If you would be so kind...

My $0.02: A while back, I told a friend that I had writer's block. They suggested I just start writing another story and let my subconscious work through the problems that I'm having with the first story. That worked fine, but now I've so many stories started, I don't know which to work on first. I could really use your help. I'm posting excerpts to my three latest writing pieces and would really appreciate some honest (>>braces herself<< "give it to me; I can take it.") feedback as to what you think about them. Thank you.

#1: Oddities:

Sam looked out the window from where he sat and saw the awning; once a blood red; now a faded pink. Even the white looked dingy.

            He sighed, “I should probably get a new one.” He breathed out another sigh, “what I really should do is to close the store; that would be best for all concerned.”

            “Ah, but remember, you promised you wouldn’t.”

            Sam looked back disinterested; knowing what he would see; the pointed ears, thick eyebrows and chiseled chin of his boss. Nodding, he turned back to the window.

            He felt claws on his shoulder, before he heard the voice, “And once you make a promise to me; there is no going back.” Sam moved his eyes to the left and saw the face close to his ear and breathed shallowly to keep from choking on the smoky breath.

            “Yes, I know. I have been meaning to talk to you about that Abaddon. You said I would be rich; that I would never have to worry about money again, but I’m not rich.”

            “Oh come now.” He squeezed Sam’s shoulder before taking a seat next to him, “I think you recall wrong. I don’t remember ever using the word ‘rich’.”

            Sam turned to look at him, “You told me I would never have to worry about anything again; that I would be comfortable.”

            Abaddon flicked an unseen thing from his pants, “And tell me; have you ever wanted for anything? Have you not a roof over your head. Do you not have gainful employment?”

            Sam stood and looked down at the creature incredulously, “Gainful employment? Gainful…” he broke off; too enraged to go on, “You deceived me; you told me I could run the shop anyway I wanted to. Why you had to come and bother me…”

            Abaddon stood suddenly, “You miserable cretin.”

Sam cowered from the thing that towered over him. The thing that stood before him now was hardly recognizable to the calm, collected being that had been seated on his couch only minutes before. Abaddon had grown in both height and girth, his skin was red, all his veins visible as ropes under his skin; writhing like a nest of snakes that had been disturbed. “You begged me to help you. You beseeched me to take you away from your pitiful existence. You knew what you were getting into.” He put a hand into his jacket pocket and pulling out a scroll, he shook it and it unrolled, “is this not your signature?” a long, black claw pointed to a red scrawling at the bottom of the page.

Sam didn’t have to look to know it was his. He remembered signing it; on the day he thought everything would end. Maybe if he had waited a little longer, looked for the good in life; instead of looking for the easy way out…

“Is it not?” the voice bellowed not only in his ears, but in his mind also.

Sam closed his eyes and turned away.

Abaddon, smiled satisfied, reverted to his regular size and color; rolled up the scroll and replaced it into a suit pocket.

“Now then” he looked at his wristwatch, “don’t you think it’s time that you opened the shop? People will be waiting; hmmm…?”

Sam nodded; knowing that any further communication wasn’t going to get him anywhere. He sighed, stood, grabbed his cap, pulled it on and walked towards the door.

Abaddon smiled, “I’ll see you down there then?”

Sam held up a hand, opened the door, pulled it closed after him and headed down the stairs. He thought as he counted the steps to the outer door. Twenty-one steps later, he stood out in the bright sunshine and squinted up at the sun, then looked across the street and saw the darkened shop; ANTIQUES was lettered in gold across the top of the window big and bold; the faded ODDITIES written on the awning seemed a dichotomy in mottled and weathered gray.

Each step he took towards the shop door, felt as though more and more weight piled onto his shoulders. Sam was a tall man, but he thought the weight compressed his 6’4” frame at least 3”. The light brown color leached from his skin as he got closer and closer to the store. The transformation in him completed when he finally unlocked the front door to the shop. His feet were like lead blocks and the effort to pick them up and put one in front of the other was more than Sam thought he could do. He flipped the light switch and pale yellow light illuminated the inside of the shop. Sam looked to the counter in the back.

“Come now; let me tell you what our goals are today.”

Sam felt the remaining color drain from his face as he saw the creature behind the counter. Putting a hand up he dragged it down his face; feeling the whiskers of his goatee. Each step he took bent him more and more, until he felt himself hunched over.

“I want you to push the doll to the third customer who walks into the door.” Sam saw the creature reach into the display case under the counter, and pull out a porcelain doll; dressed in a faded pink dress, white stockings and little black shoes. Abaddon held out the doll to Sam; who now stood next to him.

Sam looked at the doll and could swear that he could see the evil in the doll's dead, glassy, brown eyes.  He took a step back.

Abaddon tsked, “Come now; it’s not going to bite you.”

When Sam didn’t take it, he laid it on the counter, “Third customer, remember.”

While Sam watched, Abaddon disappeared and Sam breathed a sigh of relief. He squat to unlock the glass doors to the cabinet, put a hand on the counter, felt around for the doll and without looking at it put it into the cabinet; face down and closed the cabinet, straightening up and locking the glass doors.

The bell attached to the door sounded and he looked up and saw a man with two young children with him.

“May I help you find something?” in his mind Sam kept repeating, under his breath, ‘just turn around and go out the door. There’s nothing you want here.’

But the man kept coming, taking things out of his children’s hands as they picked them up.

“Excuse me, but do you have anything from the Victorian times?”

Sam was about to tell him no, when he heard a talon tapping from inside the showcase and looked down to see a miniature Abaddon pointing to a cameo pin. He hated the way this creature could be everywhere at any time.

Before he knew it, the little girl had broken from her father’s hand and ran to sit on the floor and press her hands and face against the front of the showcase, “Oo daddy, can I have that red doll?”

Sam watched as Abaddon was caught in the showcase and instantly became plastic-like.

The father approached the counter, dragging the younger boy, who was crying. He came to sit on the floor next to his sister.

“Look Joey, isn’t that a pretty doll? Don’t you think daddy should get it for us?”

They both looked up to their father. He rolled his eyes, “Okay, whatever.”  He took another look where his children were pointing, “and can I see that pin too?”

Sam nodded and unlocked the case. Reaching inside, he took out the pin and placed it on the counter. He was about to lock the cabinet when he heard the little girl’s voice.

“Daddy, didn’t you say we could see the red doll?”

