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Senti is book one of the Jackwill Chronicles. Told in the first person from Major Jack Waco’s perspective, the first half of this Sci-fi futuristic voyage is fast-faced and multilayered as we learn of Waco’s self-imposed life of a loner and the barriers he’s build around his emotions. He trains a new galaxy ship pilot–Maggie Wilson, takes down a conspiracy involving a bacterium and a vaccine plus discovers a new series of planets.  In the second half of the novel, Pickle details the adventures of Jack and Maggie as they work through their emotional barriers involving past loves while developing the environment of the series of planets and fighting galaxy terrorists interested in the riches of the new planet cluster.

While second half of the book was a little slower than the first, I really enjoyed Jack’s adventures. Some of the tender moments between Maggie and Jack were genuinely sweet while others were a little stilted. The first person perspective was a little stiff at times but it played nicely into Jack’s loneliness. As the book progressed, I genuinely wanted to see Jack and Maggie together and found the development of their emotional intimacy genuine. The book ends with a direct indication of more adventures to follow and I look forward to them. Pickle’s use of multicultural secondary characters fit nicely in Sable Lit Review’s focus. I give Senti four out of five Sable Seals.

Format: Print

Publisher: Trytium Publishing

Amazon Price: $11.01

 Today, we have another special short story from GW Pickle.  I like his writing in that he captures emotion and writes about characters we come to care about in such a few amount of words. At first, I didn’t want to use this picture because it seems so bland, but once you read his story, you’ll see it is perfect. Enjoy GW Pickle’s My Uncle’s Gift and know that a review of his book SENTI is coming up shortly. It’s next on my review list–finally!

My Uncle’s Gift

By GW Pickle

I was born in the early fifties and My Mom, widowed when I was three, had her hands full raising me. She had help from my Grandmother and sometimes her brother. I always thought my Uncle Chuck was cool. He was a WWII veteran, owned a picture framing business, made lots of money, and was very generous. He lived about an hour away and frequently drove down to either fix something for my Grandmother or do something for my Mom. Uncle Chuck was a big spender and loved to do things with me. “You know kid, with your Dad and your Grandpa gone, someone got to teach you things they don’t in school.” He taught me how to hunt and fish, how to play ball, and how to be a man. He took me places when my Mom couldn’t. Owning a neighborhood Gas and Grocery store kept her busy. I helped out as much as I could, but most of the work and worry fell on her shoulders. My Uncle Chuck also had a big problem. He was an alcoholic. I can’t remember him not having a beer.

            Mom also had another sister and a second brother. He lived on the west coast and only came to visit every three to four years. Every year Uncle, Bill would send a Christmas card to my Mom and Grandma. My Grandma’s card would have a check so she could get what she wanted. My Aunt had four children and we got together twice a year, Christmas and during the summer, when we drove my Grandma to visit. We would go back two weeks later and pick her up. Every other year my aunt and her kids would come to our house to celebrate Christmas. Christmas dinner was always held at Grandma’s. We would eat our Christmas meal around eleven and open presents after dessert. We would gather around the tree and either my Mom or Aunt would pass out the gifts.
            One year, I must have been nine or ten years old, my Uncle Chuck was late. He’d missed the Christmas meal and we had just finished passing out gifts when he arrived, drunk, very drunk. I could tell something was wrong but I was still happy to see him. He explained he had to work very late the last two weeks because one worker was sick and the other had quit. My Mom asked if she could help get the gifts out of his car. He pulled out a big roll of money and told her that he hadn’t had time to get gifts this year, but if we would line up he would give us money to buy our own. My Grandma was first in line and my Aunt and cousins were next. My Mom was next and I was last. When I approached my Uncle for my gift, He looked down at me. He had a weird look on his face. He turned and he left the room upset.

            I thought I heard him crying. I turned to my mother and ask “What’s a matter with Uncle Chuck?”
            A cousin replied. “May be he don’t like you anymore.”
            “No, that’s not it.” My Mom said. “He may have had a little too much to drink. You remember I told you what sometimes happens when someone drinks too much?”            

