Frain #kisses his wife on the back of the neck. “Smells delicious. What’s for—” “Pork chops and arsenic sauce.” He tilts his head. “Sounded like you said—” “Apple sauce. Pork chops and apple sauce.” "Hm." He nods. "You're eating too?" “Right after you, dear. It's to die for.” #vss365

It’s midnight #dark out, so maybe I’m not seeing so well. Dad appears in my doorway like when I was a kid. “Hey champ,” he says. “Get some sleep, uh.” “But you’re not—” “Yeah, yeah. Let’s go camping tomorrow. We keep talking about it.” I nod, wishing for the world it was real this time. #vss365

Donating blood and the pseudo nurse says, "You won't feel a thing." That's her second mistake. I had said right arm; she chose left. And then her third when she says, "You can open your eyes now." C'mon, everyone knows #aches and pains aren't real as long as you don't acknowledge them. #vss365

Zeke rushed to the kitchen, snatched a towel, and wrapped his wrist to stanch the bleeding. Hearing the commotion, his mother ran in. "What hap--are you ok? How did--" Chill, Mom. It's from my AI Memories page. They sent me a reminder of last year's #wound when I crashed my skateboard. #vss365

Barry squirmed in his beanbag chair. Zen was no longer achievable, but he’d settle for calm. The #lambent glow of his faux vanilla candle danced on the wall. He closed his eyes and hummed. Just off in the distance ... a perfect peace. Until his beard caught fire. #vss365

“Hey, hon,” Frain’s wife calls from the basement. “Can you bring me a shovel?” “A shov ... um, sure. Why?” Long pause. “Can you—” “Coming!” He edges down the stairs muttering, ‘yea, though I walk through the valley of the #shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” #vss365

On the #cusp of losing consciousness, he leans into the snow shovel one last time. It's so cold the exact number below zero no longer matters. He goes inside to tell his wife she's wrong. He doesn't care what she's wrong about, he just needs a heated argument. #vss365

Frain wakes on the lawn soaked by the all-night #drizzle. Stumbles inside. “How did I—" “Sleepwalking.” “My ankle aches. I must’ve—” “Want me to help it?” “Well, sure.” Visions her kissing it. She picks up a lamp, bangs it into his knee. “How’s your ankle feel now?” He limps to the shower. #vss365

Researching my historical novel, I see his photo from '97. He's in a hat, scar where his beard is now. Different name. But it's him. Find him in his yard next day. "First Union Bank, eh?" It's only a flash, but he's #unmoored by my knowledge. I now have total power over my neighbor. #vss365

Same Time, This Year It happens every year. (Since 2019) Every January 1. New books fall into the public domain.  This year, any book published in 1930 is now in the public domain. The original idea of expiring copyrights was to promote the progress of science and useful arts. That’s how our…

Frain folds the newspaper. "Your horoscope, hon. If you're a believer." His wife slides a butcher knife into the block. "Go on." "Leo? 'Your soulmate may surprise you. Betrayal and sharp objects #loom.' Ooh, wicked one today." She hovers at the knife block. "You're Leo, dear. I'm Virgo." #vss365

From outside I heard the steel blade slam into the cutting board. I veered into the kitchen in time to see a half-watermelon collapse to the floor. "Wow," I said. "Killer knife." "Not yet," my wife whispered under her breath. #vss365 #veer

So, my TBR pile is swaying like a Jenga game, but I've finally read @kristin-hannah.bsky.social The Nightingale, and I feel like I've just crossed the Pyrenees on foot. It drained me, and it was oh so wonderful. Highly recommend if you haven't had the opportunity yet. #Read

Frain’s wife taps her phone, silences the alarm. He rolls over in bed. "#Last night, in your sleep, you said you wanted to drown me in our pool.” She yawns. “That was just your imagination, dear.” “What was my imagination?” “That I was sleeping. Now put on your Speedo.” #vss365 #last

He arrives late for his court date. His wife spins her racquet, leers. “They charge for the full hour. I said court 4, ten o’clock. What part of that is confusing?” “I heard you say ... tennish.” She slams him in the knee for that one. “In #tennis, dear, love means—” “I know, I know.” #vss365

