“Yes, I can help you,” she answered, “but my magic has a price. Although under the circumstances, perhaps you will be eager to pay it.”
“How do you possibly know ‘my circumstances’?” I asked the woman. My friend Lacey told me that her cousin Jennifer knew a woman who was a psychic. This “spirit goddess,” as she called herself, rented a small room in the tiny village 20 miles from my home. I deemed myself desperate enough to pay her a visit.
Perhaps “pay” was the operative word here. I didn’t expect her services for free, but… “Whatever my circumstances, what is your fee?” I asked.
The woman peered at me with interest under her long black eyelashes. She wasn’t young, but she wasn’t old either. She dressed in tight jeans covered almost to her knees in a loose purple tunic. Her long dark hair was covered by a sheer gray scarf that glimmered even in her unlit room. Her eyes bespoke of someone who had lived a lot of years, but her hands were free of veiny wrinkles.
“What are you willing to give me?” she replied.
I stood up. “I don’t have time to talk in circles,” I said. “You’re right, I’m rather stressed. But if you can’t help me . . .”
“Sit, sit,” the woman answered in such a soothing tone I felt the air release from me like a too-filled balloon. I deflated so quickly that I almost missed her chair. “Child, it’s not that bad,” she whispered.
“My name is Eve,” I replied.
“I know that,” she said, leaning back in her velvet-covered armchair. “And you can call me ‘Aurora.’”
My eyebrows rose. Aurora? This was getting too creepy.
“Dawn for short,” she said as if reading my mind. Well, maybe she was reading my mind. “And yes, I can,” she continued. “Aurora is the name for the Roman goddess of dawn. In my life, every day is a dawn – a new beginning. And you, my Eve, need a new beginning, don’t you?”
I began to shake, from the tip of my nose down to the top of my toe nails. She knew. She knew.
“But no one else knows, Eve love. So you don’t need to disappear, and you don’t need to lie. You don’t need to do anything. Just stay quiet.”
“Quiet is not my middle name,” I replied more sarcastically than I intended.
“No, but stupid isn’t, either,” Dawn shot back. “Go home. When someone asks if you’ve seen him, just say no, and go about your daily schedule.”
“But . . .” I began.
“No buts. No hesitation. No regrets and no worry. You’re fine. And so is he, believe it or not.”
I stared at Dawn incredulously. She could even go there?
“Yes, all of the elements of nature are open to me, child. Now leave. And return in a month. I’ll ask for my payment then.”
I scurried out before asking her what she wanted. I was quite fearful that in a month, I’d be hiding from the fear of Dawn, not from the consequences of last night.
Make that a week please … need more of this
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Hmmm, that might get Dawn in a bad mood, rushing her like that…. ;-0
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The story of my life!
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😳😏
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You have us hooked. We will need more, please.
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I LOVE hooked readers. xo
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I’ve got goosebumps reading this…brilliantly atmospheric and I’m already fearful of Dawn! How long are your readers going to have wait…a whole month?! Please not! Lovely writing, Pam and bet it was fun composing this! 😀❤️
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My story stopped here – I’m a bit scared of what Eve did, and what Dawn will do to make it all right. Hmmm, perhaps I should write more and see if Dawn tells. 🙂
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I’m kind of worried about what payment Dawn will extract from Eve. I’ve grown to disdain seeing Dawn since I’ve had a week of insomnia and have witnessed a little too much it, when I should be sleeping. Great story, Pam, and left me wanting more!
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Oh, I’m sorry about the visitations by Dawn. She can be quite horrifying at times – in flash fiction and in real life. I wish you a good looooonnnnggg night’s sleep.
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Thank you, Pam. I’ve been doing better the last two nights, so I feel like I am restoring some brain cells to semi-full functioning. In other words, I’m back to normal!
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As we say “whatever normal is.” 🙂 Glad sleep is coming over for a longer stay.
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I hope that you are going to continue this story. You brought just enough creepiness and mystery to it, to draw me in. I like the use of the names – Eve and Dawn.
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I’ve always loved the name “Aurora” – I think since I was a little girl and found out that was another name for Sleeping Beauty. The question here could be, I suppose, Is Dawn (Aurora) a good witch or a bad witch?
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Maybe just a complicated witch like most people.
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So true!! 🙂
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I love the dawn, but this one is kind of creepy. Aurora was my daughter’s Latin class name in high school. 🙂 More next week?
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If I didn’t have trouble pronouncing r’s, long ago I would have changed my name to Aurora. I find it beautiful. How wonderful for your daughter to be renamed this during Latin class. ❤
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Lovely if she LIKED her new name in that Latin class, that is. I was renamed in an 8th grade Spanish class and I hated the name the teacher assigned so much i would have dropped the class entirely if I could have gotten my parents to sign off on it.
I would have been a distinct outlier had I been a subject in one of the studies that link the rapidity of language learning in “past pruning” learners to a change in “identity” – rough enough being the new kid each year.
My eagerness to learn certainly dropped – to the point where I was no longer considering pursuing languages when I got to college because I didn’t understand the link between her renaming and my former facility for languages. I didn’t even want to raise my hand to answer a question, and avoided being called on (and the other students in the class) whenever possible.
