Rochelle Bradley Author

Recently, I met a few women and over an evening of dinner and drinks, we had enough inside jokes to fuel many laughs and spawn a short story. Usually my stories come from dreams but, in this case, I was inspired by companionship, smiles and laughs. One of the women took a quiz on Facebook: what would your name be today? We searched the decades and giggled over our names from the 40s or 1890. Our alter egos: Bella, Gia & Electa were born. These three names have been swirling around in my head with a plot for a week or so. In the story, the characters live by the mantra "good friends don't let you do stupid things alone." I plan to write a 1K word story today. This flash fiction will be a gift for two of the women who volunteer their time to work with children. With any luck it will earn a few giggles.

I started a new story this past week called Bliss Unaware. Opening paragraph: I’m gifted or a freak depending on your point of view. My fingertips are like magic, or a curse; they can sense things. What, I’m not exactly sure. At the moment my hands and fingers feel normal. Nothing out of the ordinary is near me. Brief synopsis: Cecily Belenus believes she is the average high school senior but she is unaware of her secret genealogy. Her brother, Josh and she believe her father died when they were toddlers. Her mother's career is questionable with men in and out at all hours and the family moving from place to place every few years. She met Rayneard Balder when she was five and he has never been far from her since but he remained hidden through the years. She has an abnormal connection with him and can sense him nearby. He is in the complete world that she cannot see into until she comes of age. Rayne's people, the Quirinis, are long lived, secretive and whose ancient ...

   Wednesday at the candy store was ordinary. There had been no dueling suitors calling or visiting. Liz walked into the kitchen that night around nine thirty and set the coffee maker. She felt a presence and turned. Ian was leaning against the doorjamb. “I’m proud of you. You remembered to lock the door and you even locked the deadbolt. Very impressive,” he said with a smirk. “Yet you’re in here again,” she could not help but smile. “Your windows were unlocked,” he said sheepishly. Liz imagined him prowling around checking all her windows; she hoped her neighbors did not see him. He informed her, “They’re all locked now.” “Thanks,” she said with a laugh. “Tomorrow night are you going to come in through the chimney?” They chuckled and she opened the refrigerator and scanned the barren shelves. She felt bad that she did not have anything to offer him. “I have water or wine,” she said remembering she had a bottle. “Wine? Aren’t you saving that for a special occ...

Tuesday morning things were back on schedule and Liz nearly forgot about Emma’s mishap until Emma came in for her shift.   Jennifer got to her first and chewed her out.   Later Jennifer approached Liz in her office and apologized for her sister’s actions and claimed that Emma only invited James. Knowing Emma, Jennifer surmised that she was excited about the planned date and told others about it and subsequently seemed to invite Ian. Liz actually chuckled, this was entirely plausible. Emma knocked on her door around eleven thirty and personally apologized for messing up her date and putting her in an awkward situation. She smiled and revealed that James Riley was there to reschedule his date with her.   Liz pushed away from the desk and the pile of paperwork she needed to work on and put on her store face. James was talking to Jennifer but smiled brightly when he saw her. She met James with a hand shake which he was reluctant to let go. He wanted to take her to...