Frain’s wife blocks the TV. He hits the mute button, but she #speaks anyway. “Thought we’d shake things up in the bedroom Saturday.” A come-hither wink. He nods like a bobblehead. "Yeah, yeah." “Good," she says. "You clean the sheets and vacuum. I’ll watch a 5-hour football game.” #vss365

He learned the hard way. Again. His slow #action caused his headache. “What’s on the telly?” Frain’s wife asked. “A layer of dust,” he said. She stepped into the den, offered their Dust Buster. “Perhaps you could use this.” “That thing? It sucks,” he said. He didn’t duck fast enough. #vss365

A Terrific Read All thumbs up for Chris Whitaker's ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK.

She enters the kitchen like a breath of foul air. “Did you unfriend me?” He cowers. “I tried to enemy you, but that wasn’t one of the #options.” “I consider that cheating.” “That’s a high standard.” “Add resisting arrest.” She pulls out her handcuffs. He breathes deep. Ah, Wednesday nights. #vss365

"That look," he said. "Seen it before. Means you want me." Frain's wife scoffed. "I'm studying history." "Flattering, but I'm not making #history right now." She pulled her Glock Model 10 from her waistband. Pulled the trigger. "There. Now, you're history." #vss365

We fell in love at 20, honeymooned at 25, parented at 30. So close, friends joked they couldn't fit between us. Now ... the #geography has changed. Your voice is foreign. Your body a world away. Neither of us knows how it started. Where it happened. Or how to reverse it. #vss365

Frain's wife twirled in her #Halloween outfit. His jaw dropped. "You're dressing up as my therapist?" "Like it?" "Creepy," he said. "Also, she doesn't carry a meat cleaver." "This?" She raised the axe. "It's so I can carve out a problem." "I thought I was your problem?" She grinned. #vss365

She swipes the cleaver on the whetstone. The blade squeals in delight. Shoots sparks. Time to carve her masterpiece -- a Jack o'lantern. She barely contains her #energy on her front porch where boyfriend Jack leans back with a beer. "Hi, pumpkin," she says. And puts the cleaver to work. #vss365

The old woman said to her granddaughter. "Back in my day, before Internets, people had yard sales. Sell off broke toys, old clothes, mismatched cup and #saucer." "You have a sale, Nana?" "Sure. How I got rid of grandpa." "So that’s why Ma won’t let u babysit." "A 2-for-1 it's called." #vss365

7pm. Must-see TV. "Grab the popcorn, kids. Literary Idol is on." They parked in the TV room. Mom & Dad on the sofa, 3 kids splayed on the floor. First contestant read a future historical mashup titled #Android of Green Gables. The fam voted 4-1 for that one. Dad never understood sci-fi. #vss365

An #unearthly quiet, the calm before a storm. Sure enough, Frain's wife enters, shovel in hand. "One tap and you're out like a cold." "You mean out cold," he corrects. "No." "So you mean out like a light," he mansplains. WHACK! "Now do you understand?" she asks. But he's out of answers #vss365

3 am and I couldn't sleep. Trudged into the kitchen for a shot of water. Flipped on the light. They scattered across the floor, into the crevices. Live from my kitchen -- #Beetle Mania! I screeched like a teenager. #vss365

Frain's wife makes an over-the-top, #deluxe entrance. "I have news. We made a time travel discovery at work." "Spill, please." "If you could look down from heaven and see me now, you'd be so jealous." "Buuuuut I'd have to be dead to do that." "You're always stealing my thunder again!" #vss365

Joey didn't realize they'd changed the menu when he ordered his usual #4. The bag was heavy through the window. Before he drove off the parking lot, Joey saw the bag move. #Ashes drifted out the top. That's when he heard the screech. He went to bed hungry. He'd clean the car tomorrow. #vss365

In the distance, a funeral. Bagpipes, a baby’s cry. She unraveled, thought about her life, her world. Would she trade places with the deceased or the baby? Concede this life or take another shot? She turned, gathered her jacket, and stomped home for a #clash with her partner. #vss365

Frain's wife enters. "I always #associate you with Thor." He side eyes her. "Because of the blond hair I don't have?" "No," she says. "His immense strength?" "I'd like you to meet Thor." She whips a hammer. "Specifically, I'd like your forehead to meet Thor." He should've seen it coming. #vss365

