Lunch Special

By Geonn Cannon

A collection of romantic stories of encounters between women. Bad timing leads to two women being trapped together during a blackout. Love sparks between a scientist and an automaton whose intelligence isn't quite artificial. A famous musician meets the woman who inspired her first hit song. An envoy from Santa’s Village takes an assignment to save Christmas for one little girl... and her mother. And they lived happily ever after. And then...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Supposed Crimes, LLC
• Release date: Aug 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9781952150791

Geonn Cannon

Geonn Cannon was born in a barn and raised to know better than that. He was born and raised in Oklahoma where he’s been enslaved by a series of cats, dogs, two birds and one unexpected turtle. He’s spent his entire life creating stories but only became serious about it when he realized it was a talent that could impress girls. Learning to write well was easier than learning to juggle, so a career was underway. His high school years were spent writing stories among a small group of friends and reading whatever books he could get his hands on.Geonn was inspired to create the fictional Squire’s Isle after a 2004 trip to San Juan Island in Washington State. His first novel set on the island, On the Air, was written almost as a side project to another story he wanted to tell. Reception to the story was so strong that the original story was put on the back burner to deal with the world created in On the Air. His second novel set in the same universe, Gemini, was also very well received and went on to win the Golden Crown Literary Society Award for Best Novel, Dramatic/General Fiction. Geonn was the first male author to receive the honor.While some of his novels haven’t focused as heavily on Squire’s Isle, the vast majority of Geonn’s works take place in the same universe and have connections back to the island and its cast of characters (the exception being the Riley Parra series). In addition to writing more novels based on the inhabitants of Squire’s Isle, Geonn hopes to one day move to the real-life equivalent to inspire further stories.Geonn is currently working on a tie-in novel to the television series Stargate SG-1, and a script for a webseries version of Riley Parra.

Book preview

Lunch Special

Geonn Cannon

Smashwords Edition

Supposed Crimes LLC

Matthews, North Carolina

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

All Rights Reserved

Copyright © 2022 Geonn Cannon

Published in the United States

ISBN: 978-1-952150-79-1

Cover photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Curse the Darkness - Bad timing leads to two women being trapped together during a blackout.

Drunk on You - A lot of ifs could have prevented what happened. But then it wouldn't have happened.

For the Home Team - A tie-in with my novel The Only Game in Town. In 2016, a woman bends the rules to honor her grandmother.

Ghost in the Machine - Love sparks between a scientist and an automaton whose intelligence isn't quite artificial.

Here at the Right Time - Just because you can time travel doesn’t always mean you should.

I Don’t Think You Knew You Were In This Song - A famous musician meets the woman who inspired her first hit song.

Last Gasp of Summer - Nancy was only going to pick up her daughter from summer camp. But an idle comment (and a weakness for a cute young women in a camp counselor outfit) leads her to an unexpected private lesson at the lake.

Nothing Up My Sleeve - A night out at a magic show turns frightening in more ways than one for an unhappily married audience member.

Rainbow Christmas - An envoy from Santa’s Village takes an assignment to save Christmas for one little girl... and her mother.

Seven Rules for a Happy Hubby - Lizzie lost her job, which isn't that big a deal. But she has no idea how to be a housewife. Luckily, a magazine from the 1950s has tips.

She’s Not Me - 20 years after her series ends, Nina is annoyed at the lasting impact of her character has on potential conquests... until she experiences the character in a whole new way.

Surf Music - Audrey Owens was born in New Zealand and grew up in California, so this snowy holiday nonsense doesn't ring true for her. Luckily she married well.

Sweet Nothings - Monica has a crush on her favorite audiobook narrator. Downside, they work together. Upside, it seems her feelings might not be one-sided.

The End - And they lived happily ever after. And then...

Two Black Cadillacs - When a woman discovers her husband is cheating on her, she decides to get close with the woman he's cheating with. Maybe too close.

Walking After Midnight - On Valentine's Day (technically a few minutes after), Ilene's sleepwalking problem takes her on a trip.

Curse the Darkness

Stephanie had just put her hamper on top of the washing machine when the lights went out. Two machines had been running a moment ago, and their steady rumbling still echoed off the concrete walls of the basement laundry room while she stood stock-still and waited to see if the power would flicker back on. Something clicked, and then there was complete and total silence.

Great, Stephanie muttered under her breath.

Does this happen a lot?

