Tending the Stone for the Lock – Stories and Quotes from the Mind* and Keyboard of A.A.Forringer

Tending the Stones for the Lock XXI

Posted on July 2, 2017July 14, 2017 by aaforringer

21st part of the new weekly story. (1st Part) The inspiration for this came from an off hand comment I made on Facebook, and since people seemed interested I decided to follow through. Happy Reading.

(1st Part) (2nd Part) (3rd Part) (4th Part) (5th Part) (6th Part) (7th Part) (8th Part) (9th Part)(Part 10) (Part 11)(Part 12)(Part 13)(Part 14)(Part 15)(Part 16)(Part 17)(Part 18) (Part 19) (Part 20) (Part 21) (Part 22)

“Your mother will be coming to Korea very soon, and that is when I have it made known to her that you are with us in Japan.”

“Why is my mother going to Korea?” Meredith asked. She was sitting on a stool where she had just finished a bowl of soup and sandwich.

“She has to go to Soysan Mountain to align some stones there. It is a well known location of great power and it is one of the few places she must go to after leaving Mongolia.”

Meredith had given up trying to understand this madman and his delusions of magic and power that seemed to consume him, so she just let it go. What she was still trying to wrap her mind around was how her mother was tangled up with this man.

“I am confused about something though.”

“Just one thing?” Meredith answered not adding ‘nutter’ at the end of the sentence.

“Why your mother did not visit you while you were stationed at Camp Casey in Korea, she could have very easily made the trip to Mount Soyosan while she saw you and aligned the rocks on a small day trip.”

Meredith sighed. “Like I told you before I don’t know anything about any magic rocks, but my father and mother were due to visit me in Korea, I even did research into going to Soyosan but on the eve of their flight, my brother was in a car accident and my parents never made the trip, I returned back to the states soon afterward and it just was not convenient for them to travel to Korea after that.”

The well dressed man nodded. “Ah thank you for that bit of information, and it confirms that your mother values the health and welfare of her children more so then completing her mission in life, so you will be an excellent bargaining tool in getting her to cease and desist her mission.” He motioned for the servant who brought her the lunch to clean up. “As soon as your mother goes to Mount Soyosan I will let you know.” He then motioned for her guards to take her back to her room.

“You sound like an idiot when you say Mount Soyosan, the prefix san is the Korean word for Mountain.” Meredith shouted over her shoulder at the man. “So basically you are saying Mount Soyo Mountain.”

The convoy had been bouncing along for a half and hour across the dirt road and Brodie looked around at the barren countryside. Although technically it was not all barren with scrub brush and grassy areas in the valleys where he guessed water drained towards. The vehicles pulled over and Brodie looked around not knowing why, there was nothing that stood out, and no distinctive landmarks nearby that marked this area of the high desert as anything special or different.

Brodie gingerly followed his driver out of the vehicle a seemingly broken down Toyota Land Cruiser of unknown original color. The shocks and struts of the vehicle were basically there in name only and every hole and rock was felt up and down Brodie’s spine. The native man sitting in the back seat of the vehicle got out as well and walked to the back of the vehicle. The man had done this at every stop on the trip and Brodie guessed he was acting as a guard but against what was unclear as they had not seen another human being since leaving the town where the airfield was.

Brodie walked up to the middle vehicle which is where Mrs. Emily and the High Pilgrim rode.

“Brodie I am going to need your assistance.”

“Yes ma’am, that is why I am here.” Brodie answered trying to sound cheerful but he was worried he came off as tired.

“Good man.” Mrs. Emily said as she maneuvered herself out of the much newer, and much more comfortably appointed Land Cruiser. Mrs. Emily actually knocked out a pillow she had been leaning on out the door as she got out and Brodie picked it up brushed it off and threw it back inside. Mrs. Emily had made her way to the edge of the road and looked out at the barren landscape. Brodie stood beside her and waited a few minutes while not seeing anything of interest.

“Brodie we have to align the rocks again.” She stated and he could here the word ‘but’ coming.

“Something has changed?” He asked.

“Yes,” She turned towards him. “Remember the last time we did this and towards the end you started to just know what to do?”

Brodie nodded but inside he still felt unsure.

“While you are helping me move the stones I want you to think of,” She paused. “communication. People talking to one another, words and ideas being exchanged, happy greetings, birthday cards, friendships deepened and problems resolved.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I know you don’t but I need your moving the stones, but occasionally I need you to think about communication between people when you are doing it. But I promise you I will give you a comprehensive explanation tonight when we get back to the plane.”

“We are going back to the plane tonight?”

“Oh yes, with any luck we can fly to our next stop tomorrow morning.” And with that Mrs. Emily started moving across the field. She stopped just as she was about to move the first rock and motioned for Brodie to come close to her, she looked him directly in the eyes. “If something should land in the field with us, whatever you do do not, I repeat do not look it directly in the eyes.”

Brodie looked at the older woman and the immediate response now was fear. A few weeks ago he would have wondered if the woman was having a seizure or something but now he looked around the field fearful of what could possibly ‘land in the field’.

A half an hour passed and Brodie convinced himself Mrs. Emily was worried about the Opposition landing in a helicopter and attacking them, that was the only thing that made sense. Brodie reasoned that if a helicopter did land in the field he would have plenty of time to react to whoever got out of it. Brodie had just moved another rock so that it was oriented instead of east to west it was now going north to south and he felt a sense of accomplishment. The ground shook behind him, it felt like a small scale earthquake something he had a lot of experience with being from Los Angles. He turned around just as he heard Mrs. Emily yell something. He was face to face, meaning he was inches away from the large green eyeballs of a dragon.

(1st Part) (2nd Part) (3rd Part) (4th Part) (5th Part) (6th Part) (7th Part) (8th Part) (9th Part)(Part 10) (Part 11) (Part 12)(Part 13)(Part 14)(Part 15)(Part 16)(Part 17)(Part 18) (Part 19) (Part 20)(Part 21) (Part 22)

Not crazy about the title, any suggestions will be duly considered.

The problem I have discovered with this type of writing is if I commit to something in the story there is no taking it back I just have to go with is and write my way out of it.

If you would like to read my last weekly story, A Disinclined Purveyor of Sequential Art here it is. (Written in 2013, the same year my wife left me, so I was a different person back then, and I hope I have learned a lot about writing since then.)

If you want to see one of my complete books try Disconnect in the Outfitters Universe.