Housecat purrs, "One more sideways grin outta you and I'll destroy that pretty face." The big spud chants, "Fraidy Cat, you can't catch me!" He peels away, #elastic arm and all. Cat reaches her paw out, scratches Spud's eye. Rips a nose. Bites off an ear. Mr. Potato Head would never recover. #vss365

He senses her arrival as calm welcomes a storm. She enters like the wind. Clothing scatters, time #blurs. Perspiring, Frain’s wife says “I forgot my keys.” "Oh," he says “I thought you missed me already.” She stares. “Which one are you again?” Then exits. Another Wednesday. #vss365 #blur

Thirty minutes before Jan is to join Rob on the altar to exchange vows, her phone rings. Slices through her like a machete. On the other end? Rob's wife. From the parking lot. No #conundrum here. In about thirty-five minutes, it'll be time to say "I do ... NOT." #vss365 #conundrum

ICYMI ... If you're looking for an incredible read, do yourself a favor and pick up ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK by Chris Whitaker. Do yourself another favor -- don't bother wearing socks when you read it cuz it'll knock 'em right off. Can't say enough amazing things about this book.

2 am Frain’s wife jumps up in bed. Gives more #scrutiny to the hallway sound. “You hear that?” she whispers. “Hear what?” he asks. “From the stairs.” He creeps to the hall. She slinks behind. “What’d it sound like?” he asks. “Like this,” she says and whacks him with a shovel. He had to ask. #vss365

Sgt. Sanders hits his lights. Woop woop. Tan Chevy #Caprice pulls over. "'96," Sarge said. "Last model year." "You observe it all," Rook answered. "What's the gas mi--" "Driver's shoulder," Sarge interrupts. "He reaching for his license or a weapon?" Rook shut up and observed. #vss365

Frain walks in for his 1 o'clock, his wife and therapist #conspiring. His wife exits. "Tell you a secret," Frain says . "She wants to kill me." "Yeah, no. A secret is how and when she's gonna do it." "So..." "Sorry. Patient-doctor privilege. But can you settle your bill before Friday?" #vss365

Frain's wife walks into the room. "Oh ... too bad." "Sorry?" He's never been able to #rein her in. "Your hair, it's--oh, was that on purpose?" "But I haven't--" "It won't matter tomorrow anyway." She exits. It's her superpower, forever staying three steps ahead. #vss365 #rein

"Beautiful view," his wife says from the edge of the the cliff. "You should write your story here." #Flinching, Frain steps forward. "Lemme think on it." "Not inspired?" "I dunno, maybe." She pats his back. A little harder. "You just need a push in the right direction." #vss365

Frain's wife comes inside carrying a meat cleaver. "Careful," he says. "That's got the #potential to hurt someone." "This?" She raises the blade. "Just to help me carve out a problem." "I thought I was your problem?" She grins. "Come stand over here on this shower curtain..." #vss365 #potential

Sleeping with stones 'neath the tent. Dropping to 50F overnight. Rain came through my open windows at 3:15 am. But it was more than #bearable knowing I had all the right company the following day: family, nature, wild horses, wilder deer... #vss365

Back from three days camping. This morning, walked out of our campsite and was greeted by a pack of four wild #horses. They didn't need to drag me away, I was leaving today anyway. #camp

"Careful" he says. "Going down." "Feels hotter," I say. "Ah, you're getting ahead of yourself." We push through a concentric circle. "I'll leave you with Lucifer." "Thank you, Dante. I'll take if from here." I clear my throat. Wipe my brow. "Is it too late to choose #doorway number 2?" #vss365

The newspaper #article said the Sheriff arrived on scene ten minutes after the Medical Examiner. His bloody #article of clothing found wrapped around a knife in the victim's back yard said he arrived hours earlier. #Busted #vss365

"Whatcha reading?" he asked. She showed the article: "#Arbitrary Rules for Writing." He raised his eyebrows. "Any good ones?" "Last one says 'kill your darlings.'" He snorts, turns away. She walks to the kitchen, grabs a knife. "Come here, darling, something I'd like to show you." #vss365

Me: Hey there, I'm making my first Bluesky post! World: