Sunday, August 31, 2014
267
Kell's fingers held her chin, tipped up to see eye to eye. Lane blinked and her mouth went dry for Kell's eyes seemed to hold the world. His dark, swooping eyebrows were always so expressive, and now they showed caring beyond that which she had ever experienced. Eyes, wide open, taking in and showing everything. The moment stretched and held and Lane would go back to it again and again in her memory, wondering what had become of Kell.
Monday, August 25, 2014
266
Sophie heard them whispering, she just didn't care.
"She's doing it again."
"Shh! She'll hear you!"
"She never does. Look! Watch her!"
Two pairs of eyes popped over the side of Sophie's cubicle. Sophie knew the two office bitches were watching and listening. And giggling. What did Sophie care? Let 'em. It wasn't like she wanted to stay in this padded, open-topped cell for one more second, much less for the rest of her life.
"She's doing it again."
"Shh! She'll hear you!"
"She never does. Look! Watch her!"
Two pairs of eyes popped over the side of Sophie's cubicle. Sophie knew the two office bitches were watching and listening. And giggling. What did Sophie care? Let 'em. It wasn't like she wanted to stay in this padded, open-topped cell for one more second, much less for the rest of her life.
Saturday, August 23, 2014
265
Dee heard crickets and leaves rustled by the wind. Traffic, always. The computer's laboring mechanics, always. The fluorescent lights, always. But crickets and leaves and birds, too.
She opened her eyes and tried to really see, but that was more difficult. All Dee saw was MESS and UNDONE and IF ONLY. Dee sighed and closed her eyes again. Crickets, wind blowing softer and harder and softer, a bird.
She opened her eyes and tried to really see, but that was more difficult. All Dee saw was MESS and UNDONE and IF ONLY. Dee sighed and closed her eyes again. Crickets, wind blowing softer and harder and softer, a bird.
Friday, August 22, 2014
264
Jarod's hands ached as did his knees, but the need to finish was greater than the pain. The fat piece of chalk slipped from his fingers again and again and he finally gripped it with both hands, knees digging into the stone floor as he leaned forward to complete the diagram. Jarod finally sank to his right hip, the last sigil in place, and stretched his legs out carefully, avoiding smudging the drawing. A greater ache began in his stomach when he thought of the night to come; the night where he would perform the high magic needed to complete the spell. It made his already tired body and mind sink into an agony of weary dread. Anticipating pain and knowing there was no way to avoid it and, even more than that, willingly inflicting it upon oneself was worse than the act itself.
Thursday, August 21, 2014
263
I dreamt last night that you died.
How horrible! Was it?
No, because you were already dead. I was helping set up your estate sale when I realized that it was you. I was saddened, of course.
How did I die?
I don't know. You did have some nice collectables for the sale.
Do you think it could be prophesy?
Not unless you have some vintage Christmas cut-outs in storage.
No... No, I don't. I suppose that's good.
I wouldn't worry. I usually dream about being lost in a labyrinth or losing teeth, and that's not yet happened.
Perhaps.
How horrible! Was it?
No, because you were already dead. I was helping set up your estate sale when I realized that it was you. I was saddened, of course.
How did I die?
I don't know. You did have some nice collectables for the sale.
Do you think it could be prophesy?
Not unless you have some vintage Christmas cut-outs in storage.
No... No, I don't. I suppose that's good.
I wouldn't worry. I usually dream about being lost in a labyrinth or losing teeth, and that's not yet happened.
Perhaps.
Monday, August 18, 2014
262
"It feels like I'm going to jump right out of my skin," Sonja said through clenched teeth.
"Mmm..." The counselor made a note. "And then what?"
She perched on the edge of the sofa, "And then my skeleton's going to punch you in the smarmy face."
"Mmm..." Another note. "Would that make you feel better?"
"I hate that you never look up at me."
"Mmm..." A glance over her glasses and back to the notebook. "You don't think I look up at you enough?"
"At all, you..." Sonja cut herself off. The frustration was rising, and it felt like the counselor was baiting her.
"Mmm..." The counselor made a note. "And then what?"
She perched on the edge of the sofa, "And then my skeleton's going to punch you in the smarmy face."
"Mmm..." Another note. "Would that make you feel better?"
"I hate that you never look up at me."
"Mmm..." A glance over her glasses and back to the notebook. "You don't think I look up at you enough?"
"At all, you..." Sonja cut herself off. The frustration was rising, and it felt like the counselor was baiting her.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
261
Lost again, between realities. It feels so real, but then, it is real, for the moment. Waking and dream are dream and waking. He had to keep remembering his training. It wouldn't do to lose the Captain of the ship only partway through the voyage. Bad for morale.
