Sunday, June 23, 2024

Excerpt: Thomas at the farmer's market

 



Thomas Henson was born close to a silver-spoon-in-the-mouth situation. Society adored him … and now ignores him. Judgemental freaks. That is ISSUE FOUR.

Society, however, is in the mind. While it is a living, breathing entity, society remains a concept of intellect more than a physical one. You either take it or leave it, but Thomas cannot do this. He requires validation. He is inflated by it. He becomes more.

Ethan Danwick-Blythe, case in point.

Thomas had the misfortune to play witness to the laughing bastard’s elevated status in society. It was at a social gathering on the common before the village - farmer’s market, actually, but Thomas Henson will NEVER admit to curiosity over produce and handmade goods, and thus a social gathering it is.

Ethan Danwick-Blythe swanned in with arms loaded. Flowers, from his perfect garden! Such colours, so much greenery. A heady perfume. And was greeted as a conquering hero by all!

While he, Thomas Henson, was ignored, even shunned. Sure, he brought only his smile (his mother ever says it needs only a smile to gather the masses to you), but he used his smile everywhere and folks frowned and moved away as fast as the excuse they could imagine was uttered … why?



Thomas Henson has issues, thirteen of them, and, indeed, one of them is superstition.

When his life of luxury ends and he is dumped into an impoverished state, all these issues come home to roost, making it impossible for Thomas to stand up and take responsibility for his life. He even despises his name! Most all, however, he hates his neighbour, the ever laughing Ethan Danwick-Blythe, who has a perfect name and a perfect garden. 

Thomas is being lied to, however, and those lies will upset everything our Thomas hopes for. As he plots revenge on his neighbour, the time for all lies to be exposed approaches. This amusing little tale of self-delusion is Thomas Henson’s debut into real life.

THOMAS


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