Amy didn’t know how to tell him.
They’d been dating almost seven months. In September, at month two, she wondered if he was the one.
But something held Amy back.
Mike seemed quite enthusiastic about their prospects, though.
On the fourth month of movies, dinners out, long walks in the woods, a get-away at an upscale inn in Stockbridge, a waterfront dinner at Legal Seafood to meet his sister, and a moonlit stroll at the Boston Public Gardens, Amy was close to sure that Mike was positive that she was his one.
But something held her back.
At 32 years of age, Amy had certainly had her share of losers, bruisers, boozers, and almost approvals. But Mike was heads above her former boyfriends.
Still, something held her back.
So she did what few 30-somethings could do. Amy drove three hours to the assisted living facility where her grandmother lived and thrived at 91 years old.
Most of Amy’s friends either had no grandparents alive or none that they’d ever consider asking for advice.
Amy’s go-to person, though, had always been her Nana. Sweet, sassy, smart, ageless Nana.
After hugs and adding to Nana’s stuffed animal collection, Amy explained to her grandmother all of Mike’s qualities – the good and the one bad.
Nana responded: “My mentor Bill once said, ‘No legacy is as rich as honesty.’ Honesty will reward you, sweetie, I promise.”
Nana quoted William Shakespeare (her “mentor” Bill) frequently, and she did not disappoint on this visit. With a lightened load, Amy drove three hours back to Cambridge and met Mike at the corner bistro a block from his condo.
“Mike,” Amy began, voice wavering, “I have a request.”
Mike’s heart fell like a stone thrown into a deep lake, afraid that Amy was about to let him go.
She inhaled deeply and then said: “You have halitosis.”
“I’m a hell of a what?” Mike sat up straight, his face reddening, hands tight in his lap.
“Bad breath,” Amy whispered, cursing her Nana and William Shakespeare while wondering if she’d just lost the best man in her life.
“Oh! How’d you know?” he asked, relief crossing his face like a cloud lifting. “I saw my dentist yesterday and he told me I have the beginnings of gingivitis, which can lead to gum disease and bad breath. Wow! You’re psychic!”
“Not psychic. But I suggest you buy a bottle of Scope and we’ll both be happier.”
Mike released a huge breath of relief, which made Amy pull back in horror. Mike’s eyes widened, but then they both laughed as giddily as two people in love.
“After some mouthwash and visits to my dentist, will you be my forever Valentine?” Mike asked while covering his mouth with his hand.
“You’re just a breath away from yes,” Amy replied. “Honestly.”
Lol…this is just hilarious…😊😊😊
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Thanks for enjoying! 💕
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Love it! 😀
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Love (and mouthwash) makes the world go round. ❤️ 🌎
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What a brilliant build up. And a humorous turnaround. Though not humorous for those who must suffer the sufferer’s ‘complaint. 🙂
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I know! But a true friend (or lover) let’s one know when toilet paper is stuck on a shoe, or when lipstick is smeared on a tooth OR…. when one has bad breath. 😯💗
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indeed. No quibbles there. 🙂
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Very neat. Good twist
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So glad you enjoyed my love scoping story! 😉
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A great story for Valentine’s Day!! Honesty is the best policy. Wishing you and your sweetie a great day!
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Thanks Darlene. Ahh, honesty is so hard in love, but honesty keeps love thrumming, yes? 🥰
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Terrific Pamela. What a wise grandmother!
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I wish more people appreciated the wisdom of their elders, Brigid…! 💗
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For sure Pamela!
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LOL! You crack me up, Pam. I love Nana’s advice…and your title!
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I ❤️ cracking you up!! 😆 XO
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Well done to Nana and her mentor Bill for saving the day for Amy and Mike! 😀 Pam, as always you pull me straight into the story, I felt for Amy and wondered about her hesitation … honesty worked wonders here. Great ending with a play on the themes and topic: ‘“You’re just a breath away from yes,” Amy replied. “Honestly.”’ Welcome back from your break, Pam and lovely to read your weekly story posts again! xx🌼🌺
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I missed my blogging fellowship for a few weeks, but as you’ve discovered, sometimes a break freshens us up. Thanks for your lovely response to my Scope romance here. 😚
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hhahahaa – such a great twist )
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To tic tacs, minty mouth fresheners, and love. 💗
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Compelling story, Pam. And I love that Amy went to her Nana for advice. As a grandmother myself, it makes my heart happy to think that someday I could be that voice of wisdom for someone. So funny and sweet when Amy shares the truth. Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤️
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I feel the same way, Molly. May I be a grandchild’s wise Nana some day. (Maybe I better study a bit more Shakespeare in the meantime.) 😁
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Made me smile this Valentine’s Day! 🙂
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I so enjoy writing and sharing stories that make people smile. Thanks for your lovely comment! 😍
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This made me laugh, Pam. I didn’t see the twist coming. Really funny.
