7,500 < Novelette < 17,500 words

Wrong Place Right Time Chapter 25

Most often people talk about being in the right place at the right time. Maybe they achieved a beautiful photo of a sunrise, or the antics of children or animals. Maybe they found something someone lost and received a big reward when it was returned. But how often do they talk about being in the wrong place at the right time? If they do, it’s often about the death of someone or maybe witnessing a crime. And if this is the case, they are sad or horrified. Walter Williams often is in the wrong place at the right time, though his reaction to the incidents he encounters is much different than anyone would expect. And, life-changing.

Wrong Place Right Time Chapter 24

Most often people talk about being in the right place at the right time. Maybe they achieved a beautiful photo of a sunrise, or the antics of children or animals. Maybe they found something someone lost and received a big reward when it was returned. But how often do they talk about being in the wrong place at the right time? If they do, it’s often about the death of someone or maybe witnessing a crime. And if this is the case, they are sad or horrified. Walter Williams often is in the wrong place at the right time, though his reaction to the incidents he encounters is much different than anyone would expect. And, life-changing.

Wrong Place Right Time Chapter 23

Most often people talk about being in the right place at the right time. Maybe they achieved a beautiful photo of a sunrise, or the antics of children or animals. Maybe they found something someone lost and received a big reward when it was returned. But how often do they talk about being in the wrong place at the right time? If they do, it’s often about the death of someone or maybe witnessing a crime. And if this is the case, they are sad or horrified. Walter Williams often is in the wrong place at the right time, though his reaction to the incidents he encounters is much different than anyone would expect. And, life-changing.

Wrong Place Right Time Chapter 22

Most often people talk about being in the right place at the right time. Maybe they achieved a beautiful photo of a sunrise, or the antics of children or animals. Maybe they found something someone lost and received a big reward when it was returned. But how often do they talk about being in the wrong place at the right time? If they do, it’s often about the death of someone or maybe witnessing a crime. And if this is the case, they are sad or horrified. Walter Williams often is in the wrong place at the right time, though his reaction to the incidents he encounters is much different than anyone would expect. And, life-changing.

A Prom Night to Remember

After his best friend Billy's jealous ex-girlfriend mistakes him for Billy’s new prom date, Jensen Paganelli finds himself preparing to spend his prom night dressed to the nines as a girl as revenge for the way Billy’s ex broke his heart.

Everything I want

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Everything I Want
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

“You would seem to have everything I want,” he said.

“I am very proud of my boys,” I said, switching the phone from the image, and slipping it back into my pocket.

“Not just your family,” he said. “Your house on the river, your relaxed lifestyle up here, and clearly you are in good health.

Keep Practising

Keep Practising

By Nikkie Silk

Chapter One

“Oh, I thought you’d be a man.”

I sighed. It wasn’t the first time, and it probably wouldn’t be the last time I would hear those words. With my slight build, narrow face, long dark hair held in a ponytail as per Health and Safety regulations, and topped off with the Corby’s Plumbing baseball cap, I looked, to say the least, androgynous. It wasn’t unusual for me to be mistaken for a girl, so I flashed a smile at the woman and asked her if she knew where her stopcock was.

My Sweet Greg

Jill tells us of her budding romance with Greg. Their relationship takes an unexpected turn when they discover that they share a common bra band size. Jill guides and encourages Greg to make some new fashion choices that are well received by her family.

Laura, part 25

I take a deep breath as I stand on my mark at the end of the street, flanked by four other young women the same age as me. We’re all dressed more or less the same- either loose summer dresses or (in my case at least) a floaty tank top and a short denim skirt, along with strappy summer sandals and thick make-up. I know I look gorgeous and I know I look effortlessly, perfectly feminine, but I’m still nervous- after all, there’s a lot riding on today, and the tiniest flaw in my look could ruin everything.

Soixante-Trois Airlines: Sophie, part 11

“We’re not objects!” Sophie chanted, backed by dozens of her friends and colleagues. “We’re not objects!”

“You go, girls!” A passer-by, a young woman in her early twenties, said, giving the picket line a thumbs up as she walked past them and into the vast concourse of Heathrow airport. Nevertheless, Sophie still felt uneasy.