Stephanie jumped. She’d barely noticed the other person when she came down the stairs. She’d been crouched next to a dryer, pulling out her clothes. She didn’t even remember if the other woman was blonde or brunette. She’d lived in the building for a year, so she could envision the space fairly well.

Uh, sometimes. She leaned against the washing machine and turned in the vague direction the other voice had come from. It’s an old building. The power grid sucks. So when there’s ice and wind, it gets knocked out.

But it gets fixed quickly, right?

Stephanie remembered the last time it had happened. Seventy-three hours before it came back on. She didn’t want to say that and freak out this apparent newbie, but her silence was all the answer the other woman needed.

Oh boy. She laughed nervously. So what do we do now? Go back upstairs?

Are you new to the building? Stephanie asked.

Yeah.... I just moved in last week.

Stephanie said, Well, I barely trust these stairs when I can see them.

"I noticed! There’s no damn railing! What is that about?"

We keep asking, but the landlord says that people coming down here are always carrying laundry baskets anyway, so what would be the point.

The other woman scoffed. I hope someone got that on the record for the eventual lawsuit.

Oh, it’s been recorded. My point is, even if we did get up the stairs without falling and breaking a leg, we’d still have to get back to our apartments in the pitch black. There aren’t emergency lights in the stairwells.

You’re kidding.

You think the landlord who won’t put in railings is going to splurge on any ‘extra’ safety features?

The other woman groaned. God. I really chose a shithole. Oh. God, I’m sorry. I-I didn’t mean to imply that your home is--

Stephanie laughed. No offense taken. I’m staying here to save up for a real place. It’s a transition apartment.

That’s why I’m here, too. I thought it looked nice enough on the tour.

He can make the place look really appealing for an hour or two at a time. It’s devious. Maybe illegal. But hey, like I said, evidence is being gathered against him, so it’s just a question of when someone decides to pull the trigger.

Remind me to sign up for your class action suit.

It would be easier if I knew your name.

Oh! It’s Ashley. She chuckled. I-I just held out my hand for you to shake it.

Stephanie stuck out her hand. Well, I’m sticking my hand out, too. I’m Stephanie. Shake, shake.

Ashley laughed. Shake, shake. Nice to meet you. She sighed. So you really think the best option is to sit and wait?

Yeah. Sometimes it only takes about five minutes for the power to swing back. Not always. But sometimes. I wouldn’t want to risk the stairs in the dark unless I absolutely had to.

That’s fair. And I guess it’s warm enough down here. All these machines running up until a few minutes ago made it nice and steamy. But if we get too cold, I can loan you a sweater or something. I just washed a whole load of them.

Stephanie smiled. Thank you. I appreciate that.

After that, she hugged herself and scanned the darkness around them. There was a tiny window in the corner, set at street level, that normally let in some light. At the moment it was covered by a pile of dirty snow, so the light was pathetic and gray and definitely didn’t do anything to cut through the darkness. But maybe, hopefully, it would be enough after a few minutes that her eyes might adjust. She just needed dim shapes and then she could risk the stairs.

I wish I’d brought my phone with me. Ashley’s voice came from closer to the floor now. She must have sat down. We could use the flashlight and be out of here, no problem.

Stephanie also sat down, leaning against the washing machine. Hindsight will get you every time, she said with a sigh. Mine even has a full charge. I unplugged it before I came down, then I just left it on the end table. She brought her knees up. So you’re new to the building, huh? Where’d you move from?

Denver. Have you been here long?

A year. Stephanie reached up and let her hair down from its top-knot. Having it down might keep her ears and neck warm. I moved here for a job, which didn’t really pan out. But I liked the city enough to stick around and look for other opportunities.

Did you have any luck?

I mentioned the lawsuit against the landlord for basic safety requirements, right? She laughed and shook her head. No. Not much luck. But hey, we’re all in the same storm, dealing with the same shit. Not enough money, not enough respect, blah blah blah.

Ashley said, I hear you. I just want to know there’s something ahead. I would hate to wake up in ten years and realize I’m still just grinding. Paying my dues. Living in a shitty building while hoarding cash for some hypothetical better day.

Stephanie said, Ouch. That hit a little close to home.

Sorry.

Don’t be. Sometimes it’s nice to know someone is feeling the same way.

Same storm, right?

Stephanie nodded. Same storm.

***

Hey, there’s a little window over there.

