Boom

Here we go

Swinging in

Like Tarzan

Roaring loud

Like King Kong

See, hear

Now listen here

Young-blood

We've come

In search of

Alkebulan.

What?

You tellin' us

You're not sure

Where is this place?

You ask.

Now listen here, son.

Long live the Sahara sun!

One that's been around...

For many a-men,

'nd women, too.

Alkebulan:

Afrika.

A place of ancient history

One datin' back to B.C.

See, hear

Now listen here

Young-blood

Ya better not forget

The name: Alkebulan!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwaYHsPwb7Y.

28.06.2023.

#ALKEBULAN. (c)

PART TWO:

Kathy...

Kathy..

Kathy.

Kathy!

The sudden realization that someone had been calling out her name made her body tremble not from the cold June weather, but that something was amiss. She tried to look around and see who was calling her, alas that did not work. The moment that she tried to scream, not even a single peep emerged from her oval-shaped cavity. She began to panic now, and convulsed , too. She collapsed onto the floor in agonizing pain.

Kathy. The voice called out, for the umpteenth time.

Her hands moved toward her face, and she felt like she was going to start wailing. Where her eyes, nose, and mouth had been- she found that either someone had used magick to make them vanish, or somebody had wished them away. The latter was something she could not imagine, or the former, really. What in the world had happened to her body, and to her dismay, her face was missing its main features.

The last thing that she could recall was that she had been so excited to be travelling to Livingstone for the 2023 June Scientists conference where everything that the invited guests needed such as: housing, food, funds to afford sightseeing, and going on tours, that had all been covered by generous donors from the Trong International Scientists Organization (TISO).

Kathy moved her hands to grab a hold of her fanny pack. Oh dear. She always had it around her waist. Did she forget it at the Livingstone International Lodge (LIL), or somewhere near the Livingstone museum? No. That was not right.

Then Kathy at last began to have flashbacks of what had happened at midnight. There she stood at the edge of the Mosi-oa-Tunya. She had ended up cutting herself, and later slipped, falling into the roaring waters that appeared like smoke not too far from the mighty waterfall.

Kathy felt the presence of something guiding her. Where was it taking her? She only remembered bits, and pieces of what had happened to her when she arrived in Livingstone. Now this thing was pulling her somewhere, and she could not even see where they were going. She felt a sudden other cold touch. Was this thing trying to take over her body, or something else had touched her?

The only thing that she knew for sure was that she needed to figure out a way to at least find out who had taken her face, and why. This was driving her crazy. She also hoped that it was not too late to try and save herself before the Grim Reaper, including the ancestral spirits, would try to drag her away from the land of the living.

Kathy heard the sound of a soothing, calm, gentle voice near her. This voice was not like the one she had heard at first. It felt like she was being reminded not to worry, and that they would be working to help her find out who, or what had killed her.

This made Kathy's heartbeat much more regularly now. Maybe things would work out after all, and she did not have to worry too much about trying to figure out why she was even standing at the edge of the Mosi-oa-Tunya late at night, all by herself. Then she suddenly remembered that that night she did also feel many eyes keeping track of her movements. Or had that been just a figment of her imagination. Her thoughts were certainly driving her mad. Maybe she had fallen into a rabbit hole like Alice, and was still trapped in Wonderland.

#...---...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_14cb1xCY-4.

27.06.2023

(All Rights Reserved)

She stood at the edge of the Mosi-oa-Tunya. The mighty waters created by the Livingstone ancestral spirits roared with such a powerful force, but Kathy was not going to let that stop her from jumping into the magickal waters that some had told her granted one eternal youth. She closed her eyes, and clasped her palms. Then said a quick prayer. "Grant me eternal youth, o great ancestors. I only have this..." She took out a small blade from her fanny pack made from the fabrics imported all the way from Trong. Underneath the moonlight's night glow, she gazed in awe at the trickle of blood pouring from the cut she made in her right palm. She winced.

When she looked around, and over the other point of the mighty waters, many beastly eyes were staring right back at her. They glowed with a dark crimson hue, and then she heard a piercing howl coming from behind her. This startled her, and she slipped falling into the arms of the smoking water that sounded like thunder.

The next day, a young man who was kayaking along the bottom of the waterfall stumbled upon her body. He screamed, and alerted the authorities.

