Old Tree – by Pepper Allphin

THE LOST TRAIN Anthology is coming soon. Release is September 1st, and that’s tomorrow! So here’s the last post about the Authors and Artists that were paired to create works for the project…

Sheri J. Kennedy

Kristin Tetuan

Sheri J. Kennedy is a FVP Featured Author, and she was paired with Kristin Tetuan. Sheri is also the coordinator and editor for the The Lost Train Anthology project. Sheri and Kristin worked independently due to a tech glitch that kept them from communicating until the final deadline. But coincidentally both of their works were influenced by a Lost Train of Thought, and more specifically by exploration of mental states that lost touch with reality – Sheri’s explored dementia, and Kristin’s detachment from self. Both their works will be in the Anthology, but here’s a peek at some of Kristin’s other work and a snippet of Sheri’s Anthology story. Be sure to follow their links to more…

Kristin Tetuan:

Find more of Kristin’s work at ArtClubPNW on Facebook and artclubpnw on Instagram

STORY DESCRIPTION:

Mash-up of Speculative Fiction / Steam Era Time Travel – Thoughts run OFF THE RAILS into dementia and alternate reality. Love stories run parallel through tests of time. Can a steam train break through space-time into dimensions of the mind? Is it true, all you need is love?  By Sheri J. Kennedy & Kennedy J. Quinn * Paired Artists: Kristin Tetuán and Cameron Tower & Ellen Rowan

Snippet of “Off the Rails” by Sheri J. Kennedy (and Kennedy J. Quinn:

“I suppose you’re here to ask my permission to date my granddaughter,” Tom stated.

Barry broke into a wide smile and turned his head to Mrs. Scott. She rolled her eyes and laughed silently, then pulled the door nearly shut as she left. He hoped she mistook his pleasure as agreement with her amusement at her uncle’s mistake. Though she seemed perceptive enough to guess Barry wanted her daughter. She’d been sizing him up since they’d met.

“Uh, yes sir,” he replied to Tom, “among other things.” He remembered his mission and quit talking, to check the man’s reactions.

Without missing a beat, Tom asked, “What other things would you be interested in from an old man?”

Barry noted his tight connection to reality. No sign of disorientation, at least currently – dementia could be a tricky thing. “Conversation.” He grinned. “Believe it or not, some of us ‘kids today’ in ‘the younger generation’ are actually interested in history.”

It was Tom’s turn to grin. “History’s a tangled subject for me. But I guess Marlene thought I’d be a good source for you with all my reading?”

“Yeah, sure.” Barry waited to see where old Tom would take it.

….“It’s the experience of history you gain by talking with a man.” Tom stopped and studied Barry’s face.

Barry nodded, hoping he’d go on.

Tom apparently took the nod as agreement. “Are you sure that’s what you’re after?” He cocked a bushy eyebrow at the boy. “I’ve seen my share of it, to be certain, but my journey’s been more complicated than most. I’m not sure you’d want to jump on that train.” Tom burst into laughter.

Barry gave an obliging snicker, but the old man’s rich laugh grew louder and wilder until he gasped for breath. Barry snickered again but didn’t get the joke. Perhaps Tom was a little off after all. ...Read more…

Find more from Sheri at realitywithatwistbooks.wordpress.com, on sherijkennedyriverside.wordpress.com , under Sheri J. Kennedy on Amazon, and on her FVP Author Page

All Proceeds from the Anthology benefit non-profit Arts organization North Bend Art & Industry. Thanks for supporting the Arts!

GET THE LOST TRAIN ANTHOLOGY HERE