Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 15, Featuring Olga Núñez Miret

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

Saturday, June 24, 2023

CGI image by Teagan
CGI image by Teagan

Thanks for coming back to Atonement, TN.  My featured guest today has been a blog-friend all the way back to the creation of my Atonement series.  She even did the Spanish translation of Atonement, Tennessee.  (The Spanish version is called Expiación y Magia.)

Of course, I’m talking about Olga Núñez Miret.  Olga didn’t know I was going to feature her today.  Serendipity was at work, because I learned that she had just posted a review of The Glowing Pigs: Snort Stories of Atonement, Tennessee.  Like Deme and Honeybell, I’m positively glowing!

Image courtesy of Olga Núñez Miret
Image courtesy of Olga Núñez Miret

Olga has authored a wide collection of great books.  There’s good news.  In addition to Amazon, Olga’s books are at Smashwords as well. At Smashwords (only), all of her books will be on sale throughout July, and at a terrific discount.  Olga will give you more information about the big Smashwords sale, click here.

I took the “3 random reader things” that drive this episode from one of her titles.  I couldn’t pick a favorite, so I chose the one title that allowed me several “things” — 20 Things I’ve Learned from My Patients: A Psychiatrist’s Pearls of Wisdom to Help You Thrive.  Olga also let me use some images that are featured inside her book. So, today’s random things are:  Pearls, 20, and Patients.

We left Pepper Riley on her way to Magnolia Skies Nursing Home, where she hoped to learn more about the mental health of her late uncle, Wirt (Salty) Riley.  A fallen tree blocked her way.  She heard something up above her and saw a tentacled monster.  Or was she just seeing things? 

If you missed the previous installment, then click here. 

Atonement in Zugzwang
Episode 15

Image courtesy of Olga Núñez Miret
Image courtesy of Olga Núñez Miret

The two-lane road was shrouded by evergreens and shag-bark hickory trees.  Abruptly shining through a gap in the branches, the early morning sun glared on my windshield, as I was backing my car away from the downed tree.  I lowered my window halfway in attempt to get a better look at my side-mirror so I could back away from the blocked road.

I heard something small drop through the high branches.  It made me think of the sound of a squirrel dropping a nut from the hickories.  Then the light reflected from the thing that hit the ground.  It was small, only three or four inches tall.

I moved the car’s gearshift back into the park position.  My breathing became shallow.

The last thing I wanted to do was stay on that creepy road any longer than was absolutely necessary.  I sure as hell didn’t want to get out of my car — not after seeing that tentacled monster flit away from the branches of the tall trees!

However, the sun was streaming down onto something.  The light seemed like a beacon.  I felt compelled to know what it was.  Skeptically, my eyes searched the silent treetops.  There wasn’t a squirrel or even a bird to be seen.

CGI by Teagan

“Whatever that thing was, it probably scared them all away,” I thought.  “Or, I’m just stark raving bonkers, and nothing was there in the first place.”

Could the creature have dropped that little thing?  Now, that’s really crazy… but I think maybe it did.

I gulped and then cautiously got out of my car.  The glimmering object was only a couple of steps away.  I stooped to the ground and stretched a tentative hand toward the object.

A little statue?  No.  Good God in heaven, it’s a chess piece, I thought in a combination of fear and frustration.  How can these things keep showing up?  I guess it’s more proof that I’ve lost my mind.

The base of the figurine was encrusted with seed pearls.  On the base was a silver woman riding a black obsidian horse.  Strangely, the woman figure had small antlers.

My mind flashed back to the parking lot of the Rowdy Rooster, and the moment when I had used my car to block that enormous “trike” rider from running down those piglets.  I had been sure that he was about to get violent when another motorcycle came along.  That rider seemed to be a woman.  She wore black leathers — and a helmet that had antlers.

Hands shaking even harder than they were when I saw the thing in the treetops, I picked up the piece.

Uncle Salty said that in chess sets, the knights were represented by horses because they could jump over other pieces, I remembered.  Another chess piece and another knight.  At least this time it didn’t mysteriously show up in my house.  Although the means of delivery…  It has to be some weird coincidence.  Doesn’t it?

I tucked the piece into the pocket of my white dress.  If I got to talk to Uncle Salty’s psychologist, then I wanted some sort of tangible “proof” handy.

Once again, I backed my car toward the narrow road with the sign that read, Rectify Road.

♣ ♣ ♣

CGI from Teagan
CGI from Teagan

The one-lane road took me to the back of the building.  The Magnolia Skies staff parking lot didn’t appear to have a way to the front side of the building.  I supposed it made sense for the management to want to separate the visitors parking from the service entrance.

