First, happy Thanksgiving! Even if the pandemic has kept us from being with the crowds of people who love to celebrate with, I hope your day is one of gratitude and love. I know mine is. I’m thankful for you, glad you take a moment now and then to stop by here. On Thursdays, I’ve…
“C’mon, Rex.” Like I have to prod him to hurry after Monster.
We race around the corner where a woman wearing an Old Bay mask is picking up the little creature.
It’s Jessica. My heart gets a workout like nothing it’s experienced before. It pounds out a tune before rising with joy when she looks up at me and smiles.
“Look what I found. This little kitten ran right into my arms.”
Smart cat. Exactly what I wish I could do. I stop about ten feet away. I don’t know if I should get any closer to the woman who isn’t speaking to me.
Christmas isn’t Christmas without stories: various retellings of the Nativity Story, Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol, Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore, O. Henry ‘s The Gift of the Magi…the list is endless.
I don’t remember what we said. There were apologies and health reports and then there was that kiss.
I didn’t wait for Dan who looked like he was too nervous anyway.
I pulled him close, took off his mask—brazen woman that I am. And kissed him.
And I’ll do it again. I’m sure of it.
What Hanna says next is something I do not expect. “Wake up, Jess. You’ve got a good thing in that man.”
She’s got that little wrinkle between her brows. It’s her signal that she’s saying something difficult and she knows it. But she means it, too.
Though it lasts only a moment, I think it’s a kiss that is forever engraved into my soul.
Here is the next chapter in my #pandemic #romance: Dan: What the doctor ordered. The symptoms may—or may not—be from covid-19. Dan is not only feeling lousy physically, though. He’s missing Jessica and his conscience is making him feel guilty and stupid. If that’s not enough, and it is, his dog and new cat are driving him crazy.…
Life with Lori hasn’t been rosy the past few days. She’s tired of school by computer and more days than not, I’ve found her playing under the dining room table rather than finishing her homework. I’ve had to sit with her through the few sessions Mrs. Gambino can manage. Poor teacher. She’s still teaching her students how to mute and unmute themselves. And fewer show up each day. Yesterday, five showed up for her social studi
I’m getting excited to share my book, a story of two overworked overachievers who think they may have found love only to have their jobs, their lives, and a historic inn come between them. That very inn, set on the shores of Deep Creek Lake, and its past just may hold the key to their future.
I wash the mess off my hands and take a deep breath, gathering my courage before I punch in Dan’s number.
What to say, though. How are you, Dan?
Need anything—like my forgiveness?
No. No. No.
Mary K. Tilghman, writer 