The local news channel, Livingi 1, who had been dying for a hit story rushed to the scene and caught footage of their latest of what was trending, and happening in the tourist capital of Livingstone.

The young man was speechless. The local news channel broadcasting team and the reporters had tried to ask him to explain what had happened. The only thing that he kept repeating was: "Her face's gone. Her entire face's gone. Her face's not there. Her face's missing."

The reporting crew sighed. This was not going to work, maybe they would wait for a little while before they asked the man to further elaborate, and if he knew what had brought about the death of the faceless Jane doe.

The police officers after a thorough investigation were pleased to report that they at least knew the Jane doe's name, Katherina Bwalya.

Her body was left at the morgue. Once there, the investigation would begin on trying to figure out what caused Katherina's death, and how she died.

The detective called in for the case was Jane Chintu. She had graduated top of her class from the Livingstone Detective and Investigative Academy (LDIA). This case rattled every bone in her body. This was nothing like most of the cases she had had to solve during her internship with the police in her final semester at the academy. For this one, she would have to end up using the local resources to try and figure out what exactly was going on here. Quite alright her methods relied on a blend of the methodologies of deduction learned at the academy, including various legends of the peculiar happenings, or going-on's that took place near the magickal Mosi-oa-Tunya.

Her partner, Daniel Sekelani, grinned. "I see the spark in your eyes, Ms. Chintu!"

Jane smiled, and replied, "Oh, Daniel, please just call me Jane.

"Yes, of course." As she said this, she raised a fist, and punched the air with gusto. "You already know that I am determined, and ready to find out what happened to Kathy."

"So," Daniel spoke almost in a whisper,"do you think 'twas a ghost that..." He moved his hands and acted as if he was choking himself.

"Please." Jane said as she rolled her eyes. "There are no such things as ghosts, Daniel."

Daniel stared and froze in place. Jane walked ahead, and then noticing that her partner was not by her side, she turned around to face him. "Hey." She snapped her fingers in front of his face. "Stop being a joker. Let's get to work."

Mr. Sekelani burst out laughing, and wiped the tears from his eyes. "Alright. I promise I will stay alert, and focused on this case." He grinned, and slipped his hands into the pockets of his thick cold season jacket.

"The police officers mentioned that when the found her body, and took it to the morgue something peculiar happened....

"The only thing that Kathy had across her face when she was pulled out from the bottom of the waterfall was three dots, three dashes, and another set of three dots.."

#...---...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A3tBINRdiE.

26th June, 2023.

Her eyes were scintillating as he watched her step out of the Olympic sized pool. His eyes wandered from the tip of her royal purple painted toes, all the way to her bikini cleavage. She smiled as she approached him. His heart began to beat faster, and faster. Was the pool getting much smaller, and the world beginning to spin...or was it just the effect of her beauty? That the young attorney pondered.

He tried to clear his throat, but his mind was focused on watching her slowly take a sip of a cool refreshing drink, her favorite, pink lemonade. She bent down to pick a drink from the cooler, and he gulped. His hands were burning to move over and tap her derrière.

"So, what's up?" He asked nonchalantly.

He took a deep breath, and smiled back at her. She walked over to him, and handed him a cold drink, a can of Red Bull. His fingers glided over hers as if they were ready to grab her and lead her into a dance. He cleared his throat, "Thanks for the drink."

She winked at him. "Oh, honey. I am just getting started. I have a whole meal, plus dessert, all set in the dining area for us as we spend some 'quality time' together."

He felt trickles of sweat begin to form along his neck, and he adjusted his tie. She gently moved even closer to him, and he felt as if he was prey being eyed by her- his predator. He slowly trembled when she brushed her tongue across his lips. She tugged at his necktie, and slowly pulled it. Tossing it onto the floor. She raised her eyebrow, and asked him, "Are you ready for the main course?"

The young attorney was almost at a loss for words. "I...ah..yes. If you are also on the menu. I will definitely will be staying for the entire meal."

At this she burst out laughing. "Ha, my oh my. I better take you now then since you cannot wait to get our 'quality time' together started."

He rose to his feet, and lifted her over his shoulder. With lightning speed, he carried her off to her boudoir.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAN2_S0Y5l0

#QualityTime

20th June, 2023.

All Right Reserved

I am not a poet!

Okay, the voice stated.

Then it waited...

...Patiently...