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I promise, I didn’t know what Amy’s quandary was until my pen reached near the end! I love surprises, as well as happy endings. 🤗👍
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So cute and funny, Pam. Clever word play, too!
(Good advice about honesty–I’m glad it worked out for them!)
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We’d like to think that honesty will always help things work out in the end. In most cases, I think it does… particularly in love. 💕
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That was fun!
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So glad you enjoyed my Scope love story! 💗
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Dare I say that this is a delightfully fresh story that speaks the truth? Very funny. ❤️
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The truth can set us free… and to the drugstore for mouth freshener at times. 🙃👌💕
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I laughed all the way through. Who knew that mouthwash (nice double entendre) could do the trick. You never fail to please – and surprise, Pam!
Happy Valentine’s Day to you too!
My dentist is treating me for periodontal problems, a close cousin of gingivitis, I assume. 🙂
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Going to the dentist is not a fun endeavor. I hope your periodontal problems are fixed quickly and pain-free. Hopefully, no Scope is required! (And despite all that, thanks for laughing at my story of Amy’s dilemma…🤭😘)
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So brilliant, Pam. Your writing never disappoints!
Wishing you a very happy Valentine’s Day!
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I think that every day should be dedicated to Love, yes? xo ❤
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It is a huge relief when we manage to put our cards on the table and clear the air! Great story! Honesty has always served me well. The trick is in the delivery, as you illustrate so well.
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“The trick is in the delivery…” Wise words, Barbara. And so true. xo
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Love this! I hope there’s no hidden meaning in using the name Amy…
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Not at all, Amy. Honestly! 🙂 (Truly, though, the character told me her name is Amy even though I told her I already know a delightful woman with the same name….)
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❤
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Well done, Warrior !… Many years ago, I gave up smoking, got myself a ‘tongue scraper’, tic tacs, and became irresistable! Now, will you be my valentine? ♥
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You’re a “hoot,” Billy Ray, as the old expression goes. Giving up smoking was the most loving action you could have taken for your wife, for sure! ❤
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Clever conundrum for cupid’s care. Happy Valentine’s Pam!
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A cupid conspiracy to create dental care, for sure Brad. 🙂 ❤
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🙂
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Funny and true–honesty and love gets you most things. Love this, Pam and a very Happy valentine to you and your Sweetie! 🙂
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Honestly, love cures all ills, including bad breath (and a little mouthwash). 🙂 xo
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LOVE THE STORY, BUT ESPECIALLY THE PICTURE OFYOU LOVELY MOTHER!
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Awwww, thanks Jeanette. This is all fiction except for the Nana (my kids call her Nanny) part. xo
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Such an important point made, and cleverly. Honesty has become something of an endangered species; too afraid to rock the boat. Happy Valentine’s Day, Pam. Whose Nana posed for you?
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As the cycle turns, my wish is that honestly is valued once again like it was in the past, Janet.
The photo of “Nana” is of my mom, which I took a few months ago. She’s Nanny to my kids, and until dementia took over, she gave out advice freely and often. 🙂
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Wonderful wind up . . . and release!
Once upon a time, a close friend began dating a fishmonger ~ a great guy . . . if you could get past the whiff of fish that permeated his skin. He showered after work to subdue the stench, but it lingered. He eau de cologned with a heavy hand, but the fishy smell remained.
When she broke up with him, she urged him to find a girlfriend who was olfactorily challenged. 🙂
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What a fishy story, Nancy….but I know it’s a true one. Living near the New Hampshire coast where lobstermen proliferate, I’ve heard many a tale where a husband/boyfriend is sent to a sweet-smelling bubble bath before a night out. 🙂
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Your stories are fantastic. I had to laugh out loud . I had a girlfriend with extremely bad breath. We drove to the opera in San Francisco for years, I didn’t have the guts to tell her about her bad breath. Wishing you and your sweetie a nice day.
