i don’t want to be a different gender, but i also don’t want to continue being my current gender (more like the gender i was assigned, i’m still closeted). i want to be just...me, i guess. i don’t want to be a girl or a boy. just me. i want to be treated fairly regardless of my gender. i want to be able to live my life the way i want to regardless of my gender. i want to be given the same opportunities as everybody else regardless of my gender. but most of all, i want to be able love myself regardless of my gender.

i’m AFAB (assigned female at birth), and most people, or i guess, all people assume that i’m a girl, and i don’t blame then. i present feminine because masculine looks and outfits just don’t fit me. i’d love to present masculine, but it just doesn’t look good on me, so i just stick with presenting feminine. and because of that, it makes sense that i get called “lady”, “ma’am”, “miss”, and have people use she/her pronouns on me. but that doesn’t mean i’m ok with it. i’m non-binary and use they/them pronouns, so hearing things like that being used on me makes me dysphoric and overall, just awful.

i used to think that i wanted to be a boy then. if i didn’t want to be a girl, then a boy must be it. but after a lot of thinking and crying, i realized that i didn’t want to be a boy. i didn’t want to be either. i don’t want a gender. i wanted to be me, just a person. i guess that’s why the term non-binary just felt right. because it was me, it was who i am. me. i’m me, regardless of what my gender is or what i choose to identify as, and i want the world to be ok with that.

of course, the world won’t be. not the whole world, just some. people will tell me that my pronouns aren’t “gramatically correct” and that being non-binary isn’t a real thing. but there will also be people supporting me no matter what, validating me and making sure that i never feel ashamed of who i am, and i’m glad that there’s people in my life like that. i hope everybody gets the chance to meet people like that. those people care about and love me for who i am, regardless of my gender, and i hope to get to that point some day.

like the title says, gender is stupid. it’s a social construct that does more harm than good. i'm not sure if it even does any good. who cares if men want to wear dresses or paint their nails? doesn’t make them any less of a man. if women want to wear suits and look masculine and not dainty at all, let them be, they’re still women. at the end of the day, you have to ask yourself:

“are they hurting me, others, or theirselves?”

if the answer is no, then move on. it’s their life, let them live it. if the answer is yes, it’s probably not because of what they’re wearing. if it is, you’re either dramatic, or their beautiful and stunning looks are killing you /half-joking (this a dialogue tag for those who don’t know, usually looks like -> /hj).

that was a rant and a little off topic, but still needs to be said. stop dictating other people’s lives.

so i guess what i’m trying to say is, gender just doesn’t do it for me. i don’t want to be the gender i was assigned as, and i also don’t want to be a differnt gender. why should i have to be put into this little box and have it define me for the rest of my life? that's not who i am or who i want to be. i’m me, a person. not a girl or a boy, me. i’m me, and that’s good enough for me.

Fight Procrastination Day

Read A Book Day

Rosh Hashanah Day

National Coffee Ice Cream Day

Today being Labor Day, give your support to all who have labored over the course of their lives to make it so we have those things we need in our own. With that said, I turn to three.

Fight Procrastination Day

Yesterday it was cool to procrastinate. My what a difference a day makes.

To many people, procrastination is a way of life. The more difficult the action or decision, the easier it is to join the league of procrastinators. As a procrastinator, you are in very good company. You can even become a card carrying member of a Procrastinator's club.

Today is a day to fight procrastination. Make a decision. Take action. Do it now. Do it today. It may be hard to do. But you will be glad you did.

"Never put of until tomorrow, what you can do today!"—Mark Twain

My brother asked me "What does procrastination mean?" I said "I'll tell you tomorrow.”

Read A Book Day

Take time out of your busy life, and relax with a good book. Cozy up on a chair, indoors or out. It doesn't matter where you read that book, as long as you can do so in a comfortable manner. If you doze off along the way, no one will know unless you tell someone.

Reading is a great lifetime hobby. It offers so many positive attributes. It's relaxing and therapeutic. It's educational. It’s entertaining. And, a whole lot of other good things, too. Read your favorite author or someone new

If you have young children, or elderly people in your home, take the time to read a book to them today. It is a wonderful time to bond with them and it creates pleasant, lasting memories.

"With the past, I have nothing to do, nor with the future.

I live now."—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Rosh Hashanah Day

Begins at sundown on September 6, 2021; September 25, 2022; September 15, 2023; October 2, 2024; September 22, 2025; September 11, 2026; October 1, 2027. As you can see from this, there is no same starting date for this holiday as it varies.

Important Note: Many Jewish holidays begin at sunset. Some internet websites record these holiday on the first full day, while others sites state the date when it begins at sunset.

Rosh Hashanah is the celebration of the Jewish New Year. In celebrating the New Year, Rosh Hashanah celebrates the creation of the world. It is also one of the holiest days of the Jewish year.

Did you know that Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah are the only Jewish holidays that do not have roots in a historical religious event.

Why do Jewish mothers make great parole officers? They never let anyone finish a sentence.

More Strange Holidays Coming!

The Weekend In Montie

It seemed Wal-Mart flourished more than normal. The free publicity from the bomb scare made its impact. It would prove to be the best-selling weekend in over nine years.

At jazz club, Johnny “Scales” Hightower was playing the piano, Curtis Ray on bass fiddle, and Evan Niles on rhythm guitar, all playing soft progressive Blues.

At a table nearby in the middle of the room, JW and Patrick having finished lunch, and we're mulling over the tragic end of both Michael and Cliff.

“In the beginning it seemed that Michael and I had a connection based on our upbringing on how we both fought and clawed our way to where we are now, but it seemed right after he saw you and Cliff together he became tense, to the point of irritated. It became worse when he thought I was paying more attention to you than I was him. Michael wouldn't let it go.”

“How utterly sad, yet how similar it was between Cliff and I. He would get all prissy even if I looked at another man. And I guess it was Michael that convinced Cliff I was seeing you. Cliff told me what Michael said to him: stay away from my man basically. Cliff went on a serious rant and I couldn't sit by and let him go on and on, so I told him it was better we stopped seeing each other before we made a real commitment and have things get out of hand later in a relationship.

“And after all that, that brings you and I, us—here, and you are right; the music is excellent.”

“I can't truthfully say it will be an item Patrick, but I see a lot of wonderful things about you and I would like to explore. I can sense and can often see a gentle sight to you, one with warmth and compassion, and God knows in my line of work I need that when I come home at night.”

“There is a lot I sense about you as well, James. I know you prefer J.W., but I also like the sound of your name, too.”

J.W. shook his head slightly, a small smile curving and said, “It's been a long time since another man's said my name the way you just did.”

Patrick placed his right hand over J.W.'s left.

“We can explore, James. We can take a small step forward and see where the next one will take us.”

“You know Patrick I'm still not convinced this is the thing I want to do but I'm not convinced that it isn't either. So, where do we take that first small step?”

“I think we just have.”

Across town, the steaks and chicken, hot dogs and burgers filled the air with that come hither aroma, as over 100 people were lounging about the backyard or sitting on the patio deck as Stevie was playing chef.

Barry and Jolene Whitmore we're talking with Baker and end discussing politics, general affairs, and of course their daughter's 17th birthday.

Stevie looked at his watch. He yelled out, “Mom!”

Baker looked over, saw him nod his head. She excused herself as she went to the garage, and wheeled out a cart holding a five-layer chocolate and white cake decorated in buttery pink and blue frosting. Just before she reached the backyard she lit all the candles.

Ellie was standing next to Stevie along with a few of their friends when it happened.

The Happy Birthday song started with one voice, but ended with a hundred out of tune voices.

Ellie’s face was beet red because of the size of the cake, but she made her wish then blew out all the candles.

“Alright everyone,” Stevie spoke up. “Step right up grab what you want, there's enough here for everyone. After we eat, our birthday girl will cut us all a small slice of cake, then we get to watch her open her presents.”

An hour went by where you could hear people laugh at a few of the joke gifts Ellie received but there would be some “aahs, wow’s oooh’s” at other gifts and of them all, it was the diamond pendant necklace and matching earrings that had Ellie crying

“Ellie,” said Stevie, “they say diamonds are forever that's how long I want us to be together.” That was when he handed her a ring.

At County Memorial, Jonathan was slowly regaining his strength faster than even the doctors anticipated but not to the point he was ready to go back to work, but he would be ready to go home by the end of next week if his progress were to continue as it had been. Diane told him home would be at her house. He didn't argue.

Throughout the day, a lot of talk was still about Walmart and the deaths of Michael and Cliff. Someone started a rumor that Michael was being blackmailed. Someone else said it was a drug deal, and who better to sell drugs than the ADA himself.

Rumors came and went. Another rumor surfaced that they were probably homosexuals as one pool shooter said at Benny's Pub, “Probably queer for each other’s gear. You know how those gay people are. I can't stand to be around ’em”

By Monday, no one would remember a single rumor said.

But before the weekend was ended there was one person who was determined to end a tragedy that began so many years ago.

Just two more riddles and it would be over.

Monday – July 23rd

Good Morning America – 7:50 a.m.

“I’m here with Edward Carter, who now has his latest novel out, titled: Road To the Other Side. Can you tell us a little about it?”

“A sixteen-year old boy is caught in a cyclonic wind storm that actually teleports him to a twin-earth, but an earth in a complete upheaval. He is sought out to lead a rebellion against certain factions that could destroy mankind, as well as alter the scope and framework of the earth he was taken from.”

“Sounds frightening, Edward. Also, I understand that Hollywood has agreed to film the first book of your four part series beginning with Stolen Shadows.”

“That's correct Ann. Production is scheduled to begin this fall.”

“Any hint as to who will play the Shadow Master?”

“I haven't a clue; that's up to the casting crew and the director.”

After several more questions, Edward was asked the question that was preplanned just as the others were.

“I've heard from different sources you are planning to write a new book about one of our cities in New York.”

“You've heard correctly. Once my book tour is over, and once the holidays are out of the way, I plan to write about a beautiful and quaint city in southwestern New York called Montie.”

“As I recall, that was where Montie recently had a visit from Vice-president Biden who personally handed out dozens of citations to officers after Montie underwent an almost devastating tornado which damaged several businesses and homes, but no lives were lost.”

“Montie,” Edward said, has a long extensive history since the Revolutionary War, as well as both World Wars One and Two, Korea, Vietnam, and currently with Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Iran. Factor that in with the amount of activity this town has seen in the last few years and it would almost read like a fantasy.”

“But of course, Edward, this will be factual instead have you chosen the title as yet.?”

“Yes. Montie: Biography of Montie’s History - Then and Now. But that may change as I get further into the writing.”