For the kid

To listen

To the sound

Of the gentle breeze.

I am not a poet

Alright, said the sage

Who sat with no rage

Quietly

Beside the kid

Waiting to

Hear what more

She had to say.

I am not a...

Aha, I heard you

Like for the first two times

If you are not a poet

Then...what are you, kid?

At this the kid

Stared, gazed,

Into the sage's

Supernova like eyes

All three (oOo)

(the third eye was open, too).

The kid picked up a pebble

And tossed it

That pebble bounced

Across the water

Like a tiny, smooth ball

Until they finally heard a

*plop*

The pebble went

Deep into the belly

Of the pond.

The sage chuckled.

Smiled at the kid,

And then said,

You are not a poet,

But a good pebble tosser!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDk4P5pzC_E

All Rights Reserved.

Written on Juneteenth.

The sound of the beast’s gentle steady neighing echoed in the foggy air. Sahara slowly opened her eyes and gazed at the small creature. It snorted, and then stuck out its tongue at her.

This made Sahara burst out laughing. She preferred to spend her time outdoors, basking underneath the golden sunbeams, while listening to the sounds of nature, or green noise as her beast taming instructor liked to call it.

*SWISH*

‘What was that?’ Her eyes landed on something glistening near the side of the beast’s wooden stall.

Sahara bent down on one knee. She reached for the shiny object, and gasped.

There had been stories passed down through oral tradition. Sahara wondered if these old folks’ stories had not just been made up for the young ones to be at least gentle to those around them— the villagers, including the forest critters, even knowing how to take care of everything surrounding the village- all the natural and precious resources.

Sahara felt a wave of shock pass through her body. Whatever this thing was it definitely was worth holding onto for a while.

Later, after she had sung a lullaby to all the beasts she was asked to take care of during the day, Sahara decided to lightly walk toward the Nile. Once there she sat down by the riverbank, and whistled a soft, steady tune.

As she did so, the amulet in her grass weaved bag began to glow a bright rainbow color. Sahara quickly rose to her feet, and pulled out the amulet from her bag.

To her dismay, the amulet shattered in her palms. But then a female being clothed in Royal garb smiled, and grinned.

 Sahara stared in awe at the being. ‘Hey, surely you must know who I am? Right?’ The being spoke in a booming tone.

Sahara blinked, and shook her head. ‘Nope. Your face looks ancient. Are you a Mummy?’

The being gasped. ‘How dare you? I’m Mench… you silly child!’

Sahara raised her left eyebrow, and sighed. ‘Alright. I must be daydreaming, or sleepwalking?’

Mench snapped her fingers, and whisked Sahara right into a moving chariot. Sahara screamed. ‘Hey….take me back home…right now!’

Sahara closed her eyes, and when she opened them she was back at her favorite chill zone, by the Nile. Mench asked, ‘What in the name of Ra are you kids learning about these days?’

‘How to tame beasts.’

’Ah— okay- but you really should be learning about the ones who created the beasts that you are trying to tame. I might need to have a word with your Minister of Instruction.

‘Back in my day, and time, we made sure to give you humans powerful gifts. From the moment you were born, you had been granted something you could use to make this world a better place.’

Mench continued to lecture on, and on, about how as a goddess she would try to remind the folks of the powerful gifts that they were missing out on. They had not been providing any more sacrifices, and so, these gifts had not been passed down to the ones born during Sahara’s timeline.

Sahara was about to drift off to the realm of dreams when she felt a sharp pinch on both of her cheeks. ‘Ow! What was that for?’

‘Wake up. C’mon. Stick with me kid, and you shall receive powerful gifts!’

Sahara took off running in the direction of the palace. She was ready to call it a day.

Mench yelled out, ‘You can’t escape fate, kid. You were meant to find the amulet, or rather the amulet was meant to find you!’

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0OJrjUm0Fb8

#Abandoned #gods ©️ 04.06.2023

We perceive with our cosmic powers, but we do not use them to destroy worlds.

Old, or new.

We use our power to search for lost souls.

We try to go above and beyond as we carry on with our tasks in High Council work.

We have been around since before Genesis.

Before the very beginning of time...

Ah, see how the sun in the centre of the Milky Way shines on all there. Oh, see how powerful that light is, reaching even the farthest asteroid— the planetoid, -dwarf, or minor planet, Pluto.

