"American Girl Breaking Traditions everywhere"

Chapter eight

Zhi walked down the street his heart rate beating at a speeding rate that no doubt would get him a speeding ticket had he been driving. His stomach had been doing cart wheels and his heart in a race since Chrissy walked out the door. Zhi was in a position where he couldn’t decide if he should side with his family or side with his girlfriend. He liked Chrissy no doubt but he wasn’t exactly sure he was willing ot loose his family to it.

Had his family been like a normal family and only be angry with him he probably would have sided with Chrissy. Only the problem was Zhi’s family wasn’t normal and he knew what happened to people who sided against the family. They were shunned and no one talked to them after ward. So like an idiot he let Chrissy walk out and once again let his family lead his life.

Sighing, he absent mindedly opened his car door. It was Sunday afternoon and he had just finished a round of batting at the park. He threw his bat into the back seat and was just about to jump into his car when a hand grabbed at his neck and squeezed hard causing him to freeze. He clenched his teeth in pain and turned slowly to the owner of the hand.

Lydia smiled back at him and squeezed harder. “Ok, you break my window? I can deal with it. You break my friend’s heart? I take it quite personal.” Lydia let go of his neck and bit down on her lip the fury in her eyes showing. “Why would you do that? Why would you bring her to your parents’ house just for your parents to insult her and let her walk home? I should have you jumped. I don’t care how much karate you know!”

Zhi smiled to lighten up the tone and said “I don’t know Karate.”

Lydia’s serious tone and facial expression remained and she said “Even better”

“Ok, truthfully I was confused and I have no idea why I let her run out like that. I sometimes can’t control the power my parents have over me. I like Chrissy I really do but what you don’t see is that if I would have sided with Chrissy that night my parents and family would disown me. Sometimes I don’t even understand there ways.”

“So you’re going to let your mother stop you from dating Chrissy?” Lydia asked. Zhi remained quiet and Lydia nodded her head “Well alright then. Do me a favor. Don’t make any contact with us at all. Stay away from any area we might even WANT to be in.” Lydia looked at him long and hard till she finally rolled her eyes and walked away.

Zhi watched as Lydia walked away and continued till she found her car. She opened the door and looked back at him her eyes glaring at him. She got in turned the car one and drove out of the lot not even finding him worthy of more eye contact. Zhi shook his head and got into his car. He wondered what he would do.

For minutes he sat in his warm car. The silence overwhelming. He thought about all the memories Chrissy and he had managed to make in the small amount of time. He thought about the words that Lydia had said and how much meaning she put into her words. He liked Chrissy a lot. He liked her… Moments passed as he dawned on the words and he came to realize that he didn’t like Chrissy. He loved her.

He smiled when she was around and he loved the feel of her in his arms. His heart jumped for joy when he made her happy and he couldn’t get enough of hanging out with her friends. Her family opened their arms wide and accepted him and his family did the exact opposite. Zhi rested his forehead on the steering wheel. His options were simple. Be happy in a life with Chrissy around or live the life his parents wanted following tradition. His decision was just as simple as his choices.

****************************

Chrissy sat in a chair staring out the window. The day was ending and the sun was setting. She had taken the day off instead of working after church and moped around the house. Church had been a sort of good thing. She loved the new church she attended and even more she loved God. Church was his home and it was one of the places she felt at ease.

Chrissy sighed and looked up at the ceiling. She took a moment to ask God why he would bring this man into her life to take him away. But Chrissy, unlike many, had faith. She wasn’t angry at God at all. She knew everything was played out for the better. Her only problem was making the pain go away.

Distracted Chrissy never noticed Lydia come close to her and only felt her arms embrace her in a hug. Chrissy leaned into the hug and relied on her close friend for strength. “I’m so sorry C” Lydia said to her.

“It’s not your fault Lyd-e. I shouldn’t have fallen for him so fast.” Chrissy said. Chrissy and Lydia stood there for minutes letting the silence say more then words could. Chrissy knew her friend didn’t intentionally set her up with Zhi. She knew that Lydia had no way of predicting the future and so she didn’t blame her. Infact she blamed no one. In her mind she wanted to blame Zhi’s mother and Zhi but in her heart she was in too much pain to do so.

“Well, I say we take a ball and a bat. We tape the ball on his windshield. Then we hit the ball. Multiple times. He owes me anyway.” Lydia said letting go of chrissy.

Chrissy smiled and shook her head. “Violence is never the answer Lydia. Remember what your therapist said?” Chrissy mocked Lydia.

“Ugh I still hate that guy. I’ll never forgive my doctor for suggesting my parents take me to a psychologist after their divorce. I WAS FINE!” Lydia said throwing her hands in the air.

Suddenly a car caught her attention outside and she found herself staring at a car that looked quite familiar. She watched it and nothing happened. The car simply stood in front of her apartment building. Chrissy had the room to the front of her building and her window was in plain view and ear shot to everything that went on in the front.

Suddenly the door to the car opened and a man came out. The man looked around and Chrissy focused on him. Suddenly the man looked up and Chrissy had complete eye contact with Zhi. Her heart melted and her soul cried out for him and at the same time urged her to run. Chrissy quickly moved from the window and let go the breath she had been holding in.

“That is not a good sign” Lydia said moving to the window. Lydia glanced out and said “What? I don’t see any thing!”

This ment that as they spoke Zhi was coming up the steps. What could he want? What did he have to say? There was nothing he could say to undo what he had done? And even if he came to apologize and she accepted which she naturally would it wouldn’t change his mother’s opinion! Chrissy breathed in and out trying to hold back tears of worry and fear. Chrissy looked up at the confused Lydia and took one long deep breath. She had to be strong. She had to hold onto her composure at least till night time. When Zhi wasn’t coming to her apartment.

The door bell rang making her jump and she shared a moment with Lydia where they both thought about who would be at the door. No doubt reading her mind Lydia bolted for the door and Chrissy came flying after her.

“Lydia if it’s him let him speak first!” Chrissy yelled following Lydia to the door making it there just seconds after Lydia. Lydia’s hand rest on the door knob and she looked at Chrissy.

“I talked to him earlier and gave him a chance to speak. He didn’t say anything! Why would we give him a chance now?” Lydia said her tone serious.

“Because WE didn’t give him a chance earlier Lydia! You gave him a chance I DESERVE my chance!” Chrissy looked at Lydia and after a moment Lydia nodded her head. She calmly opened the door and there he was.

Chrissy stared out at him and adored the features she had come so close with. She looked at him and was overwhelmed with moments he’d swept her off her feet. She thought back to the memories in the stadium and her heart melted at the thoughts of the kiss cam. She didn’t need to say it out loud because her heart screamed it. She was in love with this man. His charm had her crazy and his scent seduced her. There would forever be a mark in her heart and mind that said “zhi was here”.


“I need to talk with Chrissy and if you don’t want to talk with me Chrissy I understand but I will be here every day until you will listen.” Zhi said.

“I’ll listen.” Chrissy said.

“Just give me one minute chrissy pleas-“ zhi stopped and said “You’ll listen?”

“Yes” Chrissy told him loving the look in his eyes seeing the hope.

Zhi reached for Chrissy’s hand but she dodged it. She wasn’t ready for his touch. She didn’t know what lie ahead for her and she wouldn’t want to be mislead into a world where she thinks there might be a chance when he doesn’t want one. Zhi nodded his head and signaled for her to step outside in the hall way with him.

Chrissy stepped out and Lydia glared at Zhi. Lydia looked at Chrissy nodded and closed the door. Zhi began to speak when Chrissy told her to hold on. Chrissy put her hand over the peep hole and heard Lydia say “Aw man!” Chrissy smiled at her friend and told Zhi to begin.

“Chrissy all my life I have done what my parents have told me. I’ve met their expectations and denied my self so many things. But I can not let them take you away from me. I wont let them. It was stupid of me to let my mother talk about you like that and even worse that I didn’t go after you or stand up for you. I was confused but I’m not any more. Chrissy I love you and I don’t care what my parents say. In fact Chrissy… Marry me?” Suddenly Zhi got down on one knee and took out a ring. The ring was a simple gold band engagement ring.

Chrissy was shocked. She looked at this man who was on his knee and was completely blown away. “Oh goodness... Zhi! We just met! We can’t get married!”

“Chrissy all of that doesn’t matter to me. You matter to me Chrissy. Actually we’ve known each other for almost a month. Next week would be the anniversary to make one month.” He said rationality in his voice.

“Zhi tell me you’re not doing this because you think it’s the only way I will take you back because Zhi I… I’ll take you back with out a ring.” Chrissy bit down on her lips at the words she had almost let slip out.

Zhi rised and grabbed her face. He kissed her lips with passion and she let her defenses down. For a split second everything went away and logic played no roll in her thought. Her heart screamed she would marry this man any minute. “Chrissy just say yes. I want to be with you for ever. I love you. You make me crazy! And I mean that in the best way possible.”

Chrissy bit down at her lip and felt completely unsure of herself. Here Chrissy had a man in front of her. The hottest Asian she had ever met let alone dated. He was willing ot give up his relationship with his family for her. But was that good? He was crazy about her, but how could she tell if he was too crazy for her? Chrissy hadn’t ever done anything she didn’t think was logical and safe. Was she willing to let it all go for him? Was she willing to just jump off a cliff not knowing whether her parachute will come through or not?

*************************************

Lydia held the phone to her ear as she looked through the peep whole watching Chrissy stare out and wondering what was going to happen next.

“I’m telling you Jo! The man just went on his knee and whipped out a ring. What else could it be? A friendship ring? Do Asian people even believe in those things?” Lydia said to Jolene ripping her face away from the uncovered peep whole for the first time in a bit.

“Wow, that boy is seriously confused! I should go down there and hurt him for putting my sister through this.” Jolene said.

“Jo you can barely see your own feet stay where you are and stay calm. No hurting any one until that baby is out and healthy.” Lydia said moving back to the peep hole. “I can’t tell if she said yes or no!”

“Well what are they doing?” Jolene asked.

“Making out…” Lydia said deciding she suddenly didn’t feel so good about watching them.

“I think that’s along the lines of a yes, don’t you think so?” Jolene suggested sarcastically.

