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Wonders In Dementialand by SuzkaChapter 28: THE AFFAIR WITH SKEETER
Violet stood in a roped line at the border with the long crowd of other travelers. Her black purse was tightly tucked under her arm. Another hand, her own, gripped the purse's side opening for extra protection. She was in full view of the armed soldiers who guarded the border between the official recorded reality and the undocumented realities that took refuge in Violet's head. Faceless inspectors behind tall counters checked all purses for contrabands.
Violet wore a silk-like belted dress in soft white with lavender flowers. Its silky material calmed her girdled body. The girdle's job was to keep Violet and her memories strapped in place - memories she needed; they were her credentials, her identity. Violet took everything she could remember and hid them in the zipped secret pockets inside her purse. She was a careful smuggler. The border inspectors already confiscated her box of Christmas Eve memories; the creamed mushrooms and the milked bread cubes sweetened with poppy-seeds and sugar.
It was all gone. They took it all.
The inspectors impounded her wedding dress, all her floured recipes, and erased the faces off her family photos. The tall dashing man who once twirled her high above the ground as well as their three birthed babies, gone, all seized. Birthdays, Sundays, presidents and numbers were scrambled and dumped from her memory. Violet watched the inspectors handcuff Jesus and take him to another room. Before Jesus vanished, he turned back and winked at Violet. You'll be ok.
"Move to one side. Let us through. Everyone move to one side."
A harnessed dog dragging a uniformed agent behind him sniffed Violet's shoes. The dog sniffed everyone's shoes. Violet pressed her purse closer to her body and watched the nervous dog intensely sniff and drag the official through the line whipping everyone who got in his way with his muscular tail.
A tiny man with baby chin hair and an oversized uniformed shouted out "Next!" His voice was stuck in changing.
Violet scooted to his counter. She forgot to bring a bag of candy, a sweet bribe from a little defenseless lady with age.
"Do you have any memories you want to declare?"
"No."
"Have any pictures, flashbacks, stories." The young inspector slid his elbow further into the counter and leaned sarcastically to ask, "any relative holy cards up your sleeve?"
"Of course not."
The inspector looked over the counter and visually scanned Violet's body, stopping at the black leather purse tucked under her arm. "What's in the purse?"
Violet knew how to play the game. "What, this purse? Are you talking about this silly thing? Oh there's nothing inside. Why, it's not even a purse really. I haven't the slightest idea why I even carry this silly thing around."
The inspector looked into Violet's blank eyes looking for something to give away any secret memories she wanted to keep. He thought of his mother, how she worked as a cleaning lady in an office building at nights for him to continue his schooling. Now he works for the government, a border agent. His mother was proud of her son.
"You look familiar. I might know your mother." Violet's last hope.
"Move on." He let Violet pass but put her on the list of suspicious characters.
Violet fooled him. There were thousands of secrets hidden in her purse, secrets and memories that took her elsewhere. She held onto them tightly and kept them to herself. Even God did not know of them.
Violet flattened her hand against her chest pressing down on the giggle jumping inside.
Violet moved quickly past the memory inspectors and followed the crowd into another room; a room large as a school gymnasium and beige, a scuffed beige surface. It was littered with people moving in unruly opposite directions to themselves. The air had no choice but to hold its breath. It was unwilling to move the heavy odors in fear that the room would gag and cough on the travelers. It all smelled like spoiled meat that sat on the counter too long.
Violet walked through the cluttered area of travel toward the metal detector. It would be the final check before she could cross the border. She followed the crowd and funneled herself into the slow line. Sounds behind her reported canceled travel announcements. She never looked back at the lonely place with its suffocating sky. Violet kept her eyes on the line ahead.
A glass wall divided the borders. On the other side Violet saw crowds of people watching the arriving visitors. The glass wall was filled with happy heads on spring necks that bobbled up, down and sideways. Jumping children popped up between the voiceless heads.
In the center of the waiting crowd was an attractive steady-headed man dressed in tall black. Violet couldn't help but notice his striking appearance in the crowd's color. He was statuesque, handsome and mysterious. Violet noticed the man float across the glass. He moved as if he had no feet, gliding toward the glass wall’s edge. He mouthed a silent sound of her name.
Violet dug her heals into the ground as the man moved closer to the border's port of entry. Everything in her head argued with her. What is he looking at? Turn your head away. We don't know this man… Violet told herself. Look away and whatever you do, don't let him catch you looking. Turn away. Turn away quickly. Violet repositioned her purse and fiddled with its straps, a reasonable distraction that kept her mind busy.