Saturday, August 16, 2014
260
I have a piece of broken mirror in a wooden box on the back of a bookshelf in my workroom. I have not taken it out of the box since the day I found it. I would say I haven't thought about it since that day, but this is not a place for lies; it is a place to find the truth, even if it disturbs me. Even if I must look into the mirror over my shoulder once again.
Friday, August 15, 2014
259
She had to get indoors and soon. Even more than that, she needed someone to give her advice, or, at least, take the news she had from her so she wasn't the only person to carry the burden. Professor J, she thought immediately. Even if he didn't still live in this old neighborhood, she would still have wanted to go to him. Her walk turned into a trot and she scanned each dark space between the houses and in the empty lots and near the parked or broken cars.
A light was on somewhere far back in Professor J's house. The kitchen, she thought, picturing the eccentric man steaming a chai to keep his fingers warm as he worked late. He wasn't old, but most people thought of him as having been around a long time. It was difficult to imagine him as young, at least.
She could see though the partially-closed curtains through the living room and back towards the kitchen, and yet she was still a little nervous going to Professor J's house so late at night. She was sure he'd help. He'd have to.
She went to the side porch, clutching her bag strap that pulled across her shoulder, and knocked firmly on the wooden screen door. A moment later, the many locks rattling, the door opened, warm kitchen light framing the professor in his loose work clothes and always disheveled hair. "Katie? What is it?" The screen door's spring creaked as he pushed it open for her. "Come in, come in. Are you hurt?" Professor J peered out into the darkness as Katie entered. The screen door banged shut twice and the professor closed and relocked the interior door. Professor J took in Katie, with her bag and flushed cheeks, standing practically on tip toe. "Sit, and have some tea while you tell me what's up."
A light was on somewhere far back in Professor J's house. The kitchen, she thought, picturing the eccentric man steaming a chai to keep his fingers warm as he worked late. He wasn't old, but most people thought of him as having been around a long time. It was difficult to imagine him as young, at least.
She could see though the partially-closed curtains through the living room and back towards the kitchen, and yet she was still a little nervous going to Professor J's house so late at night. She was sure he'd help. He'd have to.
She went to the side porch, clutching her bag strap that pulled across her shoulder, and knocked firmly on the wooden screen door. A moment later, the many locks rattling, the door opened, warm kitchen light framing the professor in his loose work clothes and always disheveled hair. "Katie? What is it?" The screen door's spring creaked as he pushed it open for her. "Come in, come in. Are you hurt?" Professor J peered out into the darkness as Katie entered. The screen door banged shut twice and the professor closed and relocked the interior door. Professor J took in Katie, with her bag and flushed cheeks, standing practically on tip toe. "Sit, and have some tea while you tell me what's up."
Thursday, August 14, 2014
258
"Dust is human skin and bugs."
Chambray looked at the finger she had just run through the dust on the bookshelf. "No," she said, scandalized.
"Yes," continued Fee, relishing Cham's dismay. "It sloughs off your body and floats around. You breathe it in, too." Fee was proud of using the word sloughs. It was new and she was trying it out.
Cham wiped her finger on the rug then on her pants to make doubly sure it was gone. She tried not to breathe until they had left the dusty library.
Chambray looked at the finger she had just run through the dust on the bookshelf. "No," she said, scandalized.
"Yes," continued Fee, relishing Cham's dismay. "It sloughs off your body and floats around. You breathe it in, too." Fee was proud of using the word sloughs. It was new and she was trying it out.
Cham wiped her finger on the rug then on her pants to make doubly sure it was gone. She tried not to breathe until they had left the dusty library.
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
257
10 Steps to Faking a Clean(-ish) House
Recently, probably from Yahoo (king of the useless story), there was an online article that gave 10 ways to get your house presentable "without having to clean". Every step was included...cleaning! This article, the one you're reading right now, will give you the real "10 Steps". These are the steps I take whenever I know someone will definitely be showing up and I need the place to appear as if I was a decent housekeeper all along. (Warning: a few actual "cleaning" tips included, but those may be skipped with impunity.)
1) Guess where the visitors will be most likely to gather. If it's the front room, focus on that. If it's the kitchen, focus there. If there's a path to a home theater, focus on the path and the theater room. Consider which bathroom is most likely to be used, too (more on that later.)
2) Clear any clutter. This step is so awesome that if you can manage it well, you might not have to go any further. The depth of clutter-clearing is up to you, but try to get everything off the floor and try to make surfaces visible (e.g. the kitchen table or counter tops.) At least stack boxes, books and papers neatly.
