magical wall that shimmered with elfin protections. A whistle gave notice of his arrival, and he approached the circle where dinner was being consumed by his fellow elves. The lutist stopped playing. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">King Cel<span style="font-family: Calibri;">é</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">ldur</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> beckoned, and </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Queen T<span style="font-family: Calibri;">á</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">wien</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> stood. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Nilmalith </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">approached, giving them a deep bow and spreading his arms wide.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Come, </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Nilmalit</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">h, we shall speak in private,<span style="font-family: Calibri;">” </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">T<span style="font-family: Calibri;">á</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">wien</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> said and turned her back. The king stood at her side, and Nilmalith followed them both a little further into the forest and away from those gathered.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">They stopped, and the king turned. <span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Speak. What did you see?</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Hundreds of men have arrived. They march north. The closet human villages are preparing for war.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">” </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">T<span style="font-family: Calibri;">á</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">wien</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> turned toward her husband. <span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Just as I have seen. We must leave before they discover us.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Where do we go?</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">” </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">the king asked.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">We should gather all the elfin folk near and far and meet in Caledonia. It is the furthest north and away from the coming battles.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">” </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Not much will come of it. Most will not heed your warning, my love.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">” </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Cel<span style="font-family: Calibri;">é</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">ldur</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> frowned, and a shadow of foreboding shielded his green eyes. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">You speak truly, and yet, we must try.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">” </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">T<span style="font-family: Calibri;">á</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">wien</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> turned back toward Nilmalith. <span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Thank you for your report. Let us return to our meal. After which, I</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">’</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">ll make an announcement.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">” </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">*</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Nilmalith found his cousin, </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Lyari</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">, and sat beside him. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Did you see any wolves while out?</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">” </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Lyari asked.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Not a one.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">” </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Nilmalith reached for a bowl of berries, sweet rolls, and duck cooked in butter, and poured a little sauce made with apple wine. He ate, famished from his spy mission, while his cousin continued to talk. </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">My new bow is finished, and I</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">’</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">ve a mind to go hunting </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">tomorrow</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> for the white stag </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Eroan saw. Care to come?<span style="font-family: Calibri;">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Nilmalith gazed at him while still chewing. He took a sip of wine, but Lyari continued to talk.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Have you got your bow done? Well, no matter, use the old one.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">” </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Several of the elfin maids began to dance to the lute. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Ah, I see Meorise is dancing. She looks beautiful in the spring green dress.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">” </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Lyari smiled, and Nilmalith wiped a little grease from his lips.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">She does indeed. Have you chosen yet?</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">” </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">he asked.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Lyari continued to watch. <span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Not yet, either her or maybe Vianola. It</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">’</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">s difficult to choose. What about you?</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I won</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">’</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">t wed just yet. Eternity is a long time to stay wed to a single female.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">” </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Nilmalith said, pulling the sweet bread apart and popping a little in his mouth.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Good point. I may continue to sample for a time.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">” </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Nilmalith nodded. Elves enjoyed one another as often as their desires took them. Unlike men, who often contracted a fatal disease if they dallied too much and so married young. But men had short life spans, whereas elves could only die if pierced through their hearts. Once married, each couple had no more than two children and sometimes only one. Nilmalith was an only child, while Lyari had a sister. It wasn<span style="font-family: Calibri;">’</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">t that they couldn</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">’</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">t have more, but elves were stewards of the forest and glens. They kept their numbers low out of respect for nature. </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The queen stood, and everyone grew quiet, turning to listen to her.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">It is as we feared,</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">” </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">T<span style="font-family: Calibri;">á</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">wien</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> began. <span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Tomorrow, we say farewell to our home. We will travel north, over fields and meadows. Over moors and mountains, across rivers and marshland. We go by moonlight, avoiding the human tribes. Those of the faraway lands have come to make war and concur. To destroy our home. </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I will need elves to travel to all our peoples in the south, east, west, and north. The time has come for the elfin people to hold council.<span style="font-family: Calibri;">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Well,</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">” </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Lyari said. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">There will be no hunting tomorrow or marriage feast either.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">What I saw of these men is fierce. Our queen is wise,</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">” </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Nilmalith said. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">I will volunteer to travel and help gather our people.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Then, I shall join you,</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">” </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Lyari said. </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>N. R. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-40049999067247413882023-12-03T12:08:00.001-07:002023-12-03T12:08:13.274-07:00Last WEP Challenge, It's A Wonderful Life<p> <span style="font-size: 14pt;">This is the last WEP challenge. Write, Edit, Publish was founded by Denise Covey, and we who have stepped up to the challenge are thankful. It has been a ride, Denise.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">In addition to Denise, I want to thank the ladies who have been instrumental in the function of this quarterly writing challenge. Here’s to Renee, Nila, Olga, Jemi, and Sonia. Your hard work is greatly appreciated.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Today, our challenge is to take a favorite Holiday movie and write using the movie as inspiration. My favorite Christmas movie is It’s A Wonderful Life. When it was released, it bombed at the box office. But it has been played repeatedly on TV since its inception. And I have watched it and loved it since I was a child. The message in this movie is simple: Your Life Matters. I hope you enjoy my story.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> To read what others have written go <a href="https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/">here</a>.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwBvyHNCXJkMsLKUlfhQas5pQPv1xEvgYsnCaRv59hhWsbBbLxZcjZqOZSKihgaT0jkB3TZg6p3YJ9koDFt5egiNECuZEXKZv9FGzETehlbmE-6FVqbbLj8MGptNQ3snRKKySvIifGj-6yFZFkJb9s6O-380Cgc7V_R0AsHzE6JvbFcHkjKewBUyERHYQ/s1000/Badge_OverToYou7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwBvyHNCXJkMsLKUlfhQas5pQPv1xEvgYsnCaRv59hhWsbBbLxZcjZqOZSKihgaT0jkB3TZg6p3YJ9koDFt5egiNECuZEXKZv9FGzETehlbmE-6FVqbbLj8MGptNQ3snRKKySvIifGj-6yFZFkJb9s6O-380Cgc7V_R0AsHzE6JvbFcHkjKewBUyERHYQ/s320/Badge_OverToYou7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">It’s a Wonderful Life</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Noel left her room to join her family. They didn’t do the black Friday thing. Instead, they put up the Christmas tree. A Mannheim Steam Roller CD played instrumental music. Her father had already put the tree together. Its lights were already strung, so all you had to do was press the on-off switch to light it up. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Ta da!” Her father yelled. </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Her mother clapped, and her younger brother and sister jumped up and down. Noel rolled her eyes. She’d been born on Christmas day, thus her name. A constant reminder that she was supposed to be a jolly kid. Well, she wasn’t.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Today, she joined in, taking an ornament from her mother; she hung it and went back for another. She hid her misery from her parents, smiling when they looked her way. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> This had been an awful year. She was teased at school about her name. Bullied to the point of hiding in the bathroom, and when that didn’t work, she ducked around the corner. Two girls had beaten her in the hall before class one day. One, kicking her in the stomach repeatedly. A handful of kids captured the attack on their cell phone cameras. Several teachers saved her, and she was taken to the hospital. Her parents were notified. She hated that they found out, and later she saw the attack posted on Social Media before it was taken down.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> When she returned to school the next day, many other students followed her around, laughing while replaying her attack on their cell phones. The only good thing was that the two girls who beat her were suspended for a week. But when they returned, they continued with their malignant yells. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> She’d always loved church, learning about Jesus, and talking to Him. But she didn’t talk to Him anymore. No one in church humiliated her, but sitting in her class and learning about the wondrous acts that Jesus did only reminded her that nothing stupendous ever happened to her. She lived in a vacuum. Devoid of happiness. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Her parents had changed everything about Christmas just for her. They celebrated on Christmas Eve, opening gifts, eating dinner, and attending church services. Christmas day was for her birthday. The only thing she shared was Santa’s visit. This year she’d turn fifteen. But, if she wasn’t here anymore, then her family could have Christmas day back. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Dinner tonight was left over Thanksgiving. Noel liked it well enough, but her appetite was in the toilet, literally. She'd go throw up when done. After that, she had an appointment with her razor. So far, her parents hadn’t discovered her destructive habits, and she intended to keep it that way. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“You’re losing weight, Noel. Are you feeling okay?” Her mother asked.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Yeah, I’m okay,” she said. </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“You really haven’t been yourself. Are those girls leaving you alone?”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“They’re keeping their distance.”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Why are you so down?” Her mother continued to question.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“It’s…just…hard, sometimes.” Noel stood and headed down the hall to her room. She heard her mother’s next question. “I don’t know what to do?”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“She’ll outgrow out of it,” her father said.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> A bathroom was attached to Noel’s room, making hiding all her bad habits easy. She vomited supper and then sat on her bed. She removed the drawer to her nightstand and turned it over, revealing her razor and pill bottle. She’d been squirreling away sleeping pills from her mother’s prescription bottle. One or two at a time, so it wouldn’t be noticed. She had twelve. Would it be enough?</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> She changed into the prettiest nightgown she had, took the pills with the bottle of water she’d brought back earlier, and went to bed. A genuine smile spread over her lips. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Sleep came…</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">*</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">She floated above her body. </span><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Why am I doing…oh yeah, I killed myself. </span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> She could see her parents watching a movie together in the living room. Her brother and sister were in their bedrooms asleep. A pull and then a massive being joined her. His wings unfurled. He smiled and took her hand. She could hear what he said telepathically. Shooting stars zoomed past them.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Those are prayers going to heaven,” he said.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Am I going to heaven?”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Yes.”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> They arrived in a beautiful garden, the colors vibrant. Colors she’d never seen before. Then she saw Him, Jesus. And when He reached her, He hugged her. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“I love you,” Noel said.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> He smiled, and though He didn’t speak, she felt His all-forgiving love. A love so vast, so complete she couldn’t describe it. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Then, the angel pulled out a book and began to open the pages. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> She saw herself, every memory from when she was aware of things around two years. The time her mother fell in the kitchen when she was pregnant with her eight-year old brother, Joshua. She called 911, and help arrived. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“She would have died without for your help,” Jesus said.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Then she saw when Joshua hit his head in the pool and went under. He was two at the time, and she pulled him out.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Another life saved,” Jesus said.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Then, when she was in fourth grade and, her friend, Sarah, struggled to read. She sat with her for hours, teaching her phonics. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Sarah is a fine reader now,” Jesus said. </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> More moments followed, how she had been a positive force in the lives of many.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“It’s not your time. You must go back. I have a message for your two tormentors,” Jesus said. “And one for you. You must forgive them and tell them that I love them.”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">*</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">She woke in the hospital, her parents hovering over her. She missed all of December and returned to school in mid-January. When Noel saw her two persecutors, she smiled and approached them.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“You should have stayed dead,” one of them said.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“I forgive you both, and Jesus loves you with a love so utterly complete it cannot be measured.”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Both girls stood with their mouths open as Noel turned and left them in the hall.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Word Count 1,008</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Thank you for reading. Let me know what you think in the comments. N. R. Williams</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>N. R. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-40435895370236242542023-06-19T13:04:00.009-06:002023-06-19T13:08:16.584-06:00WEP Close Encounters<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Greetings all WEP’ers and visitors. If you don’t know what WEP is, Write, Edit, Publish. It’s a bloghop that takes different writing challenges so you and I can flex our writing muscles. But, if you don’t want to write a story, that’s okay too. Post pictures or tell us about something related to the prompt going on in your life. Are you a poet? Hit us up with something wonderful. To read what others have written go <a href="https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/">here</a>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">For June 2023, our prompt is the movie, Close Encounters. The good news is, you don’t have to be an abductee or an alien to participate. Our lovely host are Nila, and Jemi.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd30DQnTShwRpy25NRIHON4gDE_dxyvgPW0nBfLlekl8q_3h7w92XzSaU7sr9mUq6s8OffhI8RtGnJJ3yXLQ8bHeQH1SIfism7Bd6kEQEYeLbm6LS-LEjSLn0q-lm3qgyky9e8XCsjfCqFqkEvT01z6BDkMMYQoGO6-TRwCE_EN-FwWXKIUBIGPHq9DZI/s320/Close%20Encounters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="201" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd30DQnTShwRpy25NRIHON4gDE_dxyvgPW0nBfLlekl8q_3h7w92XzSaU7sr9mUq6s8OffhI8RtGnJJ3yXLQ8bHeQH1SIfism7Bd6kEQEYeLbm6LS-LEjSLn0q-lm3qgyky9e8XCsjfCqFqkEvT01z6BDkMMYQoGO6-TRwCE_EN-FwWXKIUBIGPHq9DZI/s1600/Close%20Encounters.jpg" width="201" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Here’s my story. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">These characters are from my on going sweet romance, 5 Friends & Lovers, available on Amazon, Kindle Vella. This particular episode will be interwoven into some future spot.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Characters:</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Scott: A comedian</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">David: A suspense author</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Doug: A high school gym teacher/coach</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">To keep down the characters, their ladies are elsewhere.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Tagline: Alien Discussion</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Close Encounter or Not</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">David, Scott, and Doug sat around the living room while their ladies were in the kitchen making lunch.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Did you hear the *Elvis Theater is running classic Sci/Fi movies?” Doug asked.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Which ones?” Scott asked, leaning forward to lift his cup of coffee.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“The remake of, The Day The Earth Stood Still, War of the Worlds, and classics, ET, and Close Encounters. They’re showing them mid-week on Wednesday, one at a time,” Doug said.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“I love Close Encounters,” David said.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Me too,” Scott said. “Richard Dreyfus went insane and made a mess of his home. My mother found that disturbing, but I laughed. Then there’s ET, staring a turtle without his shell flying away in a Christmas ornament.” </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Doug and David both laughed. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“I thought we could take our babes. Wanna do that together?” Doug asked. </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Wednesday night?” Scott repeated.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Yeah,” Doug said.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“They aren’t playing all of them the same Wednesday?” David asked.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Nope,” Doug said. “One at a time.”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“I’m in now to convince our ladies,” David said.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Do either of you believe in aliens and UFOs,” Scott asked.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“I think it’s a possibility,” Doug said.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“UFOs are now UAPs,” David said.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“What does that mean?” Doug asked.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Unidentified aerial phenomenon,” David said.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“I find it difficult to believe a bunch of gray aliens are running around abducting people. If they came after me, I’d ask, why don’t you wear sandals to go along with your nudity,” Scott said.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">David and Doug laughed again.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Actually,” David said. “Some believe they are wearing a body suit.”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“That makes sense,” Doug said.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Where’s the zipper,” Scott quipped, and the other two smirked. </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“So, what planet do they come from?” Doug asked.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“The powers that be are debating that, naming several locations. I can’t remember exactly what they said,” David answered. </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“You seem to know a lot about it,” Doug said.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“I know a little. I watch the various shows, mostly to get story ideas.”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“You write suspense, don’t you? How do aliens and detectives merge?” Scott sipped his coffee.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Yeah, how does that work?” Doug sat back and crossed one leg over the other at the ankle.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“I really just get ideas about locations and people, too,” David said.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Like what?” Doug asked.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Well,” David said. “One show I watched featured a man who has been abducted since childhood. As a young man, he took his girlfriend on a camping trip. The aliens showed up, froze her, and then they inspected her and told him she wasn’t good enough. Afterward, his girlfriend, a Christian, left him. Later, he became Born-Again, and the aliens haven’t been back.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“An entire group of people who believe the aliens are really demons and quote Bible verses to support that idea.” </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Demons?!” Scott and Doug said together.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">David held up both hands. “I’m just reporting what I saw on a show. I have no opinion, one way or the other.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Another show I watched,” David continued. “Claims that Bigfoot is brought here by aliens because there are UAPs whenever there are Bigfoot sightings.”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“You watch some pretty weird shows,” Doug said.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“That I do.”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“So, which movie is showing first?” Scott asked.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“This Wednesday, it’s Close Encounters,” Doug said.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">To that, Scott started whistling the Close Encounter alien tune. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Word Count 552</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">*The Elvis theater is a discount theater in Colorado. All the shows David has watched, I have watched and is true. And, I watch that stuff for the same reason.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I hope you enjoyed the story. All critique is okay by me. Comments are encouraged.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Announcement: My books are on sale for 99cents. See links on the side. And, the last book in the series, book 4, The Curse of Renwyk is now available. Below is the Amazon link. It’s not on my website yet.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnTgGE0_m80RW_Kp7B2jHDd_XXuPH2U224HUdkyTBUTP7mI_iIxXmLKlt3ySeUu_RCu-2EXKPs2GdHKFl7dXcXPX0_vLFd-YR3E3v_9TEdKwBAW3X9b-Yj8tAS38_DXBXR6NPi7FFUv7rq_GtLJW9FngV-BItidLmTw_pFDYYm7n1d0ytcpscRXxp_iY/s2700/Nancy%20Williams%201%20ebook%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1799" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimnTgGE0_m80RW_Kp7B2jHDd_XXuPH2U224HUdkyTBUTP7mI_iIxXmLKlt3ySeUu_RCu-2EXKPs2GdHKFl7dXcXPX0_vLFd-YR3E3v_9TEdKwBAW3X9b-Yj8tAS38_DXBXR6NPi7FFUv7rq_GtLJW9FngV-BItidLmTw_pFDYYm7n1d0ytcpscRXxp_iY/s320/Nancy%20Williams%201%20ebook%20(2).jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C7KKDYT5"> Amazon.com</a><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=The+curse+of+Renwyk&i=stripbooks&crid=1ZDXEEGFHN7FY&sprefix=the+curse+of+renwyk%2Cstripbooks%2C232&ref=nb_sb_noss"> Amazon/uk</a><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/s?k=The+curse+of+renwyk&i=stripbooks&crid=2DVBDVSJMARP4&sprefix=the+curse+of+renwyk%2Cstripbooks%2C133&ref=nb_sb_noss">Amazon/au</a> $1.09<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Thank you,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Nancy</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>N. R. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-36541869664121797652023-02-15T00:00:00.001-07:002023-02-15T00:00:00.242-07:00WEP Gone With The Wind<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The first WEP challenge of the year is in honor of the book/movie of the same name: Gone With the Wind. In case you don’t know, this story follows a headstrong southern lady, Scarlet, and how she survived the American Civil War. The challenge was to adapt a theme from Gone With the Wind and adapt it to fit. Luckily, I already had this available.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> A</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">nyone who has read my first epic fantasy, The Treasures of Carmelidrium, available everywhere. (See sidebar links) May remember King Julian. He is pivotal in how my world developed. Well, at long last, I’m telling his story. You can find it on Kindle Vella, links below.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Since, in my view, everything is essential, I didn’t reduce the word count to 1,000. It sits at 1,277, including the title. I hope you enjoy it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Tagline: Family Issues</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVd_Nol_3qv6sRdrTLR9F5oAsX-wUDLFbHCDvoUK0i6hpclrcEwVpHtEXIxZ778DXiFh4cZFEs-6JE6hTvMl8vgHG5TWnYHMHdAYxA3G7u3rH9ufH9BqbywN2K-2-KsPhTX6FZ_4Uz8Y6hrgVba69CfrMqRNJHmxX-arqxnM890w64TAPSjtPtBZf/s2700/Nancy%20Williams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVd_Nol_3qv6sRdrTLR9F5oAsX-wUDLFbHCDvoUK0i6hpclrcEwVpHtEXIxZ778DXiFh4cZFEs-6JE6hTvMl8vgHG5TWnYHMHdAYxA3G7u3rH9ufH9BqbywN2K-2-KsPhTX6FZ_4Uz8Y6hrgVba69CfrMqRNJHmxX-arqxnM890w64TAPSjtPtBZf/s320/Nancy%20Williams.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/King-Julian-of-Gil-Lael/dp/B0BR5Y4NHN/">Link</a><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">King Juli</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">a</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">n</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> of Gil-Lael</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Marriage Contract</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: left;">King Juli</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: left;">a</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: left;">n</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: left;"> sat his white charger on top of the bluff that overlooked the valley and </span><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">c</span></i><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">hâteau </span></i><i style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">de Panettiere</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: left;">, his brother-in-law’s estate. The reports of the conflict between Duke Victor Panettiere and </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: left;">Lord Ménard Balzac were greatly understated. Instead of fields of wheat, ready to harvest, the valley held tents, campfires, and men in arms as far as he could see.</span></p><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>“Did you expect this, Papa?” Crown Prince </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">Marcel </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">asked.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>“No,” Julian answered his seventeen-year-old son. He leaned forward a little to see his youngest son next to Marcel.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>Turning back, he noted several men below hurry to mount their horses and gallop toward the pavilions of the three noblemen who wanted revenge, or so the report stated</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">. <span> </span>Their flags announced them, and their men spread out on the field. Preparations for war were everywhere he looked. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>The village of surfs directly below the bluff was burned, and the men and women were nowhere to be seen. He hoped they had fled and were safe, but when men grew angry, there was no telling what horrors might occur.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>“What are your orders?” Friend-Brother Joël Chapelle asked.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>“We make camp here. Select five men to accompany me to Balzac’s tent, along with you and Marcel.”</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>“What about me?” Prince </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">Loïc </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">asked.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>“You will remain here.” Julian glanced at his fourteen-year-old son. He regretted bringing him. Marcel had to come since he was training to be king one day and must learn what it meant.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>He heard the men give the orders behind him. The noise of horses, hammering, and the flapping of canvas in the wind all reached him. He didn’t turn his gaze from the scene below. Anger settled between his shoulders, making his muscles tense. His brother-in-law had always been impulsive, and it would seem his oldest son was the same. Julian would need to tread carefully, or he’d find himself in the center of a civil war. The entire thing was unacceptable.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>Joël returned, and Julian pulled his stallion away from the men, beckoning his best friend to come with him. Once far enough from the others, Julian turned his horse alongside Joël’s so they might look at one another.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>“The report said there was a disagreement,” Julian said. “This is more like war.”</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>“Indeed it is,” Joël said.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>“I only brought five hundred men, I’ll need more if conflict ensues.”</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>“Who should I send?”</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>“No one just yet. I want to speak to those three men who dare to call to arms against my brother-in-law.”</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>“Isn’t this a dispute over a marriage agreement?”</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>Julian frowned. “Oui, no marriage contract should result in such conflict.”</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>“It seems extreme that such a call to arms would issue over a woman.” Joël rubbed the tip of his nose.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>“We shouldn’t judge without hearing the facts,” Julian said. “Do you have the five men?”</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>“I do.”</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>“Then let us progress.”</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>A road connected the top of the bluff to the valley. Julian’s banner carrier took the lead, holding up the flag of the kings of Gil-Lael. A great oak, with three falcons in flight above it and three stars above those on a blue flag. They broke into a gallop once they reached the valley. The horse’s hooves pounded the dry earth. The wind snapped the banner. Two guards in the front behind the banner carrier and two in the rear. Men lined the drive and bowed to Julian as he passed. Marcel rode behind him, and Joël behind the young prince.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>Smoke from the fires assaulted Julian, and the body odor from a thousand men was sour on his tongue. As he looked at the men, he saw many with injuries, bandaged arms, legs, and torsos. There had already been minor conflicts. He must end it.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">They reached Lord Balzac’s large pavilion by midday. His farriers rushed forward to take the reins of their horses. Julian dismounted, his son and friend-brother joined him, and <span> </span><span> </span>Balzac stepped forward to bow. Beside him came the two other noblemen, Lord Dufresne and Toutain.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>“Welcome, </span></span><i style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Majesté</span></i><i style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">,</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">” all three said in unison.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>“You must be tired after such a long journey,” Balzac said. “I have wine, cheese, and bread. So come inside and eat with us.”</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>“Thank you, My Lord, for a welcome respite.” Julian set his hand on his son’s shoulder and followed the three noblemen into the tent.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>A large table with three chairs held the food and wine.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>“Please sit, </span></span><i style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Majesté</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">,” Balzac said with a wave of his arm. He signaled a servant who soon returned with three more chairs. Julian’s guards stood at attention close by.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>After downing a goblet of wine to quench his thirst, Julian took a square of cheese and bit into it. The three nobles before him looked haggard as if they’d been without sleep for a long time. All three needed a bath. Dried mud and horse hair were caked to their clothes and hands. A scented oil lamp hung from one of the poles but could do little against the smell of manure and perspiration.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>Julian cleared his throat. “The report mentioned this as a dispute over the marriage contract between Master </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">Cyril, Panettiere’s oldest son, and your daughter, Balzac. Is the contract not suitable? Did your daughter displease Cyril, or was it the other way around?”</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>Balzac looked at his friends, and for a moment, no one spoke. Then he turned toward Julian, took a long swallow from his goblet, and began. “My sweet </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">Auriane has been betrothed to Cyril since the age of ten. But she met a young man while visiting her cousin and fell in love. So she sought to leave the contract to marry him instead of Cyril.”</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>“Was that acceptable with you?” Julian broke the bread apart and took a bite.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>“I wanted her to fulfill the marriage agreement with </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">Panettiere since it would have elevated her to a duchess and given me a much-needed tax break. But she begged me, and…well, my love for her persuaded me that she should have what she wanted.”</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>“A tax break?”</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>“Oui, instead of the thirty percent I pay now, it would have been fifteen.”</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>Julian frowned. He’d given Panettiere a position to collect the taxes due him from this part of Gil-Lael. Ten percent for himself and five percent for his brother-in-law. It would seem Panettiere was overreaching at thirty percent. His anger began a low burn, but he didn’t indicate this to the three nobles.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>“What did Panettiere receive with this agreement?”</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>”Our family goes back many generations here in the southern part of Gil-Lael. I offered an old estate that we no longer use.”</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>“So, your daughter fell in love and wished to marry another. You annulled the agreement?”</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><span> </span>“Oui.”</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span> </span>“I take it Panettiere was displeased. Is there anything else?”</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span> </span>Tears formed in Balzac’s eyes. He looked at his friends as they studied the floor. Julian could feel the change in the atmosphere. There was a tremendous sorrow that fell over the three noblemen before him.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span> </span>Looking back at Julian, Balzac said, “Panettiere didn’t mind, but his son was angry. He stormed out of the meeting and…and.” Balzac’s shoulders began to shake. He grabbed a cloth and pressed it to his eyes. A low howl left his lips, and he began to cry. It was Lord </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;">Toutain who continued.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span> </span>“</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;">Cyril, along with his two brothers and his friends rode out, hunted down </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;">Auriane, beat and murdered the young man she wished to marry before her eyes, and then took turns raping her. The Good Sisters took care of her, but heartsick, she took her own life a few days later.”</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"> </span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">Word count: 1277</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"> </span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">Holy smokes! I hope that left you curious for more. Currently, Kindle Vella is only offered in the USA. I encourage all of you to write to Vella, and if you aren’t eligible, contact Amazon and express a desire to write to Vella. I am making enough money to cover the cost of advertising.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"> </span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">The first 3 episodes are free. You just read episode 1. If you’re new to Vella, Amazon will give you 200 tokens so you can pay to read more. If you have an e-reader, the story will automatically download if registered with Amazon. If you read on your computer and don’t have an e-reader, it won’t.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"> </span><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">I also have a sweet romance available. 5 Friends & Lovers. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJ_jvirH1VSnz2qJiGiZXX0SkYUr0YgzfD0rZW1WpQ7SXYBEC2ak26wCtofXt0SoCN0Qqw1N0tY3n83ddHnn7LqT4Grl79tP1zoEdnVVj2nx1Kpf6POk_KUq0kN1h9k82LnFstbcJJkv_eKTZWxCq1dpiJrT2t3ZEz4s6VX7V6mqXD_EtGJSdpeee/s2700/Nancy%20Williams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJ_jvirH1VSnz2qJiGiZXX0SkYUr0YgzfD0rZW1WpQ7SXYBEC2ak26wCtofXt0SoCN0Qqw1N0tY3n83ddHnn7LqT4Grl79tP1zoEdnVVj2nx1Kpf6POk_KUq0kN1h9k82LnFstbcJJkv_eKTZWxCq1dpiJrT2t3ZEz4s6VX7V6mqXD_EtGJSdpeee/s320/Nancy%20Williams.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /></span> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/5-Friends-Lovers/dp/B0BRC38VS6/">Link</a><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">Thank you to the lovely ladies at WEP for their work in monitoring these stories. To read what others have shared, go <a href="https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/">here</a>.</span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">I'm cool with feedback and comments. Give it to me. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">Nancy</span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p></div>N. R. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-46102826982599034732022-11-29T19:03:00.003-07:002022-11-29T19:03:59.917-07:00The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face Write Edit Publish Bloghop<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKEylH-KoBaG5Vrod-4oD8suVkbrkrk2tg5JlGRZCCeQ3BG13eZt2_5KgIOJVjOhREWxd-jz3Z3eczk4PTX8fBNr6i4CKdJ-peW5AGmprBqw0ps9JsTVSbX8kQejLT_y9-38fqM5HhkN6_-NC4vhO5VwVqhVfA8u2PGlheDB47x6wQlZrArOytbad/s320/DECEMBER%20FLACK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKEylH-KoBaG5Vrod-4oD8suVkbrkrk2tg5JlGRZCCeQ3BG13eZt2_5KgIOJVjOhREWxd-jz3Z3eczk4PTX8fBNr6i4CKdJ-peW5AGmprBqw0ps9JsTVSbX8kQejLT_y9-38fqM5HhkN6_-NC4vhO5VwVqhVfA8u2PGlheDB47x6wQlZrArOytbad/s1600/DECEMBER%20FLACK.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIK4xZHkvO0">Celine Dion The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.</a><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The last story of the year for Write, Edit, Publish is based on the song, ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face. One of my absolute favorite songs of all time. This song can mean so many different things to people. My take is below.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I want to thank our lovely ladies for their hard work sponsoring this blogho</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">p. </span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #494949; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Denise, Olga, Laura, Renee, Nila</span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #494949; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">,</span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #494949; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> and Jemma.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Tagline: Love, acceptance, compassion.</span></p></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">His Face…</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Absolute love and acceptance. I hadn’t expected this. I was raised in a strict Christian religion and hadn’t gone for years. Yet, despite all my mistakes, there was no judgment. Only love. Love permeated the core of my being.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“I had a baby,” I said.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> He smiled. “Yes, my beloved. Your son is healthy.”</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“A boy.” I was old school and wanted to be surprised. </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“You have a choice,” Jesus said. “You can stay or go back.”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Oh…” to stay in all this vibrant beauty, unconditional love, and acceptance. But…”I have a baby.”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> He nodded, accepting my choice.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Eleanor heard the beeping of the monitor before she opened her eyes. And, the memory. The sweet, sweet memory. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">He stood before her, his robes glowing with white brilliance, her savior. His smile filled her with peace and love, deep and all-consuming. Then she heard the monitor. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Eleanor opened her eyes to a room full of medical equipment lit with fluorescent lights. Her husband was sprawled in a chair, head back, mouth open, snoring. He hadn’t shaved, and his face was splotched with whiskers too dark to just be a day’s worth. How long had she been dead?</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Yes, she’d been dead. She was sure of it. Her memories of heaven were too complete and more real than this world. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Josh.” Her mouth was dry, and it came out like a squeak. “Josh,” she said again, a little louder.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">He jerked, opened his eyes, and then sat. Fear creased his brow, and she watched as it smoothed and then a smile. His smile. The one she fell in love with on their first date years ago.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt;">He stood and came to her taking her hand. “You’re alive. You made it!”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt;">“I am. I did. The baby?” She didn’t care about anything else at the moment. It’d been a struggle to get pregnant. Years of trying only to lose several babies until this one.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt;">Josh bent and kissed the back of her hand. Then, grinning, he said, “It’s a boy. He’s perfect.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt;">“I know,” she said.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt;">He didn’t act surprised. “I’ll tell the nurse to bring him.” Josh hurried out the door.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt;">He was back, followed by a nurse who checked her vitals. “You’re a miracle,” the nurse said.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt;">“I died,” Eleanor said.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt;">“Yes,” the nurse answered. “Dr. Allen worked hard to save you.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt;">“I want to see my baby,” she said.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt;">The nurse nodded and left. Shortly afterward, she was back pushing the hospital crib. Once there, she lifted the tiny bundle and nestled him in Eleanor’s arms. Everything slipped away as she gazed at her newborn’s face. Perfection in each detail, from his tiny nose to his eyebrows and mouth. Her body seemed to glide, and the room, nurse, and even Josh faded. She stood once more beyond the veil in a lush and vibrant garden. Love surrounded her. Acceptance and tenderness. Her baby boy opened his eyes, and she lifted her gaze to Jesus.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt;">“My baby,” she said.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt;">He smiled and touched the infant’s forehead. “Blessings on you both.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt;">“I give him to you.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt;">“I promise to always be with him and with you.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt;">Then, she was back in the hospital. The nurse was gone. Her heart was so full of love that she thought it would burst.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt;">“What shall we name him?” Josh asked.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt;">They’d been talking about a few different names. “Peter,” she said. It hadn’t been one they discussed, but it felt right. In fact, everything felt right.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt;">“Peter,” Josh repeated. “It fits.” Then his fingers ran along the baby’s face, just as Jesus had done. Their baby smiled.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt;">“We must go to church,” Eleanor said. “But maybe not my old one.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt;">If Josh was surprised, he didn’t show it. “Which one do you want to attend?”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt;">“I don’t know.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-indent: 36pt;">Josh leaned forward and kissed her, then he said. “We’ll figure it out.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Word Count 648.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I’ve been watching near death-experience videos under Destiny Image on YouTube. What strikes me is how people relate the love of Jesus and his face. I remember the first time I looked at my daughter’s face after she was born. My heart swelled with love. I thought she was perfect. So, it seemed right to combine the two.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I hope that you will find encouragement in this story in some small way. Nancy</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">To read what others have written, go <a href="https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/">here</a>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; text-indent: 36.0000pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></p>N. R. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-14654444443645116532022-08-17T00:00:00.030-06:002022-08-17T00:00:00.202-06:00Moonlight Sonata Write Edit Publish August bloghop 2022<p> Welcome to this month's WEP challenge. There's still time to join the fun. Simply go <a href="https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/">here </a>and sign up. You can share pictures, write a poem or short story or even share a memory. You can also view what others in this bloghop have done.</p><p>I want to thank the ladies who volunteer to help: Denise, Olga, Laura, Renee, Nila and Jemma.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1EyWmdL4dGFETUIC5ZYRUnb7VsopwvTrZfGOkHvIIFJ8ud6QFb29ynCRfRoT13QD3k0XBwt97dZvs19RzLyn6RROkIeDLNPW-Mu06Rf4oOhx62_xh8B6JTNkxVyEqPV21YMSIuo9a9OjaiYlt6BaFM0zQ1qS2z_JYEpbudnUTOva7uHYduNWOWuP/s1000/tumblr_d96ac88f31261f0aef1e8641cf9efb25_9f7eab24_1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1EyWmdL4dGFETUIC5ZYRUnb7VsopwvTrZfGOkHvIIFJ8ud6QFb29ynCRfRoT13QD3k0XBwt97dZvs19RzLyn6RROkIeDLNPW-Mu06Rf4oOhx62_xh8B6JTNkxVyEqPV21YMSIuo9a9OjaiYlt6BaFM0zQ1qS2z_JYEpbudnUTOva7uHYduNWOWuP/s320/tumblr_d96ac88f31261f0aef1e8641cf9efb25_9f7eab24_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Want to listen to Moonlight Sonata? Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydKwY0tqAXQ">here</a>. </p><p><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Tag line: When life is stressful, time off is everything.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Moonlight Sonata</span></p></blockquote><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Beethoven</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; text-align: left;">Jessica leaned back in the rattan chair and shut her eyes. She breathed in deep the scents of tropical flowers, the smell of sizzling pork, and sunscreen. It had been five years since her life was free of stress. She shut her eyes and smiled. The waitress brought her a Piña Colada. She sipped the smooth coconut and pineapple drink. She’d never had it before but while in Hawaii, she thought.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“May I join you, Mademoiselle?”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Jessica opened her eyes to see a man, forty maybe, standing before her, straw hat in hand with brown hair and eyes. Suspicion filled her mind immediately. But his French accent soothed her fears as well. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Why not? </span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Sure,” she said.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">He smiled and settled into the rattan chair next to her. “Is this your first time in Hawaii?” he asked.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“It is, and you?”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Oui, a dream come true.” He played with his hat moving it in a circle. </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Nervous, Jessica thought.” It is that.” She agreed. “Very relaxing.”</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The show began, and they looked at the musicians and dancers in grass skirts.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Women have come a long way, Jessica thought. The French guy smiled, viewing the show. His drink came, champagne. The show ended, and they joined the line to help themselves to what the hotel touted as the traditional Hawaii dinner. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“I am Jules Cousteau, and you are?” He sat, once more, in the rattan chair, his plate on the table between them.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Jessica Turner,” she said and cut into the pork. </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">They ate, and Jessica glanced at him. His light brown hair was neatly trimmed, and he had laugh lines crinkled beside his eyes. That was a good sign, she supposed. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Where in France are you from, Jules?” she asked.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">He swallowed, wiped his mouth, and said. “Ah, Paris.” He pronounced it with an ‘e’ sound at the end. “And you?”</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“New York.” She didn’t have the classic Brooklyn accent. He lifted both brows. “Born and raised in Colorado,” she added. </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Colorado? Another destination someday. And you, will you visit France?”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Maybe.” She looked away from him at all the couples, most retired, which surprised her. </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Are you here alone, Jessica?”