The Princess and The Minstrel

            Once upon a time, in a magical kingdom far, far away, there lived a beautiful princess named Katarina, and her loving and understanding parents, King Edward and Queen Margarette. They all lived together happily in a huge castle in the middle of the musical kingdom of Austonia. Austonia was considered to be a magical, musical kingdom because the most talented singers and musicians from all of the lands lived there and performed at the palace for Edward’s parties.

             Since Princess Katarina would soon be turning 18, King Edward and Queen Margarette planned a wonderful party to celebrate their daughter reaching the age of marriage. They invited every eligible young man in their kingdom, and the neighboring kingdoms, to attend this party, so Katarina could choose the man of her dreams; the one she wished to spend the rest of her life with.

             Little did they know, Katarina had already found the man of her dreams. Her heart belonged to the young minstrel, James, whom she had happened upon in the royal garden one day as she was collecting flowers for her mother’s birthday gift. James, the son of the royal seamstress, Lupita, was also in the garden that day gathering flowers for his mother. As he strolled along the path, James sang a sweet song, causing all of the animals in the garden to join him as he walked.  When Katarina heard this young man’s voice floating through the sweet spring air, she instantly fell in love with him, for his was the most captivating voice she had ever heard. His voice caused her to feel things which she had never felt before. It brought her more pleasure than anything  her father could purchase with the finest gold and jewels.

             Katarina could not help herself; she had to meet this young man. As she approached him, James felt ashamed that he had disturbed the princess. But Katarina was not angry with James, she was actually quite entranced by his beautiful voice. Of course, his handsome good-looks did not hurt his cause either, and Princess Katarina fell in love with him almost immediately. The unlikely young couple spent the afternoon with each other in the royal garden, laughing and talking, just getting to know each other.

             As the time approached for Katarina’s royal birthday party to take place, King Edward sent messengers out into the land asking for all the young men of noble state and wealth to attend the party for his daughter. But, alas, the young minstrel knew he did not fall into the same categories as the fine men receiving the invitations. James knew he would not be a welcomed guest to this party, for he was the son of a simple seamstress, not a wealthy man.

             When Katarina heard about the grand party her parents were planning in her honor, she became sad, for she realized the one man she wanted to have in attendance would not be invited. She immediately set out to devise a plan, so even though James would not be included in her father’s invitations, the young minstrel would still be in attendance at the party.

               With just four days left before the party was to take place, Katarina approached Louis, the head of the court’s royal musicians, whom she had known since her birth, and asked for a special favor for her birthday. Katarina asked if there might be a way for the young minstrel James to be included in the musical festivities of the evening. Katarina told Louis she had heard this young man singing in the garden one day, and thought he might be an excellent addition to the royal musical ensemble. The princess told Louis only of the young man’s talents, not of her attraction to him.  Louis, having always felt a special connection to the beautiful princess, promised to visit with the young man and determine if he might be worthy to become part of the group.

             With the first part of her plan in place, Princess Katarina sent for the royal seamstress, Lupita, to have a new dress fashioned. While they worked to design and fit this new creation for her to wear on her special day, Katarina told Lupita of her interest in James and her plans to have him in attendance at the party.  Lupita was quite shocked James had not mentioned meeting Katarina, for she knew James was very interested in the beautiful princess.  As the two talked, Katarina confessed her true feelings for James to Lupita. Katarina and Lupita devised a plan for James to make a favorable impression on King Edward and Queen Margarette by using his magical voice to sway the royals, so they might possibly consider James as a suitor for the princess.

             The day of the party finally arrived and Katarina’s plans were falling into place. James had been invited to be a member of the royal musicians performing for the party. Louis had been so impressed with the young man’s singing ability he actually arranged for him to sing a solo for the princess.  Lupita had told her son about Princess Katarina’s plans to impress her parents. James was hopeful that his performance would be well received by the royals, but he doubted he could actually gain their permission to marry their daughter, for he was just a commoner.

             The party was packed with young men from all over the kingdom. As each arrived, they were escorted to an area where they were introduced to the king and the princess. Each brought a gift for the princess; some brought gold, others silver, some beautiful jewels.  King Edward was very pleased with many of the young suitors, but Katarina showed no interest in any of these noblemen. 