3) Clothes and dishes--put them all away to help with both clutter and smell. If there are dishes in your sink, yeah, wash them. If you're lucky enough to have a dishwasher, hide them in it. Dirty clothes into a hamper and into the laundry room. No need to do anything to the laundry room because visitors don't go there and, if they do, they deserve what they see and smell.
4) Make the bed (again, only if necessary), straighten wonky curtains, throw-blankets and pillows around the house.
5) Floors. If you have crumbs on the floor, scatter them a bit. Maybe wipe edges of hard floors where junk gathers, if you must (like in the kitchen and bathroom) with a damp paper towel. You can wipe food spots, if you wish, but no need for crazy.
6) Bathroom: hide any clutter (can toss into drawers or into the tub!), squirt cleaning goo into the toilet (for scent and color/telltale bubbles), pull out the shower curtain (if the bottom isn't gross) to hide more around the tub, change the towels. It's important to change those towels! Make sure you have at least one clean, folded hand towel--a dirty towel (or a bath towel) will only cause your guests to be grossed out. If there's one place you might want to actually clean, it's the bathroom, so if you do, this is a good step: wipe down the sink, the soap container/dish, swirl the toilet brush, wipe the seat with a paper towel (and under, for dudes!), and wash the mirror. Actually, if you wash nothing but the mirror it will totally help--spots on the mirror make the room look doubly dirty because of the reflection.
7) Check around for anything embarrassing and put it away. Sensitive papers, weird statuary, lube, sex dolls, etc.
8) Scent the house. Change the garbage, if it smells. Squirt cleaning spray into the empty can, then replace the bag. Quick bake something! Cookies, bread, cinnamon rolls--whatever you like that smells delish. Don't scent your house too much, like by squirting air freshener all over or lighting a bunch of candles. It's a dead giveaway that you're hiding something. Instead, put a few shots of kitchen cleaner into the sink and some dusting spray over carpet--it will smell like you cleaned!
9) If this matters to you, check the outside of your house. Again, clear the clutter. Straighten chairs and wonky decorations.
10) Relax. You want it to look like your house is like this all the time! Don't blow your cover with panting and sweating when the company arrives. Remember that everyone's house is a royal stink-hole when nobody else is there. It's an illusion; one that you now have perfected, too.
Recently, probably from Yahoo (king of the useless story), there was an online article that gave 10 ways to get your house presentable "without having to clean". Every step was included...cleaning! This article, the one you're reading right now, will give you the real "10 Steps". These are the steps I take whenever I know someone will definitely be showing up and I need the place to appear as if I was a decent housekeeper all along. (Warning: a few actual "cleaning" tips included, but those may be skipped with impunity.)
1) Guess where the visitors will be most likely to gather. If it's the front room, focus on that. If it's the kitchen, focus there. If there's a path to a home theater, focus on the path and the theater room. Consider which bathroom is most likely to be used, too (more on that later.)
2) Clear any clutter. This step is so awesome that if you can manage it well, you might not have to go any further. The depth of clutter-clearing is up to you, but try to get everything off the floor and try to make surfaces visible (e.g. the kitchen table or counter tops.) At least stack boxes, books and papers neatly.
3) Clothes and dishes--put them all away to help with both clutter and smell. If there are dishes in your sink, yeah, wash them. If you're lucky enough to have a dishwasher, hide them in it. Dirty clothes into a hamper and into the laundry room. No need to do anything to the laundry room because visitors don't go there and, if they do, they deserve what they see and smell.
4) Make the bed (again, only if necessary), straighten wonky curtains, throw-blankets and pillows around the house.
5) Floors. If you have crumbs on the floor, scatter them a bit. Maybe wipe edges of hard floors where junk gathers, if you must (like in the kitchen and bathroom) with a damp paper towel. You can wipe food spots, if you wish, but no need for crazy.
6) Bathroom: hide any clutter (can toss into drawers or into the tub!), squirt cleaning goo into the toilet (for scent and color/telltale bubbles), pull out the shower curtain (if the bottom isn't gross) to hide more around the tub, change the towels. It's important to change those towels! Make sure you have at least one clean, folded hand towel--a dirty towel (or a bath towel) will only cause your guests to be grossed out. If there's one place you might want to actually clean, it's the bathroom, so if you do, this is a good step: wipe down the sink, the soap container/dish, swirl the toilet brush, wipe the seat with a paper towel (and under, for dudes!), and wash the mirror. Actually, if you wash nothing but the mirror it will totally help--spots on the mirror make the room look doubly dirty because of the reflection.
7) Check around for anything embarrassing and put it away. Sensitive papers, weird statuary, lube, sex dolls, etc.