Confidence Trick - (a Fitness Class short)

Confidence Trick

(A Fitness Class short)

by Lynda Shermer

Sarah's Stiletto fitness class at the center ended. I was awarded certificates, one for Tim, and one for Karen. Somewhere on YouTube is a recording of our final recital. Of course, in it, I'm almost unrecognizable. It garnered some nice comments and likes at the time, and then pretty much dropped from sight.

There have been some changes since then; I moved in with Julie (she had the better furniture and view of the two of us).

See things through a woman’s eyes

This story revisits many of the characters and locations found in the first story in this series. The story can be read stand-alone, but it may be more enjoyable if you first visit or revisit ‘A Walk to a New Life’, which is listed on my stories page. Whatever you choose, enjoy it.
The story follows the changes in the life of Rory Sinclair, as his alter-ego, Samantha, becomes more and more significant in his life

You Are a Meany Chapter 29

Luke called back home the morning after the reunification of the Saturday Morning Bike Club. Waiting any longer to talk with his family was out of the question. The call would have come as soon as the friendship rekindled but he was sucked up in the moment. By the time the moment quit dragging him by his hand the time was already 9:00. That is way too late to call back to Pittsburgh.

Aidan's Tale HATBOX



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Aidan wants to be a good boy...a good Christian, whatever that actually means? After seeing a lad being bullied, he wants to do something... anything to help the boy. He prays, believing that the same divine presence that healed his Ma would provide an answer. In his wildest dreams he never imagined that Aidan Patrick McAuley himself would be the answer to his own prayer.



A Grumpy Old Man’s Tale 29 Yasser Arafat, Slobodan Milosevic, Colonel Gaddafi

I mind playing with my gran’s sewing pins. She was a seamstress and used expensive, thin, steel pins, not the cheaper more common, thicker, iron ones that were used by virtually all women in those days. I’d been playing with them with a magnet and some had become magnetised. She’d complained to my dad, ‘I don’t know what that bairn of yours has put on them, but I’ve even scrubbed them with Ajax powder and still they stick together.’

Junior Golf

Junior golf is a sequel to "Golfing with Mom" and "Ladies Invitational". Didi and Sandy are moving on with golf as they start school together. Didi is learning how to act like a young lady as her best friend Sandy is teaching her about being a girl.

Ian, part 18

“Hey, it’s Sonic the Hedgehog!” Stuart says as I enter his music room, earning laughter from our friends and an eye roll from me.

“Funny man,” I snort.

“Yeah, I thought so too,” Stuart says with a smug grin.

“And how long am I gonna have that nickname for, anyway?” I moan as I pick up my bass guitar and start tuning it. “I washed the dye out days ago…”

“More’s the pity,” Mikey laughs.

Go Your Own Way - Chapter 6 Final Chapter


Chapter 6



Final Chapter

If possible, the girls were looking forward to graduation day even more. They decided that, for secrecy, the only girls in on the plan were Amy, Anna, Sarah Nelson, and Karen Price. Not that anyone would talk. Of course not; teen-aged girls don’t talk much, do they? The more people involved the more chance someone could “slip”,“ Well, I told a few people, but I told them not to say anything!” That would never happen!

Go Your Own Way - Chapter 4


Go Your Own Way



Chapter 4



by Jamie Simms

It seemed like just seconds ago Avery had snuggled in a warm bed in a dark room. He awoke to a room that was bathed in sunlight. He headed toward the kitchen, stopping for a bathroom break. He found his mom at the kitchen table, reading some papers.

“Hello, Sweetie. Oh, we don’t go around the house in just a nightie. Go slip something on over it.”

Ashley, part 18

“Look, there goes the freak!” A voice whispers as I walk down the school corridor, minding my own business. I don’t dignify the bully with any kind of response- instead, I just keep walking, telling myself that their insults can’t hurt me… Even though deep down inside, I know that’s not true.

Go Your Own Way - Chapter 3


Chapter 3

Due to the circumstances, Mom gave Avery a temporary deferment regarding discussion of what she knew were probably serious gender issues. It wasn’t discussed because they both realized they were in no condition to attack issues other than the one all-consuming issue at hand.

Go Your Own Way - Chapter 2


Chapter 2

Saturday morning Avery awoke to the smell of bacon and eggs cooking. Mom was fixing a nice breakfast so, presumably, he would have a full stomach to make a full confession. When he went into the dining room, she put a full plate in front of him and inquired, “Can we talk after breakfast?”