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Her eyes pulled away from the couple she’d been studying. “I am, and you?”</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“No, my daughters are in the pool.” </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“In the pool?”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Oui, they are teenagers.”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Jessica nodded, wondering where the wife was. Probably in the pool too.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“What are your plans while here in Hawaii?” he asked.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“I want to see the volcano for sure,” Jessica said.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“I plan to see it too. Would you honor me by coming with me?”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“I think your wife should go with you.” </span></span><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Not in this life, gigolo!</span></i><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“She has passed. Cancer.”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">She caught the sad note at the end of his sentence. Slight, but still there.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Oh, I’m sorry.” she was glad she hadn’t spoken out loud about her earlier thought. “I’d be happy for the company. Will you bring your girls?” Jessica hadn’t planned on hooking up with a man, let alone a Frenchman with family. But, there was something about him that made her feel at ease. </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Shall we go into their lounge?”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Instant warning signs popped in her head. “Why?”</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“They have a piano.”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Do you play?”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Oui.”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Hmm…that was interesting. This was starting to be a lot like a Hallmark movie. They stood and walked toward the hotel lounge together. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“What do you do?” he asked.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Me?” Her job rushed back into her thoughts, and she could feel her energy drain. “I’m a prosecutor.”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Lawyer?”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Not exactly. I go after big-time criminals. Most of my work is tracking down witnesses, collecting evidence, and putting the case together for the New York DA.” </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“I am impressed, Mademoiselle. I have never previously known anyone who worked in such an important job.”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“Thanks,” she said. </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">They entered the lounge and sat near the piano. A man was playing Elvis Presley. They ordered more drinks, she a wine cooler and he more of the bubbly. The atmosphere was beyond chill, with a Hawaiian sunset painted on all the walls. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“What do you do, Jules?” she asked. It was only fair, after all.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The pianist got up and left for a break.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“I will show you,” Jules said. He stood and went to the grand piano. Sitting, he stretched his fingers, shut his eyes, and began playing Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Jessica couldn’t stop her mouth from opening slightly. Jules seamlessly went from that song to another one of Beethoven’s classics. She loved classical music. So soothing.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">When he finished, Jules stood and shook the hand of the piano man who’d returned. Then, he came back to his seat.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“That was beautiful. I love Beethoven.” Jessica smiled.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Jules nodded. “I thought you might.”</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“So, you play the piano for a living?”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">“I do. I am a member of the Paris orchestra and also visit other venues. I’ll be in New York next month.”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">*</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The remainder of her vacation was spent with Jules and his girls. All of them were excited to meet someone from New York. They peppered her with questions and begged their papa, as they called him, to take them when he was to have his concert.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Home and alone, Jessica flipped open her laptop and started her research on Jules Cousteau. He was a well-known and highly respected concert pianist and widow at forty-seven. It mentioned his three daughters too. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">He hadn’t lied to her. Not even once. A huge plus since she was sick of liars. Warm memories of their Hawaiian adventures filled her with happiness. She pulled out the ticket and backstage pass he’d given her for his concert. In a month, they’d be reunited. For the first time in five years, she felt hopeful. Maybe life wasn’t as bad as she had come to believe.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Word Count: 973</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Comments are always welcome and if you want to add critique that's okay.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">If you live in America, do Kindle Vella. I'm finally making money.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Coming, Nov. 30, 2022</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXo6_k5VhulIj125y6E7pKxK3eQHWVbZpkPu3bJHfGbZmyQNibzndI65cJFyjzCwqCXrrLXi373OniA1TG2hnLdFeunq5PokJ27tgeH-L80ZlBdEhc0CUGonZd-DgJnraKIEaxqxO8uAb5FKeAqFFiyuHYZGIJnQ7Wkjg_dbirDKYgexxFNRsGwTy/s2700/Nancy%20Williams%201%20ebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1799" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuXo6_k5VhulIj125y6E7pKxK3eQHWVbZpkPu3bJHfGbZmyQNibzndI65cJFyjzCwqCXrrLXi373OniA1TG2hnLdFeunq5PokJ27tgeH-L80ZlBdEhc0CUGonZd-DgJnraKIEaxqxO8uAb5FKeAqFFiyuHYZGIJnQ7Wkjg_dbirDKYgexxFNRsGwTy/s320/Nancy%20Williams%201%20ebook.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Book 4 and the end of the series. </span><p></p>N. R. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-77083387531099329702022-06-15T00:00:00.044-06:002022-06-15T07:49:54.518-06:00WEP Please Read the Letter<p> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">It’s time for the Write, Edit, Publish June challenge. I must thank Denise Covey for starting this bloghop, and to all the ladies shown below. It’s a great way to exercise your creative skills. For those who don’t know, flash fiction is 1,000 words or less. This month’s challenge is based on the song, “Please, Read the Letter. Below is a link to the song on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=please+read+the+letter">YouTube.com</a></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTBNHzhgdUzc0-JJfQdlxgEoPbtxJAVGOfXAo05YpzQyA5_0WBL4eKXQAwwEe1e8CIBwkAIkgDRB8ouZG_Qf9HowletmZ-6IvrHHXJyTrpmwbbbqEL7N5e8AotshQD28ErAN_3lIj87YaAs-6FktiOfNoc0lamQHR7xI7pgxEHtPHQlYAyyj_oX8a/s320/Closing%20Signature.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="185" data-original-width="320" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTBNHzhgdUzc0-JJfQdlxgEoPbtxJAVGOfXAo05YpzQyA5_0WBL4eKXQAwwEe1e8CIBwkAIkgDRB8ouZG_Qf9HowletmZ-6IvrHHXJyTrpmwbbbqEL7N5e8AotshQD28ErAN_3lIj87YaAs-6FktiOfNoc0lamQHR7xI7pgxEHtPHQlYAyyj_oX8a/s1600/Closing%20Signature.png" width="320" /></a></div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLywUJlAMh-OYTiy0LrRO95BzCOgtS0KdvWx-gs91X4cc-TZOMwCrMJOpAcmjEewC_tgav6gHWUrs2U7dz3uPvD3VlttEQNdkOquBpP57PZtPSTYQtya8A3_o9G5H_TqkNZtxTKQDzdEVxObGXGIKx_GFmzeFzckXx4b9Jc1fUpMqoMmSbHdba19v6/s320/tumblr_64672e61b3008364d6a657a7834e4451_14273024_1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLywUJlAMh-OYTiy0LrRO95BzCOgtS0KdvWx-gs91X4cc-TZOMwCrMJOpAcmjEewC_tgav6gHWUrs2U7dz3uPvD3VlttEQNdkOquBpP57PZtPSTYQtya8A3_o9G5H_TqkNZtxTKQDzdEVxObGXGIKx_GFmzeFzckXx4b9Jc1fUpMqoMmSbHdba19v6/s1600/tumblr_64672e61b3008364d6a657a7834e4451_14273024_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Tag line: Creating A Better Life.</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Please Read the Letter</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">My phone started to play the Darth Vader tune. I’d assigned that ringtone to only one person. Frank. He must have found my letter. I left it on his pillow. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As I descended the hills the sun was low in the smog-filled California sky. It figured. Late as it was, Frank spent a couple hours with his drinking buddies after work. Darth Vader started announcing himself again and was interrupted by the voice of GPS telling me my turn was coming up. I was glad. I’d been driving for the last five hours, frequently stopping because I had to pee, a lot, as a seven-month-long pregnant woman. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">My job had let me go. Figures. Frank didn’t pay the electric bill. Figures. Who would hire a pregnant woman? No one. Figures. My walls came crashing down. Clearly, there was nothing left for me with Frank. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">My friend Heidi had offered to take me in, and I jumped at the chance. A new life in sunny California, smog and all. Arizona was in the rear view mirror along with Frank and our shared memories. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Darth Vader was calling again. I could almost hear Frank say, “Baby, baby, please pick up.” But, nope! This baby would never pick up for you again. My parrot, Jolly, agreed when he said, “Stop calling!” </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">First on the to-do list tomorrow. Get a new phone number. Then I’ll call mom and let her know. She lives in Minnesota and won’t approve of me leaving Frank, so I won’t tell her immediately. She never wrote down his number, thank God. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Heidi and I went way back to High School. We roomed together at University. She finished. I married Frank. God, I was stupid. But we talked, and I had a plan. I was going to finish and get my degree. She was going to help me. There was no better friend than Heidi. I loved her. She never played the ‘I told you so’ card. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">GPS let me know I’d be there soon. Heidi lived in the hills above Los Angeles. She’d inherited the house after her parents died from COVID early on. I’d spent many long nights on the phone with her while she cried. Nothing like a pandemic to make it impossible to really be there for those you love. But now, it was over, and I’d see a lot of Heidi. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I turned into her driveway, stopped the car, and stretched. Darth Vader was irritating me to no end, so I turned off my phone and got out of the vehicle. And there was Heidi, her short-cropped curls bouncing as she ran to me. We hugged and laughed, and she rubbed my belly. Then she took my two suitcases, and I grabbed Jolly’s cage. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Can I just say, I’m gonna love my new life! </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Word count: 473</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I’ve noticed that my stories have gotten shorter. This is either due to the fact that I’m a better writer, or that I’ve gotten lazy. Let know what you think. Nancy</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>Are you writing to Kindle Vella? I am, here’s my link to Nilmalith’s Journey. The first three episodes are free and at an end is a thumbs up symbol. Help me get higher on the scale so more readers can find me, by reading and hitting the thumbs up. If you can write a review, that helps too. Also, if you enjoy my story and head over every week, Amazon gives you the option to have a 'fave.' When enough people choose my story as a 'fave,' I earn a crown and my story becomes a featured story so more readers find it. I really appreciate your help. Thanks. Nancy</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i>I know Kindle Vella is currently only offered in America. It's a success, so let Amazon know you want to write to it too.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">To read go to: </span><a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl gpro0wi8 py34i1dx" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fkindle-vella%2Fstory%2FB0B2QBYRYN%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR0kvlsv1sMj8MOU29ArRYeEjik7AimQfldbBA3pYT8Z1xHVsx7LJrCqejs&h=AT26lenJKmi4jl2CW2CgraEkNo8Z_rS70dn7hN6zujv8eRyO7sEuucoFDtHDcyqsWxL7J3snzcMopJiG-JIoT0KTSLguhmqahmWQySs1qBQsaoR4Vot1uUPG_OD1huH4oQ&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT3jN1qpYJsLANcZcEQXx69A4d4hyBvwfrQ0yynodVN4Kddnpc5sjcp8sNZcD7WOVASPgbUd576fUD-CZ5eJVrPgeQTPRq5Z32XmpG2ZkbyY6R4pmPOlgG8HGfT_w5zO-Mp_4PSvd2BFqy2paFiFd_cATNWzP4ZL7q4KC86ghB5x2jSX_UlE_wjD45BafO-m4mt6mD7VtuPu5attbR0t0QZ8VvpkfMrf-w" rel="nofollow noopener" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; animation-name: none; background-color: white; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; touch-action: manipulation; transition-property: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/story/B0B2QBYRYN</a></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_daU2__p4SQJ6ecdHvjtUYSUr202sBNvia4eU0xPR-6CrB0X-BdvYHMKkET2nJaSeBO5v-Ov64Y8qyfytR_by_9JovBQYNubyKoYChSEp8kyhYgTyccZ9epoMvaTwu4u370zJGkoHendq8vhBhznIoD6D50JgLavnbuzDPutSeLmUBJbuRQo62LV/s2700/Nancy%20Williams.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_daU2__p4SQJ6ecdHvjtUYSUr202sBNvia4eU0xPR-6CrB0X-BdvYHMKkET2nJaSeBO5v-Ov64Y8qyfytR_by_9JovBQYNubyKoYChSEp8kyhYgTyccZ9epoMvaTwu4u370zJGkoHendq8vhBhznIoD6D50JgLavnbuzDPutSeLmUBJbuRQo62LV/s320/Nancy%20Williams.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Kindle Vella is a success. If you don’t have it yet, let Amazon know you want it. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Any critique is fine. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">To read what others have written for this month’s challenge, go <a href="https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/">here</a>. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>N. R. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-69664559040777175642022-04-20T00:00:00.002-06:002022-04-20T12:18:01.922-06:00A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall WEP Bloghop<p> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">WEP challenge for April, 2022 inspired by Bob Dylan’s, A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall. Write, Edit, Publish is a bloghop started by Denise Covey. The ladies, Denise, Nila, Laura, Jemi, Renee and Olga serve as moderators. If you’d like to participate, we welcome you. To visit the blogs of others who also wrote stories, poems or posted pictures or did something else to highlight the prompt, go <a href="https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/">here</a>. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidnVq1WTjHDLrCEEyBMHlBKPwObG5GOZ53eAaXBTR_NV5JnwCqhR2-JijOgfaDimaFhESEAObit6uo7gX3J0KHBOYbdViK61novlWqPj61MH7anrrKAY1nZ_Cg_SPPlctzSeDmJVlGxcfIjjBsLp2ru9kSQwff0TO_MLDbYI8tEJpbod8CEMNzH85s/s320/Closing%20Signature.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="185" data-original-width="320" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidnVq1WTjHDLrCEEyBMHlBKPwObG5GOZ53eAaXBTR_NV5JnwCqhR2-JijOgfaDimaFhESEAObit6uo7gX3J0KHBOYbdViK61novlWqPj61MH7anrrKAY1nZ_Cg_SPPlctzSeDmJVlGxcfIjjBsLp2ru9kSQwff0TO_MLDbYI8tEJpbod8CEMNzH85s/s1600/Closing%20Signature.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LetEfbXl7SJrM8HUqtZ61LklAG5R-tlXcAWXxkeeMF8U3xrFSYtgTrjp8PkM5OBZlqXjp0XXtfAUusbL5fGWGVLrNTR-_vkkgiyhYbsEMin86CwnCImKvrgrpT5Hi1hV44xX8A9MyVFrJq68XrRXg0qF9TmMjaIIavDtMjyWn8NkWMF1GAfj971K/s1000/tumblr_9373a34a16adfed38c8fc7d51ef90d3c_3c66ecca_1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LetEfbXl7SJrM8HUqtZ61LklAG5R-tlXcAWXxkeeMF8U3xrFSYtgTrjp8PkM5OBZlqXjp0XXtfAUusbL5fGWGVLrNTR-_vkkgiyhYbsEMin86CwnCImKvrgrpT5Hi1hV44xX8A9MyVFrJq68XrRXg0qF9TmMjaIIavDtMjyWn8NkWMF1GAfj971K/s320/tumblr_9373a34a16adfed38c8fc7d51ef90d3c_3c66ecca_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Tag: Life and love overcome.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Rain and hail pelted Annie’s car as she sat in the parking lot staring at the prison. </span><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He is in there.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> The stuff of nightmares seared her mind, replaying that fatal night’s terror. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Her faith had prevented her from aborting the child. </span><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His child! </span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Despite the ugly truth, she loved her blue eyed baby boy. No longer a baby, but always a baby to her. Naming him had been so hard. Even after his birth, she’d struggled. Alone in the hospital, holding her precious bundle conceived in violence. Still, that night had motivated her to become a lawyer. As such she helped other women in the same situation. Though most of her clients had been raped by their boyfriends, not a serial rapist who turned murderer only one victim away from her ordeal. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He won’t face death, but he should.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Why should he continue to be allowed to breathe, when he’d raped twenty-two women and the last ten he’d murdered? Would his son become a monster like him? Her Jessie, named for a favorite uncle. No, Jessie would be a good man, she made sure of that. She’d given him a dog and a cat, along with unconditional love. He was kind, thoughtful and passed every subject in school with high scores, usually above 90 points. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Jessie didn’t know the truth about his father and if she could help it, he never would. She put her Dylan CD in the cars player and turned the volume up. She wanted to drown out the sound of hard rain, the windshield wipers and her thoughts. Annie had always appreciated Bob Dylan’s poetic music and this song, A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall, was especially appropriate. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> If she were a monster, she’d enter the prison with a loaded gun, shoot anyone who stood in her way and go to his cell, were she’d pup bullets into his face. But she wasn’t a monster. She was woman, survivor, mother, friend, confident and professional trial attorney. The men she tried were scum. Her Jessie was brilliant, and compassionate. He would bring joy to many. </span><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Out of fear and sorrow I birthed joy! </span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Annie put the car in gear, backed up and then pulled out of the parking lot headed home. Once there, she’d hug the gift that was Jessie. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Word Count: 388</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMS9_AGgSKO3BVP-tdAAiWjrhyR17mN49Gi4gLqRENr3q5HjRArQvObNzM5LtndfgC8W8-J2pB82EaT8IpQNkaDpKtSQoWrG8Chl733yMstvblL6_7TbcUADKl5gIENjMiE62Vt2QcthmFrCVdKYhQozi5slGVun-wol7DuWoQB-4K6hSPBNcqCVw/s320/critique%20badge1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="241" data-original-width="320" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMS9_AGgSKO3BVP-tdAAiWjrhyR17mN49Gi4gLqRENr3q5HjRArQvObNzM5LtndfgC8W8-J2pB82EaT8IpQNkaDpKtSQoWrG8Chl733yMstvblL6_7TbcUADKl5gIENjMiE62Vt2QcthmFrCVdKYhQozi5slGVun-wol7DuWoQB-4K6hSPBNcqCVw/s1600/critique%20badge1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As I listened to A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall, I adapted a few of the lyrics to write this story. A story of violence and hope. If you enjoyed my story or not, please leave a comment. Any type of comment is fine. I'm a big girl. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Head over to my website to sign up for my newsletter and receive a free short story: Loren’s Choice. Thanks, Nancy</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpRzc-ISLjikDqKRZKPueoKmnIg5KIquqZdfqVlpiNEBAr4ywnEWKkUeqFrC5KPokJw1gH87Dx8X853hrErDf28idIcB4XXo70xcsp7ZwqYFLmkIjYAibduEWuKxF4UUHzBCg6FJFaqW2Eh6-d_Wrr7AO1WWKgpgPjhbnJ3z9f8gQ4kNy5LrRdEvx/s600/thumbnail.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpRzc-ISLjikDqKRZKPueoKmnIg5KIquqZdfqVlpiNEBAr4ywnEWKkUeqFrC5KPokJw1gH87Dx8X853hrErDf28idIcB4XXo70xcsp7ZwqYFLmkIjYAibduEWuKxF4UUHzBCg6FJFaqW2Eh6-d_Wrr7AO1WWKgpgPjhbnJ3z9f8gQ4kNy5LrRdEvx/s320/thumbnail.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #535a62; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Loren’s parents want her to choose from the young men in her village and marry. But, that’s not what Loren wants. While at the village well, a stranger arrives. Tall and handsome, he </span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #535a62; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">intrigues</span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #535a62; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> her. When the emperor’s soldiers are spotted. The threat is upon them, Loren could become a blood sacrifice. Before she can run, the stranger grabs her and gallops for the covering of the forest. What will happen next? </span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #535a62; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #535a62; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Website link: <a href="https://authornrwilliams.com/">https://authornrwilliams.com/</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #535a62; font-size: 14pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p>N. R. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-3983166825246033922022-02-16T00:00:00.017-07:002022-02-16T11:28:24.357-07:00All You Need is Love WEP<p> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Write, Edit, Publish February 2022. WEP was founded by Denise Covey and brings together many writer’s, poets, artists, and regular folks to participate in a bloghop every few months. In addition to Denise, WEP has a few helpers: </span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #494949; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Renee, Nilla, Laura, Jemi, and Olga. Thank you, ladies.</span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #494949; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> To read what others have posted go <a href="https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/">here</a>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #494949; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #494949; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">This is the year of music, and to start things off on the musical notes our song is written and sung by The Beatles, ‘All You Need is Love!’ To listen to the song, go </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiwskVK_77Q" style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">here</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #494949; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #494949; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">I once heard Paul McCartney answer a questions </span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #494949; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">posed</span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #494949; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> to him about the Beatles promoting love and anti-war messages. He said, “…It could have been the other way.” That made me think of original rap </span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #494949; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">music</span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #494949; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> that used a lot of hate speech and I was thankful to have spent my teen years listening to, and singing songs about love.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white; color: #494949; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">In more news, I’m adding a new genre to my writing life, Sweet Romance, so my story below is both sweet and romantic. I hope you enjoy. N. R. Williams (Nancy).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLlCvmuifFZdd5Gm3667wgE1IzS66X786rOXdDFwac4P4q1tt0MgVZGmhRInSaQ4Bmfo1mPurGd4k8Kw1Fpmn3XTXzlNSxwPLpC--Qxm-AIV0zJJ772ZGptC4xwCVNZsY_8BeyQYVaKqQviUCIZSZT8l2q3DDG6sBpkAxYYFep7jPnvxpjmvv2OXF6=s320" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhLlCvmuifFZdd5Gm3667wgE1IzS66X786rOXdDFwac4P4q1tt0MgVZGmhRInSaQ4Bmfo1mPurGd4k8Kw1Fpmn3XTXzlNSxwPLpC--Qxm-AIV0zJJ772ZGptC4xwCVNZsY_8BeyQYVaKqQviUCIZSZT8l2q3DDG6sBpkAxYYFep7jPnvxpjmvv2OXF6" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Tag: When love comes around again.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Love, love, love!</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lucy slipped the Beatles CD into the player and began to dance while she dusted to ‘All You Need is Love.’ Her parents were huge Beatles fans, and she grew up singing and dancing to their music. Now older and retired, she found this a great way to keep in shape. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Thanks to her late husband, Bruce, her three-bedroom ranch was paid for. . And so was her Tesla, parked in the garage. Luv, her daughter by her first husband, an abusive jerk, had finished university debt-free, thanks to Bruce. And he adopted her, dotting on her. Now she was a Science teacher and married, living only a few blocks away.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The CD changed songs, and she slipped into the guest bathroom to wipe it down. Her cell chirped. Removing the phone from her pocket, she answered.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Hi, Melinda.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Hay, girl, are you ready?” Melinda asked.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“As ready as I can be.” </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I can’t wait.” Melinda referred to their planned trip to Scotland. She was a big ‘Outlander’ fan, and Lucy liked the show enough to follow Melinda’s long discourse about each character. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">*</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A month later, she found herself standing in line with Melinda. Luv had dropped them off. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The trip was long and uneventful. Jet lag was a problem the first three days. Then, from the time they woke to the time they went to bed, they toured the ‘Outlander’ sites. But, Lucy had to admit, she was having fun. When their week in Scotland was over, they hired a man to drive them to Liverpool, and Lucy had a list of sights made famous by the Beatles. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Their last week was to be spent in London. They sat together in the hotel’s upscale dining room, looking at the menu with all the delicious offerings. Melinda quickly ordered, but Lucy stared at the menu as if her brain had shut off. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“May I join you?” A man with an impeccable British accent said.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Of course, I’m Melinda, and this is Lucy.” </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lucy looked up then as he sat and saw a handsome older man with gray hair and a prominent nose that wasn’t too big. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“My name is Henry Spencer.” His smile dazzled, and Lucy could see Melinda blush. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Nice to meet you,” she said.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Are you having trouble deciding what to order?” he asked.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah, so many choices,” Lucy said.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“May I recommend the Beef Wellington?”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When the waiter came, he ordered champagne. “To celebrate our meeting,” he said. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They enjoyed their meal and ordered dessert too, though Lucy only took one bite. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">On their second bottle of champagne, he asked. “Where in the Colonies are you from?”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Denver, Colorado,” Melinda blurted out. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Ah Denver, I’ve always wanted to visit.” He smiled at Lucy with a massive dose of charm, reminding her of Mr. Abuse, her second husband who’d charmed her initially. But, once the punches started, she left. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“A man like you must be married,” Lucy said, and Melinda jabbed her with her fist under the table.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh I was,” he said. “But my wife passed on three years ago, and my sons are married with their own busy lives.” </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m sorry to hear that,” Lucy said.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Lucy’s a widow too,” Melinda burst out. Then, it was her turn to jab Melinda. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“My condolences,” Henry said. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She nodded. “Spencer was Princess Diana’s maiden name wasn’t it? Are you related?”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, it was, and no, there are quite a few Spencer’s.” </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Melinda giggled like a schoolgirl, and Lucy looked at her like, what is wrong with you? </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“May I offer you my services to tour London? I have the entire week off.” </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lucy would’ve declined, but Melinda beat her to it with an excited yes.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">*</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The week passed much too quickly. Finally, Henry gave them a ride to the airport. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I should have asked sooner,” Lucy said. “What do you do for a living?”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m in the import, export business.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“How interesting,” Melinda said.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Black market, Lucy thought. But the truth was, she believed him a pretty nice man. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">*</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Once back home, Lucy slept for a week, off and on. Her internal clock was seriously messed up. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Luv came over with her husband, Rob, for dinner two Sunday’s later. He was a firefighter, and Lucy liked him a lot. They were all about to sit down when the doorbell rang.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lucy went to the door and opened it to find Henry Spencer standing there. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I thought I’d take the plunge and come for a visit,” he said.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lucy remained, her mouth open, and then said, “Come in. We were just about to have dinner.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, I shouldn’t trouble you.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“No trouble at all.” When they reached the kitchen table, Lucy introduced everyone, and Luv pulled another plate, quickly making a place for him.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“My mom makes the best spaghetti,” Luv said. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I love spaghetti,” Henry said.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lucy served him everyone a salad, and everyone helped themselves to the main dish. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">At the end of dinner, while Luv and Rob did dishes, Henry leaned toward Lucy and said. “I’m hoping you’ll give me a tour of your beautiful city.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lucy smiled. “I’ll do better than that, I’ll take you to my favorite mountain town.” </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Word count: 871</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cover Reveal! I'm so excited to announce my 3rd in series book, The Emperor of the Moon and Stars. Available everywhere, April 1, 2022. I will have a pre-order available soon.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirnAc95Gvg-HpyfkeGK9WGcCb1LyqbXNIrxUz4G1ysYJArq8DnbOv1AXn9loDJ0w9--P4GKe46x2mh9WiKMgszEmZblrkcSfzIiwqp4Um3ZfGRO9M9owlsT0Yzlfh7TOanddACdJ2DzJXjsMM1CXqbKIgVMmdYuNX4Z0kMnDGosMdZz__-Pt0Dozhh=s2700" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="1799" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEirnAc95Gvg-HpyfkeGK9WGcCb1LyqbXNIrxUz4G1ysYJArq8DnbOv1AXn9loDJ0w9--P4GKe46x2mh9WiKMgszEmZblrkcSfzIiwqp4Um3ZfGRO9M9owlsT0Yzlfh7TOanddACdJ2DzJXjsMM1CXqbKIgVMmdYuNX4Z0kMnDGosMdZz__-Pt0Dozhh=w287-h395" width="287" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Thank you for reading. Please leave a comment.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">To sign up for my free newsletter and get a free short story, or to order a book written by little old me, go to my website. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>N. R. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-25170809756247799772021-12-02T11:39:00.007-07:002021-12-02T11:50:30.063-07:00Write, Edit, Publish December 2021 bloghop Narcissus<p> <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Greetings everyone. Narcissism is the topic of the December bloghop for Write, Edit, Publish. Hosted by Denise Covy, Renee, Nilla, Laura, Jemi, and Olga. Thank you, ladies. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Below is my entry. To read what others have said go <a href="https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/">here</a>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Narcissism is a mental health illness in which the person who suffers from it is full of themselves, literally. In recent times, the world has witnessed several leaders that display this condition. Thank God, the most recent one is gone, for now, and I hope he never returns. Scary times.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5B9lmyC-3-q9pnkYrPMlveeFHD4pCLLLfHOBOm6INZVqpfnbM4yG85t_CLPHS6VVm6gylz29_n9YSTzLexRlQv_d2cRZv3mIFlZ_NPIXJF26mpuRuOPNtAytt66RPLQxqtqQUB1NLaJU/s320/a+december+changed+dates.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5B9lmyC-3-q9pnkYrPMlveeFHD4pCLLLfHOBOm6INZVqpfnbM4yG85t_CLPHS6VVm6gylz29_n9YSTzLexRlQv_d2cRZv3mIFlZ_NPIXJF26mpuRuOPNtAytt66RPLQxqtqQUB1NLaJU/s0/a+december+changed+dates.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A narcissist also makes a good villain. Below is my entry and it is also an excerpt from my up coming fantasy book tilted: The Emperor of the Moon and Stars, Book 3 in The Chronicles of Gil-Lael. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Almost forgot the tagline: When one imagines themselves invincible. </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Narcissist</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ose Shigemori leaned back against the tree. Soon, he<span style="font-family: Calibri;">’</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">d leave Aya for the Province of Xuqihar. Those men who pledged their support had made it to the cave system in the mountains. The time had come for him to abandon hope of having Tamika returned. Coulomb was out of his reach as well. It wasn</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">’</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">t worth the death of good men to help him escape.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Shiho knelt at his side, cleaning his fingernails. She wasn<span style="font-family: Calibri;">’</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">t a madam to the onsen anymore. He arrived with his men, raided the geisha house, and forced the women to come with them. Now, Shiho attended to his needs, and right now, that meant his fingernails.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Shiho was polishing his nails now with a brush. She<span style="font-family: Calibri;">’</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">d given him a hard time until he beat her senseless. The bruises were still visible. </span></span><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I might just do it again soon.</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> He smiled.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Captain Chikusa entered. <span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Excellency.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">” </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">He bowed. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The traitors have been hanged as instructed.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Good. Did the usurper notice?</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Yes. The usurper</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">’</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">s men cut them down.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Shiho finished. Ose brought up his hand to admire his fingernails. <span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Gather the men. We leave in an hour.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Word count: 190</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Thank you for reading. Please leave a comment.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Nancy</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Now Available:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpEHRTrQQvXxcnv6QV5QMAT2dpZ9rb2mAeNWbx34hr6v0bGaXUYh_X8KrUalf7cR6X-rxaTN3avhxnJKLDN3ka6WVslFEgY_Dt4baybB3hVLZ_k2AocF1hGCampqjRkVcVJ1BxYH9_IHM/s2048/Ocq8pjbQ.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1366" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpEHRTrQQvXxcnv6QV5QMAT2dpZ9rb2mAeNWbx34hr6v0bGaXUYh_X8KrUalf7cR6X-rxaTN3avhxnJKLDN3ka6WVslFEgY_Dt4baybB3hVLZ_k2AocF1hGCampqjRkVcVJ1BxYH9_IHM/s320/Ocq8pjbQ.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK62yueqtQs8fLOJR-AwTFPLkA9Ki_WfutBDRk66eO3Gi_MnfqNNUoJ0_RkG9R_8wlzZkQnPUYiYOk19RD4GI1T-x3uBgl_6tUv26MD6i58DVeNdEmtO1QIq7u94hI9lsLxZQN1Z3ff_Q/s2048/Treasures+Front+Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1371" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK62yueqtQs8fLOJR-AwTFPLkA9Ki_WfutBDRk66eO3Gi_MnfqNNUoJ0_RkG9R_8wlzZkQnPUYiYOk19RD4GI1T-x3uBgl_6tUv26MD6i58DVeNdEmtO1QIq7u94hI9lsLxZQN1Z3ff_Q/s320/Treasures+Front+Cover.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6UwbXruWbS8j1lQLga05cSkx1rGBGFATXnoWea9t4EL57kAnshtyJphUOZhS4Jg8qO4y7VwEbinRlip6Nzc0cuL1xaJDUsDFSotFeykHW40y9tLbHpZVso-4Zv8JValFDiYytUuOHg0/s2048/Nancy-Williams-ebook.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1368" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6UwbXruWbS8j1lQLga05cSkx1rGBGFATXnoWea9t4EL57kAnshtyJphUOZhS4Jg8qO4y7VwEbinRlip6Nzc0cuL1xaJDUsDFSotFeykHW40y9tLbHpZVso-4Zv8JValFDiYytUuOHg0/s320/Nancy-Williams-ebook.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>All available everywhere.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">To order go to my website : </span><a href="https://authornrwilliams.com/">https://authornrwilliams.com/</a></p>N. R. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-23693891179071067882021-10-20T00:00:00.005-06:002021-10-20T00:00:00.184-06:00WEP Challenge for Halloween Scream<p> Time for our favorite Halloween bloghop with the writers at Write, Edit, Publish. A big thank you to Denise Covey for starting this group and to those who act as hosts. Nila, Laura, Jemi, Renee and Olga. Applauding. </p><p>To read what others have written go <a href="https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/">here</a>.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAF3MBr3mGhPl95YznsFqmTAEG7DKh6o_06GAx-TX7cO8zWV1MCvRdQRSz9VAlArqz60kITntYsikJ4_U4B6AdBYa2qJTbnnrLO7gGIH8MkxVkHXwDwkuV0KP9TXVxFRYOjyMP2RymAus/s1001/tumblr_7b6d1f616879c0c275e99f4105e9f82f_393e1294_1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1001" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAF3MBr3mGhPl95YznsFqmTAEG7DKh6o_06GAx-TX7cO8zWV1MCvRdQRSz9VAlArqz60kITntYsikJ4_U4B6AdBYa2qJTbnnrLO7gGIH8MkxVkHXwDwkuV0KP9TXVxFRYOjyMP2RymAus/s320/tumblr_7b6d1f616879c0c275e99f4105e9f82f_393e1294_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Tagline: While mourning the loss of her </span>beautiful<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> neighborhood, Becca discovers something terrifying. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Mud Spiders</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Becca collected her gardening tools </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">in </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">garage </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">and </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">opened the automatic door</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> to the front</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> of her home</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">. She stopped in the driveway to gaze across the street. The beautiful neighborhood that </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">she </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">and </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Charlie </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">had moved into five years ago was gone. They’d chosen this small development because each house was well cared for and had beautiful landscaping</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">N</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">ow, not a single neighbor’s house remained except a few several blocks away. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">First came the fires a little over a year ago</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">,</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> replacing the scent of fragrant blooms with billowing hot smoke that threatened to suffocate her. Everyone had been evacuated</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, and t</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">he news played twenty-four hours in the shelter where they’d stayed</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> so they could keep an eye on the fire</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; mso-para-margin-bottom: 0.0000gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Once the fire was out, they returned home. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Every home </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">in the neighborhood was</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> spared, but the high California hills behind her neighbor’s </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">houses </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">were burned barren. Heartbroken, she’d reminisced about peering through her binoculars at the top of those lush hills and viewing all the wildlife, now gone.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-para-margin-bottom: 0.0000gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Then, last spring, the rains came. A record downpour last</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">ing</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> several days and ended when a mudslide crashed down on those homes across the street from hers. All in the middle of the night. She</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> and Charlie</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> woke to sirens and hurried to their large double</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">-pane</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> front window. The mud had almost crossed the street to their own front lawn. Not one of her neighbors had survived. She’d helped the rescuers as much as possible, but they refused to let her dig in the mud, so she opted </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">to </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">feed them breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And like the shelter, she served donuts, but hers were homemade. She loved cooking, and her home carried the scent of her many creations. Charlie bought beer to go with the dinners at the end of the day. And by the time she’d done all those dishes and was relaxing with her feet up, that beer was a welcome thirst quencher. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Now</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">,</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> as she gazed across at the once beautiful homes and gardens of her neighbors, she saw only devastation. Mounds of mud had buried the home</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">s</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">. The rescuers had dug it out</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">,</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> leaving behind part of the house, sticking up in broken boards, plywood, shingles, and glass. The smell was of earth and a kind of mold</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">,</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> if you could believe it. Becca had never smelled anything like it before. Rancid and full of decay. Because of it, she didn’t open her windows, even when evening brought a cool breeze to cleanse the world of the summer heat. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-char-indent-count: 0.0000; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She knelt, rolled up the pink sleeves of her blouse, and began to weed. There were always weeds. It was a constant struggle, but since she loved gardening, she didn’t mind.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The bees were busy moving from her purple phlox to the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">daisies </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">and coneflowers. Each </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">flower </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">reaching toward the sun, displaying a delicate dance when the breeze rustled their petals</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">,</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> releasing their scent and surrounding Becca with joy. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-para-margin-bottom: 0.0000gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She struggled with the roots of a stubborn weed when she heard a strange kind of sucking noise followed by a swish plop. She sat back on her he</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">e</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">ls and stared at her reflection in the window. Suck, swish, plop again. The air brought the toxic muddy scent to her. Becca turned. Coming across the street toward her were creatures</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">,</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> unlike anything she’d ever seen before. Their arms and legs were double</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">-</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">jointed and pushed out like spiders. Their round heads wobbled back and forth, and their yellow eyes stared at her. Globs of mud dripped from their bodies resulting in the plop</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">ping</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> noise when it hit the pavement. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-para-margin-bottom: 0.0000gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She dropped the gardening tool and stood, turning to fully face them. One, two, three, she counted. Like </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">giant </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">spiders</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">,</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> they advanced. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">T</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">heir movements were slow. Four, five, six…eleven. She stopped counting and backed up toward the open garage door. All the while</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">,</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> she heard the swish and plop and then the sucking noise as they lifted their feet from the pavement. As she stared, one of them stood like a human</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">,</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> and its front legs became arms with long fingers and no hand. It dripped mud from its long digits. They all dripped mud leaving behind blotches of sludge where they’d been. The goo oozed with popping bubbles</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">,</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> and then she saw the patches of mud spread out to rise up as another monster. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-para-margin-bottom: 0.0000gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Her heart made a staccato rhythm that hurt her chest. The air was filled with choking decay. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Finally, s</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">he turned and fled to the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">garage </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">door that led inside the house. A roar was added to the clamor of their movement, and she turned, pressing the garage door</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">’s</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> button to lower it. When she did, they were all stood, their mouths open to issue yet another howl. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-para-margin-bottom: 0.0000gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0.0000gd; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Becca was a practical person. She’d never screamed in her life. But she screamed now as the mud spiders launched themselves and landed on her body. Her scream was hushed when one of them slid its head into her open mouth. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-para-margin-bottom: 0.0000gd; mso-para-margin-top: 0.0000gd; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The End</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Word count 840</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Thanks for coming by. Let me know what you think.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">N. </span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt;">R. Williams</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Nancy</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Please leave a comment and tell me what you think.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Now Available:</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Beginning of a Legend, A Chronicles of Gil-Lael Novella</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>E-book is FREE everywhere.</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpEHRTrQQvXxcnv6QV5QMAT2dpZ9rb2mAeNWbx34hr6v0bGaXUYh_X8KrUalf7cR6X-rxaTN3avhxnJKLDN3ka6WVslFEgY_Dt4baybB3hVLZ_k2AocF1hGCampqjRkVcVJ1BxYH9_IHM/s2048/Ocq8pjbQ.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1366" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpEHRTrQQvXxcnv6QV5QMAT2dpZ9rb2mAeNWbx34hr6v0bGaXUYh_X8KrUalf7cR6X-rxaTN3avhxnJKLDN3ka6WVslFEgY_Dt4baybB3hVLZ_k2AocF1hGCampqjRkVcVJ1BxYH9_IHM/s320/Ocq8pjbQ.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><b>Amazon US Link: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Beginning-Legend-Chronicles-Gil-Lael-ebook/dp/B09H247S85">Here</a></b><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2UaQv-DvJu-Kt-Z152UBqrYfzYYVGbZGXaWp9xz9Snt1mb3mdjqedGedSyYlPhieW6BxM0qWgJ9_POifok-BRDmAQygvcHNDEmjMGbOap4gIIaxYTKCHs9GuSdTKbvNsZvdpaUydRwk/s2048/Treasures+Front+Cover+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1371" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2UaQv-DvJu-Kt-Z152UBqrYfzYYVGbZGXaWp9xz9Snt1mb3mdjqedGedSyYlPhieW6BxM0qWgJ9_POifok-BRDmAQygvcHNDEmjMGbOap4gIIaxYTKCHs9GuSdTKbvNsZvdpaUydRwk/s320/Treasures+Front+Cover+%25281%2529.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Treasures of Carmelidrium, Book 1 in The Chronicles of Gil-Lael </b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Amazon US Link: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08X7GN2S1">Here</a></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6UwbXruWbS8j1lQLga05cSkx1rGBGFATXnoWea9t4EL57kAnshtyJphUOZhS4Jg8qO4y7VwEbinRlip6Nzc0cuL1xaJDUsDFSotFeykHW40y9tLbHpZVso-4Zv8JValFDiYytUuOHg0/s2048/Nancy-Williams-ebook.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1368" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN6UwbXruWbS8j1lQLga05cSkx1rGBGFATXnoWea9t4EL57kAnshtyJphUOZhS4Jg8qO4y7VwEbinRlip6Nzc0cuL1xaJDUsDFSotFeykHW40y9tLbHpZVso-4Zv8JValFDiYytUuOHg0/s320/Nancy-Williams-ebook.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><b>The Rise of Lord Sinon, Book 2 in The Chronicles of Gil-Lael</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Amazon US Link: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09H1XS5L4">Here </a></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Coming in November 2021: The Emperor of the Moon and Stars, Book 3 in The Chronicles of Gil-Lael.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">I'm having a little trouble getting links on my website but they will soon be available. Paper copies are available for The Treasures of Carmelidrium at $19.99 and will be available soon for my other books. </p><p class="MsoNormal">Visit my website and sign up for my newsletter to receive a <b>Free</b> short story title Loren's Choice. You'll receive news once a month. Website link: <a href="https://authornrwilliams.com/">Here</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>And I was interviewed by RobbAuthor. To read it go <a href="https://www.robbwallace.co.uk/fantasy-author-interviews/n-r-williams-interview/?fbclid=IwAR2kkHL_I6GMGtzH7TfIXyKxpz4Dv__Yl0h9c9E6G1AwJcXCm4AS3WfYtDg">here</a>:</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Happy Halloween </i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><br /></i></b></p>N. R. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-35622847551604577152021-10-08T20:50:00.001-06:002021-10-08T20:50:13.273-06:00Coming October 20th Scream A Halloween bloghop<p> Be sure to check in on October 20 for a Halloween blog hop. The challenge is called, Scream.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-X7hAxyjxYXV1nhCLbOshWkvJdMiqvUsY-5xF3WlcKndvWAwQBZMZZ6Sob-9QhUiiTflKlYoMsG0CGchb_Ae1HTD4XFd_pNdn_08j7NPprR0AmIw5PHd12-ZmY6Ua-RueWXU8tu01IQ/s1001/tumblr_7b6d1f616879c0c275e99f4105e9f82f_393e1294_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1001" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-X7hAxyjxYXV1nhCLbOshWkvJdMiqvUsY-5xF3WlcKndvWAwQBZMZZ6Sob-9QhUiiTflKlYoMsG0CGchb_Ae1HTD4XFd_pNdn_08j7NPprR0AmIw5PHd12-ZmY6Ua-RueWXU8tu01IQ/s320/tumblr_7b6d1f616879c0c275e99f4105e9f82f_393e1294_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>In other news, I've been interviewed by RobbAuthor. To see my answers to a bunch of questions go <a href="https://www.robbwallace.co.uk/fantasy-author-interviews/n-r-williams-interview/?fbclid=IwAR2kkHL_I6GMGtzH7TfIXyKxpz4Dv__Yl0h9c9E6G1AwJcXCm4AS3WfYtDg">here</a>: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGsk81mcvgfdHr-XzukyDo3Pf9_Onc1pK9Squ5tc13lcGI8H_9Ic-NnnA-tr-MKh6sx-QPlCsrg5hF4Zy-JL7x22UDkf4RhuCGIVjdAzE9mW7U-Tz6YgmYgIHrPB4f0c5Vj1sUzZhtxo/s2048/Ocq8pjbQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1366" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGsk81mcvgfdHr-XzukyDo3Pf9_Onc1pK9Squ5tc13lcGI8H_9Ic-NnnA-tr-MKh6sx-QPlCsrg5hF4Zy-JL7x22UDkf4RhuCGIVjdAzE9mW7U-Tz6YgmYgIHrPB4f0c5Vj1sUzZhtxo/s320/Ocq8pjbQ.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>And, now available everywhere, The Beginning of a Legend. A Chronicles of Gil-Lael Novella. The link is for Amazon but the e-book is free everywhere. So pick up your copy. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Beginning-Legend-Chronicles-Gil-Lael-ebook/dp/B09H247S85">Amazon link.