sorry. She’s really not that bad. Maybe you should give her a chance.” Then she left.
It took several minutes before Holly’s brain would work, the gears slowly turning, trying to comprehend all that Charlene was asking of her. Clearly, Charlene hadn’t been on the receiving end of Millicent’s so-called stunning personality. Oh, that girl had a keen eye, all right. Holly didn’t want to know the extent of her manipulation.
She tasted the smoothie and almost spit it back out.
She forgot the sugar.
The following morning, Holly kept to her daily routine when all she wanted to do was sink into her bed and never leave. She ate breakfast. She walked Muffins at a brisk pace, returned home, and showered.
Her mother had taught her many things. The biggest lesson was to never let them see you sweat. She stated over and over that when you feel down and discouraged, those are the days when you dress in your brightest clothes and wear the biggest smile. Desperate, Holly was willing to follow that advice today.
After flipping through the clothes in her closet, she chose a bright pink sundress. It fell at her knees, and when she whirled around, the bottom of the dress fanned out.
She applied makeup and added a matching pink lipstick. At the door, Muffins whimpered behind her.
She crouched. “I know, bud. I know you want to be part of the action. But considering last night, I think you’d better stay home or I’ll never get a chance to talk to Millicent.” And there was the fact that Millicent would probably stab her dog with a pen or anything else readily available. “I’ll give you the full report later.”
Feeling bad but knowing she made the right decision, Holly put on her brave face and walked across the street. She planned to bring coffee to the home of the Fairview News, where Millicent was probably planning her next big scheme to ruin Holly’s reputation.
Oodles oozed warmth and comfort, the familiar clatter of cups and plates and the friendly chatter. Lindsey, the owner, stood behind the counter. Big hair. Big personality. Big everything. Her blonde hair, slick with gel, poofed from her head. Almost like a Mohawk.
“Hi, Lindsey.” Holly slid onto a stool at the bar.
Lindsey placed a hand on her hip and studied Holly. “Hi, yourself. What’ll it be today?”
“Coffee, please. Hazelnut.” She’d order one to go for Millicent later. Right now, she needed to build up her determination and figure out what to say.
A man, dressed in suit and tie, left the stool next to her empty and a copy of the Daily News.
At first, Holly refused to even look at it. Two minutes later, she slid copy in front of her, bracing for the worst.
From my Heart to Yours
I’ve lived in this town for a long time. I grew up here. I attended high school. As you know, my father owns the best bakery in town and the only one worth visiting, The Tasty Bite. I’ve seen people come and I’ve seen people leave this town. I’ve covered news stories to entertainment to breaking current events. I’ve done my best to keep my honesty and integrity in everything I write.
That’s why, dear citizens of Fairview. I come to you today with a heavy heart. In my dealings and investigative reporting, I’ve seen my share of heartache. I’ve seen people make classic mistakes in relationships and social etiquette. I’ve seen people, through poor choices and misguided advice, hurt the people they love, and then lose everything.
I care about this town too much to let it continue. That’s why with great pleasure, I’m introducing a new column, called, you guessed it. My heart to yours. Send in your questions, dear readers, and let the guru of relationships answer them. A big thank you to the inspiration of this new column. You know who you are.
My first tip in maintaining a healthy relationship is forgiveness. Take that today and apply it to your life and your loved ones.
Quietly and with great restraint, Holly slid the
It took several minutes before Holly’s brain would work, the gears slowly turning, trying to comprehend all that Charlene was asking of her. Clearly, Charlene hadn’t been on the receiving end of Millicent’s so-called stunning personality. Oh, that girl had a keen eye, all right. Holly didn’t want to know the extent of her manipulation.
She tasted the smoothie and almost spit it back out.
She forgot the sugar.
The following morning, Holly kept to her daily routine when all she wanted to do was sink into her bed and never leave. She ate breakfast. She walked Muffins at a brisk pace, returned home, and showered.
Her mother had taught her many things. The biggest lesson was to never let them see you sweat. She stated over and over that when you feel down and discouraged, those are the days when you dress in your brightest clothes and wear the biggest smile. Desperate, Holly was willing to follow that advice today.
After flipping through the clothes in her closet, she chose a bright pink sundress. It fell at her knees, and when she whirled around, the bottom of the dress fanned out.
She applied makeup and added a matching pink lipstick. At the door, Muffins whimpered behind her.
She crouched. “I know, bud. I know you want to be part of the action. But considering last night, I think you’d better stay home or I’ll never get a chance to talk to Millicent.” And there was the fact that Millicent would probably stab her dog with a pen or anything else readily available. “I’ll give you the full report later.”
Feeling bad but knowing she made the right decision, Holly put on her brave face and walked across the street. She planned to bring coffee to the home of the Fairview News, where Millicent was probably planning her next big scheme to ruin Holly’s reputation.
Oodles oozed warmth and comfort, the familiar clatter of cups and plates and the friendly chatter. Lindsey, the owner, stood behind the counter. Big hair. Big personality. Big everything. Her blonde hair, slick with gel, poofed from her head. Almost like a Mohawk.
“Hi, Lindsey.” Holly slid onto a stool at the bar.
Lindsey placed a hand on her hip and studied Holly. “Hi, yourself. What’ll it be today?”
“Coffee, please. Hazelnut.” She’d order one to go for Millicent later. Right now, she needed to build up her determination and figure out what to say.
A man, dressed in suit and tie, left the stool next to her empty and a copy of the Daily News.
At first, Holly refused to even look at it. Two minutes later, she slid copy in front of her, bracing for the worst.
From my Heart to Yours
I’ve lived in this town for a long time. I grew up here. I attended high school. As you know, my father owns the best bakery in town and the only one worth visiting, The Tasty Bite. I’ve seen people come and I’ve seen people leave this town. I’ve covered news stories to entertainment to breaking current events. I’ve done my best to keep my honesty and integrity in everything I write.
That’s why, dear citizens of Fairview. I come to you today with a heavy heart. In my dealings and investigative reporting, I’ve seen my share of heartache. I’ve seen people make classic mistakes in relationships and social etiquette. I’ve seen people, through poor choices and misguided advice, hurt the people they love, and then lose everything.
I care about this town too much to let it continue. That’s why with great pleasure, I’m introducing a new column, called, you guessed it. My heart to yours. Send in your questions, dear readers, and let the guru of relationships answer them. A big thank you to the inspiration of this new column. You know who you are.
My first tip in maintaining a healthy relationship is forgiveness. Take that today and apply it to your life and your loved ones.
Quietly and with great restraint, Holly slid the
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