My Response: The prophecy stated that in 60 years if the Stones were not properly aligned then the world would fall under the sway of the demon king for 1000 years. 1956 21 year old Emily the chosen one starts the quest. She arranges half the Stones around the planet, but then falls in love and life happens. Now it is 59 years later, Emily’s husband of 58 years passed away and one of the monks has found Emily and reminds her that she is the chosen one and needs to complete her task. Anyone interested?

Tending the Stones for the Lock

Tending the Stones for the Lock XIV

Posted on April 23, 2017June 4, 2017 by aaforringer

14th part of the new weekly story. (1st Part) The inspiration for this came from an off hand comment I made on Facebook, and since people seemed interested I decided to follow through. Happy Reading.

(1st Part) (2nd Part) (3rd Part) (4th Part) (5th Part) (6th Part) (7th Part) (8th Part) (9th Part)(Part 10) (Part 11)(Part 12)(Part 13)(Part 14)(Part 15)(Part 16)(Part 17)(Part 18) (Part 19)

Webb and Bridger stood on the far side of the massive table looking across it and at the amazing vista out the window. The snow covering the black rocks made the scene outside both harsh and intimidating. Neither man appreciated the beauty of it but it did give them both dark thoughts of pain and intimidation.

Webb spoke first. “You were a fool for going after the book.”

Bridger continued to stare straight ahead but spoke just loud for Webb to hear him. “Your vaulted Dragon magic was no match for the old lady.” Then he gave a small chuckle.

“Well at least I am still a Dragon, you lost all your charms, have you found any pants that fit yet?”

With that Bridger lost his temper and pulled out the knife that all members carried and turned towards Webb who took two steps away from his colleague.

“Enough.” The booming voice came thru the double doors that had opened. Webb could feel the magical energy proceeding the man that was coming into the room.

Webb and Bridger immediately returned to their previous positions in the room, Bridger placing the knife back into his sheath. They immediately lowered their heads so they were staring at their shoes.

“You two have proven that you are utterly useless.” The strong male voice stated as he entered the room.

Neither man spoke and both fought the urge to disagree as was their nature, a nature they had cultivated their entire lives. They had both worked at being manipulative, controlling and to never back down when directly challenged at least not in things that mattered. But here with him they forced down their desire to fight back and disagree, they had both heard stories about disagreements with him and the consequences.

“Webb.”

“My Master.”

“She is an old woman.” The voice stated.

“Yes she is Master.”

“Yes she is Master.” The voice came back is a whiny teasing voice. “And you, what are you about four inches taller than when you left?”

“Only three now Master.”

A fist pounded on the table. “Only three inches taller than when you started the mission I gave you. I other words you have lost all you charms, no magical ability that you have had for what is it five years.”

“Yes Master.”

Webb woke slowly as he looked up at the titles of the ceiling. He looked towards his left and saw the burn spot on the wall three inches away, then Webb looked towards the table and saw Bridger’s boots that were still upright but now were empty except for a bit of blood that was running down the sides of them. It was then that the smell hit him, the very distinct odor of burnt human flesh. Webb simply shook his head glad that it had not been him. Webb looked up at the table and he saw it, a small statue. Webb smiled, he was given a new assignment.

Meredith woke as the plane began its descent in St. Petersburg. It had been three days since her mother had landed in St. Petersburg on the ferry and with any luck she would be able to find her in a hotel or sightseeing. Meredith was a little bothered by the fact that her credit cards had not been used lately but her mother always carried a lot of cash on her so maybe she was using that to get around.

Meredith made her way down to retrieve her luggage and then stood in line to go thru customs. She had been thru customs many times but this line was slower than any other she had been in before. After fifteen minutes standing there after turning in her passport the customs official came back from what Meredith assumed was a coffee break as he was holding a steaming up and a pastry of some sort. Meredith tried not to show her annoyance but she was unsure if she did a good job. It did not matter if she showed her annoyance as the official seemed to not care one way or another.

Gathering up her passport and carry on bag she wheeled her luggage away from the customs desk and out towards the doors she saw her name on a large white board. Meredith looked around unsure if the sign was for her. Meredith approached the man holding the sign ‘Wallace’. “Are you looking for me?” She said to the man holding the sign.

“Meredith Wallace.” The man said lowering his sign in his and reaching out his hand. “I was sent by the consulate to assist you.”

Meredith looked at him quizzically. “But you are British?”

“Oh I am part of a task force that helps people in need, my American colleague is a little busy tonight and I am doing her a favor.”

“Oh I see.”

“Terribly sorry I forgot to introduce myself I am Basil Copley Webb.”

(1st Part) (2nd Part) (3rd Part) (4th Part) (5th Part) (6th Part) (7th Part) (8th Part) (9th Part)(Part 10) (Part 11) (Part 12)(Part 13)

Not crazy about the title, any suggestions will be duly considered.

The problem I have discovered with this type of writing is if I commit to something in the story there is no taking it back I just have to go with is and write my way out of it.

If you would like to read my last weekly story, A Disinclined Purveyor of Sequential Art her it is. (Written in 2013, the same year my wife left me, so I was a different person back then, and I hope I have learned a lot about writing since then.)

If you want to see one of my complete books try Disconnect in the Outfitters Universe.

Tending the Stones for the Lock

Tending the Stones for the Lock XII

Posted on April 9, 2017September 17, 2017 by aaforringer

12th part of the new weekly story. (1st Part) The inspiration for this came from an off hand comment I made on Facebook, and since people seemed interested I decided to follow through. Happy Reading.

(1st Part) (2nd Part) (3rd Part) (4th Part) (5th Part) (6th Part) (7th Part) (8th Part) (9th Part)(Part 10) (Part 11)(Part 12)(Part 13)(Part 14)(Part 15)(Part 16)(Part 17)(Part 18) (Part 19) (Part 20)(Part 21) (Part 22 ) (Part 23) (Part 24 ) (Part 25 )

Meredith put down the phone, no transactions on either her credit card or bank account since the ferry tickets purchase. St. Petersburg what was her mother going to St. Petersburg, Russia for and why was she lying to her in both e-mails and over the phone. Meredith considered sending Brodie and e-mail but ruled that out and decided to call her husband and talk over the situation.

