Breathe III

By Breathe Writers

An anthology of short stories and poems by northern Maine and Canadian writers. The stories cross multiple genres from Mainstream to Mystery to Horror and Sci-fi/Fantasy. Several of the writers are established with numerous publication credits and a few are new voices being published for the first time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Breathe Writers
• Release date: Dec 9, 2011
• ISBN: 9781466011328

Breathe Writers

Breathe is a network of members, visitors and temporary partakers woven together into a community of writers. This is our third book together. We share with you, the reader, our hopes, dreams, sorrows and failures. You will find all levels of writing, novice to advanced. Some of our group members have been published, some have not. We all seek to share. While the majority of these writings are from our regular members, a few are from our visitors. We like new people and we like visitors.

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Breathe

Volume III

SMASHWORDS EDITION

PUBLISHED BY:

Breathe Writers Group on Smashwords

Breathe Volume III

Copyright © 2011 by Breathe Writers Group

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

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Cover image by Heather Hunt.

Breathe is a network of members, visitors and temporary partakers woven together into a community of writers.

This is our third book together. We share with you, the reader, our hopes, dreams, sorrows and failures. You will find all levels of writing, novice to advanced. Some of our group members have been published, some have not. We all seek to share.

While the majority of these writings are from our regular members, a few are from our visitors. We like new people and we like visitors.

Enjoy!

For the love of writing

CONTENTS

MAINSTREAM/SATIRE

FRANK FARMER’S WATCH by Larry Bubar

DESIRE UNDER THE FIDDLEHEADS by Chapman B. Flatt (aka Nathan White)

LONGFELLOW’S BACKYARD by Wendy Koenig

THE SILLY OLD CROW AND ME by Larry Bubar

FANTASY/SCIENCE FICTION

THE PAWN SHOP by Vince Michaud

THE LAKE by Vaughn Hardacker

RELAPSE by Heather Hunt

MESSAGES by Wendy Koenig

THE ROYAL CROW by Michelle Carde

THE UNBLEMISHED ROSE by Jessica & Samantha Mayne

THE LORING INVESTIGATION SQUAD by Seanna Catron

ZOMBIE SPRING by Heather Hunt

THE TESTIMONY OF RED WHITE by Seanna Catron

HORROR/PARANORMAL

SHE’LL NEED NO INTRODUCTION by Heather Hunt

INTERSTATE 995 by Vaughn Hardacker

CALEB’S SUMMER DAYS by Levi Bickford

WOLF’S PATROL by Vaughn Hardacker

MYSTERY

LOADED by Wendy Koenig

IT’S MY JOB by Vaughn Hardacker

100 by Heather Hunt

BAGGING THE TROPHY by Vaughn Hardacker

THINNER THAN WATER by Vaughn Hardacker

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHIES

MAINSTREAM/SATIRE

FRANK FARMER’S WATCH

(A Children's Story)

by

Larry Bubar

Ricky Rat is not your typical rat. Oh no, not at all, you see Ricky is the king of the pack rats. In his house, beneath the old Castle Hotel, he has stored the most elaborate collection of junk that anyone has seen. He has accumulated more stuff than probably all the other pack rats in the town, combined. He has old tin cans, string, keys, bits and pieces of most anything you can name. Why? Well he figures that one day he or one of his friends may need an item. Besides that, he often trades items for other things that he considers more useful. Yep, Ricky is the go to guy and everyone within the town, and beyond, knows this as fact.

One early morning, Ricky was taking inventory; well as good as you can take inventory of a pile of odd junk. One of these days I’ve got to sort through this stuff and throw some of the more worthless junk away, he mused. Of course, Ricky said this same thing each time he took inventory, which was mostly every day. Let’s see two sprockets, four bags of some sort of seed, one old bike tire, hmmm what’s this? Oh yea it’s a soup spoon…

Hey! Ricky old pal what are you up too? came a voice from the doorway.

Darn you Clive, can’t you see I’m doing inventory?

Why? You know everything in this place by heart. You’ve taken inventory so many times you probably do it in your sleep, laughed Clive Crow.

What do you want Clive? Not that it matters to you but I am busy, said Ricky gruffly.

Well my friend I have a deal for you, replied Clive.

And just what would that be? asked Ricky.

I have here something that I know you will be delighted to trade for. Said Clive, trying to build up anticipation.

