OTHER WORLDS excerpt...

Excerpt from the Short Story:
“Megan’s Window”

“LANGSTON, Take Five!”
    The television camera moved in toward three people seated on a plush beige sofa.
     “Hello, America. This is Senator Hal Langston.”
     “And Carol.”
     “And Megan.”
     “With a message for each of our citizens.” In exactly twenty-two seconds, Hal explained why he was the best choice for Florida’s U.S. Senate seat. Smiling, he turned to his wife.
     “You have my vote, Hal,” Carol said, softly. She hugged the little girl sitting in her lap. “Megan?”
     No answer.
     “Cut!”
     “Not again!” Hal jumped to his feet, his hands clenched in tight fists.
     Still holding her tightly, Carol slid the little girl off her lap and onto the couch. “Meggie? What’s wrong?”
     Her clear blue eyes shining, Megan pointed to an empty wall across the room. “Did you see it, Mommy? Did you see the window with the pretty silver buildings inside?”
     Hal threw up his hands. “Windows! Don’t tell me we’re going through that crap again!”
     Megan clamped a chubby hand over her mouth. “Uh oh! I’m not supposed to talk about them.”
     “What’s that supposed to mean?” Hal demanded.
     Carol hugged her daughter. Then stood up quickly. “Why don’t you wait for us over by the door, sweetheart?”
     “Are we finished talking on TV?”
     “You are,” Hal snapped. “Now do what your mother said. Carol, let’s get this over with.”
     Megan’s face clouded and her lips trembled, but she walked toward the door.
     Carol wanted only to hold the little girl and tell her everything was okay, but she didn’t believe it and neither would her three-year-old daughter....