“Angie!” I was moving even before Aiko’s panicked shriek died in the air and the deputy was right behind me. We found Dalene stretched out on her back in the doorway to the bedroom, her head cradled in Neff’s lap as she twitched and gagged, foam drooling from the corner of her mouth. I froze, […]

Posted on March 12th, 2007 by Zsallia
Filed under: 1963 to 1967, The Past, Wounds Inflicted | Comments Off on Confrontation

We were three days on the road when Dalene began digging through her bag, her face a study in quiet desperation as she pawed through her few belongings searching for something she knew she would not find. Aiko was driving with Neff beside her. Dalene and I were in the back seat. “When did you […]

Posted on December 16th, 2006 by Zsallia
Filed under: 1963 to 1967, The Past, Wounds Inflicted | Comments Off on Crisis

I seldom attempt anything drastic without having a sense of certainty regarding the outcome. I require no guarantees, but there must be some logical expectation of success. Unfortunately I set out that morning without such expectations, instead simply counting on Jacques’s greed or, failing that, being prepared to use force- the latter option not being […]

Posted on October 6th, 2006 by Zsallia
Filed under: 1963 to 1967, The Past, Wounds Inflicted | 3 Comments »

“It’s not really fear,” she finally offered. “It’s more akin to shame. It’s also been self-indulgence, as I’ve been letting you try to sympathize with me. That’s a nice feeling. And, you may not realize it, but I do care what you think of me. It’s not something that I worry over, but… in truth […]

Posted on September 1st, 2006 by Zsallia
Filed under: The Past, The Present | 6 Comments »

My only thought is to somehow ease you from the grip of this death spiral that defines you. There are but two things capable of touching your darkly secreted soul and you continue to hold the first at bay. I could seduce you with ease, but I fear to introduce yet another complication. All that […]

Posted on August 25th, 2006 by Zsallia
Filed under: 1963 to 1967, The Past, Wounds Inflicted | Comments Off on 1964

“It’s an electric guitar,” I said, blinking at her as innocently as I could manage. Dalene smirked at me, “I know what it is. Where’d you get it?” “Last night. You know how musicians are- always horny, always broke. I made a trade.” It was mostly the truth, though I had laid out cash for […]

Posted on July 19th, 2006 by Zsallia
Filed under: 1963 to 1967, The Past, Wounds Inflicted | 1 Comment »

“You look like hell,” she said, but there was a very real note of concern in her voice. I looked up at her, staring into those corn flower eyes sunk within their dark sockets, and I offered her a wan smile. “You should talk.” Just a week ago she would have made some cutting remark […]

Posted on May 29th, 2006 by Zsallia
Filed under: 1963 to 1967, The Past, Wounds Inflicted | 1 Comment »

You are dying, every day marking another long stride towards the grave. Neff and Aiko are terrified, but they cannot confront you for you have become the center of their world. The do not trust me, they cannot, for I am too new and too much an unknown. They resent me nearly as much as […]

Posted on May 2nd, 2006 by Zsallia
Filed under: 1963 to 1967, The Past, Wounds Inflicted | Comments Off on 1963- Summer

“The most important thing’s to stick together. Ain’t nobody here for us girls but us.” I nodded, nothing more, keeping up my facade of nervous anticipation. Neff and Aiko had paired off to work the far end of ‘our’ block while we took the north corner. Our pimp, Jacques, was a small-time player and his […]

Posted on April 27th, 2006 by Zsallia
Filed under: 1963 to 1967, The Past, Wounds Inflicted | 2 Comments »

I saw you long before we met; you and your girlfriends on a street corner near the French Quarter, surrounded by a crowd. You were playing guitar while Neff and Aiko accompanied on the violin and viola. It was hauntingly beautiful and so very sad, for as I approached it was clear despite this performance […]

Posted on April 16th, 2006 by Zsallia
Filed under: 1963 to 1967, The Past, Wounds Inflicted | 1 Comment »