Writer's Beware...Its Day 17 here...

Writing Challenge WORD OF THE DAY:

SWIM

I had slept.  Finally.  It seemed like it had been weeks since I was able to close my eyes and completely relax.  I looked over at the clock to see that I had slept for an entire twenty four hours. 

It seemed odd.  The sun was shining bright, as it had been when I had gotten out of the warm tub and fell drowsily into the comfort of my fluffy bed. Like time had stopped.  I began to get out of bed, the rustling of the covers making just enough noise as a knock sounded on my bedroom door. 

I jumped, having to remember Mac.  "Come in, Mac." I said in my morning rusty voice.

"Well, Good Morning Kat. Did you get some sleep?"

"I'd say. Why didn't you wake me?"

"I knew it had been a few days since you slept. You needed this."

"You stayed." I asked as a statement, but it was more of a question.

"I needed to make sure no ex-husbands broke into your house while you were playing sleeping beauty." he said with a laugh. "Go ahead and pull yourself together and I will make you something to eat."

"You cook?" I really did not know.

He just laughed and walked out of my bedroom. 

It seemed so normal, which was a disturbing feeling. I had not been with a man since Danny.  I had put everything of myself into my career and although Mac and I were close, being partners for the past six years, it was always friendly between us, not romantic.

I walked into the bathroom, turned on the vanity lights and illuminated the dusty gray painted, semi updated space.  The vanity was newer, made of dark cherry and carved ornately all over the place. The marble top was a white with a warm gray throughout.  The bronze faucet and fixtures pulled it all together.  I had even laid the tile on the floor myself, which I am proud of because this was the first time I had ever done DIY. 

It was a familiar place for me.  A place that I had walked into nearly every day.  I was relaxed here, in this space. I looked in the mirror and the reflection haunted me. It was not that of my own, but that of Charlotte's.  She was bruised, blood coming from her mouth.  Her clothes looked like rags, her hair dirty and darkened with red blood.  The image before me was one that I could hardly comprehend as I felt as if I were in her body, not my own. I was swimming around somewhere inside this picture, somewhere close by, but I was living as Charlotte.  I had to take a moment and put myself back into my own head, to remember KAT.  I looked in the sink, where blood had spattered.  I could see it, clear as day. I ran my finger in the blood, swirled it around. I yelled for Kat. I had to find Kat. 

The door burst open.  Mac's face was white with fear.  He was in a panic as he saw me, his eyes showing the horror that was me. 

"Kat. KAT." he said, his voice high with adrenalin.  His cold hands were on my shoulders. He was pulling my face to meet his, looking into my eyes, trying to get me back. He shook gently, screaming my name.  I had to get back to my body.  I was not even sure if this was my body.  The image of the mirror came back into my mind.  I saw an image the frightened me, an image that was my sister telling me something. Was it true?  I could not take it all. I could not understand why I wasn't going back to my body. I was stuck...until everything went black.

____________________________________________

I can relate to what Kat is going through. I feel like I am drowning...in sickness!  Our house will not get better and it is starting to take its toll. 

Last night my three year old started running a fever of 101.9 around 8 PM.  She had been sleeping and woke up crying, unable to talk clear.  Her poor eyes were watering and her heart was beating so fast.  I grabbed the Tylenol and gave her a dose and got her fever down to 100.1, where it stood until 6 AM this morning. Around 7:30 AM she was down to 97.8.  I called the doctor and found out that due to her being on the anti-biotic, she is still fighting something.  As long as she eats and drinks, she should be OK and it is going down, so that is a good sign. 

She seems to be doing OK and thankfully, she LOVES ice water..so keeping her hydrated is no big deal.

Today is also my big day. I am fighting MAJOR rib pain, so I am off to the doctors today. I am at that point of UNBEARABLE.  

I am ready for this crap to leave and never come back. 

Luckily, my five year old, who previously had pneumonia, seems to be doing OK and Hubby has really dodge the sickness bullet.

I am ready for a VACATION...I am thinking about saving my pennies for a little spring vaca to the local water park?  I could use some downtime from work and sickness. 

Hope you all are doing great!  

How do we like our Word of the Day?

SWIM (see this is why I am thinking WATER PARK!)

Hope you all have a fantabulous Thursday.  I am SO ready for the weekend!

