Oh Man, I have to take a break from the conundrum Prince Charming and I were in to talk about my now least favorite event.
Black Friday.
In years past, I loved this 'holiday.'
Why?
The DEALS! Shopping! Come on! It's AWESOME!
I THRRRIIIVEEEE off the crowds, the energy, and yes the occasionally cat fights between me and the other competing girls.
-I've won some, and lost some-
It's just, exciting!
Not this year.
Because I had to WORK black Friday.
I had no time at all for shopping for myself.
And that's just depressing.
It doesn't help that it seems like all the 'mean impatient' people decided to come to the pet store today.
I mean come on, it's a PET STORE. Go ELSEWHERE for Black Friday.
Yet, for some odd reason, we had steady business from opening to close.
Even Harvey was surprised at how many people were waiting at the doors before we opened at 5 am.
-I had to be in at 3 to get the animals prepped. Talk about an unhappy Karen. No sleep and No shopping? Plus Cranky impatient customers? Yikes. They're lucky I didn't bloody a few of those stuck up noses.
Really, the only bright side to my day was that Hatch was right there helping me out.
Plus, he convinced Harvey to NOT open on Thanksgiving.
And now, Harvey is happy he didn't. Because today, apparently was the best 'Black Friday' he's ever had in sales.
And that meant a Happy Harvey, because he made money, he got to eat turkey at the table, and watch the football game that went into over time without having to dash out into the store to help customers.
But really, you should have been there to see Hatch when Harvey mentioned a Evening Thanksgiving opening.
I've never seen my easy-going Prince Charming soo worked up.
It was bewildering.
I mean, 'Black Friday' has included a 'Grey Thursday' for as long as I can remember.
Yet, he acted like it was a sin to spend the evening shopping and the morning eating turkey.
'Everyday is a shopping day, but why not set aside one or two and relax with family?' he argued. 'Everyone needs a break, you'll be more relaxed. And more shoppers will flock to your store in the morning.'
Oh so true.
And once Harvey agreed to do a Friday Only thing....
Hatch relaxed. And became my Prince Charming again.
Yes, he's definitely an oddball, but I must say the results for the store and in Harvey were night and day.
He may continue this trend next year.
I can't say I don't mind it.
It was nice to actually not go anywhere, not fight the evening shoppers, just spent time at home.
...with the step-fam...but Hatch's presence made it easier going. He's even having an effect on Tristen and Annemarie. I mean, they actually played a game together! We had a 'step-family' game night. Totally crazy. Everyone got into it. I was even having...fun...which I never expect with the Step-sibs about.
Karen<3
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Some nights I wonder; if I had lived in that apartment, would I have ever figured out that there was a hamster living on top of the kitchen cupboards?
Most likely not in the first few days.
I mean, I didn't do much beyond lay on that heat pack at that point. No movement would equal no sound.
Plus people don't often look up when they're searching for something.
Maille took care of me, hiding me in her pocket when she went to work, placing me up on the heat pack when we got home. All the while she would give me that bitter drug telling me it would help me.
I didn't move much at all, for pain still wracked my body, even with the drugs. Yet, the more time I spent around Maille, listening to her heart beat, the more relaxed I became. Even with Howard lurking around at work, I grew in confidence that the hands of death would not get me. Not with Maille right there.
It was like a night and day moment for me. That first morning I woke up not in pain.
My ears swiveled, listening for signs of Maille or Isabelle stirring, as I slowly lifted my head off the cooled heat pack. My nose twitched, catching actual smells for the first time since before my companions had died. Food, I wanted food. Cautiously, I got to my feet. I was so shaky, but I was standing. Actually standing, no pain coming from my stomach, not feeling the need to be hunch up or try to curl into a ball. I could move!
Finally, I could explore my new home, I didn't need to stay on the heat any longer.
That didn't mean that it was easy. My legs had forgotten how to work, as I stumbled off the pack onto the wooden surface. They kept tripping over each other, but. It didn't hurt. This wasn't pain. It was, the best feeling ever.
