Carter stirred hot cocoa mix into two Disney World mugs  - one Mickey and one Minnie  - and splashed the Mickey mug with some bourbon. Walking into the living room and next to the tree, he handed his wife Kathy her Minnie and plopped himself on the couch. Their three kids, two girls and the … Continue reading Hot Cocoa and Bourbon

George remembered when Gwen first moved next-door — second grade - her brunette ringlets swung behind her as she explored her new home. They would eventually meet, shake hands, and agree to put a string with cups attached between their windows. George stayed up late every night, watching her bedroom light flicker on, her shadow … Continue reading Love At Last

The lights flickered and then cut out; the humming heater gurgled to a halt; only the laptop's backlit screen highlighted the edges of the dark room. Henry fondled his way to the closet and grabbed blankets for his three kids - Marianne, Toby, and little Henry. Pawing his way from room to room, he covered … Continue reading Layers on a Cold Night