Until tomorrow...

Feedback is ALWAYS welcome!

~Kel

Life Happens...Are you READY? (obviously I am NOT!)

Well, I think that this post might be overdue. I have been struggling as of late. Trying desperately to figure my life out. It has been a haunted question over the last few weeks. 

So, I re-evaluated what I like, what I don't, what skills I have, what I want to learn, and most importantly, what I WANT to do with this life. 



To be frank, my first thought it, I want to be a 1950's housewife, but who says that? It is true though. I would be perfectly content cooking, cleaning, taking care of the kids, handling the garden, the house and making sure my Hubby had breakfast, lunch and dinner. (true story)




But, I recently have been told that this is not a reality. 

I will never get to be a stay at home Mom. 

This was a dream crushed. I went through some depression.  It is that whole catch 22, questions, maybe I should not have gone to college, now that I went to college, I am an income earner. (even though Hubby makes more than I do, but I will not go there!)

It is frustrating. I have never had a break and Hubby has had a few. Yes, he works hard at his job, its a factory job, but he should want to take care of us- especially since I have done the taking care of for the majority of our life together. 

Anyways, since my Hubby is a dream crusher...I had to think of a new plan. He simply asked me, "What do you want to do?" It seems like a simple enough question, right. Well, when you have an answer that is rejected, coming up with another one is not quite so simple. 


So, after some pondering...time to myself...lots of hard work and smoking brains...I decided Medical Coding and Billing (Admin) is what I wanted to do. I signed up for an online University where I will learn ICD-9-CM and ICD-10 coding with my terminology and anatomy, then I take the test and hopefully pass and then I can code/bill from home if I want, or from the hospital, etc.  

So, I am well on my way. I am taking it serious, making it happen and studying my ass off. 

I want this. 

But, I would also stay home, if God puts that plan in my path..js.

One day she finally grasped that unexpected things were always going to happen in life. And with that she realized the only control she had was how she chose to handle them.  So, she made the decision to survive using courage, humor, and grace. She was the Queen of her own life and the choices were hers.
~Unk


I'm NOT GIVING UP...I'm JUST starting OVER...  ~Unk


"The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new."   ~socrates

Don't be afraid to start over.  It's a new chance to rebuild what you want!  ~Unk

With these quotes comes an inspiration for my first, future tattoo.  A compass..since I can never seem to find my place in the world. 

Are you HAPPY?

A new journey,  a new path,  a new perspective,  a new life.  Never imaged myself on this particular journey, starting so unexpectedly, confusion and uncertainty overcame me, but the confusion just fading, I've moved on and forward, slowly starting to see, the meaning.  Many things, I, nor anyone will understand.  Things happen, I'll just embrace what I have, what I believe, what I love, what I can, what I can't, because I am, who I am.

I'm on a journey.  Not specifically searching, not particularly finding, just enjoying this life, with many surprises, that bring out happiness and sadness, disappointment and delight.

The true colors, of men and women, boys and girls, I start to see, and learn, to welcome, or avoid.  I like my life, embracing what I have, what I believe, what I love, what I can, what I can't because I am, who I am.

~Unk

~KEL

Let's WRITE! It's Day 16..already!

Writing Challenge Word of the Day:

Feather

Kat was exhausted. It showed under her eyes, she felt it in her bones, she ached all over. It was a mental exhaustion that was keeping her up at night and her physically exhaustion was making her dog tired. She couldn't sleep if she wanted to.  Her world was foreign to her and she felt like she were drowning. 

"You OK?" 

She heard Mac's rugged voice through her thoughts, bringing her back to her own reality. 

"Sure. I'll be OK." 

"I wouldn't be.  I mean, they all kept this from you, it is kind of a big deal." he looked at me and I knew he somehow 'got it' and was showing his sympathy. 

"Yea, I guess. Look, it is not like there was anything left between Danny and I.  It ended a long time ago, before we were even married and when we parted, we did so amicably and cordially."

"Sweetheart, no explanations needed, especially to me."

"I know, but it is not even like I have seen Danny.  I haven't talked to him, seem him or even had anyone mention his name in years and now this.  I mean, it is just weird.  And who does not come back, no matter what the circumstances, when their damn wife is dead?"