I bet you think you do, said Ricky.

Clive paced around the room waiting for Ricky to become more inquisitive of what the great secret Clive had.

Ok! Let’s see it, if it’s so great that I can’t live without it then dazzle me with it, said Ricky, a little annoyed.

Clive reached under his wing and produced a shiny round object with a chain dangling from it.

This, my friend, is something that no self-respecting pack rat would be without, said Clive, half in jest.

Ricky took the object from Clive and began to exam it. It was a gold pocket watch, it had a design of a man on a tractor on the cover and the hands and numbers were silver. Although a bit worn, probably from years of use, it appeared in fairly good condition and was still working.

Well not a bad piece there Clive, said Ricky.

Don’t know why I’d need it or even what I would do with it, he continued.

My good rat this has got to the item of the century. Why every pack rat from here to Timbuktu will be envious of you, said Clive, trying to appeal to Ricky’s ego.

My friend, I don’t really need it but if the trade is fair maybe I’ll take it off your hands, said Ricky.

I’ll give you two bags of seeds and two worms for it, he said.

That’s highway robbery and you know it. It’s worth at least three bags of seeds and six worms, said Clive.

Ok! Two and a half bags and four worms and if that isn’t to your liking be on your way, said Ricky, in his masterful dealing voice.

Darn you’re a hard rat to bargain with but I guess I’ll take the deal. I really don’t have much use for a watch, said Clive trying to appear disappointed.

Ricky went out to the back and soon returned with the seeds and a small tin, with the worms in it.

Here you go Clive, two and half bags of seeds and four worms just as we agreed, said Ricky.

I know I’m being fleeced but here’s the watch, said Clive.

Ricky took the watch and place it in the pile with his other belongings.

Anything else you need today? he asked.

Nope, being robbed once in a day is enough for me, replied Clive.

Well then I’ll be back to my work if you don’t mind, said Ricky.

Ok, chum see you again,soon,I’m sure, replied Clive.

Next century will be too soon for me, mumbled Ricky.

What’s that? asked Clive

Nothing, nothing at all, see you later, said Ricky, with a smile.

Next morning Ricky Rat was puttering around his domain wondering if he should take inventory again, just in case he’d missed something the day before. He had just decided that he would let it go today and maybe go hunting for new and worthless things, when the door was throw open as if a hurricane had come through. In through the door came Clive. He appeared to be in a panic.

Ricky, Ricky, cawed Clive. Ricky, Ricky, he cawed again.

I…I…I need the…the watch back, right away. Yea the watch, you know shiny and round and ah…ah…ah well you know, stammered Clive. The watch it’s...

Slow down Clive. Get your breath and talk so I can understand, said Ricky.

Clive paused for a moment then started over.

I need the watch back. The one I traded yesterday. I got your seeds and worms so we can just trade back, said a very nervous Clive.

Hold on Clive,what’s this all about? You seemed more than willing to give up the watch yesterday. What’s changed your mind? asked Ricky.

Well, you see it’s like this. I found the watch in old Frank Framer’s field and figuring he’d never miss it I bought it here to trade. This morning I was sitting in the apple tree and Frank was talking to some guy in a red shirt, said Clive

I Harry Huston. They call him red shirt Harry, interrupted Ricky.

Yeah! Yeah! Whatever. Anyway Frank was going on about this watch he lost and how it had been in the family for years. He had hunted high and low and had not seen hide or hair of it. He seemed to be very upset and angry all the time he was talking, said Clive, becoming more panicked as he went on.

So what’s that got to do with me giving back the watch? asked Ricky.

Well, Frank went on to say that he knew the darn crows were responsible. And if he didn’t find it before the end of the day he was going to get out his shotgun and do us all in. You know, bang, bang dead crow. Said Clive, jitterier than ever.

So I’ve got to get that watch back to him before tonight or it’s curtains. So what do you say we just trade back, I’ll return it and all will live happily ever after, he continued.

Well buddy, it would be a good plan, but you see I no longer have the watch, said Ricky.

What you mean you don’t have the watch? asked Clive.

I only brought it in yesterday, he said.

I know, but right after you left Molly Mole came in looking for a present for her husband. She traded three tulip bulbs for it and I do like a bulb now and then, said Ricky.

What does a mole want with a watch? He’s underground most of the time and couldn’t see it to tell the time anyway, ranted Clive.

