FRANKIE

I clicked the top back onto the lipstick and replaced it carefully in the dressing table drawer along with the other make up I’d used. Studying myself in the mirror, I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. I felt relaxed - for the first time in a long while. Perhaps for the first time since my sister, two years older than me, had left home to go to college in the US ten weeks ago. I missed her enormously. We were close - much closer than most siblings, but we had our parents to thank for that.

A group of friends streams their gaming on Wednesday nights. But not all the action is on the dining room table.

“I love you when you’re tired and grumpy from working a bad craft fair, or when you can’t get the truck to start, or forget we’re supposed to have dinner with the ’rents. You are my always and my forever, Keziah Brown.”

A group of friends streams their gaming on Wednesday nights. But not all the action is on the dining room table.

A group of friends streams their gaming on Wednesday nights. But not all the action is on the dining room table.

Lisa learns the benefits of a good foundation. Blake joins a bowling team. Lisa's visit to work doesn't go so well. A surprise at home gets Lisa's attention. Lisa and Blake plan for the future. Lisa's expert knowledge of dresses opens the door to a new career opportunity.

Hello patient readers. Here's the long awaited next chapter in which Jamie goes on more shopping trips, has a heart-to-heart talk with his mother, and Megan finds herself in a troubling situation. And much more. Thanks to the wonderful Tracy Davis, aka shesgotleggs, for critiquing and editing help.

Jamie woke to a hand shaking his shoulder.

"Wakey, wakey, sleepy head."

Jamie pushed the sheet back from his neck and tried to roll over but tangled himself in the covers. His mother looked down on him, grinning, already dressed and made up for work.

A group of friends streams their gaming on Wednesday nights. But not all the action is on the dining room table.

A group of friends streams their gaming on Wednesday nights. But not all the action is on the dining room table.

A group of friends streams their gaming on Wednesday nights. But not all the action is on the dining room table.

Marcia watched as her brother and friend eyed each other. She wasn't sure how the meeting was going to go after the occurrences of three years previous, but she hoped both could reign in their feelings.

There was an uneasy silence that was finally broken by Chet. "Hi, Trish. Nice to see you." He stepped up to her and put one arm around her in a friendship embrace.

It was as if there was a collective sigh of relief as they embraced. Darryl glanced at his sister, and saw a small bit of stiffness that quickly evaporated. It was as if Mage consciously made the decision to be friendly.

Always Stay Down To Earth, Walter
I grew up overshadowed by lush lakes
Couldn't catch the eye of no city boy
Here I am devoted to Walter
How I love the way you look in your blue jeans
Can't believe I let the smog cloud my eye
Where the lush lakes stand
And the deep mountains surround
I'll ride my battered truck with you by my side
There's a whisper in the Tennessee breeze
Reminding me of Chris
That whisper builds
That whisper cries
Chris in the morning skies

A group of friends streams their gaming on Wednesday nights. But not all the action is on the dining room table.

It seems that some schools have strict rules and give detention for numerous infractions, including tardiness and uniform specifications. Naturally, I couldn’t help but imagine what might happen if a student arrived for his first day, at just such a school, in a whirlwind of chaos, fateful decisions, and shenanigans.

A group of friends streams their gaming on Wednesday nights. But not all the action is on the dining room table.