tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59168166605065940132024-03-13T04:42:37.756-07:00Shades of a RainbowSallinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00590637213711759135noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916816660506594013.post-63079785858872517462013-05-06T00:23:00.001-07:002013-05-13T21:08:59.231-07:00Generation 1-Chapter 5<br />
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<b>"Hey, Sweetheart, how's it going?"</b> Mark asked, planting a gentle kiss on me before returning to his breakfast.<br />
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I yawned groggily, and let my eyes adjust to the bright light pouring in from the windows. <b>"Pancakes, this early?"</b><br />
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<b>"Maddy, it's past noon,"</b> Mark said abruptly.<br />
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<b>"Oh,"</b> I mumbled. Suddenly my hands rushed to my temples, hoping a stinging pain would subside. I let out a groan, causing Mark to turn around.<br />
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<b>"Maddy?"</b> I couldn't answer. The pain.. <b>"Maddy, are you okay?"</b> He turned off the stove and rushed to my side.<br />
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I fell onto the floor, still vigorously caressing my temples.<br />
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<b>"MADELINE?"</b><br />
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Then, as quickly as it had come, it was gone. I opened my eyes, and took a few deep breaths. There was a faint throbbing still there, and for that I took a Tylenol. <br />
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Mark stood in the doorway with a concerned look on his face. <b>"What was it?"</b><br />
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<b>"I'm not sure, some sort of migraine or something."</b><br />
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Mark scoffed.<br />
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<b>"What do you want with me?"</b> I hissed.<br />
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<b>"You need help, Maddy!"</b><br />
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<b>"I do not, leave me alone."</b><br />
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<b>"Maddy, I can help you. We can do this together. I don't want to see this stuff ruin your life, or our relationship.."</b><br />
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<b>"What relationship?"</b> I boiled.<br />
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<b>"Don't be like that!"</b> he shot back. He held me in his arms, concern written all over his face. <b>"I worry about you, Maddy. I can't help it. I want you to be better."</b><br />
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<b>"W-why?"</b><br />
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<b>"I.. I love you."</b><br />
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My eyes widened with disbelief. And for once in my life, I knew I loved him back. I wanted to fall into his arms, sob with him, and pledge my sobriety to-be. But instead, I shrugged away from him. <b>"You love me? You love me!"</b> I screamed. <b>"You're only saying that to get me to quit drinking!"</b><br />
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<b>"No, Maddy!"</b> he reached for me. <b>"That's not true!"</b><br />
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<b>"Ugh.."</b> I couldn't take it anymore. I had to leave.<br />
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div>
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<b>"Ms. Trish? I think Madeline needs help.."</b><br />
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<br />Sallinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00590637213711759135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916816660506594013.post-83405369216633338572012-07-25T22:47:00.000-07:002012-07-25T22:47:46.053-07:00Generation 1-Chapter 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dDaw9LnCL3Q/UBDFZ-ewSoI/AAAAAAAACNc/sNMgBhro9zs/s1600/Screenshot-83.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dDaw9LnCL3Q/UBDFZ-ewSoI/AAAAAAAACNc/sNMgBhro9zs/s400/Screenshot-83.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was sad to say, but after the encounter with Mark, my drinking got worse. Just about any where that I went, I had alcohol in my hand. I could make just about anything too. My boss loved it, as I brought in more money, but what he didn't know was what it was doing to me on the inside.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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I used several ways to try and conceal my vicious drinking habit, but it was always there, no matter how faintly. Eventually it began to completely take over my life. The house was a wreck, and most of the furniture smelled like alcohol. Why? I don't remember.<br />
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I found myself unable to remember days, weeks, months before, but there was one thing I would never forget. . . .<br />
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<i>That night.</i><br />
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Everyday was a constant cycle of drinking, dancing, moonlighting, and trying to remember what I had done the day before.<br />
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Plus the free drinks from the bar didn't help my situation any.<br />
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Sometimes it got a little out of hand.<br />
But it was all in good fun.<br />