Conscious of the possibility Isabelle would be getting up soon. I kept low as I explored the high place Maille had placed me on. I even took a moment to glance over the edge. Everything looked so strange. I didn't recognize human furniture. It looked like a bunch of giant chews for me.
Why would Maille live in such a place? It didn't make sense. I couldn't even tell where she would eat food.
My new home was bigger then where my companions and I had first lived, though, it still had its boundaries. There wasn't any clear air around me, but the height on which I was convinced me to try not to get down. I had plenty of space to move around, but the one thing I was looking for; I couldn't find.
Food.
There was no food up here.
I heard rustling somewhere in the distance. Maille? Or Isabelle? To be safe, I flattened myself as much as possible against the wood. With my new found movement, I really did not want to be found by the wrong sort. I could remember the hand of death jabbing me with it's fang. I didn't want to be sick, ever again.
~Martin Elek
Most likely not in the first few days.
I mean, I didn't do much beyond lay on that heat pack at that point. No movement would equal no sound.
Plus people don't often look up when they're searching for something.
Maille took care of me, hiding me in her pocket when she went to work, placing me up on the heat pack when we got home. All the while she would give me that bitter drug telling me it would help me.
I didn't move much at all, for pain still wracked my body, even with the drugs. Yet, the more time I spent around Maille, listening to her heart beat, the more relaxed I became. Even with Howard lurking around at work, I grew in confidence that the hands of death would not get me. Not with Maille right there.
It was like a night and day moment for me. That first morning I woke up not in pain.
My ears swiveled, listening for signs of Maille or Isabelle stirring, as I slowly lifted my head off the cooled heat pack. My nose twitched, catching actual smells for the first time since before my companions had died. Food, I wanted food. Cautiously, I got to my feet. I was so shaky, but I was standing. Actually standing, no pain coming from my stomach, not feeling the need to be hunch up or try to curl into a ball. I could move!
Finally, I could explore my new home, I didn't need to stay on the heat any longer.
That didn't mean that it was easy. My legs had forgotten how to work, as I stumbled off the pack onto the wooden surface. They kept tripping over each other, but. It didn't hurt. This wasn't pain. It was, the best feeling ever.
Conscious of the possibility Isabelle would be getting up soon. I kept low as I explored the high place Maille had placed me on. I even took a moment to glance over the edge. Everything looked so strange. I didn't recognize human furniture. It looked like a bunch of giant chews for me.
Why would Maille live in such a place? It didn't make sense. I couldn't even tell where she would eat food.
My new home was bigger then where my companions and I had first lived, though, it still had its boundaries. There wasn't any clear air around me, but the height on which I was convinced me to try not to get down. I had plenty of space to move around, but the one thing I was looking for; I couldn't find.
Food.
There was no food up here.
I heard rustling somewhere in the distance. Maille? Or Isabelle? To be safe, I flattened myself as much as possible against the wood. With my new found movement, I really did not want to be found by the wrong sort. I could remember the hand of death jabbing me with it's fang. I didn't want to be sick, ever again.
~Martin Elek
Friday, November 22, 2013
Back to the Story
Unfortunately, no one else demanded birds during 'my' work shift,
(you wondered if I would ever get back to telling you about my first day with Prince Charming didn't you?)
Which meant, that I hardly saw Hatch pretending to be me unless he...she...Okay I'm going to stick with He even though he looked like me....walked by.
He would glance in at me and give an encouraging smile. How was it he could make my smile look good? It had never looked good before.
Of course, I hadn't smiled much since....since....
Anyways.
Time ticked by super slowly when I had to just sit here, covered in feathers, with the noisy birds.
I never realized how much I could get done in a single shift. Certainly Hatch did an amazing job, almost as good as I could have, in finding tasks to do to make the store look nicer.
Finally, and I mean after like an eternity, the jiggling of the lock told me Hatch was finally returning.
He slipped inside, as himself. Though now wearing one of store's work uniforms. How could he make even that shapeless mistake of a uniform choice look fashionable?
"Hey," He flashed a smile at me. "Are you feeling better?"
"Depends. Do I have to stand up?" I replied. Because I felt fine right now, but I hadn't really moved much. "What are you doing in here, looking like...well you?"