             After a while, Edward escorted Katarina to the dance floor where she would be given a few minutes to dance and speak with each of the young men her father had approved of. She was instructed by her father to choose one of these young men as her future bow. The young men all encircled the dance floor, waiting their turn with the princess. Katarina politely danced with each of these noblemen while the band played. Just as the last dance ended, young James came to the front of the musicians to sing his song for the princess.

             As the song started, it was quite evident to all in attendance that Katarina was taken by this young man. The dreamy expression displayed on her face and the longing in her eyes told the story. This was the man of her dreams. Gifts of gold and silver and jewels were of no use to the princess, but this young man’s voice, it was the greatest treasure to her. Katarina’s heart grew fuller with each note which flowed from James’ lips.

             As James’ voice floated through the air of the palace ballroom, caressing each person, smiles spread across the faces of all in attendance, except for one. Prince Richardo, from the neighboring kingdom of Dallamas, wanted the princess for himself. Richardo was not happy with young James’ song, for he had seen the look of love in Katarina’s eyes as James sang. He decided he must have the princess for himself, but the only way he would be able to have her was if he took her from the party by force.

             While the crowds stood in amazement watching the young minstrel perform, Richardo walked up to the princess and drew his sword. Holding the sword to the princess’ throat, Richardo started to back out of the ballroom.  King Edward had not realized what was happening until Queen Margarette saw the sword and let out a piercing scream. Richardo threatened to kill the princess if any of the king’s guards came closer, so Edward instructed them to move back. All of the young noblemen in attendance backed away immediately, looking as if they were afraid for their lives. Several actually ran for the doors, making a hasty exit from the palace.

                Only one young man moved towards Richardo and the sword. Young James, unarmed except for his intelligence and his love for the princess, approached the duo. Richardo only laughed as James told him to let Katarina go. James would not retreat. He loved the princess and was determined not to let this madman take her away.

             Once again, James instructed Richardo to let the princess go. When asked why he should, James responded that the princess was not as pure as Richardo believed her to be. She had been with James that very morning and he could prove it. Everyone in attendance gasped at the thought of the princess and the seamstress’ son being together. Richardo did not believe this to be true and asked the young man for proof.

             James said he knew of a beauty mark on the princess that only someone who had seen her more intimately would know about. Now, James had not actually been with the princess or seen with his own eyes the beauty mark in question. He had only heard his mother speak of this mark, but Richardo did not know this and he became very angry with James.

             Richardo demanded James tell him of this mark, and where it is and for the princess to show this mark to him or he would kill her that very instant.  James told Richardo the princess has a small red mark in the shape of a heart on the inside of her left thigh, three inches above her knee. As everyone in the palace ballroom looked on, the princess, assisted by her lady-in-waiting, raised the skirt of her gown to reveal the mark. Richardo shoved the princess to the floor in disgust, but raised his sword at James, who had raced to her side as she fell to the floor.

             Richardo charged at James, yelling that he, a mere commaner, could not violate the most beautiful woman in all of the land and not pay for it. Seconds before Ricardo reached James, King Edward grabbed the sword from the guard at his side. Edward lunged at Richardo, driving the tip of the sword into the side of the villain. Richardo fell to the ground, never to challenge anyone again.

             Now, King Edward, still holding the sword in his hand, turned his attention towards James. Katarina, fearing her father would now charge at James, positioned herself between the two. Katarina pleaded with her father to spare the young minstrels life, for they had not actually been together that morning or any other morning. Edward asked James how he could have knowledge of this birthmark on his daughter’s leg if he had not discovered it for himself. James explained to the king that he heard his mother speak of it to one of her assistants as they were making the dress for today’s party. James said he has never seen this mark with his own eyes, and had actually turned his eyes away from Katarina as her leg was revealed to Richardo. He could never dream of defiling the beautiful princess, whom he loves with all his heart.

             As James explained his actions to the king, Queen Margarette came into the conversation. She told Edward the young man was speaking the truth. She saw him turn his head as Katarina exposed her leg to Richardo. She also told the King she was with their daughter all night and morning, preparing for this day and James could not have been near her during this time.

