"Texas Leaves"

"Freedom's Light" is a forthcoming anthology from Victory Fiction publishing, It will include my short story "Texas Leaves". In this alternate history, George H.W. Bush is defeated for the presidency by Michael Dukakis in 1988. The Soviet Union never falls because Dukakis helps prop it up to insure "world stability."

In 2000 son George W. Bush makes a run at the presidency. Here's how the story kicks off:

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“The fall foliage is stunning this year. Texas hardly ever sees any color in the fall."

The Governor turned to his Advisor. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”

“Yes, and it’s ironic,” said the Advisor. “The landscape looks lovely, and our future never looked bleaker.”

“Are the polls still open in Florida?”

“Yes, and President Clinton said they will stay open until everyone gets a chance to vote.” The Advisor stared at his drink. “They knew it was going to be close, they were sampling the ballots already cast, and now they’ve stolen the election. The polls should have closed 12 hours ago. People are being allowed to vote multiple times.”

“We came so close,” said the Governor. “Maybe next time.”

“There isn’t going to be a next time. After Clinton comes Gore, and he’ll crack down on us more than ever.” The Advisor stood up. “We need to face reality. After eight years of Dukakis and now eight years of Clinton, the U.S. will be just another Third World despotism under Russia’s thumb.”

“Well then, if we can’t save the U.S., then maybe Texas can save itself.”

He nodded knowingly at the Advisor