Sam looked to the father, silently pleading with the father, not wanting such innocent souls to be subjected to the taint that came along with touching Abaddon. But the father nodded and said, “The red doll too please.”

“Of course sir.” Sam said, grabbing on to Abaddon by the waist and bringing him to the top of the case.

“Could you tell me a little bit about it?” the man said as he handed Abaddon down to his children who were jumping up and down trying to be the first to hold it.

“Yes sir. Well, legend has it that it was once owned by Lizzie Andrew Borden. And…”

The man held up his hands, “Wait, wait; THE Lizzie Borden? The one as in; Lizzie Borden took an axe and gave her mother forty whacks.”

Sam nodded and recited along with the man, “And when the job was nicely done, she gave her father forty-one.”  He nodded again, “Yes sir, the same one.”

He gave Sam an impressed look, “That’s pretty cool; in a macabre way.”

“If you say so sir.”

The man heard his children arguing and put the box on the top of the counter to break up the fight.

Sam picked it up and was about to put it back into the case. The man looked up from his children.

“I’ll take the pin.” Looking at his kids, he smiled, “and the little devil too.”

Sam stifled a laugh when he saw the two children putting Abaddon’s limbs in contortionist poses.

The man handed Sam the money, “Do you have a return policy if my wife doesn’t like it? It’s for her birthday.”

The cash register opened with a sickly ding, he handed the man his change, “Yes, she can bring it back anytime” ‘before it brings itself back; hopefully’ Sam added under his breath. Placing the pin in a rectangular black velvet box; it looked striking with the blood red silk as background. He showed it to the man and he nodded.  He placed it into a green paper bag with gold handles and gave it to the man.

The man nodded, “She’s always wanted something from that era; she’s a nut about it.” he took hold of the handles, “She’s going to die when she sees it.”

“I hope not”

The man looked at him questioningly, but then herded his children out the door.

Sam breathed a sigh of relief; Abaddon wouldn’t be around to bug him; for at least a couple of hours. He heard a sound like a pop and looked up to see a folded yellow blanket on the shelf. He knew it wasn’t there when he opened the store. He walked around the counter to just before the shelf.

“Did you get one?”

The blanket began to glow and then he felt the response in his mind, “No, I was found before I could assimilate.”

He nodded, “That’s good.” He backed away from the shelf, not trusting it, not wanting to be poisoned by the evilness that the blanket exuded, “that’s very good.”

When he felt he was far enough away, he turned and hurried back around the counter.

He closed the book he was reading when he heard the door chime.

A woman in her mid to late twenties walked in.

Stepping around the counter, he met her at the middle of the shop, “May I help you?”

“Yes, I’m doing a historic poetic reading and I was just wondering; do you have any antique dresses?”

“Hmm” he thought about the Salem witch dress; he knew that it was sold a week ago, but he thought that it had come back since then. He walked to the side of the store and began looking through the wardrobe hanging on the rod, “well, there was one, but I think it might have been sold. It was right…” he had come to the last piece of clothing, but then saw another appear, “no, I was mistaken; here it is.” He hated handing such a vile piece of cloth to this woman. To reconcile what he was doing, he kept thinking that maybe the people who actually bought items from his shop already had some stain on their souls and that’s what drew them here in the first place.

He held out the dress on the hanger.

She took it from him, “Oh, that’s perfect. I love the Victorian collar and everything.” She hugged it to her chest; making Sam cringe, “I’ll take it.”

He took the dress from her when she held it out, “Very good madam; come to the register and I’ll ring you up.”

She looked at herself in her bedroom mirror; liking what she saw.

“Missy?”

She turned to see her mom in the doorway; she came into the room, “What are you wearing?”

“I found it at the oddities store; it’s for my reading tonight.” she turned in a circle, “don’t you just love it?”

Her mother gave her a look, “Okay, whatever. Nana is waiting to see you.” she turned to leave the room. Missy followed, “Don’t you want to change first?”

She shook her head, "I want to show Nana; I think she'll love it.”

“Hmm” her mother let her go before her.

“Na-na” Melissa sang while walking down the stairs.

“Me-li-ssa” her Nana answered in a sing song, Italian accent.

They met at the bottom of the stairs.

Melissa watched her nana’s smile turn into a frown, then to a thin line she recognized as anger. Melissa felt her own smile falter.

“Go upstairs and take that off right now.” She thrust out her arm to emphasize her words.

“But Nana, I just bought this.”

She shook her head, “I don’t care, that’s evil thing, off now.”

Melissa put her arms around herself, “But Nana, I paid…”

She cut her granddaughter off, “And you will take back to the store and get your money back, now off now.” She stepped up and made a move to unbutton the dress.

Melissa knew she had no choice. She helped her grandmother unbutton then take off the dress. She watched as her nana held the dress in two fingers and opening the door, she stepped outside.

“Nana, where are you going?” she was torn between running up the stairs to get clothes on and following her nana to see what she was doing.

“Ugh” she said loudly and ran up the stairs.

Nana carefully held the dress out in front of her, “I know you. You no hurt my Melissa.”

She looked around and saw a roll of large, black plastic garbage bags. Placing the dress carefully on the ground and without taking her eyes off the dress, she opened the package, pulled one bag out, found the opening and shook it open. Taking it to the dress, she picked it up and held it above the garbage bag.

“Nana, what are you doing?”

Nana saw Melissa coming towards her. She quickly dropped the dress into the plastic bag, twisted the top and tied a knot in the top.

“Nana, why did you…”

She interrupted, “Here, you take this now and we go to the store to take it back.” she pushed her granddaughter towards the car, “come, I go with you.”

Melissa begrudgingly walked to the car, opened the door and got in, waiting for her nana to close her door.

Sam heard the bell above the door chime. He stowed the book he was reading under the counter and looked up.

“May I help you?” He recognized the woman from earlier today entering the store, followed by a small, elderly woman holding a large plastic bag gingerly in front of her.

“Yeah, uhm I want to return the dress I bought.”

“Okay, can I ask why?” He thought he knew the answer, but he had to ask.

“Well” Melissa began.

Nana walked in front of her, “I tell you why, because this thing is evil and you should be ashamed of yourself letting innocents buy such things.” She pushed the bag into Sam’s hands, “you give her back her money and she never come here again.”

Sam loved this old woman. That she saw through the façade to the truth filled him with hope yet fear.