Fifteen minutes later she fumed while turning off the phone. Her husband had not been helpful, his advice send and e-mail, she had argued with him of course, her mother did not respond to e-mails, and if she did and the tone of Meredith’s e-mail was in any way terse or confrontational her mother would either not respond or tell her oldest daughter that whatever was going on was not any of Meredith’s concern.

Meredith sat and stewed for a few minutes then remembered she had Brodie’s e-mail address. Maybe Brodie would be forthcoming with information, Meredith began to type.

Brodie looked around the gloom of the predawn. He could just barely make out other airplane hangers across the runway and would be glad when the sun was up. He also dreaded the coming of the sun as Mrs. Emily was expecting an answer at breakfast as to weather he would continue with the journey or go home. Brodie walked around the interior perimeter of the hanger they were parked in. Dante had told them last night it was an old Soviet Era military base but had since been abandoned by the government and now it served a variety of private companies. Brodie found an empty wooded crate and sat down and watched as the sky to the east turned purplish then golden then red with the coming of the sun. He thought about all he had seen, he thought of going home, back to Los Angles a place he had lived his entire life.

Brodie liked Los Angeles it had everything he needed, his small apartment, his local library was within walking distance as was a nice grocery store. He had lived in this apartment since he moved away from his parents house when he was twenty-six. He had the same job for twenty years before his retirement, it was a city job as a filing clerk then after that he had gotten training in home health care which lead him to Mrs. Emily’s house which got him here, the foothills of the Ural Mountains watching the sunrise.

“Contemplating the dawn?”

Brodie jumped up startled she had approached without him noticing even though she was using both canes. “Mrs. Emily how are you feeling this morning?” Brodie said motioning towards the wooden crate he was sitting on so she could rest.

“No need for that I am fine, a little stiff so I need to walk around a bit, but I just wanted you to know that if you decide to go home I will of course pay for that.”

“Thank you Mrs. Emily.” Brodie said reflexively.

“Of course you will effectively be laid off until I return as you will not be doing your job until I return but upon my return we can talk about you returning to work for me.”

“Of course.” Brodie said a little disappointed he would not automatically be hired back to work for her.

“Well I had better continue with my ramble, the dear Dante stated breakfast would be ready in about a half an hour.” Mrs. Emily smiled. “I talked him into making pancakes as a little reward for facing down the opposition yesterday.”

“You prefer waffles though.” Brodie said.

Mrs. Emily smiled. “Yes I do Brodie, but alas he does not have a waffle iron, just a wonderful cast iron skillet, so pancakes it is.” Mrs. Emily started to hobble away, then said over her shoulder. “Don’t be late, not much worse than a cold flapjack.”

Brodie smiled and returned to his seat and noticed the sky had gotten considerably brighter and looked for brightest spot in the sky for the sun.

“Is that box empty?” A voice whispered into his ear at the same time he was grabbed from behind and pulled to his feet by someone with very rough strong hands. Brodie struggled vainly for a few seconds and that is when a second set of hands grabbed him and dragged him backwards out of the hangar bay.

“I will ask you again is the box empty.” The voice said in his ear, but this time a flash of metal went by his face and a cold knife blade was placed against his throat. “No yelling.” The voice stated again and the hand covering his mouth was moved.

Brodie was scared but answered the best he could. “I think so it felt empty when I stood it up on end.”

A dry chuckle. “Oh that is good, I guess you cannot read Russian because if you could you would want to know for sure if the box was empty.” Again the dry chuckle.

Brodie was confused now. “Why would I want to know for sure if the box was empty?”

“Well according to the words on the box, it used to contain mines, and if my memory serves me correct those mines were notourisly unstable considering how the workers who made them were drunk on cheap vodka most of the time.”

Brodie simply swallowed hard.

“Don’t worry I will not harm you unless you give me a good reason to.”

Brodie nodded, his hands were roughly grabbed and he was bound with some zip ties that while tight were not painful. Brodie looked around and all he could see was the man who had just incapacitated him and bound him, he was sure he had felt at least another set of hands but when he looked around no one was there.

The guy unceremoniously dumped him on the ground and Brodie looked up at him, we as dressed in military style clothing with a military style vest with pockets and he had a holstered pistol. Now that Brodie was on the ground the man placed the knife that had been at Brodie’s throat back in its sheath. The guy was a white male, mid-thirties was a receding hair line. Brodie noticed his hands they were covered with scars and he noticed the most prominent scars on the back of his hands were giant ragged Xs.

“Ah I see you like my charms.” The man said turning them over so they were inches away from Brodie’s faces then he took a step back. “Bridger is the name and like I said don’t give me a reason to harm you. But like I was saying about my charms,” Bridger said using a finger to point towards the ragged X on the back of his left hand. “They cost me three inches in height but they are totally worth it, especially when I am with the ladies.” The man said in a tone that made Brodie’s skin crawl. “Speaking of ladies, are you bonking the old woman?”

Brodie shook his head. “Mrs. Bartloski? No don’t be disgusting, I just work for her.”

“Well to each his own, I mean I personally don’t get into old women, of course I will take care of business if it gets my point across but I prefer something shall we say a bit more lively.” The man said as if Brodie had not answered at all. “The man paused and put his hand up to his ear and Brodie noticed that he had an earpiece in. “Rodger I got him.” Then a pause and the man’s face got angry. “Don’t tell me my job Webb and I am sticking to the plan, you are the one that jumped the gun yesterday trying to be glory hound going one on one with the old witch.”

Brodie looked around hoping someone would come out of the hangar and see him and this man. Oofff. Brodie had just been punched in the stomach but when he looked up on Bridger was still four feet away from him with one hand up at his ear and the other stroking the but of his handgun in the holster. The look of confusion on his face must have been apparent.

“I see you got a lot to learn about charms.” Bridger spoke and smiled. Then Brodie was slapped violently across the face.” I told you don’t give me a reason to hurt you, I saw you looking around when I was on the radio with Webb you were looking for a way out.”

Brodie stared at him.

“You see I made a deal, lose three inches of height, but I get to use a set of hands without getting mine dirty all the time.” Brodie was slapped again with an invisible hand. “Like I said it comes in real handy with the ladies.”

“Mrs. Bartloski we have your man.”

Mrs. Emily looked up from her plate in the RV where she had just sat down to a nice warm plate of delicately browned pancakes covered with strawberry jelly. “Oh poo.” Mrs. Emily looked around. “Dante can you hand me my canes.”

The voice from outside yelled again. “Mrs. Bartloski did you hear me we have your man Brodie.”