</a> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpX2-hMCtEXFrz2SHaTKpuLn41iq9M0QCY5Gt31mThqJKciJ-4Mi06U6HxFpKYlyU9NWM3BzJA98RAM_KanGVxgI2tTekfhetEjPmkFGWtN_Muzszr6oZ0dNKAhHvhuIVnwtFgs3Xi30s/s2048/Nancy-Williams-ebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1368" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpX2-hMCtEXFrz2SHaTKpuLn41iq9M0QCY5Gt31mThqJKciJ-4Mi06U6HxFpKYlyU9NWM3BzJA98RAM_KanGVxgI2tTekfhetEjPmkFGWtN_Muzszr6oZ0dNKAhHvhuIVnwtFgs3Xi30s/s320/Nancy-Williams-ebook.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>The Rise of Lord Sinon, Book 2 in the Chronicles of Gil-Lael Available everywhere. Here's the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09H1XS5L4">Amazon link.</a> </p><p>And just for fun, here's a map!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAo_xnkmwIt9frQABcxijOA0SIHoObYh6iWx1b8-WLrEcci7ZaiwB2HgqbcXA1s41fVHPwFJmBsBE10-OUBAKuHgslxNp34-2jYTa9OPn1PeT9iCwqOenvZ8zqzEDdSnUYguOuZyPUJCw/s2048/LordSinonMAPDOC000_00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1678" data-original-width="2048" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAo_xnkmwIt9frQABcxijOA0SIHoObYh6iWx1b8-WLrEcci7ZaiwB2HgqbcXA1s41fVHPwFJmBsBE10-OUBAKuHgslxNp34-2jYTa9OPn1PeT9iCwqOenvZ8zqzEDdSnUYguOuZyPUJCw/s320/LordSinonMAPDOC000_00.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Please visit my website and sign up for my newsletter. I promise not to be annoying and when you do, you'll receive a free short story titled: Loren's Choice. Here's the link to my website. <a href="https://authornrwilliams.com/">LINK</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>N. R. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-70945074658311722662021-08-18T10:02:00.000-06:002021-08-18T10:02:08.426-06:00WEP, Freedom of Speech<p> Time for the WEP bloghop flash fiction stories, pictures, poems, or thoughts in regard to the subject: This month it is Freedom of Speech. I want to thank the fine ladies of Write, Edit, Publish for this opportunity, Denise, Nila, Laura, Jemi, Renee and Olga. If you'd like to post something too, it's not too late.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyLugt2QRnQKR-5fiqi1InvZTHWAXoPZRYP3TxIC6JOyWMBWySU0alW1xlyDJQeGJfm0Qydkj3lhHn-gZlK0lw9FF_YMNw8wmYCvWsYe9NkIuN1owtgXnRL0sE5gNrTPnhh7KO1FzG3Q/s1000/tumblr_ce1f74859d6474ce4f010b062130ae7b_bc28afc6_1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyLugt2QRnQKR-5fiqi1InvZTHWAXoPZRYP3TxIC6JOyWMBWySU0alW1xlyDJQeGJfm0Qydkj3lhHn-gZlK0lw9FF_YMNw8wmYCvWsYe9NkIuN1owtgXnRL0sE5gNrTPnhh7KO1FzG3Q/s320/tumblr_ce1f74859d6474ce4f010b062130ae7b_bc28afc6_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Freedom of Speech:</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Mary took a breath and watched as the king’s soldiers took her father from their estate. The captain thrust a parchment at her mother. Turned and left to be replaced by Lord Beliveau.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Pack what you can carry, Madam. This estate and all in it now belongs to me. You and your daughter must leave at once.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Why? What has happened?”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Your husband has betrayed our king, speaking against him in the public arena.” </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Belivera followed them. “Only what you can carry.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“But I brought this from home,” her mother said, holding up the china vase.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You have no possessions. You’re lucky I’m letting you keep your clothes.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Much later, Mary held her mother as she wept. No one would help them, and they found themselves in an old ally between buildings, freezing. Snow began to fall.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Word count 138</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The subject of this post, Freedom of Speech is something that I can’t do in a flash fiction story. So this short piece would need to turn into a short story or novella for me to do it justice. Instead, I hope as you read this it will remind you that not too long ago, none of us had freedom of speech.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Wikipedia:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Freedom of speech</span></b><a href="#cite_note-2"><span class="15" face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-size: 8pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">[2]</span></a><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> (</span><b><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">FoS</span></b><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> or </span><b><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">FOS</span></b><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">) is a principle that supports the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom" title="Freedom"><span class="15" face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">freedom</span></a><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> of an individual or a community to articulate their opinions and ideas without fear of retaliation, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Censorship" title="Censorship"><span class="15" face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">censorship</span></a><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">, or legal sanction. </span><b><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Freedom of expression</span></b><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> (</span><b><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">FoE</span></b><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> or </span><b><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">FOE</span></b><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">) is generally used synonymously but, in legal sense, includes any activity of seeking, receiving, and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used.</span><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It’s also important to note that threatening someone is not freedom of speech.</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Wikipedia:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">Freedom of speech and expression is not absolute, and common limitations or boundaries to freedom of speech relate to</span><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libel" title="Libel"><span class="15" face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">libel</span></a><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slander" title="Slander"><span class="15" face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">slander</span></a><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obscenity" title="Obscenity"><span class="15" face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">obscenity</span></a><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pornography" title="Pornography"><span class="15" face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">pornography</span></a><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedition" title="Sedition"><span class="15" face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">sedition</span></a><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incitement" title="Incitement"><span class="15" face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">incitement</span></a><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fighting_words" title="Fighting words"><span class="15" face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">fighting words</span></a><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classified_information" title="Classified information"><span class="15" face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">classified information</span></a><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright_violation" title="Copyright violation"><span class="15" face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">copyright violation</span></a><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trade_secrets" title="Trade secrets"><span class="15" face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">trade secrets</span></a><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_food_labeling_regulations" title="List of food labeling regulations"><span class="15" face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">food labeling</span></a><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-disclosure_agreements" title="Non-disclosure agreements"><span class="15" face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">non-disclosure agreements</span></a><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">, the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_to_privacy" title="Right to privacy"><span class="15" face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">right to privacy</span></a><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dignity" title="Dignity"><span class="15" face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">dignity</span></a><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">, the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_to_be_forgotten" title="Right to be forgotten"><span class="15" face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">right to be forgotten</span></a><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_security" title="Public security"><span class="15" face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">public security</span></a><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">, and </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perjury" title="Perjury"><span class="15" face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">perjury</span></a><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">. Justifications for such include the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harm_principle" title="Harm principle"><span class="15" face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">harm principle</span></a><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">, proposed by </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Stuart_Mill" title="John Stuart Mill"><span class="15" face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">John Stuart Mill</span></a><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> in </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Liberty" title="On Liberty"><i><span class="15" face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">On Liberty</span></i></a><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">, which suggests that "the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others."</span><a href="#cite_note-van_Mill-4"><span class="15" face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-size: 8pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">[4]</span></a><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"> Idea of the "offense principle" is also used in the justification of speech limitations, describing the restriction on forms of expression deemed offensive to society, considering factors such as extent, duration, motives of the speaker, and ease with which it could be avoided.</span><a href="#cite_note-van_Mill-4"><span class="15" face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #0645ad; font-size: 8pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;">[4]</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As an American, I haven’t thought twice about freedom of speech in all my years until the last 5. Now I know, that I can lose my freedoms if the wrong person comes to power. You can find me at the voting booth.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">To read what others have written or posted go <a href="https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/">here</a>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b style="font-size: 12pt;">In other news, I'm excited to </b><b>announce</b><b style="font-size: 12pt;"> that my first book, The Treasures of Carmelidrium is now </b><b>available</b><b style="font-size: 12pt;"> in paperback. There are two ways to order. </b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b style="font-size: 12pt;">One, go to your local bookstore and request they order copies from IngramSparks. The Treasures of Carmelidrium, by N. R. Williams</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b style="font-size: 12pt;">Two, for USA customers only because shipping is </b><b>outrageous</b><b style="font-size: 12pt;">, send me an email and I'll send my PayPal information: Cost is $19.99 plus $5.00 shipping. You'll get a signed copy. </b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b style="font-size: 12pt;">My email address is: <a href="gillael@aol.com ">g</a>illael@aol.com</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b style="font-size: 12pt;">Be sure to tell me in the subject line that you want to order your very own signed copy of Treasures. I get a lot of spam and I wouldn't want to delete your request.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2UaQv-DvJu-Kt-Z152UBqrYfzYYVGbZGXaWp9xz9Snt1mb3mdjqedGedSyYlPhieW6BxM0qWgJ9_POifok-BRDmAQygvcHNDEmjMGbOap4gIIaxYTKCHs9GuSdTKbvNsZvdpaUydRwk/s2048/Treasures+Front+Cover+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1371" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2UaQv-DvJu-Kt-Z152UBqrYfzYYVGbZGXaWp9xz9Snt1mb3mdjqedGedSyYlPhieW6BxM0qWgJ9_POifok-BRDmAQygvcHNDEmjMGbOap4gIIaxYTKCHs9GuSdTKbvNsZvdpaUydRwk/s320/Treasures+Front+Cover+%25281%2529.jpg" width="214" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /><b style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></b></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b> <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Coming in September 2021</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Beginning of a Legend, a novella in the Chronicles of Gil-Lael.</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">And</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">The Rise of Lord Sinon, Book 2 in The Chronicles of Gil-Lael.</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Thanks you for reading. Please leave a comment.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Nancy</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; letter-spacing: 0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>N. R. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-22914051860687444342021-06-16T00:00:00.011-06:002021-06-16T00:00:00.186-06:00<p> Time for the WEP challenge. This month the prompt is, 'Great Wave.' I want to thank Denise Covey for starting this group along with the lovely ladies who assist, Laura, Nila, Yolanda, and Olga. I appreciate your hard work. And now for my submission:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXOQSAAPkugR_XvVbLFUK9H6W384QnXVN6n_6fGT8b4DY25Wc7Shv2rYZeD5NtlZz_kMqhofdxM8vv-pkzKIudihitOWFe2b-vQ1WCkhXLaLHAa-tqkuIs3Aa_bFYqnaC69JB41ipP4g/s1001/tumblr_00bffb7fe5f89f66d9be0e58469b5f07_1133ed0c_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1001" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXOQSAAPkugR_XvVbLFUK9H6W384QnXVN6n_6fGT8b4DY25Wc7Shv2rYZeD5NtlZz_kMqhofdxM8vv-pkzKIudihitOWFe2b-vQ1WCkhXLaLHAa-tqkuIs3Aa_bFYqnaC69JB41ipP4g/s320/tumblr_00bffb7fe5f89f66d9be0e58469b5f07_1133ed0c_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">René Descombes<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">René
Descombes lifted his catch of fish and stepped from the small boat. He could
see the bonfire on top of the third hill to celebrate St. John’s Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His friends and fellow fishermen joined him
as they trudged up the beach toward the hills. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Marram grass grew along the sand dune. By the time they
reached the third hill clay replaced the sand. The sun had slipped behind
billowing thunder clouds. René could taste the moist air as well as the smoke
from numerous contained fires.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Before him were the tall white sea cliffs of France. To his
left stretched a thick forest that climbed the bluff. On his right were more
hills and beyond that the vast ocean which connected to the channel where their
fishing boats rested on the shore. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The people of Leblanc had gathered around their cooking fires
and took the food to the tables by the bonfire. Laughter filled the air. René’s
wife, Margo stood stirring one of the pots. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He dumped the fish on a nearby table and pulled her in for a
kiss, rubbing her extended belly where the babe grew. “You are as beautiful as
you were this morning.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“And you as charming.” Her hands rubbed his back before she
pushed him away while smiling. She cut his fish.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Leblanc held nearly seven hundred souls, all gathered for the
feast. Tomorrow, they would travel several leagues inland to their church for
St. John’s Mass. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Steam from his wife’s pot lifted over the round edge and
smelled of onion and greens. She filled her hands with the prepared fish and
dumped it all in, then wiped her hands on the apron. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I don’t see Mayor Hugues,” René said. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Nor will you.” Margot laughed. “Not until the feast is ready
and there is no more work to be done.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">René looked south toward the white cliffs that jutted
straight up from the village. At the top was the mayor's grand house. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Without warning, the ground rumbled and shook beneath his
feet. He righted himself and took Margot’s arm to prevent her from falling. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“What is it?” Margot asked. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The rumbling stopped for a second, then started again. A
great crack splintered the cliffs. The sound like thunder made him cover his
ears. Lifting his eyes to the precipice he saw that the cracks in it were
massive and then slabs of rock separated and fell bringing the mayor's house
with it. On impact, the rumbling noise crushed those houses too close and shot
out boulders toward his fellow villagers. Screams replaced the laughter,
several of the people were hit and flew backward toward the channel, crushed
by the boulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">René took a step, his intent to run and help. Margot caught
his arm. “No, you can’t help.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He remained with her and glanced at their own hut, further
from the village than the rest and far from the cliff. Thank God, his hut still
stood.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The cries of his fellows had become a blare of noise from
screams, crying, and voices yelling making it impossible to understand the
shouts. The bonfire had escaped its enclosure, setting marrow grass on fire and
a few of the villagers as well. Some rolled on the ground while other villagers
helped by using blankets to put out the flames. Still more ran down the hill
toward the sea only to fall before reaching it and die. The fire then leapt
from their bodies to spread unchecked. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The tables with food had all overturned along with the
cooking pots. The pleasant aroma of fish stew was replaced by burning flesh. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The earth heaved upward, and he pulled Margot away from her
pot. He took her hand and ran further up the hill. Away from the fire that soon
reached the place where they’d been standing. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“René!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He turned to see what she was pointing at. The ocean had
sucked backward. He could make out fish stranded on the beach. Then terror as
the water returned, the tide growing higher in seconds, overtopping the dunes.
He grabbed Margot’s hand again and they ran further up the hill toward their
hut. When he looked back, the ocean had swallowed the first two sets of hills
and the one they had been standing on was crumpling into the tidal wave. The
scent of salt swallowed the smoke from the fires, while the roar of the waves
replaced the villager's cries. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He pulled Margot down and they both rested on their knees. To
his horror, he witnessed hundreds falling into the surge. A great cry lifted
from the women who’d had the presence of mind to run with their children to
higher ground. They hugged their children close who were all screaming so that
the noise was deafening. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Rene clasped Margot close as she trembled while stillness
settled around them. Shocking in its quiet after so much noise. The only sound
that remained was that of the waves of water receding. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“What have we done to displease God?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">To that, René had no answer. They both remained on their
knees, in shock at the horrors. He became aware that Margot was shivering and
put his arms around her. She wept on his shoulder. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The storm arrived and lightning lit up the black sky. The
resounding thunder made him jerk. He hadn’t realized until now that dusk had
become night. The clouds above opened and a downpour drenched him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Come.” He pulled Margot to her feet. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Their hut was close and while the white cliffs had spared it,
the earthquake had not. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Wait here.” René entered the pitch-black building and felt
for the blankets with his hands. A second rumbling made part of the roof that
still stood fall and he managed to avoid being hit. Grabbing the woolen covers,
he turned back toward the door.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“René!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Do not worry, I am well.” He emerged from the building and
took her hand. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Where will we go?” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Word Count
997<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This is a
deleted excerpt from my short story, The Beginning of a Legend. I changed the
protagonist to that babe growing in her belly, Arnoux. If all goes well, I will
be releasing this story along with Book 2 in The Chronicles of Gil-Lael, The
Rise of Lord Sinon, later this summer. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Comments are
welcome.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Nancy<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">To read what others have submitted for this June challenge, go <a href="https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/">here</a>.</span></p>N. R. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-3204422549796109282021-04-21T00:00:00.003-06:002021-06-13T11:23:48.066-06:00WEP April Challenge When Love Takes Your Freedom Away<p>Greetings. It's April 2021. How is your year going? I trust it's better than last year. </p><p>It's time once again to post for the Write, Edit, Publish Challenge. Thank you to the host, Olga, Renee, Laura, and Nila, and a special thanks to Denise for starting this fun group. </p><p>Today's theme: <b><i>Freedom Morning</i></b>. I struggled with this challenge. I'm American. Freedom is part of our identity. We are the home of the brave, <i><b>land of the free</b>.</i> We sing about freedom, march for our freedoms, argue policy based on freedom, and refuse to comply with mandates which <b><i>some </i></b>perceive as taking away their freedom. Every war we have ever fought in is to preserve our freedom. Or, so we are told.</p><p>I'm also white. No one has denied me service based on my skin color. No one has ever charged me with a crime based on my skin color. So while these things sadly happen to minorities in America, they have never happened to me. How could I possibly write anything about <b><i>Freedom Morning? </i></b></p><p>With this frame of mind, I talked to a friend about this challenge and she reminded me that freedom was also about things that you overcome in your life, like her story. And so, dear friends, for the first time ever I'm going to tell you a true story. The story of Akina. The names have been changed.</p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKm-alOEo9eqjXQi_It51ApPXsQG20v8aetYgrWKps2Om8k8sUcXKEEhvLdKDzebeT0uSNyRQPnwvH0Q6ygWJxZnepwp0UUninL6DBD6hmyWjkHvQKVQbedxngP8wXDnnwfd-7phBLDE/s320/a+april+challenge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKm-alOEo9eqjXQi_It51ApPXsQG20v8aetYgrWKps2Om8k8sUcXKEEhvLdKDzebeT0uSNyRQPnwvH0Q6ygWJxZnepwp0UUninL6DBD6hmyWjkHvQKVQbedxngP8wXDnnwfd-7phBLDE/s0/a+april+challenge.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">When
Love Takes Your Freedom Away<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I went back.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Akina
studied her image in the mirror. There was nothing about her auburn locks or
hazel eyes to indicate that she was lost. Nothing. But she was…lost.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> From
the moment she saw Pete and heard his voice she’d been lost. Her need to be
loved coursed through her veins to this day. Her memory of the events, hazy
even now. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> She had
woke on the floor of her apartment. Pete was tuned into the football game,
ignoring her. Her four-year-old son, Rob, sat on the floor beside her, holding
her hand and patting it. His large dark brown eyes studied her face.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> “Mommy,”
he said when she looked at him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> “I’m
okay,” she said to reassure him even though she couldn’t remember what
happened. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> She
sat, and then stood. A little light-headed. Pete continued to ignore her,
guzzling the last of his 18-pack of beer. The carton lay empty at his feet.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> Akina
went to the bathroom, did her business, and glanced at her reflection to see
one eye swollen, and the bruise extending down to her cheek. And her lip was
cut. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> Then it
all came to her. She’d been working a crossword puzzle while Pete cheered or
bellowed at the football team on the television. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> The
crowd roared, she looked up, the home team made a touchdown. Pete hated the
home team. He stood, grabbed her arm, and yanked her up before punching her in
the breast and on her face. Her body twisted away and turned to fall, landing
on their son. Everything went black. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> <i>How
long had she been out? What should she do?</i> She didn’t know and so she went
to bed. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> In the
morning after Pete left for work, she called her mom. Rob was too young for
school, and so her mom came and they all went to the hospital. From there, the
police arrested Pete and he went to jail for domestic abuse.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> Now, close
to a year later, as she stared at her own reflection in the mirror, she argued
with herself. <i>Follow your heart.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">She’d let Pete move back
in. <i>She loved him. She needed him. She did it all for her son. He needed his
father in his life. Right?</i> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Her mother had spent an
hour on the phone trying to dissuade her from this course. But, Akina knew what
she wanted. What she needed. And that was Pete. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Her happiness didn’t even
last a month. Pete quit his job, refused to do any housework, drank beer
continuously, spending her money on it. He didn’t even babysit Rob, her mother
did. Pete slept all day and drank all night and wouldn’t let Akina sleep. Instead, needling her to stay up
with him. Exhausted, she started making stupid mistakes at her job.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">But she needed him,
right? She loved him and he loved her. They had a son together. He’s changed!</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Football season started.
