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...

Allyson wandered through the shelves until she found Huckleberry Finn again.  Sure enough the price was $15.95 and it looked in mint condition.             “Mac how old is this book?”             “Well, it’s a first edition and the date is 1884.  I would say it’s about 125 years old.”             “But it looks brand new and it’s so cheap.”            ...

“Mom!  Oh my gosh.  What time is it?”             “Almost 4:30.”             “I’m late!”             “Tell her that you missed the bus.”             Allyson dialed her cell phone.             “Allyson, where have you been?  I’ve tried to call you several times.”             “Sorry Mom, I had my phone off.”            ...

Allyson gasped in horror as a wave of muddy water from a nearby puddle drenched her.  She looked up just in time to see Tori Eggleston and her friends laughing as they drove away.              “You did that on purpose!”  Allyson screamed after the retreating Mustang.             “Are you alright?”              Allyson turned.  A young woman wearing a blue sweater...