CHAPTER 74
There was nothing either of us could do for him, of course, being so far away, apart from simply doing our best to be there, wherever and whatever ‘there’ might be, if he needed us. Maz, as ever, spent so much of her energy worrying about others that she had let herself fade, just a bit, and I was slowly beginning to realise what a gamble she had taken in almost literally throwing herself at me.

I was in trouble big time. A first year college student that got arrested when trying to break in to a girlfriend’s house over the holidays. I was promptly bailed out, but my parents who lived in Las Vegas were flying in for the arraignment.

I spoke to Mom over the phone offering no reason for my arrest after repeated attempts for her to understand what in the hell was I thinking. Since I was not forthcoming with any information she hung up on me, although I did find out she had an attorney post my bail.

Back aboard the sprawling command chamber of the Queen’s Rage, I found myself immersed in a sea of applications from Earth’s most brilliant scientists. The air thrummed with the weight of decision-making, each dossier representing a potential torchbearer for our adventure into the uncharted realms beyond their homeworld. This was not just a selection process; it was a defining moment that would shape the future of human exploration.

I am a recent addition to a work group, its sole function to court and sell a new customer our products. Our company manufactures different female products, from cosmetics to lingerie, and this retailer had withstood our best efforts to get them on board.

So our company put together a select group of people with different skills to approach and try to land the customer. All were female except me, my field of expertise not often inhabited by females. I am the numbers person, supplying all matter of statistics to impress and influence sales of our products, yeah right.

Acidalia XIX
By Amanda D.

Saturday Sept 15th 10:15am pdt:

The Sisters Compound:

The lecture hall buzzed with the low hum of students typing on laptops, punctuated by the professor's droning voice explaining object-oriented programming principles. Nathan sat rigidly in his seat, his enhanced senses picking up every tiny sound and movement around him. The once-familiar concepts now seemed trivial, almost laughably simple compared to the complex systems he'd interfaced with during his time away.

A group of people wake up in a video game world and are forced to work together to survive and find out how to escape.

The festival.

Chapter 36.

After a bit, the plates are empty, and the table is covered in nothing but scraps and empty glasses. The food was undeniably good, and for the first time in what feels like forever, I feel full in a way that doesn’t come with the weight of stress or exhaustion.

“Do you know how totally weird it is that you have a boyfriend?”

Pete's Vagina
66. Bleachers
by Erin Halfelven

CHAPTER 73
Eventually, Neil found some equilibrium, and Maz and I managed to shuffle hm into the spare room he was using, before finally settling into our own bed. Maz was unsurprisingly rather pensive as she cuddled into me.

“So many triggers in him, love. How the hell has he survived?”

The company I worked for was planning a talent show to help raise funds for a day care center for the employees. The CEO had promised to match any funds raised, dollar for dollar, so the enthusiasm to put together a good show was shared by all. Most of the people that worked for the company were middle income, so a day care facility would help the majority of the employees.

Dawn Visits Kansas – Part 3

By Kathi Jo Daniels

Chapter Ten: Saturday
Saturday, October 02, 2004

Part 1: Morning - Breakfast and Begin Research

As usual, I was up and dressed before Diana got out of bed. She said laundry would be done today, so I might as well go commando - no panties or bra, and no reason to tuck. I chose the white walking shorts and powder blue sleeveless knit top from Brenda's Dress Shop.

Mug Shot
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

“Do you have a sister, Emmet?” said Wade. “Because the girl getting all the hype on “Mug Shot Babes” sure looks like she could be related to you?”

PART 5
Brian had a little bit of time before his appointment, so stood us another round of tea, or rather I did, as Diesel was clearly in her favourite spot. Once we’d supped up, Marion and I walked out to the van.

“I came up by bus, Jules. Could you shove that stuff in the back, and I shall cadge a lift”

“Home or work?”

“Left the car at work, so no need for a detour. You did well there, love”

There was the phone call from my wife informing me that she would be an hour late. She did tell me not to fix dinner as she would pick up something for us on the way home. This is her women’s business meeting day, so it must be some meeting to cause her to be late.

Dawn Visits Kansas – Part 2

By Kathi Jo Daniels

Chapter Five: Monday
Monday, September 27, 2004

Part 1: County Clerk

On Monday morning, we got up together, showered, shaved, applied makeup, and dressed. I chose a white A-line dress with elbow sleeves, blue chest pockets, shoulders, and belt, and white sandals. Diana chose a multicolored swinging mini-dress.

PART 4
I found myself laughing, almost automatically. I dealt with so many dogs I had a routine check-list for their owners, a method of deciding whether the owner was Dog People or rather someone who liked accessories. Small dogs in handbags, oh please.

My boss did much the same thing, not only refusing jobs where one or more of us had raised enough concerns, but passing them up the line for official action. As she also ran a kennels and cattery near Shipley Bridge, we saw a LOT of dogs and their owners.

I sobered up quickly, giving him a smile, but refraining from patting his hand. Most definitely not a good idea.

“Sorry again; not laughing at you. It’s just ridiculous, given how you look after her. Who has this come from?”

“You got time for this?”

“Not working for anyone but myself today. What do you have?”

“Well, I’ll put the kettle on first, then. Tea or coffee?”

“Tea, please, in this weather”

He smiled.

“You can lie down again if you want, but I will be in a chair”