He gave the only answer he felt would satisfy her, “Yes, ma’am.”

“Thank you, Honey. You know ….” Her cell phone chimed. She looked at the screen and the blood went from her face. “Hello?”

A Grumpy Old Man’s Tale 28 Treated Like a Mushroom

Dave said, “I mind scavenging hedges for bottles as a kid. Most had three old pennies return on them, beer bottles and pop bottles were like that, but we thought we’d made a fortune if we found a cider bottle, because they had six old pennies return price on them.

Spies Like Us

 

Spies Like Us
by Melanie Brown
Copyright  © 2021 Melanie Brown

Captain Wainright, now a fifteen year old girl, has her hands full officially assigned to watch a boy.

This is a sequel to Spy Game. It will help if you read that first. -- Ed

A Grumpy Old Man’s Tale 27 I Loved the Old Money

Part of the butcher’s tour was past my two great aunties’ houses on Lords Lane. They were two old widow women who lived in a pair of isolated semis both of whom had lost their husbands in the Great War. As a child I’d heard them described many a time as batting for the other side, but they’d been dead many a year before I realised that referred to them being suspected of being lesbians. Looking back I don’t think that was true. They were just a pair of lonely sisters who’d managed to find a man when they were young and were too old to find another after they lost them to Flanders’ fields. There was so great a shortage of men after the war the competition for them was fierce and they were ten maybe fifteen years too old by then. They treated me wonderfully and it was years before I realised I was the nearest they’d ever come to having a child of their own. It’s enough to make a grown man weep.

A Grumpy Old Man’s Tale 26 Bearthwaite Folk to the Core

Kilts always have been expensive, and many a man couldn’t afford one, most of the men I knew when I was a child had inherited theirs. But all the men and the boys too had to be wearing one if they expected to be fed at Granny’s house on a Sunday, even the toddlers too. I mind my youngest brother Graeme wearing one when he was still in nappies [US diapers] and so young my Mum was still nursing him.

Soixante-Trois Airlines: Sophie, part 10

“I’m sorry sir, but I’m not allowed to discuss that,” Sophie said as she poured the passenger his coffee. “Will there be anything else, sir?”

“Non, that will be all,” the middle-aged businessman replied in his refined Parisian accent. Sophie dutifully bobbed a curtsey and dragged her trolley back to the kitchen, where her supervisor was waiting with a sympathetic smile on her face.

“I couldn’t help but hear that, honey,” Annabelle said softly. “You got another one of those questions?”

What Do I Do Now? - Part 2

WHAT DO I DO NOW? PART 2

@ @ @ @

Sam had a night he would never forget, a lifelong transvestite he had taken advantage of his wife’s supposed absence to venture out for the first time dressed as his alter-ego Samantha. He was in a gay bar enjoying himself when in walked his wife in the arms of what appeared to be her girlfriend. Devastated at finding out his wife was a lesbian. He took to drinking to help deal with the reality of the situation.

SAM’s story.

He slid off his stool and stumbled toward the door.

A Grumpy Old Man’s Tale 23 Gladys Takes a Turn

You know Enid Alan’s first wife died young. Veronica met him when she was eighteen and he’d four kids. Eventually she had another four. But the funniest thing she telt me was the first time she tried her hand at pastry making which wasn’t long after they’d wed, Alan’s six year old telt her, ‘This pastry tastes like sellotape smells, Mum’

A Gayle Blows Up Part 11

Part 11

She showed us the sheaf of papers and I saw that I could sing most of them already as I had heard them and even sung along with a few off the radio. She then told us that she would organise a take-out to be delivered at midday.

Finn and Fiona Part 3 of 8

Finn and Fiona. Day Three

Following my actions yesterday, I put my soiled pyjamas in the bath and got into the shower for my wash, wee and shave. This was a worry now as I had, as Fiona, spent a day with other people and had been kissed by a whole gamut of men. I realised that I had enjoyed it.

Misfits - A Sort of Love Story

This is the story of two gender non-conforming teens back in the benighted 1980s. Two kids trying to find their places in the world and finding a kindred spirit.

Thanks to Lizzy Bennet, editor and friend extraordinaire.

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Fall 1983. Spencer’s Gifts in the Nanuet Mall.

Lyle and Josh were flicking through the racks of posters, the clicking sound getting faster and slower.

