#Whispering Bill Anderson

[twohearts-hs]

Always & Forever One - Marshall Mathers x Reader Series

Words: 2.3k

Pairings: Marshall Mathers x Fem!Reader Series

Synopsis;: They loved each other with every fibre and being. They knew that they were meant to be together, but it seemed like every obstacle came in the way. She was twenty-one, he was forty and they knew that it would be hard. Therefore, they promised forever and always as they were meant to be together despite every turmoil that came their way.

Warnings: Swearing, Alcohol & smoking. More warnings will come throughout the series.

|| Masterlist for Series ||

Hope you enjoy :)

May 2012

Y/N was utterly and devotedly late. Never in her life had she been so late for a job. However, she came straight from the diner and believed she had a fifteen-minute turnaround but with traffic and Miranda being late to cover the rest of the night, she was utterly and terribly late.

Throwing her jeans and tee into the hamper, Y/N ran around the studio apartment looking for a black outfit for the catering event. That was the uniform – all black and it did not help that she was two weeks behind in laundry.

“Fuck it,” she whispered as she grabbed the black dress pants and a turtleneck. It stunk lightly of body odour and sweat, but with deodorant and perfume, no one would know.

Y/N threw the clothes on, grabbed her sneakers and ran out of the door before jumping on public transport.

She needed this job. It was the summer and between her summer classes and the two jobs, she was a busy girl. However, she had to maintain her grades to keep her scholarship and additionally, she had bills to pay. 

Y/N moved to Detroit three years ago to complete her degree in art history at the local university. It was a move she never expected as she was from a small town in Canada, however, she was a star field hockey player and had stellar grades. Universities were lining up for her to come to their institution. It was a choice between the local university on Vancouver Island, Michigan and Los Angeles.

The idea of being in a hot climate, tourism and above all a city filled with celebrities sounded dreadful. The idea of staying on the island off the coast of Vancouver in Canada did not sound as bad as she thought. She grew up in a small town, Ladysmith, the same town as Pamela Anderson was from. With a single mother, she grew up with surfing and the ocean. However, she wanted something different.

It was hard to leave her mother. Ree was all she knew since she remembered. It was just her and the surf shop downtown. Y/N loved that shop. It opened when she was three and she spent so much of her time in that small shop. It was her first job, her first paycheque and the first time she fell in love with the idea of surfing.

She was a fantastic surfer.

However, when the University of Michigan offered a full-fledged scholarship as long as she maintained her grades and she played on the field hockey team, she did not know what to do. The idea of being in the Midwest was scary. The idea of being away from the water was terrifying. The idea of being in the United States of America was intriguing. However, above all being away from her mother seemed ridiculous.

But she ended up in Detroit at eighteen.

Now, it’s been three years. She unfortunately, had to leave the field hockey team due to injury but she was able to maintain her scholarship. As long as she kept the grades.

Y/N needed to work though in order to pay her away in the city. Two jobs in the summer, one in the school semesters. She had the diner job since she was eighteen. Ted’s Diner downtown was her favourite place to be. Ted was amazing and as the owner he deeply cared for his workers. A sweetheart at heart, a recovering addict who believed in second chances and was always so kind. The whole team at Ted’s was a blessing her world. Miranda the single mom – reminded her of her mom -  who gave her a slice of pie every time she worked past midnight on the house as a thank you. Then there was Gavin, the chef who always made sure if she was ever interested in a night of rendezvous, he was there.

They understood that she was a student. An art history student to be exact. They gave her time to get assignments done at work while still paying her. It was a second home and she loved it.

The catering job was just for the nights. It was for the extra cash. She would dress in black and go to events where she would hold trays of expensive prosecco or finger foods for the rich. It was fine. She did not mind it.

However, she was extremely late.

“I am so sorry!” she yelled as she ran through the conference centre to the back. Pushing through the crowd, she made it to the back where she saw a very displeased manager.

“I am so sorry,” she began but as soon as she got the next words out, he stopped her.

“Never again,” Sean said as he held up a finger. “You’re forty-five minutes late. You look like shit, and you smell like grease. I expect something a little higher than this but obviously you have hit an ultimate low.”

“Just let me work and I promise I will make it up to you.”

Sean raised a brow and rolled his eyes.

“Last warning.”

Y/N gave him a curt nod before turning back to the kitchen and seeing her coworkers coming and going with their trays.

“You’re late,” she heard behind her before a jab to her back.

A yelp escaped Y/N as she turned to the voice. Meira, her best friend in Detroit was in front of her with a smirk.

“The diner,” was all Y/N said with a roll of her eyes. She placed her apron around her before grabbing a tray. “What event is this for?”

“PR for a sports team,” Meira hummed as she loaded her tray up.

“So, we are catering a bunch of athletes?” Y/N groaned. “Joy, joy,” with sarcasm. Her hair was up in a ponytail and she ran her fingers under her eyes to get rid of the mascara flakes.

“Indeed, we are,” Meira exclaimed.

Y/N walked out with a tray to the crowd of athletes, managers, perhaps musicians and more. It was a room of the rich and famous. Y/N began to make her rounds, letting people grab the drinks off her tray as she walked in circles. A smile was plastered on her face.

However, she could not even imagine how tired she was at the moment. She worked at eight a.m. that morning, did a twelve-hour shift that went over and now she was working for another four hours.

Who was this woman? A superwoman perhaps.

Marshall was standing beside Paul as someone in front of him talked about something he did not care for. A red bull was in hand as he nodded but let his eyes wander the crowd. He dreaded these events and he desired to leave.

Dressed in jeans, a tee, and a hoodie with a chain, most would say he did not put much mind into this event as others wore suits and ties. However, he was just here for the appearance for a couple of hours before he would dip.

It’s been thirty minutes and all he could imagine was going home and watching some terrible movie on the TV.

“I am going to bathroom,” he leaned over and whispered to Paul as he turned away.

Making his way down the hallway to the bathroom, he turned the corner and smashed into a body.

“Fuck!” he snapped.

Y/N watched in front of her as the whole tray of glass champagne flutes smashed on the floor. Hands up, she took a step back as the mess unravelled in front of her. Instantly, her face fell. She was utterly fucked.

Her eyes searched from the ground to the man who was the perpetrator of this event and instantly she let out a loud breath.

"You should watch where you are going,” Marshall stated with a roll of his eyes.

“Me?” Y/N cocked. “You’re the one who ran into me.”

"Well, maybe you should not be so short on corners.”

“Thanks for the advice,” she whispered as she sighed. “Obviously, you can do my job way better than me.”

Y/N did not need this. Not now, not ever but particularly not right now when she was already in deep shit. Now this happened. She was destined to lose her job.

Marshall saw her look down at the mess then up to her. She was pretty despite looking like she had seen better days but there was something about her attitude. She matched him which shocked him.

He nodded before biting his lip to find out what to say next. “I can’t do your job. Thanks for the offer though,” he commented.