Right?<br />
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Or maybe a little more than out of hand.<br />
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~~~<br />
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He walked into the bar a few weeks later.<br />
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<b>"What do you want, Mark?"</b> I asked him casually.<br />
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<b>"I want to talk."</b><br />
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<b>"So talk,"</b> I said.<br />
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<b>"Madeline, I never meant for that night to happen. I was drunk, and didn't mean what I said. I like you, not whoever that girl was. You of all people should know that."</b><br />
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<b>"Why should I believe you?"</b> I slurred.<br />
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<b>"Because . . . You just have to. I'm telling you the truth. That girl meant nothing to me. You're the only girl that means something. You mean the world. No, you <i>are</i> the world."</b><br />
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<b>"Well aren't you sweet. Wanna come to my place?" </b>I asked and I stumbled over to him in my drunken state.<b> "It'll be fun. I promise." </b>I planted my lips on his cheek. <b>"Come onnnn, Marrkkk,"</b> I rambled.<br />
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<b>"Have you been drinking?"</b> he asked.<br />
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<b>"No, why would you t-t-hink t-that?"</b><br />
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<b>"Because you normally don't act this way."</b><br />
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<b>"Let me take you home."</b><br />
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<b>"No! I don't wanna go home. I want to stay with my friends!" </b>I exclaimed.<br />
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<b>"Madeline . . "</b><br />
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<b>"You're not my mom!"</b> I shouted and shoved him, but fell to the ground in the process. I started giggling uncontrollably. <b>"You're <i>so</i> strong."</b> He seemed to ignore that.<br />
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<b>"I may not be your mother, but I do know she wouldn't allow you to act like this."</b> He reached down and pulled me up by my arms, draping them around his neck.<br />
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~~~<br />
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When I opened my eyes, I was lying on the couch. A throbbing pain in my head caused me to sit up. I grunted.<br />
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<b>"So, do you remember any of last night?"</b> Mark asked, causing me to look across the room to him.<br />
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<b>"N-No. What happened?"</b><br />
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<b>"Well, besides dancing on tables, drinking a ton of alcohol, trying to seduce me, nothing-"</b><br />
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<b>"WHAT? That's ridiculous. I would nev-"</b><br />
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<b>"Well you did."</b><br />
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<b>"... Did we?"</b><br />
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<b>"No. I wasn't about to take advantage of a drunk girl,"</b> he said. I scoffed.<br />
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<b>"Could have fooled me."</b><br />
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He stood up and came over to me. <b>"I would never do that. And like I told you last night, if you had remembered, I was drunk. That girl meant nothing to me, and you're the only one that does."</b> I swallowed hard. He looked so serious. But could I really trust what he was saying?<br />
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His lips crushed against mine, causing me to forget that he had even kissed that other girl a few months ago.<br />
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Man. What did I get myself into?<br />
<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="goog_359796792"></span><span id="goog_359796793"></span></div>Sallinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00590637213711759135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916816660506594013.post-56475910910591819822012-07-24T02:32:00.000-07:002012-07-24T02:32:42.629-07:00Generation 1-Chapter 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pn1QmRkN5x8/UA5T2-5QVRI/AAAAAAAACKs/yNBjFDZBg4M/s1600/Screenshot-57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pn1QmRkN5x8/UA5T2-5QVRI/AAAAAAAACKs/yNBjFDZBg4M/s400/Screenshot-57.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>"So what should I do, Alistare?"</b> I asked my Mixologist friend.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"About what?" </b>he asked.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Have you not been listening to the past thousand things I've said?"</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Of course I have, Maddy,"</b> he said.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Ugh," </b>I said as I sipped my drink. One of the benefits of working here was the free drinks. <b>"I said, 'What should I do about Mark?'"</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Be honest," </b>he said.