Jun 14, 2021 by Jay Waitkus

GETTING into Manny’s estate wasn’t too difficult. One of the guards at the bottom of the hill gave me a little trouble, but he was out cold by the time it ended. The main house was enormous and well-protected from outside. Fortunately for me, I knew it well. Staying behind some trees near the gatehouse, I worked my way towards the kitchen area, went into a side door, and cut through. Before you knew it, I was in the study.

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Feb 22, 2021 by Jay Waitkus

“DO you know why you’re here?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because of the women.”

“Can you be more specific?”

“The women they’re saying I killed.”

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Jun 30, 2020 by Jay Waitkus

JULIAN Williams bounded past the shrubbery encircling Mrs. Altman's yard, hopped his parents' fence, and raced inside through the screen door. Heading straight for the kitchen, he opened the refrigerator, pulled out a bottle of lemonade, and perched himself on the small step stool next to the counter. He looked through the cupboard, retrieved his favorite glass, and filled it to the brim, gulping down the contents without coming up for air. He filled the glass a second time and began drinking again, completely oblivious to his mother, who stood there watching him from the living room with a smile across her face.

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May 12, 2020 by Jay Waitkus

DONNY Simms sat apprehensively on the trainer’s table. The butterflies were already churning. 

“Don’t be nervous,” his manager, Cal Burton, said. “This one’s a lock.” 

“A lock?” Donny asked. “Grady’s big-time.” 

“Mac Grady ain’t nothin’ but a washed-up bum,” Cal replied. “We take him down and move on to the next fight, same as always.”

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May 12, 2020 by Jay Waitkus

"EIGHT in the corner,” Lefty Sharpe declared. He set for his shot quickly. People often marveled at how quickly Lefty pulled the trigger. It was almost like he didn’t need to aim. The cue ball fired off his stick and smacked the eight ball crisply. The eight ball rolled along the smooth blue felt, caught the corner pocket at the lip of the guard rail, and rattled in. The Cue Room erupted.

“Did it again!” Trey Spenser laughed, as the onlookers cheered. Lefty’s opponent was only one in a long line of patsies he came across every night. There were few people who could give Lefty a decent game, fewer who could beat him, and none who could do it consistently. The patsy stood there for a moment, clearly a little humiliated. He plucked down fifty dollars on the table and walked away.

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May 12, 2020 by Jay Waitkus

"HALT!” the stunned guards demanded repeatedly, as the horse and its rider galloped headlong toward the Moabite castle.

Despite the words of warning, the steed continued charging toward the front, pulling up abruptly at the exact instant the gatekeepers raised their weapons to attack.

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