{"product_id":"the-all-you-can-read-buffet-9781475083491","title":"The All-You-Can-Read Buffet","description":"\u003cp\u003e • Author(s): Stephen L. Thompson\u003cbr\u003e • Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform\u003cbr\u003e • Publisher Imprint: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform\u003cbr\u003e • BISAC: Short Stories (single author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe All-You-Can-Read Buffet is a collection of forty stories covering various genres and themes ranging from six to over 4,200 words in length. They also cover a wide time range. Some of these stories I began writing a decade ago, while others were written especially for this collection. All together, they are a buffet of my writing. As such, I encourage you to read as much as you want. Go back for seconds, thirds, fourths even. I won't even mind if you skip over the stuff you don't like, but, to quote your mother, \"How do you know you don't like it? Have you tried it?\" \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cb\u003eBook excerpt\u003c\/b\u003e - story \"Dark Anniversary\" \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e With a dozen roses in hand, the man dressed all in black walked towards the tombstone. The lettering had already begun to fade, but the words were drilled into his brain: Edith Robyn Sommers, April 4, 1956 - June 14, 1975. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e After a few moments of reflection, the man knelt and set the roses on her grave. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"You are so maudlin, Eric,\" a voice said from the darkness. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Without turning, Eric said, \"You never forget your first, Robert.\" \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Robert stepped from the shadows. \"My first was just some peasant.\" \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \"And after all these centuries you still remember that.\" \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Robert stood for a few seconds, then turned and disappeared. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Eric chuckled, then stood. He nodded to the tombstone and said, \"Until next year, Edith.\" He then spread his wings and flew into the night.","brand":"Createspace Independent Publishing Platform","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":45505199079575,"sku":"9781475083491","price":827.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0666\/3471\/1191\/files\/9781475083491.webp?v=1767456158","url":"https:\/\/atlanticbooks.com\/products\/the-all-you-can-read-buffet-9781475083491","provider":"Atlantic Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}