Randy shifted his weight in the uncomfortable straight-back wooden chair.  He was afraid to grasp the handle of the delicate teacup though he was thirsty for the hot tea.  Mary and her cousins were quiet, scrolling through their respective Kindles and Kobos for the book they were to discuss that night.  Randy didn’t know how he had been pressed into joining their book club.  The only reason could be that he had suggested the novel to Mary.  Living Life Backwards was an intriguing title he thought, and Peter Wells, the author, was a master of the short story, at least the ones he published through his blog, Counting Ducks.  That was another interesting title.  People usually count sheep.  Or the head of cattle.  But he had never known anyone to count ducks. (more…)