             So the King decided James was telling the truth and had actually risked his own life to save the princess. As he looked around at the noblemen who remained at the party, the king became angry again. But this time the anger was directed at the so-called suitors who had done nothing to attempt to save his daughter from this madman. He told these other young men he could not find any of them worthy of his daughter’s hand, for they were not willing to lay down their lives for her.

             King Edward proclaimed to the crowd of noblemen gathered in his palace, only James was worthy enough to claim the Princess as his own. When the noblemen shouted out that James is not of noble blood, but the son of a mere servant and can not marry the princess, Edward took his sword, placed it on James’ shoulder and proclaimed him a knight of his kingdom. He had risked his life for a member of the royal family. James was now a nobleman, more noble than any of them.

             The next month, King Edward and Queen Margarette had another party at the palace. This one was to celebrate the wedding of their one and only daughter, the beautiful Princess Katarina, to Sir James of Austonia. None of the young men whom the king had invited to Katarina’s birthday party were invited to this party, for they were no longer deemed noble in the eyes of their king. Edward happily gave his daughter’s hand in marriage to the one man noble enough to deserve his daughter; the young minstrel with the voice and heart more precious than gold, the one born the son of a seamstress. 

             Princess Katarina and Prince James lived happily ever after, singing every chance they had, about everything they could think of, in the magical, musical kingdom of Austonia.

Believe It

July 27, 2010 (5:45 pm)

Wow!  What just happened here?  Why do I feel this way?  What are you doing to me God?  Is this a test or is this real?  How can I actually feel this way about a girl, no – a woman I just met for a few minutes?  Oh, but her smile … and the look in her eyes … and the incredible electricity that shot through my body when we shook hands, how can I ignore these?  And her voice … it was like honey, and her words, they keep playing over in my head. 

“Hi, Zack. My name’s Maddy. I’m so glad you came to Austin for a show. I’ve been hoping to see you in person, but your concerts have been too far away for me to drive to by myself. I’ve been a fan since I first saw you on my television four years ago. I knew I wouldn’t have long to talk to you tonight so I wrote you a note. I hope you have time to read it later. Have a great show and I hope to see you again … sometime.” 

This took place at my meet and greet just a little while ago.  Now here I sit with her letter in my hand. I want to know what it says.  I want to know why I feel this way. I normally don’t open any of  the fan mail and gifts  I receive until after the show, but all I can think about is this beautiful creature’s letter.  I need to know what it says.  Maybe if I just open this one, this one time…   

Something is definitely wrong with me.  Something evil must be trying to get into my head.  I have to think about other stuff.  I must get ready for the show tonight.   I must concentrate on the task before me, performing for the first time here in Austin.  The show is sold out; 10,000 people are here to see me perform. I have to get my head on straight, and fast. 

July 27 2010 (11:30 pm) 

Why did I wait so long to come to Austin?  This place is incredible.  The show was fantastic. I didn’t realize how many fans I have here.  The energy they produced tonight was phenomenal. I don’t know if I have ever felt this much electricity from a crowd before. They sang along to every song.  I have never felt this much love besides from my hometown crowd.

Of course, there was something else different about this show.  Something that totally puzzles me, Maddy. Yes, I remember her name from the meet and greet.  I was wondering if I would see her in the crowd, if I would be able to pick her out of a sea of 10,000, and I did.  In fact, it was easy to find her; almost too easy.

My first three songs are up-tempo and so I was moving around a lot, but my fourth song slows way down and I was able to take time to look around the audience, and there she was, just to the right of my mic stand about  eight rows back from the stage. When our eyes made contact, I almost forgot I was singing.  It’s a good thing I was singing a love song because it made it easier to follow what my heart was feeling at the moment.  As I gazed into her eyes, and sang the song only to her, the smile on her face grew even bigger than it already was. I think she felt the same connection I felt.  At least I hope she did. I hope the rest of the audience didn’t notice I was dumbstruck by this girl.  I wouldn’t want anyone to be mad at her because of me.  

