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    Slip Away: 11 Escape Stories
    Slip Away: 11 Escape Stories
    Slip Away: 11 Escape Stories
    Ebook82 pages58 minutes

    Slip Away: 11 Escape Stories

    By Dr. Patti Novotny Taylor

    ()

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    About this ebook

    Escape your everyday worries and cares.

    Loss and healing occur at all ages: childhood, youth, adulthood and the aged. 

    Meet unforgettable characters and share their dreams, griefs, laughs and loves. 

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherA Patti Anne Neal, LLC Production
    Release dateFeb 6, 2019
    ISBN9781386307792
    Slip Away: 11 Escape Stories

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      Book preview

      Slip Away - Dr. Patti Novotny Taylor

      DEDICATION

      This book is dedicated to my daddy, Thomas Elias Tommy Novotny.  He always believed in my creativity.  I love you Daddy.  I know you are watching from Heaven!

      ACKNOWLEDGMENT

      Sassy Designers created this beautiful book cover. Thank you, Tina!

      https://sassydesigners.wordpress.com/

      Pedigree

      Marcia turned down the frozen food aisle.  With a crash of carts, she came face-to-face with her ex-husband and his trophy-child-bride, Brianna. 

      Chuck was very tan.  He must have dropped thirty pounds.  His new hair plugs were filling in.  Unfortunately, the hair dye was so black Chuck’s sixty-two-year-old complexion morphed to old parchment. 

      Two years ago, with many affairs under his belt, Chuck finally pulled the trigger.  He filed for divorce. 

      Chuck remarried before the ink dried on the divorce decree.  He bought Brianna a mansion and a flashy red Jaguar. 

      Brianna simpered at Chuck, ignored Marcia, and swayed her I-go-to-the-gym-everyday tight-ass to the Weight-Watchers frozen desserts on four-inch stilettos. 

      Marcia, I am so glad to see you. Chuck’s newly capped smile glowed. 

      Ignoring Chuck, Marcia moved her cart around him.  Brianna reclaimed his attention with a toss of her bottle-blond ponytail and a simpering, siren call, Chucky darling. 

      Outside, storm clouds crowded the sky.  Wind chased debris. 

      Hoping to beat the rain, Marcia hurried to her white, mid-sized sedan and tossed her grocery bags in the back seat.  She wanted to curl up with Bailey, her devoted female golden retriever, and her new historical romance, before the storm hit.

      Once home, Bailey dogged Marcia’s stocking-clad feet.  Marcia replaced her suit with a bald-in-spots, fluffy robe and fuzzy slippers.  She talked with Bailey on the way to the family room.

      Just as Marcia picked up the fireplace matches, the doorbell rang.

      Glancing out the window, Marcia saw the Jaguar.  In the passenger seat, Brianna preened in the vanity mirror.

      Bailey growled.  Marcia ignored the doorbell.  Chuck pounded, shouted, and leaned on the bell.

      Marcia curled up on the sofa with Bailey and her book.  Bailey offered half-hearted snarls toward the front door.

      Finally, the noise at the door stopped.  Bailey jumped off the sofa.  She came back with a brush in her mouth. 

      Marcia took the brush, slid onto the floor, and brushed Bailey’s soft glistening coat.  Marcia crooned and Bailey did her canine imitation of a purr.

      Suddenly, Bailey came to attention.  She barked her Chuck bark.  The doorbell rang and, again, Marcia ignored it. 

      In the kitchen, Marcia freshened her tea.  Then, Bailey followed Marcia into the bedroom.  Bailey offered a low growl as she passed the front door. 

      Marcia grabbed her favorite afghan, off the foot of the queen-sized bed, and swung back toward the bedroom’s double door.  She plowed face-first into Chuck.

      Marcia shrieked and dropped the teacup.  Bailey went crazy snarling at Chuck. 

      Sopping up the drink, Marcia yelled, What the hell are you doing? And how the hell did you get in here?

      I’ve come to get Bailey.

      Shocked, Marcia rocked back on her haunches.  Bailey?

      Yeah.  Brianna decided she wanted a dog.  Since we already have Bailey I came to get her.

      You came to get Bailey?

      Yeah.  Just give me her pedigree papers.  I’ll take her and go.

      Her papers?

      Marcia, what the hell is wrong with you?  I want the papers.  I would not take the dog without the papers.

      A crash of thunder reverberated through the house.  Bailey backed into Marcia and growled at Chuck. 

      Marcia gathered her wits.  Just get Brianna another dog.

      Brianna likes retrievers.  I don’t want to pay for another pedigree.  So, I’ll just give her Bailey.

      Chuck, you never paid for a dog in your life.  I wanted a mutt from the pound.  You insisted on pedigree.  I paid for Bailey.  She’s my dog.

      Well, now she’s Brianna’s dog!  Just give me the damn papers!

      Thunder crashed and lightening forked.  Clouds suddenly dropped their burden. 

      Bailey’s barking competed with lashing rain and hail pounding the windows.

      Suddenly, Chuck lurched toward Bailey and she snapped at him.  Catching Chuck’s silk shirt-cuff with her teeth, Bailey snarled and tugged.

      Cursing, Chuck kicked Bailey.  Marcia jumped on Chuck’s back. 

      With Marcia clinging, and Bailey attached to his shirtsleeve, Chuck danced and tried to sling them off.  He yelled and cursed trying to rid himself of his burdens. 

      Finally, Chuck dragged himself and his passengers to the front door.  As soon as he got the door open, the hangers-on let go.

      Marcia and Bailey watched a drenched Chuck climb into the Jag.  Brianna gave him hell.  Hail pounded the Jag.  Little dents popped up all over the satin finish.

      Even from the house, Marcia heard Brianna scream. 

      Brianna reached over and punched Chuck in the arm.

      Marcia

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