“Of course. If you would just come to the register.”

“No, you bring money here, we go no further in.”

Sam nodded, “Of course, I’ll be right back.”

He walked to the back of the store, around the counter, placing the bag next to the register. Opening the cash drawer, he took out the money and walked back to the two women waiting. He held out the money to Melissa.

Melissa took the cash from Sam, “Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome, please come again.”

Melissa smiled and turned to follow Nana.

Nana turned to look at her granddaughter and shook a crooked finger in her face, “And you never come here again.” she looked around Melissa to Sam, “and you” she shook her finger at him as well; “you should go away from here too.” Sneering, she looked around the shop, “this place stinks of the evil one.” And they walked out the door.

Sam walked back to the counter thinking he old woman was right. But he also knew he would never be able to get out of his binding contract.  He sat down, pulled the scroll out of his pocket and began reading.

#2: Spiders:

Daron walked in the door and saw Terina and Danial sitting at the dining room table. He hung up his coat and put his shoes into the closet. Coming to the two at the table, he bent to kiss his wife and pound fists with his son.

He looked around, “Where’s Leila?”

Before Terina could answer, they heard screams coming from directly above them.

Daron ran and reached the staircase first; starting up the stairs, taking them two at a time. He reached his daughter’s room and threw open the door and was just in time to catch a flying stuffed bear that was headed for his face. Stepping into the room, he took in the mess of the room; a little girl he had never seen before was standing on the bed; throwing anything within reach at something on the floor; Leila was sitting in the farthest corner of the bed, facing the wall, her hands over her helmet.

He could hear his daughter screaming, “CALL 911!!!”

The other girl was also screaming, “AHHHHH…IT’S GOING TO EAT US!!”

Keira grabbed at the lamp on the nightstand; readying to throw it; Daron quickly ran to stop her. Taking the lamp from her, he put it back in its place.

He looked around on the floor for the crawling creature that made his daughter act this way.

“It just went under the bed.” Danial said.

Daron squatted, lifting the bed cover to look where his son was pointing.

He felt a tap on his shoulder and looked up to find Terina standing there, holding out a tissue, “Here, use this.”

He took it from her and dropped to his stomach to look under the bed again, and found the offending 8 legged creature crawling away from him. Moving further under the bed, he reached out and using the tissue, he grabbed for it. He scooted out from under the bed, holding the tissue tightly in his hand. Standing, he opened the tissue and saw the crumpled mess.

“Did you get it?”

It was Keira who asked, but they all looked at him, waiting for the answer.

“Yes, I did”

A sigh of relief was heard all around.

“Are you sure?”

He looked at Leila, she held her visor open slightly. Terina had her arm around her and the other girl was on seated on the other side of her.

“Do you want to see?”

Leila shrank back. Daron turned to dispose of the tissue.

“I want to see.” Danial said.

Leila closed her visor and hid her face in her mother’s chest.

“Wow, that’s cool.” Danial said.

Daron turned once again to go.

“Can I see?”

He turned to see the girl who moments ago was throwing things at the creature. He realized he didn’t even know who this child was, “What’s your name?”

“She’s Keira from next door.” Danial offered.

“Well Keira from next door; are you sure you want to see?”

She nodded and walked on the bed to where Daron stood. Putting a hand on him to steady herself, she watched as he unfolded the tissue.

He watched Keira as he showed her what lay inside the tissue. She gave a look of surprise, then frowned.

“What’s wrong?”

She stepped away from him, “I feel bad; he was pretty.” She looked over her shoulder, “Look Leila, it has nice eyes.”

Leila didn’t answer, just sat there unmoving.

#3: Quick Changes:

Two more days, he thought, then he would get his phone back and be back at his flat. He didn’t even get a chance to text Preti that he would be gone for a week. Well, he knew he was leaving, but it wasn’t supposed to be until Monday morning. Sure, he could have told her before, and he would have on Friday, but how was he to know that his parents would be waiting for him at his flat; imagine, opening the door after an office party, turning on the light and finding your father sitting; back completely straight, feet flat on the floor. Luv’s saving grace was that he wasn’t in the mood to drink, so at least he didn’t stagger through the door drunk and have to hear a thirty-minute dissertation from his father on how he himself had never taken one drop in his whole life and how Luv should follow in his footsteps. But before he knew what was happening, they rushed him out the door, onto a waiting auto rickshaw, off to the metro station and onto a train for an eight hour ride home.

He learned the hard way that when he was in his father’s company, he could not be on his phone. His father held out his hand and Luv handed him his phone and watched it disappear into his father’s shirt pocket. That was five days ago.

The week started out okay; seeing old friends, eating the food he had been dreaming about and seeing his grandmother. Catching up with old childhood friends and seeing the newest movie. He was just about to take a nap, when he heard his mother calling him.

“Oh Luv, come sit with me.” His mother sang out sweetly.

He knew his mother; he knew he was probably walking into some kind of trap, but he didn’t think he really had a choice.

Walking into the room, he saw his father; mother, grandmother, uncle and a woman he thought he recognized, but couldn’t place, sitting around the table. It looked like some kind of inquisition. He took two steps back, but his uncle saw him before he could retreat to safety.

“Ah, there he is the man of the hour.” Rohan; his paternal uncle stood, came closer to Luv, put an arm around him and directed him to an empty chair, opposite the unknown woman, his grandmother on one side, his father on the other. He felt a his uncle’s hand gently push him down into the chair.

His mother “You remember Auntie Sundari, she was the one who found Samar for Vidya.”

Luv felt all the blood drain from his face; he suddenly knew who this woman was. A marriage arranger. His elder sister Vidya’s marriage arranger to be exact. He started to get up, but his uncle, still with his hand on Luv’s shoulder gently, but firmly held him down.

Sundari smiled, “I’ve a lot of nice women that will make good mothers for your children.”

“Look at this one Luv; she is a nice looker with good teeth.” His mother; Sita pushed a picture over to him.

He looked first at his mother, then down at the picture. He was a bit taken aback; the woman did indeed have good teeth, but what he couldn’t stop looking at was not her face…well, not all of it at least. What he couldn’t stop looking at was the mustache she sported. It was not just a shadow or play of light on some wayward hairs here or there. It was a full, dark mustache; one that made his modest mustache and goatee seem like peach fuzz. And it was right there; below her nose and above a prettily shaped lip painted with pink lip gloss. The dichotomy mesmerized him. He could not stop staring.

