Neon Blue (suspense) and This Shoal of Space (SF) by John Argo were the first two e-books ever published online for download, in the history of the world, 1996-7 in innovative weekly serial chapters. More info at the museum pages. If you enjoy this free read, which is offered in the spirit of the Golden Age of the World Wide Web, please consider buying a print or e-book edition as a way of thanking the author. A fine E-book is typically priced at the cost of a latte, yet offers many more hours of enjoyment than a cup of coffee. Thank you (John Argo).

About/Preface   Chapter 1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17   18 
 19   20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28   29   30   31   32   33   34   35   36   37   38   39   40 
 41   42   43   44   45   46   47   48   49   50   51   52   53   54   55   56   57   58   59   60   61 

Eddie opened the door and whistled softly. "Blue, is this really you?" She smiled at the compliment. The bluish street lights illumined the snow and her eyes and her teeth. Her mahogany loafers crunched softly on ice by the doorway. She wore dark hose, a gray wool skirt, and a dark wool overcoat with cream scarf. Her dark hair peeked from a cream wool cap. Her lips and eyes sparkled with light make-up. "Do I get to come in?"

"Wh-Yes, I'm sorry, I was just looking at you. My God, Blue, I had no idea. You're the Girl Next Door."

"When I dress up. People have told me that." She stepped in and peeled off her overclothes. She wore a plain white linen blouse with peaches and green leaves on a brown twig embroidered over the heart. Her watch, her ring, her necklace, were gold. "I can be disgustingly middle class, Eddie."

Eddie's wife Innocenta was a heavy girl with a beautiful face. They had three small children and dinner was noodles almondine with glazed chicken breasts. Innee loved to cook. She also had a contract at a local gift shop to produce ceramics.

The huge house, anno 1890, had high ceilings and a central brick fireplace that Eddie liked to keep in elm or oak logs. Snow might pile outside, but Eddie kept the entire house heated.

The Stosik children were blond-haired and dark-eyed, from their Polish-Italian heritage. There were three, ranging from one to four, solid, happy kids that blared constantly for attention.

"Blue. A nickname?" Innee asked, lifting a glass of Chianti. Jealousy dripped from her little rouged lips. Her eyes were dark and poisonous. Eddie seemed not to notice.

"Yes. I play keyboard. Sometimes. You know, rock music. Blues. "Awkward.

Little Arthur bellowed, turning purple, and Innie directed a curved plastic spoon dripping with Gerber's at his mouth.

They all laughed. Blue still detected the jealousy in Innie's eyes. This woman, Blue decided, is capable of Rage. No wonder Eddie seemed so cowed.