CHAPTER 37
We were staying, of course, in Thierry’s hotel, and this time it was as proper guests, as we had our earnings now. I did realise that our bills were not as they would have been for the other guests, but then I felt we were more friends than customers. So typical; we ate that first evening on the terrace, looking at the sea, with lemon candles burning to keep the other insects away as the cigalles chanted in the branches around us, and Maman, she could not keep away from the kitchen.

CHAPTER 36
The classes were various. Pascale introduced me first to those of nine years, and they were full of children with open eyes and minds. This was the language of Hollywood and television, of video games and popular music. It should be understood that in France films in foreign languages are not normally heard in their original form but with the words spoken by specialised French actors, so that the voice of the original performer is an unknown in my country.

CHAPTER 35
I will not live again the pain of those days and weeks, but neither would I wish that they had not happened. I was healed, at last, and with my family to greet me each day of my stay in the hospital the pain became almost a secondary thing. Almost, but not quite. Finally I was released into the care of my brother, sister, and parents, with a set of instructions and warnings for my new life freed from the unwanted extremity.

*Gasp!*

Heather quickly sat upright in her bed, panting heavily. She was completely drenched in sweat from head to toe. The amulet beneath her night dress was glowing brighter than ever, pulsing and pounding like a beating heart against her chest. She placed her hand on her chest as she tried to catch up with her breath. For a moment she thought she was hyperventilating. Then, she thought she was dying.

‘’Oh no,’’ gasped Heather. ‘’No, no, no!’’

The Girl Most Likely To ... - Part 27
by Barbara Lynn Terry

Chapter 1 - Janice is taken back to the hospital.

CHAPTER 34
My life seemed to consist of Summers. There had been the Summer of my rebirth, and the Summer by the sea, and those dreadful Summers when I had hidden from my family, and now it was a Summer of anticipation and adulthood. I was now a teacher, and although my charges were fully grown their language was that of small children. I found it confusing, because while they spoke as infants, the concepts they wished to express were adult. And they were so sweet.

Chapter 2

For the teens after church and Monday before church was mostly taken up with chores. They worked ahead so they could ease off on Christmas. After Monday supper, everyone washed and dressed as they prepared to head in the St. Michaels for the Christmas Eve service. Everyone was excited and hoped their preparations had prepared them for their parts of the service.

What a good boy…Chapter 2.

Chapter 2

“when you were born…”
“they looked at you and said.”
“what a good girl..”
“what a smart girl.”
“what a pretty girl…”

The song still has meaning for me passed the accident actually more that ever really because when you just listen to the lyrics and with what I’m going through it’s just something that fits me.

Others too.

CHAPTER 33
This was a new experience, for I was dressed formally, at Maman’s insistance and under Margot’s eye, in a cream shirt and dark grey skirt to my knees, flesh-coloured stockings and plain black shoes with a heel of perhaps five centimetres. I had asked her about the stockings. It was warm, almost stifling in the noon heat, and I would have gone bare-legged.

“No. That is not what a polite woman does. Not on a first meeting, not in formal attire. And remember: you must tell them of the hospital time to come. And…no, that would be a bad idea”

The Girl Most Likely To ... - Part 25
by Barbara Lynn Terry

Chapter 1 - Dinner is ready.

There weren't enough places for everybody to sit, so Naomi told them to find any place to sit, and they would have an informal dinner.

"So, what should we have? We have bratwurst, hot dogs, sauerkraut, dill and sweet relish and pickles, we have hamburgers, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes. So, the waitress is now taking orders. Who wants what?"

"How about we make meatloaf, mashed potatoes, whole kernel corn, and that nice cherry pie we brought over."

"Connie, you brought a pie over?"

Images 36

Chapter 36

Taylor…

I know I talk so much about him that it’d drive most people out of their trees but…

There’s those kinds of guys that a girl get married to.

And then there’s those guys that are your husbands.

I mean I’m getting this whole direct proof thing of the in sickness and in health, to have and to hold to honor and to cherish and really…he’s not trying.

He’s Taylor just being Taylor.

 © 2012, by Susan J. Charles. All rights reserved
Edited by Holly H. Hart

The Girl Most Likely To ... - Part 24
by Barbara Lynn Terry

Chapter 1 - Rachel.

Naomi and Rachel walked some more. Even though it was icy cold outside, Naomi was used to it because of her job. Rachel didn't seem bothered, either, because she was deep in thought.

"A penny for your thoughts, sis."

"Naomi, what is an enigma?"

CHAPTER 4
I get lost with police ranks above Inspector, and the man we eventually went to see was a Superintendent. I sat outside with Den for a while as John was put through the mill. The Sergeant seemed keen to talk.

“So you knew him at school? Small world”

“I didn’t know him at school, that’s just the point, aye? I knew his fists and feet, like, but then I sort of knew a lot of lads’ extremities, if you see what I mean”

CHAPTER 28
That was another start to my life. I seemed to be enjoying a series of births, as woman, as daughter to my mother, as sister to my dear brother, as lover to Benny…as daughter to my Papa. He held me for a moment longer.

“Your sister must not know of this, not yet”

Bridges 28

Chapter 28

I’m not going to go into too much details about the shopping excursion only that there was a lot of kissing. More than a few looks from people both comfortable and uncomfortable with us doing that and even though I should be taking things easy I did spend a lot of time on my feet and alone for some of the shopping.

I very well couldn’t buy Cass’s presents with her around now could I.

And I really did a Betty and Wilma on my Visa.

The Girl Most Likely To ... - Part 22
by Barbara Lynn Terry

Chapter 1 - The final move.

Naomi stopped in front of Renée's house, and they all went inside. Renée, Rachel and Evie were sitting in the living room talking, while Renée's father was packing his toolbox in the garage.

"Well ladies, it looks like this was a successful mission. Where is Carl?"

"In the garage. He said he wanted to take his tools with him."

"Smart idea. I will be good having a man around the house with a few tools."

Chapter *8.11*

Knickers!

That's one thing the contents of the bag were not designed for, guys!

"Er thanks."

"Lets have a shufti, I didn't see what we bought." Steff hinted.

Now let

 © 2012, by Susan J. Charles. All rights reserved
Edited by Holly H. Hart

Part 4 -The after math

CHAPTER 27
That week Fatima was as good as her word, and on the Wednesday she explained what her brother had told her.

“Your mother can be granted a divorce on the grounds of separation, for that needs only be for two years. The problems come afterwards”

Small Stuff
.

.
A drabble by Lora Guy

.

.
.

Charlie…11

Chapter 11

We get into Sable’s jeep and we head to my house and we’re careful not to wake everyone up while I quickly get changed and grab my board and take my meds. I smile at her having set the table and have put out the cereal boxes and everything to make toast and stuff as well as a bowl of fruit salad that she has in a Tupperware dish saying eat me and another with scrambled eggs saying cook me. She even loaded the coffee perk and it starts gurgling away as we leave.

That’ll get Dad up at least. He always says that fresh coffee and frying bacon are the best alarm clock smells.

Six Forty-Five, Part 4: Epilogue

Things didnt get better right away. I still got bullied at school, and at home was stuck in the middle of several fights between my mom and my step-father. I also had to cope with flashbacks so bad that sometimes, all I wanted to do was cry or throw up, or maybe both.

But by summer, once the doctors had finished poking around in my head, they made the pronouncement - I was a girl.

Just one with a little bit of misplaced skin between my legs.