Choices
Topic: Choices
For the past couple of days, I've been struggling with choices. I know exactly what I want to do and I know the story well. Two days ago, I captured the facts. The facts are very dry. Yesterday, I took a stab at the beginnings of a story. The angle I chose was still very factual.

I am not a stranger to story writing. I have written a few. At times like this, I wish I had a few more under my belt; but, I know I can do this. It is only a matter of finding the correct approach, the right tone, and getting to it. I may be on the right track now.

There are so many different ways to write the same story. I've been trying to follow some on of own advice as well. I'm writing what I know. I went with the flow in getting the facts down on paper. I put the not-so-good work aside to come back to it. And I keep coming back. I have the drive and determination to write this story and have it accepted.

If nothing else, I will have the satisfaction of writing a story that is well worth telling. That can be enough. I will keep you posted on my progress.

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When you see Mike and Austin together, you just have to smile. They are so different. Mike is tall, dark-haired, lanky and quiet. Mike wears glasses. Last time I looked, though, he was not sporting a pocket protector. He does have a heart of gold, though. Austin is short, blond-haired, outgoing, and independent. Of course, Austin is only five years old so he has an excuse for being short. Just like salt and pepper, when you find one, you expect to find the other. I feel privileged to have Salt and Pepper as my neighbors.

Our building has four apartments, two on each floor. Mike and Austin have the other apartment on the first floor. The apartments are long with a hallway that runs the full length from the living room to the dining room. Kids love this hallway, it is their runway. I take pleasure in hearing Austin come home from day care. He tears down that hallway as if he?s impatient to see everything he missed during the day. I hear him through the walls and have to smile. I don?t see my neighbors often, but will always gravitate to my back door if I hear a child?s voice on the porch. I?m considering calling Austin my little leprechaun since he was born March 17. Maybe he?ll lead me to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Austin joined our neighborhood almost three years ago. When his mother died unexpectedly, his uncle, Mike, took him in. Austin?s father was in prison for crimes against Austin that are too horrible to recount. Mike became his world. It was obvious the feeling was mutual. From the very beginning of this newfound relationship, Mike decided to adopt his nephew. In March of this year, he succeeded in his quest.