Sarge

By Oren Hammerquist

"Sarge" tells the story of man's best friend in a deadly scenario. This short novelette carries as many twists and turns as a typical novel as the reader realizes the full story and import of one dog's survival leaves the reader guessing and second-guessing through the very last word of the sentence. This story is free to read by downloading the free sample of 100%. Should you decide to support the author at a later time, you may come back and purchase it at the lowest price allowed by Smashwords. Like many works by this author, he blends the playfulness of O. Henry with the gravity of Poe and the import of Vonnegut.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Oren Hammerquist
• Release date: Dec 17, 2018

Oren Hammerquist

Oren Hammerquist's work has recently appeared in the Fabula Argentea eZine available for free online, in the Soldier Story anthology available at Amazon in print or digital copy, and in eRomance Magazine, available for subscription at Barnes and Noble, or as back issues on the publisher's site. Oren has been in the Army for seven years, and served in Afghanistan. He is originally from the Seattle area, and is married with three children. In his spare time, Oren is completing his bachelor's degree in criminal justice and paralegal studies.http://www.orenhammerquist.com/#!bio/ct47

Book preview

Sarge

by

Oren Hammerquist

a novelette

Copyright 2018 by Oren Hammerquist

Published at Smashwords

You are free to download and read this free and to share with others. An optional price is set should you wish to support the author at a later time.

Table of Contents

(This is provided to aid navigation only. These divisions have are not related to the story flow.)

Section 1

Section 2

Section 3

Section 4

Section 5

Section 6

Section 7

She’s asleep.

Cassie sighed as she sank into the padded chair beside her daughter’s bed. Like she had been holding her breath when she walked in, and maybe she had. Their daughter’s injuries were minor, and Cassie’s helicopter-parenting (not for the first time) annoyed George. They argued yesterday in hushed tones until it threatened to grow too loud. Then they argued in the hallway until they drew too much attention. Then they argued in the stairwell until they grew too tired. They hadn’t spoken since yesterday afternoon. One would have to be wrong to break the silence. Anything less than surrender would simply start the argument once again.

Never surrender: that’s what Sarge would say if he could talk. And dammit, someone had to speak for him.

George stared from the window resolutely, obstinate that he would not turn and surrender. But the silence became too much. Cassie, unable to get time off on such short notice, had spent the day at work. She had spent the entire day distracted and worrying about her daughter; how could she do anything else? George had spent the day here – time off being easier to come by for him – and he had been distracted and worried about their daughter.

He could see Cassie’s reflection in the window as he looked at the city below the fifth floor of the hospital. She slid down so her head could rest against the back of the chair. He eyes were open, staring at the blank ceiling. He left hand rested on the bar of the hospital bed. She’d been on a kick with Hallie telling her sit up, don’t slouch. Well, that’s what moms did after all. The rules went out the window when your daughter was in the hospital.

Tough day? George asked without turning.

Cassie laughed once, puffing air through her nose. She twisted her head quickly toward her daughter and back before answering. I’ve had worse.

Like most couples on the outskirts of a fight, everything became a code. This meant: I haven’t forgotten about yesterday.

Cassie reached across the sling on Hallie’s left arm and touched the stitches on Hallie’s face. Fifteen.

Leave her alone, George said, turning for the first time. You’ll wake her up. Code: I don’t want to talk about this right now.

Did the doctor say anything? Code: I do.

They plan to release her today. Code: It’s not as big a deal as you’re making it.

So, is she going to have a scar? Code: Stop trying to pretend this is okay.

"Maybe,