That’s what I said too, but she insisted, so I made the trade, said Ricky.

Oh what am I going to do? asked Clive.

I’ve still got the bulbs, maybe we can go and talk Molly into trading back, said Ricky.

You’d do that for me? asked Clive.

I said I would; now don’t go getting all mushy on me, replied Ricky.

Do you know where she lives? asked Clive.

Yep over behind the old grain barn at Mrs. Field’s place, replied Ricky.

Then we best be on our way, said Clive.

Don’t panic, don’t panic, all will be done in good time my friend, said Ricky.

They gathered the blubs from Ricky’s storage room and placed them in a bag.

Clive you take the bag and fly over there and I’ll be right behind you. We’ll meet there and hopefully make the deal, said Ricky

Me! Why do I have to carry the bag huh why me? asked Clive, being sort of upset at the idea.

Because birdy, it was you that got yourself in the mess and  besides, you can get the bag there easier than me since I have to travel on foot through town, replied Ricky sternly.

Ok! OK! I get the picture. I’ll meet you there, but don’t take all day getting there, said Clive.

You just make sure you get there, I’ll worry about me, said Ricky.

With that as the final exchange they set out towards Molly Mole’s house. It took about fifteen minutes for Ricky to get there and Clive was already there, waiting and pacing, waiting and pacing.

About time you got here, said an impatient Clive.

Hey it’s a long ways by foot so lighten up, shot back Ricky.

Ricky went over to the entrance of the Mole’s home and knocked on the door.

Anybody home? he yelled.

He knocked again and was about to shout again when the door opened.

Ricky, I’m surprised to see you this far out from town, said Molly.

What brings you out my way anyways? she asked.

Clive seems to have gotten himself in a mess and we were hoping you could help us or actually him out of it, said Ricky.

I will if I can, but you need to let me know what I can do first. She said.

The watch you got from me yesterday do you still have it? Clive really needs it back. I was hoping you wouldn’t mind trading it back for the bulbs you brought in yesterday, said Ricky.

I would gladly do that, in order to help, but I no longer have it, she said.

I gave it to Marvin but he said a mole has no use for a watch as it is too dark to see it underground, she said.

Oh my, oh my, what will I do? shouted Clive.

Calm down Clive, all is not lost, said Ricky.

What did you do with it? Ricky asked.

Let’s see, yes, I remember Rita Robin came by as I was sitting out here thinking of what to do with it and she took a liking to it so I traded it for some sunflower stalks, when they come out in the summer, said Molly.

She said it would pretty-up her nest for the little ones when they come, she continued.

I’ll give you the bulbs back and if you allow me to deal with Rita for the watch and we’ll called it square, asked Ricky.

Sunflower stacks are nice but since it’s sure an emergency I guess it will be fine, she said.

OK! It’s a deal, said Ricky.

Clive give Molly the bulbs and then we have to go find Rita Robin and see if we can make a deal with her, said Ricky.

Clive handed Molly the sack with the bulbs in it.

I thank you very much for being so kind, said Clive.

Molly do you happen to know where Rita lives? asked Clive.

Yes, she has a place over in Medlow Park among the birch trees. Such a lovely place too, replied Molly.

Well we thank you for your kindness and help Molly, but we must be off. Again thank you, said Ricky

That goes for me too, said Clive.

I’ll meet you there Clive, said Ricky.

Alright buddy, answered Clive.

Medlow Park was on the out skirts of town. Why it was there no one knew, as very few people ever used it, not even the kids played there anymore. A waste of good property was the thought of most people. But there it was, in all its shabby glory, wanting care but getting none. The two arrived there and scanned the area for the birch grove. Once spotted, they hurried over looking for Rita. They found her nest, situated midway up a tree but from where they were they couldn’t see the watch anywhere.

Rita Robin, Rita Robin, are you up there? yelled Ricky.

I’ll fly up and take a look, said Clive.

Good idea, said Ricky.

Clive flew up to where the nest was sitting and yelled down at Ricky. I don’t see her anywhere. Maybe this is the wrong nest.

It’s the only one here. It has to be the one, shouted Ricky back.

Just then Rita came flying back. She had some twigs in her beak. She laid the twigs in the nest.

Hi guys I was just gathering some more material to finish the nest with. Is there something I can do for you? she asked puzzlingly.

Yes there is, said Ricky.

Or at least we hope so, interjected Clive.

