A soup of the day Story John is an ex-con just released after twenty years in prison. This is the end of his first day of freedom. The flash story 'A Bowl of Soup" was the first tale.
Cindy was the only woman who ever meant anything to Howard, but she was gone. He'd met others who reminded him of her, but things always ended the same way. Then he helps Betsy out of a tight spot and she goes home with him... but can their relationship survive? ***Warning*** This is a DARK story. It's not happy and light. It's gritty and full of not-so-nice things. Really. Trust me.
A Rachael of Emarukistan Story Rachael's slave training business is doing well. She agrees to train a young female slave on behalf of the Grey Monks, a quasi-religious order with an unsavoury reputation. When Rachael gets to know her trainee's background she is unwillingly drawn into the murky politics of the Grey Monks. A betrayal puts Rachael's own freedom from slavery at risk.
After 25 years of marriage, John and Lyndsay discuss the regrets that they have. How does this affect their relationship? Very little sex, rape is more offscreen, but at the core of the story.
This is my story. It's mostly true. I have changed some names and locations but the events as best I remember them are true. It's been over 25 years and I still remember as if it just happened.