Fortunately, we moved again at the end of the year and I was in a whole new school with nobody likely to call me that name I hated so much. My next Spanish teacher didn’t believe in “renaming” students.
I might have fewer objections if the students were allowed to rename *themselves* – after researching common and uncommon names in the language they were learning. THAT might be somewhat useful, at least, especially if part of the assignment was to share why they chose the one they did.
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
ADD/EFD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
“It takes a village to educate a world!”
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Great food for thought here, Madelyn. When I was 5, I asked my parents to rename me “Pansy” (my favorite flower). Fortunately, they chose not to – but told me I could think about my name again when I was 21.
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It is a beautiful name. I don’t remember if she chose it, or if the teacher (who is a friend of mine now) assigned it.
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Now you have my attention you had better follow through … not that it is a threat just… a requirement. Without the rest I could just die and you wouldn’t want that on your mind…
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NO, I don’t want that on my mind. I better get Aurora (Dawn) to open up and tell me what the heck happened…next. :-0
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Exactly!
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Ahhh…the question is what’s behind door number two…:) What a great hook…)
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If you have any answer to what’s behind door number two, George, please divulge. At this point, I have absolutely no idea. Yikes! I’m going to have to conjure Dawn and ask her to help me out.
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I have every confidence you have or will have a very unique idea…:)
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🤓
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Yep, I am scared! Part II, please!
Have a wonderful weekend, Pam
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I’m a bit scared, too, Sharon, since readers are asking what happened next. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA!! ;-0 Poor Eve – is she on the “Eve of Destruction”? 🙂
Hope you have a delightful weekend. xo
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After I read your posts, I read the comments too, Part B of any good blog. I sense you are preparing us for Hallow’en frights and I’m sure you were intentional in picking RED as the font color. Great build-up, Pam! 🙂
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YOU are a great blogger. And you’re so right, reading the comments is so much fun. I hadn’t begun this story as a scary/Halloweeny frightful scene, but Aurora kind of took over. I think that woman has many tales to tell…
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waiting… waiting… waiting…
Please…. don’t make me wait too long!
I’m hooked. 🙂 (and I’m not very patient!)
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Gulp. I’m racing to a writing psychic to help me get in touch with Aurora and ask, “WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?” ;-0
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Add my voice to those shouting for more. Yowzer – this was equal parts creepy and intriguing. So many questions need answering!!
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I kinda got creeped out when I wrote Fear of Dawn, since the words poured forth on the page with no help from me. Talk about creepy! I’m just a bit afraid to see what comes out next…
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… but we will be seeing more? Right? Please.
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Yup! ❤
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I want to know what’s going on but I have to wait until next week. You have us all hooked Pam with your great stories. To be continued please!
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The last thing I’d compare you to is a fish – more like a sparkling mermaid. But I don’t mind hooking a mermaid. 🙂
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Another great first chapter of a new novel.
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Ahh, so many first chapters, so little time. 🙂
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I know, I know!
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🙂
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Good stuff here, Pamela!
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Sending writerly thanks and hugs, Carrie.
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Looking forward to more of the story. I love a mystery. Probably a good thing there are not real people who can read minds. They would most likely commit me!! 🤣
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I always enjoy your sense of humor, Courtney. I think you have a beautiful mind to read… ❤
P.S. (I think there ARE real people who can read minds, just FYI) 🙂
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I try to ignore that possibility!! 🤣🤣🤣
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Great story, Pam! Don’t leave us hanging too long. xo
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I’m calling out to Aurora to help me out with the rest of the story. But I don’t think I want her TOO near me….
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You are one heck of a terrific story-teller as you have all of us hooked. Can hardly wait for the next installment as I’m sure you’re going to dole this out, right?
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I was kind of scared to find out what happens next, but so many readers here have warned me that bad things will happen if I don’t continue, I better swallow the fear and let Aurora and Eve continue… ;-0
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Ooh! Looking forward to whatever comes next!
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The pressure is on, Amy!!! :-0 xo
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Though all the readers have asked for more but I feel this is a wonderfully complete story, with a symbolic title and a brilliant message…let’s see what are your plans!
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Can you feel me hugging you here, virtually, Balroop? I thought I was finished with Eve and Aurora also, but it seems most of the readers here are not. Help! 🙂
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Yes Pam, your hugs are reaching me…may I explain the symbolism?
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Yes, please do! xo
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Pam, here is my interpretation:
This is the story of every human being. We approach each new beginning with a little trepidation; circumstances scare and disappoint us. In desperation we forget that the answer to all our predicaments lounge within us. We just have to look within, talk to our inner voice and discern a new dawn that awaits us, holding new hopes.
– Balroop
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I LOVE your interpretation. And I agree wholeheartedly. So much strife within us, when we don’t realize that the answer is right there. However, that strife is what makes good stories. 😉
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Rightly said! 🙂
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❤
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Oooh. Good one, Pam. Vivid characters, mystery, magic. Great flash piece and I definitely want more. What happened last night?!?! Ha ha. Loved it.
