Flash 500 by Nicole Pyles, Carrie K Sorensen (children's books read aloud .txt) 📕

"Would you like me to stow your jacket for you, sir?" the flight attendant asked. Peter was already asleep.

About Carrie K. Sorensen

I am the mommy of two fantastic little boys, three boxers and one mutt. My husband and my story is truly a fairy tale of modern origins. I attended Arizona State University for a B.A. in Family and Child Development, yet am lucky enough to be a stay at home mother to my amazing brood.

I write in whatever free time I can steal for myself, mostly fantasy or paranormal. I have lived in the country, the city and the suburbs, and I definitely prefer the suburbs. Still, the forest is what inspires me most, with velvet shadows, hidden nooks and possible fairy circles around the next corner.

http://chasingrevery.blogspot.com

A Gift by Tena Carr

Sally walked over to the large glass window that looked out over the tarmac of the large metropolitan airport and stared out into the sky as if she could somehow see Jason's flight arrive, some how will it to arrive quicker. She knew that was impossible, however. The latest look at the monitors that were placed overhead throughout the terminal had stated that the flight would be delayed at least another 30 minutes due to "inclement weather" and this had been only one delay in a string of several. After sitting in the airport terminal for nearly two hours, Sally was beginning to get antsy to see her husband who had been deployed overseas.

They had been barely older than kids when they met and quickly fell in love. A lot of people cautioned them to slow down, that they were going too fast - some had even tried to discourage them, but Sally and Jason had stayed true to each other through Jason's basic training and subsequent first deployment. She could still remember clearly the day he had come back from that first deployment. How he had strode down the gateway towards her, swooping her up as if she had been no heavier than a hummingbird, and spinning her around in front of everyone. He then asked her to marry him. Sally had been teary eyed as she nodded her response. Jason had kissed her then - like he had never kissed her before.

They were married 6 months later and even after four and a half years of marriage, Sally was filled with the same sense of excitement when he returned home from deployment. She didn't think she'd ever lose the thrill of seeing him again after months of separation, of being held in his arms. Each time she grew more and more proud of her soldier.

It had become a tradition, between them, to exchange gifts whenever he returned home from a deployment. They hadn't planned it that way it had just happened that way, starting from when Jason had been in basics. This time, Sally had something extra special for him. She glanced over with pride to their one year old daughter, Abigail, who was sitting on the floor playing with a stuffed ostrich and smiled. She knew that Jason was looking forward to meeting their baby girl for the first time. She remembered the day she had told him she was pregnant. Jason had been "through the roof ecstatic" He had been called away a couple months later, but had hoped to be back for the birth of their first baby. It hadn't worked out that way, instead he had gotten deployed again.

Suddenly Sally felt a large presence loom over her. She had been so lost in thought, except for keeping an eye on Abigail, that she hadn't even noticed that Jason's flight had landed. He stood beside her now holding his new daughter in his arms as if she were a precious package. Tears that Sally knew were tears of happiness filled his eyes. She had to swallow the lump in her throat as Jason slowly lowered his lips to hers in a long lingering kiss.

"I love you" Sally whispered.

"I love you, too" Jason responded. Still holding Abigail in one arm, Jason tucked Sally against his other side as they walked through the terminal and headed home.

About Tena Carr

I am a 41 year old wife and mother. I have one son who is eleven and going through those wonderful & adventurous tween-age years. My husband has an SCI (Spinal Cord Injury) and has been in a wheelchair since before we met. Before you go oohing and aaahing about what a saint I am, let me assure you that I have my moments of frustration and anger of having to constantly help out with something or another.

My main interest/passion is that which is related to Fire/EMS Service. At one point in my life I did take an EMT course and was state certified (in Oregon). I didn't keep current it with it however - a major regret of mine.

When I get the chance I also enjoy trying my hand (trying being the operative word) at blogging & writing (though I have yet to get that ramble around in my head down on paper).

http://jottingsandwritings.wordpress.com/

Week of 10/24/2012

Creative Commons photo, taken by SEIER+SEIER

Words Required

Bullfight

Island

Mouse

Verse

Savior

Letting Go by Leanne Sype

He felt lost. The beauty of the view from the balcony was invisible to him, for the pain he felt blinded him from what was real. Though the darkness draping his spirit like a heavy blanket was absolute, the truth was he was the only one to blame. Sure, he'd fought a good fight the way battle ensues within the ring of a bullfight, but in the end he'd given up. He wouldn't become the savior he'd envisioned.