“Well I have a good view of her hand and I don’t see a ring!” Lydia said. Suddenly Chrissy and zhi stopped kissing and began talking more. Just then Chrissy turned toward the door. Lydia gasped and ran to the kitchen. She opened the refrigerator. The door opened to the apartment. “So I did this interview for this secretary job. I hope I get it.” Lydia said.

“She walked in didn’t she? She knows you were watching her. You might as well just ask her if she said yes.” Jo said to her likely a smile on her face mocking Lydia.

“Well I’m not doing as much as I was before so I think its time I get a job again.” Lydia said into the phone holding back things she would say but didn’t want to clue Chrissy in on her intrusion of their privacy.

Chrissy walked into the room and smiled at Lydia. She reached for the phone and took it from Lydia. She held it against her ear and said “I said yes” with that she hung up and walked out of the room.

“CHRISTINE ANNE DUGGAN! Don’t you dare walk away like that! YOU SAID YES!” Lydia followed her and grabbed the phone from the counter where Chrissy had left it. “Hold up! Let me redial Jo!”

"American Girl Breaking Traditions everywhere"

Chapter Seven

Zhi sat on Chrissy and Lydia’s couch with Chrissy in his arms. He had yet to tell Chrissy about dinner with his parents and just about five days had gone by. It was Thursday night and Chrissy and Lydia had invented some kind of gathering where all three couples would watch the wedding of Jolene and Danny. The wedding was quite boring so Zhi spent the entire time inhaling Chrissy’s scent and sending her smiles that said he enjoyed being with her. The video had been playing for about thirty minutes and the reception just began.

“Well, Ahmet isn’t in this. I think we had an argument or what ever and I had a different date to this.” Lydia said moving around on the couch. She was sprawled out laying down her head on Ahmet’s lap.

“Good thing I wasn’t in this. Looks boring!” He said running a hand through Lydia’s hair.

“Oh shut up. Oh! Here comes my speech raise the volume Chrissy!” Lydia said pointing at the T.V.

Chrissy raised the volume using the remote and Zhi watched as Danny whispered something into Jolene’s ear that made her giggle. Jolene patted her husband’s knee and watched. Jolene and Danny sat in the third couch sitting close together but not exactly cuddling. Danny had a protective hand on Jolene’s plump stomach and Jolene sat leaned into him.

Zhi wondered how it was like before him. Certainly now it was perfect that Lydia and Chrissy had three couches that surrounded the T.V. but what about when he wasn’t here? Did that mean that this entire time Chrissy sat alone in the middle couch? Well she certainly wasn’t sitting alone now. Zhi squeezed her a bit pulling her closer and she looked up at him. She smiled and turned back to the T.V.

“We’ve been through so much together. THEY HAVE BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH TOGETHER!” Lydia said in the video giggling. “What I’m getting too is that Jolene and Danny have been through so much with me, my family, and their families. IF they weren’t meant to be this day wouldn’t have happened. Lord knows only true love could make it through these years of knowing me! Well let me end this with Jo” Lydia looked at Jolene in her astonishing white and turquoise bridal gown. “Danny, You guys have been planning marriage since I was thirteen and even before you guys met. It’s an honor to be one of the maids of honor and be at this wedding and finally see you guys come together as husband and wife the way it was meant to be.”


The sound of Jolene sniffling and blowing her nose ripped everybody’s attention away from the screen and focused on Jolene. “What?? Guys this is just so touching. This is my wedding! I’m pregnant... I’m aloud to cry!”


Lydia laughed and said “Maybe we should change our plans. Jolene has cried four times and we have only gotten through Chrissy and I speeches.”

Chrissy sat up pulling away from Zhi and Zhi felt a sudden need to gather her up and bring her back to him. Of course he wouldn’t.

“Well, We really don’t have much to watch. We could just sit and talk.” Chrissy said turning off the T.V.

Everybody stared at each other no one blinking. There was silence in the room for two minutes till Zhi decided why not tell Chrissy now. He hated the silence. “So C would you like to go to dinner with my family?”

Chrissy’s eyes went wide and she pointed at herself. “You want me to go to dinner at your family’s house with you? Really?”

Zhi nodded his head and continued “I was thinking about tomorrow. Friday night dinner with my parents. I’ve actually been thinking about this since Sunday just couldn’t find the time to ask you.” His cheeks were hot and red as everybody stared at him. Jolene burned holes into his face with her glare and Lydia seemed more excited then Chrissy. Chrissy looked shocked. “If you don’t want to it’s really fine.”

“No! I want to!” Chrissy said jumping with excitement in protest but remaining in her seat.

“Ok, Friday then” Zhi said smiling.

“So this is getting pretty serious huh?” Danny said pointing to the two.

“Yeah, usually save the inviting parents to meet stuff till it last longer then a month. That way your parents can’t scare the person away.” Jolene added.

“Well NO ONE is scaring me away from this Asian man.” Chrissy said leaning toward him and kissing his lips. Zhi smiled out at the watching eyes in the room.


*******************************

Chrissy sighed as she looked in the mirror at her reflection. Friday night five thirty and Z would be here any moment now. Her outfit was perfectly constructed and approved by Lydia. Her hair was looking simple but elegant and her make up and jewelry was simple but it got to the point. She saw everything as the best as she could do and she was settled. She ran a hand down her shirt flattening it against her skinny frame.

The doorbell rang and Chrissy grabbed her purse. She turned out her room lights and by the time she appeared in the living room near the doorway Lydia was already making conversation with Zhi. Chrissy waved at him and kissed his lips when she finaly reached him. She pulled him out the door and waved at Lydia. “Have fun kids!” Lydia said in a some what mother’s voice laughing. The door closed and locked behind them and Chrissy walked with Zhi down the steps.


With in ten minutes they were in his car and pulling away. Chrissy wasn’t sure she was ready for the parents. Zhi hadn’t much talked about his family so she didn’t know much about them. This scared her. She didn’t know if a crowd of ten people would come to the door or possibly just one other sibling. She knew he wasn’t an only child but that was all.

“Zhi I think you should tell me a bit about your family.” Chrissy said turning to him nervous showing in her tone.

Zhi sighed and made a turn. “Well I have two other sisters. One is named Meiling and the other is Shan. Shan is a bit younger then I and Meiling is the youngest. I was born in china while they were born in America. My parents have been married for years. My dad is probably the quietest in the family and my sister is the squeal while my mother is the disciplinarian.”

Chrissy smiled and nodded her head. Just then they pulled up to a house and at the front porch was a young looking girl. She looked at them and smiled. Chrissy guessed it was Meiling but she wouldn’t truly know until she got out of the car. Chrissy took a deep breath and clicked open her seat belt. She opened the door and stepped out.

Zhi came around the car and grabbed her hand. It was then Chrissy actually paid attention to his outfit. Zhi wore loose jeans and a polo shirt. His scent was seductive and his face was clear and clean. Around his neck he wore a manly gold chain. His shoes matched his shirt perfectly and she couldn’t help but noticed he walked with an ease.

They reached the porch and the gril extended her hand. Chrissy shook it and the girl said “I’m Meiling. I’m Zhi’s youngest sister. Come in I can’t wait to show you off to the family.” The girl smiled and Chrissy saw a sparkle of mischief in her eyes. Chrissy ignored the natural worry and nervousness that arose in her body and followed the girl who had ripped her from Zhi. Behind her Zhi closed the door and locked it. Within minutes Chrissy was in the living room looking at an old asian man watching the news.

“”This is my father” Meiling said not even introducing Chrissy before moving on. Meiling pulled her into the dining room where an older looking version of Meiling was setting up the dinner plates. “This is my sister Shan.” Chrissy smiled and began to personally introduce herself but was cut off by meiling calling for her mother.

“Meiling child what?” Her mother said appearing through the swinging door that separated the dinning room and the kitchen. The asian woman looked out at Chrissy with judging eyes. “Mother this is Chrissy. She is Zhi’s girl friend.” Meiling smiled at her mother and her mother shook her head in disapproval. Chrissy was confused and just then Zhi stepped to her side and held her hand.

“Hello mother” zhi said waving at his sister. His sister paid no attention o what was going on as she continued to set up the dinning table. While Meiling on the other hand watched the situation her eyes full of amusement.

“Hi Zhi, this is a nice girlfriend you have here. I hope she is hungry I made food enough for all of us and no less. Dinner will be served in exactly two minutes.” With those words his mother scurried into the kitchen.

Zhi squeezed Chrissy’s hand and pulled her out of her confused worried stage. She looked up at him to see his comforting eyes that said he sympathized for her and hoped she would be ok. Chrissy smiled and squeezed his hand back telling him that everything was ok. She loved their silent conversation.


Two minutes zoomed by and before she knew it Chrissy was sitting at the table across from Zhi one of his sisters beside her. His mother at the head of the table to her right and his father at the head of the table to her left. Next to Zhi was Shan. Shan seemed mature and seemed to be the only one aside from his father who didn’t send her death glares or look at her like she was in for a horrible night.

“So Chrissy what do you do?” Shan asked putting a piece of food into her mouth and chewing it her mouth closed her posture straight.

Chrissy finished her food and swallowed. “Well I work in a hair salon. I’m sort of a co-manager but I also do the hands on work.”

His father nodded his head while his mother said “So what are your plans with my son?”

Chrissy swallowed hard and looked to Zhi for an answer. “My plans?” she asked fear in her voice for the response she would get from the seemingly angry mother.

“Yes, what do you plan to do with my son? Do you want to marry him? You aren’t Chinese you know that right?” His mother said her words stabbing Chrissy.

Chrissy tried to take her tone soft and amusing maybe the mother would calm down. “Well yeah I know I’m not Chinese.” Chrissy smiled and pointed to her eyes. Meiling giggled and shook her head while his mother gasped.

“What are you trying to say about my people? Our eyes are not what make us Chinese! Our culture and where we come from make up who and why we are who we are! I will not let some American girl come in here and take that away from us!” his mother lashed out.

“Mom don-“ zhi was cut off by his mother. “NO! Don’t you dare tell me what t do. I did not bring you to this country for you to loose view of your culture. You should not marry or even date an American girl. Be like your cousins and marry a wonderful Asian girl. It’s tradition!”

