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Post by texican on Nov 1, 2019 16:41:59 GMT -6
I somehow get the feeling that Agent Roberts is gonna regret his interactions with young Mr. Anderson. Then again, I could be wrong. I've had plenty of experience at that.
Yep 9, no argument with that....
Texican....
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Post by texican on Nov 1, 2019 16:46:08 GMT -6
Bret, now you’ve got me thinking about Jr. High School. I knew a guy back then who liked to hang out under the bleachers too. His name was Seymour Butts.
Is your young teenage life is leaking over into adulthood.... Appears so....
Now you could put all of this to bed by posting the next chapter letting us read about what Brian really did on vacation....
Now, for my summers, worked most of them for family and did a little fooling around.... Had an aunt that blamed me for all of the trouble that my cousin got in even when I wasn't there, but we never go caught when I drove....
Which brings up an old axiom....
The difference between a good boy and a bad boy....
The good boy never got caught....
Texican.... A good boy....
No, not my youth.
During that stage of life, each morning I got to weed a row in the garden.
Dad was doing custom haying then. Most afternoons, I was on the 8N Ford pulling the side delivery rake through fields. He also had quite a bunch of cows. He would do a lot of the hay on shares, receiving half for our labor. Lots of afternoons and evenings were spent bucking bales. Many nights we drug in at ten o: clock for supper and a shower.
Even though I was too young, Dad often had me drive the pickup to different places to drop him off or pick him up. I was pretty small for my age and my parents were always worried I was going to get pulled over. I drove the backroads as much as possible, but still. As soon as I was 14, Mom got me into summer school drivers’ ed.
If I wasn’t on the tractor, I still had to take care of the chickens. Depending on which of us was around, my brother or I got evening cow milking duty.
If we weren’t in the fields, by brother and I spent as much time as possible fishing.
I did get goof –off time, hanging out with the neighbor kids. We’d swim in the canals (forbidden now by the irrigation company) or the river. We’d bicycle and liberate overbearing apple trees of their excess weight. But as you say, we were “good kids”.
So Bret, you were also a good kid and never got caught....
I was abaut 5 when my grandad had me driving a tractor, but making it through gates were a challenger....
My challenge is backing up where mail boxes on posts are behind me.... Need a back up camera for those mail boxes on posts are just not viewable when you drive a tall vehicle....
Texican....
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Post by papaof2 on Nov 1, 2019 16:54:59 GMT -6
He looked around the room, trying to imprint it in his mind. How many days did he have before he’d never see it again? Seems like Brian got involved with the feds and will be looking over his shoulders forever....
Now just what did Brian do over his summer.... Will we ever learn.... Only Bret knows.... Thanks Bret for the chapter....
We've not had a good alien adventure here for a while. Could Mulder also be involved?
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Post by bretf on Nov 1, 2019 18:23:53 GMT -6
9idrr, that remains to be seen.
Texican, I'm thinking he'll tell us eventually
Papa, sorry, I wasn't planning on aliens, legal or otherwise, although, you've given me food for thought . . . hummm
Chapter 4
“Hey man, what was the conference with the Birdwoman from Alcatraz all about?” U-L-K-S asked the moment the boys cleared the doorway when class was dismissed.
“Uh, nothing, really. She was just giving me pointers on getting started,” Brian said.
“Huh. So, what’s your next class? I’ve got math in room 134,” U-L-K-S said.
Brian groaned and said, “Math . . . in room 134.”
“Cool, man. Maybe we can sit beside each other again.”
Brian didn’t think it was cool. It was only time to start second period and he needed to form an escape plan.
The math teacher, Mr. Snider was much younger than Mrs. Bird. He didn’t have a seating chart, allowing the students to pick their own seats. It was a new experience for Brain and he looked for an isolated desk where U-L-K-S couldn’t sit beside him. He was out of luck. His new ‘friend’ followed and sat in the seat beside his.