“I can see that you are quite taken with her, would you like to know her name?” Auntie Sundari said.

His grandmother leaned over and looked at the picture he held, “What is that on her lip?” she took the picture from Luv for a better look, she glared at Sundari, “is this one of those he/she’s?”

Sundari put a hand to her chest, “No, I assure you she is all natural woman.”

The picture was passed to Luv’s father, “No son of mine is going to marry such a woman.” He tossed the picture to Sundari face down, “what else do you have?”

Sundari; a bit put off, bent down to her bag, pulled out a manila envelope. Opening it, she pulled out several folders. She chose one and opened it, unclipped a picture and looked at it, “She is a medical technologist, a good job, a good family, a very cute girl.” she handed it across the table, to Luv.

Picking up the picture, he saw a very pretty girl. Her hair in a thick, long braid that was draped over one shoulder. He heard his father’s sound next to him; a kind of ‘she’s not too bad’ grunt. Luv’s father took the picture from him.

“What’s wrong with her?”

Auntie Sundari smiled widely, “No, nothing.”

Luv’s father stared at the woman until her smile faded.

She sighed and shrugged, “She may be a bit small.”

“Huh? What do you mean a bit small?” Luv’s grandmother asked.

Sundari kind of squirmed in her seat, “Just a bit shorter than normal.”

“How much shorter?” Luv’s uncle asked.

Sundari smiled again, “Well, there is not a reference, so what am I to say?”

Luv tried to help. Standing, he said, “Okay, I’m this tall.” He put a hand up, even with the top of his head, “Is she this tall?” he put a hand up even with his shoulder.

“Maybe a bit shorter.” Sundari answered.

Luv moved it down to halfway down his upper arm, “Here?”

“Maybe a little bit” she held up a hand, the distance between her thumb and forefinger about two inches.

Luv’s father stood, “Enough of this.” He faced Sundari, “How tall is the woman?”

“Well” she stood and rounded the table to stand near Luv, “maybe here.” She held a hand even with his waist.

Everyone was speechless. Luv was the first to recover, he faced her, “So, she’s 150 cm?”

“Hmmmmaybe a little less.”

“Look, how tall is she?” Luv’s father was fed up.

“137 cm” Sundari blurted.

Luv sat down, “So I would be over 40 cm taller than her?”

“And the other one?” Luv’s father pointed to the folders at Sundari’s place.

“Oh, she is a lovely girl”

Luv’s father held his hand out to her, “Give her picture to me, I will decide.”

Luv stood just inches taller than his father, looking at the picture in his father’s hand, he saw a middle aged woman.

“How old is she?” Luv asked a little upset by all of this.

Sundari smiled, “You must understand, it is getting towards the end of the season.”

Vikaram was not smiling, “Do you have any women between the ages of twenty-five and twenty-eight?”

Sundari motioned to the mustached woman, “She is…”

“Without facial hair, at least 165 cm.” Vikaram’s face was red now.

Sundari saw everyone looking at her, waiting. She lowered her head, “No”

“We are done here then.” Vikaram threw the pictures of the women unceremoniously in Sundari’s direction.

She put the pictures in the folders, put them back into the envelope and into her bag, “If I find some, I will call.”

“Yes, yes, yes.” Vikaram waved her away.

The women left; Luv, his father and his uncle were left.

“I will look for a good match don’t worry.” Rohan also left the room.

“What was that?”

His father looked at him, “You should be getting married. You have a good job, you make good money, it’s time for you to marry and have a good life. You’ve had your fun; it’s time to be a man.”

              “But I told you I don’t want to be arranged.”

              His father looked at his hands and stayed quiet.

Luv tried to appeal to his softer side, “Please, I don’t want to be forced to marry someone I don’t love.”

              His father made a sound of disgust, “Love is a myth; stop chasing dreams. What’s real is to get a good match, have good, strong, intelligent children and live your life.”

              He controlled the anger he felt. He respected his father, but on this he would stand strong. He had to think what to say, he knew if he lost his temper now, his father would only see him as a rebellious child. He slowed his breathing, when he felt calm, he began, “You told me you would let me choose?”

              “That was three years ago and what do you have to show for it? Are you engaged? Even close to getting engaged? Do you even have a girl you at least like?”

              Luv shook his head, “I won’t be arranged; I’ll run away if I have to.”

              “Leave him alone”

              They both turned to see his grandmother coming towards them.

              His father tutted, “Mami, please stay out of it.”

              She came to her grandson, took his face in her hands and smiled at him, “My Luv.” She pulled him from his seat, “you go see what Vimla is cooking, go.” She smiled and watched him leave.

              “Mami, you should not have let him go. You should have stayed out of it.”

              “Ah, the way I left you alone when your father wanted you to marry; and you were older than Luv is now, or do you not remember; the girl with the nose for the face?”

              “Yes, but”

              She held up a finger, “And, you were married not long after that.”

              “Yes, but”

              She held up a finger again, “And?”

              He sighed, getting her point, “And it turned out well.”

              She smiled and touched her son’s face, “He is just like you. And, like you, he will find his own way.”

              He looked to the doorway, “But Mami, I worry about him.”

              Her face was kind, “That’s what makes you a good father.”

              He looked down at his hands, “He hates me.”

              “Nonsense, he loves you. It’s just that you two are too alike; two headstrong men.”

              “I just hope he will find his way.”

              She waved a hand, “He will be fine. Just see.”

              Luv went directly to his father’s office, to his desk, to the bottom drawer and retrieved his phone.  Turning it on, he looked at all the missed messages. He smiled when he saw a message from the leader of the touring motorcycle club he belonged to. Reading it quickly, before he could be found out. A trip was being scheduled for Friday. Luv sent a message back, saying he would be there; something to look forward to. Next, he opened the app that he and Preti communicated on, he saw there were at least three pages of messages, but he had to close it quickly when he heard his name being called.

              “Luv? Come to dinner.”

              “Coming” he said as he turned off and replaced his phone into the desk drawer.

Stargazing

Thank you Cliff; aka Indigo sky for taking this picture; he held
a Canon Elph at the eyepiece of his 102 mm telescope.

I took this picture from my kitchen window, using my phone;
I liked the reflection it gave off; almost like there were two
moons.