Meanwhile, in a land far, far away from the Milky Way, a young warrior wishes to join the High Council, so she gathers her bags and charts her ship to the High Council’s planet, Nuben. While she is on her way, her ship misses its trajectory. Finding herself wandering space for aeons

Until she lands on another planet, Frith, Once she lands on Frith, she tries to breathe in its air, but her lungs feel like they are on fire!

The young warrior tries to cool her lungs with Frith’s cool waters. Her frown turns upside down as the swiftly moving waters extinguish the fire she felt.

A voice cries out to her from the calm planet’s starry evening sky; it lets her know that she will be okay. The voice also shares with her that even while she is on Frith, she can join the High Council; they are willing to let her be a member because she has taken the first step of a voyage to Frith, the High Council’s headquarters.

Now many more young warriors journey across the infinite pockets of space & time-travelling to infinity and beyond, Nuben, Frith, and the Milky Way!

#PEREGRINATIONS ©️

2nd June, 2023.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka_pLC7Svfo

Nayoki peered lower, crouching much closer to the forest floor. Her body moved deftly through bushes, vines, and even past some wild critters in the jungle.

She let out a soft gasp, and stared at the sight of a strange looking figure. His body looked as white as snow, and his hair looked as straight almost like blades of grass, quite the opposite of her thick sun loc twists.

Whoever, or whatever this being was- it had many bruises that were a size of the pebbles used in a game of chiyato. She guestimated that if she tried to, some of the pebbles lying across the dark silver sandy beach would be able to fit right in this being's wounds.

One of her close friends, Zena, yelled from the top of her lungs. "Eybo. You know ye need to alert the warri, and let them know there's an intruder bo. Why does he look as if he has been dragged right out from an inferno, or as if he swam into and out of the ring of fire?"

Nayoki stared at the stranger, and then back at Zena. "Let's try and help him. Now. Do not just tower over me looking at me like your clan has not been in charge of understanding which plants to use as medicinal herbs, Zena!" Nayoki barked.

Zena quickly grabbed a bunch of flowers, several twigs that were lying on the loamy ground. Nayoki placed the mix of plants in a clay pot that she carried in her sack bag, and used a donkey jawbone from the same bag to crush the assorted herbs.

The stranger lay quietly. His stillness almost made Nayoki think that maybe her efforts in trying to help him were in vain.

She asked her dear buddy to help take the stranger to the senior healer. At least she would know what to do and how to effectively treat this not quite alive being.

When they arrived at the healer's hut, she approached the two pals, and greeted them. "Yo. What ya got there you two chums?"

The woman oinked, her face started to change shape into that of suidae. Her nose changed shape, and sharp canine teeth began to emerge from the sides of her lower mandible.

She let out another cry, and then began to clap her hands. "This is a sign from the gods. Here comes the one that will come seeking our treasures, coming to tear us from our ancestors, woe to him, or her that lends a helping hand to the one/ones that step onto our land all the way from a nearby star that seems to be slowly losing their minds and continue to long for additional places, other stars to explore, to take charge over without showing any mercy to the inhabitants of that sector."

Nayoki tsked. "Ah, come on, not this again. Every time that we bring you a wandering still body that is close to the brink of death...you begin again with the recitations of the warning that you claim to have had in one of your so-called 'visions'.

"Please, just assist us with helping save one more soul. Guide it back to this body."

The senior healer sighed, and snapped her fingers. A beam of golden light shot forth from the heavens. The golden light passed right through the stranger's chest, and hit his heart's natural pacemaker. That generated a surge of electrical impulses that caused the stranger's heart to begin to contract.

Within a short time, what seemed like a zeptosecond, the stranger opened his eyes. He placed his hand over his heart in shock. The sound of seagulls not too far brought him back to reality. He blinked and stared around him. His eyes landed on a map. On that map he had set a course for the nearest star.

A knock on the door made him slightly jump in his seat.

His eyes met with a young sailor who seemed glad to see the Captain.

"Captain...we are almost at our final destination, and in good timing, too."

"Wait, hold on.

"Let us set a new course...much farther away from this star, and sector."

"Captain?"

The Captain placed his hand over his chest once more, and shuddered for a brief moment. Then he replied, "Set a new course to another star. Let's survey another star past this sector."

"Aye, Captain!"