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Psh. As if. I can't tell him that I'm pretty much homeless." </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"You know, honestly is the best quality,"</b> he grinned. <b>"Oh, it's opening time!"</b> What that really meant was, "go away from me and do your job." I sighed, getting up from my chair and going to my post.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Okay, so this wasn't exactly a job, but I got paid for it. It was only temporary, though, until I could get a real job at the hospital. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Can I help you?"</b> I asked a man that was waving me over.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Yeah, I need a Double STAT,"</b> he ushered me off. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iIv1i-IlNj0/UA5h4l5mKnI/AAAAAAAACLY/EfDK3scJk9U/s1600/Screenshot-62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iIv1i-IlNj0/UA5h4l5mKnI/AAAAAAAACLY/EfDK3scJk9U/s400/Screenshot-62.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Got it,"</b> I said.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dqbCxWNPyOA/UA5jHQeNzuI/AAAAAAAACLg/0goOwuCqhtA/s1600/Screenshot-64.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dqbCxWNPyOA/UA5jHQeNzuI/AAAAAAAACLg/0goOwuCqhtA/s400/Screenshot-64.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then the next customer walked in.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yN5KldOTn8I/UA5jZqlhueI/AAAAAAAACLs/wgsjK64TaLk/s1600/Screenshot-63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yN5KldOTn8I/UA5jZqlhueI/AAAAAAAACLs/wgsjK64TaLk/s400/Screenshot-63.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Soon the bar started filling up, and I could tell that it was going to be a busy night.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>And indeed it was.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EJvFLycEvSM/UA5k9LZDECI/AAAAAAAACL0/1hjU2JU7o3E/s1600/Screenshot-65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EJvFLycEvSM/UA5k9LZDECI/AAAAAAAACL0/1hjU2JU7o3E/s400/Screenshot-65.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">When I finally got a chance to look up, I was surprised at what I saw. Mark was here! But he was talking to some woman. I continued to watch them, feeling an odd vibe between them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BxMU-mXgrco/UA5m64XSHdI/AAAAAAAACL8/ojKO4T7e3ok/s1600/Screenshot-70.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BxMU-mXgrco/UA5m64XSHdI/AAAAAAAACL8/ojKO4T7e3ok/s400/Screenshot-70.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">They soon moved it to the dance floor . .</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Aa-kV5H6QNQ/UA5nZe-3IcI/AAAAAAAACME/tfavpixC10U/s1600/Screenshot-71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Aa-kV5H6QNQ/UA5nZe-3IcI/AAAAAAAACME/tfavpixC10U/s400/Screenshot-71.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then eventually things led to one another, and they were kissing!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m4qdlAYbaS8/UA5ntAGphII/AAAAAAAACMM/wtgYpG7nFEc/s1600/Screenshot-72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m4qdlAYbaS8/UA5ntAGphII/AAAAAAAACMM/wtgYpG7nFEc/s400/Screenshot-72.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Ashley,"</b> I called out to one of the mixologists, <b>"hold my spot for a second."</b> </div><div style="text-align: center;">It was time for this nonsense to end.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KHFVW1_87DI/UA5oq51TIzI/AAAAAAAACMU/p9rGXwVTCIs/s1600/Screenshot-73.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KHFVW1_87DI/UA5oq51TIzI/AAAAAAAACMU/p9rGXwVTCIs/s400/Screenshot-73.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>"What do you think you're doing?"</b> I shouted at him.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"What does it look like?!"</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"You're my boyfriend!"</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yq9_IQQvB8I/UA5orw4sDnI/AAAAAAAACMc/cf6cqS2zLlk/s1600/Screenshot-74.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yq9_IQQvB8I/UA5orw4sDnI/AAAAAAAACMc/cf6cqS2zLlk/s400/Screenshot-74.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">He laughed. <b>"Your boyfriend? <i>Was</i> your boyfriend. We were kids, what did you expect?"</b> he shouted right back.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KMSV7gbJv1w/UA5pYkX57LI/AAAAAAAACMk/MV1Vyxa55pw/s1600/Screenshot-76.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KMSV7gbJv1w/UA5pYkX57LI/AAAAAAAACMk/MV1Vyxa55pw/s400/Screenshot-76.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"O-Oh,"</b> I mumbled.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>What did I think? I thought we were in love, were going to get married, have kids, watch our kids have kids, and their kids have kids . . But all I see now in our future is a broken heart,</i> I thought.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-50pj0GHTQTs/UA5qcsxeUfI/AAAAAAAACMs/0dkd_RYKhS0/s1600/Screenshot-77.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-50pj0GHTQTs/UA5qcsxeUfI/AAAAAAAACMs/0dkd_RYKhS0/s400/Screenshot-77.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">As I turned to leave, he pulled me back. <b>"Madeline, wait, that came out wrong. Just hear me out."</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"No. Just, no. Leave me alone, Mark,"</b> I said.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QCsm4wRyaI0/UA5rJye7OhI/AAAAAAAACM0/7oanFdRbEls/s1600/Screenshot-78.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QCsm4wRyaI0/UA5rJye7OhI/AAAAAAAACM0/7oanFdRbEls/s400/Screenshot-78.