Fan Fiction
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Nobis Pacem Chapter 1
I’d grunted impatiently even as I heard mom whisper loudly to him, “Stop calling her cupcake, she doesn’t like that anymore.”
“What about “cuddles”?”
“No.”
“Baby girl?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Pumpkin pie?”
“David.”
“Sunshine?”
I’d interrupted, “Sunshine is fine. Just not in front of my friends.”
Ten minutes later, I’d asked aloud, during a particularly thrilling moment of the movie, “Did you know a moth dies after it lays its eggs?”
There’d been no response from my parents. So five minutes later, I asked again, “Did you know that –“
“Angel, come up here for a second, will you please?” I’d heard mom asked. Her voice sounded tight and controlled, totally unlike the reassuring, warm tones I was used to hearing from her. “Angel” was fine, especially from mom. When I looked up at them, I’d seen that they were no longer watching the movie on the big screen hanging on the wall of the media room. In fact, they’d shut the movie off.
So I’d crawled to spot in between them, and nestled into the warmth of my mother’s arms while my dad moved the bucket of popcorn that was sitting between them to the side table of the couch.
And then, using my moth question, they’d told me for the first time about death, and everything that surrounded it.
A few weeks later, my dear grandmother passed, and I cried inconsolably at her service. I don’t know what brought my grief on: was it because my parents had told me about death, and that Nana had been sick, off-and-on, but didn’t want me to know? Or was it because I no longer had the safe harbor of being able to pretend that she was just going away, as other children might have had? Maybe it was because I felt Nana’s death like a deep hurt?
I’d read out a passage by Emily Dickinson at her service, from the poet’s short poem “Life,” appropriately enough, which was something Nana had always recited to me whenever she came over to visit. Mom and Dad gave me the freedom to choose what I wanted to read for the service, so I recited from memory this special poem that my Nana and I had shared, and, in front of the hushed gathering, offered it as a gift to my grandmother’s spirit.
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Bette and tina????
Here in spirit. But this is about a few special L words that play out in a couple’s life in another part of town. In the fringes of the world of the series I’ve been writing; but different. Hope you like it.
What a beautiful story! Your writing is such a treat to read as you evoke every emotion.
Will try this again. Left a message about 4:00 this morning and something happened, it’s not posted. My message was to thank you for posting such a beautiful love story. And that I hope this story will be continued we would like to know what happens to Aerin in the future. Thanks for sharing.
What an amazing story ! So glad I stumbled upon this treasure !
Sad and sweet -but you said it complete.
Dainty, Hellbent, and new friends: thanks for the comments. Honestly: was tough to pull this together, but it was worth it. Am v glad you liked it. Ok. I hear you. It may take a while for an update on her story, but it will be coming.
Well this was a pleasant surprise. I am always seeking an episode from your creativity. So much, I had to buy a smaller electronic device so that I might read your input on the go. Now, for me buying another electronic anything is saying a lot. I am one of the “dial phone” “get up and change the channel” “do not Text me and expect an answer” old school DIE HARD. But, your writing genius persuaded me to become a mobile reader at my neighborhood “coffee house.” Please continue to write
Beautiful story. I could feel Aerin’s struggle. I would love to read about the 18 months in between their first time and Chris’ final moments. I sure it would be moving.