lantern in the Blizzard

Added this for you Heflin :)

It's been six years today since the love of my life left me I wrote into my diary, Maybe today he will call. sigh. Maybe. At least it wasn't his choice, but why did his whole family have to move so his brother could go to college? I retire from my diary to get back to the part-time job I'm supposed to be doing. Everyday from twelve-thirty P.M. to five-thirty P.M. I work at my local drugstore, rearranging stock, working at the register, and mopping the disgusting, over-the-counter medicine laced, floors. It's not the best paying job, but I stick with it to help fund my actual career as an author. Two of my books so far have been published, the rest are still being written.Today, floor cleaning is buying me some extra file storage, and a partial down payment on a new laptop. As I mop the floors a finger makes contact with my shoulder, nothing unusual, people with impaired hearing and vision always think physical contact is the next best thing to words. without turning around I reply.

"Yes, how may I help you?"

"My apologies ma'am, but does a Katherine Grey work here? I've been looking for her, and a few people said that they might have seen her working here around this time."

"Yes," I turn towards the speaker, "that's- ASHER! I can't believe you're here it's been so long-"

"Too long," Asher paused, "six years too long. I wish I had never left you. Even though I loved Australia, always so hot, beautiful to look at, and the most amazing hare. It reminded me too much of you."

"Asher, that's so sweet, but I'm pretty sure that Australia does not have hair. It is a continent."

"Andi, my favorite snowflake, the only snowflake I have seen in six years, I said hare as in the bunnies, not as in hair on your head. Actually I was making a joke comparing my favorite places, Australia, and anywhere next to you.'

"James Asher! You mean to say that you haven't used your..I mean our powers in six years. You didn't give me all of your powers did you?"

"Of course not. No offense, but I need my powers to keep my hair this color, I didn't dye it. That's why I have this blonde streak now, because I gave some of me to you, I'm surprised you didn't get a white streak about the same size."

"Maybe I'll get one soon, but I guess we'll have to wait and see."

"Not necessarily, my friend. There might be something I can do to speed up the process, but don't worry I'm not giving you anymore of my powers."

"Asher, don't try to do anything difficult. I can't be getting fired for letting people pass out while I'm on duty."

"Don't worry about me Andi, or your job. I'll be over at your house for dinner. I already talked to your mom. Dress nicely too. Love you. Bye," Asher says running backwards out the door.

Once again the love of my life leaves me, but at least this time I know he's coming back. I get done cleaning the floors and double checking that all the labels were facing the right direction, so I pace around for a few minutes, debating whether or not to talk to my boss about getting off early. Then, man with short, brown, hair walks in and starts making his way around the store. The man goes down each isle seemingly without aim, until he has passed through all of the isles, then he picks up a random box of medicine and walks up to the counter where I was standing.

"Hi, how may I help you today?"

Diary update: I still despise this job.

"Actually, I was looking for someone in particular. Do you think you could help me with that?"

For the first time since the man had arrived we made eye contact, and I became lost in his eyes. The same eyes that I get lost in every time I see them. The eyes that belong to the love of my life, Asher Blue. Suddenly I realized that I was staring at the man, so I instead I started talking.

"Well, not many people come into the store unless they're sick, elderly, or both, but I'll see what I can do."

"This is going to sound weird, but I'm looking for my younger brother. He-"

I cut him off.....I'm really bad at keeping my mouth shut.

"That's not weird at all young children wander in here by mistake often. If you describe him for me that would be great."

"He's actually an adult we're about three years apart from each other. Anyways, he's about six foot, he has medium length white hair, he said he was coming in here to find his girlfriend, but he forgot this gift for her when he left the house. I figured I could catch him here, but I guess I was too late."

"You're Asher's older brother? He talks about you all the time, well he used to before his-your family had moved away."

"Yeah, so do you know who is girlfriend is then? I can let her know that he wanted to give the gift to her himself that way he doesn't get angry with me for giving it to her."

"Yeah, I actually do know his girlfriend. We go way back.......It's me."

I can not believe that Asher was going to give me a gift. This is wonderful. Maybe he'll give it to me at dinner instead.

"You are? Oh, my apologies, I can see why he likes you. You're very funny. Nice talking to you. Hope to see you again. Goodbye."

Again another member of the Blue family walks away mid-conversation. For once my boss comes out of her office, and starts walking over towards my register. It wouldn't be unlikely for me to get fired, first I start socializing with my boyfriend shows up, then his brother shows up, what's next his mom?

"Katherine, who were those two men that came in here? You seemed excited when they arrived," Janen, my boss, questioned.

"The first one to come in was my boyfriend, then his brother had came in afterwards."

"Really? You were that excited to see your boyfriend and his brother. Interesting."

"Yes. His family just came back from Australia

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Later At Dinner

I decided to wear a knee-length, red dress to dinner, along with a rose necklace Asher gave me a few years ago. Making my way down the stairs, and into the dining room, I take in the sight of my mom, brother, and Asher's family sitting around the mahogany dinner table.....but no Asher. Riker stands and pulls out the chair next to him, offering me a seat. The table is set with our best dinnerware, and the napkins are even wrapped around our spoons and forks.

"Excuse me, everyone," Asher's voice silencing the small talk between our families, "I have an announcement."

He reaches into the inside pocket of his not-so-white-anymore bomber jacket and pulls out a small black box. I catch sight of his brother sending him a wink, and when i face Asher again, he's on one knee; small white-gold ring in hand.

"Katherine Grey, will you light up the rest of my life and make me the happiest sno-cone maker alive, and marry me?"

"James Blue," I pause, "Y-"

I'm interrupted by the sound of my mother dropping a wine glass on the floor.