Chrissy sat there confused as this woman destroyed and insulted everything she was. “I’m sorry I don’t mean to be rude but I can’t sit here and let you trash American’s like that. Especially since your daughters ARE American. I may not be Asian but I am and was raised exactly in the same surroundings as your own daughters!” Chrissy said to her, her tone serious.

There was a silent moment in the room where every one was stunned at the words that came out of Chrissy’s mouth. A minute of tension and silence passed until finally his mother spewed out “Get out of my house. Get out of my house and never return. Don’t date my son... Don’t even think of him.”

Chrissy’s mouth dropped at the words that came out of his mother’s mouth. Chrissy rose from the table waiting to hear objections but didn’t hear any. Slowly she walked out of the room wondering where it was that Zhi would come in. Chrissy walked to the door way and opened it. Still Zhi didn’t follow her. Tears forming in her eyes Chrissy Slammed the door and ran of the porch. She rounded the block and began her walk home.

She cried as she wondered why Zhi hadn’t followed her or stopped her. She was beyond disappointed and hated that she had lost him. Suddenly the empty feeling she felt before him reappeared and she felt incomplete. She had lost him just as fast as she had gained him and it hurt.

"American Girl Breaking Traditions Everywhere"

Chapter six






Chrissy knocked on Lydia’s door and opened it. She crept into the room and kneeled by Lydia’s face. She poked Lydia on her arm and yet Lydia made no moves. Smiling she called out her name. Lydia opened her eyes and jumped back. “Jeeze Chrissy warn a sister when you’re going to do that.”

Chrissy smiled and responded “I warned you when I poked. Afterward I throw caution to the wind.”

Lydia shook her head and looked at her watch. If there was something Lydia couldn’t walk around with out it was her watch. She pressed the button and the watch lit up. Lydia looked at the digits and laughed. It was two in the morning.

“Your date lasted long.” Lydia said moving over on her bed and making room for Chrissy. Chrissy sat on the bed and pulled the covers over her bare feet.

“How was your date?” Lydia asked sitting next to Chrissy both with their backs on the head board.

“It was amazing Lyd! We hung out with the Yankees after the game and then randomly decided to go out for ice cream.” Lydia smiled and raised her eye brows.

“We have ice cream here you know. You didn’t have to stay out that late young lady.”

“I know but it’s no fun eating ice cream at night in our apartment.” Chrissy giggled.

Lydia reached for her dresser and grabbed her cell. “You think Jo will kill us for calling her at two?”

“I just spent part of my night with Robinson Cano OF COURSE she wouldn’t mind!” Chrissy exclaimed taking the phone from Lydia and dialing herself. Lydia gave her an unsure look as Chrissy listened to the phone ring. It rang maybe four times till Danny’s voice came on. He made some scary sounds until he finally mutter something close to hello.

“Hey can you put Jo on? Oh, more like PUT JO ON!” Chrissy said energy pumping through her system. Chrissy felt as though she could stay up for ever. Zhi and she had an amazing night and she didn’t want to go to sleep and end it. Unfortunately as time passed it was only logical to get to sleep. At the moment she was excited about everything that was happening. It seemed even Lydia was excited about it so of course so should Jo be.

Just then Jo came on the phone “What? What happened?” She said her tone seeming paranoid.

“Nothing happened Jo calm down.” Chrissy said then hitting the speaker phone.

“Well don’t scare me like that. If nothing is wrong why are you calling me this late? Do you know I have a baby in my body annoying me all day and causing me continues discomfort? Do you know how hard it is to get sleep when your stomach is bloated?!” Jolene batted off.

“Chrissy went on a date with Zhi and she met the New York Yankees.” Lydia said stopping Jolene from continuing her diatribe.

“OH MY GOODNESS!” Jolene screamed into the phone. “Give me a minute I’m already out of bed I just want something to drink with this conversation. Oh wow put me on speaker! Am I on speaker? I better be on speaker! This is crazy wow” Jolene said both Lydia and Chrissy looking at each other and laughing.

“It was great Jo. We were even on the Kiss cam!” Chrissy said touching her lips and reminiscing on the feel of his lips on hers and a whole stadium watching.

“The kiss cam?! Wow..” Lydia said.

Jolene gasped and remained quiet for a bit. Lydia and Chrissy moved closer to the phone when suddenly Jolene finally made a sound. It was the sound of her whimpering.

“Jo is everything alright?” Chrissy asked.

“Yes, everything is fine. I’m just a bit overwhelmed. This is all too amazing. My little sister just went on the most perfect date ever. The kiss cam and she met the Yankees. It’s unbelievable.” Jolene said then making the sound of her sucking in some air. “I’m good; go on about your date.”

Lydia shook her head and whispered “and she wonders why I don’t turn to her.” Chrissy smiled at her words while sounds of a stove turning on flowed through the ear piece.

“I still have ears Lydia” Jolene said sighing.

“At that moment you didn’t Jolene” Lydia said altering her voice and making it sound sweeter.

Chrissy shrugged at the two bickering and continued her story. “I went into the Yankee club house and afterwards we went to an ice cream parlor. We shared a Sunday even though it was Friday night.”

“Did you share like you each had a spoon and occasionally fed each other or shared like you both used the same spoon?” Jolene questioned.

Chrissy bit on her nails while looking at the phone and giggled. Lydia made a hand gesture that said hurry up with the answer ad Christine blurted out “Well it would have been option A but I dropped my spoon! So we shared aren’t I a dork?!” Chrissy laughed at herself and Lydia shook her head.

“Well this is all too entertaining.” Lydia said.

“I got this from Arod for papa Rosario.” Just then Chrissy pulled out a baseball that was signed. Lydia held the phone to the ball and used the light on it to read the writing.

“Jo it’s a baseball and it says “From Alex Rodriguez I am a REAL Yankee To Ralphie”” Lydia laughed and Jolene joined her. “HE should love this Chrissy” Lydia embraced Chrissy in a hug and the three girls continued their conversation.

**********************************

Zhi sighed as he rounded the corner of his parents block. It was time to have dinner with them yet again and he couldn’t take it. His parents had been nagging him for the past week and all he wanted was to disown them. At least for a day because lord knew he loved his family. Family was important to him and was just about the most concrete thing in his life.

Of course now he had C in his life and she seemed to be something he wanted to make concrete. Yesterday’s game was incredible and afterwards was even better. The night ended late and all in all he had a good time. He connected with Chrissy and that’s what mattered.

He walked up the walk way and knocked on the door. The door swung open and his sister smiled at him. Z raised his eye brows at the odd welcome but said nothing. He entered the home and his sister closed the door behind him. Zhi headed straight for the table and skipped the greetings. He sat down and just then the clock struck six. At an astonishing rate the rest of the family appeared in their seats and ready to eat.

Zhi began to eat his food and looked out at the family who’s eyes stared at him waiting. “what?” he said.

“Tell us about the girl Zhi” His younger sister Meiling said.

Zhi stared out at them wondering how in the world they knew. It never seized to amaze him how much his family new his business. Zhi chewed on his food and looked at them all. His sisters giggled and his mother seemed impatient. His father nodded his head at him and seemed to not care any further then that.

“do the words Kiss cam ring a bell?” Shan said to him.

“How would you have seen that? You don’t even like baseball!” He said.

“My friend Anna went to the game and said she saw it. When were you planning on telling us you had a girlfriend?” Meiling added.

“Why haven’t I met your girlfriend Zhi?” His mother asked her tone serious. Zhi sighed and couldn’t imagine what was running through his mother menopausal mind of hers.

“Because we just met about two three weeks ago and before I scared her away with my crazy Chinese parents I wanted to get to know her.” Zhi said.

“CRAZY CHINESE FAMILY?!?! How dare you?! You better not say one more thing like that or so help me child…” His mother said cutting her food into pieces violently.

“Sorry” he said wincing at the sight of his mother completely angry at his words.

“Zhi you will bring your girlfriend over. You will bring her over with in the next week. I want to meet the woman dating my son and making him not want to bring his crazy Chinese family around.” She said.

“Yes ma’am” he said. The next hour went by silently.

"American Girl Breaking Traditions Everywhere"

Chapter Five





Days had passed and finally the Friday game was here. It was only four O’clock and Zhi would be there at six. The game started at seven and Christine was eager to see him. Sure she had seen him for lunches and breakfasts since that barbeque but it seemed every time she saw him she fell more and more in love with him. He was a great guy she had come to get to know and he was brilliant. She was everything you could ask for in a man or at least everything she would ask for in a man.

Christine wanted everything to look perfect in her outfit. She had chosen jeans and a boy beater with a jersey that had Hideki Matsui’s number on it. Of course it wasn’t his phone number because if she’d ever buy a jersey that had a phone number from the Yankees’ it would be Melky’s. Chrissy smiled at the thought of doing her favorite thing with her favorite man. She’d have matching blue sneakers and a blue cap. Her hair would be in a pony tail but only after she straightened it out.

She added some eye liner to it all with a dash of eye shadow and her outfit was perfect. All of this took about an hour and half so once everything was complete it was five thirty. Walking out of her room she looked at the living room where Lydia sat a cross word book in her hand and a highlighter in the other.

“No ahmet?” Chrissy asked. Passing the living room and continuing to the kitchen.

“Nah, girl needs a break you know?” Lydia said highlighting a word.

“Boy can’t you decide you need a break one night that I am home.” Chrissy said raising a glass of water to her lips but deciding against it before the cup made contact with her lips. She really didn’t want to have to reapply her lip gloss.

Sighing she checked her watch and not a minute had passed. She put the cup down on the counter and returned to the living room. She joined Lydia on the couch and even pulled her cross word puzzle out of her hand to take a look herself.

“You need a break from us all you got to do is ask. I have NO problem with taking a break.” Lydia said handing her the highlighter. Chrissy highlighted a word that she found and handed the puzzle back to Lydia.

“It actually doesn’t bother me that much. I got used to it as you can say.” Chrissy said.

“Ah, well that’s good because I never really want to take a break. I’m an addict what can I say?” Lydia did a bit of fake laughter and then continued “So how’s everything going with Zhi? I’m guessing you have a date tonight?”

“yup, we’re going to a yankee game. Isn’t that just great?”

“Awesome. See I knew everything would work out.” Lydia said smiling.

