FALL IN LOVE WITH A FANTASY

ANOTHER LOSS FOR CLASSIC ROCK

Just learned today that Paul Revere of Paul Revere & the Raiders--another of my favorite bands from my teenage years--passed away in October 2014. I saw this band perform live a number of times and always enjoyed their antics as well as their music. Another classic rocker who will be missed. Thank you for many years of entertainment!

UNLIKELY ANGEL: A FEEL GOOD CHRISTMAS STORY!

EQUALS A HOPE FOR A MERRY CHRISTMAS...

Two weeks before Christmas, Mitch decided he had waited long enough. 

“Come on, mutt.” Mitch grabbed his coat and a pair of work gloves. “Let’s go find the twins.” 

Gabe bounded to his feet and bumped the doorknob with his nose. He sniffed and marked around the yard while Mitch pulled the Ferrari out of the garage. As soon as the dog jumped into the car, Mitch drove to a lot selling Christmas trees. He selected one that would fit nicely in Julia’s small apartment and strapped it to the top of the car. 

The mutt hung his head out the window, riding in silent watchfulness until the apartment building was in sight. “Woof!” 

“You have to be quiet or we’ll get caught smuggling you in.” Under cover of the falling twilight and a bushy evergreen tree, Mitch and the dog walked quickly toward Julia’s apartment. 

As soon as Julia opened the door, the dog pushed inside and sniffed out the twins, quickly falling back into their game of hide and seek. Within seconds, the twins’ giggles let Julia know the dog had found the children. 

“I brought a tree.” Mitch stood the evergreen upright. 

“I see that.” Julia bit her lip as she walked around the tree. “Nice choice. Bushy all around.” 

“I had three picky sisters who trained me in the fine art of Christmas tree selection.” 

Julia smiled. “They trained you well.” 

“I thought we could decorate it tonight and maybe have cookies and hot chocolate.” 

The wistful look on Mitch’s face tugged at Julia’s heart. She didn’t want to disappoint him--or miss the chance to spend time with him. “That would be great. Except...” 

“Except?” 

“All the decorations were left behind.” 

Understanding dawned in Mitch’s eyes. “I’m sorry, Julia. I didn’t think--I’ll go buy some.” 

“Wait--” Julia didn’t want to owe Mitch anything more, and she couldn’t afford to buy decorations for an entire tree right now. “Let’s make decorations. We have construction paper for paper chains and snowflakes, and we can pop corn to string together. I haven’t done that in years. It will be fun.” 

“How about the angel for the top?” Mitch asked. 

Julia tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Origami. We can do a fancy folded paper one.” She hoped. 

“Sounds great to me.” Mitch took off his jacket. “I did remember a stand.” 

While Mitch set the tree in the stand, Julia gathered supplies for ornaments and explained to the twins what they were going to do. The twins were delighted, as they hadn’t been allowed to touch the fussy tinsel and glass ornaments on the tree in the West Hills house. Just one more reminder of how suppressed her children’s joy had been. Julia much preferred this homemade Christmas tree. 

The tiny apartment soon became littered with scraps of paper, as loops of red and green chains took shape. The popping of corn rattled a cheerful accompaniment to the giggles of the twins as Julia brought another bowl of popcorn for Mitch to add to the string the dog snitched pieces from. 

“Why don’t you just give him some popcorn?” Julia asked. 

“He won’t eat it except off the string.” Mitch threw a disgusted look toward the dog. “It must be a new game.” 

Julia turned away to hide her smile. The tree was shaping up beautifully, even if Angelina insisted on hanging all her handmade ornaments on the same three branches. “Anyone want refills on hot chocolate?” 

When Julia returned from the kitchen, the room had grown quiet. 

“Your helpers are asleep,” Mitch said. 

The twins lay curled like cherubs next to the dog beneath the spreading limbs of the now decorated tree. 

“Do you want to move them to bed?” Mitch asked. 

Julia nodded. Soon the twins were settled in their beds for the night. 

“Sometimes I just want to watch my children.” Julia’s heart swelled with joy as she gazed at Abraham and Angelina. “If I could have one thing for Christmas, I’d ask for my children to be safe.” 

Julia and Mitch lapsed into silence for a moment, absorbing the innocence of the twins as they slept. “What would you ask for, Mitch?” 

Mitch stared at Julia for a moment longer. His gaze caressed every inch of her face and finally settled on her mouth. “A kiss from you.” 

(Excerpt from UNLIKELY ANGEL, copyright Genene Valleau, writing as Genie Gabriel)

MEET ABRAHAM AND ANGELINA: OF COURSE ANGELS ARE REAL

MIX WELL WITH FOUR-YEAR-OLD TWINS WHO BELIEVE IN ANGELS...

“Send an angel to watch over Mommy,” Abraham said in a rush, then added, “Please.” He opened his eyes. “Did it work?” 

Angelina looked toward the neon-striped ceiling of the hotel room. “Maybe they’re invisible.” 

Abraham nodded. 

“Here comes Mommy.” Angelina scrambled down from her perch and into the other bed. The faded cotton blanket she pulled up to her chin contrasted with the pristine white lace on the cuffs of her nightgown. 

“Are the angels here yet?” Abraham whispered. 

“I heard their wings flutter.” Angelina yawned as her eyes drifted closed. 

(from UNLIKELY ANGEL, copyright Genene Valleau, writing as Genie Gabriel)

MEET GABE: FORMER STREET DOG

TOSS IN A FORMER STREET DOG WHOSE MEETING WITH THE BUMPER OF MITCH'S CAR TURNED OUT TO BE THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO HIM...

A crash of metal jarred sharply through the night, drawing Mitch’s attention to a battered garbage can falling into the gutter. A flash of movement followed. With a curse, Mitch tromped on the brakes. 

Too late--the thud of soft flesh hit the front bumper as Mitch swerved away. Mitch jumped out and ran to the front of the car. A guttural growl greeted him as a great, hairy beast wobbled into the light from the headlights. 

“What the--” 

A dog. Perhaps crossed with a shaggy, blond bear. 

(from UNLIKELY ANGEL, copyright Genene Valleau, writing as Genie Gabriel)

MEET MITCH: FORMER BODYGUARD WHO AVOIDS WOMEN IN TROUBLE

ADD A FORMER BODYGUARD WITH A LOAD OF GUILT OVER THE DEATH OF HIS WIFE...

Mitch walked rapidly down the hallway and stepped outside. The door clicked and locked behind him as his breath formed a puff of white in the unseasonal cold. Oregon’s western valleys usually enjoyed mild weather through October, yet this night seemed frozen in time. 

Like another night etched with vivid detail in Mitch’s mind. A nightmare that wouldn’t let him wake up, growing more intense as the anniversary of Charlene’s death drew near. 

(from UNLIKELY ANGEL, copyright Genene Valleau, writing as Genie Gabriel)

MEET JULIA CABOT: CHILD PSYCHIATRIST AND MOTHER ON THE RUN

START WITH A MOTHER ON THE RUN TO KEEP HER CHILDREN SAFE...

Julia pulled the Volvo into a shadowy parking space. Breathe, she reminded herself. In and out. In and out. Just take one step at a time. For now, the twins were safe. The morning would be soon enough to think about what she had done. 

(from UNLIKELY ANGEL, copyright Genene Valleau, writing as Genie Gabriel)