Ok, now for the thing I have been looking forward to all night.  Now I get to see what Maddy said in her letter to me.  I made sure  it wouldn’t get lost in the stack of letters I received today by placing it in the back pocket of the jeans I was wearing earlier. First impressions before I open the letter, her handwriting on the envelope is exquisite and the perfume wafting from the letter is heavenly.  I’m sure I’ll want to write more in a little while, after I read this and all of my other notes.

July 28, 2010 (2:30 am)

Ok, I’m laying here in my hotel room trying to get to sleep and all  I can think about is Maddy.  Her letter has affected me deeply. She has touched me in a way  I have never experienced before. I feel I need to see her again. I need to talk to her in person and try to figure out what this feeling is. But how do I do this?  I have never tried to contact a fan before. Would she think  I’m weird for wanting to talk to her? 

She gave me her twitter name on the letter she wrote me, but how do I get a message to her without everyone else on twitter seeing it.  You need to follow someone to send them a direct message. I wonder if I could follow her, leave her a message, and then unfollow her quickly enough so other fans wouldn’t see it. Probably not. I have some really observant fans.

 She did include a envelope with her address on it for me to mail back an autograph. What if I look up where she lives and get my manager to drive me over there?  Would that be crazy? Probably, but I feel crazy.  Jim will probably tell me  it can’t be done, that I wouldn’t be safe. What if the press gets wind of this and turns it in to something else?  They can blow this out of proportion in a matter of minutes.  But I’ve got to do something.  I’ve got to talk to this girl again.

Well, Jim, I hope you don’t mind waking up in the middle of the night, but we have to figure out a plan of action. Somehow you are going to help me get in touch with Maddy before I leave Austin at noon today.

July 28, 2010 (6:00 am)

I will be meeting Maddy in one hour. I am so nervous about this. My heart is pounding, my hands are sweating, and I can’t think straight. I have never been this nervous about meeting someone. I have to calm down or she will think I’m a freak.

It’s nice to know Jim understands me well enough to know I am serious about meeting Maddy. I thought he would be so against this, but instead he told me he had noticed my reaction to her at the meet and greet and had seen me looking for her in the crowd. He said he knew it would happen sooner or later.  I would connect with someone and want to meet them on a personal level.  He told me I have some amazing, passionate fans and one of them was sure to catch my eye one day.

Jim told me to sit back and let him do the ground work.  He found Maddy on twitter, friended her, and sent a DM. It was 4 am, but she actually answered back, questioning how she could be sure that he was who he said he is.  Smart girl.  I gave Jim a detail from her letter so she would have proof. She believed him. Next he asked her if she felt comfortable meeting me at the hotel for an early breakfast.  She said yes, as long as she could bring someone else along.  Of course, no problem.

So here I sit, waiting.  Jim says he has never seen me like this before. He believes there is something special going on here or I would not be feeling like this.  I’m not sure what I feel right now, but I know  there is something special about this girl.

July 28, 2010 (7:00 am)

Jim just texted me from the hotel lobby.  Maddy is here with her father and he is bringing both of them up to the room to meet me. Oh my!  I thought I was nervous before, but now, wow, I can’t stop shaking.  I better pull myself together or her father will think I’m on drugs or something, shaking like this. 

July 28, 2010 (1:00 pm)

I have just experienced the most glorious morning and the saddest morning both on the same day.  It was glorious because I was able to spend four incredible hours with one of the most perfect women on this planet. It was one of the saddest because I had to leave her to catch this plane to LA for a performance tonight.

This glorious day started with a knock on my door shortly after 7 am.   I answered the door to find a goddess even more beautiful than I remembered standing before me. After I invited everyone in, I immediately extended my hand and introduced myself to Maddy’s father.  “Hello sir. I’m Zach!” 

“Yes, I know.  Her walls are covered in your pictures.”

“Dad!!!”  Maddy was blushing terribly and, now, so was I. 

“Well, they are.  The boy might as well know what he is getting himself into. I’m Robert Williams, by the way.”

