“How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?” -Sherlock Holmes, The Sign of Four

Martin admitted that the house had been a bit large for him and Randy for a few years now. They’d needed the extra room while the girls were growing up, but it all felt a bit empty once Jenny and Dana went off to college. That being said, the location was good and the mortgage was paid. Besides, Randy was eager to add, they never were in complete agreement on what to do about the garage….     – The Garage

Finally! A story in which nothing – absolutely nothing – horrible happens to anyone! This is a light little ditty written as a gift to my friends Martin and Randy, and posted here with their permission.

Apologies for the lack of an August story. I actually did have one to post, in spite of being away at sea. But my diligent editor liked it so much, she’s made me promise to try sending it to a couple of journals first. Rest assured that, once it’s been as soundly rejected and ignored as the 37 other things I’ve submitted, “The Duchess” will appear in all its yeah-somebody-dies-in-the-first-sentence-but-it’s-actually-a-sweet-little-love-story glory. In the meantime, I do hope (and firmly believe) that you will enjoy The Garage.

[And remember: hitting that little heart-shaped “recommend” button at the bottom of the story has been clinically shown to improve digestion, combat global warming, and increase your attractiveness to members of the opposite sex.]