Rich Varner
The Dead Leaves presents a collection of four distinct stories, each set against the backdrop of autumn. Through the tapestry of fall colors and themes, these tales weave a common thread of introspection, transformation, and drama. In 'Tuesday Law,' a first-year law student, on the verge of quitting, seeks counsel from several intriguing characters, among them: a mentor, a classmate, a psychopath, and a stripper. Each encounter challenges him to reevaluate his decision and the path he has chosen. 'An Elaborate and Fantastic Golf Swing' follows a golfer as he confronts not only his on-course rivals but also the demons from his past that manifest in his unique swing. As he competes in a tournament, he grapples with these shadows that haunt his every stroke.'The Chapel Bells' is set in a snowbound town in West Texas, where a solitary traveler encounters a captivating waitress with a fondness for Christmas. They find solace in their shared appreciation of the season, until the ominous toll of chapel bells heralds a chilling crime spree. Lastly, 'Dino' immerses readers in the charged atmosphere of a college football game in Oxford, Mississippi, where two friends unearth startling truths. One unravels a family mystery concealed within the Mississippi Delta, while the other confronts the state’s dark political history and reconsiders his understanding of the region.
