New Ideas

As I've mentioned previously, I will, from time to time, share some new thoughts and ideas in this space to garner your opinion. While I know I should be focusing on completing Phaedrus: Turmoil on the Frontier, I had some other ideas pop into my head for a story. So guess what? Gold star to the first person who answers "Are you going to share it with us?" Well, actually a silver star, because you answered my question with a question. This isn't Jeopardy.  But yes, here are a few paragraphs which I present to you for a first look. Sign up to follow this blog and comment here, or feel free to leave a comment on my Facebook wall at (James J. Goodman) and let me know what you think. There are many ways that this story can go, if it goes anywhere... So without further ado...
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He barely noticed the throbbing in his knuckles. Or the blood that covered them, for that matter. Nor did he notice his own labored breathing. Instead his eyes fixed intently on the body laying on the ground before him. It was self defense, of that there was no doubt. The witnesses that would later give statements to the police on the scene all wove the same tale. He was exonerated before the body was even placed on the gurney. 

            In that moment though, Ben Becker stood frozen, and terrified. Ben was not what one would ever think to describe as a volatile man. He sold insurance. About as agitated as he ever got was the time he hung up on a customer who kept insisting that she speak to his supervisor when, in fact, it was his insurance agency she was calling. He tried to explain this to her and, when she insisted on speaking to a manager at the insurance company, he placed her on hold... and then went home. No, Ben Becker was about as mild mannered as they come. Except when it came to Genevieve.

            Genevieve Rousseau came into Ben’s life by accident, literally, about three years prior. She had been texting while driving and never noticed that the light had changed. Thankfully traffic was heavy and she hadn’t been traveling that fast when she plowed her Honda Civic into the back of Ben’s Volvo. She captured Ben’s hear the moment she exited her vehicle. Barely five feet two, Genevieve nevertheless had a regal air about her. Her long, chestnut hair cascaded across her shoulders and the white blouse and charcoal grey skirt she wore hugged her curvaceous figure snugly but respectfully. With tears in her eyes she apologized. Ben didn’t care about the car.

            Within a year’s time they were living together, and it was then that Ben first learned of the extraordinary baggage that Genevieve brought to their relationship – Roger. Roger Klasco was Genevieve’s ex boyfriend who had served two years in prison for beating Genevieve to within an inch of her life. Ben had taken note the small scar that spread from the crease of her right eye, but never let on that the scar was as visible to him as it was. Often asking himself whether he would have approached their relationship differently had he known upfront about Roger and the consternation the man would cause in his life, Ben wavered. The idealist in him said no, but his skepticism said otherwise.  He still remembered the night he found out about Roger like it was yesterday....

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Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas!