#lisa's sunday reading - june

[beljar]

Franz Kafka's Letters to Milena

[April 1920]

Meran-­Untermais, Pension Ottoburg

Dear Frau Milena

The rain which has been going on for two days and one night has just now stopped, of course probably only temporarily, but nonetheless an event worth celebrating, which I am doing by writing to you. Incidentally the rain itself was bearable; after all, it is a foreign country here, admittedly only slightly foreign, but it does the heart good.

I’m living quite well here, the mortal body could hardly stand more care, the balcony outside my room is sunk into a garden, overgrown and covered with blooming bushes (the vegetation here is strange; in weather cold enough to make the puddles freeze in Prague, blossoms are slowly unfolding before my balcony), moreover this garden receives full sun (or full cloud, as it has for al- most a week)—­lizards and birds, unlikely couples, come visit me: I would very much like to share Meran with you, recently you wrote about not being able to breathe, that image and its meaning are very close to one another and here both would find a little relief.

With cordial greetings.

[Prague, July 16, 1920]

I wanted to excel in your eyes, show my strength of will, wait before writing you, first finish a document, but the room is empty, no one is minding me-it’s as if someone said: leave him alone, can’t you see how engrossed he is in his own affairs, it’s as if he had a fist in his mouth. So I only wrote half a page and am once again with you, lying on this letter like I lay next to you back then in the forest.

There was no letter today, but I’m not afraid, Milena, please don’t misunderstand me; I’m never afraid about you, even if it sometimes seems that way and it often does-it’s simply a weakness, a mood of the heart, which knows exactly why it’s beating nevertheless. Giants have their weaknesses as well; I believe even Hercules fainted once. With my teeth clenched, however, and with your eyes before me I can endure anything: distance, anxiety, worry, letterlessness.

[Meran, June 4, 1920]

Friday

To begin with, Milena: What’s the apartment you wrote from on Sunday like? Full of space and empty? Are you all b yourself? Day and night? In any case it must be sad to sit there alone on a beautiful Sunday afternoon opposite a ‘stranger’ whose face is nothing but ‘stationery which has been written on.’ I am so much better off! Although my own room is small, the true Milena is here, the one who ran away from you on Sunday, and believe me being with her is wonderful.

You complain about uselessness. It was different on other days and it will be different. The one sentence (on what occasion was it uttered?) shocks you, and yet it really is so clear and has already been spoken or thought with this meaning countless times. A man plagued by his own devils takes.

Franz Kafka, from Letters to Milena, 1920 // Romantic Letters II by Lisa Audit // River Rock Separation by Joshua Schicker // Woman's Letter by Harrison Fisher // Woman Reading by an Open Window, 1888 by Amaldus Nielsen // Reflective Distance by Tom Reeves // Personal Archives of Correspondence, 1897-1908, 1912-21 (Pen and Ink on Paper, B/W Photo) by Enrico Caruso

Van Gogh's Letters

#correspondence #classic literature #letters to milena #light academia #dark academia #franz kafka #web weaving #parallels #german literature #czech literature #separation #drawing #love letters #romantic aesthetic #romance academia #books and libraries #kafkaesque #artwork #spilled ink #painting #moodboard #prose

[irismitchells]

✦ HAVANA ROSE LIU, CIS WOMAN, SHE/HER ✦ IRIS MITCHELL the TWENTY-SIX year old has been in willow’s edge for TWENTY YEARS ON AND OFF and was a FRIEND to JUNE, from the deceased family. whispers on the streets are that the WAITRESS AT SUNRISE DINER who lives in WINSLOW are said to be INQUISITIVE and SELF-ABSORBED but i guess we’ll find out for ourselves.

PINTEREST | PLAYLIST

full name — Iris Hui Mitchell nickname(s) — Her family calls her Mo for a reason she shall never divulge xx age — 26 date of birth — June 20th place of birth — Charleston, SC education level & job — Currently enrolled in a Speech Language Pathology graduate program with only a semester left. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders and worked as a Child Life Specialist in the Charleston school district for 3 years. After returning to Willow's Edge a year and a half ago, she became a waitress at the local greasy spoon to help support herself through grad school. residence — Winslow (with two roommates... wanted connections incoming) family — Her father Ricky Mitchell is a local car salesman, and her mother Lisa Mitchell (nee Yue) is a reading teacher at the elementary school. Iris also has an older sister, Scarlett, who is an Occupational Therapist in a nearby town.

overview. 

Always hovering somewhere between blue-collar and middle-class, The Mitchell family has always prided themselves on self-sufficiency, independence, and a strong sense of community. They're townies through and through.

Ricky Mitchell is known for dressing up for every major holiday (Santa at Christmas, a leprechaun on St. Patrick's Day, etc.) and holding court at Smokey's. He's a bit of a Character. Lisa, by contrast, is a bit of an introverted neurotic — she most often ventures out into town to participate behind the scenes of town events. Each of their daughters was brought up with a strong proclivity for Getting Shit Done and lowkey.... loving attention and control.💗

Both Iris and Scarlett attended Willow's Edge public schools through 6th grade before they finished their junior and high school experience at a Catholic school a few towns over, so while her parents continued to be deeply entrenched in Willow's Edge society, Iris and Scarlett fell a tiny bit to the wayside as they got older.

The Mitchell family are devout Catholics in name only. The type of people who primarily attend church on major holidays and when it was any run-of-the-mill Sunday Mass, they attended for social reasons. Keep up with town gossip, trade popovers, and sip on sweet tea down in the church basement. As an adult, Iris only goes for Midnight Mass. Lapsed Catholic vibe.

But it was a boy at church that Iris fell in love with when she was 15. Sitting around in the pews during one of their Confirmation classes, each whispered joke Mason Goodwin told about Monsignor Martinez was met with nervous giggles and flushed cheeks from Iris.

They didn't start dating until they were 17 and he was her first, and still only, boyfriend. The relationship lasted for 8 years. They didn't talk about things like marriage or kids or a very defined future until that future snuck up on them. Mason's degree took him west, and he ultimately decided for the both of them that she wouldn't come with. Devastated, Iris returned to Willow's Edge.

Since her return, and nursing a broken heart, Iris took a job at Sunrise Diner. She was one of the very few people willing to wake up at the crack of dawn for the early breakfast shift, after all. Finishing up her Master's, and trying not to still think about Mason, Iris found a lot of comfort in her friendships -- and that included the one with June.

They weren't super close before Iris left for college, but they'd grown increasingly fond of each other as the months passed. June's friendship was one of the things that helped pull Iris out of her breakup blues. In turn, a kind, sweet-tongued comfort when Iris was sad and then a fun-seeking partner on the weekends when Iris needed a distraction. She was a good friend to Iris.

Which made some things difficult... Iris is bad at secrets. She loves to learn them, of course, but she isn't so good at keeping them. She doesn't run her mouth around town, but it's almost always certain that if one friend tells her something semi-secret then Iris is passing that info on to one other friend. She can't help it. And when the secret is her own, it's somehow worse. Her compulsion tells her to come clean immediately or to whisper it into several friends' ears. But her most recent secret was a little more complicated...

Iris kissed June's boyfriend Caleb. And June died before Iris could tell her.

personality.

Iris is a princess of sometimes saying out-of-pocket shit and staring at slight blemishes on your face until you're like, WHAT skjdfns. And, with her background in speech, she often analyzes your speech in her head too. Sometimes outside of her head too.

She's a bit shameless with the people she's close with, a fan of meeting and getting to know new ones, and... on a heavy dose of anxiety meds! She talks a lot because 1) she likes conversation and 2) it's half-compensation for said aforementioned anxiety.

When your anxiety manifests as a desire to be liked and friends with everyone which then reveals a real sense of self-absorption and, every once in a while, leads to weird drama... love it!

positive: organized, passionate, charismatic, loyal, curious, expressive, social

negative: condescending, impulsive, gossipy (can't keep a secret), scattered, fidgety, approval-seeking, overly sensitive

misc headcanons.

Quick list: ❤️'s weed, cooking, surfing, hiking + camping, sharing facts and feeling a little more well-informed (Wikipedia page memorizer), talking through movies, weekend trips, skinny dipping, hanging out with old people, doing Randy Newman impressions, waking up early, showing the people she loves new things, sharing experiences, watching reality tv a la Sister Wives, etc.

Oh -- and she's a Swiftie.

#willowsedgeintro

[allthecanadianpolitics]

Pride month has officially begun and, throughout the month, Pride parades will be held across the province, starting first in Winnipeg on Sunday.

Partaking in parades and Pride festivities, however, has become a political sticking point between Manitoba's official opposition and the provincial government: While the Manitoba NDP is committing every member to walk in one of Manitoba's pride parades during June, the governing Progressive Conservatives are unwilling to make a similar pledge.

The debate started on Wednesday, during Question Period in the Manitoba Legislature, when NDP MLA Lisa Naylor, the party's spokesperson for 2sLGBTQ+ issues, asked Premier Heather Stefanson whether or not she will ask party members to partake in Pride festivities this June.

"Will the Premier commit that she and every member of her caucus will walk in a Manitoba Pride parade this year?" said Naylor on Wednesday. [...]

Continue Reading.

Tagging: @politicsofcanada

#cdnpoli #Manitoba #queerphobia #Heather Stefanson #NDP #Progressive Conservatives #Conservatives

[lnthefade]

friday stuff

*I have started and stopped several times writing things on here about the divorce. I know so many of you adored him while he was on here and I don't want to drag him around on here and change your perception of him. I do believe what he did to me was wrong, but that doesn't make him a bad person, if that makes sense. If you want to know what went on you can read through the archives of my newsletter.

*I'm going to Rhode Island to visit Lisa and Matt in June and I can't wait. I just want to be somewhere else for a couple of day. We're going Friday and coming home Sunday so it's not a long visit, but I'll be going back in August to spend my birthday there for a longer visit.

*My sister retired two weeks ago (we worked together). I am insanely jealous of her, but I have decided to wait two years before I retire, when I'll be 62 and have 25 years in. I can do this. Two years isn't a lot. At least I hope it doesn't feel like a lot.

*I'm going to be 60 in August and I still can't fathom that number. It seems absurd. I'm still 30 in my mind.

*It's going to be near 90 tomorrow and I am not ready for this yet. I had planned on doing some planting and fixing up the area where we hang out and I guess I'll have to do it early in the morning. I refuse to turn the ac on until June, so I will spend the day sweltering out of spite.

*Hope you all have some good weekend plans going on! Happy Friday!

[crystal-wind]

Crystal Wind Oracle Card for Sunday - June 25, 2023

Truth Warrior - Cut Through The Illusions Take a stand and honour your integrity.

Drawing this card means: This is a time of revelations. The truth is out. Like a sword, your heart cuts through deceptions that hold others captive. Righteous anger is expressed through non-compliance with the status quo. You investigate and expose manipulation and injustice. Your fearlessness liberates others to think for themselves. This card also signifies an inner victory: cutting through the bonds of self-deception. To find out more...get the app or card deck! 🙂

Boxed Card Deck: https://oracle.crystalwind.ca MobileApp: ‎Apple‬: http://bit.ly/ZW95es ‎Android‬: http://bit.ly/18B1BRf ‎Amazon‬: http://bit.ly/KindleOracle (3 & 5 card readings only available in full version only!)

The Crystal Wind Oracle Myth & Magic Card Deck! Beautiful Boxed Edition! A must have! Includes cloth bag! Get the deck here: https://oracle.crystalwind.ca

‪#‎Artwork‬ by Lisa iris - https://www.lisairis.ca/

#crystalwind #divination #oracle #oraclecards

[returntosaturn271995]

Thursday, April 20th: Oh Mona Lisa, I’d pay to see you frown

Today is Hitler’s birthday. I hate that I know that and I legit can’t forget it. It’s also 4/20, so I gave Emily Hershman a shout out as she’s the biggest stoner I know. 

But yeah. Fun fact. 

In honor of not living under a Nazi regime, I took a mirror selfie in my workout clothes because my body looks fire and I’m not going to be taking any pictures with Kelly and Kendall at dinner tonight. I’ve been thinking a lot about vanity lately and talking about it with friends, I might transcribe the jumble in my notes app here. The relation to beauty and image and how little it has to do with self-care will follow me to my grave. 

I got a lot of fire emojis, so thirst trap accomplished. It’s only a little shameful. Vanity is just such a satisfying sin sometimes. My daily beach walk was punctuated with two white labs, blooming California poppys, and an ocean view full of kite surfers. The soundtrack is still “Panic! At the Disco”.

Kiera and I texted about how weird it is how so many Mormons are hot. James still has a head cold (I may actually hate him now). Lisa and I are hitting up the Poway Farmers market. My book club is reading The Midnight Library for our next meeting June 15th and Leah is hosting a Sunday Funday to celebrate finishing some kind of school thing.

The weekend is going to be poppin’ you guys! (My imaginary readers). 

After my run, I made a smoothie because I promise myself not to let anymore fruit rot. Then I did hip flexibility yoga, which was honestly confusing but I feel like it worked, then I rolled out my mat and stretched out my legs again. I can wrap my hands around my legs and my anterior tendons are surprisingly not as ramrod stiff as my back legs. My daily meditation was about picturing a serene person and then pretending to be them, like a statue of Buddha or a cat lying in the sun. I chose to imagine myself as Dolly Parton smiling out the window and getting sunlight on her face. Then I imagined myself as Nesta the Valkaryie. 

I keep thinking of more and more mental health jokes. 

“The secret to happiness? Anti-depressants and sunscreen. I usually just use whatever brand is at the bottom of my bag. And for sunscreen I love Banana Boat!” 

[themovieblogonline]

Titans of the Music Industry: Donna Summer and Little Richard Panel at SXSW 2023

Little Richard and Donna Summer are titans in the music industry. Magnolia Pictures, Rolling Stone, and Audible hosted a Live Panel discussion with the 'Little Richard: I Am Everything' director Lisa ortés; 'Love to Love You' co-directors Roger Ross and Brooklyn Sudano along with Grammy Nominated artist Valerie June who also provides a LIVE musical performance on Sunday, March 12 from 5-6pm @ The Sunset Room in Austin during the #SXSW2023 film festival. https://youtu.be/ovrMllR_fZU The discussion was moderated by Journalist Stephen Thomas Erlewine SXSW 2023 Features the Film Premieres of LITTLE RICHARD: I AM EVERYTHING and LOVE TO LOVE YOU, DONNA SUMMER SHOP THE MOVIE BLOG HERE! ▸ https://teespring.com/stores/themovieblog FOLLOW ME HERE! ▸ https://Twitter.com/tmb_tweets ▸ https://Facebook.com/TheMovieBlogOnline ▸ https://Instagram.com/TheMovieBlogOnline ▸ https://TikTok.com/TheMovieBlogOnline Check out our other videos: Movie News and Discussion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-wQnaWjB8c&list=PLsD5qP1WqKt4LOWxLBOIE0N8hGp235x9D Celebrity Interviews and Discussion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pFCxp0NXE8&list=PLsD5qP1WqKt5AfUbgA-dOKiPXZtGLZO8Y Movie Reviews and Reactions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGZUk6gsApg&list=PLsD5qP1WqKt5wStb-WVy1iupfrOcRTvce The Correct Opinion Show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-Oy9c6CQ8I&list=PLsD5qP1WqKt6nLZyvyTbfbKcVcs8HT-KE Donate/Support The Channel Here: CashApp: $anone25 Venmo: @themovieblog Subscribe here: https://tinyurl.com/TMB-subscribe Check out Comic Book Origins: tinyurl.com/ComicBookOrigins TMB Homepage: https://www.themovieblog.com/ #valeriejune #littlerichard #donnasummer Read the full article

[weemsbotts]

Trap Sprung: Launched into Eternity on a Noose

By: Lisa Timmerman, Executive Director

On 03/29/1859, Lewis C. Botts wrote his cousin, Nathaniel, a letter describing his service as a juror on a much-anticipated trial for murder. Captivated by the testimonies, Botts believed that James H. Johnson was “a great scoundrel” and his sentence of death by hanging was “too good for him.” This trial commenced in the Circuit Court of Rappahannock County on 03/07/1859 and lasted a week. So, what happened in Rappahannock County, Virginia that led our Botts descendant to gleefully convict Johnson?

A book published presumably around the time of his execution contains all trial records, public hype, opinion, and description of Johnson’s execution. “The Trial of James H. Johnson at the March Term, 1859, of the Circuit Court of Rappahannock County, Va., Charged with The Poisoning of his Wife, By Administering to her Strychnia. Together with A Short Biography of the Criminal, The Evidence Adduced at the Trial, His Liaison with his Wife’s Niece – the Murder of their Offspring, The Letters of His Paramour, and the Medical Evidence adduced on the Occasion, Including that of Prof. R.E. Rogers, of The University of Pennsylvania. Also, an Account of the Execution, By a Member of the Rappahannock Bar” provided a very comprehensive, and biased, view of the trial and execution. Both Daniel W. Botts and Lewis C. Botts served as jurors and heard testimony regarding Johnson’s worries over his wife’s medical conditions along with analysis of the poison used. Below are some notable excerpts from the 59-page book (available here to read from Internet Archive). The trial centered around Johnson’s insistence his wife was always ill, the lemonade he made the day of her death, and his relationship with his wife’s niece.

Prosecution: J.Y. Menifee, Charles B. Tebbs

Defense: Robert E. Scott, E.T. Jones, W.B. Hackley

The Lemonade:

After establishing that Johnson was seen with strychnine and purchased lemons a few days before his death, James Carter described watching Mrs. Johnson drink the lemonade.

“That he was at the house of James H. Johnson, on Thursday, the 10th day of June, 1858, and he the said James H. Johnson proposed to make a lemonade, which he did, and I said I was in a hurry, being on a borrowed horse; but I would go to the cherry tree and wait until he the said Jas. H. Johnson had made the lemonade. After I came to the house, he the said Jas. H. Johnson and Mrs. Alice Johnson drank. She said it was very bitter, and she did not like it. He, Johnson, said it was like his, and it was aloes, which Kinsey [doctor] says will be good for you. After Mrs. Johnson drank the glass, Mr. Johnson poured some lemonade out of the pitcher, and she drank that. He the said Johnson told her to give him the glass and let him rinse it. Mrs. Johnson says, what do you want to rinse it for, there is nothing in it. James H. Johnson says there may be a little aloes left in it. Mr. Johnson asked me if I was ready, and I said I was, and we started.

Franklin Gearing having been sworn, testified as follows: I was cleaning up some wheat, and I heard a scream from Mrs. Johnson, and I ran to the house, and I found her sitting in a chair, with her hands up over her shoulders, hold of the chair nobs, and a jerking, and she said she was poisoned; and I replied, I reckon not; and she said she was, and wanted or requested me to give her the white of an egg. I held her whilst the black man gave her one, and I gave her one or two myself, and she remarked that Mr. Johnson was going after her little son Saturday or Sunday, and he wanted her out of his way, and that she was point-blank like the dog which had got something that had been put up stairs to kill rats, and which the dog had got to and eat and died, which she was arsenic or something; and she said that Mr. Johnson was kinder to her that day than common; and if she could get over it, she would never drink any more from his hands, as long as she lived; and the last word I heard her say, she said she was poisoned.”

The Reports of Her Health

Daniel Updike provided testimony for the defendant and mentioned the reports of her ill health that Johnson had supposedly related to friends, family, and neighbors. Many of the statements regarding her health did not help Johnson’s case.

According to Mr. Updike, “Was acquainted with Mr. and Mrs. Johnson when they were married. Had occasion to visit them frequently. Never saw any bad treatment on the part of Johnson to his wife. Prisoner was married in 1850. In 1851 Mrs. Johnson’s health was bad, but got better; for some two or three years, was healthy. Toward the latter part of her life heard no complaint of illness. He conversed with her a short time before her death, and she appeared cheerful and lively. This was his only opinion.”

According to Mr. Thrift, “He did not know of any member of the family that had died suddenly. Did not know of any peculiarity in the family in that respect. His wife was a sister of Mrs. Johnson. Had never heard that any of the family were subject to sudden death.”

The Niece

The prosecution submitted nine letters written by Mary Shreve to James H. Johnson where she confessed her feelings and shared intimate details between them. The prosecution described her life after the murder.

“In the meantime, the reader is probably anxious to know what has become of the unfortunate Mary E. Shreve. Soon after the development of the unfortunate events which wrought her ruin and shame, and condemned her paramour to an ignominious death, she left her paternal home to reside with a relative somewhere in the far West. We heard of her but a few days ago – but not as the gay and beautiful girl described in a preceding page; but on the contrary, a poor, penitent, heart-broken woman. Her career had been one which ever teaches the same unvarying lesson, that prostitution, though invariably the result of man’s individual villainy in seducing and betraying the poor being who trusts her destiny to his keeping, is yet one of the monstrous crimes of society which dooms its daughters to degradation and misery, from which no virtuous efforts of their’s can ever rescue them.”

The Judge & Jury

Judge Tyler gave his opinion on the case after declaring the defendant guilty. Below is a small sample of the theme he reiterated. 

“There is no hope for you on this side of the grave. Yours is not a case to excite the mercy or sympathy of earthly tribunals; for in the long black catalogue of guilt and woe that make up the criminal record which has come down to us, there is no deed that stands out in colors of deeper, darker malignity, than yours.”

Lewis Botts shared the same sentiments in his letter, describing his perspective as a juror.

“The trial of Johnson for the murder of his wife came off last week: Scott was his principal counsel and the defense was very ably conducted; I was one of the jurors and being under the disagreeable necessity of declaring him guilty of murder in the first degree. I should have been highly delighted. Scott is a very able lawyer and made one of the most able and ingenious arguments I ever heard from any one: but it was in the examination of two witnesses that I was particular pleased with, but in both of these he was overmatched one was a young Doctor of Rappk who assisted in the post mortem examination of the body of Mrs. Johnson and the other was Professor Rogers of Philadelphia who analized the stomach and the contents of it; it was truly an intellectual feast and had I been at all acquainted with the subject of chemistry I would have enjoyed a great deal more than I did: Rogers says he made tests in three different ways with the contents of the contents of the stomach and in every instance found strychnine not satisfied with those he applied the substance he found in the stomach to living beings with and it soon put an end their existence the evidence in the case was taken down by competent Reporters and no doubt you will have a full history: Johnson is a great scoundrel and hanging is too good for him: he set out with the [presiding] the public mind for the sudden death of his wife telling the people he would not be surprised at wife’s death at any time, as she was subject to spasms and when he thought he get the public mind ripe for that event then it was that he administered the fatal dose, but he failed to cover up the tracks that he had made and was very easily trapped: the evidence was so conclusive against him that the jury were in the room not more than five minutes and rendered a verdict of murder in the first degree; it is strange that Scott could make such an argument on no foundation but he has mind enough for anything or any emergency.”

The Defendant’s Final Words & Execution

“He turned at once to the hundreds by whom he was surrounded, and in a clear and distinct tone of voice, manifesting neither fear or excitement, spoke as follows; or in words to the effect that he appeared before them to-day as a man whose doom was fixed, and who had but a few moments to sojourn on this earth; but he wished to say a few words in his own defence. He protested that he was guilty of the murder of his wife – said that his life had been falsely sworn away through prejudice and ill will on the part of some of his enemies, and that they had created a feeling of popular excitement against him which had aided materially in bringing him to his present sad fate. He conceded that he had a fair and impartial trial by the jury – he blamed not them, but there were witnesses who had been falsely sworn against him, and he would name them. (Here the prisoner enumerated several.) Other witnesses had also told all they knew or thought would operate to his detriment, carefully withholding anything which would speak in his behalf. He was not the murderer of his wife – he did not give her the strychnia, – he believed that his own life had been in danger from the machinations of her friends, and the crime was committed by a darker hue than himself – (evidently alluding to a serving girl on his place.) As to his friends in Loudoun, he had but little to say. The young lady whose name had been so freely spoken of in connection with his, was innocent of many of the charges preferred against her – though chargeable with some.

The prisoner then turned to Sheriff Miller, and said “he was ready.” The noose was adjusted about his neck, the trap sprung, and the unfortunate being was launched into eternity.”

The Historian

So how do we unpack this? While the booklet printed from the Rappahannock County Bar provided wonderful primary source information, it was written by someone convinced of Johnson’s guilt. Every line dripped with condemnation. The writer also admittingly left out information and summarized a lot to ensure they kept within their page limit goal. That does not mean we should dismiss the booklet as false or invalid, but we should keep those limitations and restrictions in mind when reading it.

Interestingly, Lewis Botts ended the letter discussing his prospects of marriage. “…but as usual I am accused of being engaged but which of two young ladies (for I would not have any other than a young one) it puzzles the many kind friends to tell whenever I am asked about it I acknowledge that I am engaged sometimes to one and then again to another so that my answers are very unsatisfactory to the curious.”

Note: Our most popular seasonal program commences Friday, 09/29! Join our brave guides every Friday & Saturday night in October as we indulge in all the ghost and paranormal lore kept locked away the rest of the year. Whether you want a traditional “Return to the Shadows” Ghost Walk tour, or a more intensive late-night experience collecting data for a new entity in our new program, Tracking the Trickster, we promise a great evening of scary stories and community engagement! Tickets for Ghost Walks here. Tickets for Tracking the Trickster here.

(Sources: HDVI Archives: The Botts Family Papers; The Trial of James H. Johnson by a Member of the Rappahannock County, Virginia Bar, 1859, via Internet Archive)

#virginiahistory #localhistory #courtcase #murder #lemonademurder #familyhistory #archives #crime and punishment #marriage

[pwunion]

June 11 & 12, 2022 at Atwater Playhouse

We hope you can join us for our 12th Annual FIRST PEEK reading series featuring the brand new work of some of our member and alumni playwrights. Come participate in the process of play creation - the first in-person Playwrights Union event since 2019.

SATURDAY, June 11

5:30 PM - INVISIBLE by Lisa Kenner Grissom 

A theatrical fantasia about a woman grappling with her ever-changing identity after being diagnosed with an invisible and incurable chronic illness with a strange name—Lupus.

7:00 PM - SLOWLY DROWNING by Jon Kern 

Two strangers stranded in the Indian Ocean. Together, they must survive the intense sun, the gnawing starvation, and, worst of all, the aimless small-talk. Slowly Drowning is a comedy about how we weather disaster and what matters most when the end seems inevitable.

9:00 PM (or immediately following the second reading) -

Raise a glass with us at our Post-Reading Gathering (outdoors!)

SUNDAY, JUNE 12

* Please note that the Sunday, June 12, 3:30 PM Reading of HEDDA ON FIRE by Jeanette D. Farr has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. *

5:30 PM - HOW CAN YOU TELL by Steve Serpas 

Scan in: Cayden and Samantha meet-cute in the metaverse as co-workers in a high-level DAO. When they decide to meet in IRL, their connection turns out to be passionate AF – but both have shady motives that threaten to pull their worlds apart. Are they GMI? How will they know their love is real?

Admission to all FIRST PEEK readings is FREE; reservations highly suggested and donations welcome

Playwrights Union requires proof of full vaccination (including a booster dose if eligible) to enter the building. Masks must also be worn at all times inside the building.

M A K E  A  R E S E R V A T I O N

Atwater Playhouse 3191 Casitas Ave. #100 Los Angeles, CA 90039

view on map | Free Parking!

[writemarcus]

13th Annual The Fire This Time Festival To Play The Kraine Theater in July

Performances will also be available to livestream from home.

by Stephi Wild May. 17, 2022  

FRIGID New York will present the 13th Annual The Fire This Time Festival at The Kraine Theater (85 East 4th Street between 2nd Avenue and Bowery), July 7-10 with performances on Thursday, July 7 at 7pm, Friday, July 8 at 7pm, Saturday, July 9th at 2pm, Saturday, July 9th at 7pm, and Sunday, July 10th at 3pm. Performances will also be available to livestream from home. The World Premiere 10-minute plays will be co-directed by Zhailon Levingston (Chicken & Biscuits on Broadway; Patience) and actor, writer, director and TFTT alum Tracey Conyer Lee.

The 2022 festival, which was postponed due to Covid, was originally scheduled to run January 17-February 6, 2022. Full length play readings will be presented in September 2022. The full cast and creative team for the 10-minute plays will be announced in June.

Wildest Dreams by Agyeiwaa Asante

For over 187 years Maybelle and Jimmy Dale have haunted the Mason plantation, a now popular tourist attraction and event venue. Tired of their time on this plane, they wonder what it'll take to get them to the other side.

Red Red Wine by Rachel Herron

Somm was well on her way to becoming the first Black female Master Sommelier in the world, but she gave it all up to produce her own wine label. Now she's enlisted the help of her mentee, Mel, to help grow the brand; the only question is will Mel still be on board once she learns the secret ingredient in their best selling red?

Gurlfriend (Black is Black) by Fedna Jacquet

Two black girls drinking wine and living their best lives. #BlackGurlMagic #UnapologeticAF. We get to see THEM-jokes and bruises on display. By leaving the world outside, these best friends are able to bond in a fresh and delightful way...but what happens when the ever-shrinking classification of blackness threatens to exclude one of them? We ride the bold and excruciatingly confusing rollercoaster of identity, friendship, and regret to a new destination unknown to both Lea and Tonya. #Drama

Wookiees in the Wilderness by Marcus Scott

Bishop and Smokey are best pals. Smokey will do anything for Bishop, who is in the midst of recovering from a recent trauma. Bishop will do anything for Smokey including going out to the mountainside wilderness of the Lake of the Ozarks to prep him for his upcoming Wilderness Survival test for the Eagle Scouts. But as the sun down begins and night falls upon them, the boys are reminded to truly be prepared for anything. Wookiees in the Wilderness is a buddy drama about race, class, wasted potential, retaliation, Star Wars, and equal opportunity in Trump's America.

Mt. Sinai by Phillip Christian Smith

Gladys and Minerva, casual chemo friends, discuss life, the south, children, and the handsome cancer patient in Room A. Has Gladys finally fallen in with the bad girls in her twilight years?

By The Way by Lisa Rosetta Strum

Two best friends have been quarantined for the past month. When one of the friends reveals their true feelings for the other, perceptions, prejudices and fears get exposed and a friendship could be changed forever.

Zhailon Levingston is a Louisiana-raised storyteller, director, and activist.

He is a Board Member and Creative Director for the Broadway Advocacy Coalition, which he co-created, and teaches the Theatre of Change course at Columbia University. He is a Music Mentor Fellow and has done work with Idina Menzel's A Broader Way Foundation. His directing credits include: Neptune (Dixon Place; Brooklyn Museum), The Years That Went Wrong (Lark; MCC), The Exonerated (Columbia Law School), Chariot Part 2 (Soho Rep/The Movement Theatre Company), Mother of Pearl (LaGuardia Performing Arts Center). He is the associate director of Primer for a Failed Superpower with Tony Award-winner Rachel Chavkin, and Runaways at The Public Theater with Sam Pinkleton. Most recently. he directed Chicken and Biscuits, which premiered on Broadway this past fall. Zhailon is also the resident director at Tina: The Tina Turner Musical on Broadway and the associate director of Hadestown in South Korea.

Tracey Conyer Lee is the director and choreographer of the reimagined return of Sistas! The Musical, currently running Off-Broadway. As a playwright her plays have been produced in NYC, Chicago, DC, Boston and Nashville. As an actor she has performed around the globe, yielding Carbonell, NAACP and Barrymore Awards. She's a proud member of the 2019 Tony Award winning choir, Broadway Inspirational Voices and currently recurs as Detective Ross in seasons 3 & 4 of "FBI" on CBS. This summer she will star in the US premiere of Serving Elizabeth directed by Cezar Williams and her 6th production of Lady Day At Emerson's Bar & Grill directed by Kevin R. Free. Lee is an audiobook narrator for Black authors of both fiction and non and the co-founder of Be Ready, which takes the professional presence training she teaches in corporate America and offers it free for Black youth preparing for higher education or the workforce.

The Fire This Time Festival was founded in 2009 by Kelley Girod to provide a platform for playwrights of African and African-American descent to write and produce evocative material for diverse audiences. Since the debut of the first 10-minute play program in 2010, presented in collaboration with FRIGID New York, The Fire This Time Festival has produced and developed the work of more than 80 playwrights including Katori Hall, Dominique Morisseau, Radha Blank, Antoinette Nwandu, Jocelyn Bioh, korde arrington tuttle, Stacey Rose, Aziza Barnes, C.A. Johnson, Kevin R. Free, Charly Evon Simpson, Angelica Cheri, James Anthony Tyler, Jordan Cooper and Nathan Yungerberg. In 2022 Bloomsbury books released the anthology 25 Plays From The Fire This Time Festival: A Decade of Recognition, Resistance, Resilience, Rebirth and Black Theater which includes 25 ten-minute plays that were produced by The Fire This Festival over the past 11 seasons. The Fire This Time Festival collaborated with Center Theatre Group and Watts Village Theater Company to launch the initiative "Not A Moment, But A Movement" to amplify Black artists through three virtual events that pair playwrights, visual artists and musicians during 2021. www.firethistimefestival.com

FRIGID New York's mission is to provide both emerging and established artists the opportunity to create and produce original work without limit to content, form, or style, and to amplify their diverse voices. We do this by presenting an array of monthly programming, mainstage productions, an artist residency, and seven annual theater festivals that create an environment of collaboration, resourcefulness, and innovation. Founded in 1998, the aim was and is to form a structure, allowing multiple artists to focus on creating and staging new work and providing affordable rental space to scores of Independent artists. Now in our third decade we have produced a massive quantity of stimulating downtown theater. www.frigid.nyc

#TFTTF #The Fire This Time Festival #Frigid NYC #FRIGID New York #Kraine Theater #Agyeiwaa Asante #Rachel Herron #Fedna Jacquet #Phillip Christian Smith #Lisa Rosetta Strum #Marcus Scott #MarcusScott #WriteMarcus #Write Marcus #10-minute plays #Zhailon Levingston #Tracey Conyer Lee

[stpaulbulletins]

APRIL 24, 2022

ST PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH, LCMS

1608 E 800 AVE, SHOBONIER, ILLINOIS

APRIL 24, 2022

OUR ORDER OF WORSHIP  

PRELUDE, RINGING OF THE BELL, WELCOME

HYMN OF INVOCATION #467

“Awake, My Heart, with Gladness”

LITURGY Divine Service Setting Three p. 184

SCRIPTURE READINGS:

First Reading: Acts 5:12-20 (21-33)                                                                              

Psalms Psalm 148

Epistle: Revelation 1:4-18

Holy Gospel: John 20:19-31

APOSTLE’S CREED p. 191

HYMN OF THE DAY #472

“These Things Did Thomas Count as Real”

SERMON –Acts 5 “God, Not Man”

OFFERTORY p. 192

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

BENEDICTION

CLOSING HYMN #490

“Jesus Lives! The Victory’s Won”

ACTIVITIES THIS WEEK

Today’s offering is designated to BUILDING FUND.

Offering plates are located in the narthex.

TUESDAY – 175TH ANNIVERSARY OF LCMS

NEXT SUNDAY 9:00AM  WORSHIP SERVICE

OFFERING – MINISTRY-ARMED FORCES

  THE LUTHERAN HOUR

You can doubt every doubt you’ve ever had about God’s love

for you in Christ Jesus.  (John 20:24-29)

Hear Guest Speaker of The Lutheran Hour:

Pastor John Nunes’ Message:

“

Doubt, Misplaced”

On WPMB at 12:05 or KFUO at 12:30 or 5pm.

