March 2007 Submissions
Seer of Souls
Chapter 3
This chapter was hard to write, the action scene just would not
cooperate with me, I had to rewrite lots, though it is still not the
greatest.
Introducing two new characters!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Bird song serenaded Salla as she walked under the branches of great
trees just beginning to bud with new spring leaves. The lovely melody
brought a smile to Salla's lips, she had always loved bird song, such
lovely tunes that could not be mimicked by human lips. The sound
lifted Salla's spirits greatly, boasting the girls courage.
Salla had been walking for several hours, when she turned to gaze
behind her she could no longer see her village. She walked on, it was
a lovely day, the birds singing, the sun shining. Salla knew that
could change quickly though, the only annoyance was the biting of
leech-flies that seemed to be everywhere; but she could deal with
that. She faced the itchy bites of the insects every day when she
worked in the fields.
The pack on her back was heavy, yet she knew that its burden was a
needed one. With out it she would have no food or water. Though that
did not stop her from wishing it was lighter. She hummed to herself,
trying to mimic the bird song around her.
A loud clamber startled the birds and Salla into silence. She ran up
ahead, her heart pounding in her chest. Around the bend in the road
she saw what had made that noise, there were two men and a thing, a
creature she had never seen before. One of the men had red hair and a
sword, which he was using to hack at the snarling creature as the
black haired man threw glowing balls of fire at the thing. Salla stood
in awe and fright, she had never seen anything like this before, the
creature was covered in gray scales as a slimy green liquid dripped
from sharp fangs, it stood on two tinkly muscled legs, as two stubby
arms toped with long red stained claws sliced threw the air at the two
men. It was large, a foot taller that the men from where Salla stood,
quickly she darted behind a tree, watching the fight from her shelter.
The creature was tiring, or so it seemed to Salla, its movements
getting slower by the minute the mens attacks wearing it down slowly.
Its breathing was labored as reddish foam gathered at the corners of
its mouth. The beast let out a shrieking roar, the sound hurting her
ears and reverberating down her spine. The creature lunged forward,
one last attack before it fell to the hard comforts of the earth. Its
sides heaved briefly before at last it was still.
The men stood, panting heavily from the battle. The red haired man
strode up to the creature and lifted its paw, he severed the claws and
placed them into a pouch with a look of distaste upon his face. The
men exchanged words that Salla could not hear before turning away from
the corpse and walking down the road.
Salla's eyes widened, she quickly darted out from behind the tree and
ran forward, the only though on her mind that she must catch up with
these men.
"Hey! Wait please!" Salla called as she ran.
The men halted, darting bewildered glances at each other they turned,
facing Salla.
Salla stopped in front of them, breathing heavily from her sprint.
"Miss, may I ask what is it that you want from us?" The black
haired
man asked, his voice light and airy.
"I wished to know how far the nearest village was from here, please do
you know this?" Salla asked.
The man blinked, surprised to hear those words from a traveler.
"Why, it is not far, miss, only a couple hours journey from here."
He
replied.
The red haired man had not spoken, his golden eyes looked searchingly
into Salla's own before he smiled widely.
"Miss, we would be pleased to travel with you there, if that is where
you are going, we also are headed there and company is always
welcome." The red haired man spoke.
The black haired man started in surprise at these words.
"Oh, yes, thank you. I am Salla," Salla replied, her eyes aglow,
"who
would you be?"
"I am Viran, this is my partner Diamond. We are pleased to meet
you."
The red haired man replied.
Diamond stared at Viran before he too smiled brightly.
"Yes, we are very pleased to meet."
Salla felt relieved, she thought she would have to journey alone for a
long while, she did not know that there was a village so near to her
own, even though there lie several miles between the two. The day was
still young and she felt no concern at traveling with two men, as two
hours would pass quickly and she would be with in a village soon. She
hoped that others that she meet along the way would be so friendly.
Unknown to Salla a conversation was taking place, one that no ears
could hear.
Viran? Why did you invite this girl along with us? Diamond though.
Because she is young, naive, don't you see? She is easy pickings for
any wicked beings that would chance upon her. A gifted who does not
know the world. Viran replied, his eyes faintly sad.