Time teased Violet and blindfolded any conventional thoughts. Her instincts moved her torso as far as it could outside the line and straightened her head for a level view. She swept the wall looking for the attractive stranger behind the glass. Suddenly, her eyes hooked into his eyes like a truck about to run into a tree. She snapped back and reprimanded her actions. I told you eyes not to go there. See what you started. Now he saw you looking. Stop it. Look away. Don’t let him catch you.
The curious admirer behind the glass window softened his face and smiled at Violet's girlish innocence.
The line moved slowly. Violet clutched her purse close to her breasts as she waited for another TSA officer to wave her through the two large metal detectors. She told her eyes to stay close and not to wander off, as small children would often do when traveling with their parents. But her eyes would stray to the side without paying attention. They went to the mysterious man on the other side of the window.
Violet held him in her eyes just long enough for him to notice then quickly looked away disowning her curiosity. Her legs dangled like a marionette whose strings got tangled in play from above by its puppeteer. He made her nervous. Nervous enough that her first thought was of peeing.
She talked inside her head. What's he up to? There is something odd about that man. There are layers of purpose in him. I don't know what it is but... Violet turned direction in the middle of her thought and scanned the walls around her. I think I need to find a toilet.
A tall TSA officer waved Violet through. The image of her stranger stuck in her eyes like fresh wallpaper. She walked slowly through the metal detectors as directed. When she reached the middle, fate grabbed her legs. The heel of her shoe got caught on a shagged bathroom-like rug. Her body leaped in front of her leaving part of her behind. The hard floor on the other side was where she was destined to crash, breaking all her bones into sharp chips. As if she were watching an instant replay, the accident's slow motion deepened the terror inside her.
Arms came from nowhere. The wings of an angel in flight caught the falling queen. Her heart raced. White doves flew from the rafters. Sanctified bishops swept their purple garments blessing the air. Violet squinted her eyes in the angel's sunlight. She was mesmerized by words as they floated down on parachutes.
"Are you ok?"
An angel with dark hair caught Violet. His soft curls were loosely pulled back and tied together at the base of his neck. He wore Jesus sandals made by Nike.
His eyes were young and filled with the remnants of laughter. "Let me help you up." Her handsome savior raised her gently to her feet. With one arm he held her waist to steady her balance. "Madame, should I call for help? It looks like you might have injured your ankle."
Her angel looked into the crowd. "Is there someone here to meet you...any family, children?"
Violet pealed her eyes off his face and looked at the area around her. Words left her slowly not sure where to go. "I... I don't know."
The strange angel looked around and noticed that everyone had moved into groups and slowly faded into the walls.
"Then let me be of service to you. My full name is Anopheles deMentia but everyone calls me Skeeter."
The moon, the stars, all the gods in heaven applauded. Fate cleared a way for Skeeter and Violet to walk to a small table with two chairs sitting next to a closed Starbucks.
"I must tell you, until I actually saw you, I had no idea who I was to meet or why I was sent here. Life is so simple. It has a plan for us all."
The language spoken on the stranger's side of the border was foreign to Violet. If only she had her bag of candy to give to the rescuing angel, a small gift of gratitude. Nothing was familiar. Violet called her eyes back and lightly scolded them for talking to strangers.
"Let me get you something to drink. Some water or jasmine tea perhaps." Without waiting for a response, he helped Violet into a chair. "Which do you prefer?"
“Oh no, nothing for me. I have Ensure in my purse. Maybe I'll take a tiny sip of that to steady my nerves."
They spent hours together talking, nearly an entire afternoon. Violet leaned closer into herself and talked of things she thought she forgot. There was clarity in their priceless exchange. Her polished fingers twirled her hair pulling him in closer into her stories. Under the table, her toes raised themselves in the girlish delight of it all. Between them, her purse comfortably napped on the small table without the slightest worry of being grabbed or whisked away by traveling thieves.
After a time, Violet puffed up her hair with her hands and said, "Oh, I must go. I have so much to do. It was so nice meeting you and thank you again for catching my fall. I don't know what would have happened to me if you weren't there."
Skeeter smiled and kissed her hand, "It was fate. We were meant to meet and be together."
"Well, I don't know about that, but I must say it was a most enjoyable afternoon." Violet could not find a reason to leave except to possibly catch her breath. She was dizzy, confused. Perhaps it was his cologne.
