Not Another Lonely Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 14, 2020 by Solara Gordon under Flash Fiction, Writing

One

Maria looked out across the dance floor. Couple swayed as the bluesy ballad continued. Another Valentine’s Day with no date. No male friends offering to accompany her to the Sadie Hawkins Dance or to even dance with her after they’d danced with their wives or girlfriends. Even her best friend Susan hadn’t attended. They usually danced the fast dances together where no one could tell who really partnered with who. Yes another lonely-hearts day for her.

She knew the potential outcome. Signing up to work the dinner rush and then during the dance hours kept her busy. Why tonight was hitting her harder than usual, she couldn’t say. Maria knew the number of Washburn Falls eligible males dwindled with each Sadie Hawkins dance. A couple might find their third or even another couple to form a quad with. She didn’t envy them. She compersively enjoyed seeing others enjoying their joy. Loving more than one was fine by her. Some chose to be monogamous. Most of Washburn Falls’ citizens embraced what pairbondings worked for those that chose them. At the last local LBGTQ chapter meeting, Chad Penndel, Washburn Falls mayor elect, announced same sex pairings were legal in the town’s eyes. She had applauded along with the others in attendance.

Maria picked up the tray full of dishes she’d cleared and made her way back toward the bar and kitchen entrance. The house lights came up and the dance floor emptied. She blinked, standing still until her vision got clearer. That’s when she saw them coming toward her, Chad Penndel and Nick Black. Washburn Falls’ two most sought after bachelors.

Chad reached Maria first. He waited until Nick moved up beside him before he spoke. “Maria, come on and sit down with Nick and I. We want to talk with you.”

“I-I got work to do. Tables to bus.” Maria held up the tray of dishes she carried. “Couples are going to want more drinks. Maybe more food. If I’m not taking orders, I miss out on tips.”

Nick took a hold of the tray. “The other servers can take care of them. What Chad and I want to talk with you about is important. “

“Right,” Chad began, pointing to an empty booth. “You haven’t taken a break yet. Come on. A short break isn’t going to hurt. Besides Chef put some soup aside for you. You need to eat.”

Chad moved forward until he stood by the booth. He watched as Maria glanced from him to Nick and back. She worried her bottom lip between her teeth. He could see each breath she took as her chest rose and fell. Her short breaths, fleeting glances and worrying her lip spoke louder than if she’d voiced her concern. He knew that look. He’d been there himself. Two years earlier when he returned to Washburn Falls, ready to take the first job offered him. Ready to hole up in a small studio apartment and keep to himself. Nick hadn’t let that happen. He’d challenged him to take small steps and TLC himself until he gained the confidence he needed to take on the head bartender job. Nick had taught him concern, care, and yes love. He loved Nick a lot. Some thought they were a couple. Neither of them bothered to correct people’s assumptions. The LGBTQ citizens knew differently. They trusted him to take care of them and embrace the diversity Washburn Falls offered all its citizens. Now if the rest of the damn world would learn how to do that maybe they all could worry less when they ventured outside the valley and mountains that surrounded Washburn Falls.

“We just want to talk with you. Nothing bad,” Nick offered, tugging at the tray Maria held on to tightly. “Please, let go. I’ll take it into the kitchen and bring back your soup.”

“Seriously?” Maria asked, letting go of the tray.

“Yes,” Nick replied, adding as he turned, “Be right back with the soup.”

“Bring some bread and cheese too. She needs a meal not just a quick snack.” Chad sat down on the seat closest to him.

“A break is one thing. A meal period gets deducted from my work hours.” Maria started after Nick.

Chad stood up, quickly following Maria until he caught up with her. He laid his hand on Maria’s shoulder as he caught up with her. “No deductions. Just sit down with me. I can explain while Nick gets the soup, bread, and cheese.”

He felt Maria’s shoulders rise and fall as she took several quick breaths. She glanced back at the kitchen door Nick had gone through. She sighed and faced him. “Okay, I guess. This better be good Chad.”

Chad pressed his lips together to keep from smiling. What he and Nick had discussed was good. Good for them. Good for Maria. It was presentation that was going to communicate just how good it was going to be for all three of them. Would she believe them?

A New Serial: Two Dragons for Lilly Chapter 1 Part 2

Posted on September 4, 2015 by Solara Gordon under Uncategorized

“Ned, you keep that up and Mayor Gill is going to complain. His mate doesn’t like that we’re under their toddlers’ bedroom. Turn the heat down on your horny imagination, okay?” Adam reached for his mug of coffee. Strong double espresso laced with raspberry chocolate syrup. His sweet tooth ached every time he saw Lilly. Ned brought home free samples from her shop thanks to the friendship he struck up with another soccer fan down at the boys and girls club in town.
“Yeah, I know. I don’t plan on doing more than warming the wee ones overhead snug in their beds.” Smoke curled out of Ned’s nose. “Taming the flame that lass set’s off is going to take more than all of Antarctica to cool down.”
Adam shook his head, trying hard to not spray coffee on the computer screen he looked at. He gulped down the coffee he’d drank before Ned let loose one of his blasted puns. “Look here,” Adam began, setting his mug down. “Lust will melt your guitar picks if you aren’t careful. You know we got a recording contract to fulfill too.”
Ned flipped him the bird and stuck out his forked tongue. With an unintended lisp, he said, “Blowing raspberries ain’t easy with a forked tongue.”

