Rock, Paper, The Iron Writer Read online

  Use as many homonyms as possible

  (I lost this challenge by several hundred votes to Don Corcoran. You can find his story on The Iron Writer Website: www.theironwriter.com under challenge 64 in the story archive.)

   

  For Glenda

  Danielle Lee Zwissler

  The little boy lay in the coffin surrounded by stuffed animals and action figures. His favorite conductor’s hat was placed carefully on his head and he wore a Thomas the Train tee-shirt along with blue and white striped jeans. 

  It was a quick death, finding out only a month before that he had Cancer. Jackson never complained, he always smiled, he loved playing with trains, talking to his imaginary friend, and smashing dandelions on his sister’s nose.

  Only one more day until Michael Crawford’s son would be lowered into the ground. What he would do without Jackson?

  “Daddy?”

  Michael startled and turned fast. “Jackie?”

  “It’s okay, Daddy; I’m okay…I’m with Grandma now.”

  Michael’s body shook, and he covered his mouth with his hand as he went toward the coffin where his son was. “But you—”

  “Don’t cry, Daddy…Remember your promise.”

  ***

  Michael sat up, sweat pouring off his face. His son had been dead 27 years. Since then, his wife had passed, and his daughter had moved away. He spent most days locked up in his office, figuring out new algorithms, and reading Jackson’s old school papers.

   

  Later that afternoon, Michael read a letter from Jackson to his future self. It was filled with the misspelled words and homonyms, but it was a prized possession to Michael.

  “What’re you doing?” Janie, Michael’s fiancé, asked as she walked into the office.

  Michael looked up, startled. “Nothing…just work.” Michael put the letter down and stood, stretching. “I’ll be back,” he said, excusing himself to the restroom.

  Janie walked over to the desk and picked up the piece of paper. It was a letter. The spelling was horrible; Janie knew that writing wasn’t a strong suit of Michael’s. She loved him and his quirks anyway.

  …Glenda is so butiful. She has great hare and a small waste, and brite blue eyes. I love her.

  Janie’s eyes watered, angry at Michael’s betrayal. When he walked into the room, she crumbled up the paper and threw it at him. The expression on Michael’s face was that of horror.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Who’s Glenda?!”

  “Why did you do that?”

  “Answer me; who’s Glenda?”

  “Jackson’s pet fairy.”

  “What?”

  “My little boy, Jackson…I promised him that I would take care of her, that I would keep her alive for him.” Michael pointed around the room and Janie looked distraught from what the letter said, hand drawn portraits of a pixie were scattered all over the place.

  “Glenda?”

  Michael nodded. “It’s why I don’t want you in here.” Tears poured from Michael’s eyes as he unfolded the crumbled up paper.

  “I’m so sorry, Michael. I...I didn’t know.”

  “Glenda is very special to me,” he said softly, patting his pocket. “I keep her safe in here, next to my heart.”

  Janie cried, “I’m so sorry.”

  Michael nodded and sat back down at his desk, working on more algorithms.

  A few minutes later, Janie came back in with two coffees, and pecked Michael on the cheek before walking toward the door.

  “Aren’t you going to join me?”

  “No.”

  “But there’s two cups here.”

  “For Glenda, Michael. Now I’m taking care of her, too.”

  About the Author

  Danielle Lee Zwissler

  Author of several romance novels as well as fantasy and erotica, Danielle started her writing journey in 2004 with her first novel, IRIS. Since then, she has penned more than 26 books, including short stories, series and stand-alone books. Her favorite things to do, you ask? She loves comic book conventions, The Big Bang Theory, and playing WiiU with her kids. If you would like to learn more about Danielle or her books, please check out her website at: www.danielleleezwissler.com

  Or, you can follow her on twitter: www.twitter.com/danielleleezwis, or Facebook at: www.facebook.com/danielleleezwissler.

  Series:

  The Daniels Dynasty:

  Her Last Chance

  The Art of Seduction

  (Coming soon) Out of Focus

  Cowboys & Cowgirls:

  The Cowboy’s Bride

  Served

  The Cowboy Takes a Slave

  A Barefoot Christmas

  The Long Ride Home

  Lassoed by the Cowboy

  Cooking for the Cowboy

  Turn to the next page for a bonus short story!

  Once Upon a Bat:

  A Cinderella Story

  Halloween morning I woke up with the cutest little bat lying on my chest, staring at me with the biggest blue eyes. Before I could scream, it smiled and said, “You know, you’d attract a lot more men if you wouldn’t wear those damned flannel pajamas!

  I scoffed at its reply and threw up the sheets, knocking the nuisance out of my way. “These pajamas are perfectly fine. And, maybe I don’t want to attract any men. Maybe I’m just tired of them. And maybe, I shouldn’t be talking to a bat, in my room! I’m going insane,” I said as I brought my hands up to my temple. I closed my eyes and massaged. “When I open my eyes, you will be gone”

  I opened them slowly…

  “How’s that working for you?” the pest snickered.

  “Ugh, disgusting!”

  “I know…you have a gorgeous body and those pajamas need to be burned!”