“Keep your shirt on I am coming, I am coming.” She yelled back as she carefully made her way down the steps of the large vehicle. She squinted against the sun as she saw a man holding a knife near Brodie’s throat.

“Old woman you are slow.” The voice of Bridger came across cavernous space of the hangar.

“Yes, yes I am slow, yes, yes I am old, can we dispense with the insults and get down to it my breakfast is getting cold.”

“So are the terms of parlay in effect and your three friends will stand down.” He said motioning to the monks who had started to spread out, she saw both Dante and Hans and staffs and the High Pilgrim was standing behind her saying a prayer.

“Yes.” Emily sighed. “Parlay is in effect.”

The man in black took his knife away from Brodie’s neck and put it down at his side. “Parlay it is then.”

“Lets get this over with like I said my breakfast is getting cold.”

“The book I want it and you want your man back alive.”

Mrs. Bartloski smiled. “Is that all you want the book? Hans run inside and fetch my blue bag.” The monk followed her direction without question and ran inside the vehicle and was out a few minutes later with the bowling ball bag. She directed Hans to hold the bag while she got the book out with some trouble.

“That’s it, you are just going to hand it over.” Bridger said surprised when the book was brought out into the morning sunshine, it highly polished wood glowing slightly in the light.

“You have my friend no book is worth my friend’s life.” Mrs. Emily said then motioned for Hans to back off with the bag but leaving her with the book.

“That is why your side will never win, sentimental attachments.”

Mrs. Emily spoke up now. “And that is why if your side wins it won’t be a worthwhile victory at all.”

Bridger sneered as he walked forward, pushing Brodie ahead of him. “You are free bud, run along.

Brodie stepped away from his captor and stumbled a bit as he walked a few step past his boss. Then he watched her give the sacred book to the enemy. Mrs. Emily stood their defiantly as the man stepped backwards with his prize and nodded to her.

“Well that was easy.” Bridger said then turned and strode out the large hangar door a few seconds later a car started and tires squealed pulling out.

Mrs. Emily turned and hugged Brodie. “I am so sorry that happened to your Brodie.”

Brodie was shocked and then felt something cut the zip ties off his wrists freeing his hands. Hans was putting away a knife and then the three of them walked back towards the RV. The High Pilgrim stopped Brodie before he entered the RV, he made him stand still then he ran his hands over his body stopping at both facial cheeks and his stomach.

“The man is a bit of a savage.” The High Pilgrim commented.

“Aren’t the all in someway shape or form my old friend.” Mrs. Emily responded.

The High Pilgrim nodded his head toward the direction he had gone. “Him a little more than necessary.”

“Aren’t you guys upset about the book, now the opposition has it.” Brodie said excited and wondering why they weren’t.

“Oh we will get it back soon enough.” Mrs. Emily said.

“A think a mile.” The High Pilgrim said.

“A mile and a half.” Mrs. Emily said.

Not crazy about the title, any suggestions will be duly considered.

The problem I have discovered with this type of writing is if I commit to something in the story there is no taking it back I just have to go with is and write my way out of it.

If you want to see one of my complete books try Disconnect in the Outfitters Universe.

Outrageous Lies and Tales, Tending the Stones for the Lock

Tending the Stones for the Lock X

Posted on March 26, 2017June 4, 2017 by aaforringer

10th part of the new weekly story. (1st Part) The inspiration for this came from an off hand comment I made on Facebook, and since people seemed interested I decided to follow through. Happy Reading.

(1st Part) (2nd Part) (3rd Part) (4th Part) (5th Part) (6th Part) (7th Part) (8th Part) (9th Part)(Part 10) (Part 11)(Part 12)(Part 13)(Part 14)(Part 15)(Part 16)(Part 17)(Part 18) (Part 19)

Meredith Wallace put down the phone, this was the third time in an hour she had tried her mother and it went right to voice mail every time. Meredith sighed, mom was so aggravating sometimes, she would refuse to answer her phone for hours and sometimes never even listened to her voice mail messages. It was not that her Mom was afraid of technology, heck the lady had a Mac Book Air with its on Internet connection. She was one of the first persons she knew to get involved in EBay and had no fear of ordering clothes and gifts on line. No Meredith thought her mother was just obstinate and did not like to be controlled by what she called the electronic leash. Thankfully she did not get angry or upset if you did not call or respond to an voice mail so at least she was not a hypocrite.

Meredith looked at her phone, he mother had sent her an email today, it was light an breezy saying how she would be staying with her friend Helen a few more days. Typical mother.

A few hours later Ms. Meredith decided it was time to treat herself to an afternoon at the bookstore, her kids were busy with their afterschool activities and friends and her husband was on a business trip to San Diego so what better time to peruse the local book store and relax with a cup of coffee.

One hour later she was sitting in the coffee shop adjacent to book store leafing thru her magazine she was wondering if she should get a refill of her tea or maybe indulge her sweet tooth with a pastry.

“Meredith is that you?”

Meredith looked up and saw it was Helen.

“It is you Meredith how have you been and where is you mother, I tried calling her to tell her I was coming to town for a few days but that naughty girl has not responded to any of my calls or texts.”

Meredith was in shock but Helen did not let her speak. “You know she is such a feisty gal your mother, I suppose she is still of on her little adventure. Why Finland this time of year I have no idea, Finland is best in the fall, of course your mother is into strange trips, I consider it roughing it if the hotel does not have a twenty-four hour a day masseuse on call.” Helen took a breath and motioned for her ever constant companion, a driver/assistant to come close. “Mary could you get me a tea, green and two pastries, one chocolate one caramel,” She looked at Meredith then started digging through her purse. “I just can’t decide between caramel or chocolate lately, so we can share the pastries.” She retrieved from her purse her compact and started checking herself out in the small mirror.

“You said my mother was were Helen?”

Helen never looked up. “Finland, or maybe it was Sweden, I know it was one of those Scandinavian countries, is Denmark considered part of Scandinavia, I know it is in the general area but I am not sure.”

“She was supposed to be visiting you Helen, didn’t she come up to see you last week, on Tuesday.”