The sailor took a hold of the doorknob and gently shut the door leaving the captain to his thoughts. He looked back at the star that shined with a golden light. His heart skipped a beat, and then he thought to himself, "Maybe I might try to check out this star for myself...but not until I can obtain much better intel about it."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywWVCjlY5ZQ

#IzaNgomsa (c) 21.05.2023 Sundae

The group of furry creatures rushed past the marked spot left by their master. They continued on toward the center of the Black Forest. A powerful wind blew across the forest floor, it picked up getting stronger almost lifting the creatures off the ground.

In the heart of the Black Forest, the creatures froze, and formed a neat circle around the circumference of the ring of fire. From the burning ring a cloaked figure stepped out, and grinned.

"Oh- my dear ones. I am glad to see you in high spirits today. Although it has been eons since I last saw you...How many years have actually passed? (sighs) Never mind that. What matters now is that I am back from the Netherworld. I finally managed to escape from there. Thanks to you all for your hard work of gathering everything needed for the prison break from death's grip. Now...I do hope you found the book...what's with the long faces? What? You did not find it? C'mon...how hard could it be to find a book in the Black Forest?"

The creatures yelped in terror seeing the sight of flames in the cloaked figure's eye sockets. They knew not to get on their master's bad side.

Soon the pack took off, and retraced their steps...but they still could not find the book.

Meanwhile, in another area farther away from the Black Forest a young child stumbled upon an old looking book. The kid leaned closer, and tried to get a hold of the book. The book snapped at him with its sharp jaws that popped out just as the child was a few inches from having the book in hand.

Back in the Black Forest, the cloaked figure chuckled to himself. "What have we got here? Hey, this kid needs to learn not to steal things that are someone else's. Let's go teach that spoiled brat a lesson."

Thunder rumbled in the heavens, while lightning flashed in the sky. Before the lightning reached the ground near the ring of fire, the being had already opened a portal that led to his prized possession, the book made out of human flesh.

The kid screamed the moment it felt a skeletal hand from a portal reached out to grab him by his throat. That skeletal hand felt a wave of a water form, and they crystallize around it- almost cracking the bones from the inside out.

"My, my...this one is not like most of the other children that I have captured. I think we should keep him, and train him. After all, I need to pass on the art of the ancient magic, and unic down to someone else."

#WaloyoYamoni.

Toyou(s)day 16.05.2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH6IT_tsSUI.

THE QUESTION

By Valtunk and Mnezz

Theme Song/Music dedicated to the 2 lovebirdiez, for this work/story…..

‘Hooked on a feeling’

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UtreOlPr6lE&pp=ygUfSG9va2VkIG9uIGEgZmVlbGluZyBzb25nIGx5cmljcw%3D%3D

“Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.”

(A Midsummer Night's Dream)

MAIN CHARACTERS:

Finnard- patient (takes his time), also enjoys working on crafty tasks/projects, as well as

even helping out his neighbor(s).

Marjorie- loves to go shopping, taking short leisurely walks around the neighborhood, and drives like she was taught by none other than Vin Diesel from Fast & Furious (N.B. make sure to buckle your seatbelt/up...before she puts the pedal to the metal.)

Other or Supporting Characters:

Chucky (also known as the one not to be left in charge of handing out candy to kids because he will end up dressing up just like Chucky and scaring the kids so much so that they never ever go trick ’o treating ever again- later on he asks his close buddies, and kinfolks to just call him Chu.)

D.J. (famous D.J. who shows up to his assigned place of work dressed like a Man Bat- not to confused with Batman, the latter being much more scary or so Chucky always claims)

Jedy Brunson (the dashing dude who ends up later being the first and only guy in his family to lose a bet, his girl, and car, too)

Mickey (Finnard’s best friend/pal)

Marrisa (Finnard’s ex-wife)

***

VOLUMES….

Volume A—'garten

Volume B- High school

Volume C…College/University..

Volume D..Anniversary.

__________________________

Volume A—'garten

Finnard

He immediately hated the place. Mom didn't have the money for a real 'garten and he ended up here. With these snobbish kids, only one of them looked nice. Very nice, so much so that he drank in the face. He approached the nice face and saw that it was ... was a girl. Boys don't like girls, that was the law in 'garten. And not only was she a girl, she was taller than him, which was... was, ... not right. Girls aren't bigger than boys, not even if they were nice. All the boys said that. But she was taller than all the boys. If she was larger than him, she wasn't nice, Finnard decided. And switched to another face that belonged to a boy, a small, stuck-up creature. Her face stayed with him, confusing him. And a tiny voice in his head that said he will be sorry.