"Please don't leave. What do you have to do?"
"Well... I don't…” Violet looked around the empty gymnasium for some answer. “I… I don’t exactly remember at the moment what it is… but I am a very busy woman. That I know for sure. And at some point today I have to bake two trays of my special rolled cabbage horns. Everyone loves them, you know." She caught her words in flight and giggled. "Of course you don't know that. We just met."
He smiled and added an irresistible wink. There was something about this woman. He wanted to spend the entire day with her.
She discarded her excitement and his flirtatious gestures and went about the business she could not remember. Her ill-fated memories could explain nothing. Violet simply knew she needed to return to Chicago, return home to the corner back room with the tall windows that stood shoulder-to-shoulder. The neighborhood birds that sat on outside branches would wonder where she had been but Violet felt assured they would say nothing to anyone of her absence.
Mod
Thank you. This is Mahiraj Jadeja author of "A Lover's Will" a beautiful collection of 50 poems published in London by Olympia Publisher, giving message of true love and values, looking forward to get reviews and promote can also give if free ebook is available @ https://www.amazon.com/Lovers-Will-Ma...#
David wrote: "Are you looking for a review swap with an author, or to give out copies for review? Thanks for posting either way :)"I can send you a free copy.
Suzka wrote: "Wonders In Dementialand by Suzka
Chapter 28: THE AFFAIR WITH SKEETER
Violet stood in a roped line at the border with the long crowd of other travelers. Her black purse was tightly tucked under her..."
Yes, suzka, I will give you free PDF of my book A Lover's Will and I want you to rate and review it on Amazon and Goodwill and in the same way, you send me your book in pdf through email and I will rate and review yours the same way on Amazon and Good reads. And then at the end we will delete each other copy. if interested send me your book pdf on info.mahiraj@gmail.com and I will reply you with my book in pdf. Comment yes if I interested.
David wrote: "This is a folder who authors who want to get some reviews. You can create your own thread and either1) Promote your book to see if people will review it
2) Promote your book and state that you wil..."
FYI, swapping reviews is a violation of Amazon TOS, as well as GR TOS and FTC regulations. I wouldn't recommend it.
I'm unsure whether this is the group I'm looking for or not. It seems the closest "place" for my intentions (what I'm hoping to create) in a book I'm writing. This book is still a long way from being finished.
I intend that my readers would be able to interact with what I write; I also want the space/opportunity for them to give me their input. To converse in in a manner that allows for their making suggestions to improve what I write (while I do the same for them).
Does this sound like the right place for me? Is it acceptable, if it IS the right place for me to be, even though I'm still a good ways away from finishing & will likely be not much good toward helping other people here as long as I'm focused on writing my book?
Thank you.
Mod
Hi,I a new to the new group. I do seek review and feedback for my work that would honestly help me to improve upon my work in future. A new published anthology is out now for sale and I need to know where can I improve upon. I thought this group could be the closest to what I am seeking for.Of The Heart And Soul—A Mellifluous Whisper
With gratitude
P
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wont-Happen-...I would love for a review on my book It Won't Happen Again. Writing Martha's story has taken seven years, and in that time she has become real to me.
I don't mind doing a review swap. I have good feedback on Amazon. Also one review on Goodreads, but it is with the old title of my book. I changed it from Behind Closed Doors to It Won't Happen Again. If you send me your link to Amazon, I will buy a copy and give a review if you can do the same for me.
Reviews needed please Hi I am Kat Stiles , I am a USA Today Bestselling author and that title does not mean every book sells.
I am looking for reviews for my Science Fiction Vampire book
The Vampire Cure
In the search for a cure to a viral pandemic, scientist Liz Meyer discovers something far more deadly…Vampires exist.
And what’s even more amazing, they’re immune to the global virus that are killing millions of humans.
By strange circumstance she falls in love with a vampire named Ryan and reluctantly asks him for his blood, as it may cure the pandemic.
But they have to pass it through the Vampire Clan who has other plans for Liz and wants to kill Ryan to claim Liz.The Vampire Cure
HI Everyone I just recently released a Dark fantasy GOT meets Beauty and the beast book and would love some reviews A Beast so Beautiful
Hi all! I recently released a collection of short stories, Tales from Ballyclara, based on my women's fiction series: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...I'd be very grateful to anyone who reads and reviews it. It's not necessary to read the other books in the series, but it may help.