Stephanie raised her head. It had fallen back against the washer, and she was half-dozing when Ashley suddenly broke the silence. She discovered that her eyes had adjusted to the darkness, ever so slightly, but the stairs were still enveloped in darkness too deep for her to risk trying them. But she could see a silhouette, gray against charcoal, as Ashley moved toward the wall. She bumped against a washer - Ow... - and tripped over someone’s hamper - Son of a bitch... - and climbed up onto the machine under the window.

It looked like she had to stand on her tiptoes to reach the glass. She leaned close to the glass and cupped her hands on either side of her face.

You’re probably not going to see much except snow.

The landlord actually shovels the walk?

Stephanie said, Sure. Potential tenants can see that when they come to see the decoy apartment.

You have a point there. And sheesh, I really can’t see anything. It’s just a wall of snow out there. Do you think if we banged on the glass, someone would hear us?

We’d be better off just shouting for help.

Ashley hopped down from the washer. "Why aren’t we shouting for help?"

Stephanie wondered how to answer that without scaring her new neighbor. Well... uh, you know, this building is... the rent is very cheap... and a lot of people who take advantage of cheap rent are...

You don’t want to announce the fact we’re trapped and helpless in a basement with only one exit.

Well, not to anyone who might actually be in earshot, no.

Ashley said, Okay. Yeah, that makes sense. Do you have any idea how long it’s been?

Stephanie said, It feels like maybe twenty minutes...? It’s hard to say. Time gets weird when nothing is working.

That’s true. When I was a kid and the power would go out, we all suddenly went back to the 1800s. Sun’s down, it’s dark out, might as well go to bed. Then rise with the sun.

It’s a better routine than staying up until two in the morning and then still waking up with the sun.

That’s rough.

Stephanie said, Eh. Due-paying.

Due-paying, Ashley agreed.

***

So where’d you grow up? You said you were from Denver?

Hm? Oh. Yeah. No, I didn’t grow up there. I was born in Idaho.

Stephanie raised an eyebrow. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone from Idaho.

Have you ever met Picabo Street?

Who?

Skier. She was born in my hometown.

Stephanie laughed. No, I’ve never met her.

Then I guess I’ll be your first. I’m honored.

You should be. I’m originally from Tennessee.

Ashley said, Oh, I’ve met loads of people from Tennessee.

Stephanie laughed. Lucky you.

You know, there’s no reason you have to stay all the way over there. We can sit together. I promise I won’t bite.

Okay. Stephanie got up. Actually, uh... we can go over into the far corner. It’s not an outside wall, so it might be slightly easier to capture our body heat.

Smart. Oh! She heard something clatter against a machine. Let me get a sweater. You can borrow one while we’re trapped down here.

Stephanie kept one hand on the machines as she moved across the room. She followed the sound of Ashley’s voice.

Marco.

What?

You never played that game in the pool growing up?

What game?

Never mind. She put a hand on Ashley’s shoulder. Found you. Okay, um... let me get oriented real quick. She patted her way down Ashley’s arm, then took her hand. Okay. Come with me.

They walked to the corner. They banged against the side of the machine a few times as they got situated, then carefully sank down to the floor. Their feet and legs got a bit tangled but, after a few muttered apologies, they found a way to sit where they weren’t folded on top of each other. Ashley handed Stephanie a large fluffy sweater.

Thank you. She slipped her arms into the sleeves and then pulled it over her head. God, you’re small.

Rude, Ashley said playfully.

No, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean--

It’s fine. You’re welcome. I’m just grateful you were down here. If I was alone, in a basement, with no lights, I’d probably be losing my mind.

Stephanie patted Ashley’s arm. Same.

Ashley sighed. So how long do you think we should wait?

Stephanie looked up into the dark. I think, based on past experience, that if it isn’t on in the next half hour, it probably won’t be back any time soon. We should probably just go up and go to bed at that point.

Wow, you move fast.

Stephanie laughed. Our own beds. Although it would make sense. Sharing body heat.

Ashley kicked Stephanie’s foot. We’ll see how desperate things get.

***

Shit. Are there mice in the building?

Stephanie tensed. Did you feel something?

No, no. I just... it’s dark and I figure if there are mice or ra-- or other things, they might be coming to join us down here in the nice warm basement room.

Oh. She relaxed. I don’t think so. Pest control is one thing the landlord has been pretty good about keeping tabs on.

Ashley sighed. Well, that’s a relief, at least.

Mm-hmm.

***

Has it been a half hour yet?

