“Gary, we are here with Carol Sayers, the facilitator of the therapy group that Ashley was mandated to attend before her death. Ms. Sayers, what can you tell us about Ashley? Was she mentally disturbed? Do the police think the group had anything to do with her death?” The anorexic blond anchorwoman with her forced… Continue Reading
Rainbow Connection; chapter six, part one
“Welcome back,” Carol smiles at us warmly, though with a tinge of sadness. “As you all have most likely read, we are one less in number. Let’s have a moment of silence.” As we dutifully quiet down, I look around the room. Everyone else has shown up, but no one looks too happy about being… Continue Reading
Rainbow Connection; chapter five
“Rayne! The police!” Paris looks at me with wide eyes even though neither of us is a stranger to the police. During the last investigation, they talked to one of us at least every other day. “Sergeant Grimes, Ms. Liang.” He is over six-feet tall, rangy with a buzz cut and muddy brown eyes. He… Continue Reading
Rainbow Connection; chapter four, part three
Wednesday is uneventful, and I am grateful. I wake up Thursday morning, cautiously optimistic. For once, I have slept for several hours on end. Paris isn’t up yet, which isn’t unusual for him. He had gone on a date with Lyle last night and hadn’t return home by the time I went to bed which… Continue Reading
Rainbow Connection; chapter four, part two
“Name’s Sharise.” She pronounces it with a hard ‘ch” sound. “I’m here because my man was killed during a robbery attempt. He was the cop who caught the squeal.” Her eyes fill with tears, but she steadies herself. “Motherfucker fired on him ‘fore he even had a chance to draw his piece. Been seven months… Continue Reading
Rainbow Connection; chapter four, part one
“I’m here for the trauma group,” I say softly to the sympathetic-looking receptionist who nods her head encouragingly at me. “Spreading Our Wings,” she says, patting her red curls. The name tag on her desk reads ‘Tessa Simpson’. “Pardon?” I am unsure what she is trying to convey. “That’s the name of the group,” Tessa… Continue Reading
Rainbow Connection; chapter three
Break of dawn, I am up again. At least I don’t have to be shaken awake because I’m screaming, so I am thankful for small favors. I lie in bed, wondering if I should try to sleep more or if this is one of those days where nothing can entice me back into unconsciousness. I… Continue Reading
Rainbow Connection; chapter two, part four
I am restless. For the first time in the past month, I want to escape the apartment. Up until this point, I have only left to go grocery shopping with Paris and to see my mother. Each trip would have me panicking, seeking out possible killers. One time I actually pulled Paris out of the… Continue Reading
Rainbow Connection; chapter two, part three
“Rayne, it’s me, Vashti.” The sound of her voice sends contradicting emotions through my body. As much as she hurt me, she still has a pull over me. My attraction to her hasn’t waned; I’m just more cautious about acting on it. I think of her beautiful dark skin, hair and eyes, her full lips… Continue Reading
Rainbow Connection; chapter two, part two
“I like him, too, but I’m not tagging along on your date.” I interject a teasing note into my voice. “One of us should be getting laid, and it’s not me. Just remember, though, no glove, no love.” “Girl, you know you don’t gotta worry about that with me,” Paris says with spirit. He is… Continue Reading