JD Frain

"Funny thing about driving in rain" she says.

Frain fingers his key fob. "What's that?"

"Wanna be sure your tire treads are deep."

He nods.

"Anyway, enjoy your drive, dear" she says.

Entering the highway, Frain is so #obsessed with his traction he doesn't realize he has no brakes.
#vss365

I've been in that garage too!

Thank you, Daniel. Great job hosting. Thanks for taking the time to lead us all.

Frain #kisses his wife on the back of the neck. “Smells delicious. What’s for—”

“Pork chops and arsenic sauce.”

He tilts his head. “Sounded like you said—”

“Apple sauce. Pork chops and apple sauce.”

"Hm." He nods. "You're eating too?"

“Right after you, dear. It's to die for.”
#vss365

Second!

LOL! Well done.
Put it in his closet and tell him there's monsters in there.

It’s midnight #dark out, so maybe I’m not seeing so well. Dad appears in my doorway like when I was a kid.

“Hey champ,” he says. “Get some sleep, uh.”

“But you’re not—”

“Yeah, yeah. Let’s go camping tomorrow. We keep talking about it.”

I nod, wishing for the world it was real this time.
#vss365

Donating blood and the pseudo nurse says, "You won't feel a thing."

That's her second mistake. I had said right arm; she chose left.

And then her third when she says, "You can open your eyes now."

C'mon, everyone knows #aches and pains aren't real as long as you don't acknowledge them.
#vss365

An exquisite conclusion!

Zeke rushed to the kitchen, snatched a towel, and wrapped his wrist to stanch the bleeding.

Hearing the commotion, his mother ran in. "What hap--are you ok? How did--"

Chill, Mom. It's from my AI Memories page. They sent me a reminder of last year's #wound when I crashed my skateboard.
#vss365

Barry squirmed in his beanbag chair. Zen was no longer achievable, but he’d settle for calm.

The #lambent glow of his faux vanilla candle danced on the wall. He closed his eyes and hummed. Just off in the distance ... a perfect peace.

Until his beard caught fire.
#vss365

That's a generous offer, but if you're up for it, I'll write your name down for sure!

I never even saw the sneaky person who took that video!

“Hey, hon,” Frain’s wife calls from the basement. “Can you bring me a shovel?”

“A shov ... um, sure. Why?”

Long pause. “Can you—”

“Coming!”

He edges down the stairs muttering, ‘yea, though I walk through the valley of the #shadow of death, I will fear no evil.”
#vss365

It sounds fantastic, but I can't even keep up with my writing commitment for the manuscript I'm working on. Let me master that first, then I'll think about the penpal world.

But I admire you for it. And you describe it so well, reaching into the mailbox...

Haha. I'm already laughing!

... and when you do, I'll be ready to read!

You are still so kind.

My fingers have finally thawed out, and I can type again after shoveling massive amounts of snow. Hope you're warm wherever you are.

On the #cusp of losing consciousness, he leans into the snow shovel one last time.

It's so cold the exact number below zero no longer matters.

He goes inside to tell his wife she's wrong. He doesn't care what she's wrong about, he just needs a heated argument.
#vss365

Frain wakes on the lawn soaked by the all-night #drizzle. Stumbles inside. “How did I—"
“Sleepwalking.”
“My ankle aches. I must’ve—”
“Want me to help it?”
“Well, sure.” Visions her kissing it.
She picks up a lamp, bangs it into his knee. “How’s your ankle feel now?”
He limps to the shower.
#vss365

I know the song, but I never would've placed that title. Thanks for placing it for me!

Researching my historical novel, I see his photo from '97. He's in a hat, scar where his beard is now. Different name.

But it's him.

Find him in his yard next day. "First Union Bank, eh?" It's only a flash, but he's #unmoored by my knowledge. I now have total power over my neighbor.
#vss365

Same Time, This Year

It happens every year. (Since 2019) Every January 1. New books fall into the public domain.  This year, any book published in 1930 is now in the public domain. The original idea of expiring copyrights was to promote the progress of science and useful arts. That’s how our…

I didn't have to keep asking myself. I already knew I couldn't. But in desperate times, one never knows.

Haha! Right back at ya, Bethany. Let's call it a New Year's resolution ... started just after most people have abandoned theirs. Great to be back, and greater to see you at the wheel.

Wow. Absolutely love this.

Love this.

An instant classic!

Frain folds the newspaper. "Your horoscope, hon. If you're a believer."

His wife slides a butcher knife into the block. "Go on."

"Leo? 'Your soulmate may surprise you. Betrayal and sharp objects #loom.' Ooh, wicked one today."

She hovers at the knife block. "You're Leo, dear. I'm Virgo."
#vss365

So glad to see your name again, Bethany! And happy you're in charge of vss for a half month.