8) Scent the house. Change the garbage, if it smells. Squirt cleaning spray into the empty can, then replace the bag. Quick bake something! Cookies, bread, cinnamon rolls--whatever you like that smells delish. Don't scent your house too much, like by squirting air freshener all over or lighting a bunch of candles. It's a dead giveaway that you're hiding something. Instead, put a few shots of kitchen cleaner into the sink and some dusting spray over carpet--it will smell like you cleaned!
9) If this matters to you, check the outside of your house. Again, clear the clutter. Straighten chairs and wonky decorations.
10) Relax. You want it to look like your house is like this all the time! Don't blow your cover with panting and sweating when the company arrives. Remember that everyone's house is a royal stink-hole when nobody else is there. It's an illusion; one that you now have perfected, too.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
256
"Christ Almighty, what are you doing?" Janny stopped short in the doorway, disbelieving her eyes. Harrol stood in the middle of his destruction, arms flexing and meaty fists still clenched around the leg of a table. His eyes darted to Janny, silhouetted in the noonday sun, framed by the door, and her stomach clenched.
Sunday, August 10, 2014
255
The end comes too fast, no matter how long it takes. Life takes far longer than anyone imagines, and days flit by like a calendar in a breeze. Marjoram was feeling the passage of time and anxiousness bubbled up inside of her. It was always at the worst moments, Marjie felt, that she decided her life was being wasted. At this moment, it was being wasted in a conference room on the sixth floor of an office building in a city that needed so much work it made Marjie cry when she thought too hard about it. The desire to be out of the room, out of the building, out into the street to even just pick up garbage was threatening to overwhelm her. A polite cough to her right nearly made her yelp, but her fellow worker only pursed her lips in a smile and gave a glance to Marjoram's bouncing leg. Marjie played the dance, smiled and apologized in a mutter, though in her head she swore at the lady.
Friday, August 8, 2014
254
Calliope music from the merry-go-round was punctuated by screams from The Twister, a spinning ride that also lifted and rotated on a giant axis. Funnel cakes floated by on clouds of powdered sugar. Eaters of the funnel cakes stumped by on bloated legs, eating, ogling, and not paying any attention to anyone who might also be walking. Chessie dodged another family of tubers, Mrs. Tuber rolling her bulk in a rented mobility device, and Child Tuber being dragged in a wagon by Older Child Tuber. Mr. Tuber inhaled funnel cake, his third of the day.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
253
What haunted Miranda at every step was a one-word question: Why? Her worn hiking boots crunched on the frozen leaves and snapped twigs. Right foot: Why? Left foot: Why? Right foot: Why am I here? Left foot: Why am I still here? Right foot: Why am I so stupid? Left foot: Why did I agree? Right foot: Why don't I just stop? Left foot: Why am I still walking?
Miranda hoisted her pack higher and tightened the straps again, all the while taking one step after the other.
Miranda hoisted her pack higher and tightened the straps again, all the while taking one step after the other.
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
252
The neighborhood was a toothless, tired old beast with patchy fur and ruinous bones. Houses clumped in twos or threes, and every other house still standing was empty. It wasn't really a "bad" neighborhood anymore because there was hardly anyone still there. Gangs didn't roam because there was nowhere to roam to. Burglars didn't bother because there were no more pickings. Empty houses had quickly lost their copper pipes, water heaters, furnaces, gas meters, radiators and doorknobs. Inspired 20 and 30-somethings may have once imagined urban farmhouses, turning empty lots into productive land, until they tried. The houses that once stood had not been removed thoughtfully and empty lots were not really empty. Basements had been filled with rubble and the dirt that covered them shunted from other projects in better parts of the city; projects that had begun with "remediation".
Monday, August 4, 2014
251
Today is the day that my grandmother died. She was 97 and was born in 1917. We all knew it was coming, but, still.
It makes me sad I didn't get to see her one last time. That the last time I saw her was the one last time, though it was a good visit. Gram patted my hand and looked at my arm and said, "You are so white." I said, "Thanks, Gram. It runs in the family, you know." I'm not sure she knew who I was, but Gram was always friendly and happy. Always happy. Always smiling. Gram didn't always live a smooth life, but she still came out happy. I try to remember that when I hear myself whining or getting ready to be snippy.
I love you, Gram.
It makes me sad I didn't get to see her one last time. That the last time I saw her was the one last time, though it was a good visit. Gram patted my hand and looked at my arm and said, "You are so white." I said, "Thanks, Gram. It runs in the family, you know." I'm not sure she knew who I was, but Gram was always friendly and happy. Always happy. Always smiling. Gram didn't always live a smooth life, but she still came out happy. I try to remember that when I hear myself whining or getting ready to be snippy.
I love you, Gram.
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