/N sent him a clenched smile as she nodded. “Ok, well, you’re welcome.” She was about to turn around to get someone to help her clean it, but Sean appeared from the kitchen. His brow was raised, and he had his arms crossed.

“First you’re late and now you’ve smashed hundreds of dollars’ worth of drinks,” he said with sarcasm.

She let out a sigh as she tried to compose herself. Rubbing her hands against her thighs, she slowly turned to look at Sean.

“I am guessing I am fired,” she whispered, and all Sean did was roll his eyes.

“Obviously,” he stated before walking off.

Y/N glanced at the mess in front of her and the gentleman. He was older, a hat on his head and dressed down but she did not care at this moment. Instead, she removed her apron and as she was folding it.

“Did I just get you fired?” he asked.

Finally, he had the audacity to talk.

Y/N glanced at him and sighed. “No, I haven’t been the best worker so it’s not your fault.”

She was Canadian after all, and she mimicked that type of hospitality. Kindness and sympathy were all she believed in. However, now as she the man in front of her tried to show her a form of sympathy due to his own actions. She brushed it off.

“I have been seeing you working quite hard tonight so-“

“You do not have to be nice. I fucked up and honestly, yeah, you helped but I believe everything happens for a reason and obviously this job was not in my path,” she stated.

Marshall nodded. “Sorry.”

“Don’t fret it,” Y/N stated before walking off.

Meira came out with a concerned face. “I heard smashing,” she began.

"I need a smoke.”

Y/N sat on the curb outside, kicking her legs out as the cars drove by. She was on her second cigarette as she let her hair down. Meira appeared with a bottle of something.

“If you’re going to get fired, I may as well too. I stole this,” she hummed as she settled next to her.

Y/N chuckled as Meira handed the bottle of expensive champagne to her due to the fact she did not know how to pop one. After popping the bottle, Y/N brought the poison to her lips. Beautiful, smooth but bubbly and sweet with a hint of tang. Perfect for everything tonight.

“I needed that job,” she whispered to her friend.

“No, you didn’t. You like to have a healthy saving, but the diner pays your bills.”

Y/N groaned. “I have never been fired.”

“Girl, you were only working there for over three weeks. No offence but Sean was out to get you since the beginning.”

Y/N let out a loud frustrated groan. “If only that idiot did not smash into me, I would still have that job. Then he had the audacity to be rude.”

“You were rude back…”

“Yeah, but he smashed into me!” Y/N exclaimed. “I needed the money,” she said in a low voice, “really needed the money.”

“For?”

“Masters. I am one year from graduating and I have no money saved up for my masters.”

Meira nodded as Y/N brought the cigarette to her lips.

“You know those will kill you,” a voice said behind her. Recognisable, deep and masculine but soft at the same time.

Y/N turned around and glanced at the mysterious man behind her. Him. The perpetrator. Rolling her eyes she brought the cigarette to her lips.

“I know, that’s the purpose,” she stated.

Marshall nodded, shoving his hands in his jeans before taking a step from the shadows. “Look, I just want to apologise and give you this,” he said coming closer to her. “I got you fired, and you need the money more than me.”

He placed his hand out and she spotted the cash roll in it. Y/N eyes widened. Hundred possibly thousands were in there, but she knew she could not take it. There is no way she was taking the money from a complete stranger.

The man nodded towards his hand.

“Thank you, but I cannot,” Y/N said.

“Hey, I am the idiot who smashed into you which cost you your job,” he tried to bargain with her.

“You heard?” she asked.

“Everything.”

“Why do you care?”

“Because I have been in your position before.”

“So, its pity.”

“No respect.”

She nodded. “I cannot just take your money.”

“Look either it pays for a part of your degree, or it sits in my bank account.”

Y/N sighed. “I am not someone who you could just pay for forgiveness.”

“I am not asking for forgiveness.”

“Then what do you want?” she asked with a confused look on her face.

“For you take-“

“Donate it.”

Y/N could not believe this man. He was just waving money in front of her like it was nothing. He was admitting that he was rich and powerful, yet he dressed if he was about to pick up some groceries. She could not accept this kind of money.

“A tip for your service,” he tried again.

“Just sit and have a drink. Have a conversation and perhaps you may get respect out of me.”

Marshall placed the cash into his pocket before stepping down on the curb. He sat next to Y/N as she bummed her cigarette out and brought the champagne to her lips.

“Meira stole this from the kitchen if you want some,” Y/N suggested.

“I don’t drink.”

“Admirable,” she commented as traffic continued to move in front of her.

“I think by running into Y/N you just saved her from four months of misery,” Meira said.

Marshall chuckled. “I try my best, but I am sorry for acting like a dick though. Respect goes out to you for the job you do.”

Y/N grinned and nodded. “Thanks.”

“Y/N is your name?” he asked. She nodded. “Marshall,” he introduced.

“Marshall,” she hummed, “it’s nice to meet you.”

“Likewise.”

“What are you studying?”

“Art history and Meira is in biology-psychology. What are you doing at this event?”

“Fulfilling my role.”

“Important or something?” she hummed.

“Something like that,” he hummed.

She nodded as she finished the champagne and placed her cigarettes back in her pocket. It was nearing midnight, and she had an eight a.m. shift the next day at the diner. She looked at Marshall beside her and she could admit he was cute. He obviously was important in retrospect of sports, but he seemed to keep to himself. She did not want to bug him, but as she got up, she checked her phone.

“Fuck,” she whispered.

“What?” Meira said.

“Fucking Sam,” Y/N said and that was all Meira needed to hear to nod. “I will deal with him tomorrow.”

Marshall got up as well and placed his hands into his pockets.

“I have to go,” Y/N said, “I am up at like six a.m. for work.” She looked at the Marshall and placed a hand in front of her. “Truce. No running into me again?” she joked.

He chuckled and placed a hand in front of himself too. “Deal.”

“Thanks for the whatever this was, Marshall. Enjoy the rest of the event,” she stated as she grabbed her bag and threw it over her shoulders.

“I am going to go home. I hate these things.”

“Fair. I would too.”

He nodded as she began to turn away. “Bye, Y/N.”

“Bye, Marshall,” she said as she wrapped a arm around Meira and they walked down the street.

All Marshall could think was, ‘who was this woman?’ as she was something.

____________

Author's Note:

Thanks so much for reading!

As said in my previous post, there will be 20 chapters as this book is completed. It's over 103k words therefore, it will be posted.

Send me your thoughts, opinions, love and more! I am excited to be releasing this.

Much love,

Ava <3

[sevikasslut4life]

For My Eyes Only

Abby Anderson x fem stripper reader

tw: mafia boss!abby, stripper!reader, reader being cat called, murder, NSFW

A/N: hey guys! I've been gone but I'm back! Also super excited bc this is my first tlou fic, hope u enjoy!!