Adam chortled. “Ah, but think of the double pleasure we give our partner’s clitoris when we take a few pleasing licks.”
Ned slammed his fist down on the table rattling the coffee pot and other mugs sitting on the table. Woody’s heavy footsteps sounded from down the hall. He called out as he approached, “Ned you breaking tables and dishes again?”
Adam saluted Ned with his mug, and kept sipping, keeping his eyes on the computer screen in front of him.
Woody stuck his head into the kitchen. “Well, Ned?”
“Ah come on bloke, you didn’t hear any china cracking or a spoon hitting the floor.” Ned picked up the pages in front of him. “Just trading inspirational ideas with Adam to get our song writing juices going again.”
“Fine. Remember, this lair is our home, not some hole in the ground or dank musty wet cave.” Woody started back down the hall, calling out again. “And, mate shopping can wait until the CD is done.”
“Frack!” Ned cursed, flames shooting out of his mouth.
Adam picked up the fire extinguisher near the table, pointed one end of the hose at him. “Antarctica is melting fast enough. Calm your dragon down.”
Ned narrowed his eyes and laid both hands on the table as he leaned forward. The glow in his eyes grew until only yellow remained visible. He blinked, exhaled, and stuck out his tongue. Three golden red medium sized charcoals landed on the table close to a heavy metal cover dish center of the table.
Adam reached over, picked up the tongs laying on the lay under the dish and handed them to Ned. “Thanks for reminding me. Take care of yours while I get mine under control.”
Adam closed his eyes. He never liked displaying his off antics. The group agreed that keeping tabs on each other worked better than having an outsider freaking out every time they separated their internal dragon from their essential core. Ned would need to see his eye color change and the coals end up on the table. Hazel colored eyes didn’t take well to the blast of heat and corralling of the energy that took place. His human heritage came out from time to time and his eye color was one of them.
Adam opened his eyes, looked up until his gaze met Ned’s. Ned nodded. Adam leaned forward, laid both hands on the table and muttered an ancient Gaelic curse. Heat rose from deep in his groin, pushing upwards until beads of sweat rolled off his brow. He repeated the curse again, tasting smoke, and the flash of heat rising up his throat. Opening his mouth, he stuck out his tongue, four similar sized coals landed on the table. Ned handed him the tongs. The lid on the dish clattered shut shortly thereafter. A red ring grew in size where the top of the bowl and the lid met. Two of the band knew the words that unlocked the bowl’s magic. Each knew half of the spell. That way neither could grab the power the coals held from any of the others.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy Weekend Gang!

Ned and Adam are back and their story moves forward. Dragons with dual essences, wow! These guys are different for sure. This is going to be one interesting story it looks like.

Fall is definitely in the air. Nights are cooler from time to time. Some leaves are already changing color. The heat strikes out with Summer not wanting to yield its time. Who can blame it? That cold blast lasting into March makes me want to start buying up longjohns now!

Remember to keep a few good books handy to share with loves and Spice. I know I am!

Until Next Week,

Solara

Love’s Synergistic Ways

Posted on February 8, 2014 by Solara Gordon under Uncategorized

Octavia looked at the snow globe center of her dressing table. Roses of varying shades filled the water and artificial snow interior. The roses retained their beauty for her to enjoy again and again. She remembered the time the bouquets arrived shortly after Tomas joined their household. Tongson’s jealousy and possessiveness almost broke the trio apart. Tomas admitted to feeling similar pangs and quirks during a yelling match between the two of them.

Octavia smiled as she reached for the globe admiring how the sunbeam shining through the frosted window pane illuminated the tricolored rose center of the display. Three distinct colors each brilliantly standing out at the edges of the petal, muted as they flowed toward the center of the rose blended together in a mixed new shade. The shade showed tinges and parts of the other colors creating a whole that brought out the discrete qualities of each part of the whole. One word came to mind, synergy. The sum is greater than the individual parts.

“Admiring or remembering, love?” Tomas’s voice purred over her shoulder warming her ear. He nipped the bare flesh between her neck and where the strap of her night gown lay.
“Maybe both, you feline,” Tongson murmured, moving up on her other side. His warm hand slid up her arm stopping at her shoulder.

Octavia smiled as she viewed the uniquely different men’s reflections in the mirror. There was no mistaking the love their eyes glowed. Glancing higher, she noted they stood shoulder to shoulder, touching without avarice or jealousy. Each knew the value they brought to the triad. When she remarked on either male’s similarities to the other in emotion or action, they teased or fussed sometimes. Most of the time, they smiled and nodded agreeing that even though they were different in their animalistic natures, their human side embraced the difference and learned how similar they were in many ways. Love did that to people who took the time to learn, embrace change, and see things from a perspective diverse from their own.

