This story is based on one of my favorite songs by Suzanne Vega called Luka. Although the story is about an abused child, I've done my best to only suggest what has happened without getting into anything graphic. Just the same, it wasn't an easy story to write.

My Name is Luka

Copyright 2007 by Heather Rose Brown

This is a fairy tale about a beautiful kitten princess who, unlike most princesses, loved exploring the forest, climbing to the tippy-top of the highest trees, tumbling through wild fields, digging in mudholes and other very messy things. Unfortunately, this runs in direct conflict with her parents wish to have a quiet, well behaved, and most importantly, tidy daughter.

Meanwhile, in a nearby duchy, a young puppy is having the opposite problem with his own parents. What will happen when the Puppy and Princess meet? And most importantly, will the Princess be able to keep her promise to her parents? Read on and find out!

Hospital

by shalimar

I went to the hospital because I’m a diabetic and my toe had an infection. They admitted me to a double bed room and told me they would need to remove the toe. Charles, my roommate, was in for pain in the abdomen. Although he had been in the hospital for a week the doctors still didn’t know its cause.

“Maybe you’re pregnant,” I kidded.

He gave me a chuckle before we talked on other subjects.

Just before I had my operation the next day chuck came back from another test.

“How did you know?” he asked. “Somehow I AM pregnant.”

In this chapter, Bobby is invited to Cori's sleepover and semi-officially acquires some new pronouns. We also learn a bit more about Bobby's father and get a little more insight into how he and his child feel about each other.

The kids from England end up going on a field trip to Luray Caverns. Em notices that Gaby seems to be moving very femininely and she is happy for a change. What is up with that? Did Gaby become a girl? It's interesting, I never noticed before, but Gaby smiles just the same way Maddy does? Gaby hardly ever smiles, so I never noticed this before. It's nice to see Gaby in a good mood for a change. Maddy seems to be a bit glum though, Why did she ever come wearing a blouse, skirt, hose and open toed, low heeled sandles to a cavern tour field trip, who is she trying to impress? That sure was dumb on her part.

Easter is a day to celebrate rebirth and the start of new life - in more ways than one.

This a very short and sweet story depicting how things might have gone if my father had been able to understand me when I was growing up and trying to figure myself out. It's exactly 100 words long. I remember there had been a specific name for stories this short, but for the life of me, I can't remember what it is now.

Aliens make contact and, well… Note the date.