“Lydia it’s been about a week and a half.” Chrissy said reality kicking in. She couldn’t be falling for anything with a person she knew for a week. It just wasn’t logical. Of course when it came to love Chrissy believed anything was possible.


Chrissy was raised with her sister who had with out a doubt passed down her beliefs of love to her sister. If not anything her sister was a great example of love. Danny and Jolene had met through the internet in a chat room. Within months they knew they were meant to be. It may have taken a while to kick the relationship into action but it happened and once it did it was true and there.

Since she was young she had dreamed about love and the perfect man. She’d read her sister’s stories and eventually began reading Lydia’s stories. Both Lydia and Jolene wrote romance stories. Love was a major part in her life and she believed she was meant to find and marry the one. She wasn’t one to not believe that in one week she could fall in love with Zhi.

“Wow… That’s one look you have in your eyes right now” Lydia said waving a hand in front of Chrissy’s face.

“Just thinking.” Chrissy said grabbing the T.V. remote and turning it on.

*****************************************

It was inning four and Zhi sat next to Chrissy in the seats above the dugout. Zhi smiled out at the field ahead of him. Jason had pulled through. “These seats are great! I can almost smell the sweat from the players! It’s all just so great. How’d you manage these at such short notice?”

“I grew up with a friend. Jason… Turns out as we grew up and became best friends his brother pursued a baseball career where he soon became the manager for the New York Yankees. Want to meet some Yankees today?”

“YOU KNOW JOE TORRE!? Oh my goodness. We can meet Yankee players?” she said to him her eyes soft her tone eager. Zhi smiled at her and nodded his head. She screamed in joy and threw her arms around him. Zhi hugged her back and held her close. He enjoyed pleasing her and was happy that she was excited. He wanted to blow her away and show her how much he liked her.

Just then the music played in the stadium and they announced the kiss cam. Right there and then Zhi and Chrissy were on the screen and the stadium awaited their kiss. Zhi smiled at her and grabbed her face. He brought his lips to hers and kissed her softly savoring her taste. The crowd cheered and Chrissy blushed. He looked at her and couldn’t help but admire her beauty.

“This is all so amazing.” Chrissy said her tone breathless. Zhi didn’t reply because he wasn’t sure if she was actually talking to him or talking to herself. Letting it go he let her enjoy the next six innings in the game. The Yankees won after there was a tie and the game expanded to a tenth inning.

The night was dark and The stadium began clearing out. Zhi grabbed Chrissy’s hand and led her to a lower level that was guarded by two strong suits he come to know and Larry and Con. He nodded to the two guys and walked past them. He walked through a couple corridors and was at the doorways at the Yankee club house.

Zhi turned to Chrissy who was eagerly waiting for him to lead her to the Yankee players. “You’ll still like me after I introduce you to some of the players right?”

Chrissy grinned at him and reached up and kissed him. “Trust me no amount of Yankee meat can beat you. You got me.” Zhi nodded and opened the door to the Yankee club house. He heard something close to a squeal come from Chrissy but decided to ignore it.

Zhi looked at the guys sitting at the tables. He nodded at them and they returned the nod. Zhi continued through Chrissy attached to him. Finally he entered the room most of the guys liked to hang in. It was the game room where there was pool and poker. The Yankees could sit around and do nothing or play video games.

The room was loud with the guys who had showered already and were just relaxing after a good win. Zhi put his fingers to his lips and whistled. The room went quiet and all eyes were on them. Chrissy took a step closer to him and he embraced her in his arms. “Guys this is Chrissy. Chrissy is my girlfriend.”

The Yankees smiled at her and all waved. Zhi took her hand and led her directly to Arod. Chrissy squeezed his hand and he couldn’t help but smile.

“Z man! What’s up? How’s life treating you?” Arod said to him.

“Just wonderful look at this darling I got. This is Christine. Christine this is Alex.”

“Oh I KNOW!” Chrissy said excitedly then bearing a facial expression that said she wished she hadn’t sounded so pathetically happy.

“Hey Melky, look at the hottie Z has here.” Arod said to Melky who was across the room playing pool.

Chrissy smiled and then turned to Zhi. “I really need to use the bathroom.”

Zhi nodded and led her to the bathroom.

**************************************
Once in the bathroom Chrissy jumped up and down in joy. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed Lydia. Lydia picked up her voice sounding like she hadjust woken up. Just then Chrissy realized it was twelve.

“Lydia! It’s chrissy. I’m in the Yankee Club House” Chrissy whispered into the phone in the hopes no one heard. She turned the water on and Lydia responded.

“what? The Yankee club house? Oh my god! Chrissy you didn’t break into the Yankee club house right? With out me?!” Lydia exclaimed sounding seriously disappointed. Chrissy laughed at her friend and her craziness.

“No, Lydia I didn’t not break into the Yankee club house. Z knows the Yankees. He knows the effin Yankees Lyde!” Chrissy said her voice still at a whisper tone but her voice exaggerated.

“Whoa, Chrissy calm down here. Don’t take that sort of language” Lydia teased. “That’s amazing Chrissy so where are you now?”

“I’m in the bathroom. I had to call some one and tell them.” Chrissy said.

“What?! Chrissy get out of the bathroom. Quit wasting time and go hang out with some Yankees. I can not believe you get to hang out with the Yankees and you choose to go to the bathroom and call me. Sheesh, are you crazy or what?” Lydia said.

“ok, OK. “ Chrissy hung up the phone and turned the water off. She exited the bathroom and walked up to Zhi. She wrapped her arms around him and held him close. Once again she found herself saying the same thing again. This was Amazing.

"American Girl Breaking Traditions Everywhere"

Chapter four

Chrissy rose early morning ready for the day. She showered and dressed and began looking through the refrigerator. She wasn’t much of a great cook but she knew how to set up cereal. She pulled out a box and some milk. She grabbed two bowls and set them on the table. Smiling she walked down the hall to Lydia’s room. She knocked on the door a couple times and with no answer opened it. To her surprise Lydia wasn’t in her bed. Looking around the room she shrugged. She walked to the kitchen and reached for the phone. She dialed Lydia’s cell but no one answered.

She then did something she hated doing. She dialed Ahmet’s number. The phone rang and to her satisfaction Lydia’s voice answered. “Hey Lyd what are you doing over there?” Chrissy asked.

“Oh I came here last night. I wanted ice cream.” Chrissy walked over to their freezer and opened it and just as she had suspected there was ice cream there.

“We have ice cream” Chrissy said.

“I know but there is nothing worst then eating ice cream alone in our apartment at night.” Lydia replied. “It’s Chrissy” Lydia said to some one around her. More then likely Ahmet.

“So when do you plan on coming home?” Chrissy asked crossing her arms over her chest.

“Soon, I feel much better but I need a shower.” Lydia said.

“What made you feel so much better?” Chrissy asked.

“Called mom said dads doing better. What’s in plan for today?” Lydia asked.

It annoyed Chrissy that she had worried about Lydia for two seconds while she was actually at Ahmet’s house. Couldn’t she have left maybe a letter? A note or something? “Actually Jo invited us over for a barbeque. Us including Ahmet and Zhi.”

“ZHI?!” Lydia exclaimed excitedly.

“Yes, Zhi.” Chrissy said.

“That’s just great! It worked out well huh? You’ll see Chrissy he’s the one. That is one fine Asian.” Chrissy smiled into the receiver and completely agreed. “What?” Lydia said to a person. “No I would never cheat on you with an Asian.” There was a pause in conversation and Lydia said “I said I’d never cheat on you with an Asian I never said anything about never cheating on you period.” Lydia laughed and Chrissy smiled at Lydia’s witty ways.

“Well I’ll be there around twelve. It’s like ten right?” Chrissy looked at her watch and said “yes.”

“Ok, yeah I’ll be at her house around twelve to help prepare. You just make sure CHRISSY is prepared. You need to stun that man and make him fall in love with you!” Lydia laughed and hung up the phone. Chrissy shook her head at her friend. She was so sure that the man she’d met through vandalism was perfect for Christine. What a sick world.

Chrissy picked up the phone and dialed in on Jo. Danny answered the phone said hello sweetness and passed the phone to Jolene. “yeah?” Jolene asked in a frustrated tone.

“Uh oh…” Chrissy said. “If you would prefer to switch up the barbeque time we can do it some other day.”

“Why?” Jolene asked attitude in her voice.

“Because you’re sounding like you’re in one of those moods.” Chrissy said fearing Jolene’s response.

“Chrissy don’t be ridiculous I am not in any mood now DROP IT” Jolene said harshly. If only Chrissy had a recorder. Unfortunately she didn’t so she guessed her only option left was to drop it.

“So Lyd says she’ll be there around twelve.”

“Oh lemme speak to her!” Jo demanded.

“She’s not here.” Chrissy said her tone low.

“Then WHERE is she?” Jo asked no doubt Chrissy knew her eyes were narrowing.

“Ahmet’s… anyway look I got to go, just delivering a message. Talk to you later!” Chrissy hung up the phone pretending she hadn’t heard her sister call her name.

**********************************
It was one O’clock and Lydia sat in a lawn chair. Chrissy and Zhi had yet to show and Jolene refused to begin grilling until they were here. As a result Ahmet and Danny started a game of basketball. It was funny for Lydia to watch short little Danny play against tall Ahmet. Danny did have one thing on Ahmet… Speed. Danny was quick with it.

Suddenly they both stopped and Lydia was lost. Had one of them won the game? Why was it suddenly over? Then Lydia caught Ahmet’s eyes and he smiled at her and glanced to the back of her. Lydia turned back and caught Zhi walking in hand in hand with Chrissy. Laughing a bit she nodded her head at Ahmet.

“Every one! This is Zhi. Zhi this is everyone.” Chrissy said letting go of his hand.

“Every one?” Jolene said. “I am not every one I don’t know about these guys but I demand a personal introduction to the man my sister just might be dating.”

Lydia smiled and rose from her seat and walked over to Jolene. “This, Zhi, Is our very pregnant sister Jolene. Don’t mind her mood swings.” Lydia touched and rubbed Jolene’s stomach then walked over to Danny. “This is Danny Jolene’s husband and baby’s daddy.” She then pointed at Ahmet and said “That one there is Ahmet.”

