Chapter 25: Fade to Black

As the scene from 1866 Seattle does a slow fade to black, a scene from 2026 Seattle comes into focus. Kate was seated at her vintage typewriter. A page from the final rewrite of her novel had her consumed. She had debated for months whether she should change her main character to a transsexual, or leave her intersexed.

I used to have a recurring dream...

Part Five

"I don't understand," said Carmel. "What could IRA possibly get from being a mobile unit that it doesn't already have?! It has input from the entire world."

"Immediacy of presence," said Sharon.

* * *

This is an unexpected continuation of ‘Anything Goes’ that started to gel while the original was being posted. The ABC in the story is the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Historical references and all places are real.

Chapter 1

I was standing at the kitchen sink, washing up the breakfast things, It was a Sunday, the sun was shining, and I could see my husband and daughter frolicking in our swimming pool. It was now ten years since we had moved from Chelmsford to Australia, and things had changed.

Chapter 15: The Book

Kate's hands trembled slightly as she picked up the book and slowly read aloud the handwritten title above the first page. "Look ... Out ... Seattle"

Candy’s eyes flashed and she squealed, "Oh my goodness Biddie you’re right! I do remember now. That was one of Maggie's best stories "

Chapter 13: Kate Resurfaces

When the Captain and Jason left, it was Maggie's cue once again to retire to the background. As Kate took prominence, she felt as if all the wind had left her sails. She eased back toward her pillow with a drained expression that did not miss the doctor's eye.

Short part, this time.

Part Three

Chapter 11: Maggie's Memories

When Kate gave her a puzzled look she continued, "Do you remember when Biddie was talking about your stories you shared, and how much everyone enjoyed them?"

Part Two

Slowly, it obeyed. Malak flew overhead for a bit, watching to make sure it actually left. Once certain it would maintain its course away from the beach at least for a while, he turned his attentions to the other monsters. Most of them were by now already ashore. Though they lumbered, they still made progress on the land.

When the government decides to erase Kate Thomas in 24 hours, fate had other ideas.

My mother drove me home. I was feeling very deflated about my performance, and, simultaneously, both excited and terrified at the prospect of a shopping day in Galway the following Saturday, dressed as a girl. My biggest concern was leaving our house; I didn’t know how my father would react. I contemplated getting dressed in Niamh’s house. At least all the other participants were now used to seeing me in a skirt and girl’s top. In Galway, no one would know me. Right now, I wanted just to go to bed and let sleep sort out my combination of despondency, excitement and trepidation.

Maya was full of nerves after the call with Brittany, the other girl had been so comforting and had just listened without judgement. A silent bastion of strength as Maya bared her soul. When Maya had been finished Bethany had been nothing but supportive and soothing. If their previous conversations in class had been stilted and faltering it was quickly proven that it was purely down to boy that Maya portrayed. With Maya unshackled from her Mason persona they quickly bonded as and began conversing with each other as two teen girls.

Sent By Sophia

Chapter 3: Theme Stated

A Transgender Coming of Age Adventure

A Story from THE ONE

Ariel Montine Strickland

How will Starry start her mission that she was sent on by Sophia? What will be the reception by Hope Rome, mother of critically ill Jeremy?

Firing Blank

My name is Donald James Blank. I know, it’s a hoot, but a hoot I’ve had to live with all my life. In primary school, the teachers would often say, “Come up and write the answer on the slate, Blank’. I was given the nickname, Slate, which stuck with me through higher education and into my first employment, seeing that two of my fellow recruits to the financial company had been with me through the accountancy degree.

A Love of Books

My world came crashing down on the Friday evening I showed my parents the real me. They had called me Benjamin, but I thought of myself as Bonita. It had started innocently enough. I was sitting on the sofa, watching TV, when Dad remarked that the girl in the show looked like a tramp.

“Dad, that’s the look they all have these days. It’s called clubwear.”

“What on earth do you know about girls’ clothing, Ben?”

“Actually, Dad, quite a bit.”

Mum stopped her knitting and laughed.

Penny needs someone to share an apartment. Gina meets the need. But not all is smooth sailing.