http://slow.writerscafe.org/Passionate The original writings of author Passionate en-us Copyright 2026 WritersCafe.org 1776075149 WritersCafe.org RSS Generator 15 CHAPTER185DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS      I held a strand of lights for Grandma as shestrung them around the edge of the frame of the bed and breakfast.     “Grandma, my arm is starting to get tired,”.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Passionate/1378864/ CHAPTER15      “Oh, no Skylar,” Grandma exclaimed as shewalked out onto the porch and caught sight of Jeremiah.  “A dog?”     “He’s been wondering around for at least a.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Passionate/1378016/ CHAPTER17      I drew up warm water for Jeremiah’smuch-needed bath.  “Bring him in,Kate,” I shouted over the water flowing from the spout.     My little sister came running in with Jerry.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Passionate/1378002/ CHAPTER15      “Oh, no Skylar,” Grandma exclaimed as shewalked out onto the porch and caught sight of Jeremiah.  “A dog?”     “He’s been wondering around for at least a.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Passionate/1378001/ CHAPTER14THANKSGIVINGDAY      I found there were only two days I trulyenjoyed.  Thanksgiving andChristmas, the only two days of the year that the bed and breakfast wasclosed.  That meant that I was freeto do whate.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Passionate/1377999/ CHAPTER13      The next morning was better and worse.  It was worse because I didn’t have tofake being sick.  I woke in theearly hours of the morning, covered in sweat, and barely made it to thebathroom on time. .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Passionate/1377996/ CHAPTER12ALLIS      Skylar, looking guilty for some reason Godonly knew, gulped and took a step back from Allis.  She reminded Allis of her four year-old son, Darren, when hedid something he knew he shouldn’t have... http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Passionate/1377995/ CHAPTER11          There was only one place I wanted to be- mysafe haven.  I was itching to readthe note in the privacy my field provided to me.  But Grandma had other ideas for me.  She met me at the do.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Passionate/1377994/ CHAPTER10      Thenext morning was unusually warm, especially compared to the weather the lastcouple of days.  My wardrobe wasscant, having packed only mainly clothes for the cooler season, but I managedto find a burgundy an.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Passionate/1377989/ CHAPTER9      AsI lay in the tall grass towards the edge of Grandma’s property, I was remindedof the events that had unfolded today.     Partof me had expected Allis to be waiting for me by her classro.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Passionate/1377988/ CHAPTER8 I woke up to a sore wrist.  Still in my clothes from the daybefore, a crimson stain was soaked into the sleeve of my shirt.  I rolled it up slightly.  The cuts looked pretty nasty. Before heading downstairs, I doused mywrist in.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Passionate/1377987/ CHAPTER7      Theweekend passed by too quickly for my liking.  With very poor sleep last night due to stress, I was flatout exhausted.     Istared dejectedly at what was now my soggy breakfast.  &l.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Passionate/1377985/ CHAPTER6      “Skylar,quit sulking, and help your little sister in the kitchen,” Grandma reprimandedfrom the bottom of the stairs.     Mybrows furrowed.  Did she just tellme to quit sulkin.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Passionate/1377984/ CHAPTER5      Atfirst I thought my dad would protest my resolution.  He and Grandma had had a falling out several years ago forsome reason unknown to me.  Mygrandmother was estranged from my family. My sister and I.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Passionate/1377983/ CHAPTER41MONTH LATERNOVEMBER I could see the wheels of my mom’s SUVstarting to roll into the intersection.“No, Mom!”  I wanted to tell her. I tried to run after her.  Ineeded to grab her attention, to let.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Passionate/1377980/ CHAPTER3BRIAN4WEEKS LATEROCTOBER      Brianshrugged out of his white doctors coat, slipped off his scrubs, and put his streetclothes back on.  It had been along day in the emergency room. When he performed surger.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Passionate/1377979/ CHAPTER2BRIAN      Brian’sstomach dropped somewhere below his knees, and he slowly sank to the linoleumthat made up the flooring of the emergency room.  Something was wrong, something he couldn’t put a fingeron.  From t.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Passionate/1377976/ CHAPTER1SEPTEMBER      Theedges of my mom’s mouth twitched slightly, a gentle smile vaguely displayed onher face.     “Thanksmom.  I know you didn’t want tocome to the concert, b.. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Passionate/1377973/ PROLOGUE      Thetears escaped from my eyes and made a warm trail down my face.  I hugged my royal blue sweatshirtcloser to me as raindrops fell from the sky.  Determined as I was, I kept walking down the street untilthe .. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Passionate/1377972/ A fleeting thought crossed my mind, one that made me wonder if anyone would miss me if I just happened to let go and drown in the below-freezing waters flowing under my feet. http://slow.writerscafe.org/writing/Passionate/1377971/