The cold couldn't be more of a bother, while you were putting on a show for these desperate, foolish men. Eugh, they even smelt cheap- probably why all of them were only throwing one dollar bills at you. Disgusting. Suddenly, your body felt warm as you saw her walk in. Abby Anderson. Why was she here? She was the coldest, most heartless criminal in all of New York. So why was she at this cheap, boring club? You then got off the stage after your performance, nervously walking towards Abby, who had been eyeing you the entire show. Suddenly, you're stopped by a few men whistling and calling out at you. "Aw, sweetheart! Cmon! Show us some love, yeah?" A man in the group calls out, making a groping expression with his hands, his pathetic friends laughing. Then, Abby rose up from her seat, striding towards them, the blade hiding secretly in her blazer pocket. "Hey, fuck face. Yeah you, with the cheap cologne and patchy beard!" Abby calls out, hovering over them as she looks down at the group. "I will not tolerate you talkin' to her like some dirty slut. You'll give her nothing but a limp dick she will barely feel," Abby grumbles as she looks down, the blade stuck in the stomach of the man as she turned around, walking back to you as the pool of blood grew. "Sorry, princess.. You alright?" Abby panted as she cautiously placed the blade back into her pocket, proving that she wouldn't hurt you. "I-I know who you are.." You whispered, still shocked and not able to process the scene in front of you. "Oh? And just who am I, angel?" Abby chuckled deeply as she walked towards you, gently lifting your chin up to meet her gaze. "A-Abby Anderson... T-The mafia boss.. You own the Die Morder Mafia.." You murmured panting as she pressed against you gently, leading you to lay down on the counter top of the bar. You gasp as Abby suddenly placed an arm underneath your head, so it didn't throb or hurt as much. "Careful, sweet girl.. Don't want your pretty head throbbing before I make it hurt worse." Abby whispered, her fingers grazing the strap of your dress before looking down at you. "Is this alright, princess?" Abby murmured, waiting for your permission to absolutely worship the goddess in front of her. "Yes... Please, Abby.." You pleaded, letting out a quiet whimper as the cold air hit your body. But luckily, you felt warm by Abby leaning down, her hot breath against your desperate core as she murmured, along with her hands warming your thighs. "O-Oh Abby..." You panted, your red nails running through her auburn hair. "Mhm, that's my name, Angel.." Abby murmured, her tone muffled by the flesh of your folds she was currently buried in, her tongue lapping like a woman starved at a feast. "Fuck, Angel..." Abby once again mumbled, giving your clit a gentle suck, making you gasp and arch your back, desperate for her touch. "A-Abby, so close..." You moaned out, your lips trembling as your walls fluttered. "Mhm, sweet girl... Cum for me, Angel.." Abby whispered as you gasped, eyes rolling to the back of your head as you came undone onto her tongue. Her praises making you awfully weak, so desperate it was humiliating. "Mm, you did so good for me.. Come here, Angel.. I'll let you rest with me, for the rest of our days.." Abby mumbled as she slid the dress back onto you, picking you up bridal style as she walked to her expensive, sleek sports car. She opened the door and set you in the passenger seat, while walking over and sitting in the drivers seat, driving with one hand on your thigh and the other on the wheel, reminding herself how lucky she got to keep you as hers.

[fullofgutsndopamine]

Feels So Nice (Smile like you’re hiding something)

TW: cursing, mention of fake blood, halloween decorations

this is a halloween fic im very aware it’s april

“this place looks pretty haunted.”

you peak at your side and see your little sister, dressed in an old bedsheet with crooked eyes for a ghost.

you pull the sheet back, constantly falling in her face, before you adjust it, crouching onto the hard cement.

the holes in your jeans are met with the wet cement and you’re thinking how you have to wear these stupid jeans to work tomorrow but your sister insisted you dressed up and how could you say no to those eyes?

“Cass,” You say gently, “i’d never let anything bad happen to you.”

she looks unconvinced, biting her lip and shifting her weight from one foot to the other to see over your head, where the thing that’s stressing her out stands in the mouth of their garage, handing out candy.

even a few houses down you can hear the ominous music that plays loudly from a hidden speaker some sort of circus music that cuts off every few minutes with a maniacal laugh and a chainsaw revving up.

the homeowner also changed every light on their front yard to a dark blood red floodlight, fog pours out of the garage and floats around the edge of the grass inviting you to come in, to take your chances, to see what happens.

“Honey,” you bring her back quietly, “we don’t have to go. We can go to the Anderson’s-“

Cassie huffs, “No that house is for babies!”

you hold in the sigh that’s threatening to escape from your lips, instead: “That use to be your favorite house.”

“Yeah,” she rolls her eyes through the sheet, “when i was seven. i’m older now-i’m not a baby.”

you swallow down the part of you that wants to remind her that she slept in your twin size bed last night because she thought she heard a noise and her head immediately went to a ghost.

“let’s go.”

she takes a step before freezing, offering her hand:

“i can hold your hand,” she says instead, “if you’re scared.”

finally, there’s the kid sister of yours you remember.

“Good,” you say and your voice is only slightly dripping with sarcasm, “I was scared.”

it’s a short walk to the house in question, but the winding driveway makes it seem bigger. thr wrap around porch doesn’t help instead.

as you get closer, you see him.

you know of him, of course. fucking everyone does-

he’s a small town hero (or menace, depending on who you ask) talked about in low whispers when you pay your overdue water bill at town hall with a. check that bounces only 40% of the time.

cindy, the clerk, will take the check, typing on the computer slowly as she gives you the tea. you’ve never been infested in the meetings, but you can hear the noise form inside even if the doors are shut.

“that’s hasan,” cindy will roll her eyes. “he hates this town.” shell slide the receipt back to you, “think half his fun is raising hell at board meetings though.”

He sits in a rocking chair, slowly slowly slowly rocking back and forth, a large box of kind sized candy bars on his lap, a smirk on his face. he wears large rimmed glasses and he’s smiling as you approach, using his knuckles to push his glasses up his face.

as you get closer, cass slides next to your body, making you run into her with every step. by the time you get to the porch, ready for the magic sentence, she’s fully behind your leg.

“Sorry-“ you apologize and you aren’t sure why you’re apologizing, it just seems like you should be

instead of seeming irritated, or rolling his eyes at you, or talking about the line that will eventually form now that news is getting out about the full size candy he instead sets the bowl on the ground, slides off the chair and crouches on the floor, as if trying to make himself smaller.

“My names Hasan,” he says gently, “what’s your name?”

right on cue the chainsaws rev up and he rolls his eyes, fumbles for his phone and pauses the music, holds his hands up like it’s a magic trick:

“Sorry. see,” he says gently, “it’s just music.”

her head pops out from behind your leg but her tiny fingernails dig into your legs and you know she isn’t full convinced.

her eyes are full on him and it’s like he suddenly remembers the wife beater he wears, the fake blood that covers his shirt and even his glasses-

he takes his glasses off, the world is blurry:

“This is fake too,” he says gently, “feel it. It’s sticky. it’s corn syrup.”

you’re about to insist he doesn’t have to do all this, when she hesitantly pops out from your leg, her hand going towards his glasses

he giggles as she swiped her finger on the lens:

“see,” he laughs, “it’ll dye your finger red. it’s all fake.”

he takes some and swipes it on her face, some that was revealed from the sheet falling again and suddenly she’s laughing.