PRAYERS: Zoe, Ron, Brenda, Braden, Sherrie, Luella,

Rodger, Joe Deppe, Melody, Bruce Robb,

The family of Sam Kistler

.

The offering for TODAY, April 24th is designated to

Building Fund.

This offering will go toward brick work on the ramp.

THANK YOU FOR THE DISPLAY OF EASTER FLOWERS

TO THE FOLLOWING:

Sherwin & Marcella Albrecht Elaine Lange

John & Karen Lipsey Elmer Opfer

June Opfer Brian & Kristyn Rosenkoetter

Marian Rubin Tom & Lisa Rubin

Ken & Diane Torbeck Bob & Marcia Torbeck

Larry & Kathy VonBehren Earl & Diana Wollin

Flowers may be taken home today.

Acts 5:21-33

21And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak

and began to teach.

Now when the high priest came, and those who were

with him, they called together the council and all the senate of

the people of Israel and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison,

so they returned and reported, 23“We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we

opened them we found no one inside.” 24Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come

to. 25And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26Then the captain with the officers went and brought them but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

27And when they had brought them, they set them before

the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28saying, “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29But Peter and the apostles answered,

“We must obey God rather than men. 30The God of our fathers

raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior,

to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32And

we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

33When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them.

SPLS OPEN HOUSE

St. Peter Lutheran School & Little Saints Preschool & Daycare will be holding their Annual Open House on Monday, May 2 from 6:00-7:00pm.

POSITION AVAILABLE

St. Peter’s Lutheran school is seeking a 1st & 2nd Grade Teacher beginning in the 2022-2023 school year.  St. Peter’s is a Christ-centered LCMS school.  Biblically based, and state recognized.  

If you are interested, or know of someone who might fit

our needs, please contact Dr. Larry Wooster or Mrs. Belinda Harpster

SCRIP ORDERS

The next SCRIP gift card order through St. Peter’s Lutheran School will be placed on Tuesday, May 10th. Orders are due on Monday, May 9th. The order should be in by May 13th. Order forms are available in the narthex. You may also order by contacting Larry Urban  Please consider using SCRIP to help fill your graduation needs, for other special occasions or just for everyday use.  Please note that there are several $5 and $10 gift cards on the new order blank. Thank you to everyone who has purchased gift cards through SPLS in the past.

[cockslutpadalecki]

Lisa’s Sunday Reading (June)

So here we are. Officially halfway through the year. I gotta say, I’m quite proud of myself for managing to keep this up another for six months after the reblog challenge of 2020, but it’s proving a success considering the amount of new authors I’ve stumbled across in the process, and introduced to others! Just goes to show how important sharing/reblogging content is. 

There’s also been a lot of hatred directed to the dark!fic community this month, and it saddens me that people just can’t leave it alone. If it’s not your cup of tea, you don’t have to drink it. This is not some Jonestown deal. My friends in this community are some of the most talented, kindest souls I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and they don’t deserve the abuse or threats they receive. For the love of Captain America, BE KIND.

On that note, stay safe and I hope you all have the sluttiest of summers, peace out ✌️

Note: please take note of the warnings the authors have attached to their stories, they are there for a valid reason. PS: if you wish to blacklist my reblogs for any reason, you can use the tag #lisa’s sunday reading. PPS: My header was made by the wonderful @winchest09​​​​​​ ❤️

6TH

Play Pretend (2): @wkemeup​​ (Bucky Barnes)

Mr. And Mrs. Ari Levinson Invite You To... The Worst Wedding. Ever (4) (5) (6): @caffiend-queen​​ (Ari Levinson)

By The Pound: @syntheticavenger​​ (Andy Barber)

Liquor: @syntheticavenger (Thor Odinson)

Life For Rent (21) (22) (23): @winchest09​​ (Dean Winchester)

Cool Down: @impala-dreamer​ (Jensen Ackles)

Make Me: @boxofbonesfic​​ (Bucky Barnes)

Magnetic: @marziwritesfic​​ (Bucky Barnes)

Nothing But The Water: @slothspaghettiwrites​​ (Lee Bodecker)

Fun In The Lab: @navybrat817​​ (Bucky Barnes)

All Work And No Play: @navybrat817​ (Andy Barber)

On Your Back: @threeminutesoflife​​ (Frank Adler/Ransom Drysdale/Steve Rogers)

Nowhere To Hide: @imdarkinme​​ (Steve Rogers)

Wasted On You (2): @winchest09​ (Dean Winchester)

13TH

Inhale: @navybrat817 (Andy Barber)

Shave And A Haircut, Two Bits: @threeminutesoflife​ (Mad Sweeney)

Do No Harm: @sweetlyscared​​ (Bucky Barnes)

Professor Barber: @ozarkthedog​​ (Andy Barber)

For My Girl: @winchest09​ (Dean Winchester)

Dear No One: @princessmisery666​​ (Bucky Barnes)

The Meadow: @winchest09​ (Sam Winchester)

Ignition: @fuckandfluff​​ (Andy Barber)

All It Took: @winchest09​ (Dean Winchester)

Red: @there-must-be-a-lock​​ (Bucky Barnes)

Commandeered: @threeminutesoflife​ (Soldier Boy/Billy Butcher)

Mr. And Mrs. Ari Levinson Invite You To... The Worst Wedding. Ever (7): @caffiend-queen​ (Ari Levinson)

Tiny: @bucksfucks​​ (Bucky Barnes)

Spin The Bottle: @river-soul​​ (Stever Rogers/Bucky Barnes)

Life For Rent (24): @winchest09​ (Dean Winchester)

Don’t Speak (2) (3) (4): @hoboal87​​ (Dean/Sam/John Winchester)

20TH

Seven Minutes In Heaven: @river-soul (Steve Rogers/Bucky Barnes)

Dean’s Jeans (2): @watermelonlipstick​ (Dean Winchester)

Cockwarming: @sweeterthanthis​ (Bucky Barnes)

Spanking: @sweeterthanthis (Bucky Barnes)

Just Desserts: @sweeterthanthis (Bucky Barnes)

Training: @infernal-fire​ (Andy Barber)

Daddy Lessons: @sweeterthanthis (Steve Rogers/Bucky Barnes)

Kitten: @ozarkthedog (Steve Rogers)

Metal: @there-must-be-a-lock (Bucky Barnes)

Your Deviant Ways: @wakingbeauty​ (Ransom Drysdale)

You’re My Sunshine: @winchest09 (Dean Winchester)

The Beginners Guide To Kinks By Steve Rogers: Let Your Freak Flag Fly, Rogers: @imanuglywombat​ (Steve Rogers)

The Sun, The Moon, And The Truth: @river-soul (Steve Rogers/Bucky Barnes)

Ruined: @navybrat817 (Bucky Barnes)

Two Can Play This Game: @jurassicbarnes​​ (Steve Rogers)

Predicament: @ozarkthedog​ (Bucky Barnes)

Mr. And Mrs. Ari Levinson Invite You To... The Worst Wedding. Ever (8): @caffiend-queen​ (Ari Levinson)

Marked: @the-iceni-bitch​​ (Andy Barber)

27TH

Heartbreak And Harmony (3): @deanwanddamons (Dean Winchester)

Hello Again: @sweetlyscared (Steve Rogers)

It’s Only Fair: @kittenofdoomage (Dean Winchester)

Green: @there-must-be-a-lock (Bucky Barnes)

Mirror: @covered-byroses (Dean Winchester)

Against All Odds: @deanwanddamons (Dean Winchester)

Shut Up: @afriendlyblackhottie (Chris Evans)

Are You Mine?: @bluemusickid (Ransom Drysdale)

Before Love Came To Kill Us (1): @princessmisery666 (Bucky Barnes)

Purify: @ozarkthedog (Steve Rogers)

The Wanderer Returns...: @sweeterthanthis (Steve Rogers)

Love In A Time Of North Korea: Get Lucky: @imanuglywombat (Ransom Drysdale)

Goosebumps: @cherienymphe (Bucky Barnes)

Money’s Worth - Dad Bod: @pagesoflauren (Ransom Drysdale)

On Your Knees (1): @caffiend-queen (Bucky Barnes)

Deeper: @xxindiglow​ (Bucky Barnes)

Pleasant Interference: @angrythingstarlight​ (Bucky Barnes)

#lisa's sunday reading - june

[wiypt-writes]

Riding High

Ch17: Welcome to Miami

 Chapter Summary: Frank, Fliss and the Circle Of Truth take a Road Trip….

 Chapter Warnings: Bad Language words. SMUT (NSFW) No under 18s!!! 

Chapter Pairings:  Frank Adler x OFC Fliss Gallagher

Disclaimer: This is a pure work of fiction and classified as 18+. Please respect this and do not read if you are underage. I do not own any characters in this series bar Fliss Gallagher and the other OCs. By reading beyond this point you understand and accept the terms of this disclaimer.

Riding High Masterlist // Main Masterlist

Chapter 16

 June 2018

“How’s Fliss?” Gregg asked as Frank leaned back in his chair, hand curled round his bottle of beer.

Frank looked at his friend and took a deep breath “She says she’s ok. I think it’s the waiting that’s the worst. Knowing the board’s been held is one thing, not knowing the outcome….” “I know it’s hard and easy for me to say this but…well, even if he gets out he won’t be allowed anywhere near her. As I explained to her likely hood is he’ll be tagged and on a curfew and movements restricted to the state of Mass.” Gregg took a sip of his drink “And if it isn’t done automatically, through the appeal process I can file for further restrictions as well around him contacting her in any way, shape or form…but I’d be surprised if that isn’t a condition.”

“I know.” Frank said, “And she gets that…I think it’s more anger about the whole thing now you know?” “It sucks.” Gregg nodded “He spent so long abusing her and he’s still managing to do it in a way through all this.” Frank raised his eyebrows and took a drink of his beer, nodding to Jake and Simon as they approached their table.

 “I know I don’t need to ask but…” Frank started but Gregg raised a hand. 

“You’re right, you don’t.” he understood immediately that Frank was asking him to keep quiet, and he nodded as their two friends arrived at the table. After the greetings they all settled down reaching for a beer from the bucket that sat in the middle of them all, the conversation easy. Frank was happy to see the boys, he hadn’t in a few weeks so he’d grabbed the opportunity for a few beers happily, Fliss and Mary practically shoving him out of the door as they had some girly night in planned with Roberta consisting of popcorn, pizza, facemasks and a Marvel DVD, Fliss and Roberta assuring him whole heartedly they were watching it because it was a good film and not merely to perve on Chris Hemsworth or Evans or whoever the hell the Chris was in this particular one.

Whatever, sweetheart.

 “So…” Simon said, looking around the table “Are we still on for a weekend somewhere? 22nd to 24th June?”

 They all made noises, and Frank nodded. “Schedules cleared, baby sitter lined up…we just need to decide where we’re going.”

 “Well, I got something to suggest to y’all…” Jake grinned “Greg already knows about this, but basically, the Company we’re doing the promotional work for has offered us up to 10 each for the Miami Rocks Concert which runs that weekend....so if you’re interested.”

 “Rock music?” Simon looked at him, and Jake shook his head.

“Not just rock.” he said, leaning forward “It’s a combination of tribute acts and the real deal…and there’s different stages each with a different genre, and the main stage which contains the big acts.” “Ok, I’m interested…” Frank leaned forward.

 “So the Friday night is a rewind to the 70s, 80s and 90s… headlined by none other than Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, Mr Will Smith himself…” Frank let out a snort and looked at Simon who had started bopping in his seat, clicking his fingers.