“Let’s compare our schedules and see if we get any more classes together,” U-L-K-S said.
Brian hoped they didn’t. He wished he’d had time to compare with Jackson, Tommy, and Mike. Well, as long as they didn’t ask more questions about summer, he’d prefer sharing a class with them instead of U-L-K-S.
“Cool, man,” U-L-K-S said, breaking Brian out of his thoughts. “We have P.E. together right after lunch. But that’s the only one.”
“Great,” Brian said, not indicating which statement he considered great.
Math class was an improvement over English. Mr. Snider was quite engaging. It also helped that math was Brian’s favorite subject. The class seemed to fly and then the bell was ringing for them to leave for third period.
“Hey, man, maybe we can meet up for lunch,” U-L-K-S, said.
“Uh, yeah, maybe,” Brain said.
Social studies was his next class and he was pleased Mike and Jackson were both in it. However, the seating chart kept them apart. Maybe it was for the best, Brian thought, so they couldn’t grill him more.
Science was the last class before lunch and Tommy was in it. When the class was over, the boys started for the cafeteria.
“Maybe if we stick together, we won’t get our lunch money jacked,” Tommy said.
“Oh, yeah, I forgot about that,” Brian said He’d had more pressing matters on his mind than a pre-cafeteria mugging. “But you know what, I say let them try. What’s the worst that can happen?”
“Uh, they beat us up,” Tommy said. “and still take our money.”
“Ya know, I’ve been beat up enough by Billy, I’ve learned something. When I finally got tired of it and hit him back, he ran to Mom and told on me. So, do you think the eighth graders are going to run and tell on me for hitting them, a mere sixth grader?” Brian said.
“Probably,” Tommy said. “Then you’d get suspended from school.”
“Oh wow, suspended. I’m scared,” Brian said. Whoa, wait just a minute. Tommy, you’re a genius! A plan began to form in his mind. If he got suspended, he might not have to write the dumb paper that would get him removed from school. A week of suspension at home would beat the alternative, hands down. “Bring it on. I’m not taking their crap,” Brian said.
“Hey, Brian, wait up,” a kid called from behind.
Tommy stopped and turned. “I don’t know that guy, do you?” he asked.
“Yeah,” Brian said, silently adding, unfortunately. He’s in my English and math classes.”
“All right Brian,” U-L-K-S said as he caught Brian and Tommy. “Looks like our timing was perfect. Who’s your other friend?”
OTHER friend? Brian asked silently before saying, “This is Tommy. Tommy, this is U-L, err, I mean, uh, this is, uh, Sam.” In his mind, he’d been referring to Sam by the initials since pegging them on him and it took a bit to recall with the ‘S’ stood for.
Sam held his fist up to knuckle-bump Tommy and asked, “So, how do you know Brian?”
“We were in grade school together. So, you guys share the first two classes?”
“Yep, Homeroom, which is also English, and math. Now though do you have any idea what’s for lunch today?”
“It probably won’t matter,” Tommy said. “Look at the cafeteria doors. Those eighth graders are going to shake us down for our lunch money.”
Sam and Brian looked at the door and it appeared Tommy was spot-on. Sam slowed but Brian held his head up and said, “Let ‘em try.” Confronting them head-on and getting suspended seemed like a win to him. He’d get to avoid the dreadful assignment, avoid prison, and show those stooges he wouldn’t take their crap. He had nothing to lose if he fought back.
“Dude, are you nuts?” he heard Tommy ask.
“Those guys are big,” Sam added.
Brian took two steps before looking back. “They might be big but there’re only three of them.” He pointed as he counted off himself, Tommy, and Sam. “And there are three of us. Other than size, that makes it all even. So, are you coming?” he asked, turned and stalked toward the cafeteria. He hoped they were holding back.
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remembergoliad
Member
if you send friend req on FB, message me too. I won't accept if I don't recognize you.