“thatta girl,” he coos, “here.”

he turns around and hands her the box that she gasps at and slowly picks at.

his eyes pop to you and his face is pink, even with the lights on and the fake blood you can see he’s embarrassed

“sorry uh,” he scratches the back of his head as if he’s embarrassed now. standing at his full height, he towers over you and seeing him being embarrassed makes you smile harder, “didn’t think uh-the blood was that good.”

you snort, “for an eight year old? terrifying.”

he laughs back, “Yeah. i guess i didn’t account for kids.”

“halloween and kids,” you tease, “who would’ve thought?”

he laughs, but it’s small and he stares at his feet,

“sorry for uh-“ he shrugs, “all of that. Can i try again?”

you’re confused, but nod and his hand pops out in front of him, “It’s nice to meet you, my names Hasan. I’m your neighbor.”

cassie comes back into your side, a bag of m&ms in her fist.

you laugh, offer your hand and name back: “it’s nice to meet you, finally. you’re well known around here.”

he grips the metal bowl of candy, “hope it’s good.”

and he seems genuinely worried that you heard bad about him, heard the reputation, heard to stay away.

you don’t know this, you don’t know the parts that sit in the cul de sac with the engine running, his voice low and cracks as he reveals all about him, the fucked up parts too

“depends who you ask.”

and you think it’s a good enough answer, think it’s mysterious enough, but he seems worried by the answer.

“lemme make it up to you?” he says gently, “for scaring your kid. i owe you, right?”

“hasan,” you laugh as kids are giggling and running up behind you, “it’s halloween-“

“give me one try.”

you stare at him, the fake blood that drops, how he makes himself smaller, tried to make it less scary for her-

“okay,” you say gently, “okay. yeah. one chance.”

a smile spreads on his lips, “you won’t regret it.”

cassie pulls at your hand, and a new group of kids pile around hasan and you’re saying your goodbyes-

it isn’t until your three houses down that you realize you don’t have his number.

[f-o-and-selfship-club]

My Disney F/O List!!!

Romantic F/Os❤️💖

Hades (Disney's Hercules)

Captain Hook (Disney's Peter Pan)

Jafar (Disney's Aladdin)

NOS-4-A2, Zurg and Ty Parsec (Buzz Lightyear Of Star Command)

Maleficent (Disney's Sleeping Beauty)

Kronk (Emperor's New Groove)

Emperor Belos and Raine Whispers (Owl House)

Dr Facilier (Princess and The Frog)

Evil Queen/Grimhilde (Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)

Ursula (Disney's Little Mermaid)

Dr Drakken (Kim Possible)

Lance Strongbow (Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure)

Jessica Rabbit (Who Framed Roger Rabbit)

Jack Sparrow (Pirates of The Caribbean)

Claude Frollo and Esmeralda (The Hunchback Of Notre Dame)

Darkwing Duck, Negaduck and Quackerjack (Darkwing Duck)

Pleakley and David (Lilo and Stitch)

Lord Dominator (Wander Over Yonder)

Cruella De Vil (101 Dalmatians)

Goliath (Gargoyles)

Dolores Madrigal (Encanto)

Goofy (Disney)

Fear (Inside Out)

Bella and Wally Ribbiton (Amphibia)

Bill Cipher (Gravity Falls)

[Queerplatonic]☘️💚

Gaston (Disney's Beauty and the Beast)

Ford Pines (Gravity Falls)

Toffee (Star VS The Forces of Evil)

[Crushes]🌸

Nasira (Disney's Aladdin in Nasira's Revenge)

Anxiety (Inside Out)

Lampy (The Brave Little Toaster)

Platonic F/Os💛🌹

Hunter and Gus Porter (Owl House)

Woody, Mr Potato Head, Bunny, Ducky, Rex and Hamm (Toy Story)

Buzz Lightyear (Toy Story and Buzz Lightyear of Star Command)

XR and Booster Munchapper (Buzz Lightyear Of Star Command)

Varian (Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure)

Anne Boonchuy and Sasha Waybright (Amphibia)

Wander (Wander Over Yonder)

Kiff Timberlay (Kiff)

Clopin Trouillefou (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)

Kuzco and Yzma (Emperor's New Groove)

Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck (Disney)

Oogie Boogie (Nightmare Before Christmas)

Soos Ramirez (Gravity Falls)

Honest John and Gideon (Pinocchio - 1940s)

Manny the Gargoyle (Ducktales – 2017)

Wall-E, EVE and M-O (Wall-E)

Bear (Bear in the Big Blue House)

Familial f/os💙🍒

[Parentals]🍁

Jack Skellington, Sally and Mayor (Nightmare Before Christmas)

Genie and Sultan (Aladdin)

Victor, Laverne and Archdeacon (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)

Eda Clawthorne, Lilith Clawthorne, Darius Deamone and Camila Noceda (Owl House)

King Andrias, Lady Olivia and Hop Pop Plantar (Amphibia)

Clarabelle Cow, Horace Horsecollar, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and Ortensia the Cat (Disney)

Scratch and Sharon McGee (Ghost and Molly McGee)

Geppetto and Jiminy Cricket (Pinocchio - 1940)

Bill Green and Alice Green (Big City Greens)

Stan Pines (Gravity Falls)

Dr Heinz Doofenshmirtz (Phineas and Ferb)

Horned King (Black Cauldron)

Bruno Madrigal and Pepa Madrigal (Encanto)

Smee (Peter Pan)

Glossaryck (Star VS The Forces of Evil)

[Siblings]🦋

Luz Noceda, Willow Park, Vee, Collector, Eberwolf and Kikimora (Owl House)

Tiana and Charlotte La Bouff (Princess and The Frog)

Meillin Lee, Abby Park, Priya Mangal and Miriam Mendelsohn (Turning Red)

Marcy Wu, Sprig Plantar and Polly Plantar (Amphibia)

Mabel Pines, Wendy Corduroy and Dipper Pines (Gravity Falls)

Molly McGee and Libby Stein-Torres (Ghost and Molly McGee)

Minnie Mouse (Disney)

Lena Sabrewing and Dewey (Ducktales - 2017)

Jessie (Toy Story)

Buttercup and Dolly (Toy Story 3)

Toaster (Brave Little Toaster)

Dopey (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)

Quasimodo and Hugo (The Hunchback of Notre Dame)

Jasmine (Aladdin)

[Children]🍰

Little Green Men (Toy Story and Buzz Lightyear Of Star Command)

Blanky (Brave Little Toaster)

Pinocchio (Pinocchio - 1940s)

Cricket Green and Tilly Green (Big City Greens)

Pea-in-a-Pod and Bonnie Anderson (Toy Story)

Antonio Madrigal (Encanto)

[Other Familials]💜

Gwendolyn Clawthorne - grandmother, Edric Blight - cousin and Emira Blight - cousin (Owl House)

Hop Pop Plantar - grandfather (Amphibia)

Alice Green - grandmother (Big City Greens)

Pet f/os🐑🤍

Zero (Nightmare Before Christmas)

Flapjack, Clover, King and Hooty (Owl House)

King, Hooty, Flapjack and Clover (Owl House)

Iago, Abu and Rajah (Aladdin)

Tutter (Bear in the Big Blue House)

Slinky Dog (Toy Story)

Mallymkun and Cheshire (Alice In Wonderland – 2010)

Figaro (Pinocchio - 1940s)

Pluto (Disney)

Hei Hei (Moana)

(dividers owned by @enchanthings-a)

[grimwalker-grimoire]

System Member Blogs

Moving this from our pinned so that our pinned is a little shorter, and we have more room to actually update this!

