WEEK 366
As Kristy reclined on the hill of grass, she was surprised to hear...


...the plaintive howl of a lone wolf. Fog began to cover the hill, and a chill wind left coarse goosebumps on her bare arms and legs. Kristy rose to her feet and squinted through the dense air. Leon had run back to the car for his cell phone. The car was parked only two hundred feet away. Where was he? Were there really wolves in the park? Leon couldn't be too far away. Kristy brushed leaves from her clothes and started down the hill; her legs quivered, and her stomach performed a queasy somersault.She heard soft footfalls to her left and suddenly her endeavor to stay calm dissolved.

by Donna Bryant, Cleveland, OH

...her grandmother's voice. Clear as a bell, and sounding as sweet and nurturing as ever, Grandma Clare was telling her about the time that she, and Edward Gant, had spent an afternoon on this very hill. Edward was such a nice man, and she was glad that she had finally taken him up on his invitation of a picnic lunch.

Kristy smiled, opened her eyes, and gazed toward the headstone that was near the bottom of the hill. It was close enough, that she could read the inscription, although she already knew it by heart. Edward and Clare Gant. May Time Never Diminish Our Love.

Kristy, still smiling, closed her eyes again.

"It's nice to talk to you gramma. I've missed you".

It did not matter to Kristy that she had heard this story before, the only thing that mattered, was hearing gramma's voice again.

by Stewart Lindsay, Buffalo, NY

...her boyfriend's whisper floating on the gentle night's breeze. Resting her head on the long flowing grass she stared at the stars. The black blanket above seemed alive with movement as infinite spheres sparkled for attention.

Kristy looked at her glowing watch before turning her head to the east. She strained her eyes in concentration to locate the difference in the lights. A wide smile covered her face. Tears filled her eyes as she shook her head in amazement.

"I love you, Mark," Kristy whispered back.

She imagined Mark looking through the small window on the space shuttle. He caressed the pane with his fingers. She reached out to touch him. Kristy felt his presence in the silence of the night.

Kristy stood in the waving grass and blew a kiss to the heavens. All the stars in the sky grew brighter if but for a second, accepting Kristy's endearment.

by Donald Stidham, Cleveland, TN