Exceptional Grief has its stages. Love Out of the Darkness : Love Out of the Darkness by A.Myers85 Book of the Month contest entry Artwork by Sally May Lewis at FanArtReview.com

Part One The blinking cursor taunted her. Once, twice, multiple times it flashed, waiting for the words—the ones she needed for an assignment, the same one due by the end of the week. The one she couldn’t write. Frustrated, she slammed her laptop shut and shoved it to the side of her bed before flopping on her comforter, her arms covering her face. What’s wrong with me? The thought flared, and she rolled over, covering her ears with her hands. I’ve never had trouble writing an essay before. Unbidden, a kernel of memory flared, and she squeezed her eyes shut. No, I’m not going there! She bolted upright and swung her legs over the side, her hands gripping the edge of her bed, eyes staring at the carpet. When was the last time I vacuumed? Lips pursed, she glanced around and huffed. Maybe a snack will help. Downstairs, she gathered ingredients for a sandwich. Then, as she sat to eat, her body slumped, her sudden bout of energy gone. A familiar itch burned her throat. Teeth clenched, she shoved away from the table and moved to the nearby window. The sky, overcast and gray, promised rain. Nearby trees swayed in the breeze. Maybe a change of scenery? Her abrupt sniffle broke the deafening silence, and she hurriedly shoved her feet into her shoes and decided a quick stroll around the neighborhood would help. She paused at the closet but shook her head. She wouldn’t be gone long. Then, careful to avoid looking at the pictures decorating the wall, she grabbed her keys, locked the door, and fled. The screen door slammed shut with a resounding bang. Recognized Author Notes This is a fictional retelling of my parents' college days. They never gave me specific details about this incident, and I regretfully never asked. However, something inspired me to write and commemorate their love story. I've been itching to write again--the words crowding my head, the stories begging me to write them, but I also haven't felt motivated. This is probably stemming from my pending cataract surgery. I have them in both eyes, but the cataract in my right eye is exceptionally debilitating; therefore, reading and seeing in general is difficult and tiresome. I also fell down a flight of stairs about two weeks ago--right before a trip with my brother--and sliced open the bottom of my right pinky toe. Thankfully, we enjoyed the vacation, and while I could walk and enjoy the various activities, I'm worried I may have indeed broken my toe--the same one I broke years ago. I'm seeing a doctor on Friday to ensure I didn't break it again. Fingers crossed. I hope to post more updates soon.

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