List of blogs specific to certain headmates/groups of headmates below.

@archiealterhuman -- Archie

Zonic [STH] fictive

Shadow [STH] fictionkin

Heephis [TMOM, STH] fictionkin

Angel Dust [HH] fictionkin

Hank Anderson [D:BH] fictionkin

Peridot [SU] fictionkin

James [PKMN] fictionkin

Lief [DQ] fictionkin

Hunter [TOH] fictionkin

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo therian

Maned Wolf hearted

Scourge [STH] linker

Post Topics: Alterhuman.

@killingthrilling -- Fleety

Fleetway!Super Sonic [STH] fictive

Post Topics: Alterhuman, misc.

@ohmyxeros -- Xeros

Sonic.EXE [STH] fictive

GLaDOS [Portal] fictionkin

Reaper Leviathan [Subnautica] fictionkin

Belos [TOH] fictionkin

Deerhearted

Post Topics: Sciencecore, villaincore, misc.

@royalscourge -- Royal

Scourge [STH] fictive

Dialga [PKMN] fictive

Bluestar [WC] fictionkin

Eda Clawthorne [TOH] fictionkin

Dragonkin)

Post Topics: Alterhuman, aesthetics (gemstones, castles).

@dime-time -- Dime

Sonic.EXE [STH] fictive

Bill Cipher [GF] fictionkin

Alastor [HH] fictionkin

Cecil Palmer [WTNV] fictionkin

Noncanon Sonic character hearted

Post Topics: Alterhuman, misc.

@glowyliquid -- Hazard

Scourge [STH] fictive

Queen [DR] fictionkin

Post Topics: Sciencecore, villaincore, neon aesthetic.

@periperil -- Peri

Peridot [SU] fictive

Post Topics: Alterhuman.

@spectrum-scourge -- Rave

Scourge [STH] fictive

Raine Whispers [TOH] fictionkin

Post Topics: LGBT+, neurodivergent, alterhuman, music, misc.

@sarksdimension -- Sark

Sark [Sonic.EXE NB] fictive

Longtail [WC] fictionkin

King [TOH] fictionkin

Post Topics: Alterhuman.

@spamtonbytes -- Byte

Sonic.EXE [STH] fictive

Metal Sonic [STH] fictive

Spamton [DR] fictionkin

Cabinet Man [Lemon Demon] songkin

AI-hearted

Post Topics: Alterhuman, fandom (Deltarune), memes.

@collector-chaos -- The Collector [TOH] fictives

Various fictives and alterhuman identities.

Post Topics: Alterhuman, fandom (The Owl House), memes.

@abadbutsadcollective -- Hunter [TOH] fictives

Various fictives and alterhuman identities.

Post Topics: Alterhuman, fandom (The Owl House), birds, queer.

@possessed-pack -- Possessed!Hunter [TOH] fictives

Various fictives and alterhuman identities.

Post Topics: Alterhuman, fandom (The Owl House), aesthetics (monsters, darkness, nature), disability.

@corvus-ad-astra -- Alpha Centauri Subsystem

Crowley [GO] fictives

Bearded Vulture therian

Post Topics: Alterhuman, fandom (Good Omens), aesthetics (space, religious), misc.

@mystery-aberration -- Mystery

The Distortion [TMA] fictive

Hisuian Zoroark [PKMN] fictionkin

Macaw therian

Post Topics: Alterhuman, fandom (The Magnus Archives), various art and memes, aesthetics (weirdcore, liminal spaces, unreality, glitches, snow and cold).

@leviafin -- Fin

Noncanon Vast/Hunt Avatar [TMA]

Sebastian Solace [RBLX: Pressure] Fictive

Shadow the Hedgehog [STH] hearted

Post topics: Various art, memes, alterhumanity, aesthetics (water, ocean).

@mercury-lattice -- Cinnabar

Noncanon Desolation/Web Avatar [TMA] fictive

Post topics: Alterhumanity, plurality, aesthetics (fire, nature, spiders), memes.

@kaboom--bitch -- Shrapnel

Bakugo [MHA] fictive

Sylvesqual [RBLX: COS] hearted

Dragonkin

Post topics: Alterhumanity, anti-psych, disability, advocacy, terrorpunk, dragons, art.

@draconicred -- Red

Kirishima [MHA] fictive

Dragonkin

Post topics: Funny things/memes, MHA, positivity, dragons, art.

@deltoradecay -- Dagger of Decay Subsystem

Dain [DQ] fableing

^ Junpei Yoshino [JJK] fictionkin

Tomura Shigaraki [MHA] fableing

^ Mahito [JJK] fictionkin

Lamplighter [OneShot] fableing

Arthropod-hearted

Post topics: Alterhumanity, disability, JJK, MHA, whatever else.

@funeral--pyre -- Onslaught

Dabi [MHA] fictive

Daemian, Reshiram [PKMN] daemon

Reshiram [PKMN] otherhearted

Post topics: alterhumanity, aesthetics (fire), pokemon.

Source Key:

COS - Creatures of Sonaria

D:BH - Detroit: Become Human

DR - Deltarune

DQ - Deltora Quest

HH - Hazbin Hotel

JJK - Jujutsu Kaisen

PKMN - Pokemon

RBLX - Roblox

STH - Sonic the Hedgehog

SU - Steven Universe

TMA - The Magnus Archives

TOH - The Owl House

WC - Warriors/Warriorcats

WTNV - Welcome to Night Vale

[brookstonalmanac]

Birthdays 11.1

Beer Birthdays

Ferdinand Rodenbach (1714)

Benjamin Lee, Baronet Guinness (1798)

Petrus Van Roy (1830)

Arthur Edward Guinness, Lord Ardilaun (1840)

Edmund Fitzgerald (1847)

Henry Schupp (1868 or 69)

Loretta Ann Rissell, Miss Rheingold 1963 (1940)

Five Favorite Birthdays

William Merritt Chase; artist (1849)

Toni Collette; Australian actor (1972)

Larry Flynt; magazine publisher (1942)

Charlie Kaufman; screenwriter (1958)