“Very nice to meet you Mr. Williams.  I am so happy you have allowed Maddy to meet with me this morning.  I’m so sorry it had to be this early, but I have to catch a flight back to LA at noon.”

“Yes, Jim mentioned that to me.  I wouldn’t normally agree to something like this, but Maddy has been completely enamored with you for quite some time now and I knew this would mean the world to her. You have had a huge impact on her life.”

“Thank you for saying that sir.  I sensed that from the letter she gave me yesterday. And I might add, she has made an impact on me already, as well.”

Jim invited Mr. Williams to join him in another part of our suite so Maddy and I could talk while we waited for our breakfast to arrive.  As they left the room, Maddy and I sat down on opposite ends of the coach and began to talk.

“I’m so glad you wrote your twitter name on the letter to me.  After the concert, I wanted to see you again, but until I read the letter after the show, I had no idea how to make that happen.”

“You mean you didn’t read the letter until after the show?  Then, when you were looking at me during that song …”

“It was because I had already been mesmerized by you during our short visit at the meet and greet.  Something happened to me during that time and I knew I had to see you again.”

“Oh!  Wow!”  Maddy began to blush again.  It made her look even more beautiful.

“I found your letter to be extremely touching.  I’m sorry all of those awful things happened to you, but I’m glad my songs have made you feel better.”

“My life was totally messed up until the day I first heard you sing. Your voice touched me in all the places that I hurt and made me feel better.  Then, as I learned more about you and how you deal with life, I learned new ways of handling difficulties in my life. Now I know I can make it through anything that comes my way.”  The smile that graced her lips as she finished this statement was breathtaking.

“Wow!  Thank you.”  I reached out and took her hand in mine. The electricity  I had felt the first time we shook hands was now transformed into a supercharged bolt that rocked my entire body. Every inch of my body tingled with anticipation of what could be.  As our eyes met, my mind froze.  I wasn’t sure what to do next. I wanted to kiss her, but didn’t think that would be the right thing to do since we had really just met.

As we sat there, my hands gently holding hers, our eyes still locked on one another’s, there was a knock at out door. I let go of her hands.  Jim quickly came back into the room to take care of room service. He rolled the cart next to where Maddy was seated. Then he poured two cups of coffee and placed a couple of Danish’s on a plate and excused himself. 

I could hear Maddy’s dad asking Jim what was going with us. Jim answered that he feared he had interrupted an interesting conversation, but not to worry, Zach is a gentleman and Maddy will be fine. Maddy heard this conversation also and gave me an inquisitive look saying, “So Zach, what is going on between us?”

“I’m not really sure, Maddy. That’s why I wanted to meet you in person again, without a bunch of other people around. There is something about you causing me to feel things  I have never felt before. First, at the Meet and Greet, when we shook hands, I felt a spark of electricity.  Then, during the concert, when I so easily found you in that huge crowd, I couldn’t take my eyes off of you. You totally captured my attention.  Later, when I finally had time to read your note, I could hear your voice in my head, reading the letter to me.  You captured my heart with that letter. Since then, I have not been able to think of anything else. I had to see you again before I left Austin.  I had to see if there is something here for us, something  I need to do.”

Maddy looked at me with the most beautiful blue eyes and a smile that melted my heart.  “So, Zack, since you read my letter, you know how I feel about you.  So, what do you feel now? Is there something here between us? Is there something that you need to do?”

“When I opened the door tonight and saw you standing before me, a vision of breathtaking beauty, my heart soared.  I really didn’t think  I would ever see you again, but here you are.  I can see you and I can touch you…”   I reached out and took her hand in mine again. 

 This time I could feel the electrical charge blast through my body, into Maddy’s and back to me again.  It was so powerful.  As I watched Maddy, I could see she had felt it too.  I wanted to kiss her so badly.  I wasn’t sure if I should; we had really just met.  I had no right at all to even think about kissing her. How could I even think of this?  We only met a few hours ago.  She will think I’m insane.  Her father is in the next room.  He would want to kill me if he knew what I was thinking.

As I sat there holding her hand, carefully examining her every expression, something came over me; something  I really had not expected.  I looked Maddy in the eyes and saw the same insane longing  I was feeling and said, “I want to feel your gorgeous lips pressed firmly against mine. May I kiss you?”

