By, Nan Claire Falkner

After demeaning and unfair reviews of her first acting role, Melinda gave up her dream of stardom and decided to go home. Oklahoma was far away but her mother had purchased her a round trip ticket when she flew to Los Angeles – just in case. A year and a half after waving bye to everyone, Melinda was so homesick, she could crawl home. Thank God for Mama, Melly had used the ticket for rent. She would hike home, lick her wounds, and make a plan of what to do next. Her dog, Cad (named after the acting coach) was following her.

By, Nan Claire Falkner

With a thousand dollars left in the account, Barry decided he would make his fortune on Wall Street.

He had no aptitude for this endeavor, but had read a couple of books on how to invest in stocks.

With his first investment, he felt it was a no lose effort which would pay off in the end. He was wrong.

His wife took half the money, and invested in companies that made the products in her cabinets and refrigerator. Barry took the dot com route.

When Barry got the call from his broker, he rammed his car through their office.

By, Nan Claire Falkner

The James’ were hosting a super 4th of July Party. “Please bring Brutus too”, the invitation said.

“Odd that they included our Black Lab there too but he would show up anyway,” Mitzi, their Yellow Lab was glad to see us and especially Brutus.

There was a large pen erected in the yard and it was full of yellow lab puppies. “My goodness they are darling. Mellie!” I said” Mitzi was nursing her brood when the last one popped up and we all laughed.

Looking at our dog, we all said in unison “Et tu Brute!”

“We named him Licorice.”

By, Nan Claire Falkner

They would meet in the summer house. It was silly, she knew, but every time she went there, she could almost see him in the window beckoning for her to come. Never in her wildest dreams did she think this was real, but what if?

What if he was there and she made it through the maze, would he be there really? What a lovely thought. She smiled.

“Helen, come to me now my love! I need you more than you could know!”

“Peter, wait for me. One more day!”

That night, she died in her sleep in their bed.