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Sallinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00590637213711759135noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916816660506594013.post-90224375238398188872012-07-23T23:48:00.000-07:002012-07-23T23:48:08.911-07:00Generation 1-Chapter 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e882jhPegyI/UA4zWlvz3HI/AAAAAAAACIs/eCD-vAXvz1A/s1600/Screenshot-41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e882jhPegyI/UA4zWlvz3HI/AAAAAAAACIs/eCD-vAXvz1A/s400/Screenshot-41.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Okay, Madeline, where do we go now?"</b> she asked herself as she ran across the bridge. <b>"It's a month after your birthday, you're a young adult now, you don't have anyone to look after you. On your own. The money Mom gave you is gone, and you can't live like a hobo all your life."</b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JMK-n-R6ivk/UA40BwRWLXI/AAAAAAAACI0/SdLYKodzvdo/s1600/Screenshot-42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JMK-n-R6ivk/UA40BwRWLXI/AAAAAAAACI0/SdLYKodzvdo/s400/Screenshot-42.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Besides, you don't want her to think you can't make it. And she has her other children to look after . . You're not the only one. You were only number 26-nothing more."</b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dt8DsZ6zTYY/UA41Fj1ylAI/AAAAAAAACI8/GBoOAU0EKa4/s1600/Screenshot-43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dt8DsZ6zTYY/UA41Fj1ylAI/AAAAAAAACI8/GBoOAU0EKa4/s400/Screenshot-43.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I can do this. Of course I can do this.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But why do I feel so <i>scared</i>?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Relax, Madeline, this is the real world. What you have always wanted . . </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d0JJSs-c09M/UA41qNKfEoI/AAAAAAAACJE/qMckvIBjYrc/s1600/Screenshot-44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d0JJSs-c09M/UA41qNKfEoI/AAAAAAAACJE/qMckvIBjYrc/s400/Screenshot-44.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I took a deep breath. Time to make the plunge. I walked inside Twinbrook's hospital. I had come to Twinbrook to get away from the busy life of Sunset Valley. Sunset Valley wasn't a very big place, but it was bigger than what I liked. A small town . . now that was my kind of place. I'm not very good around a bunch of people. A woman at a desk flashed me a bright smile. <b>"Hi and welcome to Twinbrook Foundation Hospital. What can I do for you?"</b> she asked.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Uh, well, actually I was hoping to apply for a job."</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Oh, sorry hun. We're not hiring. You can still apply and we'll keep your application in case we ever need it."</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Thanks," </b>I said, taking the application. I sat down in one of the waiting chairs, finished it, and gave it back to her.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Alright, dear. You have a good day,"</b> she said.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"You too,"</b> I mumbled. <i>So much for that idea.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--HFpzZr07Y4/UA45XP2uAMI/AAAAAAAACJQ/XCjky14XFsI/s1600/Screenshot-45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--HFpzZr07Y4/UA45XP2uAMI/AAAAAAAACJQ/XCjky14XFsI/s400/Screenshot-45.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So what would I do now? I had no money, and no house. To top it off, my stomach growled. How was I supposed to find some where to eat?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K3HhsmZkHho/UA458O0chlI/AAAAAAAACJY/-uCfqcxNPCs/s1600/Screenshot-46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K3HhsmZkHho/UA458O0chlI/AAAAAAAACJY/-uCfqcxNPCs/s400/Screenshot-46.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It seemed like someone was looking after me, as I came across the community garden. I glanced around warily. Would this even be allowed?<br />
<br />
<i>Who knows, I have no choice.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-azeaPm8beWM/UA46kd4zNNI/AAAAAAAACJg/bNL-3AE3Bog/s1600/Screenshot-48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-azeaPm8beWM/UA46kd4zNNI/AAAAAAAACJg/bNL-3AE3Bog/s400/Screenshot-48.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I ran to the nearest plant I could find, and hunkered down below the fence. Hopefully nobody could see me. Hunger driven, I plucked every grape vine from the plant.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PF8zUYCXsqI/UA47bhuTpBI/AAAAAAAACJo/An8G-xBS7EA/s1600/Screenshot-49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PF8zUYCXsqI/UA47bhuTpBI/AAAAAAAACJo/An8G-xBS7EA/s400/Screenshot-49.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"You know that probably isn't a good idea,"</b> someone said. I jumped, turning to look at them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Mark?"</b> I asked, crawling to my feet.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zpy6OFjOuK4/UA48NHcgmhI/AAAAAAAACJw/VpuAOFA10L4/s1600/Screenshot-50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zpy6OFjOuK4/UA48NHcgmhI/AAAAAAAACJw/VpuAOFA10L4/s400/Screenshot-50.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<b>"What are you doing here?"</b> I rushed over to him and wrapped him in a hug.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"I should ask you the same,"</b> he said. I pulled back. I probably looked like a bum out here in the garden, stealing grapes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Well, I, uh. . ."