Pete stood and threw a beer at the TV and then turned on Akina sitting on the
sofa next to him. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">In the morning, she
stared at her bruised and battered face.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">But I need him. He will
change.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">She was trapped. She
couldn’t feel anything anymore. And she knew, her love had robbed her of her
freedom to choose. Her love had taken her freedom away.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Word Count: 563<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">As of this writing, Akina has turned her life around. With
her mother’s help, she returned to school and is now a nurse living her best
self and supporting her son, now 14, without Pete. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Let me know what you think.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">I'm pleased to announce that my epic fantasy, the Treasures of Carmelidrium is now available everywhere. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajzCwI796EJPEkBAzH74ubIKCd4qLyXhh5HURyMyddw9i0FLrdS-LFwaOihySIx5KpVD7iRq6OF8cqoYISIp_IJ7KZUCbNhyphenhyphenDgLYAQ4NDJ7wY_8KW3p0IuFavKzLtjXCGOHeda3bZHFU/s2048/Treasures+Front+Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1371" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajzCwI796EJPEkBAzH74ubIKCd4qLyXhh5HURyMyddw9i0FLrdS-LFwaOihySIx5KpVD7iRq6OF8cqoYISIp_IJ7KZUCbNhyphenhyphenDgLYAQ4NDJ7wY_8KW3p0IuFavKzLtjXCGOHeda3bZHFU/s320/Treasures+Front+Cover.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Link to my website: <a href="http://authornrwilliams.com">authornrwilliams.com</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>N. R. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-53689104728029819742021-02-17T04:00:00.009-07:002021-06-13T11:24:28.663-06:00The Kiss, WEP blog hop<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It's February, and that means love is in the air and
on your lips. Write, Edit, Publish has an inspiring blog hop challenge this
year. The Kiss. Inspired by the artwork of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gustav Klimt’s, entitled the same, The Kiss. My thanks go out to Denise Covey, the original creator of Write, Edit, Publish, and to the other host, Laura, Renee, Nila, and Olga. All gifted and talented writers. The good news is, you still have time to post something for the challenge. From poems to photos, stories true or fiction, share your talents with all of us. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">To read what others have written for this challenge, go <a href="https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com//">here</a>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Now for my story and more exciting news below that. Enjoy.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_3vA6WUodW3M2lk6wKdYEd-vSKoZFB0JU5ZndDT6iPtWvQUrjpxoqAzL_x6WPnL9So-4hw2riE7NEcTpeMY0sLbxKlfwayy791D8yXZ55Y2HjuL61cSdgxqvSXPDoHMuZ6A_Mc1m2u0/s1000/tumblr_474a6a5b13985bedf85095b20f551482_14d00bff_1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_3vA6WUodW3M2lk6wKdYEd-vSKoZFB0JU5ZndDT6iPtWvQUrjpxoqAzL_x6WPnL9So-4hw2riE7NEcTpeMY0sLbxKlfwayy791D8yXZ55Y2HjuL61cSdgxqvSXPDoHMuZ6A_Mc1m2u0/s320/tumblr_474a6a5b13985bedf85095b20f551482_14d00bff_1280.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Kiss<o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Jessica put the garlic bread into the oven, the
spaghetti sauce was simmering, the cheese ready to grate, the noodles in the
pot after going through the press, and the salad already on the table. The
kitchen was a complete mess, but it was worth it, Todd was coming over. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> The
door ringer chimed. She went to the speaker and pressed down. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> “Hello.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> “Hi,”
Todd said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> “I’m
on the third floor.” She pressed the buzzer to let him enter. She grabbed the
mask from the table below the speaker and turned, surveying the table. Her
dinnerware was out flatware, glasses, and napkins. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> A
knock at the door. She put on the mask and opened it. Todd gave her a bow,
stood again, and held out the wine and some flowers. She could tell by the
crinkles around his eyes that he was smiling despite the mask he wore.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> “Come
in.” She took the flowers. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> “Thanks.
How was the drive?” She led the way to the kitchen to retrieve the corkscrew
and he followed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> “Uneventful.”
He glanced at the kitchen. “Smells wonderful.” Then, he uncorked the Merlot, while she filled a vase with
water. They both returned to her small table and he poured the wine while
Jessica put the flowers on a side table. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> “Happy
Anniversary,” Todd said handing her the glass of wine. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> They
separated, standing six feet apart,
lowered their mask and took a sip.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> “Five
weeks ago, you stumbled into my life,” she said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> He
grinned. “Literally, I almost knocked you down when you turned with your coffee
in hand.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> She
laughed. “Then that old woman scolded us for not being six feet apart. And me,
with my mask down sipping my coffee.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> “Here’s
to coffee.” He raised the wine glass again. They took a sip. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> Jessica
went into the kitchen, drained the noodles, and put them in the sauce. Pulling
the garlic bread out she used a spatula to put them in a basket. Todd took both
from her and went to the table. He sat while she grated parmesan cheese over
the sauce.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> “It
pays to fall in love with an Italian,” he said. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> She
laughed. “No Italian is named O’Leary. I just like to cook.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> “No,
you and your red hair are Irish?” He grinned. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> They
ate and he told her all about his new job as a computer programmer. “There’s a
greater need,” he continued. “With so many working from home on their computers
these days custom software is required.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> She
nodded. “Things are getting better.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> “Yeah.”
He wiped his mouth with the napkin. “This was delicious.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Glad you like it.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">She stood and cleared the
table but didn’t do the dishes. He leaned on the kitchen door frame watching as
she put the remnants of their meal in the trash.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Did you get your second
vaccine shot.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Jessica paused to look at
him. “Yeah, yesterday.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“That’s a relief. I’ve
worried about you these last few months with your patients all COVID positive.”
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">She nodded and put the
plate in the sink then grabbed the towel to wipe her hands. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“I got my second one
today.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Jessica’s eyes got a
little bigger. “Really?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“You know what that means
don’t you?” He stood straight away from the wall.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Neither of us will die.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“That, and…” He took the
three steps between them, grabbed her, and pulled her against his body and
then…the very thing she’d longed for all this time. The kiss!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Her arms slid around his
strong shoulders. He pulled back only to kiss her again. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Jessica had been kissed
many times in the past. But never had she experienced the electric rush that
spread along every nerve from Todd’s kiss.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">He pulled away from her
and she looked up into his handsome face. Brown hair touched his forehead and
he pushed it back with one hand. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“I have something else
for you,” Todd said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“What?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">He reached in his pocket
and pulled out a ring box. Opening it he showed her a diamond ring.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“It’s not as big as I
want but I’ll get you another on our fifth anniversary.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“It is our fifth
anniversary.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“I mean, let’s get
hitched.” He grinned.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">She slugged his arm. “So
romantic.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Will you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Of course.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">*<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The next morning Jessica glared at the messy kitchen
while in her bathrobe. She put the coffee on and started doing dishes. Todd
joined her, dressed with wet hair from his shower. She handed him the first
clean dish and he dried it. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> “Where
does it go?” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> “Right
there.” She pointed. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> “I
want to marry you right now.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> She
smiled. “Tempting, but no. I have a big family. We have to wait for everyone to
get their vaccine. No reason you can’t move in, though.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> “My
place is bigger.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> “I
can walk to work from here.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> “I’ll
give notice, put my stuff in storage, take about a month or so.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> She
stopped washing, turned, and went to him. “I need a kiss.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> He
put the towel down and pulled her close. The pressure of his mouth wanted her
to return to bed. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> “I’ll
never get tired of your kisses. They’re the best,” she said when he pulled
back. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> Todd
ran his hand in her brilliant red hair and gave her the kiss again.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Word count 887</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">What did you think? Let me know. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In other news, I have a website. <a href="http://authornrwilliams.com">authornrwilliams.com</a> Take a peek. The monster is called symberveen. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">And, my short story, Loren's Choice is included in Sci/fi & Fantasy's new Anthology, The Depths of Love, available as soon as Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021. Paperback: $12.99, e-book: Amazon Prime free and $3.95 after that expires. Here's the link: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=N.+R.+Williams&ref=nb_sb_noss_2">The Depths of Love.</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Plus, I updated and re-released my first book in the series, The Chronicles of Gil-Lael, The Treasures of Carmelidrium. Book 1. Will be everywhere and soon in paperback! Links aren't live yet.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkZjLNfJGB75SS380zlR-6-qMAPVrNlp6CuHMIREQXv7KHXs6FGWfGX0noiJX_Ar0EQ56AbIg4jLHaR9gmN_hH4s3MCoFLe3zCu7gt7pUg3-y-pnvhPvyHOUZuaXv8cq3Gp1dGmb4dh4/s2048/Treasures+Front+Cover+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1371" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHkZjLNfJGB75SS380zlR-6-qMAPVrNlp6CuHMIREQXv7KHXs6FGWfGX0noiJX_Ar0EQ56AbIg4jLHaR9gmN_hH4s3MCoFLe3zCu7gt7pUg3-y-pnvhPvyHOUZuaXv8cq3Gp1dGmb4dh4/s320/Treasures+Front+Cover+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Coming this year is:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Beginning of a Legend, A Gillael Book, this summer.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Riise of Lord Sinon, Book 2 in The Chronicles of Gil-Lael, this autumn.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Emperor of the Moon and Stars, Book 3 in The Chronicles of Gil-Lael, winter 2022.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">All currently with my editor or soon will be. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">You might say, I've been working hard. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Cheers!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">If you'd like to join my Facebook page, here's the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/authornrwilliams">link</a>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>N. R. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-17083752507136988752020-10-21T00:00:00.003-06:002021-06-13T11:25:31.772-06:00WEP Challenge, Grave Mistakes <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kGSYGp2vgcDnrXxoRcrkHV5ZeXmY31Rug090y-Dfk0_usEIgwppjTsBWTPfwdVgDwlHM2jHc-xvvHsAJiN0T4i5smulvOr8RMMhLh5Ml8eztZ_1nzFFDTxG8sf83c5UFXpP5XPLFL2g/s262/tumblr_pxy3yqrhCP1tj480ko1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="262" data-original-width="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kGSYGp2vgcDnrXxoRcrkHV5ZeXmY31Rug090y-Dfk0_usEIgwppjTsBWTPfwdVgDwlHM2jHc-xvvHsAJiN0T4i5smulvOr8RMMhLh5Ml8eztZ_1nzFFDTxG8sf83c5UFXpP5XPLFL2g/s0/tumblr_pxy3yqrhCP1tj480ko1_1280.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Write, Edit, Publish (WEP) challenge for October 2020.
WEP was started by Denise Covy, my Aussie friend. Anyone can join and post real-life
stories, pictures, poems, or fictional stories. I’m in the last category.
Co-host with Denise are Laura, Renee, Nila and Olga. Thank you, ladies. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This year the challenge for October is Grave Mistakes.
While considering this, I struggled because the world seems upside down to me.
Between politics (I’m an American), and the fires worldwide it’s a scary time
and has affected me mentally and physically. My blood pressure is too high and I’m
having trouble bringing it down. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">So, I took inspiration from a Bible passage which I’ve
never done before. I’ve included the passage after the story. Once I wrote my
story, I realized it wasn’t very ghoulish, so I’m giving you a bonus story
titled: Dark Shadows and Ghosts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I hope you enjoy and as a reminder, every year on
Halloween, I put up my two Halloween stories for free on Amazon. Also, you can
check out other stories I’ve written in the ‘Pages’ above. Thanks for coming by.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Grave
Mistake<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Wayne Uptight stood on the 12<sup>th</sup> floor before
his window peering out at New York City. He owned the office building and had
converted the entire 12<sup>th</sup> floor into his home. The style he chose
was classical Greek, with marble columns, floor, and walls. Replicas of various
Greek gods were in abundance. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
turned aside and saw his wife, naked eating at the table. This didn’t surprise
him. He required her to be naked whenever he was at home or he’d withdraw her
million a year allowance. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Going
to work,” he said, entering his private elevator that took him to the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>11<sup>th</sup> floor where his office was
located. The style he had chosen there was dark, polished mahogany. His
employees weren’t so fortunate, sitting in cubicles on the phone or on the
computer talking with customers. There pay was a pittance of his own. The many
factories he owned were all in third world countries were the workers were
happy to take home a couple dollars a week. He sold every product he made for 5
times its cost. Life was good. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This
day he made reservations at an upscale restaurant to meet one of his many mistresses.
Despite the pandemic, this plush establishment reserved private tables for the
rich, in separate rooms, free of any airborne illness. He often spent $1,000 or
more per meal. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At
the noon hour, he rode his personal elevator to the ground floor, and walked
through the lobby noticing every out of place object, what everyone did in
their offices and those who manned the security/information desk in the lobby.
He had camera’s set up in his office so he could view it all if he wanted to,
even private businesses that leased their space from him. If a business was
unable to pay their extravagant rent, he had them evicted. He was fine during
this health crisis; they should be too. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When
he left the building, he noticed the homeless man sitting close to the door. He’d
had the police remove him many times, but he always returned. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Mr.
Uptight, sir. Please can you give some change?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Wayne
Uptight walked past without a glance. No way would he give that loser money even
though he had plenty of cash in his pocket. He slipped into his <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>limousine and then placed a call to his office
lobby desk.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Roger.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes
sir, Mr. Uptight.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Get
rid of that homeless man outside my building.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes
sir, right away, sir.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Uptight
hung up.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">*
* *<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Three days later, Uptight left his building at the
noon hour once more. He stopped just past the door. The limousine wasn’t there,
and the homeless man sat against his building.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Please
sir, Mr.---”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Uptight
turned. “Shut up you sniveling beggar. I work for my money. You do the same.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Screeching
wheels roared from behind. Uptight turned just as an out of control car hit him
and the impoverished man dead on. Glass shattered as the car sped into his
building. He rose out of his body, staring down at his dismembered body and
that of the homeless man too. When he lifted his eyes, the poor man hovered
before him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Angels
appeared, surrounded the poor beggar, and took him into the light filled
tunnel. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Wayne frowned. No angels
came for him. Hadn’t he given plenty of money to his church? Then as he
reflected upon that, two black shapes appeared on either side of him and one before
him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That one said, “Who’s the
loser now?” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Wayne screamed as the
demons pushed him all the way to hell.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Word Count: 601<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Luke
16:19–31<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">19“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and
fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20And at his gate lay a poor
man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21who longed to satisfy his hunger with
what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his
sores. 22The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with
Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. 23In Hades, where he was being
tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. 24He
called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip
of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.’
25But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received
your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is
comforted here, and you are in agony. 26Besides all this, between you and us a
great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to
you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’ 27He said, ‘Then,
father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house— 28for I have five
brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place
of torment.’ 29Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should
listen to them.’ 30He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them
from the dead, they will repent.’ 31He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to
Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises
from the dead.’”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">And of course, we all know that Jesus rose from the
dead, and there are many who don’t believe in him or that he did, in fact, rise
from the dead.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a name="_Hlk51149940"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Dark
Shadows and Ghosts<o:p></o:p></span></a></p>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk51149940;"></span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Larry grinned. “Double dare ya.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“So,
let me get this straight. You’re going to give me $100 to spend Halloween night
in a graveyard?” Alex asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Larry
laughed. “Yeah, you won’t be able to and then I’ll get $100.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Alex
smiled. “You’re on.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
week later, Alex packed his sleeping bag and drove to Hollows Grove Cemetery.
They never locked the gate there and entrance would be easy. The cemetery was a
couple miles from everywhere.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
parked his VW Bug off to the side and hid it from the street. No cop would make
him leave if they couldn’t see the car and he wanted that $100.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
cemetery itself was quite large and had a section of war dead. Some graves went
as far back as the American Revolutionary War. But he didn’t head in that
direction. His grandparents were buried here, and he headed toward their graves
which were close to three mausoleums. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Once there he stood before his grandparents and said,
“I’m spending the night to be close to both of you. I miss you so much.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There was no response. He didn’t expect one. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Between his grandparents graves and the mausoleums was
a grassy knoll. No one was buried there. He laid out his sleeping bag, sat
cross legged before it and pulled out his smart phone. Now he’d document with
pictures that he was in the cemetery so Larry couldn’t dispute it later. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He watched the sun set between bare trees and heard a
few birds fly off. Without a second thought he returned to his phone and
documented the sunset before heading into Facebook and posting pictures of his
night at a cemetery. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Now it was dark. Really dark, so he used his phone as
a flashlight. Removing all but his underwear, he folded the clothes, unzipped
the sleeping bag, and got in. Snuggled securely within, he had a marvelous view
of the night sky and smiled at the beauty. This was the easiest $100 of his
life. He took a picture of himself in the bag and then several more around the
dark cemetery. Without checking the photos, he put the phone in the bag with
him and fell asleep. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A noise woke him. He frowned and looked around. A
creepy sensation rose along his spine and then he saw them. Black shapes,
moving from tree to tree and coming closer. A creaking door made him look
toward the mausoleums. All three doors were open a crack and lights were on. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Larry,” he yelled. “It won’t work.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There was no response. He rolled over and shut his
eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Someone whispered close to his ear, but he couldn’t
make it out. He sat up. The black shapes were close. One spread along the
ground and then a dozen or more where all around him. Red eyes, monstrous
expressions, sharp teeth. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I’m here to make some money.” His voice calm but his
heart was thudding. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">They began to touch him. Ice cold fingers and claws that
broke his skin. He unzipped the bag and stood in the chilled night air Now the
shapes started screaming. They ran right through him. He shivered; his body so
cold made colder by whatever these things were. He peed and had to remove his
boxers. Now naked, the creatures came toward him and put icy fingers on his
private. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He started rolling up the sleeping bag and then had
second thoughts. He’d been double dared, and he wasn’t giving up even though
his fear roared in his ear. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Leave my grandson alone!” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A familiar voice. He turned and saw his grandparents,
all white standing between him and the black shapes. Grandma had a cross and
she held it out. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Leave our grandson alone,” his grandpa repeated.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The dark shapes screeched at the cross fleeing. The
lights in the mausoleums went out and the doors slammed shut. When they had
gone his grandma stepped closer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“You’d better take the cross dear. And for heaven’s
sake, put on some underwear.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Larry reached out his hand. The effervesce of the
cross vanished as soon as it passed from her spirit to his mortal body and he
held substance in his hand. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">His grandfather joined her side. “Whatever possessed
you to come here and spend the night?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“And on Halloween night?” Grandma added.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“A $100 bet.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“You never could turn down a bet.” Grandpa said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Now Alex, dear, do something with your life. You only
get one you know.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He nodded. “I know, it was stupid, but I’d do it all
again just to see both of you and to talk to you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“You’re a good lad,” Grandpa said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“We can’t stay any longer,” Grandma said. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“We love you son.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Grandma nodded, and then they turned together and
holding hands went back to their graves where they slipped below the ground. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As soon as they were gone, the screeching started, and
he saw the first of many black shapes. He held up the cross. “I’ve got the
cross. You can all get lost.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He climbed back into the sleeping bag, kept the cross
around his neck and fell asleep. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The morning light woke him. Had it been a dream? No,
he had the cross and nearly every exposed place on his body was scratched, and
those scratches burned.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He dressed, rolled up the sleeping bag and kept the
cross around his neck. He remembered that grandma had been buried with her
favorite cross and now he had it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He found Larry at his job, Jack’s Hardware Store.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Dude,” Larry said. “Your hair is white.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Alex ran a hand through his locks and then presented
Larry with the pictures in the smartphone. As Larry scrolled through, his
mouth opened, and he stepped back. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“See the last pic.? Those are my grandparents. It was
great to talk to them again.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Word count: 961<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I hope you enjoyed my stories. Please let me know in
the comments.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">To read what others have written go <a href="https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com//">here</a>.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Happy Halloween!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpLQmf9g6h_s4P1HWlEkNu0utNfYtUJSqiwv4iZOu8QJXGyNfA_UuE7h80cVS5TVwXMdN8coYIa6kXDhtK3kO9XBE3w-YKOEn56Wh5rJGoWdO5OzmoDDwEfBp61mDLQY4OEfxn0PXErs/s160/51j3UYBgsDL._AA160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpLQmf9g6h_s4P1HWlEkNu0utNfYtUJSqiwv4iZOu8QJXGyNfA_UuE7h80cVS5TVwXMdN8coYIa6kXDhtK3kO9XBE3w-YKOEn56Wh5rJGoWdO5OzmoDDwEfBp61mDLQY4OEfxn0PXErs/s0/51j3UYBgsDL._AA160_.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKh3tf2-7zxJQKX1ZBQk_GXNUfyzVw0zIWJ2kVnPPFH53uJLeueyBvfF51nXXABDb2usf5D2R8oQXuenLFO6B3IBrITr4Z8o6Ff45wdNjLr_FOd9LmlXN34OztDcHhxuCZNKQ3fZ4YEC8/s2048/Nancy%252527s+Halloween+Collection+Cover+Really+light+and+Bright+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1280" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKh3tf2-7zxJQKX1ZBQk_GXNUfyzVw0zIWJ2kVnPPFH53uJLeueyBvfF51nXXABDb2usf5D2R8oQXuenLFO6B3IBrITr4Z8o6Ff45wdNjLr_FOd9LmlXN34OztDcHhxuCZNKQ3fZ4YEC8/w125-h200/Nancy%252527s+Halloween+Collection+Cover+Really+light+and+Bright+%25281%2529.jpg" width="125" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Free from Amazon on all hallows eve.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal">First image: <a href="http://">https://www.amazon.com/Halloween-Collection-N-R-Williams-ebook/dp/B01MDN0OB3/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1476625491&sr=1-3&keywords=N.+R.+Williams</a></p><p class="MsoNormal">Second image: https://www.amazon.com/Halloween-Collection-N-R-Williams-ebook/dp/B01MDN0OB3/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1476625491&sr=1-3&keywords=N.+R.+Williams</p><p class="MsoNormal">If it doesn't work, go to the side images and click there.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Thank you.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>N. R. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-5121570541027906252019-10-30T14:44:00.002-06:002019-10-30T14:44:41.025-06:00Free today and tomorrow. Oct. 30 and 31, 2019 <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My Halloween stories are free today and tomorrow. Get your copy:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpLQmf9g6h_s4P1HWlEkNu0utNfYtUJSqiwv4iZOu8QJXGyNfA_UuE7h80cVS5TVwXMdN8coYIa6kXDhtK3kO9XBE3w-YKOEn56Wh5rJGoWdO5OzmoDDwEfBp61mDLQY4OEfxn0PXErs/s1600/51j3UYBgsDL._AA160_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVpLQmf9g6h_s4P1HWlEkNu0utNfYtUJSqiwv4iZOu8QJXGyNfA_UuE7h80cVS5TVwXMdN8coYIa6kXDhtK3kO9XBE3w-YKOEn56Wh5rJGoWdO5OzmoDDwEfBp61mDLQY4OEfxn0PXErs/s320/51j3UYBgsDL._AA160_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKh3tf2-7zxJQKX1ZBQk_GXNUfyzVw0zIWJ2kVnPPFH53uJLeueyBvfF51nXXABDb2usf5D2R8oQXuenLFO6B3IBrITr4Z8o6Ff45wdNjLr_FOd9LmlXN34OztDcHhxuCZNKQ3fZ4YEC8/s1600/Nancy%252527s+Halloween+Collection+Cover+Really+light+and+Bright+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKh3tf2-7zxJQKX1ZBQk_GXNUfyzVw0zIWJ2kVnPPFH53uJLeueyBvfF51nXXABDb2usf5D2R8oQXuenLFO6B3IBrITr4Z8o6Ff45wdNjLr_FOd9LmlXN34OztDcHhxuCZNKQ3fZ4YEC8/s320/Nancy%252527s+Halloween+Collection+Cover+Really+light+and+Bright+%25281%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Here's the link:<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Halloween-Collection-Book-ebook/dp/B0164EUFW8/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443895059&sr=1-1&keywords=n+r+williams">Halloween Book 1</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Halloween-Collection-N-R-Williams-ebook/dp/B01MDN0OB3/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1476625491&sr=1-3&keywords=N.+R.+Williams">Halloween Book 2</a></div>