He glanced out through the windows. "Harvey has gone on lunch."
I took the implication immediately. He didn't have to look like me with Harvey not around, but that also meant; "I can sneak out without him being the wiser."
"That you're sick. Yes." (I know, we're finishing each other's sentences. Can you say 'Aww!')
I groaned leaning against the wall. "So I do have to stand up."
He crouched down by me. "I'm right here."
"To not carry me, I hope."
He smirked. "I wish I could, but that would defeat the purpose."
"Of pretending I'm not ill. Yah I know. You really didn't have to do that you know." I had no idea what he'd planned for his day, but he'd totally tossed that all aside to rescue me.
"I know." He shrugged. "I chose to." He reached out a hand. "Let me help you up."
"I got it."
He raised a perfect eyebrow, but didn't force the matter.
Good. Because I wanted to do this by myself.
Carefully, and more slowly then I wanted to -I knew I was on a time limit-
I pulled myself to my feet.
And immediately felt like it was the morning all over again.
Hatch's arms surrounded me in a flash. "I got you."
I buried my head into his chest, just trying to keep my knees from buckling. "This..." I swallowed trying to keep my stomach in its proper place.
"Isn't going to work." He finished, exhaling. "I got that, let me think of something."
Karen<3
(you wondered if I would ever get back to telling you about my first day with Prince Charming didn't you?)
Which meant, that I hardly saw Hatch pretending to be me unless he...she...Okay I'm going to stick with He even though he looked like me....walked by.
He would glance in at me and give an encouraging smile. How was it he could make my smile look good? It had never looked good before.
Of course, I hadn't smiled much since....since....
Anyways.
Time ticked by super slowly when I had to just sit here, covered in feathers, with the noisy birds.
I never realized how much I could get done in a single shift. Certainly Hatch did an amazing job, almost as good as I could have, in finding tasks to do to make the store look nicer.
Finally, and I mean after like an eternity, the jiggling of the lock told me Hatch was finally returning.
He slipped inside, as himself. Though now wearing one of store's work uniforms. How could he make even that shapeless mistake of a uniform choice look fashionable?
"Hey," He flashed a smile at me. "Are you feeling better?"
"Depends. Do I have to stand up?" I replied. Because I felt fine right now, but I hadn't really moved much. "What are you doing in here, looking like...well you?"
He glanced out through the windows. "Harvey has gone on lunch."
I took the implication immediately. He didn't have to look like me with Harvey not around, but that also meant; "I can sneak out without him being the wiser."
"That you're sick. Yes." (I know, we're finishing each other's sentences. Can you say 'Aww!')
I groaned leaning against the wall. "So I do have to stand up."
He crouched down by me. "I'm right here."
"To not carry me, I hope."
He smirked. "I wish I could, but that would defeat the purpose."
"Of pretending I'm not ill. Yah I know. You really didn't have to do that you know." I had no idea what he'd planned for his day, but he'd totally tossed that all aside to rescue me.
"I know." He shrugged. "I chose to." He reached out a hand. "Let me help you up."
"I got it."
He raised a perfect eyebrow, but didn't force the matter.
Good. Because I wanted to do this by myself.
Carefully, and more slowly then I wanted to -I knew I was on a time limit-
I pulled myself to my feet.
And immediately felt like it was the morning all over again.
Hatch's arms surrounded me in a flash. "I got you."
I buried my head into his chest, just trying to keep my knees from buckling. "This..." I swallowed trying to keep my stomach in its proper place.
"Isn't going to work." He finished, exhaling. "I got that, let me think of something."
Karen<3
Monday, November 18, 2013
Exposed
Things have gone...wrong.
I can't put it any other way.
It's gone really wrong, and...I have no idea how to fix it. I've never encountered this before.
Because before, I was able to keep my secret.
Before, I wasn't friends with Jake.
Before, he probably wouldn't have tried to follow me.
Yet he did.
I guess now...is the time to tell...well, it.
The secret.
It started when I was young,
My dad knew the signs first, and so was able to hide it from my mom,
before I learned how to hide it by myself.