“Nice job with the introductions Lydia” Ahmet said his tone sarcastic.

Lydia nodded and returned to her lawn chair. “Let the barbeque began!” Danny said moving to the grill and Ahmet following. Chrissy choose a seat near Lydia and Zhi sat next to her. Across from them was Jolene.

“So what do you do Zhi?” Jolene asked.

“I’m studying medicine. Right now I work as a licensed nurse till I can put M.D. at the end of my name.” he said.

Laughter busted from Ahmet. Lydia raised an eye brow and he said “Male nurse… that’s manly.” Lydia shook her head and gave him a death glare. He shrugged his shoulder and turned back to the grill he was standing in front of. Lydia watched as Danny mumbled something she was sure had to do with Ahmet being an asshole.

“That’s good” Lydia said. Zhi nodded his head and Chrissy added something. Before she knew it there was a conversation rolling and yet she wasn’t apart of it. Her mind wasn’t focused and she’d like to blame it on her father but she now knew that he was ok so there was no reason for him to be lingering in her mind. Lydia felt there was something wrong but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. Maybe it was just that time of the month or maybe she was just feeling after effects of the day before.

Suddenly a plate with a burger was in front of her face. Lydia grabbed the plate and looked up at Ahmet. “Thanks” she said to him. He nodded his head and patted her head with his hand. She made a face and he was gone. Away talking to Danny about what ever it was they felt they needed to talk about.

“You’re a Yankee fan!” Chrissy exclaimed her hand on Zhi’s knee her expression shocked.

Zhi smiled at her and nodded his head. “I’m a very strong Yankee fan actually. Have been all my life.”

“Wow! Just when I thought you couldn’t get better.” Chrissy said smiling at him before she leaned in and kissed his cheek.

*********************************

Zhi liked the feel of Chrissy’s lips on his cheek. Even better he loved the feel of his own lips on hers. He longed to experience that feeling again but he decided against it in honor of her sister’s presence. Chrissy leaned back in her chair her hand still on his knee. Zhi grabbed her hand and held it in his. She looked at him and he smiled at her.

“Look Jo they’re having a moment!” Lydia exclaimed causing them to rip their attention away from each other.

“Aw man I missed it!” Jo said.

“Well Chirssy had her hand on his knee and he took it and held it and he looked at her and she smiled! It was so sweet. I never had a moment with Ahmet… I’m envious.” Lydia said a smile on her face and a burger in her hand.

“Will you guys shut up?!” Chrissy said her cheeks a dark shade of pink.

Zhi smiled at how cute Chrissy was and how funny the whole clan was. It seemed each one of them had found a guy but Chrissy and now that she had everybody was having a field day. Glancing at his watch he noted that there was fifteen minutes till the early after noon Yankee game came on.

“Yankee game?” Chrissy questioned him. He nodded his head.

“Why don’t we all go inside and watch the game?” Jolene suggested.

“Sounds good” Chrissy said.

“I think I’ll bail on that one. Baseball is the worst sport ever.” Ahmet said.

“I believe you’ve made how you feel about baseball clear to all of us.” Jolene said her jaw set seeming as though she was clenching her teeth.

“The new guy didn’t know. Now he does.” He said with a smile on his face. He waved to the group sitting all together and began walking away. Lydia sat her hand on her lap twirling her thumbs looking quite disappointed. Just then Ahmet came walking back and grabbed Lydia’s face pulling her lips to his. Jolene made an “ew” sound and he raised a hand to their faces covering the kissing that occurred between the two. He pulled away and exited the backyard again. Lydia sat there smiling while Jolene rolled her eyes.

“Lets go inside” Chrissy said. The group agreed and they all rose. Jolene took a minute to get up and they all waited on her. Holding her husband’s hand she walked into the home first. Lydia followed and Chrissy began to walk in after when Zhi grabbed her elbow and pulled her away from the marching parade inside Jolene’s home.

Chrissy looked up at him and he wrapped his arms around her waist. He pulled her in closer and inhaled her scent. “This was really nice.” He said to her.

“Is this your way of saying you’re leaving?” She questioned a glint of disappointment flashing in her eyes.

“No, I’m not going anywhere I just thought I would hold you close like this when your sister wasn’t around and pregnant.” He said.

“Oh yeah, she’s a bit moody. One more month!” she said smiling.

He laughed a bit and hugged her closer. “How about we go to a real Yankee game? I know some people so I can get us good seats.”

“Oh, that sounds great!” she said real enthusiasm in her voice.

“Ok, it’s a date. On Friday, seven O’clock game.” He said to her kissing her cheek and letting her go.

“Yeah, it’s a date.” Chrissy said a bit flustered.

"Myracle's Happen"

Chapter six

Troy stood in the hall way his grip tight around Brian’s collar. His anger increased dangerously as he looked into this mans eyes. He had no idea what he had done. He had no idea that he had taken away some one’s life. Even worse he had taken away a life unlived. Troy raised his fist and Brian closed his eyes. Troy brought his fist back and truly wanted to punch him but in his heart he knew he couldn’t.

“I should punch you. I should punch you so hard I take away your life but I won’t, I can’t. I can’t do it because I have heart. I would never hurt anyone unless the situation called for it.” Troy said slowly. His tone completely serious.

“If you’re not here to break my face and many other bones then why are you here?” Brian said cowardly.

“Myracle was pregnant. You killed the baby when you hit her. I wanted to be hear when you found out. I wanted to see the look on your face when you heard that you are a murderer.” Troy said watching Brian.

Brian sucked in some air and his face went white. He didn’t blink and Troy didn’t hear him let out the air that he had sucked out. Obviously he was in shock. Troy waited a minute and still no response. He picked up Brian’s weight and dangled him a bit. “Breath you idiot” he said to him. Brian exhailed and blinked a bit.

“Oh my god… What have I done?” He said his eyes watery.

“I need to make this clear incase you feel like begging to get Myracle back. If I find you with in a hundred yards of that woman I WILL break a couple bones. No hesitation. Understood? You’ve done enough bad to her.” Troy shook him a bit more then finally let go. Brian sank to the floor quickly and looked up at Troy. Troy shook his head and walked away while Brian dug his hand into his face.

The walked down the steps and too his car had gave him time to walk off the anger. He moved his tense shoulders around and jumped into his car. He headed home and with in twenty minutes he was in front of his own apartment building. Troy lived in a small complex with on bed room one kitchen one bathroom one small living room and an unused room he hadn’t thought a reason for but storage. His apartment contained only the necessities. He had a couch and a table a T.V. a lamp. His apartment floor was completely carpeted. Troy got out of his car and walked into his building. He waved at the desk officer and took the steps to the second floor.

He walked to his apartment door and stuffed his hand into his pocket to find his keys. The hall ways echoed with kids laughing and television blasted. He found his keys and put it into the door knob. He opened the door to the dark apartment and closed the door behind him.

Troy looked around his apartment and worked his way to his living room. He was quickly standing next to his lamp where he turned it on and the light illuminated the room. Troy walked to his room and turned on the light in that room. His bedroom was just as plain as his living room. It had a bed in it and a night stand. It had sheet covers and his bed was always neat. His closet was arranged and everything was organized.

Troy looked under his bed and pulled out a duffle bag. He moved to his drawers where he grabbed basketball shorts, a white tee shirt, boxers and a pair of socks. He moved ot his closet where he grabbed some jeans and a grey shirt. He loaded it all into his duffle bag and was zipping it up when his phone rang. He reached into his pocket and flipped it open. “Hello” he said.

“Hey so did you go to china for that food?” Myracle said her voice harboring humor.

“No sorry I made a quick stop before I got to my house. I’ll be there in a half hour why don’t you go through your billion movies and pick one for us to watch.” He suggested picking up his bag and turning off his room door. He walked out of his room and headed for the kitchen. He grabbed the carton of milk that’s due date was today and poured the milk into the sink. He threw the container into the garbage and walk to the living room where he turned off the lights.

“I did pick one.” She said.

“Which one was that?” He asked.

“Legally Blonde” She said. Troy laughed and locked up his door. “Don’t laugh!” she said to him. “I really wanted to see a good movie where a blonde makes a difference. This is a perfect example.”

“That’s all cool.” He said to her. “I’d love to watch legally blonde with you” He started down the steps and exited the building. Just then his phone beeped and he looked to see he was receiving another call. “Look I’ll be there soon.” He hung up with Myracle and answered the other line. “Hello?”

“So you retire from the army and you don’t say anything to me?” His father’s voice said.

“Even worse you don’t say anything to me!” his mother’s voice said.

Troy sighed and got into his car. “Why would you guys car?” Troy knew that his mother and father were in the same room each using different cordless telephones.

“Why would we care that our first born child retired from the army Michael?” His mother said most likely raising her hands and exaggerating it all.

“I have no idea Lillian.” His father replied to his mother with a true sound of confusion in his voice.

“Listen guys I’d love to stay on the phone and chat and act like I ever liked you guys but the truth is I don’t. I never mailed you, you never mailed me. You shipped me away when I was fifteen I think it’s a little too late for the whole ‘our first born’ routine.” Troy said following it with the end button.

Troy tossed his bag onto the passenger’s seat and threw his phone onto the dashboard. He started the car and pulled out of the parking spot he was in. Within twenty minutes he was pulling up to Myracle’s house, his car smelling of Chinese food. He grabbed all the bags and turned off the car. He jumped out and walked onto the porch.

He opened the door no lock needed and closed it behind him making sure he locked it. “Myracle?” he called out. Myracle popped her head out of the kitchen and smiled at him. He walked through the hall way and turned into the kitchen. “There’s my hero” She said to him taking the Chinese food and settling it on the kitchen counter.

Troy smiled and liked the sound of her calling him a hero. He especially liked that she said he was her hero. “Shouldn’t you be in bed?” He asked her.

“You mean my lovely heart covered bed? Yes, I should be but I am not because I recently had an interesting convo with October in the kitchen. But what’s the big deal I mean you could always carry me up stairs” she said to him a smile on her face.

