It’s not what’s under the Christmas Tree that matters … it’s who’s around it. – Charlie Brown
Reese grunted an objection as Helen slid out of bed at an hour that was way too early for him to be awake. A year ago, he would not have thought twice about staying up all night after working at one of his clubs. There were many days that he would close a club in the early hours, go work out and run a half marathon around the park, stop at the job sites, have breakfast with a few of his princesses and check in at the office before finally heading to bed.Now he was quite content to let someone else close his clubs. He still got in a daily workout and runs and had even done the local Jingle Bell Run before they left Morgan City for the holidays. His foremen and site managers still checked in with him daily but were glad that he no longer started the workday on site.Most of his meals were with Helen and the triplets, Dean and Gigi joined them most mornings and evenings. And he sWhat a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven’t even happened yet. – Anne FrankThis New Year’s Eve was completely different from the one a year ago. No one was in the hospital. There were no wives or stepmoms trying to escape an abusive relationship. As far as they knew, Cheryl was the only one that was pregnant. Although they all teased Jolene and Dean. Both took the good-natured ribbing in stride.“Come on,” Bunny grinned as she poured more champagne into her flute. “It seems that we can’t have singles. Even our little princess had to share her birthday with three others.”“It’s going to have to fall to you.” Dean nudged her new sister-in-law with her shoulder. “I’m not even out of high school. O would probably kill me.”“Without a doubt.” Reese agreed with a smile. “Although, I am partial to all of my princesses. I might just make JD disappear.”“Bury him in a concrete foundation?” Jaxon suggested.JD shook his head and
I have found that when you are deeply troubled, there are things you get from the silent devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source. – Doris DayEarly on Saturday, February fourteenth, Monster was curled up behind Dean. Since JD had left, the dog had not slept in his room. Then his girl and the rest of the family had been gone for a week and a half and Monster had to stay with Gina.Monster loved going to Gina’s. His mom and two of his sisters lived with Gina. And there were always treats. His favorite were the homemade treats from the dog bakery café that also served dog friendly ice cream.But what he loved more than all the treats in the world, more than all seven flavors of ice cream and more than all the ear scratches and belly rubs that his Helen could give him with her nails, was his girl.From the moment that she walked through the door after swim practice until she left for school the next morning, he didn’t let her out of his sight
Society has placed a taboo surrounding periods and menstrual health as if we should be ashamed of this natural and miraculous process that ultimately kept the human species alive. – Tracy LockwoodHelen had agreed to have lunch with Cheryl after her morning lecture. Walking into the lecture hall with stadium seating, she had expected to see a female version of Indiana Jones. Floppy hat, khaki pants and loose fit shirt covered by a dirty brown vest and hiking boots beat all to hell. Maybe even a whip at her hip.The professional woman in a dark purple skirt suit and knee-high black boots was nothing of what she had anticipated. Cheryl sat on the large black table at the front of the room. There were three screens behind her with a mural of caveman life projected on them. Curiously, there were two stationary bikes by the long table. One at either end. A small table sat next to each one.The overhead lights were dim, giving just enough light for the students to see as
Not flesh of my flesh, nor bone of my bone, but still miraculously my own. Never forget for a single minute, you didn’t grow under my heart but in it. – Fleur Conkling Heylinger“I feel like I need to explain,” Cheryl said as they sat down at the table at the window overlooking the lake at Pier and Beam. “Most of the classes do not turn into a pro woman, anti-man bashing session.”“Even the class about how we should be a matriarchal society?” Helen grinned.Cheryl laughed. “Even that one.”The waitress approached and took their orders before leaving them to enjoy the view and each other’s company.“Michael has taken the class both semesters that it’s been offered. He failed in fall and is failing spring.”“Is it a required course?” Helen asked as the waitress brought them their drinks.Cheryl shook her head. “It’s an elective. Most of the students are archeology or sociology majors. There’s a few of the guys that signed up thinking they’d find a hook up.
In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years. – Abraham LincolnGoing to the Cowboy Cabaret was bittersweet for all the princesses in attendance. Mary had planned to be here for her daughter’s eighteenth birthday. Had planned to watch her daughter grow into a young woman.But life had other plans and there was an empty seat in the large gathering.As if they understood, and missed their friend, none of the dancers or waiters sat in the chair. They would sit in a chair and pull one of the women into their laps. Or drag a chair over to the grouping of tables. A fresh daquiri sat in front of the empty chair all night, replaced as it began to melt.Even without any alcohol in her system, Dean was having the time of her life. Every so often, she would look at the pink icy drink next to her, sadness would fill her to the point that it would leak out of her eyes and down her cheek. Her aunts and cousins seemed to understand and would g
High school is about finding who you are, because that’s more important than trying to be someone else. – Nick JonasCheryl and Waylon were sitting at the island in the little house, both looking tired and bleary eyed when Reese came down the hall. He busted out laughing when he circled the island to the coffee pot and found an equally tired Monster lying on the floor. His head lifted and his little stubby tail gave a few small wags.“Do I dare ask?” Reese chuckled as he poured himself a cup of coffee.“You could have gotten them a hotel room.” His daughter complained.“Oh….” Smirking behind his coffee cup, eyes twinkling through the steam, he leaned against the counter. “Why?”Waylon cursed softly as he ran his hand through his short hair. They both still wore their pajamas and house shoes. Hers was a lightweight short set with pink and blue hearts and cupcakes all over them with the instructions of “… mix with love and bake for 9 months” on the sleeveless shirt
You have to believe. Otherwise it will never happen. – Neil Gaiman“I don’t want another big elaborate destination wedding.” Jolene admitted as they sat curled up on the couch in what she now thought of as their apartment. Her dark and gothic theme still ran throughout the rooms. All the paintings and murals that Dean had painted remained. Pictures of their family and friends were positioned around them. Shifting on the couch, Neo pulled her into his lap and stretched his legs out along the purple velveteen cushions. Jolene curled into his chest and laid her head on his bare upper chest, just below his shoulder. Wrapping his arms around her, he kissed the top of her head.“I have a suggestion.” He murmured. “The village just outside of town.”“The one that opens up every year for Halloween for the haunted house?” she asked and grinned at his affirmative hum that rumbled under her cheek. “I always loved that place in high school.”“Your mom said that you wor
I’m the big sister. I want to make sure she has everything, even if I don’t have anything. It’s hard. I love her too much. That’s what counts. – Venus WilliamsLast night, Dean graduated from high school with a large cheering section made up of her family, friends and a small contingent of Seabees. And a cardboard cutout of her mom. This afternoon, they were having her graduation party. It was shaping up to be one hell of a party. JD was home until Wednesday but would be back a week and half later for his brother’s commitment ceremony to Bunny and Ty. The other Seabees would leave tomorrow, only a few planned to stay for the birthday party for the four babies. Although they had all been invited.All the princess club and their families would be there.They had all been upset when they learned that she had got married without them. But then the newlywed couple promised to have a real wedding on their one-year anniversary.Deon and Craig were both home for summer and t