Her answer was simple, just one word, but it was the sweetest word that I had ever heard.  “Yes!”

July 28, 2010 (5:00 pm, Cali time)

That “kiss” took place almost 10 hours ago and I can still feel her luscious warm lips pressed against mine.  I can still taste her; sweet, like the finest ambrosia.  I can still hear her; soft moans, bringing me pure delight.  Oh, Maddy.  I have never met anyone like you before. 

When I left her this morning in Texas, I told Maddy she would hear from me again soon.  I told her  she would probably get tired of hearing from me, but I would not forget her or let her forget me. She told me she would never forget this morning, but she was sure I would be too busy to think about her again.

“The chances that someone as busy as you, with women all over the world wishing to be with you, would ever think about someone like me again, are slim.” 

I told her to believe me when I tell her that she will be hearing from me.  And I will be back for her. She just shook her head and laughed.

Right before my flight left Austin, I arranged for a dozen long stem red roses to be delivered to her house. On the note card I simply said “Remember.” On the flight home, I got a text message that read “I WILL.”

When my flight arrived in LA, I sent her two dozen long stem red roses. This time the note read, “Soon.”   I received a text message as I arrived at the theater, “REALLY??!!!”

I plan to hand-deliver three dozen more roses to her personally first thing in the morning. The card will simply say “Believe It.”

Birthday Wish

          “Thanks for helping me pick up all of this stuff, Mark,” Lilly said as they both scoured the backyard for more cups and plates and party favors.

           “No problem.”  Mark’s face beamed as he placed the last stack of trash into the bag  Lily held open for him.  “I’ll take this to the trash can for you.”

          “Thank you. You are such a gentleman.”

            Lilly smiled as Mark carried the now full sack to the trash can on the side of the house. He didn’t notice her eyes as they followed him oh–so-carefully as he walked across the yard. When he returned, Lilly pretended to look at the table filled to overflowing with gifts.

             Mark ran his hand over the huge stuffed teddy bear he had given her which sat in the center of the table. He thought to himself, ‘It is so soft, just like I imagine her skin would feel. Oops. We’re just friends. I’ve got to remember that.’

            “It was a great party, wasn’t it?” Lilly asked.

             “Your parties are always the best, Lilly.”

            “That’s because you’re always here.”  Lilly gave him a big smile.

            “True. I have only missed one in the 13 yrs I’ve known you.  Dumb chicken pox had to spoil the record.”

            “Yea, that was so sad. I really wanted you to be here too. It wasn’t the same without you.”  Lilly made a pouting face.

            “Oh you’re just saying that. We were only 7 at the time.  It didn’t matter if I was here or not.”

            “It mattered to me… a lot.”  Lilly gave Mark a shy smile.

            “Really?”  His eyes questioned her, wondering if she was telling the truth.

            “Really!  You’ve always made my parties special.”  Her smile was sincere, he thought.

            Mark picked  a box of jewelry off of the table and examined its contents.  Lilly watched him in silence … wondering, wishing.

            “So, it looks like you got a lot of nice gifts. Did you get everything your little heart desired?”

            “Well, maybe not everything.” Lilly had a slight frown on her face and was also blushing.

            “What did you really want that you didn’t get?” asked Mark.

            “Well …” Lilly shyly hesitated.

            “Oh, come on Lilly. We know each other pretty well after all these years. You can tell me anything.”  Mark looked at her with inquisitive eyes, wondering what she was thinking.

            “Well … there is one thing I really would like … but it’s not something you buy in a store.”  Lilly was blushing even more now.

            Mark was totally confused. He wondered why Lilly was being so shy tonight. This wasn’t like the smart, confident Lilly he was used to seeing.  What was on her mind that was making her act like this?

            “If it’s not something from a store, than what is it? Tell me. Maybe I can help get it for you.”

            Lilly was being so shy. She looked at the table, as if hiding her eyes from Mark.  She was quiet for several minutes but then she took a deep breath and spoke. 