“Sounds interesting. Thank you for being here. Edward Carter whose book project will be hitting the big screen this fall, and his latest novel, The Devil in Shadows, is currently number three on the New York Times bestseller list, is currently available at your nearest bookstore or online.

“We'll be right back, and in our second hour; outside, John and Linda are standing by waiting for The Who to set up for our Summer Music Festival.”

As Edward walked away, he felt so sure about himself and his future. He believed more than ever that he finally reached the apex of his career. After this book along with the fact his other three in the shadow series were also picked up as sequels for films, he would be able to retire at an early age and finally live the life he had always dreamed.

Cairo, Egypt – Late Night

To think, a week ago, Freddy was in Yemen, the same city President Motoko was in for a summit conference.

And just how good was his special Secret Police?

Not so special.

From his vantage point, he mapped out his escape route and the precise amount of time it would take for him to make his escape if he had shot and killed the arrogant ass of a president. Three minutes. In three minutes, no one would know or even recognize him.

He would have altered his appearance with a new identity and a valid passport in hand and walk through the tightest security. After all, he has done this many times before.

Tonight, he just finished another contract killing, but this one wasn’t political but personal. What a client wants, a client gets. Freddy never asked questions.

Tomorrow he would travel to Bulgaria, almost into the capital of Sofia. There were two brothers there who profited off the lives of young boys and girls. It was their turn to meet their maker.

But before he would sleep, he looked online for anything important going on in Montie. He had to keep tabs on sweet Janis.

A string of highlights underlined in blue appeared. One said Good Morning America.

“This should be interesting. Is sweet Janis a TV celebrity now?”

When he clicked over, he was at the website and saw a printed article and also where it said to see entire interview click here. He did. Ten minutes later he shut off his laptop pulled his cell phone off the desk in his hotel room and dialed a number in San Diego.

The phone on the other end rang once.

“Listen carefully. Find out everything you can about a writer, Edward Carter. Black male, heavyset, bald. I want to know what he eats for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I want to know how many times he farts a day; if he's into any sort of morbid sexual taste or if he's a family man. I want his home address and all the phone numbers he uses. You know which email to send the information. I expect everything I want to know in 24 hours.”

Freddy hung up.

“Edward Carter, huh? I shut him down or I shut him up.”

I used to have this friend that I honestly should’ve stopped being friends with a while ago. I’m gonna leave her unnamed since as much as I hate her, I don’t want to use her real name, so I’ll use C since that’s her first initial. C was...something, to say the least. I wanna give her the benefit of the doubt and say that she knows better now, but does she really? I don’t know, I haven’t talked to her in ages and I don’t want to. The pain she caused me is immeasurable, and it still haunts me to this day.

Honestly, she wasn’t that good of a friend, and a lot of times, the stuff she said to me hurt, but I had such a positive image of her and low one of myself that I brushed it off, saying that my feelings didn’t matter. She’d call me fat, ugly, and all kinds of things, and it still affects my self-image to this day. Whenever I talked about wanting to try out for basketball since I loved playing it, C would always tell me how “bad” I was and how I wouldn’t make the team. I never tried out because of that. Turns out she didn’t make the team when she tried out, so who’s really the “bad” one here?

I used to have a crush on this guy- back when I was still straight -and she’d always put me down for liking him, saying he was ugly and not all that. I would agree with her because I was so worried she was going to judge me. That wasn’t that bad, but one day, when I was out sick, she told him I liked him. She played it off as a joke, saying that it wasn’t a big deal. It might not have been to her, but it was to me. I was sitting in the car while my parents were working, close to tears. I trusted her, I really did. Guess I shouldn’t have.

Guess I didn’t learn from my mistakes because when I had my first girl crush, I told her. It was one of her best friends. The girl I liked was a good friend of mine as well, but I wasn’t as close to her as C was. I was on Facetime with her when I told her. I told her who I liked, and she laughed in my face. She laughed in my face. C then proceeded to tell me that she wouldn’t tell her, and again, I trusted her. God, I’m an idiot.

You probably think that she told her, and you’d be right, but something else happened before that, and it hurt me more than C telling the girl I liked her. A week passed after I told C I liked her, and she texted me, telling me to either stop liking her because she was uncomfortable with it, or lose her as a friend. She’s an awful person, but I still had a good image of her. I didn’t want to lose her. So I lied. I told her I would stop liking her so that we could stay friends. I cried myself to sleep that night.

As I said before, C told her. She told her the day I told her. And I didn’t find out til a month later from a friend. I was riding the bus home when he texted me. I was in shambles. I had to hold my tears in because I wasn’t home yet. The second I was, I ran to my room and cried. I felt like shit. That was the moment I finally realized how much I dreaded being her friend. That was the moment I realized that C wasn’t a good friend. That was the moment I realized that that image of her in my mind wasn’t real.

I tried to distance myself from her. I’m not a confrontational person, and I was afraid of her spilling all my secrets, so I never really did anything besides avoid her and not answer her texts. Didn’t work because she still talked to me, texted me, and called me. I hated every second of pretending that we were still friends. Honestly, I’m surprised that I didn’t realize what a shitty friend she was earlier. Not only did C do all of the things I mentioned above, she also talked shit about my friends, never cared about what I had to say, would talk shit about me behind my back and even let her friends talk shit about me right in front of me, told people my secrets and played it off as a “funny” joke- also right in front of me -, made me do things I was uncomfortable with (nothing sexual, just “favors” that were really just her begging me to do something for her even when I had repeatedly told her no because they made me uncomfortable), and she tried stealing from me too. But I guess none of that mattered because she was still a good person in my eyes.

C’s about a 5 minute drive from my house, and most of the places I go pass by her house. Every time I do, I always look away. It hurts. Sometimes my parents will bring it up, and I have to pretend that we’re still good friends. Like I said before, I wanna give her the benefit of the doubt and trust that she knows better now, but how am I supposed to trust her after all this? Honestly, if she came up to me today and apologized for everything she’s done to me, I don’t know if I could forgive her.

People always say that in order to move on, you have to forgive and forget. But what if I don’t want to? I don’t want to forgive her when she’s done nothing but give me immense trust issues and added onto my already poor self-esteem. I don’t want to forget in case I run into another “C” in my life. Hell, I can’t even move on, all the hurt she caused me still affects me dearly, and I don’t know how long it’ll take for me to move on. I want to someday, but when I do, I won’t be forgiving or forgetting her for all she’s done to me. I know that people learn and grow and it’s immature of me to hold a grudge, but I don’t care. She’s hurt me more than you could ever imagine. You don’t have to forgive and forget to move on. If you want to, be my guest. But I won’t be yours.

Dear C,

Fuck you for everything you’ve done to me. Don’t contact me or I’ll call my lawyer. Kidding, I don’t have a lawyer, but don’t talk to me or I might just beat a bitch up <3

Sincerely, someone you clearly never gave a fuck about.

altered title from - “betty” by Taylor Swift

“Hey!” a voice from beyond shouted. I know that voice! I turned to the direction of the voice, and my heart skipped a beat. 

In a black off-the-shoulder top with slightly puffy sleeves that went to her elbow and a short, light pink skirt with a bow wrapped around your waist the same color as your skirt, she looked absolutely stunning, ethereal, even. A bracelet with many charms and a gold, layered necklace with stars went with her outfit perfectly as did her black converse and black chain purse. Cheeks colored red and hotter than the summer heat, I watched as she walked over with that lovely-as-ever smile of hers, waving enthusiastically at me. As flustered as I am, I managed to wave back with a feeble smile. Fuck, I’m so gay.

“Sorry,” she apologized, rubbing the back of her neck, “were you waiting long?” 

“N-no, not at all!” I waved it off, my cheeks still warm. 

“Your face is really red,” she commented, putting her hand on my forehead to check my temperature. “Are you feeling alright?” 

Backing away immediately, I felt my cheeks get even hotter. “Y-yeah, I’m fine, it’s just…”

“Hm?”

Staring at the ground, I rubbed my arm, peeking over at her and looking away almost immediately. “You...look...really...pretty…”

“O-oh…” Fuck, that’s not a good reaction, now is it? I took my eyes off the ground and onto her, afraid to see how she reacted. 

Flustered and probably as red as me, she clutched the chain of her purse, staring at the ground. Huh, seems like it was a good reaction.

“Thanks,” she whispered out, meeting my gaze, causing her to look away and blush even more. “You look really pretty, too.”

“Thanks,” I replied, feeling less nervous than before. 

“You’re welcome.”

Silence took over, and seeing as neither of us knew what to say next, I decided to change the topic, pointing to the entrance of the amusement park. “Why don’t we head on in? Summer isn’t very long, ya know.”

She nodded, her cheeks a light pink tint. “Ok!” 

With a peppy smile as well as a pep in her step, she went ahead of me, practically oozing excitement. Calling her pretty was a huge understatement, she’s the personification of perfection. 

“Two wristbands, please!” she chirped, holding up a ‘two’ with her fingers. The employee handed us our wristbands after she handed our money to them. 

“Enjoy the park,” he said with a lifeless tone after putting on our bands for us. Jeez, he must be fun at parties. Then again, he’s working in this summer heat and getting paid minimum wage, so I guess I can’t blame him for being so...dead, for lack of a better word. 

“Alright, let’s get going!” she cheered, grabbing my hand and dragging me around the fair. Cheeks painted crimson, I tried to ignore the fact that her hand was in mine, but it was practically impossible. It wasn’t the first time this has happened before, but that didn’t stop me from internally panicking every time. Her touch will always be my favorite, and call me selfish, but I want to be the only one who will ever feel it. 

“Oh, let’s ride that!” she pointed at a roller coaster that ran through the park. Seeing all those loops already made me nauseous. 

“Um…” I wanna say no since I know that I’m most definitely gonna puke if I go on it, but…

Beaming like a little kid seeing an ice cream truck, sparkles adorned those beautifully breathtaking eyes of hers as her dumb, little smile- that I really shouldn’t be finding this cute -gave me butterflies. God, why are you so damn adorable?!

“Fine,” I sighed out, feeling defeated. I can’t ever say no to her, now can I?

“Yay!” she shouted with joy, grabbing hold of my wrist and dragging me towards the line. 

I’m probably gonna hate myself after this, but if that meant getting to see her smile for a while longer, then I’d happily pay the price every time. 

.

.

.

God damnit, I feel like death. The second I stepped out of the ride, my legs turned into jelly as I felt my lunch coming back up. I rushed to a trash can as best as my wobbly legs could take me and vomited my PB & J sandwich up. Fuck, I really do hate myself for this. 

“Oh my god, are you ok?!” she frantically asked, her hand rubbing my back in an attempt to soothe me. It didn’t really help since I still felt like shit, but I appreciate the sentiment.

“Y-yeah, I’m f-fine, t-thanks for asking,” I somehow managed to get out, still recovering from the post-throw up. 

