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RECONSTRUCTION: EPISODE TWO <~

Doghouse Days ~ The residents of remote Faigerston don't quite know what to think of their new millionaire residents, Amy's first day back at school proves to be a disaster, trigger-happy Lewis provokes his gentle father, and James's late night meanderings have Emmaline more than somewhat disappointed.

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Excerpt:

Mental pulled his shirt to expose a long, wide scar on his chest. "Took a bayonet at Vicksburg. Got mustered out. Where'd you lose that eye, Colonel?"

"Wilderness," James said easily. "'64. Shrapnel. I got other scars, but I'll spare you those."

"Don't we all Colonel?"

"Indeed."

Mental stared at him a moment, then ventured, feeling bold. "Meanin' no disrespect Colonel, but see, that color don't exactly match. I mean, you got one grey eye, your natural one, and one green eye. Looks peculiar."

"Yes, well, I asked for a match and couldn't get a proper one, so I just bought the set."

Mental laughed. "That's good. Change 'em like cufflinks."

"Precisely," James smiled back.

Mental topped off his drink, finally comfortable. "Colonel, you like a game of checkers?" he asked.

"It's my fondest desire," James answered, and toasted him. As he raised his glass, Mental's eyes were drawn by the glint off a copper bracelet on James's right wrist. Beneath it was a wide pink scar which trailed up under his sleeve.

"Okay," Mental said, averting his glance quickly. "But I gotta warn you. I'm real good at checkers."

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p.s. Also check out the Extras <~ page for lots of random fun things to play with (digital paper dolls, galleries, etc.).

p.p.s. Thank you! to all of you who voted for Reconstruction ~ it's at #21 now!

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