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Deviations: Submission
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Deviations: Submission
by Jodi Payne, Chris Owen
Torquere Press
Copyright ©2005 by Chris Owen
First published in http://www.torquerepress.com,
2006
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Deviations: Submission
by Jodi Payne, Chris Owen
Chapter 1
There were many truths in this life, Tobias decided as he
knotted his tie for the evening. Death comes to all, taxes
must be paid, and fortieth birthdays were a reason for one's
friends to buy nice wine, make lavish cakes, and throw dinner
parties. Forty-first birthdays, on the other hand, went
unremarked upon by all but one's nearest and dearest. As he
had cards from a few friends and a message from Phan, he
thought he'd just about exhausted the expected well wishes.
But turning forty-one did not mean he was dead or unable
to make his own fun. He'd made his arrangements for the
evening, planning with as much detail as he could-which,
admittedly, wasn't much. He knew what to wear for his
mood; he knew where he'd go and what he'd eat; he knew
what he wanted. But there were an amazing number of
variables at play, more than he usually allowed.
He was thinking about that as he straightened his dinner
jacket and pocketed his keys. It was a highly planned evening
of spontaneity that lay ahead of him, the novelty of which
made him smile. Perhaps letting the fates blow once in a
while was a good thing. In any case, he'd find out shortly; the
worst he could do was have an evening of fine dining and a
bottle of wine. The best would be far, far better, but it was
rare to find exactly what he sought.
Tobias ran a comb through his hair one last time as he
waited for his car, the light in the entry to his condo making
the few stray silver hairs shine among the darker brown.
Forty-one wasn't too old, he decided. It was a fine age to be,
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Deviations: Submission
by Jodi Payne, Chris Owen
the height of his success and skill. He lacked for nothing,
really.
Only someone to share his birthday with.
The phone rang and he pushed the thought away, startled
to realize it wasn't the house phone signaling his car, but his
landline. "Dr. Vincent," he said as he answered. God, he
hoped it wasn't an emergency-he really wasn't dressed to
have a lamb be born, or to nurse a horse through colic.
"Good evening, Doctor, I'm sorry to call like this. I'm sure
you have plans," came the smooth and cheerful voice of his
elderly housekeeper.
"Oh, Mrs. Miller, hello. I do, yes-I'm just on my way out,
but I have a few minutes." He smiled to himself ruefully; he
would talk for as long as the lady decided, and he knew it. No
matter how successful he got or how many birthdays he had,
there would always be Mrs. Miller to defer to.
"I'm merely calling to wish you a happy birthday," she
said, "and to ask if you'll be out to the farm this weekend."
Tobias' smile grew. "Thank you, Mrs. Miller, that's really
very kind of you. And yes, I'm planning to drive out tomorrow
afternoon until Monday."
"Should I tell Peter not to come then, or would you like
him to exercise the horses?"
"No, I'll do it," he decided. It was one of the best things
about going to the country, and he wouldn't happily pay
someone to do it for him when he was there. The house
phone buzzed at him, two shorts. "Thank you again, Mrs.
Miller."
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Deviations: Submission
by Jodi Payne, Chris Owen
"I'll see you tomorrow, Doctor," she said, and he could
picture her grinning. "Enjoy your evening."
"I hope to," he said with a smile. He hung up, buzzed the
front desk, and headed to his club.
* * * *
The car pulled up in front of the building and Tobias
lowered his window for the security guard. "Good evening,
Tobias," the man said with a smile that was entirely
professional, despite his use of Tobias' first name. It was a
club rule that all members were to be treated equally until
there was an agreement in place between individuals, and as
last names were not used at all in order to preserve
anonymity, given names were expected.
"Timothy," Tobias said with a warm smile. "When did you
start out here?" The last time Tobias had been to the club
Timothy had been inside.
"About five months ago. I like it, though I'm called back
inside if needed." Timothy made a note of the number on
Tobias' membership card and smiled at him again. "Have a
nice evening, Tobias. And welcome back."
The car moved slowly ahead and stopped at the wide front
steps; by the time Tobias had opened his door the driver was
there, and the front door was opening.
"Tobias! Timothy said you were here."
Tobias shook his head and smiled again. "I trust you don't
mind me appearing again after all this time?" he asked
Bradford.
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