She is gifted? Diamond thought his eyes widening briefly with surprise.
Yes, not like myself of course, but gifted just the same.
You feel empathy for her. Diamond stated.
She is like my sister, but that matters not. We shall escort her to
the village and give her some much needed advice, after that she is on
her own. Viran replied, his mental voice firm.
Oh, I doubt that. But believe what you will, I can already see how
this will go. Diamond said, a burst of amusement, feeling like fluffy
cotton and purple shimmers resounding through out Virans mind.
It will! We are leaving her at the village! Viran cried, his mental
voice exasperated.
Diamond only sent laughter in return, his attention on Salla.
"So why ever do you journey, miss Salla?"
"Just to travel, my father journeyed far and wide before i was born
and I wished to do the same, though I know little about the world
outside my village." Salla replied with the story she had decided on
before she left, telling people she met that she sought revenge was
not a good idea in her mind.
"Ah! To walk in your fathers foot steps! Many a traveler shares the
same sentiment as you." Diamond said, his eyes dancing. He knew that
was not the true tale, but he let it lie.
"And you mister Diamond? Mister Viran? Why do you journey?" Salla
asked, curiosity lacing her voice.
"To seek fame and fortune, miss." Viran spoke, darting a sly glance
at
Diamond, their tale was not true as well.
Salla smiled, her steps light, the company kept her mind from dwelling
on what she had lost and left behind.
The three walked on, towards the village of Sertany, none of them
truly knowing all that fate had in store once they arrived.
Jessa
Opposites
Love/hate
warm/cold
up/down
yes/no
love you/hate me
warm hugs/cold stare
up above/down below
oh yeah!/no, I dare
love is blind/hate is not
hugs abound/stares are few
above is good/below is bad
oh yeah! More!/I dare you to...
Robbie
Sheena
Sheena
Guardian
Quit?
To live again, inside this dream.
Away from the pain, away for the game
Always played, never won. Inside a heart
Of cracked stone, hides a girl of simple joys
A smile, touches barely her soul
A simple gesture of kindness a treasure to behold
A secret dream of love to be told
To live again would be to grand
To once more be able to stand,
And face a world that locked her away
In a prison of painful sorrow, some day it will okay
A hidden promise behind her tear-filled eyes
Nothing made a difference despite the tries
Sitting out in the middle of the night
To live again her wishing plight.
Lupa DeDanna
Jeannie immediately volunteered to do the attic. She was curious to see what she would find among the boxes and trunks that occupied each corner of the old dusty and spider-webbed attic. After agreeing that lunch hour was 1 o'clock, she grabbed a broom, duster, pail and shovel, and headed for the large central stairway that lead to the upstairs bedrooms, then through a thick door that lead up a narrow stairway. Searching for a light switch, Jeannie saw that it wouldn't work. Leaving the attic door open, she felt her way as she climbed up the stairs, one by one, holding her cleaning things in both hands. As she reached what she thought was the last step, the light suddenly switched on. She was really only in the middle of the narrow staircase; meaning that the upstairs rooms had ceilings that were higher than the ground floor rooms.
Reaching the top of the stairs, Jeannie found that the attic windows, located on all four of the walls, were much larger inside the attic than they appeared from outside the house, and allowed a great deal of light come in. She glanced around and noticed that everything already placed in neat piles on the right and left sides of the stairs. That meant that her brother Joe was here before them; she secretly thanked him for arranging the boxes, now she could just open them up one by one and mark which ones were to be kept and which ones given away. Jeannie decided to start on the right side of the attic. "Well, here goes," she thought. Glancing at her watched she saw it was 9 o'clock. "Let's get ready for a long morning."
By eleven o'clock Jeannie went through all the boxes and marked down only one that she thought was worth keeping; all the rest were pure junk, and wouldn't interest anyone. She made herself comfortable on the floor and lifted up a small ornate box labelled " Japan, 1939." Jeannie put the box on the floor in front of her and gently and slowly lifted the cover. A strong aroma of fine oriental incense used in Buddhist temples enveloped the surrounding air and Jeannie suddenly felt as though she were far way, in an entirely different atmosphere. She pulled out what appeared to be a book wrapped in rice paper. It appeared as though it had never been opened. "Should I open it?" she thought to herself. Deciding the affirmative, she put the small box on the floor next to her and began to remove the layers of fine rice paper, surprised the paper didn't rip as she lifted each layer. On her knees she found what appeared to be a small picture book. Jeannie opened the front cover and found it was written in Japanese. Slowly turning the pages she saw beautiful hand painted pictures of a land far away, some pages had captions in Japanese characters. So absorbed in her contemplation of the little book, Jeannie seemed to lose sense of time and space. As she arrived at the middle of the book, a tiny sparkle grew larger and larger and there before stood a little fairy, the size of a man's hand. Jeannie was too surprised to utter a sound. She held out her hand and the little fairy alighted on it. She was dressed in a silvery blue kimono with a large white obi (large belt) in the pure Japanese style. She bowed ceremoniously and announced her name in perfect English: "My name is Sayuri-san and I thank you for releasing me from my bond." Jeannie stepped back and put her hand on her moth. Not only this little creature come out from no where, but it also spoke her own language!
"How is that you can speak my language, you who surely must not no any other country than your own?" asked Jeannie.
"I am a fairy and have the ability to adapt to my surroundings. As I see you are not Japanese, I have intercepted your language and adapted my own to accommodate it. My primary function is to help those who come in contact with me to fulfil their most cherished desire. A jealous wizard captured me as I was helping his daughter and forced me into this book, which is a thousand years old. Now that I am released I can now complete my work and then be freed forever. What is your most cherished desire?"
"My most important desire…" pondered Jeannie. "Oh, I'm sorry for my lack of manners," Jeannie quickly replied. "My name is Jeannie, and the book you were, uh, captured in, belonged to my great-Uncle Sam, who apparently never opened it after he arrived here. You mean to tell me you have been in that little book for a thousand years?"
"Yes, a thousand years," smiled Sayuri the Japanese Fae. "I have come into your life to help make your dearest wish come true."
"Jeannie, Jeannie, are you up there?" Jeannie suddenly became aware that some one was calling her from the stairway. "Lunch is ready; you should come out of that dust and eat. We'll be leaving within the next hour or so as I have to go shopping for dinner. We'll be back tomorrow with Joe and the pick-up truck to take what we're going to keep back to the house.
"Yes, I'll be down in a moment," Jeannie called from the top of the stairs.
Gathering up the little book and its wrapping paper, Jeannie rushed down the stairs, the little fairy fluttering behind her. Placing the book and the folded wrapping on the table, she went to the kitchen sink and washed her hands. Millie took the book and stared flipping though the pages. Jeannie, turning and seeing Millie, gave her a look that said, "Put that down or else!" She noticed that no one said any thing about the fairy fluttering next to her head.
Leaning against the sink, she said, "As a matter of fact, there's a fairy in this room," just to find out if anyone else was aware of it.
Millie's eyes lit up, "Where? Where?" she shouted, looking around the room.
"You know, Jeannie," said her mother, "I think you've been reading too much fairy tales to the Bradley kids that it's beginning to go to your head. I don't mind you babysitting them everyday, but you're going to have to make them understand that there are other kinds stories to read, more realistic modern stories without fairies, wicked wizards and demure demoiselles. I mean, who's the boss, you or them?"
Jeannie and the fairy looked at each other; she realized that the fairy was visible only herself.
"Mom, it's not just the stories; it's also the mythical video games, too," replied Jeannie.
After lunch Jeannie helped her mother bring the boxes downstairs that Joe was to put in the pick-up the next day, and then everyone prepared to leave. It was Saturday and Jeannie wanted to take time that afternoon to visit Bernie in the hospital.
As she got in the car, she asked her mother to drop her off at the small hospital. She was going to offer Bernie the book to read during those long hours he had to wait during his examinations. Notwithstanding the Japanese characters, he might find the pictures soothing and contemplative. Thursday was the last day of the week's medical exams; if they all came out negative, Bernie could be assured he is totally cured, and leave the hospital. But they won't know that until today or Monday morning at the latest, if the doctor shows up.