Posts: 158
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Post by remembergoliad on Nov 1, 2019 18:54:56 GMT -6
Good start, Bret! Interested to see what a sixth grader got himself into that would involve a fed leaning on him so hard, and what kind of milquetoast I'm imagining his dad to be that the feds' leaning made such an impression. OTOH, he does seem to be self-starting his way into a solution. Go kiddo!
As far as juvenile book titles, nobody's mentioned:
"Eating the Recommended FDA Way," by E. Norma Sladey
"The Consequences of Too Much Suldenafil" by Hugh G. Rection
"Abusing Laxatives" by Norma Stump.
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Post by texican on Nov 1, 2019 21:54:48 GMT -6
So the 8th graders are shaking down the 6th graders....
Not in my time....
Texican....
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Post by bretf on Nov 2, 2019 16:18:30 GMT -6
Comments and feedback are very important for authors.
I won't presume to speak for everyone, but I welcome all comments and feedback on my stories; good, bad, indifferent, and posing questions. (When I started writing and posting, it was hard to take the critical comments. But after having time to distance myself and consider the reader's POV, I usually came around.)
My tales are far from perfect, I know it, and I write a few minutes here and there. I have holes in the story. Some are big. If I haven't noted it somewhere, I get going on something, have thoughts, and forget to fill those holes.
Often.
Several times I've read a comment that reminds me of one of the holes in my story.
So, please, I encourage readers to offer feedback. You are my editors, and hopefully, your input helps improve the story.
And thanks RG for the comment pointing out the hole I'd seen and then forgot to fill.
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Post by texican on Nov 2, 2019 20:29:43 GMT -6
(When I started writing and posting, it was hard to take the critical comments. But after having time to distance myself and consider the reader's POV, I usually came around.)
Bret,
If us'in Moar Hounds didn't enjoy your writings, we wouldn't be begging and howling for moar....
You are a good writer, but posting new chapters is the biggest hole to get around....
Just sayin....
Texican....
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Post by bretf on Nov 5, 2019 8:05:58 GMT -6
9: "I could be wrong. "I've had plenty of experience with that" You and me both, brother. Chad Smoke used a line once that fits me well. "To err is human and I might be the most human person you know."
Chapter 5
Brian held his head high and approached the three gorillas as if he didn’t have a care in the world. The adage ‘looks can be deceiving’ was never truer. He didn’t look back but would have been glad to see Tommy and Sam were moving much slower. He didn’t want them to get in trouble with him but felt he’d had to say what he did. Otherwise, they’d probably run to the counselor and say their friend was trying to commit suicide.
One of the gorillas saw him and said, “Hey guys, fresh meat.”
Another one, red hair sticking out in every which direction, grinned and said, “Hold it right there, kid.”
Brian amended his assessment. That one’s not a gorilla. With that hairdo, he’s an orangutan. He stopped and assessed them calmly. “Are you talking to me?” He hoped he appeared calm because he sure wasn’t on the inside.
“Yeah, I was,” Orangutan said, rising up so his knuckles no longer brushed the floor. He squeezed one fist full of hairy fingers, popping the walnut-sized knuckles for emphasis. “Ya see, you’ve gotta pay the toll to pass.”
Brian smiled at him and said “How about instead of me paying a toll to pass, you bend over and kiss my—”
“Brian, are you nuts, man?” Tommy asked.
“Dude!” Sam said in awe.
Orangutan and Brian stared at each other as more kids bunched around them due to the blocked doors. Brian was unaware of the audience.
“Well, what’s it going to be?” Brian demanded. He stepped forward and would have been nose to nose with the ape if he hadn’t straightened out of his slouch. Instead, Brian was nose to shirt collar and looking at the kid’s stubble-covered Adam’s apple. Wow, this guy shaves, Brian thought. I sure hope this is worth it. And it works. “Well?” he demanded again, expecting to land on his butt at any moment.
The other two gorillas had been carrying on some kind of grunting conversation. Orangutan raised a huge fist and one of the other apes grabbed it. “Dude, stop. Do you know who this is?”
