SURVIVING THE FALL by William R. Potter

I’m so glad that this story anchors the collection. “Surviving the Fall” is a homerun with emotional ups and downs that had me on the edge of seat. It was scary, lustful, and tender, as the plot pushed the ethical envelop of underage sexuality.

Okay, so what is the story about? It is the story of two lonely and needy people that find each other, find true love and compassion, in a perverse and evil world. If any of the stories make me think of the title, Lighting the Dark Side, it is this one.

James Goodal, love the pun by the way, is a software programmer. His wife has left him, left him the house and a closet full of her cloths that she will never claim. James is lonely. He has a big heart and a lot of love to give. When James was a child he collected displaced animals and cared for them, nursed them back to health.

It was no surprise that when James saw Ashley Metcalf tossed from a moving car into the middle of the street that he had to help her.

Ashley is a complicated, oversexed fifteen-year old. Ashley has been a prostitute since her mother tricked her out when turned ten. So, it is no wonder that she is afraid to trust James and except his help. However, she gets into even more trouble that sends her to live in James’ guest house to the shock and disgust of James’ sister.

James and Ashley’s relationship is a rocky one. James is very frank with Ashley that she is underage; he only wants to help her get back on her feet. However, James sees Ashley as a sexual creature that has had more experience that he ever will. Meanwhile, Ashley can not except that he doesn’t want her. She sees how he looks at her. She wants to give him what she has; what every man she has ever known wants from her. For the first time in her life she wants to have sex with someone. The tension created between these two well written characters is the stuff of great literature.

I really think that any fan of short stories and novellas should visit this collection. There are number of wonder full stories that should not be missed. It has been a pleasure spending that last month with the thoughts and dreams of William R. Potter.

If you would like to read all of The Soulless Machine's Reviews of the stories in this collection, click on the tag: Lighting the Dark Side: Six Modern Tales.

Potter, William R. “Surviving the Fall.” Lighting the Dark Side: Six Modern Tales. Xlibris, 2008. p. 181 – 257