Although the hospital wasn't very big, it was bustling with Saturday visitors and Jeannie had to weave in between individual groups to get to the double elevators. Her little fairy friend followed, hovering over the heads of visitors in the elevators. She wanted to tell her something, but didn't want to appear like she was talking to herself. Arriving at the third floor, she passed the nurses' station and went around the corner to Room 312, where Bernie shared a room with an older patient. Jeannie knocked, opened the door a crack, and saw Bernie turned to the wall, trying not to hear the visitors on the other side of the room. She came into the room, nodded to the other visitors, and drew the drapes around Bernie's bed, hiding them from the others. He looked tired and a bit flushed, but his brown eyes behind black rimmed glasses were filled with love for her. She smoothed his tangled brown hair and took his face in her hands. Kissing him, she smiled handed him the book. Bernie looked at it, returning a broad smile.
"How did you come across this little jewel?" he asked. In his job as the city's junior museum curator/researcher he often came across mysterious objects like this.
"I found it in my great-Uncle Sam's attic…you know, the globe-trotter uncle? You'll never believe what came with it," she answered.
"And what came with it?"
"A little Japanese Fairy named Sayuri-san."
Meanwhile, Sayuri fluttered back and forth, up and down over Bernie's head, and looked at Jeannie. She understood right away what her most sincere wish was, and nodded.
"A fairy came with is book? Are you pulling my leg?"
"No, I'm not. She's there, right over your head." Bernie looked up, and didn't see anything.
"Just close your eyes for a moment and imagine a little Japanese girl the size of your hand wearing a silvery blue kimono with a large white obi. She flutters with wings like a humming bird. I can see her now, right next to your right ear. No, don't open your eyes. She is whispering something in your ear; can you hear it?"
Sayuri whispered in Bernie's ear, "Have confidence, you're totally cured and will live a long life with your beloveds."
"Yes, I heard something…it was a soft and soothing; it felt so good. "
They talked a little longer, and when Jeannie was getting ready to leave, there was a knock at the door. Dr Martin, who was Bernie's specialist, walked in holding a folder. He nodded to the patient in the other bed, whose visitors had long left, and coming around to Bernie's side nodded at Jeannie. They looked at him, not knowing what to expect.
"Before I leave the hospital for the weekend, I wanted pass by and give you the good news, especially since I know you were a bit anxious. The news I have will make you feel a lot better and calm your nerves, which aren't doing your blood pressure any good," he laughed.
"Have confidence," he said. "You're totally cured and will surely have a long life with your loved ones."
Jeannie knew this was what Sayuri was whispering in Bernie's ear, that indeed, this was what she desired most than anything else in the world. She looked around for her little friend, but she was no where to be seen. Jeannie understood that, in accomplishing the charge for which she was created, Sayuri no longer needed to be on the earth plane. Secretly she thanked her little friend with all her being, and promised she'll never forget her as long as she lived.
*For Sarah*
Genta
The Crocus
far beneath the
frozen snow
she turns up her head
and begins to grow
first flower of
spring
to come 'midst the ice
early each spring
her presence is nice
she knows not
what...
be it rain or snow
yet, her blossoms push up
to brighten the show
Crocus, little
Crocus
the first sign of spring...
come early with beauty
Cheri
Memories of Love
I enjoy the fell of satin
As it slides across my skin
Remembering days of passion
Laced with laughter on a whim
I dream about the journey
That we took from there to here
And wonder what has happened
As I wipe away a tear
Remember walks we’ve taken
On the sun dappled paths of spring
How you asked in courtly fashion
And presented me a ring
We were so full of love
We though that it would never die
We thought that love would last
Until the stars fell from the sky
But we were wrong, so very wrong
You’ve left me all alone
And in this strange and careless world
My heart can’t find a home
Maiden Fair
forever
I,
I sit alone...
my head held not high
my saddened eyes asking why
they see the distant stars within the sky
stars, many more than the breaths I'll ever breath
my eyes look 'round, but they do not see you, anywhere
in the shallowness of their light, heavily I wheeze
just like the day I watched you leave
and I ask why, is she more
beautiful than
I?
oh
my tears,
my tears, my darling,
my darling, tears are like stars
they fall silently down
within the darkness
silently down
they fall
oh
I..