  I stuck my tongue out. I knew it was an immature thing to do, but hey, this dream, nightmare, or drunken hallucination wasn’t working… even my psychosis was ganging up on me.

  I looked in the mirror. They aren’t that bad, are they? Yeah, they were awful—blue flannel pajamas with horses all over, grazing in a field, complete with tractors, cows and a few chickens.

  “You know I’m right,” the annoyance said.

  “Yes…so your point is?”

  “You need to get out more. You need to put your hair down, show those beautiful legs of yours, put some makeup on, and you know, accentuate the positives.”

  “Is this really happening?” I looked to my left, cleared my vision once more with both hands, rubbing out the sleep, and then looked forward. Yep, I was talking to a bat. This has got to be the first step of many on becoming my Grandmother, Pearl.

  “Of course it is. Now, why don’t you take those clothes off and we’ll get started?”

  He sounded kind of sexy for a bat, and that was what was troubling me. Next step, insane asylum.

  “Uh, no. You need to get out of here.”

  “No can do; just think of me as your prince charming or your batty grandfather.”

  “Now, I’ve heard everything!”

  “Undress.”

  “No way!”

  “I’ve got all night.”

  “Ugh, at least turn around,” I cried.

  He chuckled just then, and goose bumps formed on my spine and traveled down my arms. I needed to get laid soon, and fast.

  “Ok, fine, I’ll turn around, but I don’t promise to stay turned.”

  “Whatever…just tell me how exactly you are going to help me.”

  “Patience, my dear,” he said, turning slightly, looking over his small wings, and catching a glimpse of my cleavage as I started to unbutton my pajama top. I threw the nearest thing at him: a hairbrush.

  “Watch it!” he yelled.

  “I told you to turn around!”

  “And I told you I would, but I promised not to stay turned!”

  “UGH!”

  “You keep saying that.”

  “You won’t leave.”

  He l
aughed again. “I’m here for the haul, babe. Now, get some clothes on; we’re going to go shopping.”

  “And how exactly are we going to do that?” They don’t exactly have bat friendly shops.” I laughed at my joke and told him he could turn around. I was wearing a black v neck and khaki pants. He shook his head.

  “You, my sweet, are the only one that can see me…for now. Now, let’s fly out of here. And whatever you do, when we get into the store, just listen…I’ll do the talking, otherwise people will think you’re nuts!

  I had to laugh at that. Although I was already in this dream and having more fun than usual, I was nuts. Certifiable!

  Thirty minutes later, we arrived at the mall. He complained most of the time, talking about traffic, how much more difficult it was to weave in and out of the New York traffic opposed to flight. If only I weren’t a lowly human, incapable of things such as flying, like a bat, it would’ve been a much more enjoyable experience. Excuse me for living!

  He talked to me the entire time we shopped. It was actually quite fun to shop with a man…I mean…bat. He gave me his opinion on color as well as what would make me look good. He even whistled a few times, which made me blush. I felt incredibly stupid, blushing for a bat, but something about this creature was a rare turn on, which made me rethink my late night drinks. I would have to throw out the vodka, and the rum. Suddenly I heard Johnny Depp’s voice in my head… “Why is the rum gone?”

  After about 45 minutes, he stopped dead in his tracks, dropping to the floor. I gasped.

  “Are you alright?”

  “Wow!”

  “Wow, what? Do I need to do CPR or something?”

  Just then, on the outside of the fitting room, someone knocked. “Ma’am, are you okay? Ma’am, you know there is only one to a room; is there someone in there with you?”

  I shook my head and inhaled; Jake just laughed. “No, I’m fine. On the cell phone, and I know the rules…”

  “Oh, sorry, I’ll just leave you to it.”

  I could hear her few parting words, “Weirdo and freak”; which I might say, I was thinking myself.

  The bat just looked at me, bright blue eyes and all. “You are breathtaking, perfect for this evening’s party.”

  “What party?”

  “The costume party at the Rainbow Room. It’s your night to be Cinderella.”

  “Me at a costume party?” I turned and looked at the mirror. I was beautiful; he was right. I turned to the left, and I could see myself in the full length mirror; my back looked great as well, strands of pearls cascaded down the bodice of my perfect, blue dress. I looked like something out of a fairytale. The funny thing was, is I don’t even remember trying this particular dress on. I turned to look at him. “Who are you really?”

  He smiled. Two canine-like teeth jutted out, “I told you; I’m your prince charming or batty grandfather.”

  I laughed; “I mean, what do I call you?”

  “You can call me, Jake.”

  “Jake, how did, how are we going to the party this evening? I don’t have tickets or anything. I didn’t even know about it.”

  “Look in your purse,” he said oddly.

  I looked at him, and then turned to get my purse. Right in the opening was an envelope, one invitation. I read the words on the front of the card.

  You’re invited: a night to remember, under the starlit night at the Rainbow Room.

  Costumes, drinks and dinner!

  Meet your Prince Charming

  Don’t be late!

  9 p.m.