(My $0.02-A full moon can cause a man to turn into a wolf; if wished on, it can make someone fall in love with you. If kissed under it, the couple are destined to be together forever. There is a song by John Denver called Shanghai Breezes; the chorus goes: "the moon and the stars are the same ones you see, it's the same old sun up in the sky. And your face in my dreams, is like heaven to me; like the breezes here in old Shanghai." but I wonder...is it the same? If i look at the fullest, brightest, biggest moon here, would someone half a world away see the same moon in their nightime? Would it have the same effect on them as it does on me?) Hmm...

Turning to her side in the truck bed, Iri propped her head on her hand and looked at Kal, “I thought that went well.”

He looked at her, “Which part? The one where I basically told everyone we were going out? Or the part where I had to give each of the students free star party passes to keep them quiet?”

She giggled, “You could have let him ask me out; I would have let him down easy.”

He just looked at her.

The night had started out well; it just went downhill from there. He arrived early at the place he deemed the “star party” place. As the professor’s assistant (called PA by the students) it was his job to teach the practical part of astronomy. When the students arrived, he handed out the assignments, gave some instructions then let them go. The assignment was to find certain constellations in the night sky; either by telescope or by the naked eye and answer questions about them.

Not wanting anyone to know about his and Iri’s budding romance that began just the other day at the beach, he tried to avoid staying around her. He knew if he stayed by Iri the whole time that people would become suspicious, so he walked around, while keeping an eye on her. He found two boys standing and talking; not really doing the assignment.

He walked up to them, “Do you guys have any questions?”

“Yeah” Kyle said, “have you ever thought about asking Iri out?”

Kal looked at the boy; apparently rumors either hadn’t reached this far or what happened at the beach, stayed at the beach, “No” Kal lied.

“I’m going to.” Kyle shook his head, “I can't take it anymore; she’s all I dream about.”

Leroy snickered, “Tell him about last night’s dream.”

Kal didn’t think he was going to like this; already feeling anger just knowing Kyle thought about Iri, “That’s okay; he doesn’t have to.”

Kal started to walk away, but Kyle put a hand on his arm, “No, you’ll like this.”

‘I doubt that’ Kal said to himself.

“So, I dreamt that I drove this sic yellow Maserati to her house. I knocked on the door and she had on this long coat; kind of like what private eyes in them old movies wear.”

“You mean a trench coat?” Kal could see where this was heading.

“Yeah, yeah” Kyle said, nodding his head, “so we got in the car and I asked her where she wanted to go and she said to drive and she would tell me where to go.”

Kal closed his eyes, trying to calm down; he really didn’t feel like he was up to a fight tonight; especially with a student.

“So, I start to drive and she starts taking off her trench coat.”

Kal held up his hands, “Okay, that’s enough.”

“But I haven’t gotten to the part where she…”

Before he knew it, Kal turned and got into Kyle’s face, “I don’t want to hear anymore.”

Kyle held up his hands in surrender, “Okay, okay, dude, it’s only a dream.”

“Okay” Kal said, taking a step away from Kyle.

“Wait a minute” Leroy stepped between them, “you guys hooked up; didn’t you?”

“No, we haven’t.” Kal said, taking a step away from Leroy.

Leroy closed the gap between them and looked at the taller man, “I don’t think you would get fighting like about Kyle’s dream if you two didn’t.” he took another step towards Kal; the two now stood toe to toe, “am I right?”

“No, you’re not, now can you get back to the…”

Kyle joined in and Kal saw that others were coming near to see what was going on.

“No, I think Leroy’s right; you two hooked up. How far did you get?”

“We didn't hook up; I’m telling you.”

“Come on Kal; give.” The two boys stepped closer which made Kal step away.

“There’s nothing to give, nothing happened.”

The boys caught onto that and ran with it, “So you did hook up with her.” they badgered.

“No, we didn't; we just went to the beach.” Kal realized too late what he had said.

Kyle looked at him, “But you just said that you two didn’t hook up.”

Iri looked up and saw a commotion across the field, “I wonder what’s going on over there?” she asked.

Winchyme stood, “Let’s go find out.”

They walked across and as they got closer, Iri heard Kyle shouting at Kal.

“Just admit that you hooked up.” he and Kal stood and faced each other, both angry and oblivious of who was around them.

Iri didn’t know what the beef was between the two, but she stepped up to see if she could help.

Kal had enough of this; he looked down at Kyle, “Fine, okay; yes Iri and I hooked up; I like her and she likes me. Are you happy?”

All sounds ceased and Kal looked around and saw Iri looking at him.

‘I didn’t just say that out loud; did I?’ he asked himself, but by the astonished looks on the faces around him, he knew it was true.

“Well, you’ll see: everything will turn out for the best.” She lay back down and looked at the stars.

“I hope you’re right.” Kal said, folding his arms under his head.

She moved closer to him; laying her head on his shoulder, “I like the big dipper.” She turned her head to look at him, “that is the big dipper, right?” she pointed to the constellation.

“Yes, just find the North Star; it’s about the brightest star in the sky.” He pointed to the star, “then move to the west” he watched as she moved her hand to the right, correcting her he said, “the other west”

She looked at him as he moved his arm to the left. She blushed, but in the dark, he couldn’t see it.

“If you follow it to the west, the next two brightest stars are the pointer stars; then count the stars; one, two, three” he pointed to each star as he counted, “four, five, six and seven. All seven of them make up the big dipper; also called Ursa Major.

She remembered her father teaching her about the Big Bear; he said was him and the Little Bear was her. She missed him a lot and wondered why she was thinking about him so much lately. She figured it was because Kal liked the same things he used to. ‘What is it that they say; a little girl always looks for a man like her father to fall in love with’ that thought startled her and brought about the next thought, ‘am I really falling in love with Kal?’ she would have to do some deep inner searching to answer that question.

He loved teaching her new things and sharing his loves with her, “You know, there is a legend the stars of the Big Dipper were the seven wise men called Rishis. They made the sun rise and shine. They were happily married to seven sisters named Krttika. They all lived together in the northern sky.

        But one day Agni, the god of fire rose from the flames of an offering performed by the seven Rishis and fell in love with the seven Krttika. But, he knew that they were married. Trying to forget his hopeless love for the Krttika, Agni wandered in the forest where he met Svaha; a minor goddess. To conquer Agni's love, Svaha disguised herself as six of the seven Krttika. Svaha couldn’t pretend to be the seventh sister Arundhati, because she was too devoted to her husband to be imitated.

