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Writer's pictureKendra Cassidy

Taylor's Time!


The logo for Taylor's Time - an anime girl with long hair that transitions from brown to gold blowing in the wind

Well, that's on me.

I totally missed posting Taylor's story - chapter - last week.

And now Adam's never gonna let me hear the end of itl

See, he left me in charge while he went off to Fan Expo Denver and did things that didn't involve having a computer attached to his hip. Fine, whatevs. But I focused so much on making sure my newsletter got out that I completely forgot to post Taylor's latest chapter.

Like I said, on me.

So, a week late - here's Taylor's chapter, and boy oh boy are we in for a rollercoaster of emotions if she finishes this!


--Kendra


When Our Souls Collide 


Chapter Four: Unknown 


A steady rain of mouthwatering morsels fell from Seth’s place at the table. I lay at his feet, gobbling up the fatty pieces of meat as soon as they hit the floor. The heat from the fireplace and the cold from the sliding glass door merged into the perfect temperature. 


Seth spoke with his mouth half-full. “So, you wanna take a trip from a place that's already cold to a place that's even colder?”


“Seth!” Carolyn whispered harshly. Though I couldn't see her, I knew that Carolyn was shooting her son a look of irritation. “Don't talk with your mouth full.“


“Yeah,” Grace said, a smile in her voice. “Why not?”


Seth scooped a gooey glob of mac and cheese onto the floor. I licked it off the smooth wood, pausing to watch the soft glow of the firelight dance across the shiny surface. 


“I'm sorry, Gracie girl,” Jeffery said, swallowing a mouthful. “We don't have the money for a trip like that right now.”


A wave of sadness drew my attention to Grace sitting on my other side. I rose and rested my head on her lap. She looked down at me with a faint smile. With one finger, she stroked the bridge of my nose, between my eyes, and the curve of my ears. I closed my eyes. 


“That's okay, Dad,” she said, sweetly. “I understand.” 


My Grace. She was far too kind to show her pain, too sweet to lack empathy. 


This girl deserves everything the world has to offer…


Later that night, I crept downstairs to relieve myself. Seth had laid a puppy pad by the backdoor to ensure I wouldn't have to do my duty in the cold. Finished, as I walked down the hall, I noticed a small glow coming out of Jeffery's office. The door was slightly ajar. Jeffrey and Carolyn jumped as I nosed the door open, quickly turning the computer screen away. They sighed in relief when they saw me, turning the computer back around. 


“Atlas,” Carolyn said, crouching at my level. “Come here, sweetheart.” I obeyed. She took my face in her hands. “You are such a good girl, yes you are. Such a good girl.”


I wagged at being a good girl.


“My parents can watch her,” Jeffrey said. “We could take her to their house before we go.”


Carolyn shot him a look of annoyance.


“Jeff, you know Grace won't want to leave without her.” Turning her attentio