 “That finishes about midnight and then Saturday is the big one. You got 5 Seconds of Summer, George Ezra and Liam Gallagher from Oasis headlining that night.” Jake continued “The other stages rage from all sorts. Mo-Town, Indie, Chart, Reggae…and then there’s a party after which continues until early hours, run by Hot Dub Time Machine.”

“Shut the front door!” Simon snorted “Hot Dub?”

Jake nodded.

“Dude I saw him one New Year’s Eve in New York a few years ago.” Simon said “He was brilliant!”

Frank sat and listened as his friends started to discuss the concert in more detail. He had to admit, it sounded like a pretty good idea, and just the distraction Fliss could do with.

 “Hate to be the voice of logic…” Simon said. “But if it’s only like three weeks off, wont’ we have trouble getting hotel rooms?”

“Fuck that, I’ll sleep on the back of the truck.” Frank said, causing the rest of them to laugh. “No need Frankie-boi, I got a client who works for the Hyatt Group man.” Jake shook his head “Three rooms already reserved out in the Regency, about 10 minutes’ walk if that from Bayfront Park where the concert is…just in case you fancied it. $100 a room for 2 nights, including a late checkout on the Sunday coz, well, we’re gonna need it.”

 “Three?” Frank frowned.

 “You and Fliss, Simon and Bonnie, and Me and Greg…” “What about Zara and Lisa?” he frowned “I thought this was a couple’s thing, not a boys weekend away…” 

“Well it was going to be…” Greg shrugged “But Zara’s away with the kids that weekend, decided to go back to California as her sister is being taken in for a C-section, and of course she has to be there…”

“And it’s Lisa’s idea of hell…” Jake supplied.

 “So why don’t we re-arrange?” Simon asked.

“Fuck that!” Jake snorted “I’m got a child and fiancée free pass for the weekend.” “Amen brother!” Gregg hi-fived him.

 “But you two can bring your girls, no problem…they’re cool” Jake gestured between Frank and Simon with his beer bottle. “Thanks for your permission…” Frank raised an eyebrow. 

****

Naturally, Fliss was over the moon with the promise of a music festival, especially when she looked up the acts that were on. So, when the Friday in question rolled around, after dropping Mary at school, with strict instructions she was to behave herself as Frank WOULD be checking, they set off in Fliss’ jeep, Frank driving as she lounged in the passenger seat, eyes hidden by her aviators, hair pulled into a loose side pony tail as they made the four hour down the coast and across state to Florida, stopping half way for some food at a roadside diner.

Simon and Bonnie weren’t due to arrive until just gone 5 ish, Bonnie having to finish the morning’s classes before she could leave, whilst Jake and Greg were here having come down the night before, so when they had checked in they decided to freshen up and go for a walk, Fliss eager to hit Lincoln Road Mall. They spent a few hours just walking and looking in the shops, eventually finding a Pandora one which Fliss headed into wanting a new charm for her bracelet as a memory of the weekend. She paced the shop eventually settling for a silver palm tree with a small diamond in the middle of the trunk and Frank batted her hand down when she went to pay, instead producing his card. The usual argument about who was paying ensued, which eventually Frank won by telling Fliss that he wanted to be the one that filled that bracelet for her, and she relented, smiling softly. Frank didn’t miss the relieved look on the shop assistant’s face as she finally waved the out of the store.

They met Jake and Greg in a bar not far from the hotel, and they were joined by Bonnie and Simon for a drink before the two girls announced they were heading off to get changed and ready for the evening.  Frank left it until about 20 minutes before he needed to be ready and headed up to their room, pulling on one of his infamous hideous Hawaiian shirts which he had brought especially. Fliss looked at him, shaking her head with a fond smile on her face as he innocently asked her what the problem was. She laughed and told him nothing at all, before she gave him a kiss and they headed down to meet the others.

 The walk down to the Park took them 10 minutes. Fliss was walking slightly ahead with Bonnie, her braid swinging down her back, gently brushing against the yellow off the shoulder top she was wearing. Her bottom half was dressed in denim shorts, a pair of pink converse boots on her feet. She’d certainly embraced the Festival Vibe, opting for bright colours in honour of the fact they were heading back musically a few decades. They arrived and joined the queue to exchange their tickets for wrists bands which took them about 15 minutes, and then they joined the lines to get through the main gates. That didn’t take long at all and once they were through they followed the crowd before Greg stopped, and looked around.

 “We get split up…” “We all got phones!” Jake snorted “What are you, 50?”

 “Sorry, force of habit with the kids…” Greg let out a groan as everyone laughed.

 “So the main stage is that way…” Jake said, pointing to his left “Right at the back. DJ stage is there, and the other stages are dotted about…anyone got any preference on where we go?” “Other than Will Smith I really wanna to go the 80s stage!” Fliss grinned and Bonnie Hi-Fived her.

 “Yeah we got some Duran Duran to dance to.” she agreed. “And Erasure.”

“And Wham.” “And Culture Club….” “Yeah, we get the picture…” Simon rolled his eyes.

 “Oh and I want to see the Queen and AC/DC tributes.” Fliss finished.

 “Anything else?” Frank looked at her.

“Beer.”

“Well we need tokens.” Jake said, “No cash at the bar, tokens only so…the tent is over there…”

 They all set off, Fliss and Bonnie hanging behind chatting away, but it wasn’t long before their chatter died down and Frank turned to see that, actually, it hadn’t died down, they’d disappeared. “Where the hell are the girls?”  Simon asked, looking round as he realised they were missing.

 “Knowing Fliss in some tent getting her face painted…” Frank paused, turning on the spot before he spotted them. Fliss was stood as Bonnie was sat on a stool, having some sort of Festival glitter painted around her temple and eye socket. “Yup, there you go…” Simon followed his gaze and snorted. “Fucking hell…what are they, 8?” “Leave ‘em be.” Frank said fondly “Come on, let’s go get the drinks sorted.”

 He waved at Fliss, before pointing to where they were going and she gave him a thumbs up to show she understood, before Bonnie stood up and she sat down. Frank smiled at her face as it lit up and he headed off after Simon.

 By the time they had gotten the tokens and ordered beers for them all, the girls still hadn’t joined them, and it didn’t take long to realise why. They were both in a tent which contained 2 electronic dance mats, right in the middle of a very energetic dance off.

 “It’s like having a pair of kids…” Simon mumbled the boys stood by the entrance to the tent whilst Frank simply grinned. As they watched Bonnie made a mistake, the mat flashed red, and then another one, before Fliss made one too. The two girls’ foot work was ridiculously fast as the song gathered pace and finally the routine ended. Fliss grinned and hi-fived Bonnie as their scores flashed up, Fliss winning by 60 points.

 “Yesss!” she punched the air as Bonnie shook her head and the man handed them both some really tacky bright pink beaded necklaces for taking part. 

“Re-match…” Bonnie said, looking at Fliss as they both dropped the necklaces over their heads. 

“Maybe later, I’m fucked now…” Fliss said, bending over, hands on her knees as she drew her breath “I need a drink!”

 She turned and saw the boys in the doorway, Frank raised an eyebrow and held up the beer and she grinned. 

“I knew I bought you for something.” He rolled his eyes and then Greg suggested they head off to the first stage for the start of the 80s Tribute acts. They only intended to stay for a short while but Fliss begged Frank to stay longer, and was backed up by Bonnie as the Duran-Duran band came on. Fliss told Frank if he wanted to go and meet up later he could, but truth be told he didn’t want to. This was as much a weekend for him and her as it was for him and his friends, so with that in mind Simon and Frank both decided to stay with the girls and that they would find the others later.

 And Frank was glad of his decision, as about 20 minutes later, when Hungry Like the Wolf started to play, Fliss was bouncing around like a lunatic. He knew it was one of her favourite songs, and seeing her cutting loose was making him a little horny if truth be told. He moved up behind her and grabbed her hips, swaying with her in time to the music as he dropped a kiss to her shoulder, gently singing along as she danced in front of him, occasionally brushing up against the front of his shorts, which was doing nothing to help his current situation.

 “Someone’s definitely on the hunt down…” she teased, pushing her ass back into his crotch whilst she turned her head to face him as the song morphed into Rio. He grinned and gave her a kiss.

 “Not hunting, I already got you.” “Hmm, yeah you did…” she murmured against his lips.

 The continued dancing with one another, Simon and Bonnie doing the same before the 4 of them all decided they were ready for another drink. As fate would have it, they found Greg and Jake already at the bar. They muscled their way in, grabbed another beer and then all turned to head towards one of the tall, standing tables which were dotted around not far from the bar. Frank waited for Fliss as she had ordered a bottle of water too, and the guy serving had forgotten it. When he came back, apologising, Fliss waved him off and thanked him as Frank picked the bottle up and stuck it in his pocket. He reached for Fliss’ hand, and they were making their way over to their friends when suddenly he felt Fliss yell out and she stopped dead. He turned to face her, seeing someone had bumped into her and her beer had spilt all down her top.

 “Hey, come on man…” Frank looked at the guy as Fliss pulled her hand out of his to wipe at her top “Be careful huh…” But the man wasn’t looking at him, his eyes were fixed completely on Fliss. “Yes, wouldn’t want an accident now would we, Felicity?” At the sound of her full name Frank instantly knew this had to be someone to do with her ex-husband and he reached out for Fliss as he saw her stiffen and slowly she raised her head to look at the man, her eyes widening and she swallowed.

 “Richard.” she spoke softly. 

“Fancy seeing you here. Must be nice to be free to do what you want.” “Yeah, well, making up for lost time. I didn’t exactly get a lot of chance to have fun when your brother was beating the shit out of me.” Her chin raised a little defiantly and Frank felt a surge of pride as she stood up for herself, the anger evident on her face.

 “You’re a fucking liar…” Richard said and Frank immediately stepped in.

 “Ok that’s enough…” he spoke sternly, glaring at the man “We’re not here for any trouble, we’re just out for a good time with friends, and I’d like to keep it that way. So, if you don’t mind, we’re done here.” he turned to Fliss and slid his arm round her waist, making to steer her away.

 “You need to be careful.” Richard spoke to Frank’s retreating back. “Now she’s got her claws into you, you’re done…first sign of trouble she’ll be accusing you of all sorts.”

 Frank sighed, he’d tried to be reasonable, but the anger felt like it was bubbling from his feet and he whirled round, placing himself in between the man and Fliss. “Listen, asshole, why don’t you just fuck off?” his tone was laced with venom. “Your brother is a nasty, wife beating piece of shit.”

 At that Richard stepped forward, drawing himself to full height, still a good 3 inches shorter than Frank. His fists balled as he clenched his hands at his side, his mouth curled up into a snarl.

 “She’s a liar.”  Richard pointed at Fliss, before his attention turned back to Frank. “She lied and because of her, John’s life and career is ruined…” “His life? Ruined?” Frank barked out a laugh “Your brother got nothing more than he deserved, and so will you if you don’t get the fuck outta my face.”

 “Frank…” Fliss pleaded with him, pulling on his arm and desperately looking around for help before this descended into a fight. Thankfully, she caught Jake’s eye who hit Greg on the shoulder, who in turn tapped Simon, and the three of them plus Bonnie hastily started to jog over.

 “If he was that bad why has he been considered for parole?” Richard shrugged “An appeal his lawyer is convinced he’ll win…” Richard said, taking a step back as the other men approached. “And that’s all because they finally saw through her lies…” Frank made an angry noise but Greg pushed himself in between the two men, patting Frank on the chest.

 “Come on buddy…” he said. “Whatever it is, leave it…” Jake went to grab Frank’s arm, but he jerked it out of his grip.

 “I’ll tell you this…” Frank pointed at Richard “If he gets out, you can tell him from me, he stays the fuck away from my girl, and the rest of my family, you got that? Or I’ll put him in a hospital, see how he likes it.”

 “Big man making all the threats huh?” “It ain’t a threat, it’s a god-damned promise.” Frank snarled. Richard gave a snort of a laugh before he allowed his wife to steer him away, shooting one last contemptuous glance at both him and Fliss.

