One of my short stories:Paranoia
As I am unpacking my suitcase in my room at the Seashell Bed and Breakfast in Seashell Bay, Florida, I hear a knock at the door. I can't imagine who it would be. No one knows I'm here but my roommate Lisa and I swore her to secrecy. I put my suitcase back on the floor and I notice I haven't changed my name and address on the tags. I need to change it since I'm no longer Mrs. Jack Lyle and I'm very happy to be Katie Miller again. The divorce was a good thing. Jack and I had been heading for disaster for quite some time, so his affair with his business partner Sylvia Barstow was the last straw.
Opening the door a crack, I see that it's Mr. Clark in his signature bright yellow fishing jacket. The Clarks, a sweet retired couple, bought this place and transformed it into this beautiful inn several years ago.
"Hello, Mr. Clark, it's great to see you again."
"Hi Miss Katie; I don’t mean to be a bother, but Annie (Mrs. Clark) asked me to bring you this basket of fruit that was just delivered."
"No bother at all; it’s sweet of you to bring it up. I'm happy to see you and Mrs. Clark looking so well. I must say, the two of you have done wonders with the place. It is so charming."
"Thanks for the kind words. Be sure to tell all your friends about it."
"I certainly will. My roommate, Lisa Bernsen stayed here last summer for a couple of weeks and she loved it."
"I remember Miss Bernsen. Nice girl, but a little on the chatty side.
“Yes I suppose she can be.”
“OK, then, I'll let you get back to unpacking. I know you're anxious to get your toes in the sand and don't you worry; you're perfectly safe here." He turned and closed the door behind him leaving me with an uneasy feeling.
I really needed this getaway. City life was really beginning to get to me. Since I was attacked just outside my apartment building in Atlanta, I've really been spooked. I wasn't really hurt, just bumps and bruises, but they never found out who did it or why. I think if the mugger hadn't been interrupted by a Good Samaritan, who seemed to come out of nowhere; the injuries would have been much worse. The only thing I could remember about his appearance was that he was very tall and he was wearing a grey hoodie, blue jeans, sneakers and some sort of Halloween mask that looked eerily like Richard Nixon.
Since that night I can't seem to shake the feeling that I'm being followed. All those hang up phone calls we've been getting just add to the anxiety. Why do people call and just hang up? They could at least say wrong number. Lisa says it's probably my Ex trying to unnerve me. I have to admit it is the kind of intimidation tactic he would enjoy using. But the divorce is over now, why are the phone calls continuing?
Looking out the window I can see its just beginning to get dark outside; so I think, I still have time for a short walk up the beach. Maybe I'll even go to the coffee shop on the wharf and have a cappuccino. This being the off season there shouldn't be many tourists around. I put on a sweater against the chill evening air, step out onto the veranda, making sure to lock the door behind me. Even here in this quaint little seaside town I can't let my guard down.
The screeching of seagulls and lapping of water over encrusted rocks are evident, as my feet pat a brisk pace on the cool wet sand along the waters edge. The water temperature in the Atlantic is still in the mid sixties in February in northern Florida. In the distance, the clang of the bell on a buoy reverberating through the darkness, along with the chill in the air, adds to the eeriness. I hadn't noticed anyone else on the beach when I started my walk, but now I feel a presence not far behind me. I don't want to obviously turn my head and look back, but I know now that I can hear the faint footfalls. Could someone have followed me here from Atlanta?
Pungent salt, from the moisture in the air, jabs at my lips like tiny daggers, while the quickening footsteps behind me narrow the distance between us. A brisk wind brings with it evidence of the now absent anglers who populated the wharf farther down the beach. My mind jumps back to the night of the attack. Accelerating my pace in an effort to elude my pursuer, I suddenly twist my ankle and I go tumbling face down on the wet sand, my tender legs tangled in a thick rough rope. I right myself while spitting noxious sand mixed with coppery tasting blood as it flows from my injured nose into my mouth.
I quickly assess my surroundings and I notice an abandoned dinghy tied to the end of the rope. I begin to pull, trying to get the boat into the water before being overtaken. I know I can't outrun my pursuer on my injured ankle, but if I get the boat into the water I can row to safety. Blisters form and my hands begin to bleed, and still I'm barely moving the dinghy toward the waters edge. The labored breathing of the predator draws horrifyingly close as panic becomes a vile lump in my throat.
All of a sudden, the old boat lurches and I fall back gulping a mouthful of the cold, brackish seawater. Direfully, I jump into the dinghy, wipe the seawater from my burning eyes with the back of my wet hand and grab the oars. As I begin to row feverishly in the chill night air, I chance a look back at the dark shoreline.
With only the moon for illumination in the dusk and with great effort, I make out the faint form of Mr. Clark, still wearing the bright yellow jacket, waving a fishing rig and shouting what sounds like, "Miss Miller, where are you going with my dinghy?"
One of my articles:
Tips to Keep Your Energy Bills Under Control
Let me start by saying that in the process of writing this article I myself have become more energy aware. We could all benefit from learning a few energy saving tips. A few small changes to our home and our lifestyle could boost our green consciousness and put a little extra green in our pockets.
Simple measures like drawing curtains or lowering shades at dusk to stop heat escaping around windows and sealing out drafts can make a big difference. By implementing these simple measures you can save as much as 10% per year.
1. Turn your thermostat down. Reducing your room temperature by 1°C could cut your heating bills by up to 10%.
2. Your cylinder thermostat shouldn't need to be set higher than 60°C/140°F.
3. Use a plug in the sink.
4. Always turn off the lights when you leave a room.
5. Do not leave appliances on standby and remember not to leave appliances on charge unnecessarily.
6. If you are not filling up the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher, use the half-load or economy program.
7. Only boil as much water as you need.
8. A dripping hot water tap wastes energy and in one week wastes enough hot water to fill half a bath, so fix leaking taps and make sure they're fully turned off!
9. Use energy saving light bulbs. Just one can save you quite a lot over the lifetime of the bulb – they last up to 10 times longer than ordinary light bulbs.
10. Always close the fridge door, don't put hot food straight into the fridge and defrost your freezer regularly to keep it running efficiently and cheaply.
Also, fitting double glazing, cavity wall insulation and loft insulation can be of great benefit.
The UK Government funds schemes to households on certain benefits to improve their heating and energy efficiency. In
Many local authorities provide grants and offers for local residents to install certain energy efficiency measures in their home, as well. Check with your local authority.
If you are considering switching fuel suppliers, it won't cost you anything to switch, but it would be a very good idea to do some research first to be sure that the benefits to you would be worth the bother. As far as fixing your tariff ask questions, find out what is available and weigh the differences before making a decision.
Sentiments:
The pain of this world, suffered by those who pass, is left behind to be endured by those who mourn. It is a sweet pain indeed, which we hold dear, for it fills a hole in our heart made by the loss of one so loved.