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Hopefully your girlfriend found a guy who loved her enough to sent her to a dentist…or at least the drugstore! I used to run with a wonderful friend who loved to cook with garlic, which seeped out of her sweating skin on our runs along the Bay. I finally told her to warn me when she had her ‘garlic’ nights, so I could run on the other side of the path. 🙂
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Good one! How nice that the romance was saved by honesty… and a bottle of the green elixir.
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In this case, a bottle of the green is more romantic than a bottle of red (wine)! 🙂
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Excellent premise, Pam! How do you do this? Your stories are the best. Seriously, you are a fantastic writer, the build-up, the humor, the feelings, the realities. Well done.
My oma (maternal grandma) was my best friend. I’d fly thousands of miles to see her every year. We had the most honest and amazing conversations about everything! She was brutally honest with me and I cherished every moment we had together. Time flew when we hung out. I miss her dearly.
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Thanks SO much for the writing compliment, Liesbet. It gives this writer the oomph to keep on allowing her muse free reign. 🙂
I got misty-eyed reading about your Oma. My mom has been that kind of grandmother to my kids. While her advice to me could be a bit irritating, my young adult children hung onto her every word, and love her to bits even now while she’s suffering from dementia.
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As hilarious as this was – and it was – I very much understand Amy. When you are with someone and you often them a mint and they refuse, even if you insist… and then later they want to kiss you? Blech…
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Exactly, Dale, The ying and the yang of true love tinged with the need for true honesty. :-0
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Cute Valentine Story!! It is a hard thing to tell someone…even if you love them. 😉
Happy Valentine’s Day Pamela! ❤
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I wish you a Valentine year of hugs and doggy kisses, Kim. 🙂 ❤
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All of the above!! We went to our friend’s winery for dinner last night. It was wonderful. I hope you had a great day also! 💛💜❤
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I try to make every day a Valentine’s Day. 🙂
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Me too! 😘
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Now who can’t love Valentine’s Day after reading that? It makes me think of my late aunt and uncle, who were both forever swallowing Tic-Tacs because they were worried about kissing with bad breath. 🙂 – Marty
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What a wise and considerate aunt and uncle, Marty. 🙂
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Cute story, Pamela. Happy V day.
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To love and good breath, John!
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Excellent wish, Pamela.
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Honesty is the best policy, usually! Thanks for the giggle. 😁
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The best way to enjoy life (and love) is to giggle much. 🙂 ❤
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So wonderful to have a wise grandmother to dispense advice. And really, what wiser words than, “Honesty is the best policy!” Good writing, as usual, Pam!
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Honestly, your words make this writer smile. Thanks for enjoying!
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A perfectly wonderful share, Pam…everything about it is beautiful. ❤ Happy Valentine's Day!
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I’m tickled Valentine red that you shared my story, Bette. A hugs full of thanks. xo
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A dose of love and reality! You, Nana and Bill pulled us all in – well done! Happy Valentine’s Day to you.
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We all need a Nana in our life. The question is …. would we all listen to her? To good advice and love. xo
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Such a cute story. Easy solution too.
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If only we all learned that the answer is usually so simple; but we humans like to complicate an issue, don’t we? To simple honesty and love. ❤
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Amen for honesty and love.
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Such a fun story for Valentines Day Pam. I never would have guessed that ending…
I hope you enjoyed the day with your “love”.
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What’s not to love about a full day celebrating love, Cheryl? I think we should change Valentine’s Day to four times a year! 🙂 Hugs and friendship to you. xo
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Awww. That wasn’t that hard. My husband and I just say, “Pe-ew. You have to brush your teeth!” Now that’s love. 🙂 Ha ha. Fun story, Pam, and I love the idea of “mentor” Bill. Is that your Nana? ❤ ❤ ❤
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“True love is telling your significant other to brush his/her teeth/take a shower, etc.” (I just made up that quote, but you and your guy obviously have true love. ❤ )
I took this photo of my mom a couple of months ago. She is a wise and loved "Nana" (in real life a "Nanny") to my kids. Until her dementia took over, she offered and they accepted her advice often.
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❤ ❤
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I love how you play with words and the emotions of your characters Pam. Nice to see you back. Happy Valentine’s Day.
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Absolutely delightful to ‘be back,’ Balroop. The two-week break gave me a breather and a fresh breath of air (no pun intended). 🙂 To many days of honest love. ❤
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Her nana is a wise old woman. And you can’t go wrong with the bard. There’s nothing like honesty.