“Maybe we should do something else,” she suggested, handing me a napkin to wipe off the bits of vomit on my face, “ya know, until you’ve recovered from this ride.”

“I have to ride more?!” I exclaimed, feeling nauseous once more.

“Oh, do you not want to?” Her mood dropped, her lips curving into a frown. Fuck.

“Uh, n-no, t-that’s not what I meant, we can totally go on more later!” 

“Are you sure?”

“Of course!” I’m lying through my fucking teeth right now because I’m an idiot in love. 

“Ok!” Her mood was instantly lifted, her frown turning upside down. I blushed at her smile once more. Yeah, I’m an idiot in love; but if being in love with her meant being an idiot, then call me the stupidest person in the world, she’s worth it. 

“Wanna play some games?” she asked, pointing at some stands, crowds covering what the games were even about.

“Sure,” I replied, feeling a lot better. “Ready to get your ass kicked?”

“As if I would ever lose to you,” she scoffed, crossing her arms with a cocky grin. “If anybody’s getting their ass kicked here, it’s you.”

“Oh, you’re on! Whoever gets ten wins wins?”

She nodded, still smirking as cocky as ever. “Loser buys lunch.”

“Deal!” 

We ran at full speed to the stands, stopping at a balloon-popping game. Giving the employee 6 bucks for 5 darts each, she went first.

“Don’t mess up! Not only will your money be on the line, your pride will be as well!” I taunted with a cheeky grin.

“Oh, shut up!” she yelled back before throwing her first dart, missing the balloon she was aiming for.

“Yes!” I shouted with triumph after seeing my taunting had worked. 

“I still have four more darts, I can still beat you!” She pouted, stomping her foot like a little kid throwing a tantrum.

“Yeah, yeah, put your money where your mouth is.” 

Her score was 3 out of 5, earning a small plush bear as a prize. 

“Aw, this is so cute!” she gushed, giving it a light squeeze. 

“We should probably get a locker for the things we might win,” I suggested, pointing in the direction of where the lockers were. 

“Sure, we can get one after this.”

“Alright.” I picked up my darts and began to aim. “My turn now!”

Hitting all the balloons perfectly, I got a perfect score, 5 out of 5!

“Hah, in your face!” I stuck my tongue out immaturely, earning a huff from her and a large stuffed bunny as a prize. 

“Whatever,” she grumbled. “Come on, let’s get a locker.” 

“Alright.” I chuckled at how she changed the topic almost instantly to avoid embarrassment. It was kind of cute...Oh, who am I kidding, everything she does is cute.

Once we got our locker set up, we went back to our little competition. 

“Ok, what’s next?” I asked, scanning the area for the next game.

“How about that one?” She proposed, pointing at one of those water gun games where you aim the little target to get your duck or boat or whatever to the top. I wonder what those are actually called…

“Sure.” I shrugged, not really caring what we were going to play next. I was gonna enjoy it anyway, especially since I’m with her. 

We made our way to the stand and stood by for a couple minutes, patiently waiting for our turn. When it was finally our turn, we paid the amount needed and immediately got down to business.

“You’re going down this time,” she declared, determination coursing through her veins. 

“Yeah, sure I will.” I snickered, waiting for the ‘GO’ signal.

The light flashed green, and the game was on. Shooting directly at the target, I switched between looking at my duck and the center, making sure that I was in the lead. But before I knew it, I heard a ding-ding-ding sound, insinuating that there was a winner; and that winner wasn’t me. 

“I told you I was gonna win this time!” She stuck her tongue out at me this time, pulling her eyelid down for more of a teasing effect. If I wasn’t so hopelessly in love with her, I might’ve actually gotten upset. 

Continuing our little game, we went from stand to stand to stand until one of us reigned victorious. We were at the last game, tied, neck to neck. Whoever won this one would be declared the victor, the winner, the person who doesn’t have to buy lunch. And seeing as my paycheck wasn’t coming anytime soon, I really didn’t want to pay.

The last game was basketball, and truth be told, I’m a little nervous. She’s a basketball prodigy, so she had a very high chance of winning. And seeing as she wasn’t even the slightest bit worried, it seemed like she knew that too. 

As soon as we were given the ‘GO’ signal, we began shooting basketballs; or at least she was, I was just chucking them up in hopes that at least a few of them would make it in. After a minute had passed, I compared my score to hers, and holy shit, I was losing miserably. There was only 30 seconds left on the clock, I’m never gonna be able to catch up to her! 

The timer went off, and just like I had predicted, she won, and I had lost.

“Woohoo!” she cheered, jumping up in the air. “I won! In your face!”

I sighed. “Congrats, I guess…” My wallet is gonna fucking kill me. 

“How’s it feel to be a loser?” she taunted and teased from all angles. “Guess I was right, your ass is the only one being kicked today! And who was it kicked by?”

With both hands on her hip, she gave me a cocky stare, expecting me to answer her question that had only one obvious answer. 

“You…” I grumbled, crossing my arms with a frown. 

“That’s right! I won, and you lost!” she gloated with a fist pump and toothy grin. 

Despite losing, I didn’t feel upset, not in the slightest. In fact, I felt like I was the one who won. Seeing her so happy brought a slight tingle to my chest as well as a cotton-candy-pink hue to my cheeks. Looking away from her little celebration, I covered the red of my cheeks with my hand, my heart racing and cheeks warming. I glanced back at her, her smile rivaling the sun and laugh sounding like music to my ears- call me cliche, but it was the truth. I want nothing more in life than to be able to hold her in my arms and call her mine. The idea of waking up next to her each and every morning and watching the slight rise and fall of her chest brings a smile to my face, and I pray every night that it comes true. Running my hands through that silky, smooth bronze hair of hers, feeling her lips slot into mine perfectly like a missing piece of a puzzle and having every corner of my house littered with the scent of her replays in my mind every night before I go to bed, hoping that when I wake up, it becomes my reality. 

“Hello? You there?” Snapping back into reality, I found her standing right in front of me, waving her hand in my face. 

“O-oh, sorry,” I apologized, taken aback by how close she was. 

“It’s fine, you were kinda just spacing out with a lovesick look.”

“O-oh, really?” I’m not actually that obvious, right?

“Whoever you’re thinking about must be pretty darn amazing for you to not hear me shouting your name multiple times.” For a split second, I could’ve sworn I saw her lips curl into a slight frown…

“Yeah...they are.” I smiled softly to myself as an image of her popped up in my mind.

“They must be a real lucky guy to have someone like you falling head over heels in love with him,” she joked with a cheeky grin. I can’t place my finger on it, but something about her smile seemed...sad. 

“Uh, it’s not a guy,” I corrected, rubbing the back of my neck. “It’s...actually a girl.”

“O-oh, is that so?” 

“Yeah…” Maybe I’m just imagining it, but she seemed happy when she heard me say that it wasn’t a boy…

“Anyway, let’s go get lunch!” 

“Alright. Any specific kind of food you want?” I asked, holding my wallet up. “It’s my treat after all.” 

She giggled at the little reminder, then hummed, followed by a shrug. “Not really, I’m kinda just in the mood for any food. Besides, it’s amusement park food, I doubt there’s going to be anything besides hot dogs and hamburgers.”

“Eh, true. Then let’s get going,” I said, heading towards where the food stands were bunched together with her trailing behind me.

“So…” She looked at me with a pleading glint in her eyes.

I arched my brow. “So?”

“Who’s the lucky gal?” she asked, anticipation lacing her words. “Do I know them? Does she know me?”

“Not saying,” I mumbled, my cheeks turning scarlet. There’s no fucking way I’m telling her. Sorry, but if she ever found out I had a crush on her...God, I’d fucking die. 

“Can you at least tell me what she’s like?” she pleaded with adorable puppy-dog eyes and a pout. “Pwease?”

As much as I hate that baby-like voice, she looked too cute for me to say no. 

“Fine,” I sighed out, rolling my eyes. “She’s...she’s really pretty, smart too. She’s got these beautiful ocean-blue eyes that I could just drown in. Her laugh is pretty amazing too. She’s got this adorable snort that I could honestly could listen to all day long.” I paused, wondering what else I could say. “I love everything about her. I love how she can’t seem to spell ‘restaurant’ for the life of her and only eats the cream in Oreos, I love the way she dances and sings poorly to her favorite songs and always writes the letter ‘i’ with a smiley face for a dot, I love when she involuntarily scrunches her nose when she sees a spider and sends me random texts with pictures of how she’s feeling and what she’s doing at the time...just, everything.” 

She probably knew I was talking about her, but I didn’t really care that much. I don’t want to hide these feelings forever, and I was gonna tell her eventually anyway. 

“Well,” she began, rubbing the side of her arm, “she sounds amazing.”

“She is.” How did she not realize that it’s her? 

“I hope you two end up together!” she rooted, wishing the best of luck to me. 

“Yeah, me too…” There it was again, that feeling that her words and smile weren’t what she was actually thinking. Maybe it’s not all in my head…?

“Anyway, uh, since we’re here, why don’t we look around and see what we should get?” she proposed with a feeble smile. 

“Uh, yeah, sure,” I answered. Is she alright? I can’t help but feel like there’s something off with her…

“Oh my god, look at those bears!” She pointed, twinkling at the large stuffed bears. Maybe I’m just overthinking it…

.

.

.

Once lunch was over, we went on with our day, playing more games and going on some rides- I didn’t puke this time, thank fucking god -and before we knew it, the day was over. It was around 6 pm, and nightfall was coming. 

“That was fun!” she exclaimed with delight, a yawn following her words. 

“Yeah, it was,” I agreed, yawning after her. “We’re still leaving behind those prizes we won though, right?”

“Yeah, we are,” she confirmed as she tucked a stray hair behind her ear. “Since neither of us drove here, it’d be kinda awkward to have to carry them.”

“That’s true. It was fun getting all those prizes though.”

“Yeah, it was. We should do it again sometime!” she propounded, already pumped for the next time we’d go out even though I hadn’t agreed to it yet; well, lucky for her, I was already going to.

“Sure,” I said with a giggle, the corners of my lips forming a small smile. 

“Oh, there’s this ice cream place nearby, you wanna get some?” she asked, cocking her head to the direction of the ice cream parlor. 

I really don’t understand how she still has this much energy left. But even though I was completely fucking drained, I nodded, not wanting to end this little ‘date’. Heh, I wish it were one. 

“Yay!” She beamed with her hands in the air. “Ah, we can go right after I go to the bathroom, alright?”

I nodded, and we walked back in. The line to the bathroom seemed pretty long, so it seems like I’ll be waiting here for a while…Hm?