N. R. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-28503063273951448772019-10-06T05:59:00.000-06:002019-10-06T05:59:44.612-06:00Write, Edit, Publish. Horrible Harvest, Stolen Tears<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Here is my submission for the Halloween Write, Edit,
Publish bloghop. Our challenge was Horrible Harvest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Write, Edit, Publish is a group of writers doing what
they do best. Write. Started by Denise Covey and continued on by our host; Laura, Nilanjana and Olga.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This challenge made me think. What could I write? I
wanted something original and finally came up with my story, which is indeed,
horrible. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I am scheduled to have surgery this coming Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019. I’ll
try to get everyone’s post read, but I may not get them all done so please
forgive me. To read these awesome writers and their idea of a horrible harvest go <a href="https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com//">here</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRWBZMXmqLZFKiIWXUFwqnGJgBeCcRFN46Fahehpnh00si6luZeVEMK-dwDLrB5qf4ps7k1kYKUWZ-2JL5hggnZebec9vZTZKnrZx_o8Vl7xCwEr97X6PvjDgpjAk6gkILgKXGz7Gr60/s1600/Oct2019badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRWBZMXmqLZFKiIWXUFwqnGJgBeCcRFN46Fahehpnh00si6luZeVEMK-dwDLrB5qf4ps7k1kYKUWZ-2JL5hggnZebec9vZTZKnrZx_o8Vl7xCwEr97X6PvjDgpjAk6gkILgKXGz7Gr60/s1600/Oct2019badge.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Stolen
Tears<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lilith dodged the arrow meant to pierce her arm. “Go
back to your cave, you dung wasp.” Laughter followed the insult. She fled the
faerie village, the few packages she needed in her arms. At her cave she set down
the goods, material for her new dress, black lipstick and chocolates. She
opened the confection popping one in her mouth, but the sweet did nothing to
still the churning anger in her gut. She ran her fingers over her blue-black
hair, cropped short to her scalp by the town’s barber. A sign that she no
longer belonged. An outcast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She’d
made up her mind and now was the time to act. She flew to the back of the cave,
to the portal hidden from sight. She stepped on the round polished rock and
tapped it three times with her wand. A gust of wind shot her straight up and
then out, hovering in the light of a full moon. Tiny black pearls dripped from
her black gossamer wings, falling from her and hitting the ground sparking into
fire. Their burn was short lived, hissing and turning into ash.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
half-moon crystal embedded to the side of her left eye glowed with her intent. She
paused in the sky, listening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her faerie
ears keen for any noise, but especially for an infant’s cry. As soon as she
heard the wails, she flew past a dozen houses and peered through a bedroom
window. The human mother lifted her child and took it to a rocker. In due time,
the mother put her child in its crib and went back to bed. Lilith used her wand
to make a small hole in the screen over the window the size of a penny. She
squeezed through. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
flew closer to the sleeping child. Extracting her wand, she drew tears from the
child’s eyes. Each drop lifted one at a time as she capsuled the precious gifts
in her pearls. As they entered, they turned the gem from black to white, subduing
each so it no longer burned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Home once more, Lilith prepared her cauldron in the
back room. She added water from the dead pool inside the cave, the capsuled
tears, thistle and thorn. As she stirred, she sang.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>“Never
a tear no more, never hope or life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">May
death kiss your lips and swallow your spark.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When
finished the white pearls had a green slime that oozed from its sides. She took
them to her forest shelter and buried them in a pit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Autumn brought wind to the faerie lands. Lilith waited
for the full moon before venturing out. Far away she could see the lights from
the Halloween faerie dance. She never attended, that is, except tonight…</span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">she
would have her revenge, for all the hurts caused her. For every insult slung at
her. For being ostracized. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The half-moon crystal
against her left temple glowed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At the pit she used her
wand to cause the earth to separate revealing her pearlized tears. They had
turned grey. She lifted one, smelling it and testing it for consistency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like soft gel. Perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Bundling the lot into her
leather pouch, Lilith flew toward the faerie dance. She hid at first, watching
the dancers and hearing their gaiety which grated on her nerves. Her thin,
black painted lips sneered as she crept toward the punch bowl and opened her
pouch. The pearls fell out and plopped in the drink. She glanced about to be
sure no one saw her and the, Lilith stirred the punch and the pearls dissolved releasing
their poison. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“What are you doing
here?” An old fae asked her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Getting a drink.” Lilith
poured punch in a glass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Be gone with you, little
wasp.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">She obliged him, flying
back to the willow where she hid. Faeries ignored time. It meant nothing to a
people that didn’t die. But for Lilith this night, time had become an
irritation. No one came to drink her punch. No one knew their lives would be
used up. She found a way to end it all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Hurry…” she breathed the
word. “Hurry to your end.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">At long last the faerie
ended their dance. They would eat now. They would drink. Each fluttered to the
table. Gathering the food on leaf plates and cups made of hollowed wood. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">All sat at the table.
Laughter shredded the little patience Lilith still had. When each one had drunk,
she made her move, flying into the center. Her kin stopped to gaze at her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Now you pay for every
taught you sent my way. Now you die by my hand.” Lilith twirled and used her
wand to send a shower of thorns over the heads of the faerie gathered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A great wail that
mimicked a human babies cry erupted from those gathered. Food spilled. The
faerie flew from their chairs only to stumble and fall like clumsy fools. They
grabbed their throats. Their limbs twisted. Then, one by one they fell,
littering the ground with their bodies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lilith grinned at the
sight. Not even one remained alive. She danced above the fallen fae. Her
laughter was like a crazed lunatic. No one would ever insult her again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Several years later in the human world, a little boy
murdered the family cat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Word Count: 820<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Now it's time to tell me what you think. Please leave a comment either here or on one of the post I put on my Facebook page.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Thanks for reading, Nancy</span></div>
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N. R. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-6840949743848803312019-07-14T10:44:00.001-06:002019-07-14T10:44:25.344-06:00Faerie Tales, The Faerie Council<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The final chapter of Primrose is below. Enjoy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Faerie Council<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Anvil waited for the members of the faerie council to
sit. Both male and female had their own favorite mushroom and Anvil stood in
the center of the circle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You
have called a meeting, Anvil?” Noble Soil asked. He was one of the oldest
faeries and had passed along the care of the earth to his son.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I
have. Primrose is missing and I fear for her safety.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
chittering noise that resembled crickets arose from the faeries outside the
circle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Noble
Soil lifted a hand and silence settled among them. “How do you know this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I
have been to her house every day for five days and there is no answer.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Perhaps
you went when she was gone.” Lady Wisp O’ Willow fluttered her golden wings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I
went at different times. I fear for Primrose. Her flowers are wilting.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Wilting…wilting.”
The crowd whispered again and again. “Wilting.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That
is serious,” Noble Soil said. “Where could she have gone?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Anvil
peered at the grass. What would happen? He’d done everything he could think of
to find her. But, all to no avail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“She
often flew to the human world.” He omitted that she stole jewelry boxes and the
precious jewelry too from the humans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A loud
gasp followed his disclosure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I
warned her many times not to do that and now---." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“This
is alarming!” Lady Wisp O’ Willow interrupted and flew straight up from her
mushroom along with most of the council.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Noble
Soil hovered above his cushioned seat. “She breaks the law. How often does she
go?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Daily.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Anvil waited while the
crowd repeated his word. Noble Soil held up a hand. Wisp O’ Willow along with
the other members of council sat once more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“This is a serious
crime.” Noble Soil settled back down on his mushroom. His dirt skin flaked away
from his face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I ask that we send a
search and rescue team.” Anvil held his breath. Such a crime as Primrose had
committed could lead to banishment. If the council voted to exile her, there
would be no rescue and Anvil would lose the faerie he loved. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“You are a member of the
steel crafters.” Noble Soil didn’t really ask, it was more of a pronouncement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I am.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Bring the other members
at once.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For faeries, time was
eternal. Anvil had never troubled counting the minutes until today. Now, it
seemed as if he would die from it. Even though he knew that to be impossible. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Click, click, at last
they arrived, and the scent of their labor caused the enhancement team in the
crowd to fly over all of them in the circle and sprinkle the essence of
magnolias on each member of the union. The moon began to glow, and the faerie
council brought forth their fireflies. Soon, the creatures were lighting up the
circle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Noble Soil brought the
steel faeries up to speed on their discussion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I will select two of you to go with Anvil to the human world, find
Primrose and bring her back.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 3.75pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">*
* *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Wisp O’ Willow handed Anvil her crystal charm. “This
is a magic tracker. You will be able to find Primrose with it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Thank
you, my Lady.” Anvil put the chain around his neck and held the charm at its
end in his hand. Then he flew with his chosen companions toward the faerie
portal. Once at the gateway, the three of them stood on the flat rock and Anvil
lifted the crystal once more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“One
so sweet it will make you weep. Find Primrose, who last traveled here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
rock beneath their feet began to rotate. Air swirled, lifting Anvils black hair,
and tossing it in his face. Poof! The three faeries found themselves hovering
over a vast lake. Each lifted their wands and tapped to bring light in the
darkness. Just in time, Anvil saw the fish and the three jumped up high as the
creature leapt from the water to eat them. Is this what happened to Primrose?
His fear was lifted when the crystal charm began to hum and spilled a beam of
light toward shore and a covered bird cage. Anvil charged forward, his wings
flapping madly with his companions close behind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They
almost ran into the human child who sat on the beach. Changing course, they hid
behind a nearby tree. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Make
the fish jump out of the water,” the child said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Surprised,
Anvil thought the little girl had seen them until she took the cover off of the
cage and put it down next to her. Within, Primrose folded her arms and sat
cross legged, shaking her head “no.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Come
on,” the girl pleaded. “Make the fish jump.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>An
idea hit Anvil like a buzzing fly. He soared high and out from the tree, he
flicked his wand and thirty fish flew out of the lake and hit the girl. She
jumped up screeching and ran away into the forest, leaving the cage behind. One
fish got tangled in her hair and flapped as she left.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He dashed forward along
with his friends and used their magic to part the bars of the cage, away from
the iron latch. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Primrose
ran from the enclosure. “Anvil.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I am
here, come. We must return immediately.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“My
wing is torn.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Her
wing? Anvil caught her and examined the tear. Lifting her, he flew toward the
center of the lake where they had arrived.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">*
* *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Anvil stood beside Primrose in the center of the
mushroom council. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Primrose,”
Noble Soil said. “What have you to say for yourself?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I
was enticed to visit the human world. I thought I was clever enough to be
safe.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You
were wrong!” Noble Soil lifted from his mushroom while the faeries gathered
repeated the word, ‘wrong.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Your
wings will be clipped. You must return to your hut and no faerie may see you
except for one.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Wisp
O’ Willow flew toward Primrose and Anvil then. “Anvil rescued you, he has asked
to marry you. What say you Primrose? Remain an outcast or marry Anvil and be
welcomed home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Primrose
turned to Anvil, studying his chiseled face. He had done so much for her. She
hadn’t realized that she loved him until now. “I will marry Anvil.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
smiled, lifted her and together they twirled in their own faerie bubbles of
giddy joy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
End<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Word Count: 1062<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This is the end of the tale of Primrose. If you missed
any of the four stories, they can be found at the top in the page titled, ‘Faerie
Tales.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I hope you enjoyed their story. If you would like to
let me know, you can leave a comment below. Thank you for coming by, Nancy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /></div>
N. R. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-84599884410139113992019-06-02T11:25:00.000-06:002019-07-14T10:45:33.656-06:00Faerie Tales, WEP, Caged Bird<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">June introduces us to a new Write, Edit, Publish
Challenge. I’d like to thank Denise Covey and her team of awesome writers,
Laura, Nilanjana and Olga for their combined efforts in running this bloghop.
Well done ladies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The challenge this month is Caged Bird. Tell a story
in 1,000 words or less. Post pictures or a poem. Good luck to everyone who is
submitting their work. And for other writers reading, it’s not too late to
participate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For my story of Caged Bird, it continues the saga of
Primrose. If you haven’t read about Primrose yet, you can read the two stories
I’ve already posted below, Stealing Pearls followed by Primrose and Anvil. Or, you can click on Faerie Tales in the pages above and read all three in order. Her
story will be completed next month, so be sure to come back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLcfsOctW_zhuVBkwW0oGD6nTyeyEeY2hYnkjPO4hlxzcz2Y_t7zrX1P4xpdLF81k10WuO3k4PK9oU5X1hyx_Nk9ad_u_XZeD_z0L_U811R5zpq1Qhs55BfcqEDzIAai9SgOyQLrrLXM/s1600/June2019badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="230" data-original-width="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLcfsOctW_zhuVBkwW0oGD6nTyeyEeY2hYnkjPO4hlxzcz2Y_t7zrX1P4xpdLF81k10WuO3k4PK9oU5X1hyx_Nk9ad_u_XZeD_z0L_U811R5zpq1Qhs55BfcqEDzIAai9SgOyQLrrLXM/s1600/June2019badge.jpg" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Caged
Bird<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Primrose twirled, her faerie wings flapping hard. The
ruby and emeralds embedded in her forehead and cheek caught the moonlight that
reflected off the human lake. Her giggles floated above her like bubbles in
multiple colors. She touched down, tipping her toes in the waters as she danced
in the middle of the lake. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
was safe, at night, in the massive forest. There were human cabins here and
there, but none were close. She waited until the humans were all in bed and if
anyone was camping, she flew to the opposite side of the lake. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Her
tight curls were in the shape and color of primroses. Her faerie dress tonight
was midnight blue. She’d come here by accident the first time. When she flew
from the faerie portal, she’d said “trees” and ended in the middle of this huge
forest. The trees even dwarfed the humans. Curious, she came every day for two
weeks until she found the lake, which she named, ‘Glorious Pond.’ In order to
return to it from the portal the lake must have a name. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Not
that it was a pond. No, it was a lake that stretched for leagues. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
swallowed a few giggles which made her giddy with happiness. Then she noticed
movement by the shore. She stopped and hovered mid-air. Whatever it had been
was gone. Probably a deer. She’d seen a herd of the beasts earlier and landed
on the nose of one of them. It sneezed and she flew up, laughed and touched her
wand to its forehead. The deer reared from the ground before crashing back
down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There
was only one drawback to the lake and forest. No one brought their precious
items from home. She’d inspected all the cabins. No jewelry boxes, no bracelets,
necklaces, earrings or anything else. One cabin had an impressive display of
fishing lures, but they didn’t tempt her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Something
shiny caught her eye in a tree close to the beach where she’d seen the deer.
Curiosity floated up her faerie limbs until it reached her nose. She tweaked the
tip of her nose and then flew across the waters to the shore. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
shiny thing seemed to float just under a tree limb. Primrose looked this way
and then that. No humans, no deer. A raccoon crept out on the other side of the
shore. Somewhere, a terrible stench reached her. It must be a skunk. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’m
safe. She flew toward the shiny object to discover a metal bird cage. The dome
of the cage came down and was secured in a wooden base. Is it iron or copper? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Inside the cage was a bar
held up with links to the top. Once, in her travels to this human world, she’d
seen a bird cage and she knew that the creatures would perch on the bar. She
tapped it to test that the metal wasn’t iron. All faeries hated iron. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The door to the cage
lifted up to expose an opening. Primrose flew inside. She stood on the bar,
then sat and began to swing. Her laughter pinged against the metal making
music. Then a bang. She flew from the bar and turned. The door had slammed
shut. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fear sped along her
nerves. She flew to the door and tapped it with her wand. A dull thud told her
the horrible news. It was made of iron. She couldn’t get out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A loud noise caused her
to cringe and cover her ears. Voices. “Look.” “We got it.” Two children
arrived. A boy and girl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Oh, see how pretty she
is?” The girl said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I’ll feed it to my
praying mantis.” The boy grinned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Better not.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The boy took the cage
down and handed it to the girl. “What will you tell mom?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I’ll hide her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“She’ll find it sooner or
later, Gretta.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Gretta slugged her
brother in the arm which caused the cage to move with violent force and even
turn over. Primrose was thrown around like a pile of seeds. When it was over,
one of her wings was torn. The pain made her gasp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Be very quiet.” Gretta
had her face close to the cage and peered in at her. “Oh, you’re hurt. How do I
fix it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Primrose stepped as close
to the cage bars as possible. “You can’t fix it. Let me go.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Gretta’s face pinched
with a frown and pressed lips and then changed to a grin. “You can talk. What
are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I am faerie. If you
don’t let me go, others will come and curse you.” She knew they wouldn’t curse
the children or any human, but Primrose herself would be in big trouble. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“What’s a curse?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“That’s when my kind
changes you into a fish.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The child opened a cabin
door. It was dark inside. Her brother led her up the stairs. His flashlight
illumined wooden walls, a deer head, a door and a bedroom. Gretta turned on the
light as her brother left and shut the door. The bright glare of the overhead
fixture blinded Primrose for a moment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Gretta knelt, and shoved
the cage under her bed. “You have to sleep now. Tomorrow we’ll play.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A moment later, the light
off, Primrose heard Gretta climb into bed, cover herself and whisper something
against her pillow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Primrose lay down on the
wooden floor of the cage discouraged. Perhaps something would come to her in
the morning and she’d free herself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Word Count 909<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Did you like this story? Feedback is always appreciated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Nancy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">To read other stories submitted for this challenge, go
<a href="https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com//">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /></div>
N. R. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-41982310674386159702019-05-20T00:00:00.000-06:002019-07-14T10:45:14.614-06:00Faerie Tales, Primrose and Anvil<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Greetings and welcome to my blog. As promised, here is
the continuation of Primroses story. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">If you missed the first story, Stealing Pearls, scroll down to the post
directly below this one. I hope you enjoy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbOj_k0MQuWZ202_9zX6pyDW62sCK4QBcCIecqLjIGwXLTN4GmcmNF-XWFjwUQb3kW4jSQ4Gil3kTH3q9xk1ygEIoWKf7kBXv0liQ8eEkxkz1syD1LSBNFHKNBqlD5HERRoa4FFNFGpC8/s1600/31_photocredit_anonymousemmx_dhoonglen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbOj_k0MQuWZ202_9zX6pyDW62sCK4QBcCIecqLjIGwXLTN4GmcmNF-XWFjwUQb3kW4jSQ4Gil3kTH3q9xk1ygEIoWKf7kBXv0liQ8eEkxkz1syD1LSBNFHKNBqlD5HERRoa4FFNFGpC8/s320/31_photocredit_anonymousemmx_dhoonglen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Primrose
and Anvil<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Primrose flew from the portal stump, past the faerie
huts close to their city. Few lights were on. Dawn hovered close to the eastern
edge. A sliver of sunlight spread in hues of red along the tips of clouds. She
kept the jewelry box before her, maneuvering between trees and bushes. Passing
the last hut, she headed toward the banks of the Shimmering River. There,
kissing the ground were thousands of primroses in every shade. Ahead was an old
willow tree. Its cascade of leaves gracefully touching the sparkling waters of
the river on one side. She flew beneath the tree’s canopy and found her hut. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Entering,
she deposited the jewelry box on a table and flew to her stove. The Stove was
made of steel. She tapped a burner with her wand and it lite. She grabbed the
kettle and filled it with water. <span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Her tea
collection included one made of primrose petals. She pulled a mug and put the
tea into a stainless-steel acorn with holes. While she waited, she sat at her
table and glared at the jewelry box. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What
a night.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When
the tea was done, she sipped it. The liquid soothed her body. Energy pulsed
through her veins. A giddy sensation bubbled up through her throat and she laughed.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Wand in hand, she flew
along her dining room wall, admiring all the precious stones that made up her
collection of human jewelry. Necklaces hung in a graceful arch. Brooches adorned
a section of wall. She stroked the butterfly broach and smiled. On a nearby
shelf were all the jewelry boxes that had come from her travels. Some of wood
and some of wire and glass as this last one. She brought the primrose jewelry
box in from the other room and rearranged the boxes so her latest had a
prominent place among her treasures. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Opening it, she removed
the necklace first and magically attached it to her wall. She didn’t stop until
all the pieces glittered beside the trinkets already there. Not many openings
left, she’d have to return to the human world and scout out a new find. Time to
rest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">*
* *<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">That afternoon, Primrose removed her multicolored
skirt and blouse. While she sang, she tapped the clothes with her wand and
sparkles moved over both to clean the smell of the human world from the
material. She brushed her hair and tapped the tightly curled locks in the shape
of primroses. The emeralds and rubies embedded in the side of her forehead and
along her cheek sparkled. She admired their beauty. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Last,
she took a larger pouch and inserted the broken jewelry box within. Tying it to
her belt, she flew from her house. As she passed along the delicate plants
adorning the river bed, she swept her wand over the petals and released fertilizer
to keep them healthy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
city bustled with faerie shoppers. A few frogs transported carriages. Giggles
circled like bubbles in the air. Primrose avoided them. If she inhaled too
many, she’d get drunk on faerie laughter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Past
the busy shops she flew north until she saw the metal shop. Tall chimneys
spouted steam into the air before her. She landed at the door, knocked and
entered. Anvil worked to pour hot liquid into a mold. He turned when he heard
her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>His
hair was blue black and swept above his head in the shape of an anvil. His eyes
were coal black and his hands large and strong for a faerie. He’d never had
jewels put in his face. Now, as the steam cleared, she saw it was smudged with
ash from the fire. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Anvil
smiled, set down his tools and came toward her. His kiss brushed her cheek and
she smelled traces of his faerie essence along with the smells in his shop. <span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Tomorrow
night is the May Day dance. Will you come with me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Her
smile spread wide. “Of course.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He grinned,
wiping his hands on the apron he wore. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I need
something repaired.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A frown
replaced his smile as he followed her hands to the pouch. “Another jewelry box?
