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VEGETARIAN PIZZA
Setting the Scene:
Cassandra Ashe, an aspiring social worker, befriends Nikki, a motherless native
teen. Delivering Nikki for her court-ordered counseling, Cass is shocked to discover John
Deadmarsh is the psychologist. John and Cass have a past. She vanished from his bed,
and his life, 17 years ago. How long, he wonders, before she abandons the vulnerable
Nikki?
Excerpt from HAUNTED BY DREAMS:
“
Omigod, look at you, Nikki!”
The young Native girl pushed herself away from the railing, brushing her hair
behind one ear. From a center part, two bands of newly-dyed orange hair fell to her
shoulders, framing her face as dramatically as any teen could wish.
“So, whaddya think?”
The girl’s words were casual, but Cass saw the uncertainty in her eyes. “Come in
and let me look at you.” She drew Nikki inside. “Okay, now twirl around for me.”
Nikki rolled her eyes but obliged, although her lazy turning could hardly be
described as a “twirl”.
“I like it.”
Nikki bent to scoop up Cass’s wiry Siamese, burying her flushed face in the cat’s
fur.
Cass looked at her watch. “Say, do you think we have time for a snack before we
go?”
Nikki grinned. “That depends. Whatcha got?”
Cassandra always happened to have something at the ready, and Nikki always
came early enough to avail herself of it. Not that the kid needed handouts. But Cass
suspected she subsisted on Diet Coke and french fries, like most teens.
“Vegetarian pizza.”
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