            “Well … you see … there is this really special guy … and I was hoping that maybe … well … I was hoping some how, some day, he might feel the same way about me that I feel about him, and maybe, … if I’m really lucky, I might be fortunate enough to … receive my … first … kiss … from him.”

            Mark was stunned by this statement from Lilly. Could it be  she was talking about him? Did she think of him as that special guy?  Does she have feelings for him?  He studied her face, hoping for some sign as to who this special person could possibly be.

            “Wow!  That would be a special gift.  And that guy would be very blessed because you are very special.” He was quiet for a moment. Lilly was blushing so hard now.   “So, do I know this very lucky guy whom you want to kiss you?”

            “Yes, you do. Really well, in fact.”  Lilly looked up at Mark, smiling, hoping he would understand without her having to say it out loud.

            “Hummm.  I wonder who it could be.” Mark looked as though he was concentrating very hard, wondering who she was talking about. He didn’t say or do anything else for several minutes.  In his mind he was praying  Lilly was talking about him.

            As she stood there waiting, Lilly’s smile left her face when she realized Mark did not have a clue as to who she was talking about. Her heart saddened as her hopes for one more really special birthday gift were dashed.

            “Well, it was just a silly schoolgirl dream anyway. It’s not going to happen any time soon, so don’t worry about it.”  

            Lilly turned to walk away, but Mark grabbed her hand to keep her from leaving. He turned her body so she was facing him.  Her heart skipped several beats as he looked into her eyes with a passion she had never seen before. Could she have been right all along?

            Mark couldn’t afford to hold back any longer. He had to make his move before she changed her mind. He had to take the chance.

            “Don’t worry about it?  I’ve dreamed about it forever.” Mark pulled her closer to him and ran his right hand over her cheek, gently caressing it as his eyes begged her to listen.

            A smile spread across Lilly’s face as she leaned into his hand, a very soft moan escaping from her lips.  Mark’s left arm snaked around her waist as his right index finger traced her lips. 

            “You are so incredibly beautiful. I’ve needed to tell you that for so long now, but I’ve been afraid of messing up our friendship. I have been afraid you wouldn’t feel the same way I do.”

            “Oh Mark. I have been in love with you since 6^th grade. You’re my best friend, and that’s wonderful, but I’ve wished we could be so much more than that.” 

            “Wow. I’m dumb. How could I not see this?”  Mark hit his forehead with his palm.

            “No, you’re not dumb, just clueless.” Lilly giggled at him.

            “Well, since I’m totally clued-in now… and it’s not midnight yet …”

            Mark pulled Lilly tight against his body.  She gasped as his fingers again  traveled over her cheek, then down her neck and around to her back to cradle her head.

            “…maybe it’s not too late to fulfill your last birthday wish.”

            They were only a fraction of an inch apart now.  She could feel his breath dancing across her lips, driving her crazy. Mark looked into her eyes, seeking permission to continue. Yes was their reply. As his lips ever so gently started to touch hers, Mark whispered “Happy Birthday.” Then their lips met in the most amazing kiss, filled with love and friendship, and so much more.

Welcome to my World

Hi! I’m Margy and I reside in the fantastic capital city of the incredible Lone Star State, Austin, Texas.  I’m a native Texan, born and raised in the home of the Alamo, San Antonio.  I earned my Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Texas at Austin.  Hook ‘em Horns!!!  Yes, I bleed burnt orange. 

I am a wife and mother of two fabulous almost-all-grown-up teenagers, a daughter off at college and a son who is a high school senior.  My incredibly understanding and loving husband is an extremely talented photographer who can be found most evenings shooting shows at any of the numerous music venues here in Austin. You can find some of his concert photos and my reviews at All Access Magazine.

I have always loved writing but never had the confidence to tell others about this love until I started my own blog, Cacophony vs Harmony about my favorite musician, David Archuleta. Seeing that others could also relate to what I was saying and that they occassionally enjoyed my sad attempts at humor, has given me the confidence to try my hand at other forms of writing as well.  Now I have decided to share my writings with more of the world at large through fictional stories. So, I present to you, the random thoughts and sometimes odd ramblings of Margy Moore.  I hope that you will be entertained by these words.