Primrose, this must stop. You’ll get in trouble with the elders.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You’re
one to talk. How many times have you gone to the human world in search of
steel?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That
is sanctioned by the council. You know we can’t produce it on our own.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Well,
I’m not going to join the mining guild to obtain the jewels I want. Plus, they’re
raw and these are cut and polished.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Primrose,
I can’t be a part of this much longer. If it’s discovered, I could lose my
license.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Please.”
She lifted off the ground and planted a kiss on his lips. Her stomach churned.
Lies weren’t good. They stole a little magic from you each time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Very
well, let’s see it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
produced the jewelry box and showed him the damaged lid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You
know I don’t work in gold.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Should
I travel again and obtain the gold for you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No,
no, I have enough for this.” He grunted, lifted the jewelry box and opened the
unhinged side of the lid. “I’ll have it done in a few days.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Laughter
tickled her tongue. She tasted the faerie liquor. Twirling, she few high. Anvil
caught her and they kissed while hovering above his work station in an embrace.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I want
to marry you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Soon.”
Her promise hung as she left his arms for the door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The
dance tomorrow night,” he called after her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Tomorrow
night.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Primrose
returned home. Her wand swept over the flowers on the opposite side of her hut. The
song she sang was a faerie tune, full of love, promise and magic. In a month
she’d continue her exploration of the human world. This time she’d be more careful
not to damage any future jewelry boxes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Word count 972<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">To be continued June 20, 2019<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">N. R. Williams<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">© 2019<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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N. R. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-51333844267673552782019-04-17T06:17:00.000-06:002019-07-14T10:44:51.576-06:00Faerie Tales, WEP, Stealing Pearls<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I’m joining the Write, Edit, Publish bloghop, posting
this story. The challenge is to write a story about a jewelry box. So, being
the faerie lover that I am, Primrose is being mischievous. I hope you enjoy and
please check out the other stories. Follow the links <a href="https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com/">here</a>. I want to thank
Denise Covey and all the other judges for starting this ongoing bloghop.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjwGWr1eKcVVpRf56A2KfM-kI6cVM2dRkTnHZhoZ5ZsxBboahjgxWxAWAmjapaNNXWszI7-ZBsYCPedj6G5wCj1yQ5n6w2iPbXuTBeCkRMTmXGWKBQRONP15EgSfbk4aK7xrYAGPFBLs/s1600/April2019badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWjwGWr1eKcVVpRf56A2KfM-kI6cVM2dRkTnHZhoZ5ZsxBboahjgxWxAWAmjapaNNXWszI7-ZBsYCPedj6G5wCj1yQ5n6w2iPbXuTBeCkRMTmXGWKBQRONP15EgSfbk4aK7xrYAGPFBLs/s1600/April2019badge.jpg" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Stealing
Pearls<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Primrose pointed her toes and arched her arms above
her head with her hands together and her fingers pointing toward the stars. She
twirled; her multi-colored skirt twisted with her body.<span style="color: #7030a0;">
</span>Time whipped around her. The stars appeared to explode in the heavens.
She lifted, up and up until she broke through the portal from faerie land into
the land of humans. <span style="color: #7030a0;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
stopped twisting and found herself in the boughs of a maple. The leaves a mere
bud on its limbs. The smell of the human world differed from faerie. In her
world, all smelled of earth, flowers and trees. In the human world, the scent
was confused. Exhaust from their motorized vehicles was strong. Factories that
produced things she couldn’t name left residual odors even when miles away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Primrose sneezed. She
patted her hair in place. It curled all over her head and cascaded down her
back like ringlets in the shape of the flower she was named for. Each lock a
primrose in colors of pink, mauve and yellow. The ruby and emerald gems
embedded on the side of her forehead hurt. She touched them, ignoring their
warning. Do not go to the human world.<span style="color: red;"> </span>Too late,
she was already there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Before her stretched a
view of multiple human dwellings. Three houses down, the lights were on, but
not in the two-story home before her. She’d been here before, many times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lifting off from a branch
she flew toward the dwelling, found the dryer vent and entered. Someone had
shut the dryer door. Primrose wouldn’t be deterred from her mission. She pulled
her wand from a pocket in her skirt and touched the dryer door. “Open.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">With little noise the
door opened just enough to let Primrose enter the house. She flew toward the
master bedroom. The entire house was dark. “Light.” The tip of her wand became
a tiny glow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">All the bedroom doors
were open except for one<span style="color: #7030a0;">. </span>She flew to her
destination. No one was there as in the past. Curious. On the dresser was the
most beautiful jewelry box she’d ever seen. She hovered above it.<span style="color: #7030a0;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The small box had stained
glass inlay with a picture of a primrose. After nightly visits she had decided
that the box was hers. She used her wand to open the delicate lid and heard the
tinkling sound of a beautiful song. Gathered within were pearls. Earrings,
necklace, and matching bracelet in all their perfect white splendor.<span style="color: red;"> </span><span style="color: #7030a0;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After making them all
float so she could admire each, she lowered the jewelry into the box and shut
the lid. Pulling out her pouch of faerie dust, she heard a noise and dashed
behind the curtains. A human woman entered the room and turned on the light.
Primrose had never seen her before. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: #7030a0;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The woman walked to the
dresser and lifted the lid to the jewelry box. “I could have sworn I heard
you,” she said to no one. Turning, the woman left. Primrose flew to the door
and peered around the corner. The woman entered the bedroom that had the closed
door, murmuring as she went. “I’ll be glad when you’re home from your vacation,
sister. Your house is haunted.” She shut the door behind her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Primrose hurried back.
She let faerie dust fall over the jewelry box. It was heavy and she needed
extra support if she was to take it with her. Wasting no time, she tapped the
box with her wand, and it lifted off the dresser. Guiding the box before her,
she flew from the room, down the stairs and out the dryer vent. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Predawn light spread its
hue over the yard. The tree was against the back fence. The box began to fall,
and she tapped it, then flew toward the tree. Without warning, a huge dog came
around the corner and barked. The noise startled her for a moment, and she
hesitated. The dog pranced toward her. She needed height, but the weight of the
jewelry box zapped her strength and she couldn’t rise further. Speeding
forward, she flew as the dog charged. Its mouth opened and captured Primrose.
The jewelry box fell, and she heard it crack. Warm, wet saliva surrounded her,
and the dog began shaking its head violently, releasing Primrose a moment
later. She sailed, not with her wings but from the force of the toss and
smacked into the tree, hard. She fell and lay unconscious at the base. <span style="color: #7030a0;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When she awoke, the dog
was standing over her. Its long brown and black muzzle close to her body as it
sniffed. Then it used its long, damp, tongue to swipe her entire body in a huge
lick. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Go away.” Desperation
made her voice boom. The dog backed up before coming forward again. It nuzzled
her causing Primrose to turn on her side. <span style="color: #4472c4; mso-themecolor: accent1;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There, in the grass was
her faerie dust. She grabbed the pouch, reached in and took a handful of dust.
Then she jerked up and blew the dust on the dog. Immediately, he lifted off the
ground. Whining, his legs tried to run but he had no control. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Primrose found her wand,
flew to the jewelry box, and saw that the lid was half way off its hinges. Gathering
the misplaced pearls, she replaced them in the box before tapping it with her wand.
Once at the tree, she released the dog from her spell and watched it fall to
the ground where it began to bark again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">She tucked her wand and
pouch away, held the ruined box above her head and began to twirl. She’d have
one of the metal craftsmen fix the box. A moment later, she disappeared from
the human world and entered the land of faerie once more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">To be continued May 20, 2019.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Word count: 959<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What do you think?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">© N. R. Williams 2019<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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N. R. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-43103245088988390552019-02-19T22:09:00.000-07:002019-02-19T22:10:24.423-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Greetings everyone. It feels good to be back into
blogging, even on a limited basis. These are short stories called ‘flash
fiction.’ If you are new to the term it means a story in 1,000 words or less. I
have written them for the Write, Edit, Publish blog-hop challenge. The prompt
on the first story is 28 Days. For the second story, In Too Deep. Both are a
little out of my comfort zone, but I hope you enjoy reading them. To read what
others have written in this challenge,<a href="https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com//"> go here</a>.</span>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHBeLiXlWLxffrdt2HVPJn8HlYk5zGZSYS_o00qyJFUeShcC3iuZdf2DqJfBOn-6WECOSvLJ1NonX-beTCXztLUgJ05gxy_fCPRExczGt83Fyahdjh4AnvB23X5b3eZqhyphenhyphenWyswdObLqA/s1600/a+28+days.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="230" data-original-width="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHBeLiXlWLxffrdt2HVPJn8HlYk5zGZSYS_o00qyJFUeShcC3iuZdf2DqJfBOn-6WECOSvLJ1NonX-beTCXztLUgJ05gxy_fCPRExczGt83Fyahdjh4AnvB23X5b3eZqhyphenhyphenWyswdObLqA/s1600/a+28+days.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Change<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The buttons on the coffee pot blurred. I rubbed the
sleep from my eyes, and they came into focus. I pressed the one I needed and
soon the smell of coffee filled the kitchen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “Get
dressed, Olivia.” School days. I really hated getting up so early. No! I can’t
think like that. <i>Embrace the sun!</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Well…the sun wasn’t up
yet this time of day. I’d spent last night plotting the changes in my life.
It’s said, in 30 days you can change your habits. It’s February, 28 days will
have to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I have some really bad
habits. Smoking, drinking…well, just a cocktail or two after a long week Friday
night. But the worst is procrastination. I wanted to change that. I hated
cleaning and doing dishes. I despised it so much that I avoided cooking and
opted for fast food. I needed to eat healthier and so did Olivia. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As I sipped my coffee, I
turned to view my progress chart on the refrigerator. 24 boxes filled with
three words. Cook, dishes, and pick up. Saturday had one big word in it; Clean!
That equaled 28 days. My mother always said that it was easier to clean if you
organized and picked up daily. That was my goal and I had bought little sticky
stars to add to the end of each word in the box. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Do I get to put stars up
tonight Mommy?” Olivia stood beside me dressed for school. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Yes, now it’s time for
breakfast. Then, off we go, you to school and me to work.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">In the last few years, I’d changed my life for better.
I left my abusive ex and the court sided with me. He wasn’t allowed to see
Olivia. Yeah, he was that bad. Then I moved back in with my parents and went to
school. Their support was critical and now because of that I had my degree in
computer programming and was making the big bucks. Last month, I moved us into
a new apartment close to mom and dad and in the same school district for
Olivia. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> I loved
the cozy little place. Two baths, two bedrooms, living room, dining room,
kitchen and no furniture. LOL…that would change. We had beds and plastic bins,
but nothing else. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> That’s
where we were now on the floor eating dinner. I’d put a blanket down and Olivia
giggled her way through mac and cheese. Yeah, I know, not the healthiest but hey,
it was a long day. Well after six when I picked up my daughter from the sitter.
Tomorrow I’m buying a Crockpot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I almost made it through the first week. I should be
proud, right? But I’m disappointed in myself. Olivia sat across from me at our
new folding table and chairs. A McDonald Happy Meal for her and Mac.’s grilled
chicken for me. Dishes weren’t done from two nights. <i>Tomorrow</i>, I promised myself. My chart was missing some stars. I’d
do better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">February 20<sup>th</sup>. I’ve fallen off the wagon.
Almost the whole week so far without doing a single dish. I didn’t make it
through school by giving up, and it was hard. I called mom. She said, “One day
at a time.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">March, day one. My poor chart for February was half
full of stars. I had a new chart for March, and I was doing dishes while Olivia
colored at the table. We didn’t have a T.V. yet. My radio was playing Hotel
California. An oldie but goodie. I danced while putting a rinsed plate into the
dish washer. This was kind’ a fun. Maybe, that was the secret, turn chores into
fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Word count 612<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This story was inspired by my daughter who just
graduated nursing school and has a new job. She is trying to quick smoking,
lose weight and overcome her procrastination. I’m cheering her on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTtI45XhIXrlhiDw7vSlPHuImTv23Sy2yhN8aTXDEQdlvhrRDFqYHFkxbc1EPS7z5kcRGcosrdvngc1ax89SjxtJz-5SQmPDTxXd1Oa8sobmlXdax6cOOjGkvCoID5kX88Ar__gaYtSY/s1600/cb9190a4a7b937fd9fed68f203c3b1a6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTtI45XhIXrlhiDw7vSlPHuImTv23Sy2yhN8aTXDEQdlvhrRDFqYHFkxbc1EPS7z5kcRGcosrdvngc1ax89SjxtJz-5SQmPDTxXd1Oa8sobmlXdax6cOOjGkvCoID5kX88Ar__gaYtSY/s200/cb9190a4a7b937fd9fed68f203c3b1a6.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Oh, The Depths That We Reach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Brett watched as the door clanged behind Marsha Lent.
She took tiny steps forward because of the shackles, guards on either side. The
men forced her into a chair and put her hands in the restraints attached to the
table. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “Is
that necessary?” Brett asked. The guards grunted and left the private visiting
room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Marsha
smiled displaying missing and rotting teeth. Her brown hair needed to be
brushed and her chocolate brown eyes studied him. Brett looked down, pulling
out his recording device. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “Who
are you?” Marsha no longer smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “Brett
Summerville, with <i>True Crime Magazine</i>.”
He stood as an automatic reflex and put out his hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “You
want me to shake it?” Her hoot made him shiver. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Brett
unbuttoned his plum jacket and sat. “You don’t mind if I record this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “My
story?” She shrugged her shoulders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “Let’s
start at the beginning.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “The
beginning. Your jacket is tattered. True Crime ain’t pay’n you much?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “They
pay enough. How old were you when you met…” Brett fumbled through his notes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “Jason
Caudwell.” Marsha smiled. “I was sixteen. Jason was twenty-one. Sandy hair and
blue eyes that looked like the pool down at YMCA.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “Go on.”
Brett readied the tablet and pen in case he wanted to emphasize anything she
said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “He was
my first sex toy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Brett’s
mind went to his wife and lingered there for a moment. “Go on.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “Jason
could have anyone, but he liked me. I loved him and would do anything he
wanted, if you know what I mean.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “And
the drugs.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “Ecstasy
was first, then cocaine and lastly heroine. I quit the dumb ass school and left
my parents. All they did was argue anyway and I’d had enough. Jason started his
own gang. I oversaw the money. We were the best, robbing businesses and banks.
We got away with it for three years. Jason had a mask of Trump he used. He’d go
in with his gang members, walk up to the teller and sing, ‘Money, money,
money.’ It was hilarious.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “You
were happy?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “Yeah,
I loved every minute of it, until…” Marsha looked down and off to the side.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “Until
what?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “I was
coming down after a bad trip. In fact, they were mostly all bad now. Jason gave
me an M-27, that things a bitch. I put on my Melania mask and we entered a
bank, the Trust something---”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “Citizens
Trust.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “Yeah,
that one. You won’t believe what was in the bank. Monsters, drooling, hairy
monsters with red eyes in business suits and dresses. I wasn’t gonna let them
kill my Jason, so I opened fire. Even some of our gang members had turned. I
killed all the monsters. Jason grabbed my arm, yanked the gun out of my hands
and asked why I done that. I told him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> There
were only three of us running out of the bank with no money and driving away.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Brett studied
Marsha. He wasn’t certain if she believed that story or not. “What happened
next?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “Jason
wouldn’t let me have no more drugs and…he shacked up with a new girl. I could
hear them fucking.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “How
did that make you feel?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Marsha
raised her eyes to Brett, they’d gone completely black. “How would it make you
feel?” Her voice sounded like she was trying to speak with gravel in her
throat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Brett
slid his chair back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> “I
killed them, I killed them all. That’s a stupid jacket. On a stupid man. Your
momma was killed in a car accident when you were ten. Your daddy started
beating you while drunk. Social Services took you away and put you with your
mother’s parents. Grandpa put you in your place every time he saw you. But
grandma, she believed in you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“How do you know this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I know everything. I
know you down a bottle or two every night. I know you raped that girl in
college.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I didn’t rape her.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I know, you’re gonna
die!” Marsha stood abruptly. “Brett Summerville.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Brett quivered. The
shackles on Marsha’s feet and hands clanged and fell off. Her body lifted in
the air. Hands out stretched.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Brett’s chair fell over
backwards and he backed up against the wall. Then…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Marsha flew at him, hands
outstretched, long nails tore his cheek in three places. Her long-forked tongue
licked his blood. Brett peed himself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> The
guards entered just as Marsha’s fingers tightened around Brett’s throat. The
guards used clubs, hitting Marsha until her eyes turned brown once more and she
collapsed to the floor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Brett
didn’t wait to see what would happen next, he grabbed his notepad, pen and
recorder before running through the open door, down the hall were another guard
let him out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> True
Crime would never believe this. Maybe he should work for the National Enquirer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Word Count 804<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This story felt a little too cliché for me, so I
turned it into a horror ending. What do you expect from a fantasy author? I’m
not satisfied with normal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Please leave a comment on anything you want. Today is
payday which means, crazy, insane errand day. I will get to everyone’s post
before this coming Monday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Cheers,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Nancy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
N. R. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-42137679782468528822019-02-10T09:01:00.002-07:002019-02-10T09:01:55.948-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hello everyone.<br />
It's been over a year since I posted. I've had computer problems and have been busy writing and editing. I have a wonderful critique group with many fabulous authors. They inspire me to do better. I'm going to try hard to post short stories once or twice a month. The first will be Feb. 20th for the Write, Edit, Publish challenge.<br />
<br />
Cheers,<br />
N. R. Williams</div>
N. R. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.com4