</b> I couldn't tell him I was out here stealing food. <b>"I work here!"</b> I exclaimed quickly.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Oh really?"</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Yeah, just started today."</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Well that's weird,"</b> he said suspiciously. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Why?"</b> I asked.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WQnl0Yo0D7E/UA49NRMxXLI/AAAAAAAACJ4/OC7CbLBkLqw/s1600/Screenshot-51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WQnl0Yo0D7E/UA49NRMxXLI/AAAAAAAACJ4/OC7CbLBkLqw/s400/Screenshot-51.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Because if someone had been hired, I would have been the first to know."</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Oh crap.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Well, I'm sure this is just a paperwork screw-up,"</b> I said too quickly.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"You don't really work here, do you?"</b> he asked. <i>Caught.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"No,"</b> I mumbled.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"So then why are you here?"</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"It's a long story,"</b> I said. <i>Not really.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"So, begin,"</b> he said.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"I'd rather not . ."</b> He sighed, obviously seeing that I wasn't going to explain my actions.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YoMDb4ph3tc/UA4-yorjP-I/AAAAAAAACKA/9fQ4O6OhWSs/s1600/Screenshot-52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YoMDb4ph3tc/UA4-yorjP-I/AAAAAAAACKA/9fQ4O6OhWSs/s400/Screenshot-52.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Do you want a drive home?"</b> <i>That's better than calling the cops.</i> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Nah, that's alright. I need my exercise anyways. I'm sure you're busy,"</b> I lied.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Actually, how could I tell him that I didn't have a home?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"No, no, I insist." </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Persistent little thing isn't he.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Besides, what kind of guy would I be to leave a lady to the streets?"</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Uh. Sure. A ride home sounds nice."</b> But now I had to worry about where 'home' was.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hqLsZsxAB2A/UA5ARDxbS1I/AAAAAAAACKI/ypjHZf-2EZE/s1600/Screenshot-53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hqLsZsxAB2A/UA5ARDxbS1I/AAAAAAAACKI/ypjHZf-2EZE/s400/Screenshot-53.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I was sure nobody lived here. No cars, no lights. <b>"There,"</b> I said, pointing to the house.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">He got out, coming around to the passenger door and letting me out. <b>"So this is where you live?"</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Yup."</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"It's nice. Can I see the inside?"</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Uh-oh. <b>"No, I just moved in a few days ago and I'm pretty worn out."</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Oh, alright. Well, see you later."</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I waited until I couldn't see his car anymore before running away from the lot.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1xhT0g6VfIA/UA5C90k7ocI/AAAAAAAACKY/831flp2b9L0/s1600/Screenshot-55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1xhT0g6VfIA/UA5C90k7ocI/AAAAAAAACKY/831flp2b9L0/s320/Screenshot-55.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mark may have stopped me from stealing from the garden, but he didn't get all of it. All I had now was the clothes on my back, and these grapes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-31qLmHx96aQ/UA5D_Zv_jiI/AAAAAAAACKg/AZG6aEWtPYE/s1600/Screenshot-56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-31qLmHx96aQ/UA5D_Zv_jiI/AAAAAAAACKg/AZG6aEWtPYE/s400/Screenshot-56.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This wasn't a 5-star hotel room, but it was somewhere to sleep. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It seemed that I was getting nowhere in this town, but I wouldn't give up. I <i>couldn't.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Sallinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00590637213711759135noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916816660506594013.post-24267404901885275112012-07-15T23:37:00.001-07:002012-07-15T23:55:17.691-07:00Generation 1-Chapter 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0nnILhpSpjc/UAOn9yhvkgI/AAAAAAAACFI/B7OyRsJ9klk/s1600/Screenshot-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0nnILhpSpjc/UAOn9yhvkgI/AAAAAAAACFI/B7OyRsJ9klk/s400/Screenshot-11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Before we go in, I just wanted tell you thank you,"</b> I told him.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"For what?"</b> he asked, pulling me into a gentle hug.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"For this. It's . . . Well, this is my first date,"</b> I smiled, my cheeks getting hot. <i>Oh please tell me that I'm not blushing.