The New Secretary

Stuart Kinemann, the Pulitzer Prize and Academy Award winning author of the non-fiction book, The Sugar Scandal was in desperate need of a secretary. His current one, Sophie was moving to Queensland with her husband, Robin who had gotten a teaching job there. He stood at the window, looking out at the flickering lights in …

Boris Bumps into Sandy

Boris was on his way back to the office from having a business lunch when he bumped into Sandy. "Hello, Boris." "What are you doing here?" "Now is that any way to greet your big sister?" "Look, I'm on my way back to the office. What do you want?" "I guess I could have called …

Too Dark

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. I used to believe that until the words began to wound me. They pierced my heart. I'm nineteen and in college. Other students stare at me and make remarks like, "She's so dark", "None of my black guy friends would date her because …

At the Pub With Boris

Tulia was waiting in the lobby for Boris when he got there. She smiled when she saw him. "Hi." "Hi." He held the door open for her and they stepped went outside into the crisp night air. The pub was a ten minute walk from where they lived. It was as lively as usual. They …

Mother Goes to Saideep

"Who cares about Belugas and dreamlifters?" Saideep demanded impatiently. "I thought you were here for an important reason." "This is an important, Saideep," his mother protested. "Your father and grandfather are arguing over which is bigger--the Airbus Beluga or the Boeing Dreamlifter." "Mother, I really don't have time for this. I'm very busy." "Too busy …

The Green-Eyed Monster

As Countess Adriana stood beside the coffin of Jean-Louis Marquis, the french lieutenant, the crestfallen curvature of her body was a dead giveaway of the weight of her grief... Kate set aside the book when she realized that she had read that sentence more than once. She just couldn't concentrate. Her mind was on Sally. …

Tulia’s Invitation

"Thanks for lunch, Boris," Tulia said when they were standing outside of the restaurant. Lunch with her had been very pleasant and it had helped him to forget about Cate for a while. "You're welcome," he said quietly. "Am I forgiven?" "Of course." "I returned the engagement ring this morning, you know." "Oh. That must …

Neglected Wife

I'm a twenty-something woman married to Andris, my former Science professor at London University. We became involved while I was in his class. Our relationship was kept under-wraps, of course until after I graduated. A couple of years later, when he became a best-selling Science fiction author, he stopped teaching at the university. I was …

Edward Visits Gladys

It was early in the morning and Edward was on his way home from the gym when Cate called him. He sighed. "Hi, Cate." "Hi. You'll be pleased to know that it's over between Derrick and me." "You did the decent thing." "It was Derrick's idea to break up, not mine." "I guess he came …

Boris’ Lunch Invitation

Boris returned the ring. Fortunately for him, he had bought it from a reputable jeweler who offered him a decent return policy. He got a full refund because it was a non-custom ring. He wished he hadn't bought the damned thing. And he wished he'd never met Cate Hardwicke. He tried not to think about …