{"id":1258,"date":"2021-07-15T15:01:57","date_gmt":"2021-07-15T22:01:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/annroberts.net\/?page_id=1258"},"modified":"2021-07-15T15:01:57","modified_gmt":"2021-07-15T22:01:57","slug":"screen-kiss","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/annroberts.net\/index.php\/screen-kiss\/","title":{"rendered":"Screen Kiss"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-1258\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-1258-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-1258-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1258-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-1258-0-0-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<h2>Screen Kiss<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-1258-1\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-1258-1-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1258-1-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-image panel-first-child\" data-index=\"1\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-image so-widget-sow-image-default-13f2a8b12fcc-1258\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"sow-image-container\">\n\t\t<img \n\tsrc=\"https:\/\/annroberts.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Screen-Kiss-1-229x300.jpg\" width=\"229\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/annroberts.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Screen-Kiss-1-229x300.jpg 229w, https:\/\/annroberts.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Screen-Kiss-1.jpg 761w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 229px) 100vw, 229px\" title=\"Screen Kiss\" alt=\"\" \t\tclass=\"so-widget-image\"\/>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-1258-1-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-button panel-last-child\" data-index=\"2\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-1258-1-0-1\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-button so-widget-sow-button-atom-35500a5eb44b-1258\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"ow-button-base ow-button-align-center\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.bellabooks.com\/product\/9781642470338\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"sowb-button ow-icon-placement-left ow-button-hover\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" \t>\n\t\t<span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tBUY\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-1258-1-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1258-1-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"3\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-1258-1-1-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"margin-bottom:20px ;display:block;width:100%;margin-top:10px\">Screen Kiss <\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<style>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t#tab_container_1082 {\r\n\toverflow:hidden;\r\n\tdisplay:block;\r\n\twidth:100%;\r\n\tborder:0px solid #ddd;\r\n\tmargin-bottom:30px;\r\n\t}\r\n\r\n#tab_container_1082 .tab-content{\r\n\tpadding:20px;\r\n\tborder: 1px solid #e6e6e6 !important;\r\n\tmargin-top: 0px;\r\n\tbackground-color:#ffffff !important;\r\n\tcolor: #000000 !important;\r\n\tfont-size:18px !important;\r\n\tfont-family: Arial !important;\r\n\t\r\n\t\tborder: 1px solid #e6e6e6 !important;\r\n\t}\r\n#tab_container_1082 .wpsm_nav-tabs {\r\n    border-bottom: 0px solid #ddd;\r\n}\r\n#tab_container_1082 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li.active > a, #tab_container_1082 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li.active > a:hover, #tab_container_1082 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li.active > a:focus {\r\n\tcolor: #000000 !important;\r\n\tcursor: default;\r\n\tbackground-color: #ffffff !important;\r\n\tborder: 1px solid #e6e6e6 !important;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#tab_container_1082 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li > a {\r\n    margin-right: 0px !important; \r\n    line-height: 1.42857143 !important;\r\n    border: 1px solid #ced6db !important;\r\n    border-radius: 0px 0px 0 0 !important; \r\n\tbackground-color: #e1e9ee !important;\r\n\tcolor: #000000 !important;\r\n\tpadding: 15px 18px 15px 18px !important;\r\n\ttext-decoration: none !important;\r\n\tfont-size: 15px !important;\r\n\ttext-align:center !important;\r\n\tfont-family: Arial !important;\r\n}\r\n#tab_container_1082 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li > a:focus {\r\noutline: 0px !important;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#tab_container_1082 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li > a:before {\r\n\tdisplay:none !important;\r\n}\r\n#tab_container_1082 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li > a:after {\r\n\tdisplay:none !important ;\r\n}\r\n#tab_container_1082 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li{\r\npadding:0px !important ;\r\nmargin:0px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#tab_container_1082 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li > a:hover , #tab_container_1082 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li > a:focus {\r\n    color: #000000 !important;\r\n    background-color: #e1e9ee !important;\r\n\tborder: 1px solid #ced6db !important;\r\n\t\r\n}\r\n#tab_container_1082 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li > a .fa{\r\n\r\nmargin-right:5px !important;\r\n\r\nmargin-left:5px !important;\r\n\r\n\r\n}\r\n\r\n\t\t#tab_container_1082 .wpsm_nav-tabs a{\r\n\t\t\tbackground-image: none;\r\n\t\t\tbackground-position: 0 0;\r\n\t\t\tbackground-repeat: repeat-x;\r\n\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\r\n\r\n#tab_container_1082 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li {\r\n    float: left;\r\n    margin-bottom: -1px !important;\r\n\tmargin-right:0px !important; \r\n}\r\n\r\n\r\n#tab_container_1082 .tab-content{\r\noverflow:hidden !important;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\r\n@media (min-width: 769px) {\r\n\r\n\t#tab_container_1082 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li{\r\n\t\tfloat:left !important ;\r\n\t\t\t\tmargin-right:-1px !important;\r\n\t\t\t\t\t}\r\n\t#tab_container_1082 .wpsm_nav-tabs{\r\n\t\tfloat:none !important;\r\n\t\tmargin:0px !important;\r\n\t}\r\n\r\n\t#tab_container_1082 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li {\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tmargin-right: 8px !important;\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t}\r\n\t#tab_container_1082 .wpsm_nav{\r\n\t\t\t}\r\n\r\n}\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n@media (max-width: 768px) {\r\n\t#tab_container_1082 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li {\r\n\t\t\t\tmargin-bottom: 8px !important;\r\n\t\tmargin-right:0px !important;\r\n\t\tmargin-left:0px !important;\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t}\r\n\t#tab_container_1082 .wpsm_nav{\r\n\t\t\t}\r\n}\r\n\r\n\r\n\t.wpsm_nav-tabs li:before{\r\n\t\tdisplay:none !important;\r\n\t}\r\n\r\n\t@media (max-width: 768px) {\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t#tab_container_1082 .wpsm_nav-tabs  li  a  i{\r\n\t\t\t\tdisplay: none !important;\r\n\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t.wpsm_nav-tabs{\r\n\t\t\tmargin-left:0px !important;\r\n\t\t\tmargin-right:0px !important; \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t#tab_container_1082 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li {\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tmargin-right: 8px !important;\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t}\t\t\t\t<\/style>\r\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"tab_container_1082\" >\r\n\t \r\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"wpsm_nav wpsm_nav-tabs\" role=\"tablist\" id=\"myTab_1082\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li role=\"presentation\"  class=\"active\"  onclick=\"do_resize()\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#tabs_desc_1082_1\" aria-controls=\"tabs_desc_1082_1\" role=\"tab\" data-toggle=\"tab\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>ABOUT THE BOOK<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li role=\"presentation\"  onclick=\"do_resize()\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#tabs_desc_1082_2\" aria-controls=\"tabs_desc_1082_2\" role=\"tab\" data-toggle=\"tab\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>BACKSTORY<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li role=\"presentation\"  onclick=\"do_resize()\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#tabs_desc_1082_3\" aria-controls=\"tabs_desc_1082_3\" role=\"tab\" data-toggle=\"tab\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>EXCERPT<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li role=\"presentation\"  onclick=\"do_resize()\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#tabs_desc_1082_4\" aria-controls=\"tabs_desc_1082_4\" role=\"tab\" data-toggle=\"tab\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>VIDEO<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/ul>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t  <!