River City Connections — 2025-12-19 (Patreon)

Part of this post is "continued" from Instagram, so it is FREE for everyone!

Some posts and sections of some posts are reserved for Supporters.

AGI Stories content almost always appears on Patreon first, in advance of all other platforms. You get it first!

GOOD MORNING

Let me begin my post by joining all the other people who are excited to see how well things are working out for Michael and Cindi. I’m hoping for a happy ending as much as anyone. Absolutely.

But December bears another story. Let’s call it explosive growth and burgeoning success. And stress.

I’ve been working for ClearStream for nineteen days now. The International client list is growing. Al Thuraya Global Logistics keeps recommending us to other companies. Michael is working ten or more hours a day. Jordan too. I’m stepping up as much as I can, and I’ve logged billable hours far in excess of my internship salary.

So, today…

I’m at Jordan’s apartment. Flash back a few hours.

She texted me. “We need to meet. Do you have time?”

I live and work at my parents’ house in Germantown. She lives and works from her apartment in Collierville. We decided to leave my mom out of the meeting, so I went there.

Hayes, her roommate, let me in as she was leaving, pointing and saying, “She’s in her office.”

I called out. “Jordan?”

“Come on back…”

Both the words and the tone gave me pause. Jordan’s office is her bedroom and a tension was woven into the tone of her voice. I approached and stopped at the door.

She was still looking at her computer. “Al Thuraya did it again. Perth, Australia…”

She was sitting there looking like big business from head to knees and like spring break from knees to toes. But when she turned to face me, she looked like overwhelmed and lost. There were tears in her eyes.

“A company called Satellite Safe-Systems. A startup. They want a total review and idea map. I just got off the call.”

Reading the body language told me there were complicating factors.

The rest of this Chapter is exclusive to Patreon.

Jordan stood up and came closer. “Carter, we’re in over our heads. It’s too much. Too fast.”

I replayed the request in my head. Michael could whip out an idea map using other bids as a template in a matter of a few hours. He can wield words like his World of Warcraft paladin wields a sword. (No, I don’t actually play, but I watched one time.)

“What did Michael say?” I asked.

“Michael told me last night to act like he’s off the grid today.” She took another step, head down. “Paperwork for the state. Fourth quarter things, plus, he’s doing accounts payable today. I texted a short note. He said to do what I can and see what happens.”

Then, the tears started pouring. Her need for support and my feeling of sympathy closed the distance and she grabbed my arms and literally cried on my shoulder. I felt like grandpa mode kicked in and I just let her hold on, one of my hands on her shoulder.

Through her tears, she said, “I’m not even done with edits for Jonas, Abdul, and Basson… And I’m bawling on your shirt…”

“It’s fine…” I guess another thirty seconds of tears brought the embrace up to near the minute mark before she backed out and wiped her face.

“It doesn’t feel fine.”

“Okay,” I replied, “it’s not fine, but it will be eventually. How about that?”

Jordan laughed. “Okay, I’ll play along. Convince me.”

I stared at her and laughed. I looked back to where Hayes had been, but I have absolutely no idea why I did that. Then I looked at Jordan, then past her to her computer.

I decided to just take a shot. “Open Gmail and I’ll type something to Michael. He can read it when he can.”

She did and I told him that Al Thuraya had referred another account. I told him what they wanted and that Jordan and I would take a run at it, and he could review and send it next week.

Jordan wasn’t smiling, but the tears were gone. “Now what?”

I pointed at the pink flip-flops on her feet. “It’s a beautiful day. Put on some shoes that match your outfit… Tell Satellite Safe-Systems to zip up the files and send whatever documents they want reviewed. We set up some templates and get ready for when the docs arrive, then we hit Huey’s for lunch… Then we come back and lock in until it’s done. We can DoorDash dinner and grind through the documents until we’re done.”

Jordan forced a smile. “So, you’re spending the weekend with me?”

I smiled back. “It won’t take that long, but if it does, I’ll go back to my desk and we can do FaceTime or Teams… your pick.”

Jordan sent the email to Satellite Safe-Systems, and that seemed to be some sort of turning point. She rose from her desk and smiled.

“Sorry about crying.”

“Not a problem. Really.”

She smiled again. “So, Hueys?”

“Why not?”

“One of my favs… but…”

I waited, but it was clear she was baiting me to ask. “But what?”

“What’s wrong with my shoes?”

The Storylines are the heart of Ailana Geven Imagines, and they are found in the Collections section of the site.

Support AGI with:• one-time contribution through TipTopJar.• one-time contribution through Throne.• Patreon Membership.

All characters in this story are fictional characters, their images generated with AI for AGI Stories. They do not represent any real person, nor is their appearance based on any real human.

WEEKEND BUT… by Cindi Curtis

It’s Friday night, and I’m at Michael’s place. I still had his Jeep from yesterday, so I picked up some sandwiches and drove over.

He’s been working all day today and still isn’t done, but we’re going to hang out for a little while tonight. He’ll get me back to ARRIVE later, then he’s going to use most of Saturday for catch-up time.

Well, the last thing you heard from me was an announcement that I’m moving to Memphis. Actually, to the Memphis area—exact location has not been determined.

Never fear! Dad’s on it! No problem is too big for him to tackle, and now is never too soon!

I told him to take a deep breath and we’d have a long talk tomorrow. While Michael is working on ClearStream projects, Dad and I will start working on getting me moved.

Right now, I just want to sit in the middle of the idea. I want to think about it, not in terms of details and dollars, but just in the abstract.

Me. New me, new place. New panic attacks that aren’t habits I just accept.

I’m not cured. But changing everything seems to have broken some of the cycles. Sure, there are new things to freak out about. I guess that will always be true. But I’m managing better. I really think I am.

Moving stress? I’ll deal with that tomorrow. I’m sure it will brew up a nice hefty batch of anxiety—as it does for anyone—and I don’t know how I’ll respond.

I do know that Michael will be at my side and Jordan will have my back. If I’ve learned anything it’s this:

Isolation might feel safe, but in the long run, for me, I’m better off around Michael and Jordan. And I want to get to know Hayes better too—and Carter and Roman as well.

That’s a lot for someone who spent the last years in her mountain retreat!

Thanks for all the encouragement and support. I really don’t think any of this would have happened without you.

Be your best you!

Become a Patreon Member (Click Here)

"Thank You" Message to Paying Supporters:

Thank you very much for your help underwriting the cost of producing AGI Stories content. You can be sure that your paid membership is valued greatly! At the time of this post, not counting hardware, AGI Stories racks up expenses of just over $100 per month.

Patreon members… You are covering a nice portion of that.

I believe most of you who help with the costs are doing so because you want to support the production process and show your encouragement. That means so much to me! I am honored and greatly moved.

While most of the content on AGI Stories is free and much of it is public, the hope is that reserving a few pictures and small sections of the post for you is a modest indication of gratitude!

Again, thank you very, very much.

~AGI Original Stories & AI Images