I've been with my husband for two and a half years. We met when I was a teen and married shortly afterward. I was by no means some innocent, sheltered girl, but still, I was young, and a lot younger than him. I hadn't really thought much about having kids until I got pregnant. Okay, so judge me, it's easier. But if I'm being honest, I sometimes wonder that had I found out sooner, I might not have kept it. Especially since...

Friday started as a quiet day. Early retirement meant that Mr Roberts could relax in the comfort of his own home without the distractions of work. It was a real pleasure to stay in bed for as long as he wanted to, often rising around midday if the truth be known. Breakfast or early lunch, as it turned out, would consist of cereal, coffee and perhaps a sandwich if he was feeling peckish. Mornings in bed would often be asso...

“Happy birthday to me, happy fucking birthday to me…” I sang in my head, my dry mouth feeling as bitter as if I’d just tongued a battery. I terminated the holo-call, sat back in my chair, and sighed. I’d just been dumped, and on my fortieth birthday too. All because I’d bought myself a present that my ex-girlfriend clearly didn’t approve of. My name is John. I’m 6’ tall, slim, with broad shoulders and chestnut brown hair...

Martin stood me up. I sit at the corner table at ten past eight, and my wine is warm. The waiter is discreet, but this time he looks at the empty chair. The other diners are oblivious, and that is the only saving grace. I do not want them to know I care. It is three years since Christmas in Sainte-Maxime. In Nice, we are mother and daughter with two easels, and one day her art will surpass mine. In Paris, my apartment fee...

The balance of Aaron’s day went decidedly quicker, proving what he’d thought earlier: that even a challenging day would pass much easier were he in a better state of mind. A couple of his regulars even remarked on his upbeat mood, and when asked, he credited a fantastic lunch with a good friend. Fantastic indeed! Ashley went out shopping in the afternoon and took a call from Melody in the car. “Mom, you sound really happy...

Twenty minutes later, the police car entered the parking garage beneath a nondescript office building. They led me out of the cruiser with my hands still cuffed behind my back and guided me into an elevator. We rode to the sixth floor in silence. When the elevator doors opened, I found myself staring into a nearly vacant office suite. The walls were bare, and rectangular impressions in the carpet showed where desks had on...

Continued from the last paragraph of part 1. A week later, I sat below my favorite tree and saw my neighbor Gramps walking toward me. He stood in front of me and said, “Don’t worry, I am not going to break my promise. I wanted to ask you something. I golf with two friends of mine, and I slipped and told them about blowjobs, not sex, just blowjobs. They said they would pay a thousand dollars for a blowjob. Would you blow t...

Continued from the last paragraph of part 1. A week later, I sat below my favorite tree and saw my neighbor Gramps walking toward me. He stood in front of me and said, “Don’t worry, I am not going to break my promise. I wanted to ask you something. I golf with two friends of mine, and I slipped and told them about blowjobs, not sex, just blowjobs. They said they would pay a thousand dollars for a blowjob. Would you blow t...