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I’d love to be a wise Nana in the future (once my grandkids get to that age). I think I better start studying Shakespeare more closely! ;-0 🙂
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Thanks so much for the morning giggle. Loved this and yes, we are always reluctant to tell someone they have bad breath. Glad she had someone to go and talk to about it. Nana and Bill. 😉 Crack up worthy.
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May we all have a “Nana” in our life to receive wise advice. 🙂 (And a little bit of Shakespeare doesn’t hurt…)
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Ha! Didn’t see that one coming. Love it!
Though one day you must write a story with a teacup pig.
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I need a H U G E incentive to write a story with a teacup pig, Mr. Mike. 🙂
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I already gave you books and a doodle. Sheesh! 😉
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Haha. True. 😉
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Oh, Pam, you really did make me laugh with this.
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I’m smiling widely because my story induced a laugh from you, my friend. 🙂 Many thanks. xo
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I loved the twist in this story, especially since I was expecting something much worse!
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Hmmmm, interesting, Ann. I wonder what calamity you were expecting for Amy and Mike. It’s fascinating to a writer to find out where her readers’ imaginations have flown. 🙂
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Almost missed your post. That was a different take on a Valentine’s story. Loved the wisdom and the unexpected humor! Made me chuckle. Very clever story!
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I’m glad you didn’t miss my “Scope” story, Patricia. Love and a chuckle or two are a great combination, I’ve found…. 🙂 ❤
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Another clever and humorous story that took me by surprise! Well done!
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Yay! So glad you got a kick out of my “Scope” story, Deb. Many thanks for your comment. ❤
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A quirky surprising story Pam, I’m glad that Amy got there in the end, with a little help from Nana!
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“Quirky” is the perfect word for my “love” story, Andrea. But love IS quirky, isn’t it? 🙂 ❤
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It is 🙂
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I definitely did not know where this story was going – thanks for the surprise, again!
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This is exactly why I like to be a pantser, Barbara. I had no idea where it was going while I wrote it, either! “No surprise for the writer, no surprise for the reader.” (Mark Twain? someone famous….) xo
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That is so hard to deal with!! Good for her for following her grandmother’s advice.
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Amy is a wise young woman to listen to her wise elder. 🙂
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Your twists and turns never disappoint, Pam. That would be a difficult conversation!
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I suppose any meaningful long-term friendship or relationship must include intense deep revelations and conversations at times! ;-0 ❤
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“her share of losers, bruisers, boozers, and almost approvals” okay, this sentence alone got us hooked!! haha great story with a great beginning, middle and ending!! So love your writing and humour. Keep them coming….
B & P
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Yay! I was hoping someone would catch my alliterative fun. Sometimes I wonder where this stuff comes from. Scares my family at times. In person, you’d find me quite the shy quiet type. Really. 🙂
And seriously, is it not almost miraculous how we all can share our creative lives across the planet as we do here? xo
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It sounds like Nana had some very wise words. A great read Pam and a fun twist I was not expecting. A pleasure to read as always.
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So glad you enjoyed my “Scope” love story, Sue. To love and good breath! 🙂
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Great story, kept us in your hand till the end.
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Hi May ! Thanks so much for finding me and my stories – fiction and non – here. I loved popping over to your great blog also. xo
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Thank you kindly for looking at my little blog. Your stories are lovely.
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Sooo freaking funny. Last line cracked me up. That was awesome!
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Why thank you Kate. My heart sang when I read that you enjoyed my sassy Scope story. I certainly enjoyed writing it. 🙂 xo
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hahahahah. How cute! very fun read!
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Interesting how a little thing like mouthwash can save a relationship! 🙂 ❤
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😂
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Wow! That’s just a breath not taking love story. Hearts are just a mouthwash away🤓🤓
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Haha. BREATH(not)taking love story, for sure. Clever. Thanks so much for reading and commenting. 🙂
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Oh nice
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I’m so glad you enjoyed my ‘love story.’ With love, there’s always a way. 🙂
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I love a happy ending, especially one that includes fresh breath.
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🙂
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Wrapping you in love, Pam. 💗
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And what a beautiful (gift)wrap indeed, Jane. Thank you!
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clever & punny! tx fo the laugh 🙂
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I enjoy producing laughs with a few chosen (and punny) words. 🙂 Thanks for reading my “Scope” story. xo
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Lol oh my gosh this was so cute!! 😆😆 loved it!!
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🙂 Many thanks for enjoying. 🙂
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What a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing it.
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So glad you enjoyed! Love wins…with a scope of practicality. 🙂
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