Edward Said; Palestinian writer (1935)

Famous Birthdays

Rick Allen; rock drummer (1963)

"Whispering" Bill Anderson; songwriter (1937)

Sholem Asch; Polish writer (1880)

Jules Bastien-Lepage; French artist (1848)

Bo Bice; singer and musician (1975)

Edmund Blunden; English author, poet (1896)

Barbara Bosson; actor (1939)

Hermann Broch; Austrian-American author (1886)

Jan Brożek; Polish mathematician, astronomer (1585)

Tim Cook; Apple Inc. CEO (1960)

Stephen Crane; writer (1871)

Jan Davis; astronaut (1953)

Louis Dewis; Belgian-French painter (1872)

Lou Donaldson; saxophonist (1926)

Richard "Kinky" Friedman; rock singer (1944)

Nordahl Grieg; Norwegian poet (1902)

Michael D. Griffin; physicist and engineer (1949)

Sophie B. Hawkins; rock musician (1967)

Ted Hendricks; Green Bay Packers/Colts/Raiders LB (1947)

Shere Hite; writer, researcher (1942)

Eugen Jochum; German conductor (1902)

Mitch Kapor; Lotus & EFF founder (1950)

Roger Kellaway; pianist, composer (1940)

George Kenner; German-American painte (1888)

Anthony Kiedis; rock singer (1962)

James Kirkpatrick; television journalist (1920)

Robert B. Laughlin; physicist (1950)

Lyle Lovett; singer, songwriter (1957)

L.S. Lowry; British artist (1887)

Jenny McCarthy; model, actor (1972)

Ken Miles; English-American race car driver (1918)

Philip Noel-Baker; Canadian politician, activist (1889)

Gary Player; golf player (1935)

Aishwarya Rai; Indian actor (1973)

Grantland Rice; writer (1880)

Barry Sadler; songwriter (1940)

Jim Steinman; rock songwriter (1947)

Rachel Ticotin; actor (1958)

Fernando Valenzuela; Los Angeles Dodgers P (1960)

Marcia Wallace; actor (1942)

[colindotpdx]

Music Overload In Music City

We hit Robert’s Western World on Lower Broadway late Saturday for much drinking into the small hours and dancing to *Brandon Birkedahl and the Beer Joint Jumpers*. I sat next to two older ladies from Indiana who said they were here from 11am to 2am every day they were in Nashville. They were still hopping when we left and, lo and behold, they were in the same seats at noon the next day for Sunday morning Gospel music. May the Lord be praised!

The Ryman Auditorium was built as a Union Gospel Tabernacle in 1892 and still stands with the same sturdy wooden pews. For 30 years it was the home of the Grand Ole Opry, then abandoned, and now restored as a first class music venue; massive solid pews included. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit played their last show of the year and went out with a bang. Just a brilliant talent and wonderful show in every way.

The Grand Ole Opry moved to a newer and bigger venue in the 70s but still maintained the wooden pews - now with padding thankfully - for 4000 people attending the live radio broadcasts on WSM Radio. The show this week was headlined by Vince Gill and included six other artists that I had never heard of but now love completely. Rhonda Vincent and her bluegrass band, Thompson Square and Drew Holcomb are contemporary groups with beautiful heartbreaking voices. Whispering Bill Anderson first performed at the Opry in 1959 and at 86 years old was still crooning to a standing ovation this week.

I really loved Don Schlitz and I was certainly the only person in the audience that did know that he wrote the classic lines “You gotta know when to fold ‘em, Know when to hold ‘em, Know when to walk away, Know when to run”. Every country song is a life lesson to be learned and Vince Gill owned the Opry with “Which bridge to cross and which bridge to burn”. Marvelous evening.

Along with all this, Nashville is home to Gibson Guitars and the Gibson Garage is their showcase showroom that has every guitar they make circulating above the customers; just pick one up and play all day.

And no guitar visit would be complete without lunch at *Arnold’s Meat and Three* cafeteria style restaurant and Carter Vintage Guitar across the street. Literally a shed load of guitars ready to be picked up and picked without any hovering sales people. I went in with a somewhat specific interest in a Gibson Dove as my first ever guitar was a Japanese copy and I wanted a real one because … nostalgia. No other reason. I ended up playing over 20 guitars, wanting to buy half a dozen, and left empty handed, giddy, and confused.

[tuttle-4077]

Tuttle's Story Catalogue

Story 3:

Whispering Sour Somethings

It's the one that started it all! Yes, way back in 2007, after lurking the HH fandom for nearly a year, I decided to jump in feet first! But the quality of the HH fandom was so great that I couldn't just put out any story! It had to be thrilling! Dynamic! A story fit for the show! And I thought this one would fit the bill! Though technically rough (POV jumps around terribly, I misspelled 'Schultz', and the 'twist' wasn't set up properly), it was a good debut.

Captain Theodore Anderson is up for promotion, with thirty missions under his belt. But something feels wrong. Why is he suddenly second-guessing the war and his role in it? He doesn't have a lot of time to ponder this when his crew mutinies and lands their bomber in the middle of Nazi Germany-- on purpose!

Now it's up to Hogan and the boys to find out what's going on. What would make a bomber crew defect after so much success? The answer may lie with Berlin Betty and a secret lab run by the malevolent Dr. Kunze!

Like I said, this one is rough. It was my first story and I was not at all a polished writer. But it's a good caper that poses some moral and ethical dilemmas for our heroes.

Chapters: 15

Words: 35,806

Main POV: Hogan, Captain Anderson

Date: August 23, 1943

Universe: World of Weird

Related Stories: Supermen, Distant Sun

Reviews: 16

Average Reviews/Chapter: 1.23

Deaths: Yes, (Dr. Kunze)

PBAs: 2008 Gold Original Character, Bronze Quote

[blooddrinkingbartender]

Bill was still smiling as well. He had already delved into a few small memories of his own; of Russell pointing out different constellations, or particular stars and how you could tell which they were, like Sirius being the brightest one you could see.

"It's Russell..." Russell replied then. It was on the dog tags, and it had taken some time for it to settle back in as his name, but he at least knew that was his first name.

Even saying it now seemed to make that fall further into place.

"Russell..." he hesitated when the last name didn't seem to come to him. It was still trapped in that murk inside of his mind, "I... I think it, it begins with, with a T... or, or... a... an A... I... I don't, it's, it's not clear..."

His head briefly shook.

"His birth father's surname was Tolbert. His mother's is Anderson... that might explain the confusion there," Bill whispered to Jonathan then. But it was something that was still there.

Russell paused again at that question. Family?

"I... I, I had my, my neighbour Bill. He, he was always there, like, like a dad."

Bill's face lit up on hearing that part. But it was quick to fade again as Russell continued.

"My, my birth dad wasn't, wasn't there, I, I don't think, and, and there, there was..."

A familiar voice echoed in his brain then. A woman's voice, and it carried nothing but disdain.

Russell?