Helen put her compact down after she completed her checks and started looking thru her purse for her wallet. “Last Tuesday, no I have not seen your mother in about two months.” Meredith thought. “I know it was not Norway because when someone mentions Norway I always think of my third husband, he was of Norwegian descent, so tall, so blonde but he had this terrible desire for fish all the time. I know they say fish is brain food and Wilmer was incredibly smart, at least when it came to money but you can only eat fish maybe once or twice a week then you become tired of it, of course he did not consider lobster fish, I tell you I think I could a lobster dish four times a week.” Helen stopped when Mary came and placed the pastries and tea on the table. Helen looked over to where Meredith was, and noticed that Meredith was no longer there and caught a glimpse of her going the out the front door or the coffee shop.

Helen paused her talking and reviewed the conversation then looked at Mary. “I don’t think I was supposed to tell her about the trip to Finland, yes it was definitely Finland that Emily went to.”

Mary simply nodded.

Helen smiled at her assistant. “Well sit dear, I simply cannot eat both of these pastries myself.”

Meredith let herself into her mother’s house deactivating the alarm as she entered before she took another step she looked closely at the control panel, it had not been deactivated since the date her mother had called telling her the lie about going to Helen’s. She saw that her mother had at least called to have the mail stopped so this trip to Finland was not a truly spontaneous decision.

Slamming down her keys on the kitchen table grabbed her mother’s address book and found the number she was looking for she sat at her mother’s desk and dialed the house phone. “Hi this is Meredith Wallace.”

“Yes my mother is Ms. Emily and you are Brodie’s sister?”

“Well I was wondering if you had heard from Brodie in the last couple of days?” Meredith got a pencil from the jar and got her pen ready.

“You got an e-mail three days ago? He was enjoying Finland and wondered if you could keep his cat a few more days because they were taking a ferry to St. Petersburg.”

Upon hearing St. Petersburg Meredith snapped the pencil in her hand.

“Yes my mother is generous but I am sure Brodie is earning his pay on the trip. Is there any chance I can get Brodie’s e-mail address, just in case of an emergency of course.” Meredith stated trying not to sound anxious, writing down the address she repeated it back to be sure she got it down correctly then stated she would remind Brodie about his library book being overdue.

Meredith was about to start drafting an e-mail but then thought of something else and reached up and found the sealed envelop that was kept under a stack of books. She normally would have hesitated before opening it but her mother had given her no choice. She unfolded the white papers inside and looked over her mother’s passwords to both her bank accounts and her credit cards.

Logging into the computer she opened the internet browser. “Mother where are you and what are you thinking?”

(1st Part) (2nd Part) (3rd Part) (4th Part) (5th Part) (6th Part) (7th Part) (8th Part) (9th Part)(Part 10) (Part 11)(Part 12)(Part 13)(Part 14)(Part 15)(Part 16)(Part 17)(Part 18) (Part 19)

Not crazy about the title, any suggestions will be duly considered.

The problem I have discovered with this type of writing is if I commit to something in the story there is no taking it back I just have to go with is and write my way out of it.

If you want to see one of my complete books try Disconnect in the Outfitters Universe.

Outrageous Lies and Tales, Tending the Stones for the Lock

Tending the Stones for The Lock VII

Posted on March 5, 2017September 23, 2017 by aaforringer

7th part of the new weekly story. (First Part) The inspiration for this came from an off hand comment I made on Facebook, and since people seemed interested I decided to follow through. Happy Reading.

Brodie looked to where Mrs. Emily was pointing and waving. Three men, at least he was pretty sure they were men were standing. All three were in robes of deep almost maroon red and dark green. The only one that moved was the tallest one in the middle, and he simply nodded back at his boss.

“You have friends waiting how delightful.” Mr. Webb stated.

“Friends of Mrs. Emily I have never met them.” Brodie said. After Mrs. Emily discussion about ‘the opposition’ and how Mr. Webb might be one of them Brodie had been cautious around him. Although they had not seen him till they were leaving the ferry he had ended up in the same line at customs with him. Although Brodie noted there were only two lines for non-Russians so he had a fifty/fifty chance of being in their line anyways. “Are you cold?” Brodie asked motioning towards the mans gloves and tweed coat.

“The unfortunate side effect of life time of travel.” Mr. Webb said stoically. “Foreign service career officer.” He added when Brodie raised an eyebrow. “Nothing like you think, I was in charge of processing visa’s and such, truly dull and dreary paperwork but it allowed me to see the world. But as I was saying, years living in places like Saudi Arabia then moving to Iceland or other Scandinavian countries threw my bodies ability to feel comfortable in even the slightest chill out of order.” Mr. Webb said holding out his gloves as evidence.

“Well that is something I am sure they did not cover in your training.” Brodie observed.

“Quite.” Webb said. “But now I have great pension and can travel as I want, not as the job dictates.”

They were interrupted when they approached their turn to be interviewed by the Customs official. Brodie passed thru nervously and joined Mrs. Emily who had already been processed. She had joined the three men in robes and she quickly introduced the head of the order the very tall man, High Pilgrim Orujov. The other two she introduced as Hans and Dante. Hans had the look of a sunburnt Eastern European and Dante was a very pale middle aged man who looked like he spent a lot of time indoors. Both man quickly relieved Brodie and Mrs. Emily of their luggage and the High Pilgrim carried Mrs. Emily’s blue bowling ball bag himself. After this was done Brodie noticed that Mr. Webb was standing a little bit apart from their group and Emily motioned him over quickly.

“Well this is where we part company I guess, have a nice time in Russia.” Mr. Webb said with a smile.

Mrs. Emily smiled back. “And you also, thank you so much for your company Mr. Webb, may the road rise up to meet you.”

“And my the wind always be at your back Mrs. Emily.” Webb turned to look at Brodie after shaking Mrs. Emily hand. “Brodie my boy no more fainting, don’t skip to many meals.”

“I won’t.” Brodie said shaking the man’s hands and feeling the leather gloves he was wearing and tried not to think of the possibility that this man was a member of the opposition as Mrs. Emily suspected.

“May the sun always shine upon your face.” And with those words the stocky British man turned and walked away towing his luggage behind him.

He turned back to Mrs. Emily and the three men and heard her say something in a low tone. “Is he?”

Then the High Pilgrim said in the same low conspiratorial tone. “Oh yes, one of their best.”

Brodie’s alarm on his phone went off and he reached into his bag. “Mrs. Emily time for your noon medicine.”

Mrs. Emily looked at him. “What would I do without you Brodie?”