We understand you traded some sunflower stalks to Molly Mole for a watch earlier, said Ricky.

Yes, that’s right I did. I promised her the stalks in the summer when they come up,

You see, Clive got himself in sort of a mess and we were wondering if you would be willing to trade us for the watch? inquired Ricky.

It’s very important. A matter of life or death, said Clive, in a very panic voice.

Oh dear me that sounds very bad and I wished I could help, but you see I don’t have it, said Rita.

What…what did you do with it? asked Clive, now in more of a panic than before.

It was too big to fit on the nest without ruining it, so I traded it to Tommy Turtle for some colored string to brighten the place, she said.

Do you still have the string? asked Ricky.

No, Tommy was going to bring it by later when he had gathered it, she said.

What, oh what am I going to do now? asked Clive.

Don’t worry Clive, all is not lost, said Ricky.

Rita, what if Clive and I give you some ribbons to spruce the place up with? Would you let us then try and make a deal with Tommy? asked Ricky.

I guess that would be fine. Besides the speed at which Tommy moves, I’ll be headed south before he gets back with the colored string, she said with a chuckle.

Ok, now Clive, you go find some string or ribbons for Rita’s place and I’ll go and try to locate Tommy, said Ricky.

Which way did he go, Rita? asked Ricky.

Last I saw he was headed toward the old mill stream, over that way, she said, pointing toward the tall grass.

Thank you for everything, said Ricky.

Ricky started toward where Tommy had been heading and Clive flew off to find some ribbons for Rita’s nest. Ricky caught up with Tommy a short ways from where he had started.

Hey Tommy, yelled Ricky.

Oh, hi Ricky, what you doing this far from the town? he asked.

Clive and I are on a quest. Right now he is looking for some ribbons for Rita Robin and I’m here to see if maybe you can help us, said Ricky.

If there is anything I can do I’ll be happy to, said Tommy.

Earlier today you got a watch from Rita, is that right? asked Ricky.

Yep! That is correct. But what’s that got to do with Clive? asked Tommy.

It appears that we or anyway Clive needs it back, said Ricky.

As Ricky was relating the story, Clive showed up.

Did you get the items for Rita and was she happy with them? asked Ricky.

Yes I did. I found some ribbons at the playground and a few pieces of string by the school. She was very happy to get them or so she said, said Clive.

Good, and now, back to the problem at hand. I’ve explained the situation to Tommy, said Ricky.

So Tommy now that you know the circumstances, are you going to help me out of this mess? asked Clive, hopefully.

I’d be very glad to Clive but the fact is I no longer have the watch, said Tommy.

What did you with it? asked Clive, disappointed.

It was way too heavy for me to carry and was slowing me down. So I traded it to Ruben Rabbit, just a short time before Ricky caught up to me, said Tommy.

Ruben, hmm, I don’t think I know him, said Ricky.

He’s the one they call hip-pity hop, said Tommy.

Oh my, oh my, what am I going to do? asked Clive.

Don’t worry. I’ve got it all under control, said Ricky.

What did Ruben trade for it? asked Ricky.

He offered me some lettuce leaves when they come up later this year, said Tommy.

What if we gave you something else in place of the lettuce? Would you be willing to release the trade to us and them we can deal with Ruben? asked Ricky.

Sure that would be alright depending on what you have to replace the lettuce with, said Tommy.

I got a can of turtle food and it has never been opened, replied Ricky.

That seems fair enough, said Tommy.

I’ll have Clive go back to my place, get the can and take it to your place, said Ricky.

Sounds good to me, I live over at Wallow Brook, near the oak tree, said Tommy.

Clive, you go back to my place and get the can and deliver it to Tommy’s and I’ll go on to find Ruben, said Ricky.

Why me, why always me? asked Clive.

Because you can fly faster than I can walk, therefore you can handle it faster and we can get on with the hunt, said Ricky.

I guess you’ve got a point. Let’s get on with the plan, said Clive.

By the way, what does this can look like? asked Clive.

It’s the one on the shelf that has a picture of a turtle on it, answered Ricky.

Tommy, by the way, do you know where Ruben lives? asked Ricky.

Yes, he lives over near Mrs. Mack’s garden, said Tommy.

Thank you for your help Tommy, said Ricky.

Yes thank you, said Clive.

Ricky headed towards Mrs. Mack’s place as Clive flew off to get the can of turtle food.

