Shift – Practice Makes Perfect

Continued from scene fifty-nine


The truth is, I didn’t want to practice. I wanted to do whatever without learning the specifics.

When I was younger, I built an ultralight airplane, and my flight instructor told me to fly a few feet off the runway, then land. But I was having none of that and took to the skies. It was awesome and so easy; until I had to land. Turns out those specifics would have saved my landing gear.

But practice, I must according to Olivia. So there I sat, a few hours later, across from billy Jenkins playing brain games and thinking I would rather be flying.

Jenkins seemed amused with this and held out his arms like wings. Then abruptly crashed onto the floor, laughing.

Continue to scene sixty-one

Shift is an online work of fiction.

This is the first draft of my manuscript Shift – Don’t judge a book by its cover. I am writing it online in sections as I go. So feel free to comment, good or bad. If you see mistakes, point them out.

The story centers around shapeshifting.

I’m currently working on chapter Ten.

Shift – Focus

Continued from scene fifty-eight


“Oh, she’s a funny one, that girl of mine. The Jenkins’s boy just turned seven,” I said to myself on the way over to Olivia’s.

“Good morning, Christian. How are we feeling today?”

“I’m not in the mood. Can we just get started?”

“I suppose. Today’s lesson will be on thoughts and memories. So follow me into the kitchen.”

“You wouldn’t happen to have any orange juice, would you?”

“Have a seat, she said, brushing me on her way to the refrigerator. “You know, when we touch, our brains are bombarded with a wealth of information which can be overwhelming if not processed correctly.

“You’re experiencing this as we speak, but somehow, you already know I’m out of orange juice. Even though I walked toward the refrigerator as if I did. Why do you think that is?”

“I was focused on orange juice, I guess.”

“Why guess? You could have scanned me for the right answer. But you are correct. Sometimes, we overlook another person’s thoughts because we are so consumed with our own. In this case, you were focused on juice instead of today’s lesson. In Borya’s case, he was focused on a way out of the situation. And that, along with being startled, is why you’re alive today. If he had remained calm, you would be dead, not him.

“For some reason, he took you at your word. And this is why I can not stress enough how important it is to stay focused on your goal when reading someone. Understand?”

I nodded with a dry mouth.

“Alright, then let’s move on to memories. Carol will be here around noon, and I want you ready to go head to head with her son.”

“Oh, we got two comedians in the tribe.”

“Now, don’t be like that; little Billy needs some practice too.”

Continue to scene sixty

Shift is an online work of fiction.

This is the first draft of my manuscript Shift – Don’t judge a book by its cover. I am writing it online in sections as I go. So feel free to comment, good or bad. If you see mistakes, point them out.

The story centers around shapeshifting.

I’m currently working on chapter Ten.

Your Super Power

PR firms are telling their big brand companies to shut up about politics. Proof your superpower is money. And your decision to spend wisely over the last year or so has these fools taking a step back.

This is why it is so important to spread your money around to independently-owned businesses. It is far easier to switch to another company when you have multiple choices. Choices big companies don’t want you to have. And I get it. They want to make as much money as possible without competition.

For years, these big companies have been working together to form a monopoly-like grip on your hometowns. And a look at any local, interstate exit, or bypass will reveal this. Don’t let them limit your options.

Shop Local