Marjorie

She felt kind of nervous about not being with her parents. The classroom was too noisy and most of the other kids all seemed to be busy making fart noises or eating their snot. Even though she felt nervous, she tried to make friends with the noisy kids. She had been paying so much attention to the others in the class that she didn't notice anyone keeping a watchful eye on her. When she turned around and saw one of the boys staring at her, all she could do was stare back. Why was he staring at her and not even saying a quick hello or "hi". Before she could say "hi" to him, he had turned his back on her and was talking to the boys instead. Now she felt angry. How rude of him to just walk away when she was about to try to be nice to one of her classmates.

***

Volume B- High school

Marjorie

I rolled my eyes at Chucky. Why did his parents name him Chucky? Didn't they watch the horror series about Chucky, a doll possessed by the soul of a serial killer? Strange. I hope he has a chance to change his name to something less horrible like George or even better Mikael.

The graduation ceremony at the end of Luse Senior High was highlighted. As a young student ambassador and member of the student council, I had the honor of assigning other younger students to help decorate the hall for the big day. The room was lit up with laser beams, and we were even able to hire a DJ for the graduation ceremony.

The only thing that almost scared me a little was the sight of Jedy Brunson. The boy who made most, if not all, of the girls in elementary school swoon. His voice was soft and excitable like Amapiano. I felt like I was about to swoon when he took my hand in his and asked me, "Would you like to dance with me, my dear Marjorie?"

When the music ended, I wanted to scream in anger, but Jedy Brunson swept me off my feet and pressed a kiss to my lips. I wasn't expecting that, and he asked me to be his lover. It must have been something in the juice that had me floating on cloud nine, or trying to make the other girls jealous. I nodded my head and agreed to be Jedy Brunson's girl.

Finnard

He meditated in the corner of the classroom. Chairs left over after the last day of school and study tables were his only company. Wooden witnesses to his gathering of courage. She ... she was here. At the last dance, the last school dance. In a dress that caused him embarrassment, he had to rearrange the inside of his pants several times, hoping no one would notice.

"I hope she won't see it; the bump isn't that big. And she said she wants to dance with me; with a smile, a sunny smile that I remember from 'garten. "

His best friend Mickey, who knew girls intimately, whistled when he saw her.

"Better grab her soon, such a piece like that doesn't stay vacant long. Jedy Brunson is here, too.," Brunson was whispered to be a womanizer no girl could resist.

"Meditate, the courage will rise in him to ask her and keep her from that rich sucker, Jedy Brunson. And to ask about what she said."

"It's time you asked me the question, Finnard." She looked at him expectantly, and he didn't know what to ask. He stuttered when he was near her, his head fogging, but his legs commanded him to stay with her.

"What now, a question? What kind of question? "

When courage flew over the rims, he stomped on the dance floor, to act, to get her. And there a macabre duo of her and Jedy Brunson did some dirty dancing, one on one, almost one on one, kissing in public.

They announced later they were an official couple.

***

Volume C…College/University..

Marjorie

“Marjorie - as I live and breathe,” cried a familiar voice, and I turned to see who had the audacity to pronounce my name in such an icy, Antarctic tone. Ah, of course it was none other than Finnard. I nearly gasped and took a minute for my eyes to stare at his new form, which reminded me of a Super Saiyan mode. How long had he been training? His muscles looked like they had muscles too. What in the world of Dragon Ball Z had he been training or practicing? I felt my heart begin to race as I thought about being lifted or thrown into the air and hoisted over his shoulder. Then he'd take me to a cool place where he'd massage every part of my body with his strong hands. But then I'd probably have to return the gesture and be his masseuse.

“Hey - what are you dreaming about?”

Marjorie

I accidentally bit my tongue and let out a little scream. He looked at me like I was Pennywise the Clown and he was one of the losers who was sick of my existence. He scoffed and went on his way with his head held high.

That kind of shocked me. What did I do wrong now? Was he still mad because I was dating Jedy Brunson? Unbelievable. He needed to let bygones be bygones.

Finnard

She was so beautiful, so sexy; his heart ached, his groin pumped nervously. How, how should he do it? What was he supposed to do to get her? She was the love of his life, forever in his thoughts. Even her name tempted him: Marjorie, MarJorie, My Joy...

And she was alone, sunning herself and smiling at him, Venus in a bikini. He had to pull back to collect himself. He had never slept with a woman and his knowledge of females was a potpourri of medical facts, men's stories, whispers, porn movies, alleged sex mores, and infallible techniques on how to "get it on."

He considered and decided.

"Hi, Marjorie, do you need an oil massage to prevent sunburn?"

"It would do me good, yes. OK, try it."

Finally! He approached her skin, which shimmered in the sun's rays. And began massaging her back. His hands trembled imperceptibly for joy.

"We've met so many times before. Is it some kind of destiny for us? What do you think?"

"If it's, then it's a fate I like, Marjory."

"Well, I am not complaining, Finnard. All you have to do is to ask..."

Bewilderment in his mind.

" What now, what should I ask? If she would not mind it if I kissed her lips? I keep imagining us lying au naturelle- in a state like when we first graced our presence on this earth from our mother’s wombs all bare with nothing to cover our skin, just the two of us in bed all night long. No, not that."

"You know, we're equals, but women still like men to express their feelings and questions first."

Puzzled, he was now massaging her buttocks.

And what had Jedy, who had deflowered half the students, said?

"When you deal with the opening in her, she'll moan first and hug you after. Do it, it's always a win, no fails."

His fingers reached for the little thing between her buttocks.

"If I had to start, I'd say I like you, but from now on you should say... What's that? What are you doing, pervert! Stop your sexual abuse right now. Run before I call the police!” He thought to himself.

His fingers, deep in an unknown orifice, twitched away. As she yelled at him, he ran with his head down, forever ashamed.

"And with your next victim, at least find the right hole!" roared Marjory, and the whole beach

laughed.

Effing Jedy Brunson appeared, talked to her, and calmed her down. Soon they were engaged in a deep discussion.

And they officially became a couple again.

With Finnard milling over the whole situation without finding answers. "How did I miss? What did I miss?"

***

Volume D..Anniversary.

Finnard

At first, he didn't want to go -residues of the divorce were still in his mind, trying to turn him into a monster of marital revenge. He preferred to think of his current job, as a plumber. Yeah, plumber, there was a desperate shortage of them. He quit his mind-numbing bank job, which his ex-wife would never allow to do, and retrained as a plumber. And became an apprentice to a grumpy, stingy old craft master who was a plumbing wizard. Master knew everything, but now that he was old, he couldn't do it anymore. Finnard filled in for him and listened to him when he was analyzing any and all of his work, because it was really instructive, helpful, precious; better than any university...

Finnard became a known plumber magician and had more and more offers. He was healthier than ever and in good spirits, now that he had been out. Of his meh marriage to Marissa; who lived her whole life on welfare and spent her whole time fighting for minorities, any minorities, as long as she demonstrated in the streets; and cashing every government check for her - she always applied for any state subsidy; she raked more than him. They had no children and virtually no property, divorce was easy; after the judge denied her multi-million claims of compensation as he was "torturing her in a racist, non-diversity, non-equality and non-inclusive way."

Now here he was, on the tenth anniversary; the usual sleazy event. The ever-smiling face was still in his thoughts, and he looked around to meet her. This time he didn't need to meditate, no advice from other men or premonitions from women. His thoughts were clear, straightforward--he loved her, with all his heart, with all silly, exaggerated, romantic feelings, with everything. Having decided to come, everything else was firmly planned in his mind. He refused the offered whisky, took a juice and stood at the entrance. She'll come; she must

come.

She was also divorced and it was rumored that she, like him, was alone, not in a relationship. He walked to the front door and waited there while sipping his juice.

"It's now or never. No boys' tales, no meditation, no fxxxing male prejudice and faulty lore about females. Me and her, and what is between us."

For over twenty years she had been in his mind, like a gentle ocean wave, relaxing and clean. And suddenly she was there. Older, yes, like himself; but attractive as a film star. With the eternal smile on her face. He strode up to her for a handshake.

"Can we talk in the park?" It grew all around the anniversary building. Surprised, she nodded and he took her hand. They walked into the first quiet part of the park, with benches, birds and fresh air. And a fresh decision.

Now.

"I love you; I have always loved only you, from kindergarten till today. Do you love me too?" Ha, the big question that all males tried to avoid, did not hurt at all. On the contrary, it was like an eruption that hid in him for an eternity-saying it was freeing him in a way.

Hands wrapped around him, little kisses on his face. "Yes, fool, I've been waiting all this time for you to tell me. And yes, I love you too, I always have."

The Question. So simple and yet so hard to say, but that was in the past now. He kissed her in the bliss of the embrace and joked.

"Now we have a tremendous, historically important few questions to solve, at least two of them."

"Yes?" she understood, she was smiling!

"Should we take your car or mine, and to which restaurant should we go to?"

"Simple, your car, and we'll decide about the restaurant while we're driving."

"My car? What about the feminist principles of equality?" he joked.

"They're below the female love principles. Which says, take his car, so that he will drive and not you, and he will pay for the gas. And cannot drink. Hehe."

Questions answered, they walked to the car and drove away, leaving behind all the sad recollections of college life talked at anniversary reunions.

And leaving behind The Question.

Which was finally asked and answered.

Marjorie

The thought of attending the event for folks celebrating their anniversary did not appeal to her. To make things worse, she had no one to go with this time around- which kind of felt odd, to still be showing up with a Monalisa smile and wishing other couples attending the very best in their marriage while she tried not to show that she had strong feeling of hopelessness for matters of the heart. She did hope for the best for the couples, and still kept on smiling for herself, too. After all Jedy Brunson was out of the picture, not that she had killed him, or had him killed. No, that had not been necessary.

What had happened was she ended up coming back to their home, well, it was her place actually. She had spotted his car, again, which was the one she had handed to him for a short while. Most of the stuff Jedy had was from Marjorie- she later made sure to get it all back. But now she was thinking maybe she should have left even a few, or other of her possessions maybe to the group of students that she mentored. They would have loved being informed that they can share and live at a home, or place that was almost the size of the Castle of Cini Monselice in Veneto.

Any way back to what had taken place...she had forgotten her briefcase for work, and was trying to rush back to grab important files, her client needed a document for the final steps for the adoption process. It was a passion of hers helping others who longed to have, and care for a child, or kids do their best and be granted the right to be parents/guardians of a little one, or young kid, even a pair, some did end up being in charge of a good number of children, close to even a tiny soccer team.

Marjorie had stepped into the Castle like home, and went up the round staircase, past the elevator, and headed toward her office space. Before she got there- she had heard someone giggling, and the sounds of exciting activity coming from her boudoir.

Lo, and behold to Marjorie’s disdain- there was not the maid, but the bellboy from the Grand Trine Hotel in a Michelangelo’s David pose. Marjorie’s mouth opened in disbelief. How long had this...whatever it was.. been going on? And right in her bedroom, of all places? Why didn’t Jedy use his own room, or did he prefer the queen sized feather bed instead of his king size memory foam mattress?

Since that day Marjorie had never spoken to Jedy, or even wanted to be seen with him in any public, private spaces, or outdoor event places.

“Marjorie?”

She turned and smiled at the familiar face. “Finnard?”

Her heart skipped a beat at the sigh of Finnard. His salt and pepper hair look gave her want to just want to style his wavy hair into a curly twist. She had heard that he was married to a woman, Marissa. The name did not ring a bell, and she had never met Marissa in person- only heard about her from Mickey and Chu. She was glad to hear that Finnard at least was not alone. But now she wondered where Marissa was. He had nobody, or this so-called Marrisa, clinging to his arm like he was a giant chunky tasty piece of fine dark chocolate.

He asked to speak with her somewhere more private, in a less crowded spot. She nodded her head, and was glad that he even took her hand in his. This made her feel a warm, tingly Christmas morning energy kind of happy way.

She listened attentively to his every word like he was one of the great orators of ancient Egypt predicting and informing her she would be the next in line for the throne-one to rule like Cleopatra.

His words were sweet, and like gentle playing music to her that she would want to keep listening to for ages to come.

When he reminisced about the first day they met, that brought a smile to her face. She was glad that their paths had crossed, and somehow after such a long time their paths ended up crossing for an unforgettable ending.

The End...

which is their beginning..