“Yeah,” Orangutan said. “He’s the kid that’s gonna fork over his lunch money before he has to spend it at the E.R.”
“No, dude. He’s Billy Anderson’s brother,” the gorilla grunted.
Orangutan’s pasty face turned even whiter, at least where it wasn’t red with zits. “Are you sure? This little dude?” he asked, taking two steps back.
“Yeah, man. I’m certain.”
Brian hated his brother more than ever at that moment. It’d seem like such a fool-proof plan, hand-delivered with three fools. It was fast, simple, and direct. He’d always heard the simplest plans were the best; less moving parts to mess up. And his idiot brother hadn’t even needed to be present to foul it up for him. Man, I hate Billy. Too bad he doesn’t go here anymore. It’d be a breeze to get in a fight with him.
But all was not lost. The three apes were still within reach. However, he’d have to initiate the fight which would be certain to end with a longer suspension. Oh well, it had to be done.
Brian glared at Orangutan and then shifted his gaze to the other gorillas. His fist balled up and he was poised to swing when one of the gorillas looked in shock behind him.
“Uh, hi, Mr. Hartley,” he said.
The other two echoed it and stepped out of Brian’s reach.
“Is there a problem here, boys?” a man asked.
Brian turned to see Tie-Man from the morning behind him.
“No, Mr. Hartley, no problem at all. We were just talking to this little dude about his brother.”
“There is too a problem,” Unfiltered Sam said. “Those three goons weren’t going to let us in the cafeteria unless we paid them. Now, why would we even want to go in there after they took all our money? I think you should haul their sorry butt’s off to the Vice Principal’s office and let him deal with them.”
“I think you mean ‘my office’,” Tie-Man said. “I’m Mr. Hartley, the Vice Principal.”
“Well, there you go then. Haul away,” Unfiltered Sam said.
Mr. Hartley appeared to suppress a grin and looked at the three gorillas. “All right, guys. You know the way.”
Orangutan grunted to Brian as he passed about getting even. Brian was still incensed his fool-proof plan had run into such incompetent fools. “Bring it on,” he hissed. “I guarantee you’ll regret it. Get Billy to tell you how I spent my summer.” The goon wouldn’t know it but Billy was clueless about his summer. However, it was a seed to plant in Orangutan’s pea-brain. Maybe it’d be enough to keep him from harassing them in the future.
“Dude!” Tommy said. “That was so, so, I don’t know what. I don’t know if you were crazy or brave, or what you were. So, what DID you do this summer?”
“I’m hungry. Let’s go eat,” Brian said, turning his back and entering the cafeteria with his week’s lunch money intact. And a writing assignment still looming. He got inside the room and looked around getting his bearings.
One of the students who’d been held up by the confrontation peeled away from the group and approached Brian. “Wow, Brian. That was so brave,” Jennifer said with a shy smile. She walked away as fast as she’d arrived.
Brian watched her until Tommy punched him on the arm. Huh, I guess it wasn’t a total waste, he thought.
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Post by arkansascob on Nov 5, 2019 8:40:24 GMT -6
Like many I'm sure have learned. The only way to handle a bully is to stand up to them. Sometimes you win and sometimes you loose but in that process you will gain respect and there were times that a good friendship was developed.
Thanks bretf for your time and efforts. Much appreciated.
COB
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Post by texican on Nov 5, 2019 13:03:37 GMT -6
One of the students who’d been held up by the confrontation peeled away from the group and approached Brian. “Wow, Brian. That was so brave,” Jennifer said with a shy smile. She walked away as fast as she’d arrived.
Brian watched her until Tommy punched him on the arm. Huh, I guess it wasn’t a total waste, he thought.
Brian has it bad, puppy love, but just what happened this past summer?
Oh Bret, sooner or later the secret has to come out....
Just how many chapters will it take....
Thanks for the chapter....
