Natasha “Hey big brother,” Bobby says as we walk in the front door. Alex stands beside me, hand on my lower back. “Hey kid. You better give me that niece of mine,” Alex spots the baby and reaches out to grab her out of Bobby’s wife's arms. “Hi. I’m Bella,” Bobby’s wife introduces herself, “and you must be Natasha.” “Yes, thank you for inviting me to your home,” using my best manners. The home is beautifully decorated but cozy with that lived in feeling. There are some carefully placed pumpkins and cornucopia around the fireplace. I look over at Alex who looks so comfortable with that baby in his arms. If my ovaries weren’t so old they'd seen the days of rotary telephones, they'd be doing flips right now. Bobby is practically crowding him as if he’s afraid his brother will drop the little bundle but Alex just straight-arms him and tells him, “Back off papa bear. I can handle a six month old. I used to take care of your ass, didn't I?” Bobby looks at him with uncertainty but bac
Alex You absolutely cannot take a trip to North Pole, Alaska without stopping by the Santa Claus house, especially in the midst of the holiday season. When Natasha told me hadn't been there, I knew immediately I had to add it to our itinerary. Even though she told me that she hates Black Friday shopping, this is a completely different experience. I grab her hand as we walk into the building which is sectioned off into three separate but blended areas. There is a coffee/cafe area where you can order espressos and baked goods, even sandwiches but their specialty is different flavored fudges There is a reading area where Santa Claus himself sits and reads books to children and adults. Unlike the shopping mall Santa claus’, this Santa is present during all open hours. The rest of the building is set up like a holiday themed store selling anything from Christmas ornaments and decor to toys and books for gift giving. Outside, holds a giant sleigh for a photo opportunity that families l
Natasha I roll to my side and can feel the heaviness on my eyelids. As much as I want to jump right up and put on my swimsuit and head down to the hot springs, even I can realize my limits and admit I need at least a short little snoozer before I am going anywhere.“Alex?” I use my whiniest voice in hopes he will comply with my request. “Yeah?” he asks as he pulls me toward his body, positioning my head on his chest. “Will you promise to wake me up in thirty minutes so we can go check out the hot springs?” Then I add an extra whiny, “Please,” just so he knows how serious I am. ……….I feel an elbow nudge the side of my waist. It's Alex, he’s still laying beside me. “Hey you still want to check out the hot springs or do you want to keep laying there snoring all night?” “I do not snore.”“Ok tell that to the bears you woke up out of hibernation,” he says laughing. “So dumb,” I say as I roll my eyes and throw my legs over the edge of the bed and walk across the room, bending over t
Alex I wrap a towel around my head, shaking my longer than usual, end-of-season hair and beard, while I try to dry off the sticky mess of gatorade my team dumped over my head as the timer rang declaring our victory. The Alaska Aces took the Stanley Cup for the very first time in Alaska history and not by easy feat. This team has been through it. Four different owners in the last four years and so much office turnover, it's hard to know who’s working from one week to the next. After closing its doors for over a decade, the Aces were re-established when millionaire Stephen Osborne purchased the team just four years ago. However, his fascination with hockey faded quickly and the team was sold twice the first year and again two years ago. It is now owned by Frank Holander, a retired Olympic Skier who honestly thought when he purchased it that the two sports would be similar just because they are both considered winter sports. What is it the kids say? Shake my damn head. At leas
Natasha Yes! Today is the day I've been waiting for. Action Auto just called and my baby is ready for pick up. 1984 Chevy Corvette painted with thermochromatic paint in a deep aquamarine. “I finally did it, Marky. I got our car,” talking to my younger brother as if he’s here. It’s something I do from time to time and since the therapist said it causes no harm, I am officially free to speak to my dead brother whenever I see fit. And today is a day he would definitely want to have a little chat. My mind shoots back to the memory of us laying in the grass, sweating our asses off since our parents wouldn't spring for air conditioning like the rest of the neighbors. “We’re in no competition with the Joneses,” dad would say. So we lay there barely moving while dreaming up our perfect lives, everything from who we would marry and how many kids we would have to what car we would drive and what our houses would look like (they would have air conditioning to start). I was going to marry T
Natasha The final bell rings and kids squeal as they push the front doors open and race to the freedom that summer break brings. “Bye, Ms. Knight. What are you doing this summer?” Sarah, one of my avid readers asks as she walks slowly toward the door. “I’ll be reading.What else?” I tell her. “And actually, if you're interested, the library has summer reading group Wednsdays at noon. So come see me.” I have a feeling she doesn't have the greatest home life, or social life for that matter. I wonder if she has many friends. “I'll be there Ms. Knight. Maybe we can read those new werewolf books you were telling me about.” “Sure thing kiddo.” I turn and head for the bathroom where I trade my black suit skirt and yellow librarian blouse for jean shorts and a black band tee shirt. Topping the outfit off with some chunky-heeled summer sandals and tying my long amber hair into a high ponytail, I look like I’m officially kicking off summer right. I'll be driving North for the week, enjo
Alex Waking up later than usual, I scratch my long beard and look in the mirror. I’m not so bad, I say to myself. At 6’4”, I’m taller than most men and thanks to my hockey background I have a solid foundation of thick muscles. Those boys had no business calling me ‘Quarter Pounder’ last night, I work out nearly every day. My hair is starting to turn silver, but the salt and pepper isn't bothering me. I could use a haircut though. Going into the playoffs, the team agreed this year to refrain from cutting their hair or beards in a superstitious ritual. This was the first year I played along, letting my locks go wild. Considering our victory, I guess I’ll be growing it out next year, as well, if we make the playoffs. Seriously, if it grows any longer than this, I'll have to pull it back into a man bun. I guess I should call and schedule that haircut today. I grab my phone off my night stand and notice Cameron has called four times since last night. He’s such a hard working k
NatashaIt feels beyond good to be back home, back to my own kitchen, and mostly to my own bed. I had a great time in Chena Hot Springs, I got to check out the breweries as I was hoping, and now I’ve returned from a full week of visiting my parents in Washington, a trip I force myself to make each year. My parents are getting older and while I’m usually losing my sanity by the end of the week, I know I would regret not spending this time with them. I was also lucky enough to be able to get in a few nice hikes while in Washington, including Maple Pass Loop, which was on my hiking bucket list. Nothing can compare to the seclusion I can find in Alaska, though. While I am always anxious about visiting my parents, it wasn't as bad as I was anticipating and now that it's over, I can concentrate on having the kick ass summer I deserve. I mean it’s not that my parents are bad people. It's the opposite, really. My mom has never really got over the loss of my brother and my dad just spend