The recreational vehicle lurched slightly and Brodie took exceptional care handing the pills to his employer and then he unscrewed the water bottle and held it until she had the pills safely in her mouth then she followed with the water bottle. Once that was done Brodie looked out the window at the passing countryside. It was very green, much more so than the outskirts of LA but the topography was similar to Finland where they had just come from. The few towns they passed on the road were a bit more drab then Finland though. They had been on the road for two days now and they were heading in roughly southwest direction, he knew this from the sun as he had not been given an opportunity to look at a map as the monks did not seem to have one. He had learned that Dante was Russian when he spoke to people at gas stations and the hotel where they stayed last night.

They had left the sea port in a small blue Volkswagen minivan and driven around the city in what he thought was a random manner. Mrs. Emily informed him they were trying to lose a tail and after a hour of some strange maneuvers including stopping for ten minutes in traffic and letting cars go around them followed by an abrupt U-turn from a center lane and a crazy ride down a one way street at very slow speed Dante had said something to Hans and they ended up in a warehouse and industrial area of the city that looked very disreputable. They had pulled into a parking lot and a man in grey workman’s clothes opened a garage door and they entered without slowing.

It was inside the darkened warehouse they had transferred all their belongings and themselves into the large metallic green RV they were now traveling across Russia in. Well they had transferred his and Mrs. Emily luggage, either the monks had loaded their luggage beforehand or they had none. Once they were settled in the RV he had to continually monitor Mrs. Emily when she got up to walk around as the suspension was poor and he cane only added to her stability to a limited extent. Luckily she was very happy sitting across a folding table from the High Pilgrim playing backgammon and they tried to teach mahjong to Brodie when Hans was not driving. Unfortunately Brodie had trouble concentrating on the game because when he looked at it too long he got car sick so the two of them played more backgammon then anything else.

It was an hour after he had given Mrs. Emily her noon dosage of medicine that the large RV pulled off the main road and onto a side road. “Almost there.” The accented voice of Dante came back thru the cabin.

“Show time.” Mrs. Emily said smiling.

“Indeed, it has been a long time since I have been this close to an alignment.” High Pilgrim Orujov stated.

“Portugal if I recall.” Mrs. Emily said as she closed the backgammon board carefully so as to not disturb the magnetic pieces in their places.

“No I think it was France.” The man said correcting her.

“No France was where you were being chased by the oppositions attack dogs thru the cemetery.” Mrs. Emily said.

“Oh yes, you would think I would remember that, I could not sit for a week.”

Brodie heard this. “The opposition,” He gulped. “Uses attack dogs?”

The two looked at him as if he had said something mildly amusing. “Oh no dear that was a one time event, there was a dog training center next to the cemetery we were close to and the opposition took control of them John here volunteered to draw them off with a sack of meat from a butcher shop.”

“Oh that makes me feel much better.” Brodie stated.

“Tsk tsk.” Mrs. Emily looking like the grandmother she was. “Sarcasm does not become you Brodie, we try and say exactly how we are feeling, not try and hide behind a macho façade.”

Brodie was duly chastised. “Yes Mrs. Emily.”

The large vehicle slowed as it pulled off to the side of the road. “Madam is this the place?”

Emily rose slowly and looked out the window for a long time at an apparent empty field. Inside the RV no one moved or said a word. Brodie was trying to sit still when he felt an urge to scratch is leg but was told that when Mrs. Emily was viewing a site it would be better if he stayed still and not disturb her. It was a few more minutes and Brodie was about to slowly reach down and give his thigh a slow scratch when she turned and faced everyone inside the vehicle. “This is the right place, but this is a big job, Brodie you are going to have to help me with this.”

Not crazy about the title, any suggestions will be duly considered.

The problem I have discovered with this type of writing is if I commit to something in the story there is no taking it back I just have to go with is and write my way out of it.

If you want to see one of my complete books try Disconnect in the Outfitters Universe.

Outrageous Lies and Tales, Tending the Stones for the Lock

Tending the Stone for the Lock IV

Posted on February 12, 2017April 4, 2017 by aaforringer

4th part of the weekly story. (First Part) The inspiration for this came from an off hand comment I made on Facebook, and since people seemed interested I decided to follow through. Happy Reading.

(1st Part) (2nd Part) (3rd Part) (4th Part) (5th Part) (6th Part) (7th Part) (8th Part) (9th Part)(Part 10) (Part 11)

The had driven three hours to hotel they stayed in last night. Mrs. Emily had been quiet almost the entire way with only an occasional comment about the road or the gas station they had to stop at. She had insisted that Brodie carry the blue bag up to her room and then she ordered room service for the both of them, he had returned to his room to freshen up and then returned before the food arrived. He had never had fish prepared the way they served it here and he was very hesitant at first but he was hungry. It was far better than the fish sticks he was used to and the rye bread wrapped around the fish and ham mixture.

“How do you like your Kalakukko?”

Brodie looked up from his meal. “Very good.”

A few more bites of food and Mrs. Emily was finished with her plain fish dinner which was much simpler than Brodie’s. Brodie watched as she sipped her water and then dabbed her mouth with her napkin. “Brodie tell me what you saw after I came out of the field today.”

Brodie took a sip of water and started talking. “Well not much just that weird truck with that guy in the passenger seat. ”

“Tell me about the truck please?” Mrs. Emily said folding her napkin carefully onto her plate.

‘The truck it was a Toyota red, ” Brodie said thoughtfully. “It had that really weird hood ornament.”

Mrs. Emily said helpfully. “The raven.”

“Yeah the raven, boy that thing was big, almost life-size, I mean from the raven’s I have seen in California I don’t know the size of the ravens here. ”

“Did you know that the raven was was the eyes of the Father God Odin?”

“Odin? Father of Thor, the Thunder God.”

“I am impressed you know your mythology.”

“Not really I accidentally saw the Thor movie one time when I was trying to see a documentary and I missed the start time and I did not have my car at the time and my sister was going to pick me up but she was not coming for two hours and all I had was a gift card for the theatre and I had forgotten the book I was reading. ” Brodie let his voice fade off as he saw Mrs. Emily smiling at him, smiling at him like his teachers used to when he told a story too long. “But I don’t know much more about Odin than that.”

“That is okay it is really not required at this time for you to know anything about mythology.”

Brodie was beginning to get uncomfortable with the way Mrs. Emily was talking so he tried to change the subject. “Mrs. Emily have you taken your medication this evening?”

“Yes Brodie, the low blood pressure and the arthritis medication.”