She had been his companion for over 50 years. They lived a beautiful life on their own little island of happiness, yet everyone was invited to see. Their love for one another was no secret, and most people envied the kindred connection they shared with longing warmth. She'd caught his attention at 19 years old, singing a solo verse of Amazing Grace at the annual community picnic. Her long, golden hair shimmered in the afternoon light the way sunshine glistens upon the gentle waters of a lazy river. The softness of her skin, the pink of her lips, and the sound of her angelic voice riding the melodious waves of his favorite hymn was entrancing. It wasn't until her deep green eyes locked with his that he realized he was in love with her. Love at first sight was a myth until that moment.

Late that afternoon they had met under the big birch tree. It was serendipitous as he had been playing ball with Mrs. Riley's son, and the ball rolled over to where she was reading. He could still remember how his heart pounded with excitement as their eyes met, and the corners of her beautiful mouth had spoken the sweetest 'hello' he'd ever heard. They sat under that tree and talked until the rising of the sun. As the dawn of the morning rays glazed the tips of the hills, he'd kissed her with gentle passion, igniting a full flame of love between both of their hearts.

They had been inseparable after that day… until yesterday. He let her go. Oh, the searing pain within his heart cries out 'how could I let her go!'

Yet, there was nothing more he could have done. As an angel spirit, she watched her grieving husband weep and felt the burden of guilt gripped around his soul—a guilt that was not his to bear for it was her time to go home. Letting her go had been a gift. With a whisper no louder than the patter of a mouse upon the softest grass, she gave her husband the forgiveness he sought. He lifted his head to the sky with tears streaming down his cheeks and whispered, "I love you."

About Leanne Sype

Leanne is a coffee-addicted freelance writer and editor who believes happiness is found in large slices of chocolate cake. Her favorite color is orange, and she loves connecting in community with other writers. Leanne is the founder of Pen to Paper Communications where she indulges her passion in helping individuals and businesses find their story and tell it well. She lives in Portland, OR with her three elderly cats, her husband, and her two adorable kids, all of whom constantly give her good writing material. You can connect with Leanne through leannesype.wordpress.com or on Twitter @pentopapercom.

The Neighbor and Secret Lives by Scott Taylor

"He's at it again," Mattie said to Sid, her husband of three months. The upstairs neighbor was drunk, of that there was no doubt.

"How can you be so sure?" Sid asked with a smile as he tried for the umpteenth time to ignore the rants emanated from the apartment above theirs.

"Well, he's either drunk or learning how to be a preacher. I swear he just quoted something in the Bible.

"What did he say?" Sid said lifting himself up from the couch.

"I don't know…something about rejoicing in God."

"I'll bet he's quoting St. Luke, Chapter 1, Verse 47: "And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour."

Mattie turned and stared. "How did you know that?" In the three months of marriage and 28 months of courtship she had never heard her husband quote anything, the least of which, the Bible. Sid just shrugged his shoulders and returned to the couch.

"No, I'm serious," Mattie said as she came to stand before the relaxing Sid. "Where did that come from?"

"Oh, there's a lot you don't know about me." Sid said smiling.

"Like what? You used to bullfight? You own your own island? You have super powers?"

Sid knew he had to tell her and now was the time. "Listen, there's something I never told you about me."

"Uh-oh," Mattie said with obvious concern.

"No, it's nothing like that." Sid sat up and Mattie joined him on the couch.

"Back when I was a kid," Sid began. He knew one day he would have to tell his new bride about his past. He just didn't think today was that day. "I was part of a Christian Commune."

"A what?"

"Right after my dad died, my mom hooked up with a traveling preacher." The words sucked the oxygen from Mattie's world. She had a million questions, but she let Sid continue.

"He was traveling through Oklahoma where we used to live and my mom fell in love—instantly. We sold the house and joined them on the tour. For five years, from when I was 6-years old to 11, we basically lived on the road. I didn't go to public school, but instead, went to Bible study, full-time."

"Sid," Mattie finally said. "I can't believe you never told me this."

"My mom eventually got sick of that preacher's lying to her about marrying her and we left. She told me as we drove away to live in Chicago with her sister that we were to never talk about what happened to us, and we never did."

"And just when were you going to tell me about this part of your life?"

"Honestly, I thought I might not have to. Since my mom died before we met, I wondered if it would ever come up."

Mattie smiled and shook her head as the neighbor upstairs screamed at the imaginary mouse that was scampering about his kitchen.

About Scott