On my right was another game stand, but it wasn’t the game that caught my eye, it was one of the prizes. One of them was a little light-pink bunny with red eyes and wings, a magenta nose in the shape of a circle, fangs, and a black bow tied around its neck. A vampire-bunny...wow, that’s...kind of a weird stuffed animal to have as a prize...She might like it though...

.

.

.

“Sorry for the wait!” she apologized as she ran towards me. “The line was really long, like really– huh?”

Something distracted her from finishing her sentence, and I’m guessing that ‘something’ is this hideous doll in my arms. 

“What...is that?” she asked while pointing at this monstrosity. 

I took a deep breath. I can do this. I handed the vampire-bunny to her, rubbing my nape as my cheeks turned warm with a crimson hue. 

“It’s...it’s for you,” I mumbled, glancing at her for only a second before looking away, my face turning three shades redder. 

“F-for me?” she echoed with disbelief, a finger pointing at herself to make sure she heard me right. 

“Y-yeah,” I confirmed, sneaking another peek. “I thought you might like it since you really like collecting weird and ugly things that most people wouldn’t like. Like those sunglasses you got a few weeks ago, they looked awful, and that was the reason you got them. So I thought that you might like this because of that…”

She didn’t reply. I finally mustered up the courage to look at her, only to find her too stunned to speak. Fuck, does she not like it?

“It’s fine if you don’t like it, I can just give it back or something,” I rambled, probably sounding like a complete idiot. “I can probably just give it away or something, it’s totally fine–”

“I love it!” She was bubbling joy as she gave the vampire-bunny a tight squeeze, holding it close to her chest. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

My heart began to race once more, and I couldn’t help but feel all giddy inside. I made her this happy, I was the one who got her to smile so widely, it was me. “I’m glad you like it.”

“I love it so, so, so much!” She gave it another squeeze and lifted it up in the air like a dad with his kid, admiring the stuffed bunny.

I softly giggled at how much she resembled a little kid on Christmas Day getting exactly what they wished for from Santa. She’s happy, and it’s because of me. 

“I’m glad you love it,” I corrected myself from before with a chuckle.

“I do, I love it a lot, especially since you were the one who gave me it!” 

Huh? She...she likes– no, loves it that much because I was the one who gave it to her? I watched as she realized what she had just said, heat rising to her cheeks, a deep red painting her face. 

“U-uh, that’s, that’s not what I meant– I mean, it is, but, uh..” She was a fumbling mess, and just like everything she does, I found it adorable.

“Oh, uh, why don’t we go and get some ice cream now?” She added an awkward chuckle and grabbed my hand, dragging me to where the ice cream parlor was. I giggled at how flustered she was but decided to leave it at that. I watched as she clutched onto the vampire-bunny tightly to her chest. Was she only doing that because she loved it that much or because I was the one who gave it to her? Maybe it’s both; she loves it that much because I gave it to her. 

.

.

.

After a short walk, we arrived at the ice cream shop, a few people in line. While we stood in line, we checked out the menu. 

“I think I’m just gonna get a chocolate,” I decided. “What about you?”

“I’m gonna get the cotton-candy, it looks really good.”

“Alright.” 

Once we ordered and paid, we decided to head to a nearby park to enjoy our delicious delights. We talked and we laughed, our laughs filling the empty park air. 

“That’s what I’m saying!” She broke out in a fit of laughter before taking a lick of her pink and blue ice cream. “I mean, how stupid do you– oh, you’ve got some ice cream on your face.”

I wiped the left side of my mouth, assuming that was where it was. “Did I get it?”

“Uh, well, some of it.”

I wiped the other side of my mouth. “How about now?”

“No, there’s still some left,” she replied, shaking her head and grabbing a napkin. “Here, let me do it.” 

She leaned in close to me, our faces inches apart as she wiped away the ice cream on my face. I watched as she inched closer to me, ridding my face of the sticky, sweet dessert. God, she’s...really close...Lips slightly parted, her oh-so-kissable lips were tinted light red and smelled like strawberries. I wonder if they taste like them too…

“There, done!” she declared, throwing the napkin away at the trash can beside her. “I don’t know how you managed to eat so messily– Mmp!”

I placed my lips onto hers, my ice cream forgotten after finding myself a new, sweet treat to indulge myself in. A thin layer of cotton-candy with a hint of strawberry coated her lips, but that wasn’t what made her so delicious-tasting. I liked it because it was her, I liked it...because I love her. 

I broke away from the kiss, panting heavily with lust-laced eyes and slight swollen lips. She was just the same, out of breath and staring up at me with a lustful look, almost begging me for more– Ah. I just realized...I kissed her.

“I’m sorry!” I blurted out, backing away immediately. “I didn’t mean to– I mean, I did, sort of, but I didn’t ask you for permission, which was wrong of me, I’m sorry, I’m really, really sorry– Mmp!”

Feeling her lips on mine once more, her tongue gently nudged my lips, and I knew what she was asking for, so I complied. God, it was even better than the last kiss. 

Tongues tangoing and hands wandering, my hands snaked around her waist as I hoisted her up onto my lap while her arms wrapped around my neck without the kiss being interrupted. Eager and enthusiastic, her hands ran through my hair as her tongue explored my mouth, sending a jolt of pleasure down my spine. 

Out of breath once more, the kiss ended, my forehead pressed against hers as I gazed into her hungry eyes, desire glazed over her eyes. 

“I like you,” I breathed out, still staring into her eyes. “Actually, scratch that, I love you.”

She chuckled softly and pressed a quick peck on my forehead. “I love you too.”

Moving my head away, I couldn’t believe that she felt the same. “Wait, really?”

“Yes?” she answered, confused by my reaction. “I just made out with you, what makes you think I don’t?”

“I don’t know, why didn’t you realize I was talking about you when you asked me to describe my crush?”

“Because I didn’t think that someone like you could ever like someone like me!” she explained, still situated on my lap.

“Exactly– Wait, what?” I was confused again. “What do you mean ‘someone like you’?”

“Well, I don’t know, you’re just really cute and amazing, and I didn’t think that someone as perfect as you could fall for someone like me!”

“But you’re the really cute and amazing and perfect one, not me!”

“Are you kidding me, you’re literally a fucking angel!” she rebutted, crossing her arms.

“Says you, have you seen yourself?! Not only do you have the looks of a fucking goddess, you’re the most incredible person I’ve ever met!” I crossed my arms as well, offended that she could ever think that she was anything less than perfect. 

“Wait, really?” Instead of sending another rebuttal my way, she was taken aback, her cheeks outlined red. “Do you really mean all that?”

“Yeah…” I blushed along with her, embarrassed by my sudden confession. “I meant every word I said.” 

“O-oh…” Cheeks turning even redder than before, her eyes averted my gaze, gnawing at her lower lip. “I’m glad...”

I giggled softly at how flustered she was. Tucking her hair behind her ear, I pressed a chaste kiss on her cheek.

“I love you,” I repeated, planting another quick kiss on her lips. 

“I love you too,” she whispered, still a bit flustered from before. 

“Um, will you,” I began, rubbing my nape, “will you be my girlfriend?”

With a warm smile, her lips found their place on mine once more. “I’d love to.”

“Good,” I said with a chuckle. 

“Good.”

A blanket of silence covered us, but neither of us minded. It was comfortable. It was kind of like we were silently telling each other how much we loved each other. Maybe I’m reading into it too much and she might actually just don’t know what to say, but one thing I’m sure of is that when I go to bed tonight, I no longer have to wish for those scenes that replay in my mind to become my reality; it’ll already be my reality. 

National Scotch Day

National Love Is Kind Day

Take Your Pants For A Walk Day

Take Your Houseplants For A Walk Day

Walk On Stilts Day

Hmmm … there is a theme here. Anyone have a clue?

Take Your Houseplants For A Walk Day

Are thinking about houseplants right now? Are you giving all of your attention to your outdoor vegetable garden, and to your flower beds. If you stop and think about it, you might not have given those beautiful, indoor plants any time or attention in quite a while. Chances are those indoor plants are feeling a little neglected.

Like other houseplant owners, I'm sure you want to provide your houseplants with the very best plant care. Here's an opportunity for you to bond with your houseplants.

Take Your Houseplants for a Walk Day is a great day for you and your house plants to get some exercise. It will be good for them. It will allow you to bond with your plants, helping them to reach their maximum potential. Along the way, you can get your houseplant accustomed to your neighborhood.

If your plant is too big to carry, you can walk them in a stroller. They will love the ride.

Bonding with your plants helps them to be the very best plants that they can be. In addition to taking them for a walk, to can bond with your houseplants by talking to them, or playing encouraging music.

"Health is the greatest gift, contentment is the greatest wealth,

faithfulness is the greatest relationship."—Buddha

Walk On Stilts Day

If ever there was a day to stand tall amidst your peers, today is the day to do so.

With a pair of stilts and a little practice, you can be a full participant in this tall day. Considered a hobby or a sport, stilt walking takes skill and practice. While stilt walking is not for everyone, chances are you've been on them at least once when you were a kid. If that was a long time ago, don't worry. Stilt walking is like riding a bike, once you've learned it, you never forget. If you've never been on a pair of stilts, you had a sheltered childhood.

Stilts have a long and lofty history. Stilts were first used in the sixth century B.C. in ancient Greece. Stilts have been used for a wide variety of applications. In ancient times, shepherds would mount the stilts to get a bird's eye view, as they watched over their sheep. Got a tall fruit tree? Stilts have been used in the harvest. The drywall and construction industry uses them today, to reach high places. Stilts were used in jousting contests, too. We see stilts most often used for entertainment at the circus, in theaters, at parades and at many street events. Circus clowns, jugglers, and entertainers all use stilts. There are many career professional stilt walkers among us.

Stand out in a crowd by hopping onto a pair of stilts. If you are about to mount stilts for the first time, begin with a pair that is short... low to the ground. Once you've mastered your first pair of stilts, you can easily graduate to taller and taller ones. Looking for stilts to get started? You might not find them at a toy or hobby store. But, they are easy to acquire online.

For the Record: According to Guinness World Book of Records, the world's tallest stilt was 53' 10" (16.41 m). The record was set on November 15, 2006, by Saimaiti Yiming of Xinjiang, China. Yiming took ten steps on the stilts without a safety net. In case you didn't know, a stilt is measured from the ground to the ankle.

"You can make more friends in two months by being interested in other people, than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you."—Dale Carnegie

Take Your Pants For A Walk Day

Take Your Pants for a Walk Day is a great day to get some exercise. This day is well noted on the internet for Ecard and calendar websites. So, I'm sure your planning to celebrate this day in a big, big way.

It’s an easy day to celebrate. Simply go for a walk. Unless you are wearing a dress or a skirt, you probably are wearing pants. So, by definition, as you walk, they come along.