There was a face. A pale face framed by black hair, but what was truly notable were her eyes. There was nothing but hatred swimming in that blue stare. Russell's hand twitched a little bit at the new muffled anxiety that popped up. Shoulders stiffened slightly. It was almost like she was there.

Russell? Who are you talking to? How many times have I told you not to talk to strangers?!

"No, no one, m-m-mom. See, there's, there's no, no one here at, at all... it's, it's just me..."

Oh you poor idiot boy. Poor sad little cockroach. Of course you're talking to yourself. When no one likes you, you're the only option you have... well stop talking so loud! You're disturbing my sleep again!

"S-sorry, m-mom... s-sorry, I, I didn't, I didn't mean to," Russell replied then, before he seemed to breathe a quiet sigh of relief as she seemed to fade again, like leaving a room. Some awareness slowly seeped back. He had been so immersed in that moment that he had almost forgotten it was just a memory, "I, I think that was my, my mom... I mean, some, some memory of, of her, I'm, I'm sorry... her, her name, her name was... C-Cass-Cassandra..."

"Cassandra..." Bill's voice was a low growl as he said the name right at the exact same time. His own hand tightened into a fist again.

{Jonathan found himself genuinely smiling at Russell’s answer, he found it to be very endearing that the young man had a fascination for the stars. He briefly found himself considering buying a book on astrology and space study for him, as a parting gift when all was hopefully said and done.}

{Satisfied with the progress he’d made with Russell after finally seeing his mind and body fully relax under hypnosis, Dr.Swansea decided that it was finally time to dive in. However, he knew this was a delicate process - one couldn’t just dive into the deep end and expect results. No, he had to work his way there, and so began questions that could help build to where the session of hypnosis would ultimately end in.}

“What is your name?” {Dr.Swansea asked, his voice measured and even, a deep sense of calmness washing over each word and syllable as he spoke. When he got his answer, he followed it up with another.} “Can you tell me who your family members are?”

[docrotten]

DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK (1973) – Episode 215 – Decades Of Horror 1970s

“When will they come? When will they come? When will they come and set us free?” Who are “they?” Who are “us?” Free from what? Sheez, so many questions. Join your faithful Grue Crew – Doc Rotten, Bill Mulligan, Chad Hunt, and Jeff Mohr – as they visit the Farnham household for answers in Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (1973).

Decades of Horror 1970s Episode 215 – Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (1973)

Join the Crew on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel! Subscribe today! And click the alert to get notified of new content! https://youtube.com/gruesomemagazine

Decades of Horror 1970s is partnering with the WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL (https://wickedhorrortv.com/) which now includes video episodes of the podcast and is available on Roku, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, and its online website across all OTT platforms, as well as mobile, tablet, and desktop.

A young couple inherits an old mansion inhabited by small demon-like creatures determined to make the wife one of their own.

  Directed by: John Newland

Writer: Nigel McKeand

Music by: Billy Goldenberg

Cinematography by: Andrew Jackson (director of photography)

Makeup Department: Michael Hancock (makeup artist) (as Mike Hancock); Robert Sidell (makeup artist); Bruce Jossen (hair stylist) (as Jossen);

Selected Cast:

Kim Darby as Sally Farnham

Jim Hutton as Alex Farnham

Barbara Anderson as Joan Kahn

William Demarest as Mr. Harris

Pedro Armendáriz Jr. as Francisco Perez (as Pedro Armendariz Jr.)

Lesley Woods as Ethyl

Robert Cleaves as Doctor

Sterling Swanson as Policeman

Joel Lawrence as George Kahn (as J.H. Lawrence)

William Sylvester as Tom Henderson

Don Mallon as Bob

Celia Milius as Anne (as Celia Kaye)

Elizabeth St. Clair as Party Guest

Monika Henreid as Party Guest (as Monica Henreid)

Robert Priest as Party Guest

Ted Swanson as Bartender

Felix Silla as Creature

Tamara De Treaux as Creature (as Tamara DeTreaux)

Patty Maloney as Creature

Nigel McKeand as Demon (voice) (uncredited)

Ah, the “movie-of-the-week” in the Seventies in the States, when the family gathered around the boob tube deciding which network to watch. On occasion, the decision was to catch a scary movie, perhaps, such as this episode’s topic, Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (1973). The film is littered with small, creepy, whispering “demons” out to get Sally (Kim Darby). Will they succeed in claiming Sally as one of their own? All the while, her husband (Jim Hutton) and their handyman (William Demarest) argue on the phone and her friend (Barbara Anderson) gets locked out of the house. How does this TV quickie hold up? Trust that the grue Crew has an opinion.

At the time of this writing, Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark is available to stream from archivedotorg and PPV from Google Play and YouTube, and on physical media in Blu-ray format from Warner Archives.

Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror 1970s is part of the Decades of Horror two-week rotation with The Classic Era and the 1980s. In two weeks, the next episode, chosen by Chad, will be The Alien Factor (1978), a science fiction, horror film shot on a micro-budget with some ringers hiding in the credits for the film’s special effects. 

We want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans: comment on the site or email the Decades of Horror 1970s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com. 

Check out this episode!

[niroshanhemantha]

READ THIS SHORT STORY

" What goes around comes around "

One day a man saw an old lady, stranded on the side of the road, but even in the dim light of day, he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. His Pontiac was still sputtering when he approached her.

Even with the smile on his face, she was worried. No one had stopped to help for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He didn’t look safe; he looked poor and hungry. He

could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He knew how she felt. It was those chills which only fear can put in you. He said, “I’m here to help you, ma’am. Why don’t you wait in the car where it’s warm? By the way, my name is Bryan Anderson.”

Well, all she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was bad enough. Bryan crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two. Soon he was able to change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt.

As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down the window and began to talk to him. She told him that she was from St. Louis and was only just passing through. She couldn’t thank him enough for coming to her aid.

Bryan just smiled as he closed her trunk. The lady asked how much she owed him. Any amount would have been all right with her. She already imagined all the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped. Bryan never thought twice about being paid. This was not a job to him. This was helping someone in need, and God knows there were plenty, who had given him a hand in the past. He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way.

He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance they needed, and Bryan added, “And think of me.”

He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and depressing day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into the twilight.

A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a bite to eat, and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day couldn’t erase. The lady noticed the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger. Then she remembered Bryan.

After the lady finished her meal, she paid with a hundred dollar bill. The waitress quickly went to get change for her hundred dollar bill, but the old lady had slipped right out the door. She was gone by the time the waitress came back. The waitress wondered where the lady could be. Then she noticed something written on the napkin.

There were tears in her eyes when she read what the lady wrote: “You don’t owe me anything. I have been there too. Somebody once helped me out, the way I’m helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here is what you do: Do not let this chain of love end with you.”

Under the napkin were four more $100 bills.

Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve, but the waitress made it through another day. That night when she got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written. How could the lady have known how much she and her husband needed it? With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard….

She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered soft and low, “Everything’s going to be all right. I love you, Bryan Anderson.”