            I left and found my Uncle sitting in the dining room crying. When I ask him what’s wrong, he told me. “I’m so sorry. I got nothing to give you for Christmas.” He started to cry again.

            I gave him a hug and said, “Uncle Chuck, you being here is the best gift I could have. I don’t need a toy or money. I know you love me and that’s enough, that’s what Christmas is all about, right.”

            “Yes.” He agreed. “You got it right and I hope you don’t ever forget that. It’s love and family that are important, not the gifts or the money.” He gave me a big hug.
            My Grandma came in a few minutes later with a plate of food and asked. “You want to eat here or in the kitchen? Because I know you’re not leaving here until you eat.”

            “Here,” He replied here. “And could you get a piece of pie for your grandson too. I’d like him to eat with me.”
            My grandma returned a few minutes later with a piece of pie and a glass of milk and left. After we finished, I told Uncle Chuck I’d be right back with my gift for him.
            He said I’d already given him the best Christmas gift he had ever had.

All rights reserved by GW Pickle

Here’s the blurb on SENTI -

Major Jack Waco was the best pilot in the SENTI Command. A self-proclaimed loner, he thought he didn’t need anything or anyone until he met Major Maggie Wilson, who challenged those preconceptions. Maggie’s resemblance to an important person from Jack’s past revived memories and feelings within him, sending his head and his heart into turmoil. With a government conspiracy on-hand and large-scale interstellar piracy threatening the very stability of the galaxy, will Jack be able to cope with these newly-awakened feelings in time to succeed in bringing the guilty to justice or would he be betrayed by them - far out in a newly-discovered planetary system on the other side of the galaxy?

If you want to read it before I review it, please visit Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.com

THE GRAVE : The Finale

By GW Pickle

Suddenly I am no longer tired. I’m not lying in a cemetery dying. No, I’m dead. I feel so peaceful. I’m floating away from the grave, floating towards this bright light. Everything goes white as the light surrounds me. The next thing I know I’m standing on a on a hill. Looking off in the distance I see fields of green with a gold road that ends at a large walled city. Suddenly a hand grabs my shoulder. I jump reflexively, freeing myself as I turn around. I see myself. “Bill? Is that you, in my body?” I start to laugh as I realize that we’ll probably be trapped in each other’s body for eternity. God, I hope not. I want my body back.

“Yes, it’s me. I’m a bit surprised to see you here. What happened? Your so-called spell didn’t work, again. I was in good health. How did I die before you?”

“I can answer in one word, Linda. The B….” I can’t seem to say the word.

“I don’t think cussing is allowed here.”

“Bill, I died before you because Linda poisoned me. I couldn’t save her dad the way I saved myself.”

“And she settles the score and ends up with everything. Ariel, I should be mad at you for killing me, but for some reason I’m not. “

“The same way I should be furious at you for cheating on me.”

A winged stranger appears before us. “Bill, Ariel it’s time to make a choice.”

“What do you mean choice? I thought we were to be judged and either go to Heaven or Hell. That’s what I’ve preached all these years.”

“You’re right, but in some cases we give you a chance to go back.”

“You mean reincarnation?”

“Yes, but it’s your choice.”

“If I choose not to go back what happens?”

“You’ll be judged. Look the reason you are in Elysian Fields is you’re almost too good for Hell and not quite good enough for Heaven. We are giving you a second chance. My advice is to go back and start over.”

“One question, please, before I go back. What is your name?”

“Lucifer.”

Bill blurts out. “You’re the devil?”

“Yes and I serve God from Hell. He lets me come here to persuade those who should go back to do so.”

Before we could protest our surroundings start to fade. I see another angel appear. “Lucifer, I see you’re sending two more souls back to Hell again, without due process.”

Everything goes dark. I feel someone pick me up by my ankles and slap my bottom. I start crying. I hear someone say, “Linda, the first is the boy, and now, here comes his sister.”

