Welcome to Monday, my friends. Here in Northern New York We are considering putting the whole state on Prozac. It can’t seem to make up its mind whether it is summer or fall, winter some days. Seriously, I had an ex who was, let’s say confused, and she was like this, back and forth. One day hot, one day cold. One day lovin’ on me, one day digging holes to bury me in the garden. It sucked… A lot, and so far summer here has been the same. You know, a Prozac a day keeps me walking and talking and out of prison, so if the state has to go on Prozac to get past this, well we all got to sacrifice sometimes.
Okay, Prozac is useful in its place, so I am not knocking it at all. Summer is, so far one day long and now fall is back. For real, it was like eighties two days ago and this morning it was 42. That is not good at all. Let’s hope for better soon.
Hurricane. Will I keep the working title? I do not know, but I will publish it sometime this week. I like it, hopefully you will too. I have some other work I want to publish also, more in the Glennville series or maybe some new crime stories. I’ll see. In the meantime, I will leave you with a free look at Hurricane to remind you what the story is about and to get you interested in it, I hope. I hope it is nice where you are. My wife Amber tells me her people in Indiana are enjoying hot weather, swimming, etc. So that’s nice. But I also saw that the middle of the country is get pounded with tornados already too, so there is the trade off as far as I’m concerned. Maybe we are freezing but we aren’t getting the nasty storms here.
Okay, a look at Hurricane. Enjoy it and feedback is always welcome, Dell…
Hurricane
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Mobile Alabama: Monday
“It’s bad luck to skip school on a Monday,” Amy Knowles said to her best friend Deidre Blevins, her voice tinged with playful reproach. The two girls stood beneath the aged oak trees that lined the parking lot, their shadows stretching long as the morning sun began to rise higher in the sky.
“I know,” Deidre sighed, her frustration evident. “But I just can’t do it today. I mean, dealing with those Goddamn Nuns? I’d rather walk barefoot on hot coals.” She kicked at a small stone, sending it skittering across the pavement.
Amy chuckled softly. “You don’t have to come if you don’t want to,” she offered, glancing sideways at Deidre. “I didn’t even tell Jimmy I might not be there.”
“I know that,” Deidre replied, her voice softening. “But I don’t want to leave you hanging. It’s just… sometimes I feel like we’re losing what we had before all this,” she said, gesturing vaguely toward the school building where their classmates were likely gathering.
Amy fell silent, pondering Deidre’s words. They had been inseparable since childhood, sharing secrets and dreams long before boys entered the picture. “It’s been me and you way before Jimmy or Mike came along,” she finally said, her cheeks flushing slightly. “Sometimes it feels like we’re drifting apart.”
Deidre nodded in understanding. “We do… So, where do you and I go today?” she asked, her brow furrowing in thought. “I mean, we don’t have a car, and walking around downtown is just… ugh.” She wrinkled her nose in distaste. “I hate being on foot. Honestly, that’s the only reason I keep Jimmy around—well, that and the pot,” Deidre admitted with a mischievous grin.
“Really?” Amy raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. “I could think of something better…” She hesitated, the words hanging in the air between them. “For right now, he’s okay. I like him well enough.”
A fleeting thought crossed her mind—what could be better than Jimmy? But she pushed it aside, not wanting to complicate the easy camaraderie they shared with deeper feelings.
“I smell rubber burning,” Deidre said suddenly, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “A penny for your thoughts, that’s what my dad always says to me.”
“They’re worth more than a penny,” Amy replied with a playful smile as they approached the parking lot. She slipped her arm through Deidre’s, feeling a rush of warmth at the closeness. “Lead on,” she said, emboldened.
Deidre was taken aback by the gesture, pleasantly surprised. She liked the feel of Amy’s arm linked through hers, a small yet significant connection that felt right. Gazing up at the azure sky, she considered their options. “We could hitch a ride to your place, or we could just wander around downtown,” she suggested.
“But we could get picked up by some psycho too,” Amy warned, her brow furrowing in mock concern.
“Never have,” Deidre countered confidently.
“Okay, but if some psycho picks us up and kills us, I am going to be so pissed at you,” Amy retorted, a teasing smile playing on her lips.
“Never happen,” Deidre assured her as they started across the parking lot, their laughter mingling with the sounds of the bustling school day beginning around them.
“I’d probably follow you anywhere,” Amy murmured softly, the words almost lost in the din of their surroundings.
“Yeah, I wish that were true,” Deidre replied just as quietly, her heart fluttering slightly at the intimacy of the moment.
Before Amy could respond, Jimmy’s voice broke through, loud and brash. “I thought you were staying at school today?” he called out, leaning half out of the window of his truck, his blonde hair tousled in the wind.
“Uh, well, you said you might be here, so Amy and I thought we’d try,” Deidre answered quickly, plastering on a bright smile.
Amy nodded in agreement, a hint of nervousness creeping in.
The car behind Jimmy’s truck honked impatiently, and he twisted around, glaring at the driver. Without hesitation, he popped up his middle finger, a gesture that made Deidre roll her eyes. “So, where we gonna go? I didn’t make no plans and I ain’t got no money,” Jimmy said, his tone casual as he looked back at them.
Deidre felt her heart race; she had about forty dollars on her—two tens in her pocket and the rest hidden in her sneaker. She fished out the two tens, holding them up with a hopeful smile. “This will get us a little way, right?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with possibility.
Jimmy took the bills and stuffed them in his pocket. “We can go out to Mike’s. He’s working on the Nissan today. I can help him, and we can hang out. We have enough for beer now and gas to get there too,” he suggested, a grin spreading across his face.
The car behind him honked again, more aggressively this time. Jimmy turned and shot the driver another glare. “Luck for that little fuck,” he muttered under his breath.
Deidre grabbed his arm, concern flashing in her eyes. “Baby, you’ll get us in trouble. We’ll get caught,” she warned, pulling him away from the car.
The driver rolled his window up quickly, clearly unnerved by Jimmy’s bravado. “Come on,” Jimmy said, his voice brimming with excitement as he opened the driver’s door. Amy climbed in first, followed by Deidre, who glanced back at the car one last time before settling into the seat.
The young guy behind the wheel refused to meet their eyes, and Jimmy flipped him off once more as he climbed back into the truck, laughter bubbling between them as they drove off into the sun-soaked streets.
~
Meanwhile, in a different part of Mobile, Bob Travers, the anchor for TV 8 sat at his desk staring intently at the screen of his monitor. “What does it look like?” he asked, his voice tinged with urgency. The latest National Weather Service radar flickered before him, showing ominous signs.
Rebecca Monet leaned closer, her presence almost electric as she brushed against his shoulder, unintentionally distracting him. “It could be the big one,” she said, her voice low and conspiratorial. “It’s building fast, and they’re already predicting a path that will bring it right to us.”
Bob felt a knot form in his stomach. “Are you sure about that?” he asked, glancing at her.
“I want to be the one that gets it if it does,” she continued, her eyes sparkling with ambition. “I mean, I know I’ll have it at first, but if it goes big, I want to keep it instead of it going to Bethany.”
Bob’s mind raced as he considered the implications. Bethany Jacobs, the secondary anchorwoman for TV 8 News, was his colleague, and he knew the competition was fierce. “Becca, you know I can’t do that,” he replied, attempting to maintain a semblance of professionalism.
“Bullshit,” she countered sweetly, her smile disarming. “I know what your contract says. You schedule. You appoint. It’s your call.” Her hand lightly rested on his upper arm, sending a rush of electricity through him, and her perfume filled his senses, a subtle yet intoxicating blend.
He shifted in his seat, trying to regain focus. “But it’s not just about you. We have a team to consider, and I can’t just hand over the biggest story of the year because you’re asking nicely,” he protested, though his resolve was weakening.
