Alexa B-Side: Cold & Flu-Full Circle

The necklace

The young woman looks down to the heart shape necklace in her hand with tears running down her face... on the night of Christmas eve -such a simple thing so small yet has such meaning to the young women - the story that the necklace tells is of the love between a mother and her daughter... And of acceptance and support...

Michael and I were just unpacking when my phone rang.

I was not surprised that it was Dennis. “Katherine needs a favor.”

“So what else is new?” I laughed. “Does it involve being auctioned off? Parading half naked in front of an auditorium full of people – and network TV cameras? Recording an album under her name?” I was joking, but Dennis' demeanor became even more shy and uncertain.

“Uh. This is kind of a lot more.”

After school on January 15 Krista and Tony checked the CWP Facebook site. Krista did so to make sure Tony didn’t hype her heroics. She had nothing against posting the truth, but Tony, proud to be her boyfriend, had a tendency to boast about her exploits. Ever since she’d saved his mother and he from his hostile dad, he’d understood that she was naturally cool and calm in times of crisis and felt honored to be her boyfriend. By building her up he was unconsciously building himself up, a strange but honest braggadociosity. That day they found an almost pleading private message from a distraught parent.

A successful woman is convinced a female lead marriage is the best path forward and as her career is taking off, her unemployed husband is expected to fill traditional female roles like homemaker and nursing mother. In this chapter… Eric makes an important decision that alters his destiny and leaves him changed forever. Be careful what you ask for…

“You were probably confused by being kissed. I understand that can be pretty distracting for people of your species.”

A foster mother expects to give her foster child shelter for a while. But when Millie took Michael in, she found herself giving -- and getting -- much, much more.

Edited 30.Dec.2016
Revised 14. Jan. 2017

I heard the bells on Christmas Day,
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet,
The words repeat,
Of peace on Earth, goodwill toward men!

“I’m telling you, Callie, it isn’t a big deal.”

“Are you kidding me, Justine?” My roommate was ecstatic as we trudged up the stairs to our dormitory after a long walk in the winter’s cold.

“You’ve been named prima ballerina! That’s kind of a huge deal!”

Seventh daughter of a seventh daughter,
She, Theona, shall hold the worlds in her hands.
She wields power such as none have seen,
And the justice of the lands is hers to give.

A Lord of the Mar'vath walks beside her,
She wields balls of fire and swords of ice
In battle against her many foes.

Three ettins storm 'cross the Four Great Lands,
Sow hate, despair and terror as they go.
Theona, Mak'Ris the cat and an elfin lady
Stand strong as day turns to darkest night.