       Agni, thinking that Svaha was the Krttika, fell in love with her and she had a baby she named Skanda. When he was born, rumors began that six of the Rishis' wives were his mother. Six of the Rishis divorced their wives. Arundhati was the only one that remained with her husband and together they are  the star Alcor; that’s why when you look at the second star of the big dipper it seems like two stars are there.”

“That was a cool story.”

        He shrugged, “I‘m taking a myth and legend class.”

        She yawned.

        “Yeah, it is getting kind of late.” he pulled out his phone and saw that it was eleven thirty, “I guess we should be going back.” He sat up; which made her sit up also. Leaning over, he touched his lips to hers. They broke away and looked at each other. He put a hand to the side of her face, pulled her closer and they kissed again. She pulled away and saw his eyes open slowly.

He straightened, “We better go.” The moon was shining and it was just too perfect here; in the middle of the field, no one around for miles and with the moon so big and bright; sifting its romance spell down on them. He knew if they started something now, he wouldn’t be strong enough to stop. Moving towards the back of the bed of the truck, stood, climbed over the tail gate and jumped down. He helped her down and as she slid down the length of his body, they shared a kiss, then another.

“We could go to the beach house; it’s not far from here.” She tempted.

He shook his head, “I have to get up early tomorrow.” Taking her hand in his, they started walking to her jeep.  The moon kept calling to him. He stopped, pulled her to him and kissed her. He broke the kiss and looked at the moon glowing in front of them.

“Cut it out you stupid moon.” He said under his breath, beginning to walk again.

The Mind Reader

My son's plasma light

(My $0.02: Magic to me is not the prestidigitation or the slight of hand that is performed by the nowadays magicians. It is more the Old World, almost supernatural, hard-to -believe things that exist; that is the true magic.)

Sebastian walked to the neighbors’ house, opened the back door and entered the kitchen; which was also the hub of his taxi service. Looking to the table, he saw two people seated there; his other driver; a young blonde Australian man who went by the name Rio and an smaller, older woman; the dispatcher and owner of this house; his dear friend Maria.

                The woman rose, “Let me get you some breakfast. What would you like?”

“Just coffee, thank you Maria.” He looked toward Rio, “Where’s the pick-up log?”

“By the phone.” The big man answered tipping his chin in that general direction.

Sebastian walked to the phone. He saw the newspaper lying on top of the log; folded to isolate a particular article. The headline caught his eye.

“I Can Read Minds”

His brow furrowed, in his world, he was the only one that had the ability to read someone’s thoughts. Here, where there were very few people who could do even the most rudimentary of magic, he was doubtful.

Picking up the newspaper, he walked to where the woman was and handed the newspaper to her; tapping the article, “You don’t really believe this do you?”

She shrugged, “You won't tell me.”

“No, I won't.” He stood only feet away from her, staring at her.

She put her hands on her hips and stared back at him.

Rio cleared his throat; breaking the stalemate, “My Mum swears by fortune tellers.”

They both looked at him.

Sebastian thought about it, “Well, just let me check it out before you go, okay?” he directed this more towards Maria, but also spoke to Rio. He took a seat at the table; across from Rio.

“Oh, okay; but do you think you can go today? I have an appointment for early tomorrow morning.”

“Why? What do you need to know that’s so urgent?”

“Well” she brought him his coffee cup and a plate with toast, “I want to know Liana’s future.”

Sebastian sniffed, stirring sugar into his coffee, “She’s only a month old; I think you have time for that.”

She shrugged, “Well, there are other things too.”

“Like” he said around a mouthful of bread.

“Never you mind; there are just things I want to know.”

He knew that if he really wanted to find out what the other things were, all he had to do was to touch her and he would instantly know her thoughts. But he promised himself; after the last time had gone so terribly wrong, that he wouldn’t “read” those close to him. He stared at her frowning.

He blew out the breath he was holding, “Fine”

Maria was visibly relieved, “Sometime today?”

He nodded, “Yes, yes. What time is my first pick up?”

Walking to the table by the phone, Maria picked up the log and looked at it, “Not until ten-thirty. The mind reader place opens at nine.”

“Okay” He stood, finished his coffee and shoved the last of the toast in his mouth, “I’ll go there now.

 

Callie gasped and Ermelinda had to stifle a laugh. Her friend was really laying it on thick for this client.

Callie looked deeply into the ‘crystal ball’ and Ermelinda wondered if the woman knew it was just a modified plasma ball.

“And you will meet a tall, dark, handsome stranger.”

The woman across from her popped her gum, “Oh really?” Ermelinda cringed at the nasally voice, “when?”

Callie looked deeper into the oscillating blue and purple streams of light, feigning concentration, “I would say between today and the next six months.”

Ermel knew this wasn’t true; in fact she knew with certainty that the woman would probably spend the rest of her life alone. She sighed inwardly.

                The woman was excited, sitting on the edge of her seat, “What about his name?”

Glancing at her watch, Ermelinda nudged Callie’s chair with her foot; their sign that the hour consultation was up.

“Hmm, Let me see if the spirits will tell me.”

She saw Callie reach under the table and switch the light off. The ball lit up suddenly, then dimmed and finally darkened. Callie met the woman’s eyes, “No, I’m sorry; the spirits have retreated back into the shadows. That will have to wait until the next time.”

Looking from Ermel to the woman, “You did set up the next appointment?”

Both women smiled and nodded.

“Next Tuesday at 10.” The woman said brightly.

Callie smiled and stood, “Then, we will see you next Tuesday.”

Ermel stood and walked the woman to the door, closing the screen door after her.

Callie looked at her, “So now, that’s all you have to do.”

Ermelinda looked at the older woman; horrorstruck, “That’s all? Come on Callie, I can't do that by myself.”

She laughed, “oh Ermel, don’t look at me like I’m feeding you to the lions.” She put her arm around the younger woman’s shoulders, “you can do this.” She squeezed her closer, “Come on, I won't be gone long; and no one is scheduled to come until the afternoon.” Callie looked at her and pulled her to her side, “you’ll be fine.”

“But what if a walk in comes?”

Callie walked back to the closet; Ermelinda followed.

“What if I get a walk in?” she repeated.