                                  ***

G W Pickle

(c) All Rights Reserved by GW Pickle

Tell us what you thought!! Would you like to see more unpublished short stories like these ? Was this great or what?!?!

In the next month you’ll get a glimpse into GW Pickle’s published book, SENTI: Book One of the Jackwill Chronicles. He has submitted it for review and I can’t wait to bring it to you!!

Here’s the blurb on SENTI -

Major Jack Waco was the best pilot in the SENTI Command. A self-proclaimed loner, he thought he didn’t need anything or anyone until he met Major Maggie Wilson, who challenged those preconceptions. Maggie’s resemblance to an important person from Jack’s past revived memories and feelings within him, sending his head and his heart into turmoil. With a government conspiracy on-hand and large-scale interstellar piracy threatening the very stability of the galaxy, will Jack be able to cope with these newly-awakened feelings in time to succeed in bringing the guilty to justice or would he be betrayed by them - far out in a newly-discovered planetary system on the other side of the galaxy?

If you want to read it before I review it, please visit Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.com

You’ll want to subscribe or bookmark this site to make sure you don’t miss anything!

The Grave - Part two

By GW Pickle

I wonder if Ariel was able to do the switch. It’s almost time to check on Bill. I get out of my car and head for the grave. I hope she doesn’t blow this. She blew daddy’s healing spell. Why couldn’t she switch dad’s spirit like the way she is doing now. “No.” Seeing Bill laying face down in the dirt I rush to his side and roll him over. I don’t see the flask. Lightly slapping his face, “Bill, Bill wake up. Bill, are you still with us?” I slap his face again.

“No, he isn’t. Bill has left this world and if you slap me once more I swear. Now help me over to the chair.”

 I grab Ariel’s extended hand and pull.  “Whatever you want Ariel, I mean Bill.”

Once seated she holds her head in her hands, “I need a drink.”

“He has a silver flask in his coat pocket. I caught him drinking from it.”

Finding the flask, she shakes it. “Over half full,” removes the cap, and takes a long draw.

I smile as she offers me a drink. “No thanks I must drive and you know how I feel about drinking and driving.”

“Fine, I’ll finish it myself.” Tipping the flask up once more she drains it. “Bill and his hard stuff. This soul transferring will really take it out of you. I suddenly feel so tired.”

“Why don’t you get in the sleeping bag and crash? You still have five hours to go before you can leave.”

“Sounds good to me, Oh Linda, want to join me? This bag is big enough for two and I am a man now. We can take our friendship to a new level. I’ve always wondered what it felt like for a man to have an orgasm.”

“Yes, I can see you’re now a male and I believe the term is come.” Moving close to him I reach down and run my hand across his crotch and smile. “I am tempted. Your husband seems to be rather well endowed.”

“Yes he was and that was one area of our relationship we had no problems with. So, how about it?”

Bill embraces me and lightly kisses my neck. He then runs his hands down my back and starts to pull my sweater up. I push him away. “I don’t know about this. Your terms were for him to be alone for the night.”

“Yes, but you were the exception, besides it’s cold and I’ve always had a crush on you and now we can really do something about it.” He unzips his pants and pulls out his fully erect manhood. “Now I know why men always are handling themselves. These things are so uncomfortable when they’re aroused while encased in underwear.”

I giggle at his comment and teasingly reply, “That may be so, but you could always masturbate. I’ve heard it’s the same as doing it with a woman.”

“No Linda, I want you, with me, naked in the bag, I want to savor your body.”

“I’m just not sure I’m comfortable with all this, you are or were my boss and I still think of you as a woman.”

“But I have a man’s body now. Let me show you.” He grasps one of my breasts. My nipples become instantly hard. I’m beginning to think I might just give in.

I wrap my arms around his neck and brush my lips across his and I whisper, “Reverend Bill.”