Texican....
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Post by 9idrr on Nov 5, 2019 20:59:00 GMT -6
Come on, Bret ol' buddy, you know you've got a whole bunch of us hooked. Just give us some glimmer of hope that we'll get a least a chapter a week. Uh, a pair of chapters? Can I weasel three out of you? Maybe one every other day?
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Post by papaof2 on Nov 5, 2019 21:49:37 GMT -6
Sounds like bretf is a fisherman who likes to play the fish on his line for a long time - you know, the guy trying for a 30lb trout on 5lb test line and he stretches it out for hours. He's sure got some folks hooked ;-)
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Post by solo on Nov 6, 2019 8:55:43 GMT -6
Facing down three gorilla bully's... We are actually working hard with our Middle school Daughter about this. When you need to set your boundaries, not to get into other people's drama and you can't rescue everyone. She is taking self defense classes and now the fun is how to properly discern what is a true self defense situation. She was trying to help someone yesterday, who wasn't her friend and usually goes out of their way to remind her of this. The other little girl slapped her hand away and my daughter immediately went to kick her in return. Luckily the teacher kept her from doing it. Both her self defense instructor and I told her how to handle this... Self defense is to quickly end an ongoing threat. But that doesn't mean you don't set your boundaries. She should have stepped back into a ready stance and firmly inform this person that if she lays a hand on her again that she WILL defend herself. Therefore the other girl can either back down or escalate, with the consequence of said escalation being swiftly and handedly dealt with.
I am not sure why I am sharing this. Your three bullies scene sparked this for me. Your hero saw a situation that wasn't right and decided he wasn't going to accept status quo. He wasn't picking a fight but he was prepared if the fight came. That is all any of us can do. Do right, and don't start the fight; be prepared to end the fight with you being the one walking away.
Raising two teenage daughters is hard. So a lot is on my mind about this.
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Post by texican on Nov 6, 2019 14:03:04 GMT -6
Raising two teenage daughters is hard. So a lot is on my mind about this. Solo, You are handling this correctly.... The wife and I raised two boys and they did not take any BS from the bullies.... One of my oldest son's friends (small stature) transferred to the son's high school due to bullying and one of the HS bullies decided to give him grief until the bully was informed that his friend was my son and all of the bulling stopped.... The oldest walked into the football locker room and someone turned off the lights and then he was hit.... Three guys closets to him hit the floor and this chit stopped.... The coach got to the bottom of the problem and the three cowards did laps for several weeks after practice.... Never ever back down.... Texican....
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Post by solo on Nov 7, 2019 9:28:49 GMT -6
Texican,
Never ever back down. Truer words could not have been written. It doesn't matter if they are bigger, badder, more of them, never back down. Most bullies are one trick ponies and they may get the best of me, but it only happens once. I learn, I adapt. That is what I am trying to instill in them. Don't go looking for trouble. It will find you soon enough; it is what you do with that trouble that makes the man or woman.
Thanks for the reinforcement and Never Ever Back Down would be a fine book title. Already have something twirling around in my head.... Got to finish current projects first. Or do I?
Solo
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Post by papaof2 on Nov 7, 2019 12:07:47 GMT -6
Texican, Never ever back down. Truer words could not have been written. It doesn't matter if they are bigger, badder, more of them, never back down. Most bullies are one trick ponies and they may get the best of me, but it only happens once. I learn, I adapt. That is what I am trying to instill in them. Don't go looking for trouble. It will find you soon enough; it is what you do with that trouble that makes the man or woman. Thanks for the reinforcement and Never Ever Back Down would be a fine book title. Already have something twirling around in my head.... Got to finish current projects first. Or do I? Solo "Finish current projects" - be nice if that were always (maybe ever?) the case ;-) I have two in-progress-on-the-computer stories that will eventually turn up here, but they were swept aside when a new story thread came along. My muses and I produced a 12K word short story in four days. It still needs some polishing, but the base story is complete. It's more whodunit than PAW but people here have eclectic tastes so I'll post it when it's in ready-for-prime-time format. Maybe posted in two parts? First the base story and then let you stew for a few days before revealing the guilty party or parties ;-) (Muses in the plural is correct. There's a story about them taking shape on the computer and I think it's title might be the cover title for a book of short and short-short stories: "Care and Feeding of a Fiction Writer's Muse and Other Stories". I have shared bits about my muses here and this pulls those bits together and adds a lot of other things to them. Some of the short stories have been posted ["Daylilies", "The Elevator"] but there will be a few new ones in the published volume, which will probably be novel length. Maybe writing all winter and publishing in the spring?)