-- Tab panes -->\r\n\t\t\t\t\t  <div class=\"tab-content\" id=\"tab-content_1082\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div role=\"tabpanel\" class=\"tab-pane  in active \" id=\"tabs_desc_1082_1\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Addy Tornado wishes her love life was as dramatic as her name. A true romantic, Addy lives for the movies and yearns for a mate who is as beautiful, sexy, witty, and as smart as the heroines on the screen. Of course that someone would also have to put up with her OCD about color coordination\u2026<\/p>\r\n<p>Mazie Midnight has one dream\u2014to finish her Master\u2019s program in music performance. She reinvents herself and moves to the west coast to attend Cammon University, hoping a new name and a new start will be what she needs to face the one barrier keeping her from a degree: terrible stage fright.<\/p>\r\n<p>Mazie takes a job at the Bijou Theater, Addy\u2019s favorite place in the whole world, and the two clash immediately over Mazie\u2019s re-arrangement of the colorful candies. Mazie meets none of Addy\u2019s expectations in a mate, and Addy sees Mazie as nothing more than an adversary\u2026until Mazie opens her mouth to sing.<\/p>\r\n<p>Believing the world should hear Mazie, Addy vows to help her overcome her stage fright. But can she see Mazie as someone to love? Will they ever share anything as perfect as a screen kiss?<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div role=\"tabpanel\" class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"tabs_desc_1082_2\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Screen Kiss: A Love Letter to the Movies<\/p>\r\n<p>My parents instilled in me a love of reading and movies. There were so many evenings when we would cook up a pot of popcorn and watch \u201coldies\u201d like To Sir, With Love, How Green Was My Valley, The Quiet Man, and 12 Angry Men.<\/p>\r\n<p>We went to the movie theaters far less often since it was costly to take a family of five, but once I was old enough to go by myself with friends, we\u2019d spend a Saturday at the newly-created \u201cmulti-plex,\u201d theater hopping from one movie to another.<\/p>\r\n<p>Back then there were still some great old movie houses with ornate decorations, balconies, organs, and one enormous screen. As I grew older, these theaters grew fewer, until there was only one or two left in my hometown of Phoenix. The greatest of all, the Cine Capri, eventually fell victim to the wrecking ball after its swan song showing of Titanic. Located amidst the most expensive real estate in Phoenix, it was simply worth too much money to remain as a single-screen theater.<\/p>\r\n<p>When we moved to Eugene, Oregon, a place much more concerned about preserving heritage, we found the Bijou Theater. It had been many things in its previous life, including a church and a funeral home, but now it was a double-screen theater. We loved the large lobby, the intricate woodwork, the ornate glass, and the old seats.<\/p>\r\n<p>I met the owner, Julie, a transplanted New Yorker, who had come to Oregon with dreams of owning a movie theater, a true arthouse. It was a circuitous and dramatic route, one that I\u2019m sure will someday make a great memoir. She gave me a tour and explained the ins and outs of theater ownership. If you read Screen Kiss, you\u2019ll know it too.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div role=\"tabpanel\" class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"tabs_desc_1082_3\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\">CHAPTER ONE<\/p>\r\n<p>A murmur of excitement buzzes through Lane Eight\u2014Addy Tornado\u2019s checkout line. When she scans the customer faces, most of whom are Value Shop regulars, her gaze lands on the famous Princess Meritain of Merutious. She has just joined Addy\u2019s line, right behind Mr. Flanders, who is skimming the latest edition of Guns Around the World. He clearly doesn\u2019t realize he is rubbing elbows with royalty, mainly because he never faces forward, too busy looking at the impulse purchase items available on his left and right.<\/p>\r\n<p>Princess Meritain takes a step back from Mr. Flanders and his elbow thrashings. Her regal chin turns upward. While she is a diminutive woman, her erect posture and proper carriage creates the impression she towers over all. Perhaps it is her royal training that gives her command of Lane Eight, that or the four-inch, red, don\u2019t-fuck-with-me heels that complement her black, tight-fitting A-line skirt. Addy permits herself one long graze of the princess. She drinks in the shapely calves, curvaceous bottom, thin waist, stellar bosom, red lips, long eyelashes, and eyes so blue she can see them from three customers away.