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I need some of your virtuoso creativity here to help me out, Diana. Lacking that, I’m going to have to conjure Aurora for a bit more ‘in’sight…..
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Yes. do!
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Dawn is fearsome. Super story, Pamela.
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Dawn has a few things up her sleeve, methinks, John. 🙂 Many thanks for the kudos.
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🙂
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OH Wow! You got my interest!! Great job!
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Glad you enjoyed the meeting between Dawn and Eve. Now the rest of the story….
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If Quiet and Stupid aren’t your middle name, then what is?
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Haha. I like a character with some spunk.
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Whoo!! Can’t wait to read where your new direction will take us!
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The direction is surprising the heck out of me, Paula. xo
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LOVED this story, Pam. *Perfectly* crafted, IMHO. If this were a “look inside” chapter of a novel I’d eagerly click the “buy now to read more” button. I join the others who are urging you to give us more.
xx,
mgh
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What a great way to give praise, Madelyn. Yes, those ‘look inside’s are so important. I’m gulping a bit here, because I don’t want my readers to be disappointed. Eve is taking me to an interesting place as I let her write more….
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Most of us don’t believe in psychics … and yet we do. I’ve seen the signs and been tempted, tempted and afraid. I hope Dawn won’t ask for Eve’s firstborn child.
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I think we’ve been told for so long that there is not such thing as ‘psychic’ ability that we don’t notice it, even when it’s right in front of our face!!
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Loved the story, Pam, and would love to read more. But I understand if this is “the end”. Sometimes, I’ve had readers ask me to continue a story, but I couldn’t because that’s as far as it took me. But if you do decide to continue, I’ll be reading….🙂
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I loved your story, Pam. But I second, third and fourth etc. every comment made. Wow, what a cliffhanger. But, we have to wait a week? I’m still curious about what the consequences of the night???
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You have such a wonderful imagination and really know how to build up the suspense…you have us all waiting now for the next installment…I not sure Eve or the rest of us can wait another month but then, you could be right, best not to rile Dawn’s feathers to much…so, we all wait……
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Love Aurora or Dawn. Fitting description of the psychic and now it is one of another stories that you could easily turn into a book. I hope you are keeping tabs and will write a book centered around your imaginative tales.
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Great thoughts on maybe Pam could produce a television series called, “What happens next?” Hello, Yvonne. 🌞
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Hello Robin and I agree with your thoughts about a TV series written by Pamela.
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So intriguing! I don’t know who to root for! **LOVE this story ~
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I’m not sure either. Is there a ‘good’ guy and a ‘bad’ guy here? Hmmmmm.
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This should be chapter 1 of your next novel.
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The first hook is always the easiest…. (a writer’s lament.
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I know. Now write me that novel!
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Sometimes we don’t have to run . . . we just “hide” in plain sight. 😀 Hope you’ll share more about Eve and Dawn.
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I’m not sure Eve is the hiding type. This might be fun to find out…!!!
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Dear Pam, Sitting with Mary Beth who is expressing Thanks and appreciation for your thoughtfulness for the card and bookmark. She loves them and it means so much to her. She is recovering nicely! We’ll keep you Posted❤️ Love Jeanette
Sent from my iPhone
>
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Warming my heart. So glad Mary Beth is coming along. ❤
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Very intriguing Pam. You’ve managed to convey lots of clues about what might have happened with just a little dialogue. I’m already convinced I know what happened even though you barely mentioned it at all!
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Hmmm, I’d love to know what you guessed!
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The waiting is the hardest part. 🙂
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Hi, Pam – I read this post earlier this week and loved it. I am now adding my voice to the others who are anxiously awaiting the continuation!
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Thanks Donna. I have been encouraged to continue, so Eve is telling me her story to share on Friday. Quite unexpected! 🙂
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Yes! I can’t wait!
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I’m a bit nervous… ;-0
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Me too!
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Wonderful story 🙂
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Thanks for enjoying this flash fiction. It continues on Friday! ;-0
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Ouuu,great . I’lll be there.I am your new follower 🙂
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Color me grateful.
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Well-written!
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Many thanks, Cynthia. This Friday’s finale is rather, well, you’ll see. ;-0
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I do so enjoy your serials, Pam. You’ve got a terrific knack for throwing people into the thick of things and infusing your stories with the all-important element of curiosity (for which companies pay marketers millions).
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I love to include twists and turns – hooks – in my stories, Erik. I mean, after all, life is never a smooth line… !
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Flash fiction more or less demands it; but yours never feel labored.
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I am enthralled and finally have a few minutes to catch up with your detail story, Pam.
The auto parts warehouse got 104 hours out of my body for the past two weeks so my brain may not have needed rest, I did need to allow myself new TV shows. 😊
This is a fantastic way to start, I love Aurora/Dawn and Eve. Such atmospheric”portent” in the air! Oooh. . .
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Ashamed to say I just found your comment here about Fear of Dawn. Thanks for enjoying the story – I hope your car is in good shape!! Happy January (if happy is sub zero temps and snow, right?) 🙂
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Cellphone changed “morphed” my word “serial” into detail! Oops.
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Your beautiful face and smile was actually angry explaining the story to me.
Good story, keep writing.
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