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Post by texican on Nov 7, 2019 12:45:39 GMT -6
Texican, Never ever back down. Truer words could not have been written. It doesn't matter if they are bigger, badder, more of them, never back down. Most bullies are one trick ponies and they may get the best of me, but it only happens once. I learn, I adapt. That is what I am trying to instill in them. Don't go looking for trouble. It will find you soon enough; it is what you do with that trouble that makes the man or woman. Thanks for the reinforcement and Never Ever Back Down would be a fine book title. Already have something twirling around in my head.... Got to finish current projects first. Or do I?Solo
Solo,
You have the abilities to write several stories at a time, but be prepared for the Moar Hounds to be baying for moar....
Texican....
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Post by texican on Nov 7, 2019 12:49:08 GMT -6
Texican, Never ever back down. Truer words could not have been written. It doesn't matter if they are bigger, badder, more of them, never back down. Most bullies are one trick ponies and they may get the best of me, but it only happens once. I learn, I adapt. That is what I am trying to instill in them. Don't go looking for trouble. It will find you soon enough; it is what you do with that trouble that makes the man or woman. Thanks for the reinforcement and Never Ever Back Down would be a fine book title. Already have something twirling around in my head.... Got to finish current projects first. Or do I? Solo "Finish current projects" - be nice if that were always (maybe ever?) the case ;-) I have two in-progress-on-the-computer stories that will eventually turn up here, but they were swept aside when a new story thread came along. My muses and I produced a 12K word short story in four days. It still needs some polishing, but the base story is complete. It's more whodunit than PAW but people here have eclectic tastes so I'll post it when it's in ready-for-prime-time format. Maybe posted in two parts? First the base story and then let you stew for a few days before revealing the guilty party or parties ;-)(Muses in the plural is correct. There's a story about them taking shape on the computer and I think it's title might be the cover title for a book of short and short-short stories: "Care and Feeding of a Fiction Writer's Muse and Other Stories". I have shared bits about my muses here and this pulls those bits together and adds a lot of other things to them. Some of the short stories have been posted ["Daylilies", "The Elevator"] but there will be a few new ones in the published volume, which will probably be novel length. Maybe writing all winter and publishing in the spring?)
PP2,
You are a champion in putting out hints and then moar hints about new stories and then leaving us Moar Hounds drooling....
Had an old girl friend that was that way, but the final results were worth the wait....
Texican....
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Post by arkansascob on Nov 8, 2019 8:34:35 GMT -6
Love the stories that are posted but I also love reading the comments about the stories. solo good on you for getting your girls into self defense and then enforcing and teaching the when to and when not to. That control will take them far in life with more than self defense. texican truer words haven't been spoken with never back down although I can think of some situations where backing down would be beneficial to life and limb but this trail of conversations didn't got down that path. personally I kinda like the hints from the opposite sex about things that make a man drool as long as the wait is worth it. Now bretf how about some moar of this story before us hounds get to far off track. COB
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Post by bretf on Nov 8, 2019 13:23:57 GMT -6
Arkansas Cob: True words about bullies. Thanks for reading and commenting. Yes, it can be a very fun game as we’re led on by the opposite sex. It makes me wonder about the moniker “the weaker sex”.
