Willing with the Wind

June 21, 2019June 20, 2019 / roughwighting / 107 Comments

The stranger pulled off the hood of his cloak to reveal curly black hair, a cleft on his chin, and a quizzical expression on his handsome face. “I think we have a lot to discuss, my friend. Are you willing?”

He held out his hand. Nora clasped it like a woman drowning, even though she hadn’t known she’d been sinking.

“Yes,” she replied. (Are You Willing?)

But immediately Nora pulled her hand away.

She was willing to explore the woods in the deep of night when even the owls nodded off.
She was willing to pretend she was a normal human during the day when she taught college psychology, even though no psychologist could figure her out.
She was willing to visit psychics to figure out why she was the only human who needed no sleep.

But Nora wasn’t sure she was willing to explore the answers about who, or what, she really was with this dark-haired stranger who gave her the shivers. Continue reading →

Are You Willing?

June 14, 2019June 15, 2019 / roughwighting / 115 Comments

When Nora was young she allowed others to know of her difference. But many years ago she learned to keep her night-time charms to herself. Now, at 36 years, no doctors or therapists, no detectives or boyfriends could tell her what was “wrong” with her.

Absolutely nothing was wrong with her, and she kept it that way by keeping her secret to herself. Yes, she needed to be a solitary woman, but as a college professor, an opera lover, a hiker and a traveler, she could get out and about without colleagues figuring out what she was up to after midnight. Continue reading →

The Sight

May 31, 2019May 30, 2019 / roughwighting / 142 Comments

THEN

The longer Gertie watches her mother, the more confused she is. Gertie is 6 and never knew that her mom has tears.

“Why are you crying? Gertie asks.

“Your grandmother died today,” her mom answers.

Gertie closes her eyes. Nanny is right there beside them. When she opens her eyes again, a soft yellow light grows and surrounds her mom. Continue reading →

If It Didn’t Sound So Crazy…

May 3, 2019May 2, 2019 / roughwighting / 143 Comments

IF IT DIDN’T SOUND SO CRAZY, I’D WRITE a story about a mermaid and a farmer.

IF IT DIDN’T SOUND SO CRAZY, I’D WRITE an essay on a magical moving pen.

IF IT DIDN’T SOUND SO CRAZY, I’D WRITE a book about a ghost with a moving murmur.

IF IT DIDN’T SOUND SO CRAZY, I’D WRITE a tale about a wolf and a wren who share a den. Continue reading →

The Steamy Trunk

April 12, 2019April 12, 2019 / roughwighting / 123 Comments

Even Janine is surprised when the trunk’s contents move with a big thump, but then she supposes that too many of them were placed rather haphazardly. After all, she practically threw them in, racing to her first destination. (see What’s in the Trunk).

The smoke has dissipated. The policeman looks as baffled as a man working on a 1,000 piece puzzle. A puzzle in the shape of books – dozens of books – piled together as if they’ve been kidnapped, or as if they have some nefarious reason for hiding in the trunk of Janine’s car. Continue reading →