Chapter Two; Part Three “You’re next,” Inspector Robinson breaks into my reverie and nods at me. I hop up with a start, nearly choking on my water. I set down the glass and follow her, leaving a dejected Max to grapple with Officer Clark. We settle on couches opposite each other, and she pulls out… Continue Reading
Don’t Rayne On My Parade; chapter two, part two
Chapter Two; Part Two “Hello? Paris here.” He has one of those phones where a person standing near by can hear almost everything the other person says. “Oh –y God, Pa—s. It’s Ma—………..looking for Moira…….broke down the door….she’s de—. You have to…….right now!” “Max, calm down. Are you sure about that?” … Continue Reading
Don’t Rayne On My Parade; chapter two, part two
Chapter Two; Part Two “I’m telling you, she’s the best art teacher there is. She knows everything!” A young woman in her early twenties with ratted dyed black hair and heavy raccoon eyes gushes to her friend who is so nondescript, I barely notice her. “If Moira says it’s true, then it is.” “That’s bullshit,… Continue Reading
Don’t Rayne On My Parade; chapter two, part one
Chapter Two; Part One “Max, baby, who is this?” The woman is talking to Max, but looking at me. There is something oddly familiar about her, but I can’t believe that I would have forgotten this woman if I’d ever met her. “Moira, this is my trainer, Paris—you remember him, and his friend, Rayne. Paris,… Continue Reading
Don’t Rayne On My Parade; chapter one, part two
Chapter One; Part Two Over the years, our friendship has been forged through fire as well as through happiness. He was there for me when my father died in a car accident. A drunk driver plowed into my father’s car at three in the afternoon. The driver had eight previous DWIs, but hadn’t spent any… Continue Reading
Don’t Rayne On My Parade: chapter one, part one
Ed. Note: I wrote this nearly twenty years ago while I was getting my MA in Writing & Consciousness in San Francisco. It’s the first of a trilogy, and I had a lot of fun writing it. Let’s see how well it’s aged, shall we? Chapter One; Part One “Rayne, we have got to get up… Continue Reading
Parental Deception; chapter fifteen
Chapter Fifteen “Ms. Liang? I’m Connie Wang.” A slim, but shapely Taiwanese woman holds out her hand as she approaches the table I’m seated at. She’s looks to be about my age, although I know she’s a good ten years older. Her determinedly black hair is carefully crimped and swept in a knot at the… Continue Reading
Parental Deception; chapter fourteen; part three
Chapter Fourteen; Part Three “Mrrreow!” Onyx launches herself at me as soon as I walk in the door to Rembrandt’s house, and I catch her without dropping anything. Jet head-butts my shins repeatedly as I cradle Onyx to my chest. I carry her into the kitchen, dropping my weapon bag along the way. Jet trots… Continue Reading
Parental Deception; chapter fourteen, part two
Chapter Fourteen; Part Two “Hi, Megan. How’re you doing today?” Donny asks, smiling at me as I enter the studio. He has his sword in his hand, and he’s lightly sweating. “I’m OK!” I say brightly, smiling back at him. I can see a sparkle in his eye that suggests he wouldn’t be averse to… Continue Reading
Parental Deception; chapter fourteen, part one
Chapter Fourteen; Part One “So. Sushi. School me.” Rembrandt says as we are seated at our table in Fujiya. He glances around him in appreciation at the bright and lively room around him. It’s busy as it always is, but the noise level is low. “My favorite is unagi, which is barbecue eel,” I say.… Continue Reading