Stephanie opened her eyes. She hadn’t been asleep, but her eyes had been closed. Her body might have been slipping into a kind of hibernation. Ashley seemed to be flagging as well; she was slumped against Stephanie’s side, heavy against her right arm. Stephanie tried to ignore how that felt. She breathed in deeply and looked around for any possible clues to what time it was.

I don’t know. Do you want to head up?

To be totally honest... I mean... it’s going to be just as cold up there, right? And it’s dangerous to go up these stairs. I wouldn’t mind if we stayed here. I mean, unless you’re--

Stephanie said, No, we can stay here.

Ashley sat up and reached for something. Her hamper slid across the floor.

I have more sweaters, and other clothes. We can kind of layer them over us.

Oh. I have mine, too. They’re not... I haven’t washed them. They’re not filthy or anything, but--

No, hey, bring them. Desperate times.

Okay, be right back.

Stephanie got up and slowly made her way across the laundry room. She could see the machines well enough to avoid them, and she managed to feel out her hamper. She picked it up and took it back across the room.

Don’t let me step on your fingers or anything.

Fingers are safely off the floor.

Stephanie sat down and pressed against Ashley. They both started blindly pulling clothes from their hampers, laying each item across their laps and chests. Stephanie tried to remember what she had brought down. Jeans, blouses, a few T-shirts. Her pajamas were probably the warmest thing in the pile.

When they were fully buried, Stephanie scooted closer. Good?

Mm-hmm. This is much cozier.

Stephanie tucked her shoulders down under a sweater. I’m sorry they’re dirty.

Don’t be. They smell good. She chuckled. Oh god. How creepy is it that I just smelled your laundry?

I think I’ll forgive you under the circumstances. Just don’t make a habit of it.

Ashley laughed. I’ll try to control myself.

***

The lights returned with a loud snap, a sound accompanied by the sudden continuation of several machines in the middle of cycles.

Stephanie and Ashley both jumped, grabbing for each other. The clothes fell from them, and both blinked out at the suddenly illuminated laundry room. Stephanie had never been so joyful to see exposed brick and rusted pipes in her life, and she actually laughed out loud in happiness. Ashley laughed as well, and Stephanie turned to look at her. She only realized after turning her head that she’d never seen the other woman before, and she regretted not preparing herself or making a spectacle of it.

Ashley was beautiful. Her hair was long, wavy and brunette, with blonde highlights framing her face. She had high cheekbones and a stately nose that might have looked too big if the rest of her features hadn’t teamed up to make it magnificent. Her eyes were a very deep black, and her lips were full.

And she was young. She was so very young.

Stephanie wasn’t great at guessing ages, but she would assume early twenties. Very early twenties. She realized belatedly that Ashley had probably moved here after college. There were so many college kids in the building! God, why hadn’t she just assumed that--

Ashley looked at Stephanie. Her smile wavered slightly and she pulled back to examine Stephanie’s face. Stephanie knew what she was seeing: crow’s feet, the gray at her temple, the whole extra decade (and then some) between them.

Oh! You’re...

Stephanie leaned back. Old?

What? Genuine surprise in her voice.

I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize how young you were.

Ashley tilted her head to the side. I’m twenty-two. What does that have to do with anything?

Jesus, Stephanie muttered. I’m forty.

I’ve met people older than me before, Tennessee.

Stephanie fumbled with the pile of laundry on top of her, trying to separate her clothes from Ashley’s. She wished she could make a quicker escape, but they’d done a great job burying themselves.

It’s... never mind. Forget about it. I was... I... She waved her hand between them. It’s nothing. If I had known what you... uh, who you...

Ashley grabbed Stephanie’s hands. Hey, shut up. Not... not in a rude way. I just want you to stop talking so I can say something. Okay?

Stephanie reluctantly closed her mouth.

Were you flirting with me? While the lights were out, I mean. Did you think we were flirting?

Not at first. Stephanie felt her cheeks warming. But yeah, I thought we were bonding a little bit. I thought it could... She cut her hand through the air. But no. No, I’m sorry, I’m just so much--

You’re not, Ashley said, guessing what Stephanie had been about to say. "Really. I don’t care. You’re hot. And what I was going to say is that you’re the woman I saw when I took my first tour of the building. You were waiting by the elevators checking your phone. You had on a... a black skirt and a red blouse, and I thought, ‘well, if someone like that lives here, it must be pretty great.’"

"Oh, so