"Someone who has something to hid is my first instinct."

"Yea, Mac, mine too."


He dropped me off at my door and I was more than relieved. It was early afternoon and I wanted nothing more than a hot bath, bubbles and my phone ringer turned off. 

I walked up to my slightly askew house.  It needed a lot of work, but the price was right and it had good bones. I just hadn't put the investment into fixing up those old bones, just yet.  The solid wood door was standing cracked open. I immediately drew for my gun, seeing Mac still waiting in the driveway. He jumped out of the car as he saw me make the reach. I waited, listening to what was going on inside my house. 

Mac reached me and we entered.  The old wood floors, original to the 1890 house, squeaked under our feet. Mac signaled that he was heading left and I should go right. 

I saw him in the mirror on the side of the staircase that separates my house.  He was tanner than I remembered.  His light hair shaggy and messy around his face. His blue eyes filled with worry, guilt. He saw me when I saw him. I held my gun up, ready to fire, ready to shoot if he made a move.  Mac reached him on the other side.  We had him cornered. 

"Kat, do you know him?" 

I was stuck in an alternate world. I could see Mac, hear his voice but my own would not work. I could not put my arms down, retreat my gun.  I felt frozen. 

"Kat?"

"Katherine, I am sorry. I am so sorry." his voice was light as a feather. It was soft and gently and calming, as it had once been. 

"Who are you?" I heard Mac say, his voice cold and stone. 

"Dan." his soft voice let out.

He had said Dan, not Daniel or Danny. He was not the person who I had given my soul to as such a young girl.  He was not the person who I had last seen that had no emotional ties to me at all, what so ever.  He was different. This person was grown, articulate, professional even. 

"What are you doing here Danny?" the words left my mouth but sounded as if they were from someone else in the room.

"I don't know.  I don't know what to do. I am sure you know by now and I am so sorry. I better Char to call you, tell you, invite you to the wedding and she was ashamed. She was so ashamed of what you would think of her."

"No. You don't get to do that.  You don't get to speak for her. You don't get to put the damn guilt trip on me, do you hear me." 

Mac came to my side, putting my gun down, back into my black leather shoulder holster. His hands were running down the sides of my arms, trying to provide warmth to a body that was much to cold. 

"Who the hell are you?" Dan..said to Mac.

"Her Partner. Not that it is any of your business.  Why didn't you call Kat? Tell her yourself?"

He just snickered. 

"Why are you here? Why did you break into my house? How did you even know where I lived?" my voice stuttered and sounded like shards of glass as it left my body.

"I don't know. I didn't know where else to go. Charlotte's house." he fell to his knees, tears leaving his body. "Charlotte's house is non-existent. I didn't know where to go."


"So you decided to come to your ex-wife's, oh, who also happens to be sister in law also. Only thing is, how did you know that I would know by now?" I eyed him curiously.  Mac knew I was in detective mode. 

"Kat, I know you. I knew Mary Ellen would have spilled the beans." 

"Your WRONG. Mary Ellen did not spill the beans. Mary Ellen kept those damn beans warm and would not give them up, even when I cross.. uh, questioned her. You don't know me. You didn't know me then and you certain don't know a damn thing about me know."

I marched away.  I heard Mac talking to Danny, telling him that he should go to the police station, pay his respects to his late wife and answer any questions they might have. Police stuff.  I heard the door to my house latch. 

"Kat, you OK?" 

"Yea." I said from behind my bedroom door. I had slid into my white rob and it felt glorious. Today was not the day. I just wanted a day to myself. I wanted a Kat day. I wanted this bad dream to be over. If no one else gave a damn about what happened to Charlotte, I wasn't going to care either. 

It sounded good, but at the end of today, I knew I would be diving back in.  What happened to my sister was inhumane, sick and whoever had done it needed to be dealt with.

"Do you want me to stay?"

It was a question that I hadn't been expecting. One that I was so glad he had asked, whether he knew it or not. 

"Would you? I just want to take a hot bath, relax. But, seriously, if you have stuff to do."

"No. I am here. Mind if I get something to drink, make something to eat and watch some TV?"

"Make yourself comfortable. And Mac, Thank You."

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Couldn't we all use a day to ourselves? Poor Kat just wants some rest- let's hope she gets some, soon. Sounds like one heck of a roller coaster.