hope the
stars above and
the moon shinning bright
remind you to remember me!
darling, these stars that glow and silently
fall into the night, are like my
tears that silently fall
reminding me of the
deep love I
have for
you
forever
By: FlaIsleGirl@aol.com
WIND
©2007 S. Rhodes
"It never fails", thought Tree, trying to suppress her anger, as she felt her leaves and branches whipped by the wind. Lately it was getting very hard to relax and after a long day standing in the hot summer sun, Tree was in no mood to put up with Wind's antics. Wind's moods had been increasingly hostile and he had become destructive of late. All the trees had complained to him about it, but he had ignored them and continued to blow. All week he been amusing himself by knocking over lawn chairs, sun umbrellas and yesterday, he had tipped over a birdbath sending it crashing onto the patio stones. The little birds that had been happily bathing flew to the trees chattering their complaints, but Wind just whistled and continued on down the street, whirling dust and debris in circles, lifting ladies skirts and snatching men's hats.
Wind loved to create havoc at times, but tonight he was in a foul mood. He had expected Rain to join him in some fun. Nobody could kick up a good storm like Rain, but she had changed her mind at the last minute and gone off in another direction, leaving Wind to amuse himself once again and he was bored and sick of trying to entertain himself.
Tree could sense his anger as her branches rattled and rubbed together, making high squeaking noises. She shouldn't have scolded Wind so harshly the other day, she thought, as he hadn't taken it well. She couldn't understand how he could be so gentle at times and quite the bully at other times. Still she was feeling very tired of late and she was in no mood for his antics tonight. With an effort Tree straightened herself, ignoring Winds attempts to bend her to his will and allowed her branches to reach out and slap him as he blew by.
Wind felt the sting of her anger and decided and played around Tree for awhile, amused at how badly she was able to swat at him. Soon growing tired of this game however, Wind decided it was time to show Tree who was boss. After all he was strong and powerful and he was tired of being chided over and over about his lack of manners. He didn't want to behave; he wanted to do what whatever he liked, whenever he felt like it. Wind felt another slap from one of Trees branches. That angered him. He sucked in his breath, puffing himself into a great invisible ball, storing up his energy. Wind did a few twirls around Tree, making her dizzy and angrier than she was before. Wind sensing the old trees' growing hostility, started to enjoy himself and forgot about Rain, concentrating on teaching Tree a lesson.
The neighboring trees swayed and bent as Wind vent his fury on Tree. They desperately tried to get Wind's attention and make him stop. They frantically waved their branches up and down, but he ignored them. Startled birds took to the skies, their wings flapping against Wind's strong current and squirrels ran down the moving trees, running in circles on the ground, unsure of where to go.
Tree felt her limbs being twisted and bent. A hot tearing pain ran down her side and a large branch hung down one of her sides, her other branches creaked and snapped in protest as Wind blasted her relentlessly. Leaves were torn from her and she groaned in pain, but Wind was beyond hearing as he blew harder and harder, swirling around and around. Tree made a futile attempt to hold her branches still against the onslaught of Wind, but she was tired and old and no match for him. One more blast thought Wind, that will teach her. Wind blew, all his strength focused on the old tree.
Tree let out a loud moan as she felt a sharp pain shoot up from her base to her uppermost branches. Loud snaps and tearing sounds filled the air as one by one Tree's branches were ripped away. Screaming in agony, Tree felt herself falling and with a mighty crash she landed on the ground her roots torn from the earth.
Wind suddenly stopped, shocked at what he'd done. The other trees sighed, bending in misery and then stood still. Wind softly blew on Tree, his breath now a soft caress, his voice a tiny wail.
Tree shuttered and then could move no more, her branches were broken and crushed . As Tree, lay there feeling her sap run cold and her leaves start to droop, her last thought was "…maybe now I can rest."
Robbie
The Blarney Stone
©2007 S. Rhodes
You might wonder whether I'm full of blarney when you read this tale dear reader, but let me assure you every word of it is true.
Many years ago, I had the good fortune to travel abroad with my Father who was attending a business conference in Ireland. When we landed we caught a taxi to our hotel, and I was shown to my room, which turned out to be quite nice even though the view from the window was of city rooftops and pigeon droppings. Nonetheless, I was happy to be off plane and on the ground.