</i></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C95I9BHMBuA/UAOpltS_91I/AAAAAAAACFQ/b4jEPalwc1o/s1600/Screenshot-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C95I9BHMBuA/UAOpltS_91I/AAAAAAAACFQ/b4jEPalwc1o/s400/Screenshot-12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">He pulled back a little, his arms still wrapped lightly around my shoulders. <b>"You don't have to be nervous. This is my first time too,"</b> he said with a small smile. <b>"You look cute when you blush,"</b> he added quickly. I laughed. <b>"I mean, uh, you were cute before, but you . . I mean-"</b> he sighed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"I know what you mean,"</b> I laughed. <b>"And you're not so bad yourself."</b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xXrMdq9h-q4/UAOrJOuWoqI/AAAAAAAACFY/_Y8ZdIM9YGs/s1600/Screenshot-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xXrMdq9h-q4/UAOrJOuWoqI/AAAAAAAACFY/_Y8ZdIM9YGs/s400/Screenshot-14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>"So, shall we go watch that movie now?"</b> he asked. I nodded, and we headed hand-in-hand into the movie theater.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">~~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WS_yR8gs5-I/UAOvAGtxiYI/AAAAAAAACFk/fh5gsjlAuWs/s1600/Screenshot-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WS_yR8gs5-I/UAOvAGtxiYI/AAAAAAAACFk/fh5gsjlAuWs/s400/Screenshot-15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">After the movie, we went to the beach.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"So what are your plans for the future?"</b> Mark asked me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DOSqxbDH9RU/UAOvBdFmE-I/AAAAAAAACFs/Mfke2IgeTzA/s1600/Screenshot-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DOSqxbDH9RU/UAOvBdFmE-I/AAAAAAAACFs/Mfke2IgeTzA/s400/Screenshot-16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">There was a long pause between us as I thought about all my dreams, and which one I wanted the most. I shrugged. <b>"Honestly I've never really thought about it that much. But I've always wanted to help people,"</b> I told him.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"That's a good thing. Not many people think like you do,"</b> he smiled.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Maybe a nurse, or a surgeon or something,"</b> I mumbled. <b>"So what about you?"</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9hmh3YlTirE/UAOwDJLbyxI/AAAAAAAACF0/3vF40MF_A_I/s1600/Screenshot-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9hmh3YlTirE/UAOwDJLbyxI/AAAAAAAACF0/3vF40MF_A_I/s400/Screenshot-17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Well . . . I don't know if I sh-"</b> he started, but I cut him off.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"No! Come on, I told you mine,"</b> I laughed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Okay, okay,"</b> he said, <b>"this is going to sound really weird, but I've always had a love for plants."</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"It's not wierd. It's kind of sweet,"</b> I said.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7W28g5TfFp4/UAOyG0NqjwI/AAAAAAAACF8/pL_jx1V_VD8/s1600/Screenshot-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7W28g5TfFp4/UAOyG0NqjwI/AAAAAAAACF8/pL_jx1V_VD8/s400/Screenshot-19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"You really are so beautiful."</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Oh quit it, you're just saying that,"</b> I said.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"No, Madeline, I really mean it,"</b> he said, <b>"so beautiful and you don't even realize it."</b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P5JAczdPykI/UAOzbGk-TTI/AAAAAAAACGE/nTRDyVm9Kg0/s1600/Screenshot-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P5JAczdPykI/UAOzbGk-TTI/AAAAAAAACGE/nTRDyVm9Kg0/s400/Screenshot-20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I guess I was in the moment . . He pulled back after a moment. <b>"I-I'm s-s-sorry,"</b> I muttered. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HVb6zrw53bE/UAO0jDMqiJI/AAAAAAAACGM/scyn9675FXI/s1600/Screenshot-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HVb6zrw53bE/UAO0jDMqiJI/AAAAAAAACGM/scyn9675FXI/s400/Screenshot-21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Before I knew it, his lips were on mine again. When we finally pulled back, he said, <b>"Don't apologize."</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GlCwCWpUnuI/UAO1aQ_9FhI/AAAAAAAACGU/WYicS-v0dT0/s1600/Screenshot-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GlCwCWpUnuI/UAO1aQ_9FhI/AAAAAAAACGU/WYicS-v0dT0/s400/Screenshot-23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Be mine?"</b> he whispered.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"Of course," </b>I muttered. I paused and looked at the time. It was starting to get late, and Mom would be worried. <b>"I really must be getting home."</b> He smiled.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>"I'll drive."</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Hey guys! If you hadn't noticed, this is the start of my Rainbowcy with Madeline, baby 26 of Salline Trish's 100 baby challenge. Read more about Madeline and her family here: </i><a href="http://mother-of-100-babies.blogspot.com/p/posts.html">http://mother-of-100-babies.blogspot.com/p/posts.html</a><br />
<i>Oh, and I need to thank Dawn Turner for making Mark. He's great<33<br />
-without her, this post wouldn't have been possible. Thanks Dawnie!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Sallinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00590637213711759135noreply@blogger.com4