The Reading Garden - Esprit De Corps page 2

(cont'd...)

“Charles” stepped forward and placed his right arm on “Maggie’s” hip,then, as Dixon had earlier done to Eden backstage, “Charles” raised “Maggie’s” chin with his thumb and index finger and looked deep into her eyes. Into her soul.

“I love you,” he said, in a gentle yet commanding voice to his lover “Maggie Sherwood.” He brought her lips to his own, and kissed her. Longingly. Passionately.

The audience sighed. Then whispered. Then gasped and hooted as the kiss persisted. And Eden knew, as her body pressed tight against Dixon’s, as she felt his strong arms against her back, as their heartbeats pounded enthusiastically in unison, that “Charles Flannery” had magically disappeared from the stage. The audacious, spirited, and fervent kiss emanated from Dixon himself.

Eden savored the moment.

And it came as no surprise when “Maggie Sherwood” soon abandoned her as well, joining “Charles Flannery” in the blackness of the unknown, waiting to be summoned back to the stage.

--©1999 ***

*About the author: Trace Edward Zaber is a Chicago-area writer specializing in Civil War fiction. He is currently writing his fifth novel, and has authored several short stories, one of which has been published in print, and two of which have won awards on the internet. Additionally, Trace moderates several writers' critique groups, was a featured author at Barnes & Noble's Writers' Harvest 1997, runs "Historical Fiction" workshops, and is the owner/editor of Of Ages Past : The Online Magazine For Historical Fiction. Write to Trace.

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