“I’m seeing the new and change amongst us while remembering.” Octavia picked up the snow globe, saluting Tongson and Tomas individually.

“Good times and hard ones influence each of us,” Tongson offered kissing her cheek. He glanced up catching Tomas’s nod.

“Yes, my friend and co-husband,” Tomas replied, kissing Octavia’s other cheek. “I learned how to fit in and to share. To embrace my uniqueness and let go of fear while finding out how to trust.”

Tongson smiled. He winked at the three of them as he spoke. “I had to overcome my own doubts and worries. I needed to let love guide me instead of listening to my mind. Letting my heart speak and address the issues that plagued me most took a lot of work and time.”

“How would you rate the effort?” Octavia asked rubbing her cheek against Tongson’s hand.

“Worth the journey and education,” Tongson replied, raising his hand to cup her face. “And you my co-part?” Tongson nodded to Tomas.

“Hard work is often worth the effort. I took the path of resistance until I realized that letting love in was easier than I thought. I stopped resisting and started loving.” Tomas raised his hand above Octavia’s head, palm up moving it toward Tongson. “Loving showed me a way I didn’t know existed.”

Tongson raised his free hand up, grasping Tomas’s over Octavia’s head. Each nodded as the trio quietly sat taking in the moment and the love surrounding them. Octavia’s smile grew as Tomas and Tongson brought their faces down next to hers so the three appeared surrounded by the halo the setting sun reflected into the mirror.

Love’s synergy brought them together. Mixed, enhanced, and even changed them while bringing them closer and more fully in love. That love multiplied and embraced Mickey and Nighthawk. A trio became a quintet and a family strong and firmly bonded. Love’s catalyst and addition brought them to a place they might not have gotten to without it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy Weekend Gang!

I hope you’re warm indoors reading a good book or two. I know we have had our share of cold and weather here at the Spice Homestead. Colds and doctor visits have headlined this past week. We’re on the mend and with the TLC flowing I’m sure we will be fine.

As the middle of winter battles with the fine edges of spring waiting and watching for the time grab hold, share a good book or two with your loves and spice. I know I will!

Smiles,

Solara

Two Steppin” With My Loves

Posted on May 25, 2013 by Solara Gordon under Uncategorized

ONE

Travis Stone jerked the steering wheel of his battered and beat up pickup truck skimmer around the one pothole at the end of his driveway that refused to stay filled. He swore the hole ate dirt as fast as he could shovel it into the crater. One more week and the hole was history if his luck held out.

Travis reached down and clicked on the radio. Country western music filled the cab. He rolled down the windows and turned up the volume. Taking the back roads into town afforded him the leisure of singing off key as loud as he wanted. He smiled at the image his thoughts formed. His high school choir director frowned and shook her finger at him every time he deliberately soured a note or two. Mrs. Baxter was probably spinning in her grave. Travis didn’t care. He sang for fun, not for anyone’s pleasure but his own.

He glanced at the dashboard clock. He had forty-five minutes until he reached the edge of town and civilization. Tabasco Flats, New Texas preferred to keep the decorum of vintage country and southwestern lifestyle alive to the public eye. Since the Revolution divided New America into five new countries, trade agreements and laws were under negotiation in many regions as new states and governments formed. That was ten light years ago and another planet. Even earth’s distance memories paled in comparison to the news. The docking station master would need help as the mail order mates disembarked from their ship. Travis’s smile grew as he pushed the skimmer’s motor into hyper-drive. His bride and co-husband awaited him.

Aleisha Jones swallowed hard as her lottery mate Daniel Zane braided her hair. Washing and combing the long strands was bothersome and one thing she wished she didn’t have to deal with. Her contract said her purchaser liked long hair and wanted his bride to wear it braided. Maybe she could sweet talk him into letting her cut her waist length hair off at her shoulders.

Daniel knew how many times he had to criss-cross the strands of hair he held in each hand until Aleisha’s braid finished short of her hips. He’d come to love her in a way he hadn’t expected to feel again after his wife’s death. Time healed wounds. Light years made no dent in his ache and lingering sorrow. Both of them agreed that a life worth living came from understanding that joy and grief balanced each other out. Daniel still wasn’t sure when his heart thawed towards her or vice versa. Now he had to share her with someone they barely knew from short communications and two grainy photos. Things were about to get more challenging.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy Weekend Gang!

Well the serial started. A bit of scifi and menage tossed together. Let’s see what this brings about. I’m feeling good as the weather pings around. Hope you are staying well and sharing a good book or two with your loves and spice. I’m writing away on a novel entitled Tina’s Treasure and its turning out to be one hot menage!

Until next week, stay cool and dry, happy, healthy, and safe.

Smiles,

SOLARA