The next day, I awoke to the sound of pigeons cooing on my windowsill. My father had told me that he'd be busy all day in the conference, so I decided to go exploring. I dressed, and went down for some breakfast and afterwards went off to visit the sites.
I did a bit of window-shopping and ate a few goodies that I purchased from local vendors, and as the day grew warmer, I looked for a place with some shade and where I could rest my aching feet. I spied a large park that looked cool and inviting, and started walking down its various paths, stopping to smell some flowers along the way. After a short while, I sat down resting my back against a large tree, and watched as some ducks swam lazily around a large pond. I felt myself nodding off, and was almost asleep when I felt a sharp poke in my side. Looking down I saw a man, no bigger than eight inches high, and he was busy poking me with a sharp stick, and scowling. "Move it, you", he said, hissing the words at me angrily. "You're blocking my entrance."
"Entrance to what?" I asked, looking around.
"My front door, you great oaf.", said the tiny man, once again giving me a viscous poke with his stick and trying desperately to wiggle behind me, using his elbows and fists to move me out of his way.
"Hey!", I said, getting more than a little ticked off at this gnat of a man. "Why don't you ask me politely, instead of being so rude and violent?" I then smiled, thinking of how silly my dream was, for surely it was a dream, and how futile and foolish he looked trying to beat me with his stick, and hit me. He seemed to know what I was thinking, because he hauled off and kicked me, which strangely felt quite real.
When I reached out to grab him, he disappeared in a blink of an eye, only to reappear on the other side me slapping me on my leg with his stick once again and turning an alarming shade of red as he did so. He was so angry, I took pity on him and shifted myself away from the tree and he ran behind me. He moved so quickly, I couldn't imagine where he'd gone to this time, but something caught my eye. Peering closer at the tree, I saw a tiny little door, and as I looked, it seemed to shimmer and fade and within moments I was just staring at the bark. I touched the area lightly with my finger, and felt nothing but the woods rough texture.
I see you are skeptical, my dear readers, and are wondering if I was suffering from jet lag or too much heat, but I assure you, that although quite out of the ordinary, it happened. How else could you explain the series of small but very vivid bruises dotted along my thigh and hip that I found later that evening when undressing for bed.
You Did WHAT?
(March 14, 2007)
Sighing with the relief of finally being home, Ali closed the door behind her and bent to untie her boots. Before she could straighten completely, she felt Blake’s hands around her waist, his mouth at her neck.
“You’re late,” he whispered in her ear.
“Sorry. I was due for a haircut. I forgot to call.”
He kissed her neck and let her stand up. “It’s okay. You’re not late enough to…” His voice trailed off as he suddenly noticed the state of her once-brunette hair. “Holy crap, Ali! What did you do to your hair?”
She nervously ran a hand through it. “It’s starting to get warm already. Did I cut it too short?”
“Short?” He blinked a couple times, trying to right his vision. He hadn’t even noticed it was short. “Oh gods, not short too…” He lifted a short, coppery piece of hair off her forehead, stroking it lovingly. “You didn’t let me say good-bye…”
Ali rolled her eyes, pushing him to the side. “I’m tired. Did you cook?”
“Me? Cook?” Blake laughed, pulling out his cell phone. “What would you like?”
“You are so sad. I’ll go fix some dinner.” She got two steps away before he grabbed her arm, pulling her back to him.
“What on earth did you dye it for?” He played with the remnants of a wavy bit, sighing. “I can understand the short bit but… red?”
She shrugged. “It was Jo’s idea. Scarlett agreed.”
“I should have known,” he muttered. “I think I’m gonna have to limit your time with those two,” he teased.
“I’d like to see ya try it, Cowboy,” she teased back. “Some tortellini for you tonight?”
“Yeah, that works. Food is food.”
“You’ve never had to eat freeze-dried rations, obviously.”
Blake ignored her, going to the freezer for the tortellini. “Anything else you need while I’m here?”
“A new husband? Does that work?”
“Nope. Try again.”