Callie wrapped a scarf around her neck before donning her coat, “Just use your talent.” She winked at the younger woman.

Ermel shook her head, “But Callie, you know I don’t...”

Callie took hold of both of her shoulders, “Ermelinda, you can do this. You’re good at it.” she grabbed her purse and headed for the door, “And, I’ll be back before you know it.”

Ermelinda followed her; pulling the screen as well as the inner door closed. She moved to the big picture window and pulling the curtains aside, she watched her friend go down the stairs to her waiting car.

Scanning the surroundings and seeing no one, she breathed easier, “No one’s going to come; right?” she let the curtains fall back into place, trying to comfort herself. She dropped into the nearest chair, curled up into it; draping her legs over the arm. Reaching to the table behind her, she picked up a book, opened it to the bookmark and began reading.

 

 

Sebastian opened the car door and threw the paper onto the passenger seat. He got in, closed the door and started the engine. Picking up the paper, he looked at it again, to check the address.

“Pfft…” he threw the paper down onto the seat, “what these humans won't believe.”

 

He arrived at the address. Parking in the rear lot, he walked to the front of the house, climbed the stairs up to the porch and tried the door. Finding it open, he walked in.

Ermelinda woke from her nap suddenly; sensing someone was staring at her. She looked up and saw a very tall man with a smile on his face.

“Hello”

She sat up and looked at him, “H-hello.” She said unsure, “may I help you?” she got to her feet; a little too fast, her head swam and she had to steady herself with a hand on the chair; the book slid to the floor.

He picked it up and handed it to her, “Are you okay?”

She took the book from him and waved him away, “Yes, I’m fine thank you.” she stood up and looked at him; gathering herself, “how can I help you?”

He looked at her, “I’m looking for the one who can read minds?”

“Oh, uhm that’s me.”

He looked at her, “You read minds?”

She nodded and walked towards the table set up in the middle of the room, “Yes”

He sat opposite her and saw the crystal ball set up in front of her.

She followed his glance from the ball to her face; she wondered; did she really want to do this? She had seen him in her dreams and knew that he would come and now, here he was. She knew her life would never be the same if she did this. Was she really ready? She didn’t know. She thought about it a little while longer and knew that she couldn’t; she didn’t know how long she could put it off, but she was going to try nevertheless. Her shoulders drooped, “No”

He looked at her; confused.

‘It’s not really lying’ she reasoned with herself “What I mean is, the woman that you want; her name is Callie; she’s not here, but she’ll be back soon.”

He looked at her; eyebrows raised, “So, you don’t read minds?”

She shook her head, “No” she thought about it, “I mean yes.”

A smile spread across his face, “Let’s start again; shall we?”

She nodded, looking into his eyes. The color changed from brown to grey then back again and she wondered if he had some kind of new type of contacts.

He waved his hand in a ‘go ahead’ gesture.

“Oh, okay; may I help you?”

He smiled, “Yes, I am looking for the one who reads minds.” He sat forward, “is it you?”

She also smiled, but shook her head, “No, well yes.”

He was about to say something, she spoke before he could.

If this man before her was the one she saw in her thoughts he would find out the truth. If he wasn’t, then it won't matter anyway, “I don’t read minds; but I can …” she searched for a word, “assess things.”

His smile faded, “Assess?”

She nodded, “Yes, I know things, but I don’t know how I know them; well I sort of know, but not really.” She looked at him, “do you know what I mean?”

“Oddly enough I do.” He sat back in the chair and held both hands out, “very well then; assess away.”

She looked at the man who sat facing her. He looked to be about 6’4” tall. His piercing stare made her feel like he could see straight into her soul.

“Well, I can't do it just like that; may I ask you a question?”

“Certainly”

He sat up, something on the shelf behind her catching his eye. He stood and walked around behind her. He picked up a small figurine of a dog; turning it over, he looked at her, “Ask, please.”

She turned in her seat to look at him; at his back at any rate, “Well, can I have your name?”

“You tell me.” He wouldn’t give her any hints; let her sweat it out. Putting the dog back, he picked up a bird, “you are the mind reader.” Before she could rebut, he corrected, “I mean assessor; therefore assess.”

She closed her eyes and tried to slow her breathing, she looked up, “I’m getting an S.”

He gave her a nod, wondering if it was just a lucky guess, “Close enough, we will go with that.” He replaced the bird and looked at the book shelf in the next room, “And your name is?”

“Ermelinda, but my friends call me Ermel.”

He nodded, “Ask another.”

She rose and followed him; noting which books he looked at and which he skipped over, “You don’t like fiction books?”

He replaced the book he had been perusing, “Not necessarily.” He knew he was being ambiguous and difficult, but he wanted to see exactly what she could do.

She nodded and took a few steps when he moved on.

“Are you married?”

He looked at her, “Are you?”

She looked deeper into his eyes and wondered why they looked so sad. She wanted to look deeper.

He looked away first; wondering why she was making him feel nervous.

“This is your house.”

The way he said it was more of a statement than a question.

Ermelinda nodded slowly, “Yes”

He turned in the middle of pulling out a book; finding it curious, “But you are not the mind reader?”

“No” she knew what he was thinking, “her husband doesn’t like her to…” she faltered.

“Perform?” he offered.

She nodded her head slowly, “Her husband doesn’t like when she performs at their house.”

He pushed the book back in; wondering if this was a performance also, “You must be a good friend to lend out your house.”

She nodded again, “Do you like movies?”

He gave her a distasteful look, “I like watching something I can learn from.”

“Documentaries?”

He nodded, moving onto the next bookcase.

She saw him ready to pull out her favorite book, she intercepted him, “Do you mind if we sit down?”

“No, not at all.”  He allowed her to take the book from his hands; careful not to touch her.

“Good” she pushed the book into the space and led the way back to the table, “I can concentrate so much better when sitting down.”

Pausing at his seat, she waited while he sat, then walked around the table to sit opposite him. She put her hands on the crystal ball, but felt stupid; she picked it up and placed it on the shelf behind her. Turning back, she got more comfortable in her seat and closed her eyes. She inhaled to a count of two, then exhaled to a count of two; slowing her breathing.

He was going to purposely make it difficult for her, “Do you meditate?”

She opened one eye and looked at him, “Sort of”

He nodded, “Okay; go on then.”