<\/p>\r\n<p>Her grazing complete, she returns her attention to the MOST IMPORTANT CUSTOMER, the one standing in front of her. Value Shop policy reminds its employees that the customer currently being served is the MOST IMPORTANT CUSTOMER in the store. Mrs. Kaminsky is one of Addy\u2019s favorites, a delightful retiree who has just returned from summer vacation with her son\u2019s family. Mrs. Kaminsky frequents Addy\u2019s line at least four times a week, and she has confided she is lonely and enjoys Addy\u2019s company, if only for a few fleeting minutes while Addy rings up her purchases.<\/p>\r\n<p>As she regales Addy with yet another story about granddaughter Chloe\u2019s antics in the hotel swimming pool, and a game of Marco Polo gone awry because of some deflated floaties, Addy sneaks a second glance at the princess, who offers a cold, hard stare. Addy immediately looks down, flustered.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cHey, Addy,\u201d Mrs. Kaminsky says. \u201cYou just charged me four ninety-eight for a bunch of radishes.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>Addy gasps and apologizes. She voids the item and focuses on her work. Mrs. Kaminsky leaves with appropriately charged radishes and as Addy\u2019s line moves forward, the princess draws closer and unloads the contents of her little shopping basket onto the conveyor belt with the disdain befitting a task beneath her. She flings a package of overpriced plastic cutlery with such force, it somersaults over the dividing bar and lands in Mr. Flanders\u2019s stack of purchases. He discreetly nudges the cutlery back to the other side, his gaze never straying from the article he\u2019s reading.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u00a0Addy frowns at the behavior of the princess. She has a reputation for being callous and insensitive, and her treatment of the cutlery affirms the stories. Addy allows herself another quick glance while Mr. Flanders debates whether or not to purchase the magazine and finish an article on German rifles from WWII.<\/p>\r\n<p>He finally placed the magazine in his shopping bag, exchanges a smile with Addy, who rings it up and hands him his change.<\/p>\r\n<p>Princess Meritain steps to the pay station and stares at Addy as if she\u2019s nuts.<\/p>\r\n<p>Of course, Addy greets her with the required Value Shop smile\u2014while she groups each item by prominent color before scanning it and placing it in one of the Value Shop paper bags.<\/p>\r\n<p>Addy can\u2019t help herself. When she looks at any object, its prominent color pushes forward, whether that is the color of the packaging, the letters on the label, or the color of the item. It\u2019s like a spotlight turns on and all Addy sees is one color. Thus, bananas are always grouped with yellow squash, banana popsicles and various cheeses, while lettuces, cucumbers and margarita mix journey out of the store together. Her regular customers have learned her system, but of course Princess Meritain of Merutious has not. But how could she? Addy again forgives the princess this understandable faux pas.<\/p>\r\n<p>As the princess\u2019s luscious lips curl into displeasure, Addy offers,\u201cI\u2019m all about order,\u201d as an explanation for her behavior.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cI\u2019d rather you not touch my things any more than necessary,\u201d Princess Meritain replies, in a breathy voice Addy finds very sexy. \u201cIt\u2019s not sanitary.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cI promise you, I sanitize my hands after I touch the register or handle money or credit cards.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>Princess Meritain raises an already high-pitched eyebrow. \u201cEvery time?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cEvery time.\u201d And then Addy leans forward, resting her elbow on the check-writing desk, and whispers, \u201cMy hands are so clean right now that I could feed you a strawberry.\u201d It\u2019s a risky flirt, and Addy watches the princess\u2019s response carefully.<\/p>\r\n<p>The eyebrow descends and joins a face of the creamiest skin Addy has ever seen. She gazes into the extraordinary blue eyes for another second before completing the princess\u2019s transaction.<\/p>\r\n<p><br><\/p>\r\n<p>\u00a0Princess Meritain gazes into the bag and screams, \u201cWhat the hell? Why is the Drano in the bag with my tomatoes? That\u2019s disgusting!\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cWell, tomatoes and the bottle of Drano are the only red purchases you have. If you\u2019d bought something else that was red, I could\u2019ve started another bag.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>The blue eyes turn a darker shade. \u201cI demand to see your manager.