Faerie Tale Read Online Free Page A

that rarest of all birds, a well-paid writer. He buys it by the case.”
    Jack sipped the beer and made an expression of satisfaction. “I can imagine, considering the success of his films. Still, I’ve often wondered why he hasn’t written another book.”
    “You’ve read one of Phil’s books?” Gloria asked, suddenly interested in the young man.
    “All of them. And all the short stories he’s published. They should be put in an anthology.”
    “You’ve read all three of Phil’s books,” she said, sitting down.
    “Four,” Jack corrected. “He wrote that romance paperback under the name Abigail Cook.”
    “God! You’ve done your homework.”
    Jack smiled, a boyish grin on a man’s face. “That’s exactly what it is, homework. I’m a graduate student up at Fredonia State—”
    Conversation was interrupted by an explosion through the door in the form of the twins and Bad Luck. “Dad’s here!” yelled Patrick, with Sean echoing his cry.
    “Hold it down to a dull roar, kids,” commanded Gloria. As expected, she was ignored. The unpacking was a constant pain for Gloria, but the boys thought food from the local fast-food emporiums two nights running a treat.
    Phil came through the hall door carrying two barrels of the Colonel’s best. Setting them down, he kissed Gloria on the cheek and said, “Hello! What is this? Cheating on me already?”
    Gloria ignored the remark. “Phil, this is Jack Cole, a neighbor. He’s a fan of yours.”
    Phil extended his hand and they shook. “Not many people pay attention to who writes a movie, Jack.”
    “He’s read your books, Phil. All of them.”
    Phil looked flattered and said, “Well then, Jack, there are fewer people still who’ve read my … Did Gloria say all of them?”
    Jack grinned. “Even
Winds of Dark Passion
by Abigail Cook.”
    “Well, I’ll be go to hell. Look, why don’t you join us for supper. We’ve both original and extra crispy, and there’s another bottle of beer where that one came from.”
    Jack appeared about to beg off when Gabbie entered the kitchen carrying paper bags filled with rolls, potatoes, and other accompaniments for the chicken. She was on the verge of some comment when she caught sight ofJack. For a brief moment the two young people stood facing each other in an obviously appraising fashion, and equally obviously both approving of what they saw. Jack’s face slowly relaxed into his biggest smile so far as Gloria said, “Jack Cole, this is Gabrielle.”
    Jack and Gabbie exchanged nods, while Phil ordered the twins to wash up. Gloria fought off the urge to giggle. Gabbie absently touched her collar, her cheek, and a strand of dark hair, and Gloria knew she was dying for a mirror, comb, and clean blouse. And Jack seemed suddenly unable to sit comfortably. Gloria glanced from Jack to Gabbie and said, “Right, one more for dinner.”

4
    Dinner was relaxed. Phil and Gloria, Jack and Gabbie sat around the kitchen table while the twins ate sitting on a crate before the television in the parlor. Jack had spoken little, for his questions had coaxed Phil into explaining the family’s move from California.
    “So then,” said Phil, “with
Star Pirates
and
Star Pirates II
being such tremendous hits, and with me getting an honest piece of the box office, as well as a creator’s royalty on
Pirates III, IV
, and however many more they can grind out, I have what I like to call ‘go to hell’ money.”
    “‘Go to hell money’?” asked Jack.
    Gabbie said, “Dad means that he got enough money to tell every producer in Hollywood to go to hell.” Gabbie had managed to find a mirror, comb, washcloth, and clean blouse and had barely taken her eyes off Jack throughout the evening.
    “That’s it. Now I can go back to what I did first, and best: write novels.”
    Jack Cole finished eating and sat back from the table. “You’ll get no arguments from me. Still, most of your films were pretty good. The
Pirates
films had darn