There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved. – George Sand
When Dean had shown them the walk-in closet of wedding dresses, Bunny had fallen in love with the dress that they dubbed the *Big Fat Greek Wedding* Dress. The skirt was so large that her arms couldn’t go down straight by her sides. Smirking, Deam had pointed out that her arms weren’t the only things that would not be straight at the wedding. When she had quit laughing, Bunny threatened to put the teen in pink. They both knew it was an empty threat.Two days before the wedding, Helen had shown up at the two-story house with a new set of petticoats. Even though they would not be seen during the ceremony, it still meant a lot to the three of them. Especially for Jaxon.Although they all knew that Helen accepted Jaxon and his partners, the gift of the rainbow-colored petticoats solidified it. It meant even more to learn that Daphne had helped HelenA diamond is a chunk of coal that did well under pressure. – Henry KissingerHelen knew that it was over. Long before her husband had said it was. She knew about the other women. And his other children.She wasn’t an idiot. When the kids were younger, she just pretended everything was fine. As they got older, they knew it wasn’t. The youngest, JD, was now in his senior year and there was no hiding it.Bob had moved out seven months ago. He called the kids on a regular basis but she didn’t know if they talked or not. It was not all his fault. She was not innocent in letting their marriage fall apart. She didn’t have a lover and a second family stashed away. But she was just as guilty.When they married twenty-four years ago, she was not small, but she wasn’t this big either. Three kids, thyroid issues and low self esteem added a hundred pounds. Or more.The alarm across the hall went off letting her know that JD was awake. It was Wednesday which meant he had a weekly run with the oth
Don’t pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one. – Bruce LeeHank loved Sundays and hated them at the same time. He liked Jolene’s family, but really did not understand the weekly gatherings. Thankfully, there were not a lot of them. He was especially thankful since they were having lunch here at their one bedroom apartment. The phone next to the bed chirped and Hank reached over to grab it. There was a message from his patrol partner. ‘Hey, shithead. Season starts today! Cookout at my place.’Hank grinned at the phone and would love to be hanging out with the guys from the department. But, it was Sunday and Jolene was important to him.And if he really wanted to move up in the department, she was important for his career. ‘Can’t. Jolene.’He watched the little dots expecting some comment about him being whopped. Parker did not disappoint. ‘Ask the warden for a day pass. Or bring her with you.’Just as Hank was going to respond, another message popped
A ship is safe in harbour, but that’s not what ships are for. – William G. T. SheddReese was running through the park and saw the Navy recruits doing their morning work out. It seemed like a lifetime ago that he had done that. His ear bud chirped and he glanced at his watch to see a message from his niece. 'It’s too damn early to be ducking running. hey autocorrect - it's NEVER ducking'Chuckling to himself, he hit the button on the screen to call her. She answered on the second ring. “Language young lady.”“Sorry, I’ll fucking enunciate next time.” She grumbled with a sleepy voice. “Had to catch a ride home last night. My car is dead.”“Your mom gets home, we’re having a long talk about that piece of shit.”“Language old man.” She teased back. “Let me finish my run and I’ll head home.” “Too early for all that.”“I haven’t been to bed yet.” He pointed out at he turned to do another lap. “Have to go see the accountant today.”“Find me some money.” She said as she always did.“If I
-unless I am myself, I am nobody. – Virginia WoolfJaxon pulled into the driveway to the 1980s red brick tract house. Bunny’s blue compact car was already in the drive and Ty was still on shift. He entered the house and found Bunny curled up on the couch under a blanket. “Hey, babe.” He said softly, placing his lunch box on the white marble island separating the kitchen from the rest of the open area. He walked over and kissed her lightly and saw that she had an old black and white movie on.“I hate men.” She grumbled. “I know.” He knelt by the end of the teal couch and brushed her blonde hair out of her face. “Let me go get a shower and I’ll make us something for dinner.”“There’s pizza in the freezer.” She said. “Is that what you want?”“Please.”He kissed her cheek before standing up and heading upstairs for a shower. Stripping out of his work clothes, he tossed them into the black basket. The water was still warming up when he stepped into the walk in shower. Jaxon scrubbed do
Where there is no struggle, there is no strength. – Oprah WinfreyJolene pulled over and into a parking lot as her tire went thud thud thud. She would be late to class with professor Brown who hated people coming in late. With tears in her eyes she called her husband. “Hey, baby.” Came the groggy response when he answered. “I have a flat.” Jolene said with her voice cracking. “It’s OK, baby. Tell me where you are.”“The Diamond T gas station on eighth and Pine.” She said after looking around to see exactly where she was. “OK, I’m on my way.” She could hear him moving around as he got up and dressed. “Don’t cry, baby. Don’t want to mess up that beautiful face.”She smiled swiping away the tears that threatened to fall. He knew her so well. “I won’t. I love you.”“You too, baby.”She ended the call and flipped down the visor to use the vanity mirror. Groaning at what she saw, Jolene pulled out her little makeup bag and fixed her face. Her caramel colored eyes were a little lighter t
Be the woman who fixes another woman’s crown without telling the world it was crooked. – Leslie LittlejohnReese wasn’t sure how much a mani/pedi cost these days. But he’d be damned if he was going to let his sixteen-year-old niece walk around with his credit card. Since her second hand car was back in the shop, he dropped her off and told her to call him when she was done. Growing up with sisters, Reese knew a few things about the process. He told her to wear shorts and flip flops if she was going to get her toes done. He also insisted that she wear a button up shirt. She was hoping that meant he was taking to get her hair done.Dean walked into the nail salon and told the man at the reception counter that she wanted a mani/pedi. He handed her a menu of choices. And suggested that she pick a color. The large selection of colors had her feeling a little overwhelmed. “Miss Helen!” the man said to the woman who walked in behind Dean. “You’re late!”“I know Freddie.” She said apologiz
Happy girls are the prettiest girls. – Audrey HepburnAfter Dean had cried her eyes out on his shoulder the night before, Reese decided that this boy needed a lesson. First being how to treat a lady.Secondly, you didn’t break his princess’ heart.So he called the experts. His daughter. And then his ex.He approached the door to the nail salon as the brunette from TRAAC or officially Thompson, Roberts and Associates Accounting Company, stepped out. She smiled politely and said thanks to the woman that held the door. The woman and her friend, both way too skinny for his tastes, giggled at each other. “I didn’t realize they had wide load chairs here.” The first woman said. “Probably has to get a pedicure because she can’t see her feet.” The second agreed.Reese was certain that Helen heard, but she gave them no attention. When he stepped in behind the women, they both tried to get his attention. “What color should I get?” one asked the other as they both looked at the nail polish col
There is no magic formula for great company culture. The key is to just to treat your staff how you would like to be treated. – Richard BransonJust before nine, Donna came into the lobby to relieve Helen. She locked her computer so that the blonde could not get into it and handed her a notepad that had the morning appointments listed on it. Katherine, the HR director, had let it slip that the reason Donna was no longer working the front desk was because of too many complaints.Men were tired of getting hit on.Women were tired of their men being hit on.And one woman threatened legal action if Donna showed up at their house again. Donna was currently one write up away from being fired. And the fact that her uncle owned the company was not going to save her. After giving Donna the notepad, Helen walked into the back area and down the hall with the company offices. The third door was open and Katherine sat behind her desk making faces at her phone. Helen knocked lightly and Katherin