He pulls me down on top of the sleeping bag and runs his hand up my long skirt and I feel his fingers begin to explore my body.  I begin to desire him. My body grows feverish with an inner longing. I run my fingers through his hair and pull him to my mouth then deeply kiss him. He responds by spreading my legs apart and getting on top of me. A short time later we lay in each other’s embrace, in the afterglow of fantastic sex. “Linda, you were fantastic, that was the best I’ve ever had.”

“I’m glad.” A shiver goes through my body as the night coolness begins to sink in. “I need to go Bill, it’s getting colder and we really went too far. I really do have to go.”   

His face goes from a beaming smile to a long–faced frown. “Please stay with me for the rest of the night.”

“I can’t, Bill. The will prohibits it. You, we would lose everything. Your money and your business would be forfeit.  No, Bill I must go and go now.”

Bill struggles to get up and into the bag. His speech is slurred “Linda, can you give me a hand? I seem to be drunk. Guess I’m not used to his whiskey. You’re right; please help me get into the sleeping bag.”

I turn around and get him into the bag and zip it up to his neck. “I don’t want you to catch your death from the cold,” and we both laugh.

“Thanks for your help Linda. I couldn’t have pulled this off without your help.” Bill yawns and rolls over on her side. “I just wish I could have helped your father. But when I lost the fight with the disease I was honor- bound not to intervene again. I only found this loophole after he died. I’m so sorry. But I promise to spend the rest of my life taking care of you. ”

Kneeling down I can see she is almost asleep. I whisper. “Ariel, you can tell daddy how sorry you are when you see him. I lied about forgiving you. You back with the living, that isn’t acceptable. I don’t care how you felt about me or how good of sex we just had. I only had sex with you because it would be your last wish and for twenty million it’s the least I could do for you. I’m glad you liked it, but you really are going to die. I poured a full bottle of sleeping pills in the whiskey you just drank. I’ll just leave this suicide note, on the table, I will inherit everything and you will, in a sense, be taking care of me. How’s that for revenge?”

Ariel weakly struggles for a moment then lay her head down and close her eyes for the last time whispering. “You B…”

I leave the note under one of the candlestick holders and rush to my car. Driving back to my apartment I pray. “This is the best I could do daddy. You can rest in peace now.”

(c) All Rights Reserved by GW Pickle

Come on back tomorrow, you have to see how this ends!!! Feel free to comment or even guess at the ending!

THE GRAVE

By GW Pickle

I’m drunk and my dear wife is dead. Looking at the cemetery I feel my stomach start to contract. The sun is almost down and the moon will soon change the warm colors of day to the cold black and white of night. I pour myself another drink and rapidly drain the glass of liquid courage. Why did you have to have a graveside reading of the will on the eve of your burial? You made tons of money with your psychic healing show. Look what it got you, six feet under. Helping people, you Charlatan, in the end you couldn’t even cure yourself.

The driver lowers the partition. “It’s time Reverend.”

I sigh. Time to meet your attorney, dear and learn what’s in your will. The driver opens the door for me. A nippy breeze swirls fallen leaves around my feet as I get out. Approaching the gravesite I find the attorney sitting at a small white table next to the headstone. On the table are two burning black candles and a bottle of wine.

Looking up she motions for me to sit. “My name is Linda. I was your wife’s and am still the foundation’s Attorney. Sorry for your loss, Mr. Davila. I know you had your differences but she did love you.”

“She had a funny way of showing it.”

“Rev. Davila, since you are the only beneficiary I will begin.”   

“Please, it’s dark and this place is giving me the creeps.”

The headstone glows as Linda touches it. Ariel’s image appears. She is dressed in a white silk toga. Her iridescent eyes probe mine for a moment before she speaks.

”Bill, I have instructed my attorney to sign over my entire estate to you, in the morning, provided you do the following two things tonight. First you must join me for one last drink. You will have a glass of wine then pour the remainder of the bottle over my grave. Second, you must spend the rest of the night alone with me by the grave. Linda will observe the first condition and then check on you several times during the night. If you leave the gravesite for any reason before six AM, you’ll forfeit everything. One more thing, no cell phones and no visitors, so please give Linda your cell phone and open the bottle.” Ariel’s image disappears and the stone goes dark.