How are we doing on our writing? 

I am enjoying this challenge a lot, being able to put together a story around a word a day is exciting and to see where it is going has been a breakthrough of sorts. 

Let me know how you are liking the challenge. 

Share you blog so we can check out your writing and HAVE FUN!!

Thanks all!

~Kel

Channeling a Writer- Day 15

Wow, can you believe we are already 15 days into our challenge. 
(I might always say this because it is crazy!)


Today's WRITING CHALLENGE WORD OF THE DAY IS:

SONG

I was so nervous as I stood in front of my parents.  I needed to just spit it out. I needed to stop dwelling on the fact that Char, my baby sister, was married to my ex husband, and I did not even know.  It was at this moment that bile started to rise in my throat.  I tried to control myself, to stop this song and dance act that I was doing internally, but, it was to late.  I ran to the trash can and let the vomit rise out of my mouth. 

Mac was with me, holding my hair, rubbing my back.  When I was finished, he walked me to the stool that he had been sitting on and sat me down gently. 

"Mary Ellen, Gus, we found out that Charlotte was married." he stopped for dramatics.  I tried to look at my Parents faces, to see their shock.  Instead...all I saw was a look of aww. 

"We found a record that Charlotte married Daniel, as in Kat's Danny." He said with sternness. 

Still, their faces were not that of people who had not known.  Instead, they looked as if they might have attended the wedding itself. 

"Were you aware?" Mac said, his eyebrows rose as he made this accusation.

"Well.." stammered my Mother. "We, um, in fact did." she said as her cold, hazel eyes met my own. 

My Father would not even make eye contact with me, let alone speak.  I felt weak still, unable to hold back my lashing tongue, unable to control my sobs.  My own parents had known and not disclosed this information to me. 

"Do you know where Daniel is?" Mac asked, gently. 

"He is in New York.  We talked to him when we had been called. He did not want any drama, so he thought it was in his best interests to stay put in New York."

I could no longer hold back. "What do you mean he thought it was in his best interests to stay put?  His wife was...is  DEAD." I spat.

I was angry.  I felt like this big elephant had been in the room for so long and somehow, I was it. 

"Oh, Honey. I know how this must seem to you. You were always so sensitive, and we just..." She looked to my Father, who was still looking at the ground, offering no assistance to my stammering Mother. "We just knew that if you knew, you might resent Charlotte more than you already did." 

"Whaat...I resent Charlotte?  I was living MY life.  Apparently, I was never important enough for her to come to me, for her to reach out.  I tried a few times over the years, phone calls, letters, cards in the mail, which were returned because she moved around so much.  She never tried either, DO NOT put this on me."

"What business does Daniel have in New York."  Mac was still trying to interview, to keep the emotions out of the line of questions, thank goodness.

"Oh dear, he is building Charlotte a house.  A grand house with lots of windows, overlooking the beach.  He has been working on it diligently for over a year now.  They were only seeing each other on the weekends."

"How convenient for Daniel, the adulterer.  I am sure he did not come because Charlotte was just another pawn in his game.  For someone building someone DEAD a house, he sure did not rush to her side."

"That is ENOUGH Katherine." my Mother was upset now.  I was finally seeing emotions from her dull body. She came up out of her seat and demanded that I leave, immediately. 

"It is not as if I am even your Daughter. You keep major secrets from me, for years, apparently. NO wonder I was not welcome when Char was ever over, was not even invited. Somehow I think that was both of your doing."

Mac grabbed my arm, guiding me, gently, towards the front screen door. "Thank you Mary Ellen and Gus for your time. Thank you for answering our questions. I did have one more before we can leave, if that is OK?"  southern charm met with graciousness. 

"Sure, Mac." my Mother spoke.

"Did you know about Nathan?  What happened to him?"

My Mother looked confused.  She scratched her head, rubbed her temple. "Nathan, you say?  Well, he was a boy she had dated in high school and a little after.  Yea, maybe right before Char reunited with Danny.  I think they just went their separate ways. I think that is what Char had said." 

We left the house I had grown up in, now I was being kicked out of, no longer welcomed.  My Mother did not even look in my direction, did not even bid me farewell.  She simple Thanked Mac for his manners and slammed the wood screen door in our faces. 