It took Ricky about fifteen minutes to get to Mrs. Mack’s. By that time Clive had completed his mission and was waiting for Ricky at the garden.

You take the back part of the lot and I’ll take the front and let’s see if we can find Ruben, said Ricky.

The two separated and began the hunt.

In a few minutes Clive yelled I’ve found him. He’s over here by the apple tree.

Ricky headed over to where Clive had indicated.

Hi, Ruben, said Ricky.

Hi, back at you, said Ruben.

Has Clive told you anything about our quest? asked Ricky.

He blurted out something about a watch and Frank Farmer going to kill him and some over stuff I couldn’t make heads or tails of, said Ruben.

Guess that is the rapid version of the matter. What we really need is the watch back, said Ricky.

You do still have it? asked a very disoriented Clive.

So happens I do. It makes a very nice ornament for the opening of my hutch, said Ruben.

What would it take for you to trade it back to us, so Clive can get out of the mess he’s in? asked Ricky.

I have already taken care of the deal you made with Tommy, so that part will not be a problem, he continued.

I really need a good soft warm blanket for my home. The winters here in the northern part of Maine can be very cold, said Ruben.

Well just so happens I have just what you need back at my place, said Ricky.

Oh no, I’m not carrying some old blanket in this beak, said Clive

You won’t have to I’ll have Billy Boxer drop it by tomorrow, if that’s ok with Ruben, said Ricky.

Yes that will be acceptable, as long Billy doesn’t think me his play toy to chase around, said Ruben.

I’ll make sure that he understands that, said Ricky.

Ruben retrieved the watch from his place and handed it to Ricky.

Thank you for all the help Ruben, you’re truly a life saver, said a much relieved Clive.

Yes thank you Ruben, we really appreciate you being willing to trade with us, said Ricky.

Now, Clive you take the watch back to Frank’s place and I’m going back home and rest for a bit. It’s been a long tiring day for me, said Ricky.

Clive flew off with the watch and Ricky headed off toward home.

A couple days had passed and things were back to some semblance of normality for Ricky. He had sent the blanket to Ruben, as promised, and had done a complete inventory of his goods. On this day he was just sitting around happy that the whole watch thing was over. Over as far as his part was concerned anyway. Ricky just settled into his chair and was about to scan the paper when the door flew open.

Hey buddy, how you doing today? asked Clive.

Doing all right, how you doing Clive? answered Ricky.

Doing great now that the watch has been returned, said Clive.

So you got the watch back in time I’m guessing, said Ricky.

Yes I did, said Clive, sort of proudly.

I put it in his seed bag and when he went to plant he found it, he continued.

So you and the other crows are safe for the time being I presume, said Ricky.

I’m guessing so. I heard him talking to red shirt Harry yesterday, telling him that he had found the watch in the seed bag. He went on to say that it must of fell out of his pocket while he was opening it and he just didn’t see it until he started planting, continued Clive.

Ricky I have another item I wish to trade, if you’re up to it old buddy, he continued.

I don’t know about that it seems to be a mess awaiting each time you have something to trade, said Ricky.

You’ll love this, I assure you, said Clive, with a slight laugh.

Ok! Let’s see what great treasure you have this time, said Ricky.

Clive reached under his wing and pulled out a small thin object with a black dot on it.

What is that? asked Ricky.

I believe they call it a tie-tack, said Clive.

I found it over by the church. Must have been dropped by someone leaving the sermon one Sunday, said Clive.

Has anyone been around looking for it lately? asked Ricky.

No, I hung around for three days and didn’t see anyone searching, so I figured it was safe to pick up, said Clive.

Alright, one and a half bags of seeds and two worms and that’s all I’m going to offer. No haggling what-so-ever on this. Take it or leave it, said Ricky.

Another highway robbery going on here…I tell you just plain highway robbery, said Clive.

As I said, take it or leave it, Clive, said Ricky.

OK, a deal you leech you, said Clive laughing.

Ricky went and retrieved the seeds and worms and handed them to Clive.

There you go my good crow, said Ricky.

Thank you and it’s been somewhat a pleasure doing during business with you. See you again soon, I’m sure, said Clive.

I’m sure you will, said Ricky.

Clive took his goods and exited the shop. Ricky returned to his chair looked around and thought, I need to sort this stuff out one day and get rid of