November 3, 2014, Monday Vanessa walked out of the recruiters’ office in a puzzled state. Every representative made a good case for their branch, but when she brought up ROTC, she was instructed to talk to the representative at the specific school she’ll be attending to make sure the program was available. She also felt... Continue Reading →
Welcome to Great Falls – A Serial Novel – Part 18
November 2, 2014, Sunday Kao sat behind his wife in the tub and lathered her back with a wash cloth. They were both giddy about the prospect of another child, so much so that neither slept more than a couple hours the previous night as they talked about their current children. “Do you want a... Continue Reading →
Welcome to Great Falls – A Serial Novel – Part 17
November 1, 2014, Saturday When Kao tried to sneak out of bed for his morning workout, Erica held onto him and said she was cold. It was her way of asking him to spoon her. He could never resist. His chest warmed her cold spine. Kao put his face into her dark hair and kissed... Continue Reading →
Welcome to Great Falls – A Serial Novel – Parts 1-16
For anyone who didn't start reading from the beginning, I created this file so you wouldn't have to navigate from post to post to read in chronological order. As the title of the post indicates, these are parts one through sixteen. Just a warning though, there about 16,000 words in this document. Once again, thank you... Continue Reading →
Welcome to Great Falls – A Serial Novel – Part 16
October 31, 2014, Friday A few people ordered two-part cocktails, but most of McNally’s Friday happy hour crowd were content with bottled Coors Light and shots of Patron. Hector, the cook, was the busiest person in the bar. He removed his Barack Obama mask and put an apron over his tuxedo t-shirt. Linda didn’t mind... Continue Reading →
Welcome to Great Falls – A Serial Novel – Part 15
October 30, 2014, Thursday Kao and Tony sat at a small booth in the dark bar of Ranchers Steakhouse and Grill. It was a popular spot for local businessmen, farmers and retirees. The restaurant was part of the clientele’s weekly routine, and they didn’t hesitate to recommend it to strangers and visiting family. At one... Continue Reading →
Welcome to Great Falls – A Serial Novel – Part 14
October 29, 2014, Wednesday “I’m always going to be your friend, but you’re not making it very easy on me,” Vanessa said when Dennis woke up. “What the fuck happened last night?” Dennis asked as he sat up on the sofa. “Brandon had to carry you in here.” “Why didn’t he just take me home?”... Continue Reading →
Welcome to Great Falls – A Serial Novel – Part 13
October 28, 2014, Tuesday “How’d I get this cash?” Dennis asked while pulling bills out of his wallet. He smelled the stale alcohol and cigarettes from the recesses of his throat. “You won some bets against all them Cowboys fans,” Brandon said. Dennis rolled down the windows and felt the wind on his face. His... Continue Reading →
Welcome to Great Falls – A Serial Novel – Part 12
October 27, 2014, Monday Kao sat with Tony in a corner of The Revisionist. Most of the lights were off because the bar hadn’t opened for the day, but Kristen was moving around doing inventory. The two men had a pitcher of beer between them and spoke in hushed tones. “I have to talk to... Continue Reading →
Welcome to Great Falls – A Serial Novel – Part 11
October 26, 2014, Sunday The customers started filing into McNally’s a little after nine o’clock to get their favorite seats. Hector Lopez thought it would be a slow Sunday because the 49ers had a bye week, but he didn’t account for the drunkards, gamblers and early Raiders fan, even though the team was winless for... Continue Reading →