 “What the fuck?” Simon turned to Frank, who completely ignored him and moved to where Fliss was stood, her arms wrapped cross her front, hugging herself, Bonnie gently talking to her.

 “You ok?” he asked her gently and she gave a nod as he took her in his arms, hugging her tightly, hand falling to the back of her head.

 Greg gave Frank a questioning look, which Frank answered with two words “His brother.” “Who’s brother?” Jake pressed, “What just happened? I’m so confused.” “To be fair that doesn’t take much…” Frank heard Greg say which earned him a “Fuck you” in response, and the two men began to bicker as Fliss stepped back from his arms. Frank looked down at her, taking her face in his hands.  “You good?”

“Yeah…” she nodded “You shouldn’t have risen to him.” “Probably not.” he shrugged “But I’m not having that piece of shit or anyone associated with him trash mouthing you.”

 “My hero…” she rolled her eyes, but the smile on her face told him he wasn’t in too much trouble. He gave a snort of a laugh and dropped a kiss to her head. “Can we go back to the dancing now please? And I need another beer, that ass hole spilt mine.” “Is it time for tequila yet?” Bonnie asked, offering Fliss a drink of her beer. Fliss took a sip, shaking her head

“I swore after last time I would never drink that shit again.”

“But that was a lie, right?” Bonnie looked at her as she passed her pint back over. 

“Yup, a very big lie…” Fliss agreed, causing the rest of the group to laugh. 

So they did their tequila. Several shots of to be intact and spent the rest of the night wandering stage to stage, lapping up the atmosphere. Frank kept a close eye on his girl who seemed none the worse for her encounter as she danced the night away with him and Bonnie, the 2 of them disappearing at one point for a walk around the various stalls that were around the outside, coming back with a packet of interlocking glow sticks which they proceeded to activate and make head wear out of. 

 Will Smith took to the stage at about 10 pm and Frank was beside himself with laughter as Fliss reverted to some kind of school kid. She seemed to know every single word to every goddamned song he had, and when it came to Men In Black she launched expertly into the dance routine that half the crowd were doing, in time to the video showing behind the stage.  Simon and Jake tried to copy her before they both gave up and when she finished she turned around and Frank raised his beer to her and she bowed, as they all laughed. Deciding that they didn’t want to stay for the after party, considering they knew it was going to be a really late one the next evening, instead they agreed to head down to the beach. They managed to find a guy who was walking round with a cool box selling beer and they bought 2 bottles each, for twice the price they should be but, whatever…

 When in Miami…

 As they walked across the sand, Frank looped his arm round Fliss’ shoulder whilst they weaved themselves through the various mini-parties which seemed to be going on as people were set up all over with small fires, beer, drinks and music playing. Frank had a sneaking suspicion half of them were probably intending on sleeping there too. Eventually they found a clear spot and flopped down onto the sand, under the illumination of one of the boardwalk lights and then Simon stood up, heading over to a group of teenagers sat a bit to their right.

“What’s he doing?” Greg asked. 

“I think he’s reverse bootlegging.” Jake said and Frank gave a snort of laughter.

“What?” Fliss frowned, “What’s that?” “Instead of selling alcohol to underage kids he’s buying it off them, look.” Frank said, nodding to him. Fliss watched as Simon slipped one of the kids a twenty and took the bottle of vodka he was offering to them, raising it up as he walked back.

 “What the fuck man?” Greg snorted “That’s…”

“Shameful.” Jake nodded before he chuckled, shaking his head. “I love it.” With a grin Simon dropped down next to Bonnie, standing the bottle of vodka up in the middle of the circle they seemed to have made as Fliss sat between Frank’s legs, leaning back against his chest. His spare hand ran up and down the outside of her thigh softly as they all sat chatting about the evening, comparing their best bits and what they were looking forward to tomorrow evening. Eventually, someone, Frank wasn’t sure who, decided that they should play Never Have I Ever, and Fliss eagerly agreed, jumping in with the first question.

 “Ok, never have I ever driven a boat…” Fliss smirked.

“What, that’s a crap one!” Frank snorted “Everyone here’s probably driven one…including you.”

“Nope…”

 “Bullshit!” he snorted “On our first date, and several times since…”

 “I sailed it Frankie, I didn’t drive it…”

 He paused for a moment and then looked up as everyone in the circle grinned.

 “She’s right man…” Simon conceded “I sailed mine too…” “And me…”

“And me…”

 “Oh fuck you!” Frank spluttered as they all laughed at him. Fliss handed him the bottle, which he took from her with a glare taking a mouthful. Fucking hell, he could tell it was cheap as it burnt like paint stripper as he swallowed, wincing. 

That was basically the way the game went. Each trying to deliberately catch everyone else out. Simon caught Jake spectacularly, forcing him to reveal a tale about how he got locked out of a hotel room, naked on the balcony and climbed down 2 storeys to go and get a spare key from reception, Simon repeatedly got Bonnie on a number of occasions before Frank caught Fliss out with the tale of how she had once called her University Lecturer “Daddy.” by mistake. 

“Ok, Never have I ever…”  Fliss paused, before a wicked grin spread on her face and she looked at Frank “Called anyone else’s name during sex.”

“Oh God…” Frank heard Bonnie mumble from where she was sat, but before he could even open his mouth to call Fliss an ass hole, he saw Greg reaching for the bottle.

“No WAY!” Fliss spluttered, looking at Greg “What? When!”

 “I was about 21…” Greg said, scrunching up his face. “I was in bed with a girl and, well, I called her mom’s name.” The entire group fell silent before Jake, Frank and Simon all let out a roar of laughter, and Fliss snorted, grinning from ear to ear.

 “That’s…impressive.” Frank nodded as Greg put the bottle down and Fliss picked it up and handed it to Frank. Everyone turned their attention to him as he narrowed his eyes and grabbed it from her.

 “Spill.” Simon pointed at him.

 “I err, well…look, it…” Frank stuttered over his words “I was…look we don’t need to discuss this…” he said, knocking back the vodka and avoiding Bonnie’s eyes, shaking his head “I plead the 5th.” There were various groans around the group but when they realised Frank wasn’t going to budge Greg shrugged, calling him a pussy, and picked the next category.

 “Never have I ever kissed someone of the same sex.” he said, with a raised eyebrow. Both Fliss and Bonnie moved for the bottle at the same time, and the boys all cheered.

“Was it each other?” Simon grinned “Please tell me it was…” “Ok,no…that…” Frank began to protest, hiccupping slightly.  “That would be weird…”

“No it wasn’t each other.” Bonnie grinned at Simon “I was 17, playing spin the bottle and had to kiss this girl called Eva…” “And that’s it?” Simon asked.

“Yeah…” she nodded, taking a drink from the bottle before she passed it to Fliss.

 “Spill…” Frank instructed her, his hand on her hip where she was still nestled in between his legs.

 “I was 19…and, yeah, well, I experimented” she shrugged. “A few times…” 

“Wait, there was…” Frank looked at her as she turned her head to grin at him “You did more than kiss?”

 “For me to know and you to find out Sailor…” she winked. Well fuck me!

 Another 15 minutes or go they’d exhausted the bottle of vodka and decided to call it a night. Bonnie was faring the worst out of them all, her and Simon walking a little behind everyone as he kept his arm round her to keep her steady. Frank noticed Fliss was remarkably with it considering what they’d drunk, but then for such a small person she did have quite a high tolerance, and she’d drunk a hell of a lot of water as well.

 At the hotel they bid everyone goodnight and headed up to their room where Fliss decided she needed to shower to get rid of all the glitter and sand and sweat from dancing. Frank was inclined to agree so let her go first, swapping over after 10 minutes or so with an exchange of a soft kiss in the bathroom doorway. By the time Frank got out of the shower Fliss was sat cross legged on the large bed dressed in a camisole and boy-shorts set which was white with multi-coloured polka dots on it. It was the set he had bought her for Valentine’s Day, along with a set of baby-pink lace underwear. He loved seeing her in lace, but there was something about the lounge sets like the one she was wearing now that gave her an innocence, made her look so comfy and so settled that he adored seeing her wearing them around the house and to bed…even if they didn’t stay on long.

 She grinned up at him as he smiled, crossing to drop a kiss on her head.

 “You raid the minibar?” he asked, nodding to the packet of chips she had ripped open.

 “Yeah.” she shrugged “Figured fuck it, why not?” “Well…”he crossed the room and opened the fridge which was under the TV unit “In for a penny…” he pulled two beers out, popped the tops and passed her one.

 “Don’t you think we’ve had enough?”

“Can you see straight?”

 “Yeah…”

“Then no.” he said and she laughed, taking it from him.

 “You’re a bad man Frank Adler.” “I try.” he quipped. She shook her head, smiling before she reached for her phone which had just gone off. Frank whipped the towel from around his waist and stepped into a clean pair of boxers before he roughly dried his hair.

 “Bonnie says her and Simon are hitting the beach during the day tomorrow…do you fancy it?” “Sure.” he nodded, dropping to the bed, laying down on his side, propping himself up on his elbow as he reached for a Dorito.

 “At least I think that’s what this message says. ‘Going to the Bitch…’ I mean that’s gotta be beach huh?” 

Frank snorted as Fliss scrunched up the empty chip bag and tossed it across the room where it settled just besides the bin. They both looked at it for a second before Fliss shrugged. ”She was trashed.”

 “I’m not surprised.” Fliss said, moving to toss her phone onto the night table before she too settled on her side, facing Frank, elbow on the pillow “Simon was deliberately asking questions in that game where he knew she’d have to drink…” “Oh and you weren’t…” he looked at Fliss who shrugged, grinning cheekily “Never have I ever called anyone else’s name during sex, I mean seriously! She was right there!”

 “I know, which is what made it so funny.” “Funny is not the word I would use…” “Oh whatever, and as if Greg has done that too!” she said, chuckling as she also settled on her side “He’s a dark horse…” “So are you…” he looked at her taking a long drink of his beer. “In fact….I think you need to tell me more about these lesbian encounters you experienced whilst experimenting aged 19."  

 "They weren't proper lesbian encounters, I was teasing you...." 

 "I don't care, make em up." He said and she let out a laugh.

 "If I do will it get me something nice?" she grinned.

 "Something very, very nice."  He raised an eyebrow suggestively.

 Fliss grinned and then launched into a clearly made up bullshit story about some girl called Candy and Frank completely zoned out. He was simply too caught up concentrating on the childish, teasing expression on her face as she spoke. Her eyes were shining in the dim light of the room as she talked and grinned in the same manner she had been doing all night. Not even the encounter with that asshole’s brother has dampened her spirit. She was just enjoying herself, freely. And so was he. She said she couldn't remember the last festival or concert she had been to, and Frank had admitted the same. It had to have been easily 10 years ago. It felt good to be recapturing that part of their lives they had both given up (albeit for very different reasons) and making new memories together that he knew would last a lifetime. 

 A lifetime...huh, how about that?

 He zoned back in just in time to hear Fliss' very risqué story telling, and dropped his head with a sight that was half laugh, half groan at her filthy tale.

 "...and her thighs were so strong, it was ridiculous, my ears were squashed so hard, I felt like my head was in a vice. Still, I managed to-"

 "Ok..." he said, taking her beer off her and setting it down on his nightstand along with his, before he leaned over Fliss, caging her with his arms "I'm getting kinda jealous...and a bit turned on...it’s very confusing.

 “You asked…” she muttered as his face dropped her hers.

“Yeah, I did…” his lips brushed against hers “And I promised you something nice…” “Very,very nice…” Fliss said, her hands sliding up his arms to his shoulder.

 “Well, I’m a man of my word…” he grinned, lips pressing to hers harder this time in a soft, deep kiss which he pulled away from and ran his nose against hers. “Turn over…”

 “What?” she looked at him, her eyes widening slightly.

“You trust me?”

