Rachel is absorbed in Mrs. Stone’s book of poetry amidst a restless sea of defendants and plaintiffs, all waiting for their day in court. It’s 9:45 a.m. When lies are love and love is a lie When truth is pain…
Author Archive for Cheryl Courtney Semick
The Un-lived Life of Russell Stone a novelette, part nine
by Cheryl Courtney Semick • • Comments Off on The Un-lived Life of Russell Stone a novelette, part nine
Rachel’s court date is delayed. She stuffs Mrs. Stone’s journal in her briefcase and heads out. It’s 9:05 AM. The first poem in Mrs. Stone’s journal was short, but drenched with pain—my pain. Betrayal and lies all wrapped up in…
The Un-lived Life of Russell Stone a novelette, part eight
by Cheryl Courtney Semick • • Comments Off on The Un-lived Life of Russell Stone a novelette, part eight
Rachel walks to the elevator with Mrs. Stone’s journal in her hand. It is 8:45 a.m._____________________________________________ I don’t remember walking to the elevator. In fact, I don’t remember anything from the moment Mrs. Stone handed me her journal until I…
The Un-lived Life of Russell Stone a novelette, part seven
by Cheryl Courtney Semick • • Comments Off on The Un-lived Life of Russell Stone a novelette, part seven
Mrs. Stone’s story of the late Russell Stone hit a nerve in Rachel. It is 8:30 a.m. ___________________ The anger rising in me was shocking. I wanted to run like villagers do when the volcano they live by day in…
The Un-lived Life of Russell Stone a novelette, part six
by Cheryl Courtney Semick • • Comments Off on The Un-lived Life of Russell Stone a novelette, part six
Mrs. Stone’s journal shakes in Rachel’s trembling hands; the poem devours her like quicksand. It is 8:15 AM. The ink on the page dripped with pain. I read it again… He died at 8 The funeral was at 12. He…
The Un-lived Life of Russell Stone a novelette, part five
by Cheryl Courtney Semick • • Comments Off on The Un-lived Life of Russell Stone a novelette, part five
At 8 AM, Rachel ushers Mrs. Stone into the Afterglow Room where her staff laid the body of Russell Stone. Candlelight cast a reverent halo around the deceased; soft, ethereal music welcomed the grieving widow. The scene changed quickly. I’m…
The Un-lived Life of Russell Stone a novelette, part four
by Cheryl Courtney Semick • • Comments Off on The Un-lived Life of Russell Stone a novelette, part four
Rachel is on the hunt to find out who called Mrs. Stone. Somehow, Mrs. Stone had learned of her husband’s death before Rachel called, which normally wouldn’t be an issue, but in the case of the Stone’s, it is far…
The Un-lived Life of Russell Stone. a novelette, part three
by Cheryl Courtney Semick • • Comments Off on The Un-lived Life of Russell Stone. a novelette, part three
Rachel must place a call to the widow of Mr. Stone who passed away late last night, but she can’t pick up the phone. The conversations she had just weeks ago with Mrs. Stone are still churning in her gut.…
The Un-lived Life of Russell Stone: A novelette, part two
by Cheryl Courtney Semick • • Comments Off on The Un-lived Life of Russell Stone: A novelette, part two
Our story continues from last month’s issue with Rachel just a few hours away from divorce court. Her assistant Kevin just presented her with an envelope containing the remaining effects of a resident who passed away the night before at…
Why Travel This Christmas?
by Cheryl Courtney Semick • • Comments Off on Why Travel This Christmas?
Thanks to the underwear bomber who ruined Christmas, the friendly skies have turned dark. Travelers over this past Thanksgiving took to the highways in record numbers in order to avoid scanners and strips searches at airports. But travel they did…