Carl Conley

Ranch Roundup Family Style

Chapter 1

Jerri Phillips stood on the corner of Fifth and Lexington in New York City, beneath her umbrella, waiting for the traffic light to change. She glanced to the newsstand just feet away. Staring up at her from the cover of Feminine Image was Jerri Phillips, recently declared" most sensational new model" by Women's Wear Daily.

The light turned green, but Jerri stood there, in the drizzling rain, looking at her picture on the magazine cover. It's not worth it; she thought to herself, it's just not worth it. She stepped off the curb and continued on down the puddle-laden street.

The door to the apartment slammed.

"Jerri, is that you?" a voice from the kitchen called.

"It's me," Jerri called, heading toward the kitchen.

Carol, her roommate, was making dinner. Jerri walked to the counter and took a piece of lettuce from the salad Carol was tossing.

"Hey, no snitching. We'll eat in about ten minutes," Carol said pleasantly.

"Okay," Jerry said, walking back into the living room. Carol thought it odd that Jerri didn't sit in the kitchen to talk to her. She figured Jerri had had a bad day.

Jerri sat on the couch and lit a cigarette. She stared at the ceiling for a moment, trying to relax, but she couldn't. She kicked off her shoes and lifted her feet to the couch, then smoothed out her fashionable midi skirt.

"I've had it!" she called to the kitchen.