If you’re in the mood for soapy drama with a unique flair not seen on the three broadcast networks, Soap Hub Insider has a treat for you.
Introducing our exclusive online daily soap opera for Insider members. Like current soaps on air, Best For Last features daily written episodes focused on the drama surrounding Laurie, Seth, and a host of other players.
Get immersed in stories and characters you’ve never seen before and let them become family, like the players we see every day on Days of our Lives, General Hospital, The Young and the Restless, and The Bold and the Beautiful.
Continue from Episode 4
1978
“Slow down, Laurie,” Seth reached up with one hand to keep her from sweeping a half-dozen frozen pizza boxes off the supermarket shelf, onto the floor. At 9 years old, Seth was three years older than Laurie; taller, too, which meant he didn’t need to stand on his tip-toes to reach them. As quickly as Laurie knocked them down, Seth pushed them back up again.
“But, I’m hungry,” she whined.
“We can’t eat frozen stuff. Let’s get some cheese and animal crackers and candy bars. How long has your mom been gone this time?”
Laurie counted off on her fingers, turning her hand towards Seth. “Three sleeps.”
“I know you’re hungry, but you can’t just eat frozen junk. It’s not good for you. Besides, those boxes are too big.” He looked around the freezer department, spying an individual-sized portion. “Here,” he handed two to Laurie, then took her hand and led her into the vegetable aisle, selecting a pack of carrots. “Take these, too.”
Laurie made a face but did as Seth ordered.
“Can I have a soda?”
“No junk food! And the bottle is too big. Now,” he lowered his voice. “You remember how we do this?”
She nodded solemnly.
“Okay. Give me the stuff.”
Laurie handed it over, standing in front of Seth and blocking the view of the cashier as Seth stuffed the treasures under his deliberately too-big jacket. He put the bag of carrots in his jeans’ pocket. At the last minute, he also impulsively grabbed a small bottle of children’s vitamins.
“All right. Go.” Seth jerked his head towards the cashier.
At the counter, Laurie asked for a candy bar. Once the man gave it to her, she changed her mind and asked for another kind. He obligingly made the switch. At which point Laurie proceeded to count out her change, one penny at a time, making several arithmetic mistakes – what could you expect, she was only 6 – and needing to start over again.
Meanwhile, Seth surreptitiously crept down the furthest aisle, towards the door, and into the parking lot. Laurie finished her transaction, thanked the man at the counter with a sweet smile, and followed.
Both thought they’d made a clean getaway. Neither noticed the sales clerk watching Seth out of the corner of his eye. After only a few months on the job, he was more than familiar with the boy in the ill-fitting clothes and the girl with the uneven, auburn pigtails – one too thick, one too thin, and a zig-zag part in the middle – that looked like she’d done them herself.
Neither Seth nor Laurie noticed him deliberately looking the other way, either.
Continue to Episode 6
About the Author
Alina Adams wrote the “As the World Turns” tie-ins, “Oakdale Confidential” and “The Man From Oakdale,” and co-wrote “Guiding Light’s” “Jonathan’s Story.” She was the Creative Content Producer for “Another World Today,” and worked on the 2013 relaunches of “All My Children” and “One Life To Live.” Her books include romance novels, figure skating murder mysteries, and the historical family saga, “The Nesting Dolls,” from HarperCollins. Read more at: AlinaAdams.com