Grinning, she asked, “How about the Parmesan, the milk, and the peas? If there’s any sausage, grab it too.”
“Gotcha.” Blake rummaged around in the fridge, pulling out ingredients and dumped them on the counter beside her. He perched himself on the counter alongside the groceries and watched her make their dinner.
She ignored him the best she could, knowing that riling him up wasn’t the best thing to do tonight. For reasons she might never understand, he was extremely possessive and overly protective of her hair. It had to be a man thing, but she just didn’t get it. After all, he’d hacked off all his beautiful dark curls before they’d met. Even so, it was getting hot and humid and she couldn’t handle the hair a moment longer. As for the color… well, she had wanted a change…
Jo, the girl she strongly suspected her adopted brother was in love with, had nothing better to do and decided to tag along. After meeting up with Scarlett, who’d been getting a trim of her own, Jo suggested she go red. Scarlett agreed. But then, Scarlett had been urging her to dye it red for years now. She’d really liked the hot pink shade Tanya, their collective hairdresser had shown her, but Ali didn’t think that would quite fit her dress code at the ‘office’.
She jumped at the touch on the back of her neck. “Hey!” she scolded Blake, stirring the sausage. “Not while I’m cooking. Remember the cookies?”
Blake laughed and evil, all male laugh. “Yeaaah… I do.” He stroked her bare neck again. “I’m not sure I like the color but I can get used to having your neck so accessible.” He moved to slide off the counter.
Ali brandished the spatula at him, threatening, “Don’t you come near me until dinner is done!”
He grinned, putting his hands in the air. “Me? Why would I interrupt you when you’re going to feed me? Geez, some people!” The sentence ended in laughter.
“Can’t even fool yourself, can you?”
Shaking his head, he giggled, “Nope!”
“Get out. Your dinner will be done in ten.”
Still laughing, Blake grabbed a soda and headed for the living room, thinking the whole time of her bare neck.
~*~
“You want to do WHAT?” Alpine was shocked. Shocked! “Why?”
“Have you seen what your girlfriend and Scarlett talked Ali into?” At Alpine’s negative head shake, he growled, “They encouraged her to not only cut her hair short but to dye it red! What the hell were they thinking?”
Alpine laughed as Blake paced the living room. “So you wanna do what exactly?”
“Freak her out. Payback and all.”
Shaking his head, Alpine laughed even harder. “If you’re looking for some payback, I’ve got a good idea. One that’d really get her going.”
“Yeah?” Blake’s ears perked up at the thought of a good prank.
“Um,” Alpine coughed, loudly, “but I’m not sure you’ll go for it.”
“Try me.”
Seeing the look on Blake’s face, Alpine reigned in his laughter and tried to be more serious. “Shave your head.”
“No freakin’ way!”
Alpine grinned. “How ‘bout a cut like mine?” He rubbed the black quarter-inch stubble on his head thoughtfully.
“Crap. I’ve got hair longer than that on my face,” Blake moaned.
“Okay, but you wanted to get her goat and she loves your curls…”
“It’s gonna take forever to grow back.”
“So that’s a yes?” Alpine asked eagerly.
“Yeah, it’s a yes,” he sighed, already missing his hair.
~*~
“Damn, Blake, that actually looks good on you.” Alpine was impressed; he wasn’t sure how well the short cut would go with his baby face. “You just need to shave and we could pass you off as a soldier too.”
“Uh, no thanks on that.” He rubbed his stubbly chin and then ran his hand across what was left of his hair. “She’ll eventually forgive me for this,” he waved at the top of his head, “but she wouldn’t forgive me for that.”
“Yeah, but your beard will grow back quicker,” Alpine quipped.
“Shut up.” He grinned as his phone vibrated. “Yes, Cookie?” he asked cheerfully.
“You’re late, Cowboy.”
“Yeah? And you were late last night,” he teased.
“So, does that mean you’re cooking dinner tonight?”
“Not on your life, Cookie,” he laughed. “But, I will take you to dinner.”
“Hmm, does that mean you’re over the hair thing?”
“Oh yeah, I’m over it. I’ll be home in fifteen, babe.”
“Well?” Alpine asked after he’d hung up.
“She’s at home, waiting.”