For me, there is a particular time of year, where I need to disappear for a few days.
To get away from people.
For their safety.
Because that one time of year, I can't control it.
In order to do what I can do, I have to lose myself for those few days.
It's a particular time of year,
and so happened to be...during the campout.
I thought I could manage it.
But I didn't count on Jake.
I'd made sure that he was good and distracted by the fire before I slipped away.
I ran through the woods as quickly as I could, because I had to wait til almost the last moment before I could leave.
I needed to get to a clearing,
And I found one.
Just as the moon rose over the mountains.
I stepped into the middle of the clearing, arms out wide, and let...my barriers down.
Allowing my other self to take full control.
It's how it works, how I can stay in control for the rest of the year.
I have to allow three days of his control, his thoughts, his actions.
It was over in the blink of an eye.
I switched forms and mindset.
For all intents and purposes, I was a wild born...
Wolf.
And I needed to hunt. I lifted my head into a howl and let it dwindle as my increased senses caught the scent of prey nearby.
I whirled, my legs aching for a chase and saw, a pale two-legged thing on the edge of the clearing.
Dinner.
I stalked towards it, wishing for it to run, to make this hunt more delectable.
And it followed my will.
Turning and dashing, a panicked cry coming from it's mouth.
Perfect.
I snarled breaking into a run,
It was too easy. This pale hairless thing. It was no elk, or deer with horns to fight with. It had nothing. In fact, it tripped against a rock before I even caught up onto it.
That mistake would be its last.
Before it could get to it's feet I jumped on it, pinning it hard against the rock.
My teeth flashed down towards the exposed neck, just as a tree branch shifted overhead, throwing moonlight onto the head of the two legged creature.
Jake.
It was Jake.
Catchya on the Flip Side.
Danny
I can't put it any other way.
It's gone really wrong, and...I have no idea how to fix it. I've never encountered this before.
Because before, I was able to keep my secret.
Before, I wasn't friends with Jake.
Before, he probably wouldn't have tried to follow me.
Yet he did.
I guess now...is the time to tell...well, it.
The secret.
It started when I was young,
My dad knew the signs first, and so was able to hide it from my mom,
before I learned how to hide it by myself.
For me, there is a particular time of year, where I need to disappear for a few days.
To get away from people.
For their safety.
Because that one time of year, I can't control it.
In order to do what I can do, I have to lose myself for those few days.
It's a particular time of year,
and so happened to be...during the campout.
I thought I could manage it.
But I didn't count on Jake.
I'd made sure that he was good and distracted by the fire before I slipped away.
I ran through the woods as quickly as I could, because I had to wait til almost the last moment before I could leave.
I needed to get to a clearing,
And I found one.
Just as the moon rose over the mountains.
I stepped into the middle of the clearing, arms out wide, and let...my barriers down.
Allowing my other self to take full control.
It's how it works, how I can stay in control for the rest of the year.
I have to allow three days of his control, his thoughts, his actions.
It was over in the blink of an eye.
I switched forms and mindset.
For all intents and purposes, I was a wild born...
Wolf.
And I needed to hunt. I lifted my head into a howl and let it dwindle as my increased senses caught the scent of prey nearby.
I whirled, my legs aching for a chase and saw, a pale two-legged thing on the edge of the clearing.
Dinner.
I stalked towards it, wishing for it to run, to make this hunt more delectable.
And it followed my will.
Turning and dashing, a panicked cry coming from it's mouth.
Perfect.
I snarled breaking into a run,
It was too easy. This pale hairless thing. It was no elk, or deer with horns to fight with. It had nothing. In fact, it tripped against a rock before I even caught up onto it.
That mistake would be its last.
Before it could get to it's feet I jumped on it, pinning it hard against the rock.
My teeth flashed down towards the exposed neck, just as a tree branch shifted overhead, throwing moonlight onto the head of the two legged creature.
Jake.
It was Jake.
Catchya on the Flip Side.
Danny
Sunday, November 17, 2013
The Second Day of the Campout
Okay, so last night didn't go too badly.