She looked at the man across from her. He looked like every other twenty/thirty something year old guy; dressed very casually in jeans, a t shirt and a black leather coat. She watched him sit back in the chair; one leg crossed over the other; an arm draped across the back of the chair next. His skin was a deep olive color; his hair a dark brown. His Eyes now looked more green/gray than the brown they were before. 

As she watched, his image flickered and what she saw although it looked like the same man, the countenance was totally different. The jeans and t shirt were gone and the clothing that now draped the man was so elegantly made; Ermel wondered if the man was from royalty. The double image looked at her and the aura of power and influence that he gave off made Ermel want to cower away from him. The image shimmered and the two images separated, then overlapped in an almost double exposure.

Not knowing if it was her or the man himself that made her see this strange dichotomy she shook her head to clear the picture.

He leaned forward, “Is everything alright?”

She nodded her head; not sure which image to respond to; since both seemed to have asked. Closing her eyes, she thought about the way he first appeared to her. She fixed in her mind his eyes, nose, mouth, facial structure. Going deeper in her mind, she brought in colors; first black, followed by blue, yellow, green and finally red. The colors began to spin, swirling. She felt the familiar tug on her consciousness and had to force herself to relax and not fight it. Being dragged out of her body, the colors of her essence mingled with those in the whirlpool; drawing her into its center. Strange memories and emotions flooded her mind and she stifled a scream as the torrent threatened to drown her. The spinning slowed then stopped she could better feel and see what she was being shown. Her body began to rise out of the colors; some still clinging to her. She felt giddily light; floating and found herself gently returned to her body.

His hand involuntarily gripped the chair. ‘What was that?’ Just for a moment, he thought he felt something; some other presence in his mind, but that was highly improbable. Even on his own world; only his father or someone on his elder board could enter his thoughts; and that was only when he wasn’t blocking. He looked at the woman across from him, ‘Impossible’ he thought and almost laughed to think that she could have done such a thing.

He waited patiently, watching her facial expressions. Her eyes suddenly flew open.

She saw him smiling at her, “Better?”

She nodded, still trying to interpret what she just saw and felt. Ermel now understood the sadness she had seen in his eyes. Even now, the overwhelming emotion made her want to cry out.

Looking at her, he sensed something was going on with her, “So now, what is your assessment?”

She put her hands below the table, so he wouldn’t see them shaking; she tried evading, “Well, you know to get an accurate assessment, I would probably have to….”

He looked at her more intently and didn’t like what he saw, “What is your assessment?”

She hated doing this; she had promised herself a long time ago, that she would never do this again. she remembered the last time she had told someone of her “seeings” the look of doubt on her friend’s face when Ermelinda had told her what was going to happen; then the horrified look on that same face when it came to be just as she said.

She looked at his face again; it was completely neutral; showing no indication of what she saw; nothing that could be reconciled with her vision. She took a deep breath.

“I saw…” she hesitated.

He leaned in closer; watching her eyes fill with tears. The emptiness in his stomach turning into a gnawing fear, ‘She couldn’t possibly know’ he told himself over and over again.

“I saw that you…” she couldn’t go on. Putting her hands to her face, she began to sob.

He stood so suddenly that the chair tipped over. Hurrying around the table, he took hold of her wrists and pulled her hands away from her face. From the time his fingers touched her skin, he knew she had been in his mind. He pulled her out of her chair and made her face him.

He tightened his grip on her upper arms and bent to look deep into her eyes, “How?”

She gasped, “It’s true.” She whispered, “I saw…I felt your sadness.”

They stood looking at each other.

She gasped again, “Did you really…”

He jumped away from her as if she had burned him. He headed for the door.

“Sebastian” she called after him.

He froze and turned to look at her; watching her walk up to him.

“How do you know my name?”

She kept walking until only inches separated them.

Even though he stood at least six inches taller than she, he felt like she had brought him to his knees.

“I know a lot about you.”

When he didn’t answer, she went on, “Sebastian, you can't keep this to yourself.” She got even closer to him and put a hand up to touch his face. He intercepted it then quickly let go, lest she “see” his most painful memories.

“Sebastian, please, let me help you. You can't live with such intense pain.”

His face became hard, “You don’t know what I can live with. You don’t know what I’ve been through.”

She nodded, “I know enough. I know that you gave up…”

“Don’t” he said, stepping away from her. When he felt that he was a safe distance away, he said again; this time softer, “Please; don’t.”

She approached him and hesitantly put up a hand, she saw him close his eyes and saw a single tear make a track down his face.

“Hey” she waited until he looked at her, his eyes a swirled mass of silver, blue and red, “I promise, I won't.” she gave him a smile.

He looked into her face, searching her thoughts as well, “Who are you?”

She let her hand drop, “I’m just me; an assessor.”

She walked back to the table and took her seat.

He followed her; picked up his chair and sat down.

“How did you learn to do that?”

She shook her head, “I didn't learn it; I think I’ve always seen things. When I was young, I didn’t understand it; I thought they were just stories I made up in my mind, but later I knew they weren’t.”

He nodded his head slowly.

“You can do it too; can't you?”

He nodded, “Something like it.” he didn’t know how much she had gotten; he would have to be more careful in the blocking of his thoughts.

“You can't you know.”

He looked at her; unsure of what she was talking about, “Can't what?”

She smirked, “You can't block me out.”

The pit in his stomach was growing, “You can” she nodded, “even now?”

She smiled and nodded, “Scary huh?”

He looked around at the small house, “Why are you hiding here?”

She put her head down and began tracing the pattern on the tablecloth, “I don’t fit in anywhere. Everybody freaks out when they realize that I can…let’s just say that they don’t like knowing that I know.”

“Well” he waited until she looked at him, “I can understand why. Now I know how it feels when I do it.”

“But at least you have to touch someone to get something. All I have to do is talk to them and I know; I don’t even have to see them.” She began shaking her head, “you don’t know how many friends I’ve lost because of it.”

“And the mind reader; does she know?”

She shrugged, “Callie thinks I’m a good guesser; I’ve never told her the truth.”

“Can she read also?”

“A little bit, not as much as I can.” Her smile faded a bit, “I just like having a friend; even if she thinks…”

Remembering how his people back home treated him; even though they’d known him all of his life and knew his powers, he could relate. He knew that she could help him.

He reached across the table to touch her hand, “Would you come with me? There’s someone I want you to meet.”