Troy smiled back and opened her refrigerator. He pulled out the pepsi and grabbed two plastic cups. “You grab the food bag and we’re good to go.” Myracle nodded her head and grabbed the food. They walked out of the kitchen and down the hall. They walked through the living room and headed for the steps. Troy stopped at the steps and turned to her. He smiled and she gave him a “what?” look. Troy bent down a bit and put one arm under Myracle’s knees and the other at her back. Within second she was off the floor and confused. He carried her up the steps and walked into her room. He put her down on her bed and she busted out laughing.

“I didn’t mean it Troy!” she said to him.

He smiled at her and turned to the T.V. that displayed a D.V.D. menu. He hit play and the movie began. They each grabbed their own orders. Troy sat on the floor at the end of the bed while Myracle lay on her stomach towards the end of the bed. Her head just above his head.

Troy watched the movie his mind not even paying attention. His eyes looked at it but he saw none of the movie. He couldn’t believe his parents would call and suddenly act lie they cared. Why? What was the point? His parents knew that he hated them. They knew he resented them for removing a large chunk of his life leaving him with all that he knew how to do.

He didn’t care much about them. He never knew any of his brothers and they never cared to know him. His only family was just about his military friends whom he was forced to leave. This left him in the world with almost no one. The fact was in its own quite depressing but he learned to live with it. He coped and over a time he no longer even noticed it. He supposed that was why his house was so cold and not very homey. Myracle’s home was homey.

He loved being here with Myracle. Her scent hypnotized him and he loved the sound of her laughter. They hadn’t spent much time together but it didn’t matter because the itme they did spend together was important to him. She was important to him. Suddenly once again his parents jumped into his head.

Why did they have to call him? Why did they have to jump into his life and ruin it all with one phone call?

“Jeeze, can you at least pretend that you’re watching the movie and look a little less tense?” Myracle said her voice making him jump.

“I’m sorry I’ll try a little harder.” He said focusing his eyes on the screen.

“I was joking. Don’t pretend it’s not good for neither of us.” Myracle hit the pause button on the remote and laid a hand on his shoulder. “What’s wrong?”

“My parents called. No big deal really they just upset me.” Troy said reaching for the remote and hitting the play button.

*********************************

Myracle turned over and forgot about the movie. She had never been shut down so quickly. There once was a day where Troy would tell her his deep secrets and now here she was and he wouldn’t even tell her about his parents. Maybe she had misjudged the man he became.

So far she truly hadn’t heard much about his family. She hadn’t learned much about his hobbies and his past. She only knew about the things he’d done with her and maybe some of his opinions on things that came up.

What if time had shattered their relationship? What if she would never be able to fully gain the trust of a man she was once so close to? Sighing she rolled over once more and Troy seemed to ignore it. The past days she’d shared her home and heart with him. Was it so hard for him to open up to her?

Unable to bare it anymore she grabbed the remote and hit stop. Troy turned to her and his expression seemed to be a warning. “No I want to know more. I can’t just let it go. I know nothing about you Troy. Tell me about your family! Tell me what you like to do as a hobby! Tell me something. I want to know about the guy with in you Troy. You can’t lock me out now.” She said to him her soul pleading with him.

“Alright, fine I’ll tell you but you can not pity me afterwards.” Myracle nodded her head and Troy sighed. What was she in for?



this one had a lot of Troy in it. Wanted you to get to know the character better. Reminder with my time limit lately and the managing the two stories. Editing is not at the top of my list of things to do. Excuse the typos! enjoy ~Mizz Lyd

"American Girl Breaking Traditions Everywhere"

Chapter Three

Zhi sighed as he stood in front of his car leaning on the door. It was twelve fifteen and there was no sign of this friend. The day was hot and he could do many other things then stand out in the sun. Suddenly a car pulled into the lot. The driver wore sun glasses and a large smile while the passenger bit on her nails. The driver smiled and waved at him and stopped short of his car. The passenger’s side door opened and a dark hair woman stepped out. She closed the door and the car drove away and out of the lot.

Just then a small amount of wind blew and her hair was brushed back from her face. The sun highlighting all her features from the amazing blue eyes she had to the cute freckles. The outfit she wore wasn’t exactly seductive but it was sexy. She wore jean Capri’s with a pink tank top that fit her curves. She looked relaxed but ready for real batting. She walked to him a smile yet to appear on her face. He extended his hand to her and said “Hi, I’m Zhi…”

She shook his hand for a minute and stared at him. Zhi would normally be worried about such a late response but at this moment he was fine with holding her hand. Suddenly she blinked a couple times and seemed to zap back to reality. “Christine. You can call me Chrissy if you want.” She let go of his hand and he smiled. She smiled back and he was blown away. The sparkle in her beautiful blue green eyes stunned him.

“You can call me Z if you want.” He told her.

“Hmm…” she said. “If I call you Z I think you should call me C.”

Zhi smiled and said “C & Z invite you to their wedding. I can see it now.” He said winking at her.

Chrissy looked shocked as the words slipped out of his mouth. “Lydia told you I would be the one didn’t she!”

He laughed a bit and said “No she didn’t but if she had at this point I would be hoping she was right.” Signs of blush shown in her cheeks and he grabbed her hand. “Lets go.” He said.

They entered the building and he paid for their batting cage experience. He paid twenty for each and got them each twenty coins. He was sure he wouldn’t be using twenty coins because each coin was about forty pitches but it was good to have coins left and just come get forty pitches and get out. He chose his bat and she chose hers.

He led her to the 20 mph softball and baseball pitch gate and said “ladies first?”

“No way.” She said to him. “I want to see this famous hit that got me into this. The one that his Lydia’s car a foot ball field away as she said.”

“Well, that might have been a once in a lifetime thing. You know? If it was a once in a lifetime thing I’m sure glad it happened when it did. Look who I’m on a date with.” He smiled and stepped into the cage. He put on his helmet and positioned himself.

The ball came and he focused. He swung with power and hit the ball. The ball made a clank sound and flew. The next pitch came and he repeated the process. About what seemed a year later he was finally done with his forty pitches.

He stepped out the cage and said “your turn”

“Are you sure?” she said.

“Yes… why? Scared or something?”

“Or something. I kind of like the view I get of your boat when you’re batting up.” Chrissy said to him casually.

“My what?”

Chrissy leaned into his ear and whispered “Your boat”

Still confused he gave her a look. She smiled at him and said “you’ll see”. She walked into the gate put her helmet on and positioned herself. A pitch came and she hit it. She returned to her position and he played close attention to the view of her. It wasn’t until about five hits he realized what she meant and a burst of laughter bubbled up in his chest. He smiled at her with a bit of a chuckle and nodded his head. He understood.


***********************************

Chrissy watched as the six foot hunk of Chinese man batted up. They had each gone through five coins and Christine was sweating bullets and possibly guns also. The heat was unbearable and for a split second she wanted to use her bullets and guns to kill the sun. Of course she could do none of this because in actuality her guns and bullets came in water form. Wiping at her forehead she sighed.

She couldn’t blame the sun for the total heat. Lydia had not lied when she said that she would be dating a hot Asian today. His shoulders were broad and she knew he was muscled. His arms looked strong from his swing and his stance said that his legs were heavy duty strong. His boat she noticed was tight and round. His facial features were just as good as his muscular status. His hair ended just under his ears but she noticed he choose to manually brush it back. His hair was jet black and his eyes were a chocolate brown. He was unlike any other Asian she’d ever seen. He was perfect. He even beat the July Asian she had fallen in love with during her younger years.

Chrissy wiped her forehead again and checked the time. They had been here for about an hour and a half. “Hey C!” she looked up the voice calling her.

“Yeah Z?” she said in response loving the whole letters approach.

“How about we get lunch?” He offered.

“YES!” she said. She threw the remaining coins into her purse and threw her sunglasses on. Z took off his helmet and threw his bat into the bat holder along with hers. He grabbed her hand and together they walked to his car.

He hit the unlock button on his keys and opened the door for her. She jumped in and closed it while he walked around the car and jumped into the driver’s seat. He turned n the car and opened the windows. He buckled himself in and pulled out of the lot. They drove for twenty silent minutes until he pulled into yet another lot. This one belonging to an all you can eat restaurant.

“I thought you would be really hungry. I know I am.” He said flashing her yet another smile and making her heart flutter. Boy would she hate admitting to Lydia that he was a good guy and she really wanted to see him again.

Quickly they both exited the car and walked into the all you can eat restaurant. Z paid for them both and they were each handed a plate. Choosing a seat she set down her purse and walked with him to the buffet. They choose their food and settled in.

Chrissy ate at her food randomly. Z focused on her and she couldn’t help but squirm under his glare. She looked up at him and finally asked “what?”

“Nothing, your beauty just fascinated me.” Chrissy blushed and smiled.

Two hours later she was being dropped off in front of her apartment building. She said her goodbyes and Z promised he’d call. She entered the building and sighed in complete and utter satisfaction. The date was amazing. She ran herself up the steps eager to tell Lydia about her date.

She reached her door and opened it. She walked in called Lydia’s name out and closed the door. “Lyd! Lyd! I had a great day!”

She walked to the living room where Lydia lying on the couch by herself and under the covers. “Lyd?” she called to her now concerned.

“I’m alive” Lydia replied yet not moving.

“Could have fooled me.” She said walking around the couch. “What’s wrong?”

Lydia finally sat up and Chrissy came to sit beside her. What was wrong with her friend? Lydia looked at her and her eyes were red and watery. Lydia bit down on her lip and blinked causing her tears to flow. “Aw, Lyd.” Chrissy said and embraced her friend in a hug.

“Mom called Chrissy and dad’s condition has worsened and I want to go to the hospital but I can’t Chrissy” Lydia said her words breaking up as more tears formed in her eyes.

“Lyd-e your dad needs you. You should go to the hospital.” Chrissy said to her.

“Could you come with me? I didn’t want to go by myself.” Lydia said to her.

“Sure I will. Why didn’t you call me or Jo?” Chrissy asked.

“I didn’t want to interrupt your date and you know how Jo’s completely emotionally unstable. She’s 8 months pregnant Chrissy. I can’t call on her.” Lydia told Chrissy.

“And ahmet?” It killed Chrissy that Lydia had been here for possibly hours with no one to turn to.

“He’s not the kind of guy you turn to when you’re having a melt down if you know what I mean.”

“Sounds like the kind of guy you can’t rely on. Why are you with him Lydia?” Chrissy asked angry at him.