I was able to slip away when I needed to, and none noticed me.
Or so I thought.
"Where'd you go last night?" Jake asked me.
I frowned. "Go?" I had thought I'd remained undetected. I thought that Jake had actually turned in early. He hadn't been by the fire when I'd left.
"Yah." he kicked a stone as we walked. "I didn't hear you come into the tent last night."
"You must be a heavy sleeper then, I turned in with the others."
"You weren't with the others."
"How do you know. You weren't by the fire." I argued back. "I was with them, until we all went to bed." I wasn't but I couldn't get Jake suspicious. Even though he obviously already was.
"No, you weren't. I was there Danny, I saw you leave, you didn't come back. I didn't see you til this morning for breakfast."
I exhaled "You're too observant by half, Jake." I said under my breath. And I not observant enough, I hadn't seen him in the fire light.
"So where were you?"
I shook my head. "I can't tell you." I said, grimacing. This particular secret, I would reveal to no one.
"You can't tell me." He repeated evenly.
"Yes."
"Why not."
I shrugged, keeping my voice low. "Because."
"Because why?"
Were we really going to do this? "Just leave it alone Jake."
He frowned. And I could see him trying to guess what I was hiding from him, but on this I wasn't going to budge.
Now I definitely wished this trip was over already. I'd had enough to worry about before Jake told me he'd noticed my absence. Now the stakes were higher for tonight, where I'd have to 'disappear.' I'd definitely would need to check on where Jake was as well before I left. I could picture him following me all too well, and I couldn't afford to have him do so. Not if he wanted to remain uninjured.
Catchya on the Flip Side!
Danny
I was able to slip away when I needed to, and none noticed me.
Or so I thought.
"Where'd you go last night?" Jake asked me.
I frowned. "Go?" I had thought I'd remained undetected. I thought that Jake had actually turned in early. He hadn't been by the fire when I'd left.
"Yah." he kicked a stone as we walked. "I didn't hear you come into the tent last night."
"You must be a heavy sleeper then, I turned in with the others."
"You weren't with the others."
"How do you know. You weren't by the fire." I argued back. "I was with them, until we all went to bed." I wasn't but I couldn't get Jake suspicious. Even though he obviously already was.
"No, you weren't. I was there Danny, I saw you leave, you didn't come back. I didn't see you til this morning for breakfast."
I exhaled "You're too observant by half, Jake." I said under my breath. And I not observant enough, I hadn't seen him in the fire light.
"So where were you?"
I shook my head. "I can't tell you." I said, grimacing. This particular secret, I would reveal to no one.
"You can't tell me." He repeated evenly.
"Yes."
"Why not."
I shrugged, keeping my voice low. "Because."
"Because why?"
Were we really going to do this? "Just leave it alone Jake."
He frowned. And I could see him trying to guess what I was hiding from him, but on this I wasn't going to budge.
Now I definitely wished this trip was over already. I'd had enough to worry about before Jake told me he'd noticed my absence. Now the stakes were higher for tonight, where I'd have to 'disappear.' I'd definitely would need to check on where Jake was as well before I left. I could picture him following me all too well, and I couldn't afford to have him do so. Not if he wanted to remain uninjured.
Catchya on the Flip Side!
Danny
Saturday, November 16, 2013
The First Day of the Camp Out
"Danny!"
I jumped.
Which for me is rather big, I don't get surprised easily, but today, today I'm on edge.
"Yah?" I called back to Jake.
I'd fallen behind on the hike up the mountain.
"Since when are you so jumpy?" he asked jogging back to me, "Out of all of us I thought you'd be miles ahead already."
I managed a smile. "You guys have been here before, this is my first trip, I'm enjoying the scenery."
He raised an eyebrow "Ah huh."
Why did I have to become friends with someone who was perceptive? I shrugged. "Really, I'm enjoying the scenery." I had to, I hadn't been able to fake being sick. Mostly because I never get sick. So I was on this campout, and I really just needed a way to survive it without having to explain to my dad that we'd have to move.