A trio of housekeepers exited a door.  On the door was a sign marked “Employee Entrance.”  Parking near it, I decided to go inside that way.

Apprehensively, I walked down a corridor.  The nursing home was much nicer inside than I expected.  My low-heeled shoes clicked against the polished floor.  I felt utterly conspicuous.  However, I didn’t encounter anyone, and I didn’t know whether I should be relieved, or if that should make me even more nervous.

The hallway opened to the lobby.  I went to the tall, unattended front desk, hoping to find a directory of offices for the doctors.  As I tiptoed to see over the desk, I heard someone behind me.

Turning, I met a tall, rawboned woman.  She had a thin face with a long nose, and her lipstick was bright red.  Her thin dark hair was pulled into two tight, narrow buns atop her head.  She wore a white lab coat.

Reflexively, I pressed myself back against the desk, because she was standing unexpectedly close.  She would have needed to be another 20 inches away from me before I could even begin to be comfortable.  She loomed over me with a curious stare.

I sidestepped away from the desk so that I didn’t feel so trapped.  Meanwhile, I explained about Uncle Salty having passed away, and that I had found the receipts for his visits there.

“I’m hoping to talk to his doctor, Mary Sue Leggett.  Does she still work here?” I asked.

The woman smiled and spoke in soothing tones.

“I’m Doctor Wendy Goens.  I’m sure I can help you,” she replied in a creamy voice.

Though Dr. Goens was polite and seemed kind, I was increasingly disconcerted.

“Oh, no, that’s okay.  I don’t want to take up your time,” I dissembled.  “I don’t even have an appointment.  Besides, it’s best if I talk to Dr. Leggett.”

“Aren’t you sweet,” Dr. Goens started and leaned down to lightly sniff me.  “I could just eat you up.  But yes, Mr. Riley was one of her patients.”

CGI from Teagan

The way she sniffed me was barely noticeable, and I told myself I had to be mistaken.

You’re overwrought, I told myself, although I drew back at the sniff.

Her narrow nostrils flared as she inhaled again.  A hard look came to her face.  Her eyes went to my amethyst necklace as if she had found the source of an unpleasant odor.  There were small silver spacer beads between the purple gems.

“Silver,” she said so softly that I barely heard.  “But that shouldn’t be enough to be so strong.”

Suddenly, I thought about the chess piece in my pocket.  Involuntarily, I put my hand in the pocked and wrapped my fingers around the silver chariot driver.

I barely noticed the beep behind me when the front door opened.  Another woman entered, and I turned to look at her.  She had soft-looking ash-brown hair, and she wore a light blue tailored suit.  She was staring down at her phone, but when she saw me, she smiled and greeted me.

When I turned back to Dr. Goens, she wasn’t there.  I wondered how she could have moved so fast.

I told the woman in blue that I was looking for Dr. Leggett.

“I’m Mary Sue Leggett,” she said and offered her condolences when I told her I was Salty’s niece.  “Yes, I was Wirt Riley’s psychologist.  Why don’t you come on back to my office.  I have a little time before my first appointment.”

The door beeped again as a man entered.  He was dressed casually, in kakis and cowboy boots, but the boots were the only western detail he wore.  His mouth hinted at mischief, but his eyes held a rather haunted expression.

“Good.  There you are.  Dr. Leggett, I need to cancel this morning.  My sister, Marge, begged me to help her with a problem at her diner,” he told the doctor, and gave me a polite nod.

CGI from Teagan

“That’s fine Tracey.  Call me when you’re ready to reschedule.  Say hello to Ms. Tipton for me,” Dr. Leggett told him, and he quickly left.  “I guess I have plenty of time to talk to you after all, Pepper.”

As the door opened for Tracey to leave, I heard the high-pitched roar of a Japanese motorcycle nearby.  It quickly receded into the distance.

“Although, I can ease your mind right now if you have concerns about his mental health,” she began, surprising me by being so forthcoming.  “You look so worried, and I can imagine what you might want to discuss,” she paused to give me a sympathetic look.”

“I know most of your family said your uncle was crazy.  If you’re concerned that you might have inherited that, don’t be.  Wirt Riley was perfectly sane.  Just a little eccentric.  Atonement really is a… a unique town,” Dr. Leggett continued. “But come on back to my office,” she added and guided me back down the hall I had used on my way inside, moments before.

Before reached her office, the quiet was shattered by the clamor of the fire alarm.  I couldn’t see or smell any smoke.  However, the doctor didn’t act like it was a fire drill.

“Don’t go to the Rectify entrance,” she cautioned.

I followed her out the back door, through which I had entered.  Her voice remained neutral, and I felt she was talking to help me stay calm.

“The Rectify entrance?” I asked uncertainly.

“This place was built in an unusual position.  The back, actually most of the building, is in Atonement,” she went on.  “However, the lobby and front parking lot is in the village of Rectify.”

“Outside Atonement,” I murmured as several disconnected thoughts collided.

I tried to sort the ideas, but they were too vague.  Whatever my brain was trying to piece together, it wasn’t making any sense.

We walked a distance away from the building, as did the few other people who were present that early.  Staffers kept concerned gazes on the handful of resident patients.

I still couldn’t detect any smoke or fire.  Yet, looking up at the roofline, I saw a strangely shaped cloud.  It was low, nearly touching the roof.  Then it rapidly rose into the sky.  As I stared, the cloud seemed to writhe, as if many limbs twisted and vied for position.

I shuddered.

♣ ♣ ♣

Altered CGI from Teagan

When I got back to the renovated gas station I had inherited, little Spike greeted me enthusiastically.  Small kittens need to eat frequently, so I thought Spike was ready for a snack.  However, her attention kept going to the loft.

“The chessboard,” I murmured with a shiver and my hand went to the silver and black piece in my pocket.

While I cast a wary gaze around the open floorplan of the house, the kitten jumped from the back of a chair and into my arms.  Then she climbed up beside my ear and headbutted my face.  The center of her forehead was a favorite spot for scritches.

“Does your gold horn itch?” I asked, with the feeling that I was punishing myself by considering the impossible.  “I didn’t really see it those times.  Did I?  All I see right now is your gray fur.”

Spike looked up at the loft and mewed.  With the kitten perched on my shoulder I ascended the stairs.  Up there I saw no sign that anything had been moved. 

For a second, I stared at the board made of inlayed onyx and mother of pearl.  The black stone squares were polished to a mirror-like shine.  The nacre squares were softly luminous.

I shivered.

I strode to the chess table.

Spike hopped from my shoulder and onto the table.  She sat beside the gold unicorn knight.  Beside that knight was the psychedelic elephant that I was sure was meant to be the bishop.

Extracting the chariot figure from my pocket, I started to place it on the square for the white king’s knight.  Silver was a white metal.  It seemed logical to place it on that side of the board.  However, the image of the motorcycle wider wearing that antlered helmet popped into my mind again.

I placed the piece I had found by the fallen tree on the opposing side.

Spike jumped down from the table, and then pounced into the shadows beneath it.  I heard the sound of something move as she batted it.  Crouching down, I took a figurine away from her.

“Another piece,” I murmured.

The new piece was a figure of a woman wearing a crown.  The piece was made from rose gold.

“Rose gold,” I muttered.  “The color of my hair is called rose gold.”

With shaking hands, I placed it next to the elephant on the square for the white queen.

♣ ♣ ♣

I can’t say anything except, what the heck was that thing up in the trees?  And was the same thing in the “cloud” above Magnolia Skies?  Or maybe several of… whatever it is?

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.  I love to hear from you, so friendly comments are encouraged.  Hugs!

♣ ♣ ♣

Amazon universal link:

relinks.me/B077R616CV

♣ ♣ ♣

The Atonement Series

Atonement kindle covers Cat eyes shelf 2023

Atonement, Tennessee

Full series of e-books with one click:  relinks.me/B087JV25JT

Kindle:  rxe.me/HGSVA8A

Paperback: relinks.me/1481826948

Also in Spanish, translated by Olga Núñez Miret! The title for the Spanish-speaking market is Expiación y Magia

Atonement in Bloom

Kindle:  rxe.me/5RRBLH

Paperback:  relinks.me/1726882128

The Glowing Pigs, Snort Stories of Atonement, Tennessee

Kindle   rxe.me/LTBDNH

Paperback   relinks.me/1725891972

♣ ♣ ♣

This is a work of fiction.  Characters, names, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2023 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

All rights reserved. 

No part of this work may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission.  Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

All images are either the property of the author or used with permission, or from free sources.

81 thoughts on “Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 15, Featuring Olga Núñez Miret”

  1. Pingback: Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 18, Featuring Dan Antion – Teagan's Books
  2. Pingback: Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang: Episode 16, Featuring Kamal Roohani – Teagan's Books

    1. It’s good to see you, Kirt. If you want to know how it began, here are links to the first 4 episodes. Hugs.
      1) https://teagansbooks.com/2023/02/24/new-3-things-serial-atonement-in-zugzwang-episode-1-featuring-chris-graham/

      2) https://teagansbooks.com/2023/03/04/weekend-serial-atonement-in-zugzwang-episode-2-featuring-resa-mcconaghy/

      3) https://teagansbooks.com/2023/03/11/weekend-serial-atonement-in-zugzwang-episode-3-featuring-dan-antion/

      4) Weekend Serial — Atonement in Zugzwang Episode-4, featuring Robbie Cheadle! – Teagan’s Books (teagansbooks.com)

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Dear David, that is such a huge compliment. It’s one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me. I hope it’s cooler where you are. I know this is the “high desert” but at this altitude, we used to only have a couple of 100 degree days a year. I went onto the front porch to water the roses around 9AM and I could have sworn my skin started to sizzle. Take care. Hugs.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  10. Another great episode, Teagan 🙂 Two pieces for the board and many more questions. Can’t wait for the next installment and more of the kitten! Xo

    Liked by 1 person

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  13. What perfect timing for Olga’s review and your new episode. Some things are meant to be. The story gets more exciting and a bit scary with each episode. I am hooked and biting my nails!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Kerfe. Maybe her part will expand. I never know with these “pantser” serials. Tracey had a very small part in the novels and a short story. Dr. Leggett’s character was tied to him, but her role was even smaller. It might be fun to figure out her character. Hugs.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  16. Your description of the doctor’s sniff and her closeness had me wanting some fresh air. These pieces showing up have to be concerning for Pepper. I know they are for me. Good to see Olga featured as well. Looking forward to next week.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks for your great feedback, John. We don’t encounter that kind of way-too-close “violation of personal space” terribly often in real life, but I think most people can relate. It’s such a claustrophobic feeling… no air. I appreciate you reading and commenting. I hope it’s not as hot there as it is here (and no end to that in sight). Enjoy the weekend. Hugs.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  20. The odd doctor in the nursing home made my skin itch, Teagan. You have brought us in so close with Pepper and the other characters, I feel like I’m no longer just reading this serial. Great job. I can’t wait until the next episode.

    I hope you have a wonderful weekend. I’m going to go put something heavy on top of my chess set 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. How interesting that you would describe your reaction to her that way, Dan. One of my weird anxiety reactions is a stinging sensation in my skin. It’s great feedback to know that I conveyed some malevolence in Wendy Goens without having to write a violent scene.
      Haha re the chess set! Happy weekend back to you. Hugs.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Hi, Kamal. Thanks very much. The Atonement books (and so this serial) have that sort of spooky-creepy type of suspense, rather than violence or gore. To me, the spookiness feels more possible, and that makes it more intense for me than the violent type of suspense. Have a beautiful weekend. Hugs.

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      Reply

  22. Thanks so much, Teagan! I loved to read more adventures of Deme and Honeybell, and fans of Atonement and the glowing pigs shouldn’t miss it. Thanks for featuring me and my books today, Teagan. It is an honour to serve as inspiration, especially for an episode so full of wonder and intrigue. And that clinic and its staff sound like a fascinating setting as well… I can’t wait for more!

    Liked by 2 people

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      1. I’m so glad you added this comment, Dan. This is such a unique book from Olga. It’s very positive and includes lovely quote-images. What I liked best was that she arranged the layout so that it has both English and Spanish translations in a single volume. In addition to being a great read, it’s a fun way to brush-up on one’s Spanish.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

  24. Hi Teagan, this is a really great episode and two chess pieces is a real treat. You accidentally on purpose forgot to tell us what the doctor had to say. I guess that will come. I have one of Olga’s books on audio and must listen to it next.

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    2. I’ve enjoyed all of Olga’s books, Robbie. I have her “I Love Your Cupcakes” on audio and enjoyed it very much too. I know she has others on audio, but I had already read them.
      Actually, I just now tweaked the scene where Pepper is talking to Dr. Leggett. Although, in this kind of story or a place like Atonement, the doctor wouldn’t be likely to give explanations about anything supernatural. She won’t be a big part of this story. However, the setting’s location gave me an irresistible way to put Pepper in danger. The cameo appearance of Tracey Tipton was mostly a device/excuse to have the door open again so Pepper would hear that (familiar I hope) motorcycle. I might do a midweek post about the different things I did in writing this episode…
      Anyhow, thanks for reading and commenting. Your feedback is always valuable. Hugs.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. I enjoyed I Love Your Cupcakes. It is the last of the angel series I want to listen too. I let it slip. I can’t seem to go from this comment on Jetpack to your post so I’ll come back and read your changes later from my laptop.

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