Fitness class

The doctor looked at the chart, "Well, you'll be glad to know, there's nothing wrong with your heart. You've just spent too long not eating right and sitting behind a desk. I'd say you should start with walking, stretching, warm up exercises, calisthenics, and only then try something more strenuous."

No Matter the Cost, Part 3

No Matter the Cost: Part 3

By Camospam, Wendy K, and Gabi.

A non-canon Whateley Academy tale

Arkham Research Centre (ARC)

“Ulrich Oberon! I need you to find Cameron Burke, there is no time to waste,” insisted Lynn.

“My Lady, You are in danger, my place is here - protecting you.”

A Hackneyed Tale of Serious Gravity, Chapter 6 Finale

A Hackneyed Tale of Serious Gravity, Chapter 6

By Portia Bennett

Introduction: I’m sure everyone has come across a story or two about someone finding that bottle or lamp that after the appropriate action releases a genie who will grant a certain number of wishes for the lucky person who happens to find it. Quite frequently, the person finding the genie doesn’t read the ‘fine print’ and the results are frequently not what the person making the wishes desired. The greedy and the dishonest seem to get the worst of it. In the case of this story, I guess we’ll just have to wait and find out.

Time flies when you’re having fun. Our two lovers have been married for 10 years; 10 very happy years, I might add. Now we are back in the town where Sandy’s adventure began. Rick had some business there, and the entire family came along. They were seeing America. Then Maxie showed up.

A Hackneyed Tale of Serious Gravity, Chapter 5

A Hackneyed Tale of Serious Gravity, Chapter 5

By Portia Bennett

Introduction: I’m sure everyone has come across a story or two about someone finding that bottle or lamp that after the appropriate action releases a genie who will grant a certain number of wishes for the lucky person who happens to find it. Quite frequently, the person finding the genie doesn’t read the ‘fine print’ and the results are frequently not what the person making the wishes desired. The greedy and the dishonest seem to get the worst of it. In the case of this story, I guess we’ll just have to wait and find out.

Well, it’s back to the big date. Without question, Sandy is looking forward to it. She’s still a bit puzzled about why she is so looking forward to it. Becky puts it in very simple terms. Sandy is growing up.

A Hackneyed Tale of Serious Gravity, Chapter 4

A Hackneyed Tale of Serious Gravity, Chapter 4

By Portia Bennett

Introduction: I’m sure everyone has come across a story or two about someone finding that bottle or lamp that after the appropriate action releases a genie who will grant a certain number of wishes for the lucky person who happens to find it. Quite frequently, the person finding the genie doesn’t read the ‘fine print’ and the results are frequently not what the person making the wishes desired. The greedy and the dishonest seem to get the worst of it. In the case of this story, I guess we’ll just have to wait and find out.

Apparently, Becky was not too upset about finding out about Sylvia. It certainly had to have been a surprise, but obviously things did work out. At least our narrator thought they had.

Mother and Daughter, part 17

“…And that’s another week done, then!” Sade teased Ellie as they made their way out of their university campus. “Now the REAL hard work starts, heh!”

“Meh, I wouldn’t call it THAT hard,” Ellie replied with a sad smile. “Well, not PHYSICALLY hard, anyway…”

“Yeah, I get that,” Sade said softly. “But, you know, end of one era, beginning of another?”

“Yeah,” Ellie replied. “And I am looking forward to it, really, I just-“

“It’s okay, I understand,” Sade whispered, giving her friend’s hand a gentle squeeze as they headed to the nearest tube station.

A Hackneyed Tale of Serious Gravity, Chapter 3

A Hackneyed Tale of Serious Gravity, Chapter 3

By Portia Bennett

Introduction: I’m sure everyone has come across a story or two about someone finding that bottle or lamp that after the appropriate action releases a genie who will grant a certain number of wishes for the lucky person who happens to find it. Quite frequently, the person finding the genie doesn’t read the ‘fine print’ and the results are frequently not what the person making the wishes desired. The greedy and the dishonest seem to get the worst of it. In the case of this story, I guess we’ll just have to wait and find out.

Back to the present, sort of. Rick has shaken Sandy to the core. Everything she thought about herself is eroding away, and rather quickly, I might add. Yet, she cannot find anything in the original wish that would indicate why this is happening to her.

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