~*~
“Hey Baby,” he called, coming inside the house. “I’m home.”
“I noticed,” she joked, appearing in the bedroom doorway. “Come give me a kiss.”
“Of course.” He turned his back to her, removing his hat and hanging on the rack she’d hung for him. He stood, facing the hat rack, afraid to turn around, waiting on her reaction.
“BLAKE!”
He didn’t have to wait long, apparently. “Yeah?” He turned slowly, trying to hide the smile creeping across his face.
She’d crossed the living room before he’d turned totally around. “What did you do? Oh my god,” she said suddenly. “This is my fault, isn’t it?”
Grinning, he nodded. “Yeah, sure. Why not? It is your fault.”
She smacked him, hard. Appreciatively, she traced a line along his jaw. “At least you kept this.” Running her hand across his buzz, she frowned thoughtfully. “Ya know this is actually pretty sexy.”
Blake threw his hands in the air, defeated. “Alpine thought it would be enough to get your goat. I guess we were both wrong.”
Ali stood, stunned. “After all these years in the Army, you think I wouldn’t find a buzz cut sexy?”
He opened his mouth and then closed it, speechless. “Not on me?”
“I love you no matter what.” She touched the edge of one ear, never really paid them much attention before. “I’m gonna miss those curls… at certain odd moments… but I can get used to this too.”
“I give up. There’s no getting even with you, is there?”
“Nope. Not unless you plan on withholding my promised dinner anyway…”
Blake pressed his lips together and glared, knowing he’d been beaten… again.
MS – 3/14/07
Amy
Over The Edge
By Meredith Rothenberg
I’m going over the edge,
I can’t restrain it, contain it,
I’m falling off of the ledge.
The fear is clear, its here.
It beats me over the head,
Worry for what I hold dear.
I can’t control it, my soul it
Crys for me to get it done,
Right here and now just do it.
I don’t know how long I can wait, I hate
Not knowing, not showing, not going
Over to open the gate.
I don’t know why they die
From sickness inside
But to hold on, I gotta try.
How can I give my heart a start
By waiting so long
Just for it to fall apart.
If its gonna happen
Let it happen now
The fear is sappin
My strength of will.
Hope Comes in Small Packages
By Meredith Rothenberg
Sickness, spasms, wracking breaths.
Fear, worry, guilt, regret.
Death, horror, pain, grief.
Panic stricken, stomach sickens.
NO! DON’T TAKE THEM FROM ME!!
Mouth to muzzle, no use, no help, no solution.
Bodies harden as my heart does.
Eyes loose color, becoming milky white.
Mouths contorted into a seeming scream.
THIS CAN’T BE HAPPENING!
My stomach becomes a knot.
My heart becomes a black stone.
Everything hurts.
I am sure I will be sick.
GIVE THEM BACK!!
It seems like the world has come to an end.
Nothing will ever be right again.
How could it with them gone?
Never holding, touching, tickling, kissing.
NO!! I WON’T LET THEM GO!
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
A box on a shelf is all that remains.
It’s not enough, not nearly enough.
I have things to do, but I can’t hide the pain.
WHY DOES IT HURT SO MUCH!
They were only little things.
Merely food fort a snake.
Nothing that should make a grown woman cry.
But I do, and I can’t stop.
I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!
Another stands alone in a cage.
Alone, confused, hungry, lonely.
Where are her friends?
She needs me more than ever.
YOU’RE ALL I HAVE LEFT!
She’s scared, I’m scared.
I give her medication.
I plea to who ever is listening
Let her be alright.
DON’T TAKE HER TOO!
She looks for them too.
She sees the same emptiness I see.
She needs a sister, a roommate, a friend.
I can’t let her live alone for the rest of her life.
BUT I AM SCARED ANOTHER WILL DIE!
I do what I have to do,
I take the chance she needs me to.
I find a new girl,
A new sister and friend.
FEAR ENGULFS ME!
She looks so much like my first.
Can I handle it?
Will I be able to love her?
She licks my finger.
MY HEART MELTS.
Not the same,
But still so sweet.
Not a replacement,
A new possibility, a new hope.
HOPE COMES IN SMALL PACKAGES.
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