“Okay, and I will put down in your physical therapy journal your,” Brodie searched for a word. “calisthenics in field this afternoon as your completed physical activity.”

“Very good Brodie.” Mrs. Emily stated simply.

Emily opened the bowling ball bag and brought the wood covered book out and placed it on the table. Emily double checked the drapes and triple checked the deadbolt on the door. To read the book Emily had to undo a series of latches, fasteners and slides.

The exterior of the book was more like a puzzle box then a real cover, it had been made by the previous High Pilgrim, a very strange woman who talked in a lot of strange wood metaphors. Emily still puzzled over his sayings from time to time, the one she remembered as the most obtuse was “when a palm tree is left alone the palms often fall on the side of rising moon.” Emily shook her head, the woman was brilliant and had gotten them so far in this task, she patted the book affectionate remembering Veronica its creator. She moved the last slide on the book and opened it up moving aside the cover and began to look thru the tome for the pages covering the next destination in their trip. Flipping pages she found the sheets she was looking for and started to pour over the information.

Emily had daydreamed about their next destination for years. In 1983 a sing songwriter had made the prediction but it was not until 1991 the route opened up and she knew then that she thought this task would be accomplished in her lifetime. She mused she was not even sure that her mission would need to be completed in her lifetime. The whole magic thing was not the most reliable practice, it had its rules and ways of operating but it was not a car that you gassed up when it went to E or changed the tires when the tread got low. The mystical world was nebulous and unsure but her part in it had always been stable and solid.

Align the stones when they lost focus. That was her job, her task in life, her mission. Emily yawned and looked at her watch realizing how late it was, she closed the book and placed it back in her the bag. She readied herself for bed and looked out the window one last time that is when she saw them. They were standing on the roof of the parking garage across the street next to the red pickup truck. The raven was gone but she knew if she looked enough she would find it lurking. She got her telescope out of her bag and saw that both men had their arms crossed both of them staring at the building. Confirmation, they were both wearing the rings on their right hand. Only a duo, she hoped they were on the plane before it became a trio. She wondered if Brodie would willing to try caviar and borscht.

(1st Part) (2nd Part) (3rd Part) (4th Part) (5th Part) (6th Part) (7th Part) (8th Part) (9th Part)(Part 10) (Part 11)

Not crazy about the title, any suggestions will be duly considered.

The problem I have discovered with this type of writing is if I commit to something in the story there is no taking it back I just have to go with is and write my way out of it.

If you want to see one of my complete books try Disconnect in the Outfitters Universe.

Outrageous Lies and Tales, Tending the Stones for the Lock

Tending the Stones for the Lock II

Posted on January 28, 2017May 21, 2017 by aaforringer

2nd part of the new weekly story. (First Part) The inspiration for this came from an off hand comment I made on Facebook, and since people seemed interested I decided to follow through. Happy Reading.

(1st Part) (2nd Part) (3rd Part) (4th Part) (5th Part) (6th Part) (7th Part) (8th Part) (9th Part)(Part 10) (Part 11)(Part 12)(Part 13)(Part 14)(Part 15)(Part 16)(Part 17)(Part 18)

Brodie adjusted his seat belt for the third time making sure it was buckled. He had never flown before and he was nervous, he was even more nervous though because of Mrs. Emily had been acting strange. No that was not the right term, strange was what he Aunt Veronica did when she washed her cats with a hair dryer and no water. No Mrs. Bartloski was acting bizarre.

“Brodie can you help me downstairs?”

Before he had a chance to answer his employer was on her feet approaching the door to the basement and before he could stop her she was moving down the stairs slowly one at a time using both her cane and the railing.

“Be a dear and go to the garage and get the four way tire iron from the trunk of the car.”

Brodie looked at her dumbly as she continued to move slowly down the stairs.

Mrs. Emily descended two more stairs and “Just do it dear, I will be fine.”

Brodie nodded when he saw she was only two steps away from the bottom. He went into the garage and found the four way tire iron. Or as his uncle use to call it a lug wrench. Carrying the black metal tool back into the house he wondered why she wanted this tool in the basement. As he reached the bottom stairs he did not see Mrs. Emily anywhere. “Ma’am where are you?”

“Back by the furnace, did you find the four way?”

“Yes.” Brodie said coming into the area by the furnace and water heater. Mrs. Brodie was standing beside the metal devices pointing towards a plate mounted into the wall with two lug nuts on two bolts.

“If you could loosen those two lug nuts, hopefully they turn easily the last time I had them off I oiled them with WD-40.” The old woman said smiling. “But then I had my grandson Tyler tighten them, he was fifteen at the time, but he played football so he war awful strong.”

Brodie had met Tyler, saying he was strong was an understatement, the young man was now playing linebacker for a large university and was occasionally on television.

“Tyler tightened them, when he was fifteen? So you have not taken these nuts off in six years?” Brodie said placing the lug wrench up at the nuts and then rotated the tool to the right size.

“Well he might have been sixteen.” Mrs. Emily stated smiling.

Brodie placed the wrench in position and gave an experimental turn lightly at first then with more strength he pulled on the tool and the bolt turned slowly, with a few more turns it spun freely and he spun the nut off the bolt.

“Now the other one please.”

Brodie handed her the loosened lug nut which she placed on top of the water heater. Brodie loosened the other nut with the same amount of effort. Then he slowly took the metal plate off the wall, it was heavier then it looked and he placed it gingerly on the floor. When he stood back up Mrs. Emily had closed the distance to the wall and was nodding as if seeing an old friend. “Could you hand me the bag please.”

“Bag?” Brodie looked into the hole and saw a blue leather vintage bowling ball bag sitting upright in the wall. Things had happened so fast this morning he had not even had time to guess what they were doing but he had not expected to find a bowling ball behind a hidden shelf in the basement at work today. But seeing as how he didn’t have a reason not to he grabbed the bag by the handles and gingerly lifted it out of its recessed position where according to Mrs. Emily it had sat for close to seven years. The bag was heavy but no heavier then he expected it to be. “Are we going bowling Mrs. Emily?”

Taking the bag from him Mrs. Emily hefted it as if weighing it. “Don’t be silly my dear Mr. Brodie, I can’t bowl with these new hips. ” She placed the bag down on the floor. “If you would place the metal plate back on the wall and then bring the bag upstairs when you are done I have to make some phone calls.”