“Of course I do…” “Then turn over…”

 She took a deep breath, and looked at him and he looked straight back, fully understanding what she was thinking. He’d never asked her to do that before. “Lissy, I promise I’m not gonna hurt you.” “I know you’re not…” she shook her head, before she bit her lip and he moved back so she could turn over onto her stomach. With gently finger tips he brushed her hair off her shoulders, sweeping it to one side gently dropping soft kisses down her neck as his hands traced down to her hips. He gently grasped her top and she moved to allow him to slide it up and over.

 The sheets on the bed rustled slightly as he moved downwards, pressing his lips to the small of her back, watching her reaction carefully as he saw her fingers clutching softly at the pillow. He continued his affections, lips and hands exploring every part of the soft skin on her back until he was fully led over her, thighs bracketing hers, his mouth gently sucking at that spot behind her ear that drove her wild. And right on cue she let out a low groan and he felt his groin twitch at the noise. Fliss could feel his hardness against her back and as his teeth gently grazed her ear she felt her spine arch slightly.

 He moved away, and his hand gently slid to grasp at the hem of her shorts, and she tilted her hips up slightly so he could pull them down, hurriedly departing with his own boxers before he resumed his previous position.

 “You good?” he asked her softly and she nodded in response. 

With gentle hands he reached down between her legs to finding her hot and wet for him already. At his touch she arched her back again. Frank let out a grin and moved slightly so he could part her thighs with his knee. Repositioning himself, he led flat, his arms sliding up hers so he could lace his fingers with hers, palms resting on the backs of her hands and he gently pushed into her, the pair of them giving a groan at the feeling and tightness of this angle. He gently thrust, his chest sliding up over her back, and she moved ever so slightly with him, her head tilted back slightly and she turned her face towards his where he caught her mouth in a slow, sloppy kiss. Frank continued his languid, deep movements, listening to the quickening of her breath and eventually he felt her hips beginning to rise in slow circles, her whimpers increasing.

 He gently knelt up, and pulled her hips so she was perched on her knees, pushing into her slowly, deeply, letting her get used to the position that they’d never tried before because Frank knew it wasn’t one she had good memories of but right now, her body was relaxed and she was giving him everything. His hand reached up and he traced down her spine before he leaned over and placed another soft kiss on her neck before he moved and grasped at her hips again, his pace gently quickening, a low moan escaping his mouth as Fliss pushed back onto him, wordlessly telling him she wanted more. He thrust forwards again and again, pulling her back onto him at the same time, his eyes focussed on where they were joined, the sight of him sliding in and out of her made him moan with desire.

“Don’t stop…” he heard her half pant, half whisper and he picked up the pace ever so slightly, leaning over to gently nip at the back of her neck, causing her to shudder, a deep growl rumbled in his chest as her walls briefly squeezed around him.

“Fuck, baby…” he groaned as her hands clutched at the bed sheets whilst he buried himself deep inside of her stilling for a moment.

“Frankie…” she whined and squirmed as she turned to look at him over her shoulder. Once glance at his clenched jaw and she knew he was trying to fight back his high as he picked up his previous movements, just a little bit faster. She was close, quietly moaning his name as she dropped her head back down, forehead against the pillows, her spine arching as he continued to thrust.

Frank groaned again “Come on sweetheart...” his voice deeper like it always was when he was in the throes of desire, “let go for me.” He rolled his hips forwards, five or six more times before she was done.

“Fuck, Frank, I…” she let out a broken cry as her core spasmed again and again and her entire body trembled as a loud lament spilled from her lips. He was done himself, and with a groan of her name his relief washed over him with an intensity he couldn’t even begin to describe.

Fliss collapsed forward and Frank tumbled with her, his chest onto her back, his weight crushing her in the best way possible for a second ot two before he rolled onto his side. Reaching out, his hand gently across her bare back as Fliss face, which was pressed into the pillow turned to face him.

He leaned over and gave her a soft kiss, brushing her hair off her face.

“Okay…” she mumbled, nodding at him “I’ll concede. That was very, very nice…”

******* “You behaving?” Frank asked Mary as he and Fliss lay in bed the next morning, the phone held at arms-length so they could both see her.

“Yeah, of course…” Mary rolled her eyes “Bill took me to the yard last night and Joanne helped me tack Monty up and then Bill walked round the field with us so the dogs could have a run and it was awesome!”

“When I get back we’ll do the full trail ride.” Fliss smiled at her “Takes a good hour, we can go one evening before it gets dark.”

“Cool!” Mary grinned, bending down and then suddenly Fred’s bemused face filled the screen. Frank snorted as he was instructed to say hi to Fred, which he did, before the cat settled down on Mary’s lap and she continued to chat to him about what she had done the night before…which was basically staying up until gone midnight with Bill watching Harry Potter in the movie room.

Eventually they got her to pass the phone over to Verity, who assured Frank she was no trouble, and then they cut the call and decided to get up and head down for breakfast to meet everyone.

The day was spent lazily on the beach. Fliss hardly moved at all, simply soaking up the sun as Frank and Simon continuously brought her and Bonnie a supply of drinks as the man remained by the bar at the top of the sand.

“I gotta ask…”Bonnie said, turning to look at Fliss “And tell me to shut up if I’m outta line but yesterday, that guy Frank looked like he wanted to kill…who was he? Simon says he’s never seen Frank that angry…” “Oh, err…” Fliss rubbed her head “It was my ex-husbands brother, he was being an ass hole.” “Oh.” Bonnie frowned “I take it you don’t get along…nasty break up?” “You could say that…” Fliss said, taking a sip of her drink, tapping the straw lightly on her lips. “John…my ex…he er…he used to beat me. Badly. He’s actually in prison, well, for how long we don’t know as he had his parole hearing about 4 weeks ago so..” “Oh shit…” Bonnie dropped her gaze “Sorry, I didn’t…” “It’s ok.” Fliss said, waving off the usual apologies that came when she told someone about her past.

There was a moment of silence before Bonnie sat up and looked at Fliss.

“Wanna go for a dip?”

Fliss glanced at her, then down to the ocean and grinned, nodding.

Yelling to the boys to watch their stuff they headed down to the waves, Fliss happily diving straight in, simply allowing herself to float. She was calm, relaxed, and couldn’t remember a time she’d ever felt so happy before.

Eventually, it hit 5pm and Fliss was hungry. So they decided to pack up, grab a bite from the bar and then go change ready for the evening. Fliss had to smile as she saw Frank and the rest of the boys stood at a table by the beach bar all clutching pints and laughing. He was dressed in a pink shirt, black shorts with a baseball cap on the wrong way, glasses shielding his eyes.

“I never realised what an overgrown Frat Boy I’m dating.” Fliss mumbled to Bonnie who snorted as they made their way up the wooden boardwalk, beach bags in their hand.

 “Hey pretty girl.” Frank smiled as Fliss slid under his arm, reaching for his pint. With a roll of his eyes he watched as she took a huge drink. “You know if you want one I’ll get you one…” “Tastes better when it’s someone else’s.” Fliss shrugged.

 “Yeah, why is that?” Bonnie asked.

 “Because it’s stolen.” Simon looked at her “Well known fact, forbidden fruit just tastes better.”

Fliss went again for Frank’s drink and he jerked it out of her reach “Piss off, look, here…” he said, reaching into his pocket and handing her his wallet “Go to the bar.” She grinned and dropped a kiss to his lips, turning away, Bonnie following.

 “Dude you’re so whipped.” Jake snorted at him.

 “Yeah, I don’t much care.” Frank shrugged, burping slightly as he looked at Fliss, taking in her appearance. Her hair was falling around her face and down her back in a mass of long, messy salt and sand tangled waves and she was wearing a pink crochet slip over her black bikini. He would happily admit he was well under her spell and that she could whip him all she fucking wanted to. 

They grabbed a bite to eat, headed back, changed and made their way to the park for their second night of music. It went much the same as the night before, Bonnie and Fliss taking off on their own adventures, and Frank keeping his eyes peeled for any sign of John’s fucker of a brother, but he didn’t see him.

 By the time Liam Gallagher came onto the stage, Fliss was drunk. And so was he. But it didn’t stop her from going wild. Once again she knew every single word to every single song and when he launched into Rock and Roll Star she started pogoing like a person possessed. Mind you, so was everyone else on the dance floor in front of the stage, so Frank joined in. He quite liked this song and, well, if you can’t beat ‘em join ‘em…

 He ended the set with Live Forever, Frank’s favourite song that he had done and Fliss sighed happily.

“He’s sooo good!” she said, “Why does he have to go?”

“Because his set has finished.” “But why?” “Because it has!” Frank laughed “He’s been on for almost an hour and it’s 1 am!”

“Hey, Liss, don’t worry…” Bonnie hiccupped “Hot Dub starts in 20…just enough time for a drink…” “Yes…” Fliss agreed, pointing at her. “But I think I need some water too.”

“Pussy…” Frank looked at her and she narrowed his eyes at him.

“I’ll carry on drinking beer if you want, but you’ll be clearing up my puke later.” He snorted and held his hands up, palms out “Water it is.” Hot Dub Time Machine was surreal. He was on for about an hour and took them through a load of the best party songs from the 60s right through to the present day. One minute Frank was doing the Twist and Shout with Fliss, and the next they were all in a circle air-guitaring to Immigrant Song by Led Zep.

 By the time they left the park it was almost half 2 in the morning and Fliss decided that she didn’t want to walk and insisted Frank give her a piggy back. He rolled his eyes but crouched down and she took a jump onto his back as he carried her the 10 minutes or so back to the hotel, Simon groaning at him as Bonnie kept complaining he wouldn’t carry her.

 “You’re showing me up, dude!” he glared at Frank who simply shrugged as Fliss smirked.

 “I like riding him.” She hiccupped, as everyone burst into laughter and Frank shook his head as she pressed a kiss to his cheek.

 “You’re a fucking nightmare” he sniggered and she shrugged.

 *****

 The next morning everyone was feeling the effects of a heavy weekend, and Frank was pleased that they had the late check out option. Eventually, after dragging themselves out of bed they managed to shower, pack up and head down to check out. There was another argument about who was paying for the room, this time Fliss winning as she put her foot down telling him he was paying for New York and that she really wanted to pay for this. She’d told Frank before about John never letting her have any financial control over anything and Frank knew that it meant a lot to her so he relented, and instead bought them brunch before they set off home.

 They got back in time for a roast dinner, and then they headed back to the annex to watch a film, Fliss crashing out halfway through. She left them to it and headed to bed and was flat out by the time Frank made his way upstairs.

 “I can’t believe you got the day off!” She moaned at him over breakfast on the Monday morning.

 “I can’t believe you didn’t” he shot back

“I can’t…clients and stuff.” She pouted, biting into her toast before she groaned again. “I’m too old for partying all weekend…I can’t hack it anymore.” Frank snorted and took a sip of his coffee before Fliss grinned at him. “Can we go again next year?”

 Frank laughed “The Circle Of Truth have already decided it’s going to be an annual thing from now on.” he said, standing up and with a kiss to her head he moved to the stairs yelling for Mary to get a wiggle on. She came down the stairs, Fred and Thor following before she ate her cereal and then Frank bustled her out of the door to drop her off for the last Monday of the school term. 

Wednesday lunchtime, however, their happy little bubble burst.

 Frank was actually in the sales part of the shop, discussing the benefits of different types of engines with a customer, having been asked to give some advice. He spotted Fliss’ jeep pulling up and as soon as she climbed out and turned towards him, he could tell from her face what was going on.

 “Excuse me for just one second.” He politely told the customer, and glancing at his boss he jerked his head towards Fliss. His boss, a nice enough guy called Andy, knew vaguely what was going on and nodded in understanding as Frank stepped outside.

 “Baby?” he asked tentatively as Fliss stopped in front of him.

“He did it.” she whispered softly, stepping into his arm, pressing her face into his chest.  “He made parole. They let the fucker out.”