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>Addy crosses her arms. \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>The high-pitched eyebrow returns. \u201cExcuse me?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cYou may not see the manager. I won\u2019t allow it. That will be twenty-seven dollars. Even.\u201d The princess turns up her regal chin. \u201cI won\u2019t pay it.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cThen you can\u2019t have your Drano.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>With a swoop, Addy pushes the bags into a corner of the bagging area and welcomes the next MOST IMPORTANT CUSTOMER, Mrs. Delano. While she offers her sweetest smile to Mrs. D., she remains cognizant of the princess\u2019s stare.<\/p>\r\n<p>So she gives her a show. She quickly lines up Mrs. D\u2019s reusable bags and scans her items, correctly grouped by dominant color. She swipes and taps keys at lightning speed, stealing a glance at the princess, who seems entranced by her grocery ballet, an homage to efficiency.<\/p>\r\n<p>As Mrs. Delano departs, Princess Meritain steps back to the pay station, licking her lips. Addy knows that look.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cI\u2019d like to pay now.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>Addy completes the transaction, her gaze locked on the princess\u2019s gorgeous eyes. When she hands her the receipt, she says, \u201cValue Shop encourages you to follow this link and complete a survey regarding my service and your level of satisfaction. Are you satisfied?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p><br><\/p>\r\n<p>\u00a0\u201cNot yet,\u201d the princess whispers.<\/p>\r\n<p>Addy glances at the next customer in line, a young woman engaged in a battle of wills with a preschool-age boy. He wishes to add a candy bar to their otherwise healthy purchases that fill the conveyor belt\u2014and are not grouped by color. Addy sighs.<\/p>\r\n<p>Suddenly the princess is behind her, pressing into her back. \u201cMeet me in frozen dinners,\u201d she says, in a voice almost as smoky as her blue eyes.<\/p>\r\n<p>Addy nods and drops the CLOSED sign at the end of the conveyor belt. She completes the young woman\u2019s transaction, including the candy bar, in record time, given the plethora of colors involved.<\/p>\r\n<p>She scampers toward the frozen food section as the princess makes a quick turn from an adjoining aisle and pulls in front of her. Addy is afforded the luxurious view of Princess Meritain\u2019s ass, her butt cheeks rising and falling with each step.<\/p>\r\n<p>She stops suddenly, but Addy is so entranced with her backside that she almost plows her over. She grabs a door handle just in time and rights herself. Princess Meritain\u2019s amused look is striking and sexy. Addy is smoldering, but she doubts stuffing a Lean Cuisine down her shirt will help.<\/p>\r\n<p>The princess faces a refrigerated case and slaps the glass with both hands. She grinds her center against it, right in the Green Giant\u2019s line of sight.<\/p>\r\n<p>She glances over her shoulder and says to Addy, \u201cCan you satisfy me now?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>Addy presses against her. She matches her rhythm, kissing the side of her neck while her hands and lips explore the princess\u2019s sultry curves, enjoying the continuous undulation of their pelvises. The silk buttons of Princess Meritain\u2019s shirt come undone, as does the clasp of her bra, neither a match for Addy\u2019s nimble fingers. When the princess\u2019s bare nipples meet the cold glass, she gasps and lolls her head to the side. Addy pulls that regal chin up and connects their mouths for a deep kiss. Then she steps away.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cNo, please,\u201d the princess whines.<\/p>\r\n<p>Addy, still fully clothed, adjusts her Value Shop polo shirt and nametag, which hangs askew from her gyrations. The glass is fogged and she wonders if it\u2019s possible to spoil the food from the outside of the case. Princess Meritain\u2019s tiny skirt suddenly drops to<\/p>\r\n<p><br><\/p>\r\n<p>\u00a0her ankles, revealing a sheer, pink thong that matches the bra Addy has already woman-handled. When the princess sloughs off the silk shirt and bra, Addy almost grabs them, protecting the fine garments from the dirty, scarred linoleum floor.<\/p>\r\n<p>But the princess doesn\u2019t notice. She spins around, stepping away from her discarded clothes toward a fresh case, one that hasn\u2019t been a victim of their heat. She presses her back against the frosty glass, her eyes grow wide and her lips form an O.