Brodie simply nodded and placed everything back the way he found it then carried the blue leather bag upstairs to Mrs. Emily who was in her small office off the kitchen. He placed it at her feet and she simply nodded as she talked on the phone.

“No I am sorry I can’t make Jessica’s birthday, my friend Helen called this morning and I have to go help her out, she hurt her back and I said I would come out to Eureka and help her out for a few days.”

Brodie just stood there and listened he did not know what else to do, but this is the first time he had heard about a trip to Eureka. They had gone there last year for a few days, it was a big house on the beach and he had to do very little except sit and read while Mrs. Emily talked to her friend.

“Now Meredith you know when you are hurting you want a friendly face around, remember when you broke you leg in college you were very happy when I came and stayed with you for a few days.” There was a pause. “That is what mother’s are for.” Another pause as he guessed Meredith was talking. “And I am happy to go help Helen but I am sad I will miss the party.”

Brodie was about to leave when Mrs. Emily started writing something on a pad and motioned for him to read it. ‘Can you get someone to watch your cat?’ He nodded yes. Then Mrs. Emily motioned for him to go and make the call.

Fifteen minutes later he returned to the small office, his sister had agreed to get his cat and take it to her house and he had asked her to return a stack of library books he had beside the front door as well. He had one library book with him, The Canterbury Tales, but figured if they were only going up to Eureka he would be able to finish it, and one book overdue would not be much money. Mrs. Emily turned to face him after she finished typing something on her computer and smiled.

“Brodie can you be back from picking up some clothes from your house in about a half an hour, we need to be on the road in about an hour?”

He nodded thoughtfully. “Sure I just did laundry the other day.”

“Good, do not forget your passport.” Then went back to whatever she was doing on her computer.

Brodie looked at her quizzically but just chalked it up to an idiosyncrasies of the lady as he always carried his driver’s license which had always been good enough before when he needed ID. Brodie then excused himself and got into his pride and joy a used metallic green hybrid and quickly got home packed a quick bag, fed his cat, Toby, ignored the cat meowing as he got his passport from the desk drawer and made it back to his employer’s house in thirty-five minutes. In the time he had been gone the older lady had made it upstairs and was placing things neatly into a suitcase.

“Would you close it up and carry it downstairs our car should be here shortly.”

Brodie did as he was asked then was there to ensure that his charge navigated the stairs properly using both her cane and the railing. Brodie admired the lady, with two hip replacements she got around very well. It was only a few minutes later that a car horn beeped and Brodie loaded the suitcases into the hired town car with the help of the driver. When Mrs. Emily was settled she made him return to her office and get the blue bowling ball bag and then she insisted he put it between them on the back seat .

The ride was uneventful until they made a turn away from the northern route he assumed they would take , but Brodie said nothing wondering what route they would be taking. It was not until they turned of the interstate towards the airport that he turned towards Mrs. Emily. She smiled at his shocked expression and spoke before he could voice a question.

“We are flying.”

“To Eureka?”

Mrs. Emily took his hand in her hand and placed it very motherly on top of the bowling ball bag then she held his hand with both of hers. “Well not exactly my dear boy, I told a little fib to my daughter, I have some business to attend in Finland, I hope you don’t mind coming along.”

“Finland?” Brodie said shocked.

“I hope you are up for it, it is a beautiful country and I have already booked us two first class tickets.” She said patting his hands.

“Finland isn’t it cold there?” Brodie said the first thing that came to his mind, thinking of his few meager clothes in his suit case.

“Oh no dear it is summer there, just like here, granted it is a little chiller, but if you need some warmer clothes I will buy them. In fact this entire trip is my treat so don’t worry about that.” She said it warmly but turned her head away at the last part.

“So your friend Helen?” He let the question trail off.

“Oh Helen’s back is just fine, in fact she is on a second honeymoon with her third husband.” Mrs. Emily put her finger to her chin. “Or maybe it is a second honeymoon with her third husband.”

Two and half hours later Brodie was sitting in a First Class seat waiting for the plain to take off, his eyes fell onto the blue bowling ball bag that Mrs. Emily had insisted be stored where she could see it. She had been adamant that the bag not be checked.

Emily woke slowly and easily, she had always been able to rest comfortably no matter the circumstances, and these first class seats were very comfortable. She reached out to grab her cane and superstitiously tapped the vintage bag secured at her feet. No one had disturbed it while she was sleeping which meant that they had gotten this far without someone being able to get on the plane with them. She had been a little concerned about the change in planes at JFK but apparently either they were lucky or the enemy was not on their toes.

She steepled her hands and mediated for a few moments trying to avoid the questions. How long before they would have to deal with the opposition, surely they knew she was back in play and moving. The visit from the High Pilgrim could not have gone unnoticed. She stared out the window for a few minutes then looked at her seatmate, when would she have to explain what was going on to Brodie. Looking at him objectively she noted he was a nice looking young man, dark hair, strong chin and wonderful brown eyes. He was a little above average in height, she guessed about about six foot tall, lean and muscular but more of a runner than a lifter. He husband, Clark had been a runner when he was young, but later in life he began lifting weights and got very strong.

She sighed thinking of Clark, he was a dear sweet man and she missed him terribly sometimes, but she had faith that when her job was done here she would see him again on the far side of the grave. She pushed those thoughts out of her head and turned her attention back to Brodie. The poor boy had never traveled much and this trip was going to be a big adjustment for him, not to mention the purpose of the trip. Emily sighed and decided to take care of a few issues before he woke up. Pulling out her tablet she connected to the Wi-Fi on the plane and made reservations at a hotel in Helsinki. Emily checked her e-mail, then drafted a letter to High Pilgrim Orujov telling him that his assistance was needed. All she needed to do was to tell him where to meet them and his people would be there, she carefully place the draft into the old code and then she did some shopping for Jessica’s birthday present. She felt bad not being there for the girl’s twelfth birthday but duty called.

(1st Part) (2nd Part) (3rd Part) (4th Part) (5th Part) (6th Part) (7th Part) (8th Part) (9th Part)(Part 10) (Part 11)(Part 12)(Part 13)(Part 14)(Part 15)(Part 16)(Part 17)(Part 18)

Not crazy about the title, any suggestions will be duly considered.

The problem I have discovered with this type of writing is if I commit to something in the story there is no taking it back I just have to go with is and write my way out of it.

If you want to see one of my complete books try Disconnect in the Outfitters Universe.