Warm tea in one hand, Precious’s leash in the other, Franny wandered the streets of her neighborhood. She remembered her first walk with Marilyn, the day after the birthday party for Penelope, yes, that was her name, the day Franny had a hangover from the wine and beer and music and wondering what was going … Continue reading Pine Street Episode 66 Reboot
blog serial
Pine Street Episode 65 Reboot
Franny missed Marilyn every day. There is something about the first friend you make in a new place. The first uncomplicated friend, the first surprise friend. Leo had been there waiting, because of his connection to Franny’s brother. (I need to call him, Franny thought. It’s been too long since I talked to that brother … Continue reading Pine Street Episode 65 Reboot
Pine Street Episode 64 Reboot
“These findings add to our understanding, and also point out the need for additional research on this question, before we can say we truly have a full picture of the phenomenon under study.” Allison paused, took a deep breath, and made eye contact with her committee chair. “Thank you,” she said. The committee chair appeared … Continue reading Pine Street Episode 64 Reboot
Pine Street Episode 63 Reboot
Allison sighed, and immediately regretted it. The professor who chaired the committee peered at her over his spectacles. “Are you ready, Miss, um…” “Yes, sir,” Allison cut him off. They’d worked together, ostensibly, on her master’s thesis for nearly two years. He couldn’t remember her last name? Well, that was all about to end. Today … Continue reading Pine Street Episode 63 Reboot
Pine Street Episode 62 Reboot
In that moment, on that chaotic night and early morning after the wedding, Leo chose Marilyn. He went to the room next door to Kassandra’s, he saw Marilyn in a bed, connected to tubes and cords, looking tiny. Douglas must have stepped out, or maybe he’d needed to go back to the house. It was … Continue reading Pine Street Episode 62 Reboot
Pine Street Episode 60 Reboot
Taking care of a dog, especially a smallish, elderly dog such as Precious, helps put everything else in perspective. This is true of taking care of anyone, really. When we are accountable to another being who needs us, even if that need is as simple as being taken outside to pee, our lives take on … Continue reading Pine Street Episode 60 Reboot
Pine Street Episode 59 Reboot
Franny hooked the leash onto Precious’s collar, as the dog showed every sign of needing to go outdoors, now. Although she had permission to keep Precious “temporarily” in her apartment, Franny also obeyed the unspoken part of the agreement with the landlord to make sure none of the other tenants saw them coming and going. … Continue reading Pine Street Episode 59 Reboot
Pine Street Episode 58 Reboot
After escorting Kassandra to the emergency room that night, Leo had felt obligated to stay and see how she was. He’d sat in the waiting area for hours, watching the dawn break in the east, stepping outside to take deep breaths of the cool air. He was there when the ambulance arrived with Douglas and … Continue reading Pine Street Episode 58 Reboot
Pine Street Episode 57 Reboot
Leo had been busy since that summer night following Marilyn and Douglas’s wedding. After the kiss with Franny, and seeing her home, he took her direction seriously and set out to return to Marilyn’s house, to see what Douglas needed. Leo felt an imperative to compensate for the distress his kiss had obviously caused Franny … Continue reading Pine Street Episode 57 Reboot
Pine Street Episode 56 Reboot
College towns live in their own rhythm. Summers quiet down as students depart for their seasonal jobs, family-sponsored trips, or self-defined adventures. Bars and taverns go back to serving, mostly, their old-time regulars. Restaurants reduce their hours. The locals savor the summer months of plentiful parking, shorter lines in the grocery stores, and light-filled evenings. … Continue reading Pine Street Episode 56 Reboot
Elizabeth Fountain, Author 