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cFeeling a chill. Come warm me up, Addy.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>The princess is a sight. Her face is flush, her nipples firm, and the blue eyes have turned a cooler shade of crystal. And she still gyrates, only now her back and buttocks are assaulted by the cold. She spreads her legs wider, beckoning Addy. When Addy doesn\u2019t respond immediately, she caresses her own breasts, splays her fingers across her belly and moves the manicured digits closer to the thong, the only strip of clothing she still wears.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cLet me,\u201d Addy instructs, sliding in front of the princess, disregarding the inevitable dirt stains on the knees of her white pants. She yanks down the scrap of material and brings the juicy center to her mouth.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cAddy? Hello, Addy?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>Addy blinked. Her gaze shot left and right. She was at work, sitting in the driver\u2019s seat of Bus 29, the crown jewel of the Wilshire Hills Transportation Department. It was Thursday in late August. Her bus idled in front of Rhinehart\u2019s Mini-Mart, stop number six on her route. The bus\u2019s front door was still open. Thankfully, the brake was still engaged, but the hot summer wind blew inside and devoured the A\/C.<\/p>\r\n<p>She looked up into the full-view mirror above her driver\u2019s seat to acknowledge the passenger who had called to her. Mrs. Gelpin waved from the second row, a gentle smile on her face. At eighty-four, she was a long-time resident of Wilshire Hills, and one of Addy\u2019s regulars. She understood that periodically Addy took a mental vacation, and it wasn\u2019t always at the most convenient time.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re all on board, Addy. Ready to go,\u201d Mrs. Gelpin called. Then she gave a little cough and her index finger touched her chin.<\/p>\r\n<p>Addy\u2019s hand immediately went to her own chin. It was wet and sticky. She glanced at her left hand, resting on the bus\u2019s steering wheel. It held a half-eaten peach.<\/p>\r\n<p><br><\/p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">CHAPTER TWO<\/p>\r\n<p>Dr. Ivy Bertrand, dean of the School of Music at Cammon University, stared at Mazie Midnight with a look that could wilt flowers. Mazie imagined Dr. Bertrand practiced the look at home while she stood in front of the mirror and tied\u2014and retied\u2014her trademark bow tie until it was a perfectly symmetrical work of fashion art. Today\u2019s bow tie was a conservative blue and green striped number that popped against her crisp, white Oxford button-down shirt. She\u2019d perfected her stony stare and undoubtedly intimidated thousands of graduate students, because if practice made perfect anywhere, it would be at the School of Music.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m serious, Ms. Fenster,\u201d she reiterated, peering over the top of her reading glasses. The whites of her eyes contrasted with her dark chocolate skin, which only intensified her flinty gaze. \u201cIf you don\u2019t complete the performance element of your required program of study for your master\u2019s degree in music performance by the end of the fall semester, I will be forced to enter a failing grade in your performance workshop because you will not perform. Are we clear?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cQuite,\u201d Mazie said, although in her mind it came out as quit. Something she\u2019d done far too often. She hoped Dr. Bertrand didn\u2019t comment.<\/p>\r\n<p>She bit her bottom lip. She wanted to share her new name with Dr. Bertrand. She very much wanted to tell her that she\u2019d left May Fenster at the Oregon-Idaho state line. She\u2019d changed her name to Mazie Midnight, honoring Grandma Mazie, the person who encouraged her to sing, and Midnight\u2014the exact moment in time that her new life in Oregon began. She felt an explanation trip across her tongue, attempting to push out from her lips.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cIs there something you\u2019d like to say, Ms. Fenster?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>Dr. Bertrand was intuitive. That was why she was one of the best. Mazie opened her mouth, her tongue moved and her lips parted. Yet no sound escaped. A far too familiar condition. Dr. Bertrand sighed audibly and signed Mazie\u2019s program of study. She closed her fountain pen, set it lovingly in a special mahogany holder, and clasped her hands.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cIn the event you have further contact with my old friend, Maestro Larkin Lamond, you can tell her that by admitting you to this program, I consider our past debt paid in full. Can you remember that?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cYes, Dr. Bertrand.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p><br><\/p>\r\n<p>She put an index finger at opposite corners of the Program of Study form and deliberately pushed it toward Mazie, who signed in the box above Dr. Bertrand\u2019s commanding signature. She didn\u2019t look at Dr. Bertrand, remembering Larkin\u2019s advice. She\u2019d said, \u201cBe deferential. She\u2019s really a big pussycat but you\u2019ll never see it unless she drinks an entire bottle of vodka with you.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>Mazie doubted that would happen, but she imagined vodka had something to do with the debt Ivy Bertrand owed their mutual friend Larkin. Perhaps they had been lovers.<\/p>\r\n<p>Dr. Bertrand reached for a beautiful wooden sphere and rolled it between her fingers. Mazie guessed her hands never stilled for long, as she was an accomplished violinist, a world-renowned conductor, and a brilliant composer, having written some of the greatest composed music of the twenty-first century.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cIs there anything else, Ms. Fenster?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cNo, Dr. Bertrand. May I be excused?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>She snatched her messenger bag and headed for the door. It squeaked open just far enough for her to disappear into the corridor when Dr. Bertrand said, \u201cMay I ask...\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>Mazie took a breath and turned around. Dr. Bertrand\u2019s face had softened.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cMaestro Lamond sent me a recording. I\u2019ve heard you sing. You have the chops. When did your stage fright consume you?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>Dr. Bertrand\u2019s lips turned up slightly in a conspiratorial smile. They both knew Mazie was lying.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div role=\"tabpanel\" class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"tabs_desc_1082_4\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WgA6Qzl5LJo\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t \r\n\t\t\t\t <\/div>\r\n <script>\r\n\t\tjQuery(function () {\r\n\t\t\tjQuery('#myTab_1082 a:first').tab('show')\r\n\t\t});\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(function(){\r\n\t\t\tvar b=\"fadeIn\";\r\n\t\t\tvar c;\r\n\t\t\tvar a;\r\n\t\t\td(jQuery(\"#myTab_1082 a\"),jQuery(\"#tab-content_1082\"));function d(e,f,g){\r\n\t\t\t\te.click(function(i){\r\n\t\t\t\t\ti.preventDefault();\r\n\t\t\t\t\tjQuery(this).tab(\"show\");\r\n\t\t\t\t\tvar h=jQuery(this).data(\"easein\");\r\n\t\t\t\t\tif(c){c.removeClass(a);}\r\n\t\t\t\t\tif(h){f.find(\"div.active\").addClass(\"animated \"+h);a=h;}\r\n\t\t\t\t\telse{if(g){f.find(\"div.active\").addClass(\"animated \"+g);a=g;}else{f.find(\"div.active\").addClass(\"animated \"+b);a=b;}}c=f.find(\"div.active\");\r\n\t\t\t\t});\r\n\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t});\r\n\t\t\r\n\r\n\t\tfunction do_resize(){\r\n\r\n\t\t\tvar width=jQuery( '.tab-content .tab-pane iframe' ).width();\r\n\t\t\tvar height=jQuery( '.tab-content .tab-pane iframe' ).height();\r\n\r\n\t\t\tvar toggleSize = true;\r\n\t\t\tjQuery('iframe').animate({\r\n\t\t\t    width: toggleSize ? width : 640,\r\n\t\t\t    height: toggleSize ? height : 360\r\n\t\t\t  }, 250);\r\n\r\n\t\t\t  toggleSize = !toggleSize;\r\n\t\t}\r\n\r\n\r\n\t<\/script>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Screen Kiss<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1258","page","type-page","status-publish","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/annroberts.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1258","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/annroberts.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/annroberts.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/annroberts.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/annroberts.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1258"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/annroberts.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1258\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1326,"href":"https:\/\/annroberts.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1258\/revisions\/1326"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/annroberts.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1258"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}