“I know, I know Chrissy. Please don’t start with it.” Her friend said her tone pleading.

***************************************

Jolene sat in front of the computer typing away. She looked at the screen and reread what she had typed. Sighing she hit the delete button and grunted. It seemed knowing she was going to give birth in a month just had her mind completely unfocused. This sort of set her back because her agent and editor were waiting on progress. She’d set up an early deadline for the book thinking that because she would be on maternity leave she’d have more time on her hands to write. Yet, what was more time going to help if she couldn’t focus herself?

The phone rang and Jolene jumped. Looking around she spotted the phone on her near by couch. She looked down at her swollen belly and grunted some more. She really didn’t want to get up. The phone rang some more and Jolene let the answering machine pick up.

“Jo? It’s Chrissy.” Her sister’s voice said. “Jo its papa Rosario. Lyd-e is really depressed. She told me not to call you, you know due to the pregnancy and what ever. But Jo she needs us. Not just me but both of us.”

Jolene’s heart sank. What was wrong with papa Rosario? She looked down the parts of her swollen feet she could see and commanded them to work. She used all her force and was finally up.

“Jo? Are you there?” Chrissy called into the machine.


“I’m here C don’t hang up!” Jolene called as she walked to her couch. She finally reached the couch and hit the answer button. “Chrissy!” she yelled into her phone.

“Jo! Boy it’s good to hear your voice. Lyd and I went to the hospital. Papa Rosario isn’t looking to good. Lyd is in her room right now. Probably laying there feeling horrible. We really have to help her.”

“I’m coming over!” Jolene demanded.

“No! Don’t it is late already and if you haven’t noticed you’re far too bloated to walk up those steps.”

“Rub it in Chrissy. You and your petite frame.” Jolene said her eyes burning. Sucking in some air she fought to control her emotions.

“HEY! Focus here please. I think we should all get together. I think she just needs a day together. So she knows she has us here. It also would help to distract her you know?” Chrissy suggested.

“How about you guys come over tomorrow? I’ll have Danny set up the grill! It will be my first barbeque in this house!”Jolene suggested excited now.

“Sounds good… one thing. Do I invite Ahmet?” Chrissy asked her voice fighting at the repulsive feelings she got as she said his name.

“Yeah, I know we don’t like him but… It’s her boyfriend C. Anything to make her feel better right? Oh and invite your boyfriend too.”

“I don’t have a boyfriend.” Chrissy said.

“Lyd told me all about him. Invite him for sure!” Jolene said to her sister. Chrissy surrendered and agreed. They said their goodbyes and Jolene hung up the phone.

Sighing she put the phone down and sat at her couch. It annoyed her that her sister and close friend treated her like some disabled child. She hated that Lydia refused to turn to her because she was pregnant. Sure she had trouble controlling her food craves and sure she sometimes was over reactive in the emotions department but was she not still Jolene?

Shrugging it all off and urged herself to get up and return to the computer. As luck had it that moment the door opened and she watched her husband enter the house. Jolene smiled at him and he smiled back. He closed the door and walked over to her. He laid a soft kiss on her lips and asked her how she was doing.

“I’m ok.” She said to him not making eye contact with the eyes she knew read her too well. She couldn’t lie to him about her feelings no matter how hard she tried.

“Doesn’t sound like it to me. What’s wrong sunshine? It’s not the baby right Jo?” He said now concerned his hand automatically reaching for her round belly.

“No, no, it’s not the baby. It’s Lydia. Her father isn’t doing to good. Chrissy and I agreed we’d barbeque tomorrow. Well, you would be doing the barbequing. We really want to cheer Lyd-e up babylove.” She said looking down at the dark hand that still lay protectively on her stomach.

“I’m down for it. What ever it takes to make peaches feel better.” He smiled at her and her heart melted. This was the man she would soon be married to for a year now. Their anniversary would be in two months. She raised a hand to his face and stroked it with compassion. She dearly loved this man and couldn’t wait to give birth to his child.

Suddenly the baby kicked under Danny’s touch and they both shared a giggle. Oh how sweet was life to her.

"American Girl Breaking Traditions Everywhere"




Chapter Two





Zhi sat at his desk reading. Truly he read the words but he didn’t pay attention to them. Today was rather odd. He’d never once bumped into a woman who wanted him to date her friend. Then again he’d also never broke any ones window so maybe this was normal. Shaking his head at the thought of the five foot five woman who seemed on edge he tried to focus his mind on the book at hand. Suddenly the phone rang and zhi jumped at the sound.

“Hello” he answered.

“Hey!” The female voice said. “It’s me Lydia. You broke my window today.”

“Yeah, I remember.”

“I remember too. All too well actually. Anyway, so my friend agreed to the date. It really didn’t take her long to agree. She loves Asians. Don’t take it offensively.” She said.

“I wouldn’t” he replied listening to her in fascination. She was for sure a person who was just straight up herself.

“Yeah, so basically all that remains is the when and the where. My friend really likes baseball. I think if you show her that hit you got going there she’ll just go goo goo for you. By the way, are you in a professional team?”

“No.” Zhi said in resentment. Of course it would be his dream to be in a professional team but of course as everyman in his family did. He was to become a doctor.

“Well you should be. How about as a date you guys go to the bating cages and then afterwards you take her for lunch. Let’s say tomorrow? Around twelve?”

“sure.” He said. Although Zhi hated blind dates he couldn’t say no. He felt horrible about her window and if this was all it took to make her happy then get on with the date.

“Ok, sounds great. I’ll have her ready. I think she just needs a fun day out. She seems more depressed and zoned out then normal.”

“Ah… well batting cages it is.” He said.

“Yeah, oh and do me a favor?” She said.

“Hum?”

“Talk more to her then you did me.” Zhi smiled and said ok. He hung up the phone and turned back to his book. Zhi read about twenty pages before checking the time. He sighed and got up. Off to his mother’s house for dinner it was. It amazed him how no matter how old he was his mother still demanded him to be at dinner and on time.

He grabbed his keys and stuffed his wallet into his over sized pockets. He left his room told his roommate peace and was out of the apartment. He fled down the steps quickly and walked out the building entrance. With in minutes he reached his car and jumped in. He started his car and pulled out. Twenty minutes later it was five fifty and he was in front of his mother’s home.

He turned the car off and jumped out. Hoping his mother wasn’t in yet another bad mood he knocked on the door. His mother seemed to be going through menopause and he hated to catch her at the wrong times. Thanks to his fellow siblings it seemed that the bad time was always happening. Like his mother was permanently turned on in the anger department. Sometimes it occurred to him that his mother could also just be feeling bitter. These days it was hard to tell.

His sister, Meiling, opened the door and walked away. Enjoying the welcome zhi stepped into the doorway and closed the door. He walked to the dining room where his other sister, Shan, was setting the table.

“Hello mother” he said to her.

His mother nodded her head at him and continued what ever she was doing. He moved to the living room where his father sat in front of the T.V. Truth be it although his family was Chinese he saw them as just another American family. His mother and father were born in China. They married in China where they had him. When Zhi was three his father and mother migrated to American where his mother became pregnant with his sister Shan. Shan and Zhi were about four years apart. Shan just turned twenty one while Zhi was twenty five. He worked at a hospital as a licensed nurse and was on his fifth year of college. Soon he would be a licensed doctor.

Shan of course was not urged to become a doctor. She had chosen a career in clothing making. She was finishing her forth year in college for fashion. Meiling was a late child. Meiling was only fourteen. She had just started high school and had no idea where her life was going. Although each child was assigned to different careers there was one thing that was for sure. Each one of them was to do the best they could. Their parents expected the best of the best from them.

Finally his mother called out that dinner was now. All of them retreated to the dinner table and his mother began serving. They all ate and no one said anything. He sensed in the air that something was stirring up. What ever it was he hoped it ended before seven thirty. Checking his watch he noted he had an hour and a half.

“Why did you look at your watch?” His mother asked her tone all too serious.

“No reason just wanted to know the time.” Zhi said.

“You know there’s a Yankee game at seven thirty today Zhi?” Meiling said to him. Zhi glared and Meiling and Meiling smiled back.

“Yankee game! You are checking the time so that you will leave from dinner with your family to see a Yankee game? Zhi you know I do not like the game baseball. How dare you?”

Zhi rolled his eyes at his mother’s words and quickly wished he hadn’t. Tonight would be a long dinner.

**************************************

Chrissy carried her tired self up the flights to her apartment. She was so tired. She pulled her keys out of her pocket and opened the door. She walked through and closed the door behind her. She continued through the hall way to enter the living room where Ahmet and Lydia were on the couch. Lydia was holding Ahmet’s face back and Ahmet seemed to be pushing his force against her in some kind of … what ever it was!

“Don’t bite! Stop!” Lydia was yelling. Lydia was laughing and ahmet was growling and Chrissy just stood there as she watched the animals in action.

“Do I ever come home and you guys aren’t on that couch acting stupid?” Chrissy said to them.

“Sure you do” Lydia said.

“When?” Chrissy said her voice sounding skeptical.

“When you come home and we’re on my couch acting stupid.” Ahmet said giving up on what he was doing and turning to grab the T.V. remote.

Lydia got off the couch and walked to Chrissy. They both moved into the connecting Kitchen. Lydia hopped onto the counter and Chrissy looked into the refrigerator.

“So how was your day?” Lydia asked.

“It was ok.” Chrissy said pulling out the two liter pepsi. Lydia gave Chrissy a look and Chrissy sighed. She put the pepsi back in the refrigerator and went to the sink. She poured some water and said “yum”

“Well, I can make it better. I got you a date with that Asian tomorrow. At the batting cages around twelve.” Lydia said. “Yes, you must love me.”

“Lydia did it ever occur to you I don’t want you to set me up?” Chrissy said. Honestly she just wasn’t in for another “this man is perfect for you” and then the guy is awful. Not only did she get let down but so did the guy and Lydia.

“I’m sorry about last time! You once showed me a white guy that you thought was cute and so I thought you would find that one cute too. He had amazing eyes you have to admit that.” Lydia said. Her voice was sounding pleading.

“Yes, he did have amazing eyes. But his amazing eyes were nothing compared to his white skin complexion.” Chrissy said pointing at her own white and freckled skin.

