You believe this is a game, and you may be right. But if you think you can play it better than me, think again.

I'll Stay ...leave ...me. ...I'll ...follow ...you.

empty and closed, hovering in some frozen netherworld neither sun nor rain could thaw.

Except when it comes to Mom. She is, and always has been, the driving force in this family. And sometimes that means driving us head-on, no possible change of course, into a wall.

Christmas is far and away my favorite holiday. I love everything about it, from the event that inspired it, hoping for a white one, to wrapping presents. But mostly I love having family and friends gathered, and sharing traditions.

Defiance rose up like vomit. I swung back and yelled, "Don't ever do that again!

We kissed for about the thousandth time, No promises, no demands, Just solid rebuilding of shattered trust.