I’m doing what I can to get more story up. It’ll be coming soon.
Texican: I’m not sure when the secret will come out. But you know, 9idrr wants me to make this a looong story so maybe I can stretch the revealing party out for at least five to ten more chapters. Will that work?
Thanks
9idrr: I’m trying, I’m trying. But each time I read what I’ve written, I make more changes. But how about I give you a preview. The next chapter starts like this:
Chapter 6 “Hey, there’s”
Okay, back to work. Oh, and thanks!
Papa, you know how it goes. But now that you mention it, this does remind me of the time I was using my ultralight gear for crappie and a twenty pound catfish hit my jig. It only took forty minutes to land, so maybe there’s hope for all these impatient moar-hounds. Thanks.
And for you and Solo the comments about unfinished projects is so spot-on. This one had been lying dormant for years and I have starts on several more stories.
Solo, thanks. I don’t envy you having two teenage girls. My girl just went off to college and I worry more than ever. I applaud you on your stance with them. I had my kids in classes for years and try to preach constant awareness to them. Unfortunately in the modern world, it’s hard to be aware when your nose is inches from the cell phone.
Never ever back down: yes, a good title. I look forward to reading it. I was listening to John Prine yesterday and heard one that might be good too: Some Humans aint Human”. I could see that working into PAW fiction.
I’ll try to give Chapter 6 one more read through tonight and post it tomorrow if I’m satisfied. (Will that work 9?)
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Post by texican on Nov 8, 2019 14:19:59 GMT -6
Arkansas Cob: True words about bullies. Thanks for reading and commenting. Yes, it can be a very fun game as we’re led on by the opposite sex. It makes me wonder about the moniker “the weaker sex”. I’m doing what I can to get more story up. It’ll be coming soon.Texican: I’m not sure when the secret will come out. But you know, 9idrr wants me to make this a looong story so maybe I can stretch the revealing party out for at least five to ten more chapters. Will that work?Thanks 9idrr: I’m trying, I’m trying. But each time I read what I’ve written, I make more changes. But how about I give you a preview. The next chapter starts like this: Chapter 6 “Hey, there’s” Okay, back to work. Oh, and thanks! Papa, you know how it goes. But now that you mention it, this does remind me of the time I was using my ultralight gear for crappie and a twenty pound catfish hit my jig. It only took forty minutes to land, so maybe there’s hope for all these impatient moar-hounds. Thanks. And for you and Solo the comments about unfinished projects is so spot-on. This one had been lying dormant for years and I have starts on several more stories. Solo, thanks. I don’t envy you having two teenage girls. My girl just went off to college and I worry more than ever. I applaud you on your stance with them. I had my kids in classes for years and try to preach constant awareness to them. Unfortunately in the modern world, it’s hard to be aware when your nose is inches from the cell phone. Never ever back down: yes, a good title. I look forward to reading it. I was listening to John Prine yesterday and heard one that might be good too: Some Humans aint Human”. I could see that working into PAW fiction. I’ll try to give Chapter 6 one more read through tonight and post it tomorrow if I’m satisfied. (Will that work 9?)Bret,
You are a consummate writer that knows how to string your readers along....
But it keeps the Moar Hounds coming back for moar and moar....
Now will Chapter 6 suddenly appear tomorrow....
Texican....
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Post by bretf on Nov 8, 2019 18:32:18 GMT -6
Chapter 6
“Hey, there’s Mike and Jackson,” Tommy said.
The boys threaded their way past tables and other kids to their friends.
“Dudes, you should’ve—”
Brian cut in on Tommy. He was irritated his plan hadn’t worked and didn’t need it rehashed for everyone within earshot. “Hey, guys, where’re your lunches? Didn’t you see anything good?” Brian asked. The moment the words left his mouth he knew he’d said the wrong thing. He’d opened the door and had no way to close it.
Jackson turned a glum face to him and said, “Yeah, it looks good, but those eighth graders at the doors took our money.”
