Later that afternoon Jake set up the checker board.  He sat Nicky down in front of it and showed the boy the rules of the game. “I know you’re a little young for this kid, but I taught all my children to play this game.  They got pretty good at it, especially my little girl.” “Where is your little girl?” Jake sighed.  “I don’t really know, she left home a long time ago and I haven’t heard...

“Daddy says I’m not supposed to talk about Mommy.  He says I’m not supposed to think about her cause she’s not supposed to be my mommy anymore.  He says Crystal is my new mommy.  She lives in the RV too.” “Well, I tell you what Nicky, why don’t you finish your chocolate and then you and I can take a ride into town and we will look for your dad and Crystal.”  He smiled as Jake poured him a...

The old man sat alone at the edge of his dock.  His body slumped in his lawn chair; his fishing line hung limply in the water.  Such was his daily routine.  Emma had loved it here.  It had been their weekend escape from the noise of the city, their home base for their retirement dreams.  After the cancer took Emma his pristine lake had become his refuge.  On this morning an irritating noise broke the stillness. ...

Here they come again, the holidays.  The time of joy and goodwill to men, all is right with the world.  You see it everywhere these days.  The way things are supposed to be.  Love, families, togetherness are all the idealized picture of this time of year.  But many people live alone; their families are far away or perhaps there is no one special in their lives.  The unrealistic image of the Christmas /...

  That evening just before closing; Allyson hid behind a large tree in the park across from the bookstore.  She stood there for several minutes watching and waiting. “Hello Allyson, I thought I would find you here.” The girl wheeled around.  Mackenzie sat on a bench behind her.  “How…did you know?  Allyson stammered. “Remember how I told you that when I was your age I met a woman who changed...

“Okay Allyson, let me take your finger prints first.  Where did you touch it?” “Just on the handle and the bottom, but Mac put her fingers all over it.  You should be able to get several good prints.” Allyson inked her fingers and then put each one in a separate block on a card from Carolyn’s kit.  Meanwhile Carolyn dusted and carefully applied the prints to a card labeled ‘Cup’.  She pulled...

“Do you see her in there?” Tim whispered.  “I didn’t see that weird blue light.” Allyson shook her head as she peered through the bushes in front of the store.  Just then Mac opened the front door and turned on the sign.  She stepped out onto the sidewalk, raised her arms and took a deep breath.  Then she turned and walked back inside.  Allyson looked at her watch.  Eight minutes more. “Be...

“Yeah, my brother is a deputy sheriff; he has an old fingerprint set.  If we can get a copy of her prints, I’ll get him to run them.” “Alright,” Allyson looked toward the empty store. “Tomorrow, I’ll go in there.  Mac will probably give me a cup of tea.  I’ll swipe the cup and we can get her fingerprints.” “Good idea, we should go with you just in case there is trouble.” “She will...

 As Allyson checked her backpack for the things that she needed; Donna stormed into her room and slammed the door. “Tori Eggleston saw you huddled with Tim in the library, little girl.  Remember he is my boyfriend.” Allyson sat back in her chair.  “You really should be nicer to him.  He is a really good guy.” “No one is taking him from me; especially not you, little sister.”  Donna glared for...

The next morning as she and Carolyn walked to school Allyson saw a blue light coming from Mackenzie’s store.  A moment later Mac unlocked the door and turned on the OPEN sign.  Her hair looked several inches longer and she wore a cast on her right hand. She saw the girls and waived.  “Hi Mac,” said Carolyn.  “What happened to your hand?” “Uh, oh, I broke it about 3 weeks ago.  It’s doing...