I really wanted to go home...now.

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The struggle is REAL.  I am ready for the weekend myself!  

How are we all doing with the challenge? 

I had to miss yesterday, which is unfortunate, but due to having a rough cold, and being given the amazing Z-Pack, which did not do a lick for me, I have managed to bruise my ribs or something and am braced up, due to the pain. AGHHH..

The only time it does not hurt is when I get comfortable and fall asleep. Unfortunately, life wont stop because I hurt...

Anyways, I hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday!

Happy Trails!

~Kel

Channeling a Writer- Day 14 (late)

Our word of the day is:

M I L K

I just wanted to go home. I wanted to feel sorry for myself. I wanted to feel like the victim.  

I knew I couldn't, after all I was still alive. Clearly, my Sister had been the victim.  The questions were now clouding my thoughts. 

'Could Danny have killed Char?'  'Where was Danny?'  'Why is Danny not at the police station, grieving his dead wife?'  'Why has Danny not reached out to my Parents?  They knew him, they knew him well back then.'

Something inside me crashed.  It was as if a bell was sounding, something I had not even thought to address before now. 

"Can you take me to my Parent's house?" I asked Mac.  He did not even look up from the road.  Somehow he knew me.  He knew my crime scene processes and what roads to take next, as if we were completely in sync. 

"Why are you smiling at me like that?" 

I must not have realized it, but having all these pleasant thoughts about Mac, seeing him as a Man, for maybe the first time, made me have butterflies. 

"Oh." I actually blushed. "Sorry about that.  I was just thinking how crazy it is to have a Partner who knows your next steps before you even do."

With that, we pulled up in front of my Parents bright yellow Victorian.  It was built in the early 1800's and they had spent their life and life savings rehabbing it. 

I sat and looked at it from the patrol car.  It was so clean and fresh looking, so happy and spring-like.  To look up at it, as a grown woman, it looked like a perfect house, one that the family would have Sunday tea time and the world would be perfect inside it's very walls. 

Mac opened my door and we headed up the bricked driveway that lead to the big, wrap around, southern style porch. The white wooden rocking chairs that I had played on with my sister as children still sat in their places, tall and proud to be a fixture on such a grand home.  I ran my hand over the nearest ones arm rest as we went to the glass screen door. 

"Mom, Dad, are you here?" I yelled as we entered.  It was always kind of a silly statement because the front door stood wide opened. 

"Yes, Dear, in the front parlor." 

Mac looked at my, raising an eyebrow at that statement. "So, you grew up here?" 

"Sure. You have been here before." I eyed him back questioningly. 

My Mom was still so young looking.  Her blonde hair, now dyed, sat high on her head in a younger, short do. 

"And what do I owe this pleasure?" she said as she took Mac's hands in her own. 

"Mom. I found out something and really want Dad here too." 

"Dad is not dealing so well.  He is out in the shed, but I can call for him." 

I looked at Mac. This was the first I had heard of my Dad not dealing so well.  After all this is the man who lacks emotions. 

"I will go see if I can talk to him." Mac said as he headed out the back screen door. 

"Honey, what is it? You can tell me. Do we really need your father present?"

I looked at her. Why wasn't she upset still? Wasn't she still grieving?  She looked refreshed, young, well rested. She looked as if life had moved on and she was OK. 

"Milk.  I will get some Milk darling." she said as she left the parlor and headed into the big, french country kitchen. I followed like a lost puppy dog.

Mac and my Dad had joined us some time later, as my Mom was reiterating how she gets her garden to grow. 

"Milk and cookies?" Mac said as he walked up to the dark, granite covered island. 

"Mom and Dad, we found something that you are going to want to sit down for."

"OK." was all they both said, as they took a seat next to Mac. I stood up, wanting to see their faces, their reactions. (the cop in me)

It was time to lay it all out on the table...and I was nervous as hell.

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Good Morning everyone- as you can see, I am LATE!  I was supposed to do this yesterday- not doing my challenge as I should be- but due to unforeseen circumstances, (basically I bruised my ribs from coughing and am in a lot of pain and working I ran out of time)  I am here today to make it up. (double the work, I might add!)

How did you use the word MILK in your story today? 

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and a Great Monday! Back to the grind- Tuesday is a  great day!