David wrote: "This is a folder who authors who want to get some reviews. You can create your own thread and either1) Promote your book to see if people will review it
2) Promote your book and state that you wil..."
Hello ~ "Tree of Life" launched in Nov. 2021 Amazon, Apple, Kobo, and Barnes and Noble. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B09LTLSTZN . Brooke seeks solitude at the forlorn estate, Thornwood Trace, but soon her peace is disturbed by secrets hidden for 200 years.
Escaping from the heartache brought about by grief, deception, and betrayal, Brooke Davies moves to an estate on the outskirts of Greenport, Connecticut, only to discover that this move is not a geographical cure. " I would welcome reviews from readers and writers. Although I have had one excellent review, I have made numerous sales.
Gnome Anne's LandColourful pictures, original characters, easy-to-read text, perfect for little fingers and sharing with parents. Welcome to the Valley of Plenty ...
E-book published this week, feedback welcomed.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTDXL91K
Hi! My book is called The Firstborn Son. This is a Mafia romantic suspense novel set in Pittsburgh, PA. It has old Italian men with accents, an heiress and a man due to inherit leadership of The Renzi family. But the fallout from his relationship with the heiress makes the city streets burn. See all buy links here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
HelloHere I go again. I keep trying to get reviews but took a break to write a couple more stories. My last novel I wrote and self published was a mystery suspense thriller titled Magenta Fleurs.
Shakespeare's To Be or Not To Be reads 1984 playbook while 007 paints a canvas in the swamp. A young college student sets off on her first year separating herself from home meeting new people and embracing her new found adulthood. She suddenly finds herself accepting help from strangers while navigating her circumstances.
I just finished the 3rd book in this series, and might query or go the indie route again. Not sure.
I have to insert it into Goodreads like my other novels. The 1st book in the series is titled Three King Mackerel and a Mahi Mahi.
Thanks for any tips and/or reading!
https://www.amazon.com/Magenta-Fleurs...
Caroline wrote: "Hello ... Thanks for any tips..."Try the Goodreads review rounds, the group Ten, the group Read/Write/Review.
They are all review based. Good eggs all around.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...I'm being harassed. I've suffered from cerebral palsy my entire life, but a group of clearly fake profiles are harassing me in a coordinated. fashion. help!
Alex wrote: "https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...I'm being harassed. I've suffered from cerebral palsy my entire life, but a group of clearly fake profiles are harassing me in a coordinated. fashion. ..."
You can report them using the "flag" button next to "reply" at the bottom of their comments.
I've been doing that for the past few days and only ONE comment was taken down.
they claim that I'm faking my cerebral palsy for clout and PR. and have left 5 one star ratings on my work. this is a campaign of harassment . this is clearly a coordinated effort .
Hi Alex. I went to your profile and checked the 2 books listed there. Neither has any ratings showing now.
I'm looking for a review swap for my latest book New Beginings - A sapphic romance set in Paris (Mobi, PDF and Epub copies are available)Message me if interested
New Beginnings
I’m looking for reviews for my new book “whispers in grandmothers painting”. I’m a small town teenage author looking for more growth in my audience. My book is made for parents with middle school kids or middle school kids. It’s a fantasy full of adventure. :)
Hi Friends,My name is Shivkumar from Bangalore, India. I have published 2 books in print version and 14 short stories on AMAZON KDP. All these are published under my pen name: MANGALAM SHIVA. The short stories have various social themes in all of them. The link to my books: httpas://www.amazon.com/stores/Mangalam-Shiva/...?
aLL THE BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE IN AMAZON.COM AND AMAZON KINDLE. I keenly look forward to reviews from the readers.
Authors-Readers Connect
Books mentioned in this topic
New Beginnings (other topics)A Beast So Beautiful (other topics)
The Vampire Cure (other topics)
Of The Heart And Soul—A Mellifluous Whisper (other topics)
Wonders in Dementialand: An Artist's Intimate and Whimsical Account of Dementia, Memory Loss, Caregiving and Dancing Gypsies (other topics)
1) Promote your book to see if people will review it
2) Promote your book and state that you will swap books with somebody else to review
These reviews are not guaranteed to be positive! Please leave an honest review, and do your best to point out the good qualities rather than the bad.
All of us need reviews, and so I'm trusting you all by making this folder. If there are issues, some people may be removed from the group or this folder will be altogether taken away.
Have some fun and make some posts! I can't wait to read your book!