Give your pants some exercise. After all, they are looking a little tight around the middle. The walk will do them good.

A guy took his blonde girlfriend to the Super Bowl game.

They had great seats right behind their teams bench.

After the game. the guy asked his girlfriend how she liked the experience.

“Oh, I really liked it!” she replied, “Especially the tight pants and all the big muscles,

but I couldn’t understand why they were killing each other over 25 cents.”

Dumbfounded, her boyfriend asked, “What do you mean?”

She said, “Well, they flipped a coin, one team got it and then for the rest of the game,

all they kept screaming was, ’Get the quarter back! Get the quarter back!”

More Strange Holidays Coming!

Tomorrow’s the big day. It’s been a whole year since Gina finally agreed to marry me. A year has gone by since I helped her brother, Tobemo, get back to his own world.

What a crazy day that was. Here was a guy looking for a ride from me and in the beginning, he freaked me out, especially when he started talking outer space and when parts of his body started disappearing right in front of me. Once I got him where he needed to be, to be, I guess, teleported; Tobemo was caught up in a blinding light and the next thing I knew, he was gone. Tobemo vanished and have always assumed he made it back to his world.

What followed that was even more surprising. After I told Gina what happened, then she lowered the boom on me with a story of her own. I had ended up helping her brother. Talk about a double whammy. But you know what? I am more in love with her than I ever was before.

She tried really hard to keep her promise to me, to not read my mind; a talent she acquired once she settled here to live. But in a broad, and I mean in a very broad sense of the word; she’s only human.

It doesn’t matter. Tomorrow, she will be Mrs. Gina Henderson, and … cell phone’s buzzing on the desk.

“Hello.”

“Derrick?”

“Of course, it is. Hi, Gina. What’s up, honey?”

“Derrick, I need to see you right away. It’s important.”

“Something wrong? Gina, you aren’t changing your mind about the wedding, are you?”

“No, silly. It’s nothing like that. Can you get here, say within an hour?”

“Sure. Relax, okay. I’ll be there as quick as I can. Love you! Bye!”

I looked around for my jeans, slipped them on, stashed my phone in my pants pocket, slipped into a pair of loafers and grabbed a shirt off the back of the chair.

Out the door I went, ran to my car, got in and took off like a shot. I didn’t know what was wrong, but Gina was excited about something.

Ever since I quit my job in Manhattan and moved back to Somerville, we’ve been getting along even better than when we started being together. Since I opened my own practice, the days have been long and somewhat boring, what with searching the stacks for case histories, filing writs, and just three days ago, I finished a four-month-old court battle over a child-custody case.

Because of that, it took a lot of my time and Gina and I had been seen seeing less of each other which didn’t make me happy. Right now, it seemed like she had a problem, and her problems were my problems. I would drop anything for her. Call it what you will but I call it love. Unconditional. I just wish I knew what was going on right now. Yeah, I almost wish I could read minds.

__________

“Gina, do you think he will be shocked by my visit?”

“Shocked? Not hardly. I believe surprised or thrilled would be better word choices.”

“I wish I could stay longer.”

“Me, too. But from what you have told me, each visit seems to last a little longer each time you return.”

“True, but I have yet to find the one thing on this planet that can help me sustain permanence.”

“You could if you became like me.”

“Never, Gina! I could never subject myself to live in a female form. It is intolerable and unthinkable. Why are you laughing at me?”

“Because you look so funny when you get agitated.”

“I want no more discussion on this until after Derrick arrives. I will get his perspective on all of this. You know as I, this marriage will be the first the first between our worlds, and we want it to be the best, as well as producing the finest genesis.”

“I know. Derrick and I have discussed having children before and we decided to wait a year after we get married before we begin a family.”

“Wise decision in one respect, but to another; have you told him what will happen after the genesis id born?”

“No. I don’t want him to know for the time being. But I will make him aware of what will happen.”

“Have it your own way. That is one decision I leave to you. Just remember, he has to know before I leave tomorrow night.”

Gina walked to the window, held the curtain back to look out into a muddled blue sky. Holding back tears, she whispered, “I understand. I hope he does as well.”

__________

Since I have a spare key to her apartment, I let myself in and went straight to the living room and saw her standing by the window. Gina turned at the sound of the front door closing behind me.

“Hi, Derrick. Record time. It only took twenty-three minutes this time.”

“For you, I’d break every land speed record set. So tell me, what’s so important that you couldn’t tell me on the phone?”

“I have a surprise for you. One I know you are going to love.”

“Surprise? What surprise?”

“She means me, Derrick.”

I spun around, and didn’t recognize the face, but I knew that voice.

“Tobemo! What? How? When did you get here?” A smile spread on my face and we clasped hands and hugged.

“Derrick,” said Tobemo, “sit with me and I will tell you the story you need to hear.”

We sat in two large chairs facing one another while Gina went to the kitchen to finish preparing dinner, but not before I got a hug and a kiss from her. In case you are wondering; spaghetti and meat balls.

“Derrick, do you remember the words I spoke to you through the scanner after you dropped me off when we first met?”

“I think so. You said something about trusting and believing in people when you don’t understand what’s going on, or something like that.”

“Close. Trusting and believing in a person when you do not know or understand their beliefs takes great courage is what I said. You accepted my sister for what she was and now is. This means you also accept me as I accepted you one year ago.

I put my trust in you and you did not fail me. Although it takes great patience to accept this union between the both of you, I have resigned myself to accepting you, even if you are human. It will make for an interesting marriage. I wish both you and my sister many years of good health and good will.

“Thank you, Tobemo. Somehow I get the feeling there is more.”

“More behind my words other than congratulations?”

I forgot for a second that Tobemo can read minds as well.

“I wish you wouldn’t do that. I’d like to be able to finish what I have to say with any help if you don’t mind.”

“Sorry, Derrick,” smiled Tobemo. “I won’t do it again, that is, unless a policeman is nearby.”

We laughed heartily over that.

“Thanks. But I get the impression you’re here to tell Gina, or us, something. What is it?”

“There isn’t anything for me to tell. I have only two days left before I have to return to the Alpha-Crytonen Dimension, but before I do so, I wanted to witness the event of your union. Is that so terrible a thing for a brother-in-law to want?”

“Of course not. I wasn’t trying to imply anything. I have to admit it is good to see you again. I take it by your leaving soon, you still haven’t found a way to stay permanently.”

“He could if he wanted,” shouted Gina from the kitchen. “But he prefers the male body to that of a female.”

“That, sister, is because where I, where we come from, in case you have forgotten, I am a red gas; and red gas is the gaffer species. I think being on this planet has dulled your intelligence.”

“I take it gaffer means male or masculine.”

“Correct, Derrick. On our world, red denotes male, pink is for female. For the young ones until they become a stronger gas; the male gaffer is blue, and the female known as the Geggi, is yellow. When we become older and thinner in texture, there is no difference as we all become silver.”

“That’s amazing! How do you survive the weather? How do you eat? Sleep?”

“Silly questions, my friend. On my world there is no bad weather. Eating isn’t an issue as gas thrives on air around us, and once it has passed through us, that same air is passed onto another. Sleep isn’t a necessity. We never sleep, have no need for it. Gas is a non-dying continual energetic aeriform. We never tire except in human form. I find here, however, with this human form, Food and sleep is required.

“I have come to believe permanent fusion on earth for the male gaffer is impossible, but we can still continue to travel the barrier in hopes of finding that one certain chemical balance allowing us to maintain this physical form as Gina and many female Geggi have.

“At least we can return to continue the search, and I can visit from time to time. This last trip, I was able to afford ten other gaffers the opportunity to travel with me and help in the hunt for the answer we seek.”

“They aren’t spread out all over the place, are they?”

“No. They are all within the city of Boston getting their first taste of human form. They have been looking at historical sites and learning the culture that encompasses what it means to be human. On our next trip, they will have specific instructions to search for the cure, for lack of a better word.”

“That’s a relief. At least you know where they are, so you won’t have to hunt all over the place for them, when it’s time to leave. You said you leave in two days, right?”

“Yes. After your wedding, I will be leaving, and meeting with everyone at precisely six tomorrow night.”

“I hope it’s a better location than that garbage dumpster.”

“No,” smiled Tobemo. “This time we are to be in a field a mile from here.

“One other thing about my visits, which is good; this is the first time I will be on this world for thirty-two days.”

“Sweet. Generally, what? Thirty is what you said before. Maybe, and I’m no math genius or scientist, but maybe that may be the clue you’re after.”

“How so, Derrick?”

“The more you return, the more adaptable you become. I don’t know. It was just an idea.”

“It is a good one that I will explore in the coming visits. We shall see.”

“You two can talk all night if you want, but I thought I would let you know dinner is on the table.”

Tobemo turned to Gina and said, “Don’t forget to tell him, Gina.”

“I won’t forget. Let’s just eat.”

I noticed the look on Gina’s face. If scowling is a look, Tobemo was scowled at by her.

“Explain what, Gina?”

“I’ll tell you later, Derrick, after Tobemo is gone.”

“That wasn’t the agreement, sister. I must know the outcome before I leave.”

Gina had sizzle in her voice.

“Drop it, Tobemo. I said I will handle it. Let’s just eat, please.”

“Hey, look you two; I feel like I’m being held in the dark on purpose. I wish one of you would just tell me what one of you are talking about, or do that mind-reading, mental transference thing. I am beginning to think maybe I should learn how to read minds.”

“Derrick,” said Gina, “later tonight, I promise I will tell you.”

“Sure, later then. Right now, it’s time for some of your world-famous spaghetti and Ragu sauce.” I smiled, then looked over at Tobemo. “You are hungry, aren’t you?”

“In this body, I have found I am always hungry.”

All three of us laughed and that seemed to break the tension between them. I couldn’t help but wonder what the deal was between them.

__________

After dinner, I helped Gina clean up the dishes and put what food was left in the fridge.

“Gina? Want to take a drive out to South Shore with me?”

“Sounds like a plan, Derrick.”

We left Tobemo to enjoy as he put it, “The earthlings in the tiny little box who run around making fools of themselves.”

Twenty minutes later, the car parked, and we were walking barefoot in the wet sand.

The early evening sky was filling with lazy reds and lavender colors with silver-black clouds closing down the shoreline as Gina and I held hands. Now and then the water would glide easily across the sand and curl around our feet before retracting back to where it came from.

Ten minutes of silence, other than the gentle rushing sounds of water breaking in and out before Gina broke the silence.

“My brother thinks very highly of you, Derrick.”

“I hope so. I’m marrying his sister tomorrow and that’ll make us in-law’s. But you know he’ll have to visit me. It would be a little hard me thinks to drop in one him and say hello.”

“I know. Derrick, his concern for you is because of me—because of us.”