**** Chapter 18

#riding high #frank adler #frank adler x ofc #frank adler x original female character #gifted #gifted fan fic

[crystal-wind]

Crystal Wind Oracle Card for Sunday - June 11, 2023

Isis - Mother, Wife and Goddess of the Nile In Egyptian mythology, Isis is the matrix of eternal life.

Drawing this card means: You should reflect on the feminine aspects that influence your life. This could mean you need to connect with your Mother or someone that represents a Mother figure. You should connect with your Sister, Mother or Wife and spend some quality time with them. If they are in spirit then you can reach out to them and ask them for balance and guidance. There are those around you that see you as their provider of balance and nurturing. To find out more...get the app or card deck! :)

Boxed Card Deck: https://oracle.crystalwind.ca MobileApp: ‎Apple‬: http://bit.ly/ZW95es ‎Android‬: http://bit.ly/18B1BRf ‎Amazon‬: http://bit.ly/KindleOracle (3 & 5 card readings only available in full version only!)

The Crystal Wind Oracle Myth & Magic Card Deck! Beautiful Boxed Edition! A must have! Includes cloth bag! Get the deck here: https://oracle.crystalwind.ca

‪#‎Artwork‬ by Lisa iris - https://www.lisairis.ca/

#app #mobile app #divination #oracle #oraclecards #crystalwind

[lets-steal-an-archive]

John Scott-Railton: As we are all wondering where QAnon is headed, let me direct you to an *excellent* twitter thread/syllabus of readings by Prof. @AmarAmarasingam. Highly recommended. 👇👇👇

1/ Was making a QAnon reading list for a journalist friend of mine, and thought the rest of you might find it useful as well – especially this week. Enjoy.

2/ On origins, @QOrigins did a good summary piece a few weeks ago:

Bellingcat Investigation Team (2021). The Making of QAnon: A Crowdsourced Conspiracy. bellingcat. 7 January https://www.bellingcat.com/news/americas/2021/01/07/the-making-of-qanon-a-crowdsourced-conspiracy/, accessed 23 January 2021.

3/ On spread outward, great piece by @BrandyZadrozny and @oneunderscore__

Brandy Zadrozny and Ben Collins, 2018. "How three conspiracy theorists took 'Q' and sparked Qanon," NBC News (14 August), at https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/how-three-conspiracy-theorists-took-q-sparked-qanon-n900531, accessed January 23, 2021.

4/ On mainstreaming:

Lisa Lerer, 2020. "The QAnon Caucus." New York Times (June 18), at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/18/us/politics/qanon-candidates.html, accessed January 23, 2021.

5/ On mainstreaming, by @AlKapDC:

Alex Kaplan. 2020. "In 2020, QAnon became all of our problem." Media Matters (December 31), at https://www.mediamatters.org/qanon-conspiracy-theory/2020-qanon-became-all-our-problem, accessed January 23, 2021.

6/ On QAnon as a security concern, by me and @_MAArgentino:

Arnath Amarasingam and Marc-André Argentino (2020). The QAnon conspiracy theory: A security threat in the making? CTC Sentinel, 13, 37–44. Retrieved from https://ctc.usma.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/CTC-SENTINEL-072020.pdf, accessed January 23, 2021.

7/ Cross-platform analysis of QAnon online, by research team at University of Amsterdam:

de Zeeuw, D., Hagen, S., Peeters, S., & Jokubauskaite, E. (2020). Tracing normiefication. First Monday, 25(11). https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v25i11.10643, accessed January 23, 2021.

8/ Analysis of QAnon content on Facebook, by the team at @ISDglobal:

Ciaran O'Connor, Cooper Gatewood, Kendrick McDonald and Sarah Brandt. (2020). "The Boom Before the Ban: QAnon and Facebook." Institute for Strategic Dialogue (December 18), at https://www.isdglobal.org/isd-publications/the-boom-before-the-ban-qanon-and-facebook/, accessed January 23, 2021.

9/ Trend analysis of QAnon from 2017 to 2020, also by the @ISDglobal team:

Aoife Gallagher, Jacob Davey, Mackenzie Hart. (2020). "The Genesis of a Conspiracy Theory: Key Trends in QAnon Activity Since 2017." Institute for Strategic Dialogue (July 24), at https://www.isdglobal.org/isd-publications/the-genesis-of-a-conspiracy-theory/, accessed January 23, 2021.

10/ Looking at QAnon as a new religious movement, by @_MAArgentino:

Marc-André Argentino (2020). "The Church of QAnon: Will conspiracy theories form the basis of a new religious movement?" The Conversation (May 18), at https://theconversation.com/the-church-of-qanon-will-conspiracy-theories-form-the-basis-of-a-new-religious-movement-137859, accessed January 23, 2021.

11/ Also on QAnon as a new religious movement, by @_MAArgentino:

Marc-André Argentino (2020). "In the Name of the Father, Son, and Q: Why It's Important to See QAnon as a 'Hyper-Real' Religion," Religion Dispatches (May 28), at https://religiondispatches.org/in-the-name-of-the-father-son-and-q-why-its-important-to-see-qanon-as-a-hyper-real-religion/, accessed January 23, 2021.

12/ A recent broad overview of several issues related to QAnon, by @ncri_io:

Network Contagion Research Institute (2020). "The QAnon Conspiracy: Destroying Families, Dividing Communities, Undermining Democracy." (December 15) https://networkcontagion.us/wp-content/uploads/NCRI---The-QAnon-Conspiracy-FINAL.pdf, accessed January 23, 2021.

13/ Finally, on movement survival even after predictions repeatedly fail, by me and @_MAArgentino. Might be something to read going into inauguration. lol

Arnath Amarasingam and Marc-André Argentino (2020). "QAnon's Predictions Haven't Come True; So How Does the Movement Survive the Failure of Prophecy?," Religion Dispatches (October 28), at https://religiondispatches.org/qanons-predictions-havent-come-true-so-how-does-the-movement-survive-the-failure-of-prophecy/, accessed January 23, 2021.

14/14. As always, if I missed anything, please post as reply here.

15/14 Oh, and not an article, but @QanonAnonymous has been covering the ins and outs of this long before most. Here's a great episode with @elspethreeve about the Capitol Hill storming.

The Qanon Anonymous Podcast Episode 125: Coup Anon feat Elle Reeve & Eleanor Janega, Sunday 10 January 2021. https://pca.st/6oji9qk2, accessed January 23, 2021.

16/14 Yes. This also. Loved this piece.

Kaitlyn Tiffany (2020). "The Women Making Conspiracy Theories Beautiful," The Atlantic (August 18), at https://amp.theatlantic.com/amp/article/615364/, accessed January 23, 2021.

17/14 Also forgot a very intriguing piece by @chick_in_kiev

Talia Lavin. (2020). "QAnon, Blood Libel, and the Satanic Panic," New Republic (September 29), at https://newrepublic.com/article/159529/qanon-blood-libel-satanic-panic, accessed January 23, 2021.

#current events for ts #conspiracy theories #i'm around qanon cultists all 🤬 day #finally i have found the helpers #reading list #good words #updated with the list in text

[bookclub4m]

Episode 126 - Did Not Finish

This episode we’re discussing the dreaded Did Not Finish! We talk about why we don’t finish books, specific titles we didn’t finish, why not finishing books can be good, what “finishing” a book even means, how you “finish” a cross-media property, and returning to books we stopped reading. Plus: Speedrunning books!

You can download the podcast directly, find it on Libsyn, or get it through Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast delivery system.

In this episode

Anna Ferri | Meghan Whyte | Matthew Murray | RJ Edwards

Books We Did Not Finish Reading

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

Rivendale (Wikipedia)

Shelob (Wikipedia)

A Walking Song

The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

“Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul. Lo-lee-ta: the tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth. Lo. Lee. Ta. She was Lo, plain Lo, in the morning, standing four feet ten in one sock. She was Lola in slacks. She was Dolly at school. She was Dolores on the dotted line. But in my arms she was always Lolita. Did she have a precursor? She did, indeed she did. In point of fact, there might have been no Lolita at all had I not loved, one summer, an initial girl-child. In a princedom by the sea. Oh when? About as many years before Lolita was born as my age was that summer. You can always count on a murderer for a fancy prose style. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, exhibit number one is what the seraphs, the misinformed, simple, noble-winged seraphs, envied. Look at this tangle of thorns.”

American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson, translated by Reg Keeland

Moby-Dick or, the Whale by Herman Melville

Other Media We Mentioned (and may have finished!)

The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling

Highlander (film) (Wikipedia)

Nart Sagas from the Caucasus: Myths and Legends from the Circassians, Abazas, Abkhaz, and Ubykhs by John Colarusso

Overwatch (video game) (Wikipedia)

Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Wikipedia)

Spyro the Dragon (Wikipedia)

Later Alligator

Final Fantasy VII (Wikipedia)

Grand Theft Auto (Wikipedia)

World of Warcraft (Wikipedia)

Steven Universe (Wikipedia)

Some of the pilot episode

Vinyl soundtrack

Other Friends Song

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Wikipedia)

Once More, with Feeling (musical episode) (Wikipedia)

Buffering the Vampire Slayer

Watchmen by Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons, and John Higgins

Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson

Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift (Wikipedia)

Everyday Madness: On Grief, Anger, Loss and Love by Lisa Appignanesi 

Nightrunner Series by Lynn Flewelling

Tamír Triad Series by Lynn Flewelling

Fables, Vol. 2: Animal Farm by Bill Willingham, Mark Buckingham, Steve Leialoha, and James Jean

RJ’s review

Links, Articles, and Things

Matthew made the spreadsheet of the least finished books for Episode 095 - Ratings, Reviews, and Tags (you can find more info in the show notes to that episode)

Retro Hugo Awards (Wikipedia)

Smart Bitches, Trashy Books - Reviews by Grade 

Goodreads tags

Put Aside

Set Aside

BC4M

Bookclub4m

Mangasplaining

What do they mean by "tricks/strats/splits?"

“Strats are strategies used to save time.”

Questions

Have you ever read a Highlander novel?

Will you join us in reading “book twos” in 2022?

20 Religious Fiction by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, & People of Colour) Authors

Every month Book Club for Masochists: A Readers’ Advisory Podcasts chooses a genre at random and we read and discuss books from that genre. We also put together book lists for each episode/genre that feature works by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, & People of Colour) authors. All of the lists can be found here.

This retroactive genre list is for our episode on Religious Fiction. As discussed in that episode, Religious Fiction may mean something very different to different readers. The books in this list are fiction with prominent religious or spiritual themes, but vary quite a bit in tone and include a wide range of perspectives.

Black Sunday by Tola Rotimi Abraham

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

American Dervish by Ayad Akhtar

The Good Muslim by Tahmima Anam

Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin

Church Folk by Michele Andrea Bowen

Once on a Moonless Night by Dai Sijie, translated by by Adriana Hunter

Bring on the Blessings by Beverly Jenkins

Silence by Shūsaku Endō, translated by William Johnston

Ambiguous Adventure by Cheikh Hamidou Kane, translated by Katherine Woods

Ariel Samson: Freelance Rabbi by MaNishtana

Deacon King Kong by James McBride

Saint Young Men by Hikaru Nakamura, translated by Alethea & Athena Nibley

God in Pink by Hasan Namir

Foreign Gods, Inc. by Okey Ndibe 

A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki

Sleeping on Jupiter by Anuradha Roy

Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko

The Death of Vishnu by Manil Suri

Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese

Give us feedback!

Fill out the form to ask for a recommendation or suggest a genre or title for us to read!

Check out our Tumblr, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, join our Facebook Group, or send us an email! No book speedruns on our YouTube channel, but you can watch Matthew (and others) playthrough visual novels!

Join us again on Tuesday, June 1st we’ll be discussing the genre of Crime Fiction!

Then it’s almost time for our annual “We all read the same book” episode. So on Tuesday, June 15th we’ll each suggest and talk about one title and you’ll get to vote for which one we’ll read.

#episodes