“Come on, Bob. Just think about it. You and I both know that Bethany wouldn’t handle it as well as I would,” she pressed, her voice gaining confidence. “I’ll bring in the ratings. You know how much the network values that.”
He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her argument. She was right; ratings were everything in their industry. But he also understood the risks involved in promoting someone who was not only a colleague but also a friend. “Alright, let me think it over. I’ll talk to the higher-ups and see what we can arrange,” he finally relented, knowing he was treading on thin ice.
A smile broke across Rebecca’s face, and she stepped back, her demeanor lightening. “Thank you, Bob. I promise you won’t regret it,” she said, her excitement palpable.
As she walked away, Bob couldn’t shake the feeling that he was stepping into murky waters. Nevertheless, with the storm brewing outside, he also knew that sometimes, taking a risk was necessary in the world of news—and in life.
Bethany is going to lose it,” Bob murmured, glancing around as if his words might set off an alarm.
“So what?” Rebecca replied nonchalantly, her fingers toying with a loose thread on her sleeve.
“We have a… well, a sort of situation,” Bob began, searching for the right words.
“I know exactly what you mean. It’s not like it’s hidden under a rock,” she said, her hand sliding across his arm in a casual yet intimate gesture. “I would do anything for you, Bob,” she added, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper. The sensation of her body pressing against him intensified, making his heart race. “I mean anything,” she breathed as she leaned in closer, her warm lips brushing against his ear, igniting a spark of electricity that coursed through him.
“Are we on the same wavelength here?” Bob asked, his voice barely above a whisper as he scanned the room, ensuring they were hidden from prying eyes and curious ears.
“I have a few minutes to spare… and I’m sure your dressing room is free. Let me show you what I mean. I think we’re definitely on the same page,” Rebecca whispered, her lips lingering tantalizingly near his ear.
“I… I can’t right now,” Bob stammered, his mind racing with both desire and apprehension.
“Can’t stand up?” she teased lightly, a melodious laugh escaping her lips.
“Something like that,” Bob conceded, feeling his resolve crumbling.
“I’ll meet you there… I can let myself in,” she suggested, her voice dripping with promise.
Bob nodded, feeling a rush of conflicting emotions. The moment her weight departed from him, it was as if a vacuum had formed, leaving only the lingering warmth of her presence and the intoxicating scent of her perfume in the air. He couldn’t shake the thought of Bethany’s impending fury; it loomed over him like a storm cloud. Yet, Tad Edwards, the station manager, had already dropped subtle hints encouraging him to see more of Rebecca, implying that Bethany was losing her charm at the tender age of twenty-seven, and that perhaps it was time for a fresh face—a younger face. Rebecca was just twenty, and she was undeniably captivating. He forced himself to halt that train of thought; he had to focus, or he would never find the strength to stand up.
‘Bethany is really going to be furious,’ he reminded himself again, anxiety knotting in his stomach.
Paul
Paul lay in Jane’s bed, the morning sun streaming through the curtains, painting the room in soft golden hues. He had left early, claiming he needed to handle paperwork for the year-end audit, which was true to an extent, but the real reason was his growing need to be close to her.
“We really have to get going,” Jane said, her voice a gentle nudge from beside him.
“I know,” Paul replied, his heart heavy with the thought of leaving her warmth. Her body was pressed against his, and one of his arms enveloped her. He couldn’t bear to let go just yet. She playfully nipped at his chest, sending a jolt through him.
“Ow,” he exclaimed, feigning injury. “Okay… maybe tonight? I could say I’m working late.”
“I can’t, you know I have classes… What about tomorrow?” she countered, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
He smiled, “That will work.” His hand slid down to her curves, squeezing gently before he reluctantly released her. She lingered a moment longer, pressing her lips to his in a tender kiss before rolling away. “I love you,” she said softly.