                  “This is crazy. I can’t stay here. I’ll contest the will.”

                  “Then you will lose everything and it will take years and money to fight. Take some free advice. It’s only for one night and in the morning your net worth will be at least twenty million.”

                  “But it’s cold, where will I sleep?”

                 “I have a warm coat and a sleeping bag. Just lay it down next to the fresh dirt, slip into the bag, and cover your face with the coat. The next thing you know it will be six and you can go home a very rich man.”

             Shaking my head, “She wins one last time.” I hand Linda my cell phone and she gives me the wine. “How long did you work for my wife?” I pop the cork.

“Fifteen years, I started working for Ariel my last year in law school. After I passed the bar, she made me an offer and I stayed on. This is a once in a lifetime job.”

“How did you put up with her for that long? I bet you had plenty of problems with her ego.”

“The only problem I had was earlier this year when she tried to cure my dad’s cancer. Something went wrong and she got sick. In six months’ time I’ve lost my dad, my best friend, and my boss.” A single tear escapes her otherwise stoic features.

I reach in my pocket and offer her a handkerchief. “I’ll make sure you’re well taken care of.”

“Thanks.” She daintily blots her eye then hands me a glass. “I’m sure you will or as they say die trying.”

“Something like that.” I half fill my glass and take a small sip. “Burgundy isn’t one my favorite wines. If I must drink wine I prefer a dry white.”

“This was her favorite and it is her party.”

“Then this will be what I use to commune with the spirits and honor Ariel’s last wish.” I toss down the remainder then proceed to pour the rest of the bottle over the grave. Kneeling at the head I insert the neck of the bottle into the loose dirt.

Linda shakes her head. “I must leave but I’ll be checking on you throughout the night. The coat and sleeping bag are behind the gravestone.” She rapidly makes her way to a car parked a few feet away.

After she leaves I inspect the camping gear. Something falls at my feet as I unroll the sleeping bag. I pick up a silver hip flask; a note is taped to it. I sit in one of the chairs and using the candlelight read the note, “For use later on when it gets cold”. I stand up to relieve myself. “Well Ariel since I can’t leave and I do have to go.” Standing over the grave I start to urinate. The earth rumbles beneath my feet and a pair of green glowing hands grabs my crotch and pulls me to the ground. I pass out. I awake and find I can’t move or speak.

Ariel’s image appears on a very small TV screen. “By now Bill you are awake. Welcome to the afterlife. Well not quite yet. You see I’m not dead yet. I cast a spell on myself to slow things down. My body will die in a couple of hours. There will be no pain or suffering. I bet you’re wondering how you got in my coffin. Well there was a spell on and in the bottle of wine. The switch took place when you pissed on my grave. Why do this? You cheated on me, several times in fact, and I have unfinished business, How’s that for revenge?” Everything goes black.

Stay tuned for Part II tomorrow!

THE GRAVE by G.W. Pickle

OK, here at Sable Lit Reviews, everything we review has been published previously with the exception of my own personal articles and posts of course. However, when I decided to do this Halloween Showcase, I received such great responses including a short story that has not been published. I loved it so much because it reminded me of Stephen King’s Creep Show series from the ‘80 that I had to include it on it’s own.

(I just loved the Creep Show series! Any other Creep Show lovers out there?)

Rest assured no other entries have been removed from the Halloween Scary Friday run. Instead you may get an extra spooky treat on a different day during this month. That just means more scary story reviews for you to enjoy!

Anyway, since The Grave is currently an unpublished short, GW Pickle, the author, has graciously agreed to let me post the story over three consecutive days here for your enjoyment. So instead of getting a review, you get to read the story!! Feel free to comment. The story will run in three parts starting this Wednesday!! I promise you, you won’t see the ending coming!! THANKS GW!