“Paris” at Five Chapters

Every week, Five Chapters publishes a short story in five parts. Right now, they are running Marcy’s “Paris,” along with a contest to win one of five copies of Bad Marie. Here’s how the story starts:

Emily tracked down her biological father in a small, industrial town in Northern Germany. Henry Bean had ducked out of Emily’s life when she was only six months old, not long after her mother had left him for another man.

“Look at you,” he said. “You’re gorgeous.”

They met for the first time at a bar in his neighborhood. He paid for her beer.

“Thanks,” she said quietly. She did not want to appear to be too happy. Already, she adored him.