by APRIL ASHEIM
"I can’t wait ‘til it’s built," Spring said, turning her attention to the frame that was beginning to look like a building. "I’ve never had a home."
"You have one now. Maybe next we build you your very own park."
"I can’t believe books are worth that much," Spring said, recalling the insurance check Sam had endorsed and sent to Spring shortly after disappearing.
A bird chirped in the distance and Spring sighed contentedly. "Oh, I forgot. We got mail." She produced two letters from her purse. She handed one to John and took the other for herself.
"We’re invited to a wedding," said John, showing her the invitation in his hand.
Spring read the names Amy Strick and Trevor Donnelly and shook her head. "How in the world...? He told me he already was married!"
"Well, not anymore, I guess," John chuckled. "...Although soon to be again. The Universe is a very strange place, Spring. I don’t doubt anything. What does yours say? Good news I hope."
"It’s a letter from my parenting classes." She carefully opened the envelope and read the letter several times, thinking there was a mistake. "John. They want to hire me. As a counselor."
John took the letter and studied it. "They know a good bet when they see it, Spring."
Spring tightened her lips and turned to face him. She tilted her chin up in his direction. "I love you, John Smith."
John took her in his arms and kissed her forehead. Spring could smell the strong scent of his soap when she was so close to him. "I love you too, Spring Ryan Smith."
The rock stole what was left of the sun and they watched it disappear into itself, surrendering to the Arizona night. "Of all the things I’ve ever painted," John said. "Nothing can ever match the beauty of a moment like this."
Spring closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Nope. Fairy tales are best left up to writers, I think."
"I agree, Spring. I agree."
End
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
There are many people I would like to thank:
My husband Shawn, for supporting me, inspiring me, and believing in me when I couldn’t believe in myself. I couldn’t have done any of this without him.
My mother and best friend, Shari. She will always be the original Lanie.
My writing group: Mike, Thomas, Walt, Becca, Vanessa and Whitney. I am so lucky to have found you all.
Julie, for always being there for me personally and professionally.
Everyone who reads my blog and short stories. Your enthusiasm for my words keeps me going.
The 7/11 man on TV Highway. For supplying me with diet coke at 7 in the morning and only charging me the refill price.
Thanks everyone!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
April M. Aasheim was the second oldest of six children, and spent her childhood living with her mother and her stepfather, traversing the Southwest, and following one ‘get rich quick’ dream after another. Though her travels were interesting and often brought her into contact with colorful and fascinating people, April longed for a normal life. Her early adult years were spent working as a preschool teacher, a social worker, and a community activist. She was also a wife and a parent. During this time she started writing about her life and the people she met. She also realized that there was no such thing as a normal life.
April currently lives in Portland, OR where she is happily married and trying her hand at gardening. She has published several short stories and is working on her second novel, Maggie Maddock and the Witches of Dark Root. She maintains an active blog about her adventures as a suburban housewife at http://aprilaasheim.blogspot.com/.
THE UNIVERSE IS A VERY BIG PLACE
Copyright © 2012 by April M. Aasheim
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
Table of Contents
ONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
FIVE
SIX
SEVEN
EIGHT
NINE
TEN
ELEVEN
TWELVE
THIRTEEN
FOURTEEN
FIFTEEN
SIXTEEN
SEVENTEEN
EIGHTEEN
NINETEEN
TWENTY
TWENTY-ONE
TWENTY-TWO
TWENTY-THREE
TWENTY-FOUR
TWENTY-FIVE
TWENTY-SIX
TWENTY-SEVEN
TWENTY-EIGHT
TWENTY-NINE
THIRTY
EPILOGUE
ACKNOWELDGEMENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CREDITS