“I love you too,” he responded automatically, the words flowing easily from his lips. “I’ll go first?” He made his way to the shower, and a few minutes later, he was merging into traffic on I-65, headed toward the Airport Road exit.
Paul and Jane had been together for nearly a year. He no longer grappled with the notion that he was cheating on his wife, Peggy. The realization felt liberating; she was likely pursuing her own interests anyway. It simply was what it was.
He didn’t dwell on the love he felt for Jane either. Sure, he told her he loved her, and he truly did. She possessed a perfect body, and he adored it. Her spirited attitude captivated him, and her unwavering devotion was intoxicating. But, the deeper kind of love—the one that made you weep, the one that ached in your chest? No. He had once loved Peggy like that. He loved his daughter, Deidre, in that way too. She could ask for anything, and he would give it to her. She didn’t take advantage of that love; she was a good kid, steering clear of the pitfalls that ensnared so many others her age. He had no real concerns about her. All of his profound love, the kind that could wound him, was reserved for her. He didn’t believe she would ever misuse it.
He and Peggy had drifted apart years ago, and it felt like there was no way to mend the rift. Janey had begun to push for a more permanent arrangement between them. Her little boy, Lincoln, who was just two, already regarded Paul as a father figure. Paul figured that eventually, he and Janey would probably end up together.
Deidre had about six months left of school before heading off to college. Ideally, he wanted her to stay local, while Peggy’s father had grand plans for her in New York. And let’s be honest; he usually got his way. Money had a powerful voice, and Peggy’s father had plenty of it.
Either way, once Deidre was gone, there would be little reason for him to stick around. The thought of sleeping in the same bed with Peggy, maintaining the charade for what? For whom? They were only keeping up appearances for Deidre’s sake. If she were gone, what would be the purpose?
He told himself there would be no point. Janey would likely get her way sooner rather than later.
As the radio played softly in the background, Paul listened while keeping an eye on the road. The news was unremarkable—just a tropical depression stirring off the coast of Africa. A significant one, the weatherman claimed, worthy of attention. Paul thought it might amount to something, though he doubted it. These storms often veered off course, heading up the coast or striking Louisiana or Texas. Most likely, this one would do the same.
He came to a near dead stop, trapped in a long line of cars inching their way onto Airport Road. Janey would be along in another thirty minutes or so, and he found himself lost in thought while waiting. With Peggy’s father’s wealth backing her, it wasn’t wise to make themselves an easy target. On the surface, Peggy might appear indifferent to their situation, but Paul suspected that deep down, she too was contemplating their future. Six months from now loomed large in his mind. It could be a fresh start or the end of everything he held dear. He imagined divorce papers and the possibility of Peggy using her father’s resources to make his life miserable. He wasn’t about to make it easy for her.
In those quiet moments, he reminded himself to be cautious. They were careful to never leave at the same times or be seen together; it was a survival tactic in a game that felt increasingly like a battle. The only reason he had endured the last few years was Deidre, their daughter. He couldn’t bear the thought of a custody dispute that would pull her into the fray, nor could he imagine a world without her. Losing Deidre would be like losing a piece of himself. He knew Peggy understood that, which was why she might try to use it against him. For spite. For payback. Women, especially those with fathers who had deep pockets, could be ruthless when pushed.
He had no doubt that had he pulled the plug on their relationship a few years ago, Peggy would have ensured he never saw Deidre again until she was old enough to make her own decisions. But, what if Peggy had already begun to poison Deidre’s mind against him? The thought churned his stomach. He could do without Peggy and even Janey, but not Deidre. So here he was, day after day, enduring the tedious routine until the six months had passed and he hoped for freedom. He inched forward through the crawling traffic, desperately trying to clear his mind of the chaos brewing within.
