SO, HERE I AM
by Hilltopper

PROLOGUE

Yes, here I am, 62 years old and waiting in my hospital bed to be prepped for SRS. WOW! I can not believe it is here. It has been a long struggle; a journey with lots of ups and downs. Mary, my spouse, is here with me, dozing in the chair beside me. If someone had told me that I would be at this point even a year ago, I would have laughed at them or maybe cried. But, here it is. I think that I hear the nurse coming.

Sometime in the future:

Dear Reader: I was delighted to find that this writer account was still open after all these years. I wanted to write this story to tell you something about my family. I haven’t much experience with writing, so please bear with me, okay? I hope this blesses you. Sincerely, Angelina Abruzzi

To Hope Again Part 4 A Beautiful Afternoon   A "Home that Love Built" Story by Angelina Marie Abruzzi Thanks Daddy!   There's this place in me where your finger prints still rest... your kisses still linger and your whispers softly echo... It's the place where a part of you will forever be a part of me. (Anonymous)

Badger's Set by Tanya Allan

 
Lee and Leanne were twins, but as a young baby, Leanne dies, leaving her twin with the firm belief that part of her remained with him for always.

As Lee grew in an unhappy home, struggling with a gender identity problem, events occurred that enabled Leanne to come alive again, in more ways than one.

Leanne got a job in a classy cocktail bar, called Badger's, that turned away hundreds for every one that was accepted.

She was a unique girl...

Chapter 8: Friendships continue to be solidified. Cindy, Randi, Bobbie, Andy, and Derrick (Andy’s brother) go to the mall to see Santa. They find out why The Wizard had kept reminding them to go. This chapter has a bit of a different look at a story presented as a stand alone story (“Cynthia and the Christmas Gift”).

Chapter 9: Winter turns out to be rather nasty, but the friends make the best of it. Maddy has a plan, and brings in the neighborhood cats, both domestic and feral, to help her with its execution. Cindy has known for a while that she feels very strongly about Donna, but it takes the catalyst of a major early spring snowstorm to encourage Cindy to take the final steps. Strangely, Cindy’s mother knew all along.

A lonely young boy tries unsuccessfully to cope with recent changes in his life until an odd group of strangers arrive in town and show him that maybe his curse is a blessing after all.

Badger's Set by Tanya Allan

 
Lee and Leanne were twins, but as a young baby, Leanne dies, leaving her twin with the firm belief that part of her remained with him for always.

As Lee grew in an unhappy home, struggling with a gender identity problem, events occurred that enabled Leanne to come alive again, in more ways than one.

Leanne got a job in a classy cocktail bar, called Badger's, that turned away hundreds for every one that was accepted.

She was a unique girl...

Badger's Set by Tanya Allan

 
Lee and Leanne were twins, but as a young baby, Leanne dies, leaving her twin with the firm belief that part of her remained with him for always.

As Lee grew in an unhappy home, struggling with a gender identity problem, events occurred that enabled Leanne to come alive again, in more ways than one.

Leanne got a job in a classy cocktail bar, called Badger's, that turned away hundreds for every one that was accepted.

She was a unique girl...

Chapter 6: Following The Wizard’s instructions, the friends, with Randi and Maddy, go to the County Animal Shelter to pick up two ‘associates’ for Bobbie and Randi. All goes well, and the two little darlings are returned to the Lewis and Schmedlap households. A few days later Maddy awakens Cindy. It seems Randi has done it again as the two new additions are seated with Maddy at the foot of Cindy’s bed.

Chapter 7: Things have settled down for a while as far as the cats are concerned. At Donna’s urging, the four friends take up jogging seriously. None of them are in Donna’s class as far as running is concerned; however, they find their weekend runs to be very enjoyable, that is until they are accosted by some hoodlums. For the first time, Cindy has to rely on magic for her survival, and does rather well. The Wizard is very pleased with how well she handled herself in a very serious situation. Once again, though, he expresses his concern for Donna.

