Author's Note: In any family, bigotry can hide behind the kindest phrases, and be cloaked in the best intentions. Later, Carl and his siblings have a wonderful Christmas, not knowing the nightmare to come. As ever please be tolerant of my failings, and forthright with your criticism. ~Persephone

 

 
"Could one of you take the crew some coffee,” Helmut requested – the others had their hands full with the actual ‘guests’.

Part Fifteen

"I have him!" shouted Blackpool, materializing from one of the many shadows of the unevenly lighted room.

CHAPTER 2
They weren’t the worst of the people I stayed with, but they were certainly far from the best. For a few months, I was moved from one set of carers to another, some of whom actually matching that description as people who cared. Several, however, were most definitely ‘other’ in their approach.

Lisa and I stayed in my room and chatted for a few minutes, then my mom rapped on my door, opened it and said, “We’re gonna show Pop Mama around the neighborhood. Y’all wanna come?”

“I don’t guess, mom. Maybe we’ll get into the pool.”

“Ok, we’re already dressed, after we ride around a bit, we’re going to take them to Floyd’s. Would y’all like for us to pick y’all up for that?”

“Sure!”

“OK, I’ll call y’all when it about time to start getting ready.”

“Ok, mom.”

Author's Note: To his dismay Carl is growing into the young man his parents are proud of. But the first cracks in the family’s foundations are appearing. As ever please be tolerant of my failings, and forthright with your criticism. ~Persephone
 
Photo by  Christopher Campbell on Unsplash
© Persephone 2019

Part Thirteen

This section of the Pyrenees mountains was isolated and rarely visited. The moreso in the past few years, due to a certain element moving in.

Ursula begins to enjoy her outings with Senia, but then news comes that the renovations to the Great Hall are complete. Wallesan decides to host a banquet for all those involved in the reconstruction of hall and mansion. Another potential talent of Ursula is revealed as she joins in the evening, but the music is not to her taste.

The Voyage of the Visund

A tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

19 - The Great Hall

Part Fourteen

Malak flew down towards the green of the roof garden on the Chicago City Hall. He was planning to land where he could see many emergency responders waiting on the cordoned-off street. However, the sound of breaking glass diverted him. He saw a fire axe come out of a window on the top floor of offices, which was shortly followed by a woman. This was definitely not the Mayor; in fact, the window was on the county offices side.

Rachel has become fed up on how she is treated and is preparing to stand up for herself. As she concludes that the latest punishment, by being too much actually has empowered her, her Mother is feeling weaker especially with Dad away in London for the week, and worried her child is going to succeed in disrupting her tenuous grip of power. The dichotomy of beliefs in their powers is setting for a storm to rage through the family.

Author's Note: You may have noticed that I’ve chosen to write a story set in the US rather than my home turf, so, if I’ve messed up a phrase or cultural reference, please forgive me and let me know my mistake as a PM. As ever please be tolerant of my failings, and forthright with your criticism. ~Persephone
 
Photo by  Christopher Campbell on Unsplash
© Persephone 2019

For Christmas vacation, my maternal grandparents were planning a trip from Tennessee. Their last visit was at Christmas 2 years before. Needless to say, a lot had changed.

My mom had spoken with them about my gender issue and my grandmother understood completely. My grandfather, however, was another story. As he saw it, his grandson had had a male to female sex change and was destined for hell. An uncomfortable, possibly heartbreaking confrontation was brewing.

Thomas is not just failing to see the forest for the trees but oblivious to the trees as he pursues boons while attempting to ignore debts incurred even after they are due. Will he understand what his Grandma is trying to teach Tegan, or keep blaming her?

After the meeting at K&P services, and each team is split up. Paul, Marshal Bullock, Marshal Running Bear, Jessica Jones and members of Golden Eagle Squad boarded a private flight to London, England. The two pilots’ flying them there worked for Chaos Security.

“Tell me again, why we are flying to London, England?” Paul hadn’t been briefed on why they were heading there.

Author's Note: You may have noticed that I’ve chosen to write a story set in the US rather than my home turf, so, if I’ve messed up a phrase or cultural reference, please forgive me and let me know my mistake as a PM. As ever please be tolerant of my failings, and forthright with your criticism. ~Persephone
 
Photo by  Christopher Campbell on Unsplash
© Persephone 2019

WARNING
This part has some bits that some readers may find disturbing.
[one year after Penny died]

Connie and Bill decided to take some flowers to Penny’s grave on the anniversary of her death. It was a sad time for both of them.

They’d been up at the crack of dawn and out in one of the fields that Harry had turned into a Wildflower Meadow. As they picked the flowers they both heard a Skylark singing above them. Then a Cuckoo called from the small copse at the end of the field. Finally, a Corn Bunting chased them away from its nest. They smiled at each other. It seemed that all was right with the world just for a short time.

With the flowers sorted into two nice bunches, they travelled to Penny’s grave to pay their respects.

Knoxville, Airport:
“Hey, wake-up Tammy. We’ve landed.” Stanley shakes Tammy’s shoulder lightly.

She had finally fallen asleep when they landed in Mexico to refuel. It was a nineteen-hour flight from Australia to Knoxville, Tn. Everyone was slowly moving around. Not only were they still jetlagged from all the flying, but from being on the plane.