“Just tell me what’s in your head. I can’t read your mind so give me a break and just tell me what’s bugging you.” I kept feeling she was going to put the wedding off or postpone it altogether.

“This has nothing to do with the wedding, so you can quit worrying. It’s something that might affect our marriage later on. That is what I need to explain to you. I should have done this sooner.”

“What could possibly change the future when it hasn’t happened?”

The wind blew off the water and started picking up some added strength. We both felt the spray of the incoming water on our face’s now and then.

“Feels good, doesn’t it, Derrick?”

“Yeah, but near as good as you feel.”

We stopped for a few seconds, long enough for me to pull Gina up against me, and I kissed her hard and deep. I wanted her to know that no matter what she had to tell me, it wasn’t going to change the way I feel about her.

“Maybe not right now,” she said when we broke from our kiss, “but you might change your mind in time. The concern Tobemo and I have is not only for now, but for our future and the future of a family we want to have one day. But even family, has a price to pay.”

I realized this conversation was about to get even more serious.

“Okay, Gina. I promise, no more kidding around. Talk to me and let’s see what we can do to fix the problem. But what price about the family are you meaning?” I squeezed her hand gently and smiled. She half-smiled back.

“Right now, we don’t have a problem, and we won’t after we get married but we might have a serious problem when I get pregnant.”

“How serious are we talking here?”

“When we made plans for the wedding, I got caught up in all the excitement and everything surrounding it, I forgot about our having children.

“My giving birth isn’t hard or life-threatening, so stop worrying. What may prove to be extremely hard are three things. One, because I’m not a naturally born woman of this world, I would have to return to Alpha-Crytonen to have the child delivered. Second, I won’t show as other women do when they carry a child. Lastly, if I give birth to a son, he must stay on our world until he becomes old enough to travel as Tobemo does. For me to bring him back as an infant, he would die. I mean die, as in his gas state he cannot regenerate his body to become human, and he would.

“If the child is female, she can sustain here normally as an infant and grow to be a normal healthy child.

“I wish there were another way for me explain all of this to you, but there isn’t. Can or have you understood any of what I’ve explained?”

“Sort of. I can see problems out of this. My sister, Julie, for one. I spoke with her three days ago and she was excited about coming to the wedding and went on about one day she’ll be an aunt. I don’t know how we can hide any of this from her let alone my parents. We already have you covered, what with you telling Julie back in college how you became an orphan and all that, but covering a pregnancy? One that won’t even happen here? Which brings the next question; how long will you carry before you have to leave to give birth? Full term? A year?”

My eyes had to have fallen out of my sockets because everything went blank on me for a minute.

“It depends. If the baby is a girl, eight hours. A boy, ten hours.”

“Eight to ten hours! My God, Gina, that’s humanly impossible! Ah, sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize. We know I’m not completely human and this confirms it even more.”

I looked at her, and then I looked beyond her where the horizon finally met the shore’s background and they seemingly melted in a serene landscape only nature could paint.

“Gina, as much as I’d love to have children, I guess I can live with this, I think.”

“No you couldn’t, Derrick. I know you better than any woman could, even better than your mother and sister. I know you wouldn’t want to lie to them or make excuses to them either.

“If, if, if you want to call the wedding off,” she turned her back to me and I could hear her cry. “I, I, will understand.”

I walked up behind her and put my arms around her waist.

“Gina, if you think after all this time I’m giving up and quitting on you, then you’ve been reading the wrong mind. I love you.

“I know there has to be a way we can work this out. Maybe we just sit Julie and my parents down after we come back from our honeymoon and then tell them the whole story; they might understand.

“Though my mom is really my step-mom, her and dad think you are the greatest thing that’s ever happened in my life. You know Julie loves you; you’re like the sister she never had.

“We can tell them together, say about a month after we’re married. Does that sound like a plan for now, or what?”

Gina twisted around facing me and smiled as she wiped away her tears. She raised one hair to stroke the back of my neck as she gently kissed me. Pulling her head back slightly, she looked me in the eyes, she whispered, “Sounds more like a what. I so love you, Derrick Henderson. I want this to work. I wouldn’t want you to lose your family because of me.”

“That’ll never happen. I know it’ll take some getting used to, especially the part of having kids every eight to ten hours. If you don’t mind, let’s do some serious family planning. I love kids, but not one every other day, all right?”

She laughed, and I grinned.

“I know it isn’t funny, Derrick. It was just the way you looked when you said it.”

She read my mind again, but hell, I love this woman too much to let her go. I know we’ll find a way we can live with this, but there is one other thing I need to know.

“Yes, you will be able to see your son, but as I said, only once a year for thirty days once he is strong enough. Unless Tobemo or one of the visitors can find a way to make it permanent.”

I looked at her with raised eyebrows but said nothing, holding a trace of a smile on my face.

“Sorry. I love you as well, and you are right, we will work something out. You have to admit I have been good about not reading your thoughts aloud until now, right? Admit it, haven’t I?” She began poking my sides causing us both to laugh; more me than her. I’m ticklish.

Just when I was about to say something, she pressed herself against me and kept pressing forward until I found myself flat on my back on the sand and continued poking my sides making me laugh even harder. I couldn’t take it any longer.

Grabbing both of her wrists, I finally got the upper hand and rolled her over on her back and kissed her. Lightly at first, then the kiss deepened. If I could bottle and package the love we have for each other, we could be zillionaires, but I’m not selling something as priceless as this.

“Hey, lover-boy, it’s starting to get late. You have to take me home and you have to go back to your place and get some rest for the big today tomorrow.”

“That’s easy for you to say. You aren’t the one that has to explain all this to my family.”

“You won’t be alone. We will do this together.”

“Let me break the news to them. Believe me, I’ll want you there with me, and if I end up needing your help, I won’t hesitate to ask.”

We got up off the sand and Gina hugged me tightly.

“That is another reason why I love you so much.”

“You read my mind again, didn’t you?”

“I couldn’t help it. Sometimes you make it so obvious that it is hard not to do. I do like your thought you would go to the ends of the world for me, even if it is round. In a way, I wish you could go back to my world, but that is impossible.”

We walked back to my car hand in hand under the brightness of a quarter-moon. On the way home, I knew I would have to talk with Tobemo. When we arrived at her apartment door, Gina said, “He will listen to you, don’t worry. He is my brother, but you are also his friend as he is yours. Just be yourself.”

__________

After I got her home and kissed her goodnight, Tobemo and I took a little walk.

“Derrick, my friend, I know what troubles you. It is one thing for you to believe and another for your family to comprehend what is happening and with what yet will be.

“You feel as though they will not understand about Gina. You believe they will either see this as a joke or some kind of sick game the two of you will have thrown at them. You also believe that if they do believe you, they will not accept Gina as a real member of the family.

“I ask that you trust me. After tomorrow, Derrick, any fears and concerns you will have will be unfounded. In truth, you underestimate your family. They are strong and proud just as those on my world. You will see everything will be all right between you and your family after the wedding.”

“All that’s easy for you to say, Tobemo. I hadn’t planned on telling them anything until after Gina and I came back from our honeymoon. After all, don’t you think this is just too much to hit them with?”

“No. When we first met, I involved you in a great deal in a short period of time and you overcame it what thoughts ran through your mind that very day. If you are a true representative of your family; they will be as you. Trust me. Tell them after the wedding. If all does not go well, I have an alternate plan that will convince them almost completely.”

“Tobemo, don’t be playing any mind games or tricks with them tomorrow. I don’t think I can take any more surprises.”

“Remember what I said. It takes courage believing in others when they do not know or understand another’s beliefs. When trust is believed, it becomes embedded in the mind for all time. They will trust you. I know they will.”

“I hope so, Tobemo, for all our sakes. But I guess what you’re saying is true. Gina and I might as well break the truth after the wedding instead of prolonging the agony. She said she would be there with me when I did. I guess tomorrow will tell the story for all of us, one way or the other.”

“Derrick, tomorrow will not be a story, it will be a truth. Your family will know this, and that is all that will matter.”

I shook Tobemo’s hand, and we made our goodnight’s to each other, and I got in my car and drove back to my place.

All the way back, I started rehearsing different ways of telling my family the truth. Each time I started, it sounded like a jumbled Stars Wars fantasy run amuck.

Just when I thought things were going to get easy. That’s what I get for thinking.

__________

“… and by the powers invested to me by the Commonwealth of the State of Massachusetts, I pronounce you both, husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Gina and I turned toward each other. I pulled back her veil and stared into the most alluring eyes any man would ever see. We leaned into each other slightly, brushing our lips together for what seemed to be the longest and most interesting second of my life.

“Congratulations, son!” boasted my father, as he slapped me on the back. “Now stand out of the way and let an old man get a hug and a kiss from his beautiful daughter-in-law.”

Looking over at his wife, my step-mom, Elaine, and my sister, Julie, he smiled and beamed with pride saying, “I’m a very lucky man today. I have three beautiful women in my life to love.” He hugged Gina, as she smiled and kissed him on the cheek.

My mother hugged me, tears in her eyes from being so happy; I almost wanted to cry along with her.

“Derrick, I have waited and prayed for this day for so long. I don’t know why the two of you waited so long. You should have gotten married months ago. I can tell you right now, she is a very special girl, son.”

“I know, mom. Believe me, I know,”

“Hey big brother, what about me?”

Julie held out her arms and we hugged and shared a few cheek-to-cheek kisses when she whispered in my ear, “You know what? I sure would like to get to know Gina’s brother. He’s cute, but he’s kind of tight-lipped if you know what I mean.”

“Julie, trust me, Dallas (who would believe Tobemo), isn’t the talkative type. He just here for the wedding, then he has to go back home.”

“I know. There is something so sexy about him. I think it has to do with that white strip running through the middle of his hair, and my God! Those eyes! What a hunk. My luck. Well, I’m going over to talk with just the same. You know, give him my number so he can call me sometime. See ya!”

I put out the mental vibe.

Tobemo, can you hear me?

Yes. Do not worry about, Julie. I will play the game with her. Later, she will come to believe I am like other human males of your world. All talk and no show, I believe is how it is said.

Thanks. But you can’t stay too much longer. Your hair is starting to grow wider. If I remember right, you have very little time left before you have to go.

I have precisely four hours and one minute before things get out of hand. I will be all right.

Here she comes.

I watched as Julie and Tobemo started exchanging pleasantries when I turned my attention back to my wife and parents.

“You know, son, this is a great day for all of us.”

“Thanks, dad. You know, in a way I wish my real mom could have been here to be with all of us. No offense, mom. You’ve been about the best mother a son could have ever hoped for, but—”

“You don’t ever have to apologize, Derrick,” my step-mom said. “When I met your father after you and Julie were born, I had already known how much you both cared for her, and I would never want you to forget her, or your feelings for her.”

