New story for winter anthology.

Sneaky Peek:

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It’s funny how life can change in an instant. One event can change everything that follows.

That moment arrived for Randy Austin Taylor, affectionately known as “Rat” by his many friends at Denton Academy, on a sunny Tuesday afternoon during his fifth period Geometry class on May 16, 1978.

He was summoned to the office by one of the girls who worked there. His anxiety was heightened by the way she spoke quietly to his teacher and looked at him sideways. That look spoke volumes.

As he took the long walk to the office he tried to think of anything that he might have done to merit the attention of Vice Principle Maxwell. His primary duty was to tend to disciplinary matters at the Academy which he did with gusto. A large paddle nicknamed Old Hickory with which he tended to such matters was prominently displayed in his office.

When he arrived at the main office, he was greeted warmly by the school secretary Mrs. Shannon and was directed to Principle Van Zant’s Office. For a moment he felt better about matters. Van Zant never bothered with disciplinary matters except in his own Civics and Texas History classes. His role was “good cop” in contrast to Maxwell.

Everything changed when he walked into Van Zant’s office.

Mr. Van Zant was sitting behind his desk with somber expression.

Sitting in chairs around the room was his father’s law partner Brad Miloy, a uniformed Texas Ranger and the school nurse Shelly McBride.

Van Zant rose and said, “Randy, please take a seat. I’m afraid we have the worst kind of news for you.”

Randy’s mind was racing as he sat down in the big chair.

Brad Miloy said, “Get hold of yourself Randy. This is as bad as it gets. I got here as soon as I could.”

Randy was really shaken up by this point and said, “What has happened?”

The Texas State Trooper said, “I’m sorry to have to be the one to tell you this son. Today at a little past one your mother and father were headed north to Denton on Highway 7 when traffic slowed for an accident. They were rear ended and killed instantly by a tractor-trailer.”

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Tune into the Winter Anthology for more!