The Stepford Student

By Kenneth Kerns

When his best friend David abandons their weekly poker game, only to return reeking of swamp water and talking about changing careers, it is up to Mike Adams to find out what happened to him.

This is a novelette that is one-part mystery, one-part drama, exploring the tension between unlikely friends during their topsy-turvy times at college. It is a companion story to the separately released collection entitled The Young Mike Adams.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kenneth Kerns
• Release date: Dec 6, 2013
• ISBN: 9781311320506

Kenneth Kerns

Ken is an author, screenwriter, quality manager, and trainer.His first novel was released in 2005. His most recent work included "Jim's Unsung Heroes," a true story of the Battle of the Bulge as told by his late grandfather. His sitcom pilot script "Roommate Wanted" was a finalist in the 2013 Creative World Awards.He has a master's degree in political management and was recently recognized as a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) by the Wharton School of Business. He has guest lectured at George Washington University and lives in northern Virginia.

Book preview

The Stepford Student

A Mike Adams Story

by Kenneth Kerns

 2013 by Kenneth Kerns. All rights are reserved.

Smashwords edition published in December 2013.

ISBN 978-1311320506

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Stepford Student

Sneak Peek at The Young Mike Adams

Copyright Information

Other fiction by Kenneth Kerns

The Stepford Student

IT HAD STARTED so simply, so innocently.

I remember it like it was yesterday. David and I were waiting in line at Griffith Stadium during Homecoming in our sophomore year at the University.

You sure you want to slum it down here with the rest of us? I said, ribbing him a bit.

It beats listening to my father schmooze another room full of rich alumni, David replied.

He was probably right. Just as we were approaching the front of the line, we heard some commotion behind us. We turned, and there they were.

Lauren, David’s girlfriend, was making her way through the crowd with a toughness she rarely displayed but the two of us were well acquainted with. In her wake, a young woman with wavy blonde hair followed.

Lauren?

I’m not missing this! she said. I have worked too hard all semester. I need a break. The stress of being pre-med could make anyone seem crazy.

Fine, I said. I tilted my head to the side, looking back at her follower.

Oh! Right! Mike, meet Chloe. We met in poetry class, I think you two have a lot in common, she explained.

Hi, I said. Her big, doe eyes were intoxicating. Tell me, do you like poker? She nodded. We have a weekly game, you should join us sometime.

Unfortunately, we were being ushered through and my attention drifted elsewhere. The four of us, plus thousands of our closest friends were being crammed into bleachers on one side of the stadium.

I had been able to get us seats near the 50-yard line. We were able to see everything without straining a muscle. The crowd nearest us was not yet in a drunken stupor, although plenty of our fellow townies were. These were pretty good seats, all things considered.

There was a lull before the first act began. The screaming fans started a wave of arm-flailing, sending rows or orange and blue