The Rats of Hell by Tanya Allan

 
In a Galaxy, far, far away, there was a peaceful planet called Devia. On this planet lived a young man called Carl and his family.

This planet was invaded and overwhelmed in a surprisingly quick time by an army of sinister humanoid warriors. Leaving a devastated landscape and the civilisation in ruins, our young man is herded by the soldiers, with thousands of others, into an enormous transport ship. Men and women were segregated for an unknown, but ominous purpose.

With all other members of the family missing, believed killed, Carl and his mother have little time left together. On the urgings of his mother, he assumes the appearance of a girl in a vain attempt to remain with her.

The invaders seem to believe it...

If I were a girl
(With apologies to Beyonce)

The Rats of Hell by Tanya Allan

 
In a Galaxy, far, far away, there was a peaceful planet called Devia. On this planet lived a young man called Carl and his family.

This planet was invaded and overwhelmed in a surprisingly quick time by an army of sinister humanoid warriors. Leaving a devastated landscape and the civilisation in ruins, our young man is herded by the soldiers, with thousands of others, into an enormous transport ship. Men and women were segregated for an unknown, but ominous purpose.

With all other members of the family missing, believed killed, Carl and his mother have little time left together. On the urgings of his mother, he assumes the appearance of a girl in a vain attempt to remain with her.

The invaders seem to believe it...

Goodbye Sam...
by mittfh
 
Copyright © 2010 Ben Norwood.

Contains lyrics from "Goodbye Sam, Hello Samantha", copyright of whoever Cliff's record label was back in 1970...

I mentioned this song when the contest was first proposed. Back then, I claimed I wasn't an author and couldn't imagine myself writing anything. Just over a month later, I've somehow got three stories up here and another in the works...
So I suppose I'd better do something with these lyrics...

As I sat there in the church, I thought of how fragile and short life is. My friend Christy had found out she had Cancer and felt the pain would be too much to bear so she ended her life. She had been dealing with Bipolar Disorder all of her life and I guess the added news of her diagnosis proved to be too much. I had even had thoughts of doing the same thing. The stress of living my life to make my family happy was beginning to become too much. I spent twenty three years of my life trying to fit into a role as a son, grandson and brother. I was miserable.

BOXES by Dorothy Colleen

On every form I am sent
There is a box I must fill
Each time that it comes up
It gives me such a chill
Male - female
Mr. , Miss
Check one box
They do insist
Pick one that fits you
Decide your fate
But it’s a question
I have come to hate
No matter what side
Which one I choose
It’s only a game
And I always lose
No matter my answer
It feels so wrong
An alternative I seek
My feelings are strong
One day I may break out
Find my own voice
Not let my spirit
Be someone else’s choice
But windows have shutters
And doors have locks

Sometime in the future:

Dear Reader: I was delighted to find that this writer account was still open after all these years. I wanted to write this story to tell you something about my family. I haven’t much experience with writing, so please bear with me, okay? I hope this blesses you. Sincerely, Angelina Abruzzi

To Hope Again Part 3 A Day to Remember   A "Home that Love Built" Story by Angelina Marie Abruzzi Thanks Daddy!   Just when you think love is a distant dream Oh, fate give you wings

Cindy and Bobbie are having a problem. Their special senses are being piqued, but not in a way they have been before. They can’t explain it, and are not sure what they are sensing. Andy takes Bobbie, Cindy, and Donna to the beach. It’s their last opportunity to get some sun before the fall sets in. The weather changes rather drastically, and their sunbathing is cut short. Donna tells Cindy the story of her life. It had been a wonderful life until the last few years.

A musical story cycle. Listen and hopefully enjoy. If you don't enjoy it, that's ok too.

Now begins one of the most important phases of Cindy’s life. She becomes friends with a new student, a beautiful Latina girl who is living with Andy’s family. Donna Brewer is an orphan and a ward of the state. We don’t know her background yet; however, it has been very tragic. She is welcomed into Cindy and Bobbie’s circle. Their lives will never be the same.