Maltese Escape
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

They called ours a family, but it was not as you understand that word. A family is supposed to be a safe place to bring a child into the world, to nurture that child when very young, and to support him or her in at least the first part of a journey through life. That is what a family is supposed to be – not a money-grubbing enterprise where every member is expendable.

Part Six

A TURN OF THE MOON
Day Six
by
Jessica Drew

My spoon clinked against the bowl as I finished off the fresh yogurt and strawberries. It was a brighter day today. The rain clouds had moved on and the morning sun lit up the kitchen just the way I liked it. I sat at the counter in my peach PJs, with one thigh crossed over the other, gently swinging my dangling leg.

We sent people to explore the empty ships right away. And we found... more documentation. In the parts of the world needing cleanup over the facilities, all the large bodies capable of helping with the cleanup were deployed that way. But here, I was free to participate in another document translation effort.

Chapter 2

I waited until we had finished dinner before I told my family the news.

“I went to Sydney this morning. I had a talk with the Head of News and came home as the new presenter for the ABC. My area is from the Gong to the border.”

Pauline squealed and stood up to give me a hug.

“That’s fantastic, Mummy. I’ll be able to see you on the box and shout at you without you yelling at me to be quiet.”

“Unless I’m in the room at the time, you minx.”

Chapter 6: The Gods Meet

Nicky, A Bimbo Experience

I was heading to the salon to pick up my sister, her appointments at the salon only scheduled till eight today. She is one of their stylists, working for them for six years now. Her car was acting up again, thus my ferrying her to work and picking her up at closing. When I pulled into the parking lot the place was jammed. I found a spot near the back of the parking lot and made my way into the salon.

I just want to play football.

Pete's Vagina
82. Off the Bench
by Erin Halfelven

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 Historical references and all places are real.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.

The Hormone Revolution
A Vignette
By Maryanne Peters

When they were Down, they were Down

After New Year, I was busy with my books and notes, swatting up for the exams. And then it would be new work in a new term. I took the dress and shoes back to Steph and we arranged for me to be available on Saturdays to wear her new designs for the camera.

“You think we’d plan to dress like each other?”

Andrea, Politics As A Female

I had entered the political race because of some friends’ urging. It is for state senator in my district. The incumbent James Kincade, recently making a lot of statements that had pissed off a lot of factions. He originally got the office because of his family name. His father and grandfather both were office holders in the state for many years.

A bathroom stall. The ward bathroom — three stalls, the strip lighting humming above, the particular echo of hard surfaces. You are sitting on the toilet and you don't know how you got here. Early morning from the light under the stall door, the ward not yet fully awake. The gap between whatever came before and this stall on this morning is blank and featureless as the gaps always are.

Chapter Two – Endgame

Potential juror Leigh Saunders has been kidnapped and faces blackmail by a mob boss and his henchmen to ensure a not guilty verdict. One of the henchmen has become infatuated with Leigh and is trying his best to seduce her. As the time approaches for Leigh's release from captivity, she must make some decisions: Will she succumb to the charms of Willaim Sauber? Will she sway the jury and let the mob boss walk free. Final chapter.