Until later today (eek!)

~Kel

Writing Challenge- Day 13

Writing Challenge Word of the Day:

INK

They pulled up to what was left of the house.  A white outdoor dining table stood proud from the rubble that was all around it.  The stove and washing machine had been moved near the table, blacked with soot from the fully engulfed flames that had once threatened its life. 

It was unfamiliar to Kat.  It was not her home, not a place she had visited, or even known about. 

"I have so many questions that I need answers to that I feel like I am not ready to set foot on the grounds.  I need to dive into the computer and search things out, answer questions."

"I get that.  You really did not know about this place?"

I had to just look at Mac.  No words would come out of my lashing tongue.  Did he think I knew about my sister?  What was going on in his mind?  I just looked back out the window, at a place that once breathed my sister's life, and a place that had taken it too!

We drove away, not another word spoken. 

"Should we start downtown at the registers office?"

"It's like you read my mind."

"About time, right!  So, Captain tells me you were married." he hung onto the word married as he said it.

"Yea, a long time ago."

"Yea, that is what he said.  Kind of makes sense now.  And I am not going to lie, I am kind of pissed that you never told me."

"I am sorry. It was an amicable split and I haven't seen or heard from Danny since. Until now, of course."

"You talked to him?" excitement jumping from his words.

"No, no.  I wouldn't even know how to get in touch with him, it's been years, literally.  I just mean, my sister using Greer.  It's so damn odd.  But then I keep asking myself if it really is?  I mean, Char always wanted to be like me, do everything I did. Except for being a cop, she was so far from that, it kind of ended anything we ever had, relationship wise for us, as sisters. I still don't understand that one."

"So, you didn't know they were together?"

"Wait, we don't know if they were together?  Or do we?"

Mac just looked out the front window, not saying a word as he parked the car and we went up to the fifth floor. 

I asked the kind lady behind the Formica counter top for some information on Charlotte Kale.
"Are  you Charlotte?" 

"Well, no.  She is my sister and has died."

There is that look that crosses peoples face when you say this. I am uncertain if it is doubtfulness or sorrow, maybe a little of both. 

"You will need her information."

This is where my badge comes into play. Believe it or not, that little metal baby comes in handy in times like these.  It is amazing how the look changes as I flash her the metal that makes my title official. 

She scurried off to retrieve any and all information to help Mac and I.  I just flashed a crooked smile at Mac, knowing he understood the meaning and the code that was lying underneath. This is why I am a Detective.  I live it. I eat it, sleep it and am proud of it.  Not to mention, I am damn good at it.

A few minutes later we have two marriage certificates in our possession.  One is for Nathan and Charlotte, who had been married in 2008.  The other is for Danny and Charlotte, who were married last year, around this time. 

"Any divorce degrees?"

Again, the frazzled lady disappeared.  I was left with copies, information about a sister who I truly did not know. 

"Why would they have just gotten married?" Mac wanted to know.

"I have no idea.  Why would she not have told my Mom?"

The woman came back to the counter holding a piece of paper.  It was a death decree for Nathan, who had died in 2008, just four months after they had been married.  The cause of death was listed as suspicious. 

I paid the lady for the copies and thanked her for her help. 

"You must sign the log book dear."

"Of course. " I pulled my police issued blue ink roller ball pen from my pocket. 

"Must be black ink, dear." said the lady as she handed me a black ink pen. 

It was official.  My sister was married to my ex and I had no idea how I felt about it.

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Today is Sunday and I have finished my writing challenge...now I am kid free and ready to sit on the couch and relax the day away!

Enjoy your Sunday all and back to the grind tomorrow!!

~KEL

Channeling a Writer- Day 12

Writing Challenge word of the day:

D E C A Y

Life as she had once knew it no longer made sense.  Did Danny and Charlotte have something going on?  Why would she use his last name?  Where was Nathan?  Her supposed Husband?

"Can I take a few hours?" 

"Of course, take the day.  Are you OK?"

"Sure.  I am going to check some records out and do some research of my own, if that is OK?"

"Kat, be careful and don't start to soon.  That is all I ask.  I know you are stubborn and if it were my family, I'd be the same, but just pace yourself.  I have our best, besides yourself, working on this.  Mac has requested to assist you in your work, should you have it."