  “How did this get here?” I asked. I turned to look at Jake and came up with nothing. “Jake?” I picked up my khaki pants. Where was Jake? I looked in the corner near the side mirror, no Jake; I looked above my head toward the ceiling. He was gone! I felt an empty feeling, which was ridiculous. Jake was gone, if he was ever really there in the first place.

  Arriving home, I put my purchases on my dresser. I thought back to when I was leaving the store sans Jake. The purchases were already paid for by someone else. When I went up to the counter to take care of the dress, the shoes, and gloves were added as well. The woman said a handsome man had come in hours before and told her that a young lady would be purchasing said dress and shoes, and he wanted her to have them as a gift.

  It was such an odd day… First I woke up late, and then I found a bat in my room. Shortly after, I went to the mall to shop with said bat, then lost him after I found an invitation to a costume ball! Then, as if nothing else was weird, I tried to pay for the dress and it had already been paid for! What’s next, a carriage made from a pumpkin and mice turned into coachman? I laughed at the thought as it was already such a ridiculous day. I had to have been dreaming. I tried thinking back to what I ate the night before—whatever it was had to have been good. I don’t think I’ve ever had such fun.

  After what seemed like hours until the party started, I arrived just before the strike of nine. I wore the beautiful, floor length dress with the pearl strung bodice, a choker made of fine pearls and rhinestones, and the white gloves that extended past my elbows. I looked beautiful, and I had a handsome bat, as well as man to thank. As I walked into the party the music that was playing stopped, and a man, whom was devastatingly handsome, strode toward me, hand held out and bowed.

  “I’ve been waiting for what seems all evening.”

  His voice was husky, very soft and with a hint of something familiar; although I had never seen him before, I felt like I’d known him my entire life. Even through the gloves, I could feel the heat from his hand as he pulled me into his embrace.

  “I’m sorry… Do... Do I know you?”

  He smiled a big smile, baring his pristinely white teeth, and started the dance. Dance after dance, and twirl after twirl we moved together, easily as one. It was a magical evening. He wouldn’t answer any questions; he just moved me along the floor in his arms as if I’d been there a million times before.

  As the clock chimed near the end of the party, he moved toward the large double doors that I walked into when I first arrived. It felt like it was just me and him there alone, but there were a lot of people dressed in costumes and ball gowns alike. Many wore masks; the man In front of me wore a black tuxedo with tails, and shiny black leather shoes.

  “Come with me.”

  “But I don’t even know your name.” It didn’t matter really, as the night was so wonderful; he was a great dancer, absolutely breathtakingly gorgeous, and dressed impeccably.

  This made me think of the “bat” from earlier. It was odd that he would come up at a time like this. I shook my head. “I’m sorry, I can’t. I’ve met someone else, but, I’ve had a wonderful time.”

  He looked stunned as I ran from the room, leaving a few pearls behind.

  Later that evening, as I lay in my bed contemplating the night’s festivities, I thought of Jake. I couldn’t remember a time where I had so much fun; however it seemed wonderful, he was still not a human. Go figure, I fall in love for the very first time, and it’s with a bat!

  I shook my head and started to laugh. I laughed so hard that I started to cry, and that’s when I felt the jab in my side. I opened my eyes to see Jake sitting on the bed—waiting, very impatiently for me to notice.

  I gasped. “Jake! What are you doing here?”

  “That seems to be the question of the night. What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at the party?”

  I shook my head. “Oh…I feel so stupid!” I crammed my head in my pillow and started to cry,

  “Now why would you ever feel like that?”

  “You are never going to believe this!”

  “Try me.”

  “I went to the ball tonight and met the sexiest man I have ever seen, danced with him the entire night, and I’ve never felt that close to anyone in my life. It felt so good to be held; it felt like I’d known him forever…then, I left!”

  Jake laughed. “Why on earth did you leave then?”

  �
�Because, and here is the odd part, I’ve already fallen for someone else!”

  He shook his head. “That was unexpected!” He turned away, looking sad and then started to fly.

  I snapped my head up. “Don’t go! Where are you going?”

  “You don’t love him.”

  “No, I…this is so weird. I love you!”

  He stopped and turned to face me. “You love me?”

  “Yes.”

  I put my head in my hands and sobbed uncontrollably. This was the most whacked out dream I had ever had. I felt the poke in my side again, and then looked up. It was him! The guy from the dance! My eyes widened. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’m Jake.” He took my hands in his and leaned toward me for a kiss. “I love you, too.”

  Eight hours later, I woke up with an arm around me and a smile on my face. That was definitely the oddest dream I had ever had. And as always, the man of my dreams was the love interest. It didn’t matter if I was awake or asleep; my husband, Jake, was always on my mind. I turned toward him and kissed him on the nose.

  “Mmm…What was that for?”

  “That’s for always being there!”

  “I love you, Princess.”

  “I love you, too, my Prince Charming.”

  Jake sat up and grinned down at me before helping me up. “What in the world are you wearing?”

  “What?” I asked as I looked down, noticing the goofy flannel pajamas that I was wearing in the dream. I closed my eyes and then looked back at Jake. “Remind me to get rid of the rum!”