Brian said, “Then I’ll treat. Come on, I’m hungry.” Maybe he could still avoid the story. Besides, he knew he wouldn’t be around long so he’d be the best friend possible in the little time he had left.
“How do you have money? Weren’t the three stooges there? Why’d they let you pass?” Mike asked in rapid-fire delivery.
“Dude, you should’ve seen it. Yeah, they were there, but Brian got right in their faces. He was about to rip into them when the Vice showed up, weren’t you Brian,” Tommy said.
Brian shrugged.
Sam piped up and asked, “What was that you told the red-headed idiot about summer?”
“Yeah Brian, what was that about? You won’t tell us a thing and then you were all ready to go ninja on those goons. Where were you, at some secret fight camp?” Tommy asked.
“Bri-man, were you off learning to be a cage fighter or something?” Jackson asked.
Brian cringed at the word ‘cage’.
“So, do you want to eat or not?” he asked, turned, and headed for the line.
The boys watched his back for a moment then looked at each other in puzzlement. Mike shrugged and got a quizzical look as if noticing Sam for the first time. “Who’re you?” he asked.
“I’m Sam. I’m in the first two classes with Brian. And I was right with Tommy when Brian got in those guys’ faces. Come on, we can tell you about it in the line.
The story of Brian facing down the three stooges spread like wildfire. When he stepped out of the serving line with his tray, heads turned towards him and voices lowered as he passed.
“You should have seen him,” he heard one boy telling his table mates. “That guy was a foot taller than him and he . . .
Brian walked on, doing his best to ignore the stares and comments. He sat and began to eat as his friends, including Sam, sat around him.
“Well, are you going to tell us?” Jackson asked.
Brian had his hamburger poised near his mouth, ready to take a bite. He sighed and lowered it. “I tell you what,” he said, “let me eat in peace. Let’s talk about the first day of school stuff. Then, on Monday morning, I’ll tell you all about my summer.”
Once he gave his oral presentation, there’d be no need not to tell them. The secret would be out and he’d be whisked away. At least no one would remember him as a slacker like Billy.
“But why so secretive?” Mike asked.
“Hey, if you don’t want to eat that lunch I bought you, I’ll eat it,” Brian said.
“Oh, all right, school stuff,” Mike said. “So, I had P.E. first thing. Can you believe it? P.E. for homeroom? It seemed weird. The teacher or coach or drill instructor, whatever the guy is made us run a mile for time. We barely caught our breaths when he had us do all the push-ups we could in one minute. After that, we had to do crunches, and then . . .”
Brian tried to focus on the conversation but it was hard. His mind was still in a fog and he couldn’t figure a way out of his problem. Maybe he should’ve asked Mr. Wilson if he could go with him when they’d gotten back. Wilson said he was hitting the road and it would take more cerebral power than Roberts had to find him. Mr. Wilson didn’t have a very high opinion of Agent Roberts and after what the man had done to them, Brian was inclined to agree.
But he hadn’t gone with Mr. W. He’d gone home, gone to school, and because of that, he was certain he wouldn’t find a way out of his predicament. It was a lost cause if he couldn’t even get three gorillas to fight him. The hamburger may have been good, but he couldn’t tell.
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Post by 9idrr on Nov 8, 2019 20:29:01 GMT -6
Sure would be nice to see something down the road where Agent Roberts gets what's comin' to him. Then again, I don't wanna see anything that shortens the story. I'm figurin' it's headed for another 40 or 50 chapters, right Bret? BTW, thanks for this much, and for the fact that it's up to your usual exceptional standard.
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Post by texican on Nov 8, 2019 20:55:36 GMT -6
Bravery is catching....
It only needs one to step up and Never Back Down....
And the secret will be revealed.... On Monday morning....
Thanks Bret for Chapter 6....
Will the secret be in Chapter 7?.... The Moar Hounds are waiting with baited breath from the fish pond....
Only bret knows....
Texican....
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