I nodded, knowing that there was more to this story than what I was being told at this point.  The "be careful" signaled that something had been found that was less than desirable. 

"I am going to run down to the Morgue, just to see if anything sticks out, since it is not fresh in my mind anymore." 

"Sure.  I will give Mac a call and send him down shortly."

~

The hallway to the Morgue was stagnate.  The smell of decay surrounded a person, smacking them in the face.  It was a smell that only one that had been accustomed to, could get used to. A mix between decay and chemical, that made a sweet and sour bitter smell fill your lungs.

"Kat, what can I do the pleasure?" 

Will was a younger guy, dark complexion, bright eyes and perfectly straight and white teeth, to match his incredible personality.  It made me wonder why he would pick this profession.  He seemed so social able, so engaging, but yet he worked with the dead, in the brightly lite, stark white room, alone. 

"Will, my favorite undertaker."  a joke we had between ourselves. 

"You seems in better spirits, any news?"

"Thanks, no, which is why you get my company today.  Everything seems so weird and I feel like I am starting to imagine things that I don't know were really fact or fiction. Mind games, of which I knew to well." 

I shared my thoughts with Will, who was more than obliged to listen,and listen intently.  

"Do you think you are imaging it all, or do you think, somewhere within yourself, you were missing the relationship Charlotte and Danny were having?"

"I feel, in my heart, I am missing it.  It would be to easy.  I mean, he traveled, often.  Charlotte was a live in the moment kind of girl.  I have no idea if maybe he took her with him?  What if he wasn't even traveling at all, what if he was jsut with her?  Do I sound crazy?"

"Not with the information, no.  How did the end happen?"

"It was amicable. It just wasn't working. We did not see each other, and when we did,  I did my thing, he did his.  We were used to our own space. We never argued, mostly because it wasn't right.  There really was not anything to argue about. We sat down to dinner one night, his phone rang, he stepped outside.  He came back in and we talked about our day. Somewhere in the conversation we started talking about living our separate lives and not really knowing each other anymore and without fighting, tears or much other emotion, we decided to break, clean, in half and move on."

"Seriously?"

"Right. Sounds crazy.  We were kids."

"Sounds like you were both more Adult than anyone I know.  My baby mama still gives me shit and we have not been together for six years."

"What, Kassidy is six already? No way."

"Lucky for you, no kids were involved and on a personal note, I might be out of line, but sounds like he already had a side piece and it might have been Charlotte."

I sat and thought about that.  Maybe I was not as crazy and I felt. 

"Do you want to look over the remains?"

"Oh, glad I got here before that." 

"Hi Mac. How are you doing today?"

"Good. how are you holding up?"  sincerity flowed from his voice.

"Talking out my thoughts with Will, who by the way is one excellent listening ear!"

I turned around, not ready to look at it...her.  Will had pulled open the cooler drawer.  I could hear the wheels of the metal tray pull out and knew she was before me. 

"Are you sure you want to look, again?"

"I need to, it's been a few days and nothing is fresh in my memory. Nothing."

I turned slowly, seeing the blacken bones before me, a bit of white lurking from where Will had taken samples and dusted for evidence. 

"Anything new here, Will?"

"I pulled two different fabrics from here.  It could belong to her, but it is something.  We also found hair, which was sent to the lab for processing.  Obviously, no prints, but we did find that she had died before the fire."

"It originated with her, though."  my question came off as a statement.

"Um, yes."

"OK, that is all I need.  Thank you Will, for taking care of her."

He nodded, probably not knowing what to say.  Being my sister made it a whole different dynamic, for everyone.

Back in the elevator, Mac by my side, I was lost in my thoughts.

"We should go back to the scene. Do some scaling of our own."

"Um, hmm." I shot back.  Who was going to want to see me....the grieving sister of the dead pile of debris found where a house once stood.  Of course, I kept this to myself. 

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I feel as if I might be moving to slow, then I remember that a word challenge a day is really helping me focus on the what that is going on.

 We are trying to solve a mystery people!

Anyways, I feel that my story is taking shape, we are uncovering new clues and meeting new characters.  

Who is hoping we find something out soon?

Come back tomorrow and let's see what we uncover!

Happy Saturday!

~Kel