The ominous wind from the dark-green clouds swirled to connect with the deadly vortex rising from the earth. The tornado lasted a scant two minutes. In that time, it raced across the high school sports complex and down College Street. The roaring wind crushed the old gym, pinning Wanda under tons of debris. It entombed the volleyball team in darkness below the same gymnasium. It ripped down College Street for no more than two blocks before returning to its raging home in the monstrous clouds.
Women
Book two is on to the editor!
I sent the second book in the Wanda trilogy, A Slip Into the Abyss to my editor today. I feel like a father allowing someone to hold his newborn daughter for the first time.
Categories: College Women, Education, Teacher, Women, Young Adult, Young men
E-versions are out!
Digital versions of A Cork Upon the Sea are available. Find them on
Enjoy Life–Read
Kindle and NOOK to name a couple.
Search for me or for the book on the bookstore’s site.
Categories: College Women, Coming of Age, Education, Teacher, Women, Young Adult, Young men
The Pill
The bright and inviting waiting room had pale-green walls that smelled of disinfectant. On one side, opposite the chair-lined walls, a small counter awaited us.
“May I help you?” The receptionist appeared to be in her mid-twenties. She acted as if this were the most normal thing around. For me, it was the most daring thing I had ever done. I am sure that it was for Salisha too.
The receptionist chatted with us as if we had dropped by to get our teeth cleaned. My hands were sweating; my upper lip followed suit; and my stomach did unfamiliar maneuvers. At the same time, I became aware that my toes were bent in my tennis shoes as if to hold on to the floor (or a slippery slope). I think we filled out some paperwork. My mind was speeding and ricocheting like the little metal balls in a pinball machine.
“Which of you would like to see the doctor first?”
Categories: College Women, Coming of Age, Women, Young Adult
The First Time
In under three minutes, the guys came back with smiles on their faces. “We’ve got the keys. We’re paid up for one hour, but we can stay longer and settle up when we leave, if we want to,” Lance reported.
He drove around, behind one of the rows of cabins, and parked in an inconspicuous spot that could not be seen from the highway. We all got out.
Lance held up the room key and said, “We are over here,” as he started for one of the small cabins. Salisha and I dutifully tagged along.
“Hey, wait. You and me are over here,” Milo said softly to Salisha.
Everyone froze. Salisha and I chimed in in harmony, “What?”
“Yeah, the guy said he could only rent a room to two people, but it’s okay, we had enough money,” explained Salisha’s Puerto Rican, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
“I don’t think so,” I said as I took a hesitant step backward toward the car.
“There are no refunds,” said Lance. “Actually, we didn’t think it was a big deal. We honestly didn’t think y’all would mind.”
My mind raced. The let’s-find-a-reason-not-to-do-this section of my brain seemed to be on a coffee break.
Nothing was coming to my rescue. I wasn’t quite to the panic mode. However, the adventurer in me was draining rapidly into the cool afternoon air.
“Aw come on, girls! We’re just gonna have some fun watching some flicks.” Milo restated the purpose of our escapade.
“If Lance gets out of hand, just give us a call, and we’ll come running,” he added as he smiled and took Salisha’s hand, leading her to the adjacent cabin.
“Well, okay,” I responded, having given up totally on my brain to bail me out of this uncomfortable situation. Also, if I were to be honest with myself, I could sense the feeling of excitement begin to slowly take the place of the pre-panic that was just beginning to wane.
Categories: College Women, Women, Young Adult
David Barger 