“This time he is Asian. Remember staring out the window at all those Asian in the back of the Chinese restaurant? Don’t you want one of those? I’m telling you this guy is great. There is no way I could mess up on this one.” Lydia said.

“Ok, fine. One date. That is all.” Chrissy said drinking some more of her water. “I’m mostly agreeing to this because I planned to go to the batting cages anyway.”

“Lydia! You’re missing the movie!” Ahmet called form the couch.

“Ahmet, I don’t care!” Lydia called back to him. “Let’s go to your room and pick out what you’re going to wear!”

“Lydia you really need to dump Ahmet so that you can stop living the single life through me.” Chrissy said walking to her room.

“I heard that!” Ahmet said.

Chrissy smiled and continued her way. She got to her room door and opened it. She flicked the lights on and threw her shoes off. She moved for her bed and threw her body onto it. She lay down for two minutes with her eyes closed as Lydia flipped through her closet. Powerless to her tiredness her awareness of the world slipped away from her as she drifted off into dream world. Today had been a long night.

"Myracles Happen"

Chapter Five





Just about ten hours after this morning’s incident Myracle was ready to crawl into a hole and die. Right when she thought she would be able to move on with her life and drop the extra baggage this happened to her. The night before she had went to bed with stomach pains and this morning when she had woken up to use the bathroom she woke up to a blood covered bed. Due to the amount of blood Myracle could not say this was her period. She’d never in her life bled this much. Unfortunately the doctor had told her that the bleeding was result of a miscarriage.

Her heart sank for the loss that occurred in her body. She never imagined that Brian had hit her so hard the impact affected her insides. Apparently stress, anxiety, and much pain added onto the already in endangered baby. And so, she lost her child. She found this horrible because she herself was unaware of her pregnant position.

Sitting at the end of her hospital bed dressed in the clothes that Troy had grabbed she stared at the window. The doctors said she would likely be discharged pretty soon. He recommended she stay in bed for the next three days.

What she really wanted to do was cry an ocean and drown Brian and herself in it. She could have been a mother! When she began to think her life had no meaning God impregnated her. Now, here she was with out life inside her. How could he take it away from her before she ever knew she had it?

Her throat was dry and felt as though she had a lump in it. Myracle hadn’t cried the whole time but she felt now the pain began to control her and she could no longer take the overwhelming power of her tears. Blinking her eyes tears rushed down her face leaving wet trails among her hot cheeks. She closed her eyes and laid a hand on the stomach that could have been home to her child.

The black world behind her eyelids spun and she couldn’t dare try to open her eyes because although then the spinning would stop she would still have to stare at the hospitals walls where it was announced that her baby had been taken away from her. A minutes passed as she sit there eyes closed tears still falling when she felt his arms wrap around her. She didn’t need to open her eyes to know it was Troy.

She wrapped her arms around his weight and held him close. She smelled him and felt his muscular body pressed against hers. His strength encircled her and for a second she considered never letting him go. Holding onto him was all she could do to hold on to sanity because Myaracle knew for sure. If she let it al go she was bound to die in her own self pity.

Finally Myracle let him go and opened her eyes. Troy took a seat next to her on the bed and reached for the Tray of coffees he had brought with him. She grabbed one and held its warmth in her hand. Both Myracle and Troy had left an hour ago. Troy returned home to obviously shower and change and October left to finish something at her office. Myracle wasn’t surprised that no matter what happened October never ditched her duties at work.

This came to remind Myracle of her current professional status. She was a manager of profession training in living a life of nothing. She felt she had to change her ways. She had to do something with her life where she did something for everyone.

Suddenly the doctor came in. He talked some and gave her paper to sign. She signed them and he announced she was good to go. Myracle sighed and wiped at her face. She then grabbed her bag and rose from her bed. Then the pain hit her. She dropped the bag and gasped. What the doctors had done to her was still in effect. She soon got over the pain and took some steps.

Troy grabbed her bag and her hand. She walked slowly but then began to speed up as the pain went away. “Remember,” Troy said to her. “I can always carry you.” She smiled up at him and shook her head. With in ten minutes she was in Troy’s car and he was pulling out.

“Can you take me to the salon.” She said to him. He glanced at her with a confused face and nodded his head.

“I can but you’re supposed to be in bed, remember?” He said.

“I remember its just I need this. I promise nothing more but the salon. I can handle it.” Myracle said. Troy didn’t question her any further but drove to the salon she requested. He double parked in front of it and looked at her. “Just be here in an hour.”

He told her be careful and she got out and walked into the salon. She turned around just in time to see Troy drive away in his Forrest green explorer. She turned back to the salon and everyone stared at her. “I got into a fight with my cat” she said.

“That was some big cat.” Antonio said to her. Antonio was her very talented bisexual hair stylist.

“Yeah, turns out cats really know how to get a girl. Listen I have a job for you. Are you free?” She asked him.

“Always for you darling.” He smiled at her.

***********************************

Troy arrived at the salon just in time to see Myracle step out and a gush of window blow her now black hair. Troy was also blown away. When he had told her to not be blonde he never expected her to go as far as black. Now he was sure she was twins with October. Now the only differences in them both were their eyes and their fashion sense. Troy smiled at her and she walked to the car. She got inside and smiled back at him.

“I guess you’re not blonde anymore.” He said to her.

“No Troy, I am not.” She said to him. No further words were exchanged on the way to Myracle’s home. Troy wondered what October would say about Myracle’s change. It was a drastic change but he guessed it was her way of changing herself. Being a new person would come with having a new image.

Troy was at Myracle house and out of the car. He grabbed her bag and she rounded the car and met him at the porch. She opened the door and they both walked in. Troy closed the door and put her bag down. Myracle walked over to her couch and collapsed. Troy stood in front of her and grabbed her hand. “I have something to show you” he said to her.

He tugged at her hand and she got up. They walked up the steps and he led her into her room. She walked in and looked directly at the bed. She smiled at him and hugged him. Troy had gone out and bought heart covered bed set. He’d scrubbed the mattress and then flipped it over. He put the sheets on it and threw the blankets into the washing machine. He wanted her to come home and not worry about work. It was hard enough what she had been through.

It was even hard on Troy what she had been through. So what better then for him to make her worry about one less thing? In his mind he was actually dangerously angry. “This is great” she said to him. She walked over to the bed and sat on it. She moved closer to the middle and laid back.

“Good. I’m glad you’re enjoying it. My only question now is Do you want me to stay over tonight?”

Myracle thought for a bit and then gave him a head nod. “I’d like that,” She said.


“Ok, will do. I’m just going to return to my house pick up some clothes so I don’t sleep in my boxers again and maybe get some food?” He offered.

“Yeah,” she said. “Chinese!”

“Yum” he said to her. He left her room and exited her home. He jumped into his car and knew exactly where he was going. He drove for twenty minutes until he was at the same building he was in the day before. He looked up at the building that Brian lived in. He jumped out of his car and went into the lobby. He took the steps and entered the forth floor.

Troy looked at the door that he’d been standing in front of with Myracle the day before. Troy knocked on the door and stepped to the side. The door opened and Brian poked hi head out. Troy grabbed him by the collar and pinned him against the wall. “Hello” he said to Brian a wicked smile on his face.

******************************************

Myracle lie in bed with October both of them staring at the ceiling. Myracle lay her head at the top of the bed her arms crossed over her chest and October lay opposite to her with her arms under her head. October sat up and looked at her sister. “It still looks weird to see you.”

“But it’s not bad right?” Myracle asked.

“If I said it looked bad I’d be insulting my own style. It looks great. It’s just weird. What comes next?” October said.

“I’m not sure.” October lay back again and they both sighed in unison.

Myracle had been here for half hour thinking. Her sister joined her ten minutes ago and she felt good. It had been a long time since she had last really just been with her sister in a calm surrounding just thinking. Not many words being exchanged.

“October… If I asked you to invest some money in something, would you do it with me?” Myracle asked.

“Depends what are we talking about here? And how much?” October asked.

“500…. Thousand.” Myracle said.

“500 thousand!” October said jumping up. “what would I invest five hundred thousand in?”

“I want to make a shelter. I want to make a shelter for battered women. Mothers especially. “ Myracle said. She meant every word coming out of her mouth. She thought of what she had lost and she considered how much worst it could have been. She was with Brian but she had a home to escape to. She lost her child yes but it was a child whom she’d never met or even known about. In worst situations there were women who couldn’t leave their men and had children who were also being hurt.

“Wow… I guess I couldn’t say no to that. Are you serious about this? Five hundred thousand is a lot.” October said to her.

“Yes, I really, really want to do this. I even have a name. M.N.M. Agency. “ Myracle smiled. She’d thought about it long and hard and she knew that no matter if it was services or agency or even protection she knew it would start with M.N.M.

“M.N.M.?” October asked.

“Moms Need Myracles.” Myracle smiled. It was perfect.

October joined her sisters smiled and moved around some bit till she was infront of her sister. She extended her hands and hugged her. “I’m sure it will be a fantastic shelter. You’d end up helping a lot of people.”

“That’s what I want October. I don’t want to shop or hang out. I want to help other woman. I want to be important to some one.”

“You’re important to me.”

“Only because we share the same DNA” Myracle said poking her sister. October laughed and Myracle continued “This will be big. I want to be known. I want woman everywhere within a 60 mile radius to know where they can go to get away from abusive men.”

“Imagine how much of an idiot Brian will feel when he finds out you made an organization because of what he did to you.” October said.

“It’s not even about making Brian feel like an idiot. It’s about what I’ve been through and what other women are going through. I can’t imagine not having some one to turn to. I’m lucky enough to have you, to be ok financially, and to be me where I can walk away. Not many of them can do that.”

“Sounds to me you got dedication in you.”

“I do.” She said to October.

“That’s great Myracle…” There was a pause and then October jolted with excitement. “Did I tell you I’m engaged to Kristian?!”

“No… But I was expecting it. You can’t say no to a man that great for so long.” Myracle said. Then they shared yet another hug. It was then Myracle thought maybe all this happened for a reason. Maybe this was apart of God’s master plan for her.

“Speaking of great men. Are you sure nothing is happening between you and Troy?” October asked.

“Well, I’m not on to predict the future, but…” Myracle smiled at her sister.