You think I'm being over dramatic, but I'm totally serious. I had to keep some secrets secret for a reason, and if the whole town figures it out...I'm in trouble. Deep. Deep, life on the line trouble.
I increased my speed to catch up with Jake. "Plus it doesn't help that I have no idea where I'm going." I had a good idea though, I mean it's simple to hike. Follow the markers, stay on the trail. A tomato could follow a trail. That didn't mean that the tomato would know where to stop for breaks, or for the night. I just hoped I'd be able to slip away unnoticed when the time came. It's easy to lose yourself in the mountains, and I was counting on it to keep my secret hidden from those hiking with Jake and I.
"Come on Danny, there's something bugging you."
I rolled my eyes, though he didn't see it, due to my sunglasses. "Alright, you caught me. I'm not used to hiking in a group. It's kinda weirding me out."
"I can understand that." Jake replied with a nod. "I'm not a fan of the group hike either." he made a face. "My mom wants me to like camping, but I really prefer the day hikes."
"Oh? What's there not to like about camping?"
It was Jake's turn to shrug uncomfortably. "I always end up sleeping in the wrong spot."
"Wrong spot?"
"Yah, on rocks, sticks...an ants nest."
I laughed. "no."
"I was six." he replied defensively. "And that mountain of sand looked like a good pillow."
"Until you started getting bit."
He chuckled. "It took them a while to decide to attack me, but yes. I woke up the whole camp with my screams."
"Well, hopefully that doesn't happen this year."
He rolled his eyes. "I doubt that, something always happens to me."
"Hey, with me around, I can look out for you." I replied, jostling him as we went through a narrow part in the trail. As long as he didn't have 'something happen' to him when I slipped away.
Catchya on the Flip Side!
Danny
I jumped.
Which for me is rather big, I don't get surprised easily, but today, today I'm on edge.
"Yah?" I called back to Jake.
I'd fallen behind on the hike up the mountain.
"Since when are you so jumpy?" he asked jogging back to me, "Out of all of us I thought you'd be miles ahead already."
I managed a smile. "You guys have been here before, this is my first trip, I'm enjoying the scenery."
He raised an eyebrow "Ah huh."
Why did I have to become friends with someone who was perceptive? I shrugged. "Really, I'm enjoying the scenery." I had to, I hadn't been able to fake being sick. Mostly because I never get sick. So I was on this campout, and I really just needed a way to survive it without having to explain to my dad that we'd have to move.
You think I'm being over dramatic, but I'm totally serious. I had to keep some secrets secret for a reason, and if the whole town figures it out...I'm in trouble. Deep. Deep, life on the line trouble.
I increased my speed to catch up with Jake. "Plus it doesn't help that I have no idea where I'm going." I had a good idea though, I mean it's simple to hike. Follow the markers, stay on the trail. A tomato could follow a trail. That didn't mean that the tomato would know where to stop for breaks, or for the night. I just hoped I'd be able to slip away unnoticed when the time came. It's easy to lose yourself in the mountains, and I was counting on it to keep my secret hidden from those hiking with Jake and I.
"Come on Danny, there's something bugging you."
I rolled my eyes, though he didn't see it, due to my sunglasses. "Alright, you caught me. I'm not used to hiking in a group. It's kinda weirding me out."
"I can understand that." Jake replied with a nod. "I'm not a fan of the group hike either." he made a face. "My mom wants me to like camping, but I really prefer the day hikes."
"Oh? What's there not to like about camping?"
It was Jake's turn to shrug uncomfortably. "I always end up sleeping in the wrong spot."
"Wrong spot?"
"Yah, on rocks, sticks...an ants nest."
I laughed. "no."
"I was six." he replied defensively. "And that mountain of sand looked like a good pillow."
"Until you started getting bit."
He chuckled. "It took them a while to decide to attack me, but yes. I woke up the whole camp with my screams."
"Well, hopefully that doesn't happen this year."
He rolled his eyes. "I doubt that, something always happens to me."
"Hey, with me around, I can look out for you." I replied, jostling him as we went through a narrow part in the trail. As long as he didn't have 'something happen' to him when I slipped away.
Catchya on the Flip Side!
Danny
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