I stepped between my parents and hugged them both. “I love you both, very much.”

Julie came back with a smile on her face.

“Derrick, I think I have him hooked. He said he would call the next time he gets into town.”

I shook my head as I looked over at Tobemo.

She is persuasive, Derrick.

Tell me about it. Never mind. I don’t want to know.

“Derrick,” said Gina, “It’s starting to get late, and Dallas, will have to be going soon.”

We excused ourselves as we walked Tobemo outside the small chapel.

“Derrick, Gina; I wish you both a long life blessed with many happy events.”

“You too, my friend. See you next year.” I put out my hand in friendship and we clasped hands.

“I will return without fail. And remember what I said. Tell them. I think you will be surprised by the turn of events.” Then he turned and faced Gina.

“Sister, you have done well. You could not have chosen a better life-mate.” Tobemo stepped in to kiss Gina on her forehead. In return, he bowed her head, so that she too could kiss him on the forehead as well.

“Perhaps next year Tobemo, may be the year you can stay forever.”

“Perhaps, sister, we shall see. If not, I will continue to find a way, and get that thought from your mind. I refuse to take the female form. The gaffer species will never lower its priorities.”

Tobemo walked away, reached the end of the street, turned right, and he was gone from our sight.

“Come on, Gina. Let’s get back inside and round everyone up and get to my parent’s house. I’m already nervous as it is, and I really don’t want to do this, but we might as well get it over with.”

I found out later when Tobemo and Gina gave kisses to the forehead, which was their way, without words, to tell each other how much they are loved.

__________

Sitting in the living room, Gina, and I, seated on the couch, my parents each setting in a recliner, facing us, and Julie, sat to Gina’s left. I inhaled and exhaled sharply.

“Derrick,” said my dad, “whatever you have to tell us, you better hurry, or you two will be late for your honeymoon.”

I laughed nervously.

“Okay everyone. Gina and I talked this over and we decided to tell you something that might change things for all of us. I wanted to wait until we came back from our honeymoon, but somehow it seems more important to just get it out of the way now.”

“I don’t have the slightest idea what you’re talking about, Derrick,” said my dad. “Quit talking in circles and just say what you have to say.”

“Okay.”

I started with how I first met Gina and how we developed our relationship. Then I told them how I met Dallas, Gina’s brother, Tobemo, and what transpired during that first meeting. I explained that I thought I was going crazy at first, but when I told Gina what had happened, that was when things took another turn, when I found out Tobemo is her brother.

I felt like I was rambling at a thousand miles an hour, but I knew I had to get it all out. I went on to describe to them the conversation I had with Tobemo over telling them now, or after we came back from our honeymoon.

I kept watching my parents and Julie’s eyes, trying to see a sign of either shock or dismay; perhaps confusion. All I could see was the same look they showed earlier when the wedding ceremonies were over; understanding.

“That’s it. I know it sounds absurd, crazy, and out of this world, which in a way it is, but it’s the truth. Now, I’m ready for you to tell me how much of a fruitcake I am.”

I held onto Gina’s hand; my palm sweaty. I didn’t know until just then, just how nervous I really was.

“Derrick,” my step-mom said, smiling, “I know all about this and so does your father. Julie just learned of it herself only yesterday as your father and I decided it was time to let her in on our secret, and we have sworn her to secrecy. We felt it was time to tell her as we also knew after the wedding, or at some point, the entire story would have come out.”

“Ah, mom, do you want to back the tape up? I think I missed something here.”

“What she’s trying to tell you,” interjected my dad, “is that your mother is the same as Gina.”

I never knew three seconds of quiet could last so long.

I looked at Gina.

“Tell me my hearing is all right? Tell me I’ve not just gone to the Twilight Zone. Tell me you don’t know what’s going on?”

“Honestly, Derrick, I didn’t know a thing. I am surprised as much as you are.”

“She would have no way of knowing, Derrick,” my mother said. Since your father and I married nearly thirty years ago, we have kept it a secret just as the two of you would have kept it a secret.”

Looking at Gina, she continued.

“You never knew because I have learned to separate my thoughts where you would never learn the truth. It was a learned practice. It took several years before I was able to shut off my ability to read David’s mind.” She laughed heartily. “He would get so frustrated when I knew what he was thinking before he said it. Now, except for our chat, I haven’t read your father’s thoughts in years. Of course, all the time you roomed with Julie in college, you never would have found out because she knew nothing at the time.”

“Both of you knew all this time and never said a word? Why?” I asked.

“Your father and I look at it as simple trust in one another. We agreed to tell you when the time wasn’t just right, but when it was perfect.”

“Yes,” said Julie. “I just found out about Gina and Tobemo just last night. It was a chunk of info for me to digest, but I get it. I’m even happier now that Gina’s my sister-in-law. And, big brother, I think I got to Tobemo. I told him before he left tonight that when he came back next year, I would make his stay as enjoyable as possible. I think he’s about the most intelligent and sexiest man I’ve ever met.”

I looked at Julie and said, “Keep in mind, he can only stay so long, Julie. Thirty days does not a relationship make.”

“I know, but zero days makes even less. I’ll take what I can get until with any luck, one day he can stay here for good.”

We sat around and talked another two hours before it was time for Gina and I to go on our honeymoon.

I finally understood Tobemo when he spoke of trust. You have to believe in what’s said when it comes from the heart. When you do, it stays with you forever.

After we loaded our bags in the trunk, I hugged my mom and dad, and Julie, as Gina and I said our goodbyes, and off we went.

An hour into the drive, I looked over at Gina.

“You really didn’t know, did you?”

“No. I had no idea. It was as much a surprise to me as it was you. She is the first Geggi from my world I have met. Sorry, I mean female.”

“Look at it like this, Gina. When we get back you’ll have a mother-in-law you can talk old times with.”

“Perhaps. I don’t know if you saw or not, but I could see the look in your father’s eyes when your mother spoke, and I could see his emotion for her swell deeply inside him.

“When we come back, I want to see the same look in your eyes for me as well.” She reached over and squeezed my right hand which was reaching for hers as well.

“That goes ditto for you too, Gina.”

I pulled off to the side of the freeway into a rest area.

“We just got started, why are we stopping so soon?”

“You’ll find out soon enough, if you haven’t read my mind that is.”

I reached into the glove box for a small black pouch that holds the stop watch Tobemo left for me over a year ago. I opened it, and like the last time, the hands and numbers disappeared, and were showing a multi-colored bright gas from Tobemo’s world.

See my brother? Your fears are unfounded, and all is as it should be. I shall see you both within a year’s time. Sister, if you come with child, I shall see you sooner.

Tobemo, you are better than a friend could ask for. I pray you find a way next time where you can stay for good, or longer at least. Oh, and you better get plenty of rest because Julie has a hot thirty days planned for you. Goodbye, my friend.

As I said, Julie is persistent. I shall be up to the task. Take care brother and sister. Farewell.

Farewell, my brother.

I closed the watch, and the gases of Tobemo’s world disappeared. Those final words came as a hushed whispered from Gina.

“He was wrong, Derrick.”

“Huh? Wrong about what?”

“He thought our wedding was the first between our worlds.”

“Yeah. Know what? It kind of makes me wonder just how many other women from your world are here and married.”

“You mother confided in me the number; at least what she believes is correct. Almost twenty-thousand. But she said that number was from about five years ago.”

“Wow! So, we aren’t the first to have kids then, I bet.”

“No, but we will be the first to have children with the Henderson name.”

That made us both smile and laugh for a few seconds.

I started the car as I told Gina it was time for us to get back on the road. I didn’t want to waste another minute of our vacation at a rest stop.

“I love you very much, Derrick. For an earthman, you are all right; you know that?”

“Yep. And you, young lady, are a real gas to have in my life.”

Gina slid a little closer to me and said, “Now remember, you promised I would get to meet Mickey and Minnie, and Donald and Pluto and….”

“Yeah, I know, I know. But that’ll be a little later into the honeymoon, okay?”

I wish I tell her enough,

how much she

means to me.

How I'm truly

grateful

that she

believes

in me.

Thank you

love.

Thank you...

National Father/Daughter Take A Walk Day

National Dive Bar Day

Tell The Truth Day

Chocolate Day

Global Forgiveness Day

National Strawberry Sundae Day

From Dive Bars to Global Forgiveness, we have a mix here, but if the weather is good, take a walk with your daughter dad, and talk about stuff. Okay, I’m on it.

Tell The Truth Day

Today encourages people to always tell the truth, even if it is often times inconvenient and hard.

Honesty and truthfulness are virtues that are emphasized by all world religions. Cultures around the world put a premium on integrity and sincerity - people who tell the truth are always honored and celebrated over people known to tell lies.

Supposedly, Ben Franklin coined the phrase, “honesty is the best policy.”

The truth shall set you free. The inmate said,

“Yes, I did it. Can I get out of prison now?”

National Dive Bar Day

Today, make a toast where friends gather and memories are made.

From the one-time speakeasy to the little hole-in-the-wall, the dive bar is like an old pair of jeans; it just fits right. During the week, we can stop in, our team will be playing on the TV, and the beverages will be icy cold. The same dart and pool leagues meet every year, and familiar faces go head to head.

Dive bars last. On Friday nights, even their sweethearts still show up for date nights at the beach shack where they met 20 years ago. If we drive the back roads of small towns, the dive bar serves the best steaks for miles around.

The dive bar is more than just a place to kick back and relax. It’s where we mark out life’s plans, celebrate its successes, and make memories to treasure. We make friends who become family and remember those who have left us behind.

This holiday is about the first place to come to mind when it’s time to celebrate, to hang out with friends or just feel at home once again. We may use the term dive bar with a bit of fondness, however, many of these places have been around a long time. “I remember when…” is a familiar phrase heard often enough. Raise a toast to the bars and pubs where they know us and take care of us.

Global Forgiveness Day

This is a time to forgive and to be forgiven. It must be a pretty good thing, because there are two major organizations in particular that lay claim to creating a Forgiveness Day. If you dig deeply, you will discover that there are a number of other "Forgiveness" days, created by primarily religious organizations, or organized groups promoting the concept of forgiveness. These holidays are world or international events. There's enough trouble and strife in the world. The existence of multiple forgiveness days can only help to make the world and your life a little better. We agree with the sponsors of this day, that a little more forgiveness will help to make the world a much better place.

All of the holidays promoting forgiveness, have one thing in common: to forgive and forget wrongs. Put aside the grudges. Bury the hatchet. And, end the feuds. Life is too short to hold in the pain and anxiety. Instead, forgive people and you will find your life is calmer, and more peaceful. Forgiveness goes both ways. While much of the focus of these days encourages you to forgive others, it is also important to seek forgiveness to both God and others, for any wrongs you have done.

