Fan Fiction
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Nobis Pacem Chapter 1
I whispered to myself now, inside the wood-paneled confines of an elevator that I didn’t feel like leaving, parts of what I’d recited to the crowd then: “If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching, or cool one pain … I shall not live in vain.”
During the evening of my grandmother’s memorial service, as guests nervously walked behind me while I sat on the floor, mutely staring at the tongues of fire leaping up from the roaring fire in the fireplace in one end of our living room, Mom and Dad silently sat down on the floor beside me. As I’d rested my head on Dad’s chest I’d said quietly, “I should have asked you about a silkworm, instead. A silkworm doesn’t die. It changes into something else, but it doesn’t die. The moth dies after laying its eggs. But I’d asked you about the moth, so you told me about death. I should have asked about the silkworm.”
“Aerin? It is Aerin, right?” I heard a warm voice gently interrupting the flow of memories about my grandmother’s service, and silkworms and moths.
“Wha-a-a-t-t?” I responded, as I tried to refocus to my current surroundings.
The sapphire eyes of my neighbor were peering into mine.
“It’s Aerin, right?” she asked again, in the same warm, gentle tone.
“Y-y-y-e-s-s,” I stammered, shaking my head slightly, to speed up my efforts to refocus.
“Are you alright?” she asked with concern as she reached out to lightly touch my arm.
“U-u-m-mm,” I hesitated, as my brain cells realigned to a functioning coherence.
“Can you just ask her whether she’s coming out of the elevator or heading down?” a man’s impatient, deep voice behind my neighbor cut through the haze.
My neighbor’s head whipped around. In the tense moment after, I could only imagine that she’d shot him a glare because he didn’t say anything else after that.
I felt her warm touch shift to my elbow, and a gentle hand hold onto one of mine. “Why don’t I walk you to your door? I’m assuming you weren’t taking the elevator down, were you?”
I shook my head, and dared to look at her. For some reason, there were tears hovering in my eyes. I thought I’d cried myself out already over the last six hours, but apparently, I hadn’t.
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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.