Alice looked in the shop window soaking in the alluring fashion trends that made her want to check her bank balance and see what she could afford before the end of the month.It was not only the end of the month, but also the end of the calendar year and a time for her to look for a new job. The past year had been a real disaster what with the auto accident and the medical bills that seemed to generate a life of their own...

Fifty-seven year old Lydia Mae Valentine smiled with love at hearing the voice of her daughter, Tonya on the phone.“Hi Mama, how are you?” Tonya asked.“Hi baby, I’m fine. I’m getting along. Thank you for the dinner plate," Lydia said.  "The chicken was delicious.""It was no problem, Mama," Tonya said.  Her mother's vision wasn't completely gone but it was close to it.  Tonya knew that soon her mother would have to move in...

I didn't mean to stop and watch, but simply couldn't resist her lithe silhouette framed in the saffron rectangle of light that clicked on ahead of me. Like a glowing beacon in the cold evening gloom, the warmth of the bedroom spilled into the residential street, moments before her mesmerising beauty paused within it. With curves that would inspire a Formula One track designer, I had little choice but to drink in her profi...

I don't know if it was Santa,who sent her love to me,in a red and silver bow,beneath my Christmas tree.Perhaps it was an angel,Mary, Jesus, or a saint,who colored my gray world,in gold and silver paint.Could it be a friend or loved one,who resides high in the sky,who knew what I was missing,when they heard me cry?In the end it doesn't matter,for love is all we need,and she's a gift from heaven,in spirit, word, and deed.No...

He’d been here for nearly two hours, and his cup had been empty for just about the same amount of time. Lucy watched him from behind the counter, wondering if he’d ever feel her gaze and look up to meet it. So far, he hadn’t. His eyes stayed focused on his book, and he’d been turning pages pretty consistently since she’d been staring. Normally, she wouldn’t just stand back and watch the patrons, but tonight was slow. Rosa...

It was the Friday before Christmas, and I was bored to tears. Every one of my friends had family festivities to attend, but I desperately needed to get away from mine. Don't get me wrong, their enthusiasm is great, but I knew that in another hour or so, the photo album would make its annual appearance, and the generous amounts of spirits would encourage the stories and tears to flow freely. I grabbed the gift I bought for...

"Next!" I called, more curtly than was professional. Nineteenth customer of the day can do that to a girl, not that I was counting. My calves ached beneath the cheap, gimmicky costume that was covered in other people's hair. Nobody in their right mind wanted their hair cut by an elf. It was stupid. And to cap it off, fucking Bieber bleated about love on the local station, like he was even old enough to understand what the...

 I fell in love last Christmas,and it's been Christmas every day.since her love shone upon me,like a holiday display. A kaleidoscope of lights,in a bright marshmallow world,twinkled deep inside me,when her new love was unfurled. Peace on earth and a babies birth,is what we're praying for,in these days of pestilence,greed, disease, and war. When she folds her arms around me,cruelty fades away,nothing on earth can harm me,i...