Story Excerpts

Two-Hour Vacation
by Ashley-Ruth M. Bernier

Enjoy your vacation,” my mother-in-law calls after me as I step through the front door.

I’ve had many reasons to question Priscilla’s sanity over the years, but since she’ll be the sole caretaker of two toddlers and an infant for the next couple of hours, I figure I need to at least follow up with this one. “Sorry? I’m not sure I heard—”

“Your vacation,” she chuckles as she rearranges my couch pillows. “That’s what all deh magazines and talk shows say, right? When you’re a mother of little ones, any alone time is a vacation.”

“I’m just going grocery shopping,” I remind her, and that pious grin of hers grows wider. READ MORE

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Marchland’s Missing Patient
by David Dean

“I have a patient missing, Owens,” Dr. Marchland remarked as his butler came into his surgery to clear away the tea things.

“Shall I search the house, doctor?” Owens enquired, a glint of anxiety noticeable in his small eyes. “My missus is alone in the kitchen.”

Patting the corner of his mouth with a napkin, Marchland replied in a strained voice, “I see that you’re recalling that unfortunate episode with the girl and her wardress. In this instance, however, the patient is not at large in the house but has failed to show for her appointment. This will make the third consecutive week she has done so while offering no explanation whatsoever. It’s all very vexing . . . and I must say, a bit troubling—Mrs. Lafton-Britt has always been punctual.” READ MORE