Global Forgiveness Day began in 1994. It was created and is sponsored by the Christian Embassy of Christ's Ambassadors. This holiday originated in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Depending upon a variety of sources, this special holiday is sometimes called World Forgiveness Day and National Forgiveness Day.

International Forgiveness Day was created by the World Forgiveness Alliance, a non-denominational, educational foundation. According to their website: " International Forgiveness Day dedicated to evoking the healing power of forgiveness worldwide." The founder is Robert W. Plath, from Mill Valley, California.

Use today to clear your conscience and your soul. Take a few moments to sincerely forgive someone and to ask forgiveness of others. If possible, make it public. That way forgiveness will spread.

** The Jewish celebration of Yom Kippur is a day of atonement or forgiving.

** In Christian religions, the first Sunday before Lent is called "Forgiveness Sunday".

My therapist suggest I have a pre-occupation with vengeance. We'll see about that!

More Strange Holidays Coming!

The Baker-Manning Home

111 Homestead Lane – 7:30 p.m.

“… and that’s where things stand for right now, Leon. I spoke to Ed about this when we had lunch today, and he agrees you should stay here until we can find a relative to take you in and raise you.”

She looked at Stevie.

“Sorry for not saying anything to you sooner, but ….”

“It’s cool, mom. I’m good with it. No need to say more. Besides, it’s good having Leon around.”

“Missus Baker, I don’t know what to say. I ‘preciate what you doin’. I don’t know ‘bout no relatives. Momma talked ‘bout her sister, I think. I think she said her name is Jane or Joyce, sumptin’ like that. That’s all I can remember. Never did have a daddy around.”

“It’s a start, Leon,” said Baker.

“Hey, Leon, let’s go into my room and play some video games, or do you want to watch a movie?”

“Can we do both?”

Stevie smiled. “You bet’cha we can!”

Tuesday – April 17th

The Squad Room – 8:38 a.m.

“We had a busy day, yesterday. A heads up to Lowery and Banyard for their performance. Though two lives were lost yesterday, through their diligence, they managed to help save another life in the process. The cashier is doing well and resting after surgery. Congrats, guys.

“Poncho and Cisco? Today is your day to entertain the kids at Westwood Junior High this morning. It’s time for the do’s and don’ts.

“Clausen and Klugston? You two will relieve James and Marshallton over at the 2500 block on Melrose East. There’s a broken watermain, and a traffic down. The city has been working on restoring the light over thirty minutes, and the water works division since five this morning. Until they can get both fixed, we’ll be rotating uniforms. You two are it for this shift.”

Baker started passing out packets to each officer in the room.

“I’ve saved the best for last. Inside, you will see a dozen photographs of one Jesse Waynestead, who also happens to be the brother of Claire Waynestead, who, if most of you remember, was killed in my old residence over a year ago.

“This is the man we believe is responsible for Captain Todd, and his wife, Elaine, as well as several others. On your route today, and for the next several days, pass the pictures around to every business you can. This includes restaurants, fast food places, and motels.

“Sometime today, the local, as well as national news will do a cover story on Waynestead. Be advised; outside of Freddy, Jesse Waynestead is a very violent and lethal individual. Do not try to approach or apprehend this man without backup.

“We can speculate on the other gruesome killings by him, but if they were like those of Captain Todd and his wife, then do not—I repeat, do not misunderstand my words when I say if you allow him to get to close to you without backup, you may not be able to restrain this man. He has the capability to tear your throat to shreds.

“Hit his ass with a taser about a dozen times, that’ll bring him down,” said Rawlings.

“You read my mind. I’ve been authorized by Captain Satchell that each of you will get an additional three tasers just for this purpose.”

J.W. spoke up.

“Did that to a guy in Beaumont. Both me and my partner hit this guy. He shook, but the crazy s.o.b. grabbed the coils, and pulled the tasers right out of our hands, and still came at us. We ended up shooting him seven times before he stopped and hit the pavement.

“All I’m say is that this Waynestead character could be just that bad, or worse.”

“Good point, J.W. If push comes to shove, and Waynestead offers no other recourse, take him out.

“Okay, guys, you know what’s going on. Any questions? If not, then get out there and stay safe, and keep our streets safe.”

Milford, New York

McDonald’s – 11:36 a.m.

Sitting in the parking lot, eating one of three double cheeseburgers, and sipping on a vanilla shake, Jesse was listening to the radio in his van. Midway through a swallow of one burger, about to start another, he paused long enough to turn the radio up.

“A statewide alert is out for recently released inmate, Jesse Waynestead. He is listed as 6’3” to 6’5”, 275 pounds, with several tattoos on his body of which three are on his head as well as both arms.

“He is wanted for questioning in the former police captain, Raymond Todd, and his wife, Elaine Todd, found dead in California. Mr. Todd was the former captain of the Montie police department for over twenty years when he retired. Waynestead is also wanted for questioning in a series of five, possibly six other gruesome murders.

“Police ask that if you spot this person, please call their hotline number at ….”

Jesse shut the radio off. He grinned.

“So, they found out it was me. Big deal. It won’t stop me from tearing her head off her shoulders.”

After he finished eating, he pulled away from the parking lot and headed southwest. He would be in Montie within three hours.

Baseball Practice

Montie High School – 4:23 p.m.

Stevie was at third base sending signals to both runners, as well as each batter with an easy fluid motion. He could do this in his sleep. Up in the stands were Baker, Ed, Ellie, and Leon.

Practice would be over in thirty minutes, then the team would be off Wednesday, back on the field Thursday for two hours, then Friday night they would play their home opener against Jefferson High.

Things were going well, until Craig Cottle came up to the plate and hit the first pitch that sent a line drive hitting Stevie in the head. Stevie never saw it coming, it was that quick.

Coach Brian rushed from the dugout toward Stevie, as well as Baker and Ed. Leon just sat on the bleachers and was crying. So was Ellie as she held onto his hand.

Coach Brian called for an ambulance.

“Forget that, coach! I’m taking him to emergency, now! Call the hospital and tell them I’m bringing in my son.”

Picking Stevie up in her arms wasn’t easy. At 155, and 5’8”, he wasn’t a child any longer. Ed, helping to carry some of the weight of Stevie, yelled out for Leon and Ellie to get in the Hummer.

With Ed driving, they made the drive in twelve minutes, and rushed through the emergency doors, explaining as they went what happened to Stevie.

An orderly ushered them into an examination room where Baker laid Stevie down on an exam bed. Two nurses and a doctor came in asking questions that were answered quickly.

The doctor checked Stevie’s pupils, as one of the nurses named Lorraine, checked his pulse and blood pressure.

“Lorraine,” said the doctor, Mike Greensmith, “get the boy on an I.V., 200 milligrams of Mannitol. Then get him over to x-ray and I want that stat. Move it!” To the other nurse he said, “Janet, monitor the I.V. for five minutes.”

Looking at Baker he said, “You must be the boy’s mother. So you know, the Mannitol is used to reduce subarachnoid space pressure, in the event he may have severe damage. The x-rays will tell us more.”

“What does that mean?”

“I won’t know how serious his condition is until I see the x-rays. His eyes showed no sign of recognizing light patterns. It could be a concussion. It could mean damage to his cranium. It could be nothing more than a severe bruise that will hurt for a while.

“If it is a concussion, I advise you not to have him play baseball, at least not for the rest of this season. He’s young, but if he sustained another hit to the head, the results may prove worse than they may already be.

“Professional athletes get concussions all the time, and in professional football, concussions have been proven to be a direct link with brain damage and cognitive thinking. At your son’s age, the precaution here is not to let him play the game.”

“But he wasn’t playing, Ellie cried. “He was a third base coach!”

“He’s gonna die, ain’t he, mister.”

The doctor looked down at Leon, who had tears streaming down his cheeks. Baker’s gut wrenched when she heard Leon’s words.

“No, son, he isn’t going to die.”

“That’s what you all said about my momma, and she died!”

Baker knelt beside Leon.

“Stevie isn’t going to die, Leon. I promise you he won’t.”

“You promised me a miracle, too. That didn’t happen either! I don’t want to live with you anymore!”

Ed took a few steps forward toward Leon and softly said, “I’ll make a deal with you, Leon. If things don’t work out here, then you can leave. If everything works out okay, you stay. Agreed?”

Leon looked at Ed’s determined eyes, then into Baker’s.

“It, it’s just, I just lost my momma, and I never had a brother before. I don’t want to lose him, too.”

Lorraine stepped back into the room.

“Doctor, they are ready to do the x-rays.”

“Wheel him up to five. Put him on full stats and keep a continual monitoring on his conditions every thirty minutes, no—make that every fifteen until you hear from me. Once I see the x-rays, I’ll know the next step.”

Turning to Baker and Ed, he said, “You can visit with him, say in about an hour. We need time to set things up; then you can come stay with him, but don’t be worried if he doesn’t respond any time soon.

Sixteen minutes later, Dr. Mike Greensmith was staring at the x-rays. Not good, not bad. But the boy’s playing days were over.

Room 506 – 5:17 p.m.

The sounds inside the room were kept at a whisper of hopes and prayers.

Dr. Greensmith entered the room.

“Mr. and Mrs. Baker,” Baker looked at Ed, winked and gave him a small smile. “I’ve looked over the x-rays and have confirmed this with another attending physician that surgery will be necessary.”

“Surgery? Why? What did you find? asked Baker.

“He has about a one-inch crack along his cranium, and the radial area already has a good portion of fluid developing, and if we wait too long it will start to congeal. I strongly advise you to give us permission to perform a surgical procedure now where we can relieve the pressure from his brain. This would mean draining the mass fluid; cutting away that portion of the damaged skull cap and replacing it with a thin portion of titanium steel.”

“He is going to die, isn’t he?” Baker was looking at Stevie as she asked, tears welling where one slowly slid down her cheek.

“No, Mrs. Baker. But without this surgery, your son may end up with partial paralysis as in loss of speech and possibility his sight. With corrective surgery, we can have your son back with you before you know it.”

“Than what are you waiting for. Give me the forms to fill out and save my son.”

Dr. Greensmith handed her the form attached to a clipboard, where Baker hurriedly scrawled her name and handed it back to him.

“I can say two things at this point. In forty-eight hours, we will know how his progress will be after the surgery, and secondly; do not allow him to play any contact sport in the future. To do so could jeopardize his life if he sustains another injury like this.”

With the form signed, the doctor gone, and two orderlies coming into the room to transport Stevie to surgery, Baker clasped Stevie’s hand and whispered, “Come back to us, bub. We love you. I love you.”

He was in surgery within thirty minutes and prepped. It was a surgery that took over four hours to perform.