Then came the audit—a sobering thought that sent a shiver down his spine. Janey was genuinely helping with the audit, and he had brought her on board. The mess they were dealing with was overwhelming, riddled with problems that would require Janey’s keen intellect to fix. He believed she could handle it, but he needed to convince her to take it on as her own idea. That was key. He pushed those thoughts aside, focusing instead on the road ahead.
Suddenly, the line of cars broke free and poured onto Airport Road. Paul sped up, merging into the middle lane just in time, earning a blaring horn from an irate driver of a beverage delivery truck who did not intend to let him in. With a sigh of relief, he made it to the left lane, signaled at the light, and cut across the feeder road into the restaurant parking lot.
As he parked, he noticed a moving van—a familiar sight—was once again occupying a spot in the lot. Companies often did that, but he couldn’t recall any nearby moving company with that name. His thoughts drifted back to Peggy and her father’s money. The very idea that they could hire a private detective to follow him, to dig into his life, sent a chill down his spine. He reminded himself once again: just six more months, and then she could do as she pleased with her father’s money.
He whistled lightly to himself as he walked toward the restaurant, the familiar sound echoing in the stillness of the air. Unlocking the door, he stepped inside, the scent of coffee and baked goods enveloping him like a warm embrace.
Meanwhile, in the Huntsville State prison recreation yard Dave Plasko skillfully maneuvered the basketball under his knee and passed it across to Steve Minor. They had previously allowed Darren Reed to join their little group, but his sluggish mental pace had led to confusion and panic on the court. It was clear he was better off watching from the sidelines, which was exactly what he was doing now.
Steve caught the ball, faked to the left, and with a deft motion, dashed to the right. He shot, and the ball barely kissed the rim before swooshing through the net. “That’s it! You dudes are done,” Dave declared, a triumphant smile spreading across his face.
“Another one?” Light asked, eager for one last shot.
“Got to work, Light,” Dave replied, shaking his head. “I have outside clearance duties. Can’t mess that up. We’ll play when I’m back this afternoon.”
“Now, how is it you three white boys got that all sewn up?” Light quipped, laughter in his voice.
“Hmm… We’re white? … It’s Alabama? How the hell should I know? This is your messed-up state, not mine, Light. You know we’re not about that life,” Dave shot back playfully.
Light bounced the ball across the small basketball court adjacent to the main prison yard and into the Recreation box on the other side. “Yeah, if you could only play that well all the time…” Dave joked, but the camaraderie in their banter was palpable.
Just then, the yard gate swung open, and Jack Johnson, an overweight correction officer, stepped in and scanned the yard. “What the hell, Plasko?” he barked when his eyes landed on him. “You and your girlfriends ready to go to work or not? I ain’t got all goddamn day, you know.”
“Later,” Plasko replied, exchanging fist bumps with Light. “On our way, Mister Johnson,” he called out, leading Darren and Steve across the rec yard toward the gate.
Peggy
Meanwhile, Peggy Blevins approached a young woman who was intently examining the computers on display at Computer Terminal where she worked the floor as a salesperson. Peggy had earned her stripes as the top seller, having outperformed her peers for the last eight consecutive months.
“Can I help you with anything?” Peggy asked, her voice gentle yet confident.
The girl looked up, smiling shyly. She was petite and Asian, likely a student, Peggy thought. On a budget and in need of a laptop that balanced quality and affordability. Her nearly black hair framed her face, accentuated by narrow, dark-framed glasses that lent her an air of intelligence, which made Peggy wonder just how much she knew about tech.
“I need something for school… A laptop… but I’m on a budget,” the young woman replied, her voice laced with a hint of concern.
Look for it soon! I’ll post links once it is out.
Book-09: Apocalypse: America Lies Dying
The United States of America are no more. The people left to fend for themselves with no governments, cites, electricity, grocery stores, medicines… It’s all gone. . #ApocalypticFiction #EarthsSurvivors #Zombie #Horror #Series #Epic #Adventure #Dystopian https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details?id=AQAAAEDyI2RjhM
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