There is an old saying “What goes around comes around.”

• Recommended short story book

(Book: 100 Great Short Stories)

[curlysgirl0202]

Short Story (WIP)

Reader Challenges Johnny Ringo's Religious Beliefs...

***(this story in no way promotes any specific religion or denomination. The religion presented is based on Ringo's upbringing)***

TITLE:

RINGO'S DUEL WITH RELIGION

*One thing we know for sure about Johnny Ringo is that his upbringing included a very strict set of religious beliefs. While attending church every Sunday or participating in religion based classes after school a few days a week, Ringo learned several things. And those beliefs molded his perception and perspective throughout his life.

1. He was born a sinner

2. God punishes men with hardened hearts

3. No one can escape God's wrath

4. Hell is awaiting him

5. God showed His power through cruelty in Johnny's life; the sudden loss of his father, the war taking everything and how he was forced out of college to fight against Yankee oppression. In addition, Johnny Ringo desperately wants to be loved and because he feels so much guilt and shame for his past, he feels he doesn't deserve such wonders.

6. It's too late for him. Abandon All Hope has become his mantra.

You yourself struggled with your own spiritual beliefs and your relationship with God. However, because you view the world through a different lens than Johnny, your perspective is different; you approach the Bible analytically first and that fascinates Ringo in ways he couldn't imagine.

So... you begin by asking questions.

1. "Johnny, do you believe it when Jesus says he died for you?"

Ringo's response may include, "some people don't matter as much as others." Or he might tell you, "It's far too late. My heart is too hard."

Your response:

"Johnny, if you believe God hardens hearts because that statement is written in the Bible, why wouldn't you believe that you're loved? That's written in the Bible too!"

At this point, Johnny may grow silent, reflecting on your words. Words no pastor or reverend ever uttered to him. They were too busy condemning him for being a sinner and how needed to repent.

When he finally answers:

"I guess I wasn't thinking about love. My mother always told me that God poured plagues against Egypt because Pharaoh's heart was so hard and that God will punish hardened hearts. She feared my heart would become hard, I guess. Maybe she saw in me what I was destined to become; a man who would ride with Charlie Quantrill and Bloody Bill Anderson. Their hearts were so stone cold, they killed hundreds of Jayhawks. I know because I was there. Maybe my mother saw me that way."

Your response:

"Sounds like your mother really cared! She did the best she could with what she had."

Ringo may not say anything for several minutes. His perception became solidified after he began riding with the Youngers, participating in guerilla raids, including the raid in Lars, Kansas, led by Quantrill and Jesse James. Killing became a way of life for Ringo and he shot so many, he stopped believing Heaven would ever accept him. Your kind words wash over him and he feels like he's slipping into a warm bath of safety.

Ringo's response:

"I never thought of it like that. I always hated the idea of disappointing her. Especially since she had to raise us alone. Even when my father was alive, he drank too much. He wasn't a good businessman either. My mother always held her head though. She had good reason. She didn't let her tragedies deaden her faith or harden her heart."

Your response:

"She was probably more disappointed in herself than in you, Johnny."

Ringo will look up quickly and when he sees your bright eyes and warm, welcoming smile, don't be surprised if he falls into your arms or pulls you into his.

Ringo's response:

"Can't be. I'm her son. How could she feel that way? I'm supposed to honor my mother and father. If she was disappointed, isn't it because of me?"

Your response:

"No, Johnny," you whisper, brushing his hair behind his ear. "She felt that way long before you took your first step. Upset with herself that your father, the man she chose couldn't provide for you. I'm sure she had great dreams for you. Dreams that her husband, your father stood in the way of because he couldn't give the family what they needed." You look away for a moment and Johnny takes your face so he can look into your eyes. He smiles sincerely, his mind mulling over everything you just said.

Ringo's response:

"I always thought I was the reason for her sadness. Before my father died, things were different; at least it felt like a family. I never thought I would become anything but a farmer. My mother loved my father very much. She was never the same. None of us were. There was just an emptiness I couldn't seem to fill. But what you're saying actually does make sense. Thank you."

QUESTION 2

2. "Do you believe your sins have been forgiven, Johnny?"

Ringo's response:

"No...I believe I am beyond forgiving at this point. You don't know what I've done. Thank God my mother died before she ever found out."

Your response:

"Interesting, Johnny. You seem to really cherry pick the scriptures to fit your narrative. You believe certain things but not others and both statements have been written by the same God according to your faith."

Ringo's response:

This one would make his head swim because this is something he hasn't thought of either. Yes, God talked about hardening hearts. But you're right, God also talked about love and forgiveness. He knows at this moment that he needs to change his thinking. God forgives. If his pastors weren't so preoccupied with scaring everyone with how the horrors await all those who sin. He takes off his hat and looks intently at you. He holds your chin with his hand. He chuckles to your surprise. And to his own.

QUESTION 3.

3. "Do you believe you will go to Heaven?"

Ringo's response:

"No. Heaven isn't meant for men like me. It's meant for good men without the history of violence I have. I wish I could say yes, but I've abandoned all hope at this point."

Your response:

"That's a weird answer, Johnny. I can name at least a dozen people in the Bible who did awful things; Moses, Samson, Isaac. Not to mention Paul! If anyone seemed unredeemable... Peter denied God. All Jesus' friends abandoned him in his hour of need and his love for them didn't seem to change. Why would it be any different for you?"

Ringo's response:

"What are you saying? We didn't talk about the new testament as much, I guess. Focused on Exodus 20. The prophets, the plagues, Jesus dying because God can't dwell with us. When he did talk about the new, pastor tended to focus on Judas and everything Jesus said about darkness. Then I read Paradise Lost. It seemed so fitting that I was destined for hell. Every time I did anything wrong, I could hear their voices condemning me. I always felt unredeemable."

Your response:

"Have you read any of the Psalms or about God's unfailing love for you? Doesn't God say you can hide yourself in his love? Johnny, you're thinking that God sees you the same way the world sees you and that he'll treat you the same way the world treats you. According to the God you worship, you're more than redeemable. You're loved. And very much so."

Ringo's response:

At this point, the Shakespearean quoting gunfighter is speechless. Even Byron wouldn't have the words to describe what he's feeling. To entertain the idea that he's lovable to anyone but prostitutes and siblings is one that never entered his mind. His entire life he felt like a disappointment....a sinful, a fool kid who thought he could be something one day. To even think he could compete with the men of the community he grew up in seemed a distant dream. He would always work on a farm and work his hands to the bone, praying God would send the right weather. Then he would go into town to sell what he managed to harvest and see himself in the older farmers who limped into the general store. Their wives trailing behind, their faces puffed up, their hair dry and lifeless and a sadness that showed on every wrinkle. Ringo feared his destiny involved such a pathetic state.

Additional response:

"Again. Things and ideas I never thought of."

We must remember the only beings in the world who showed Ringo kindness were women. Your kindness, love mixed with your beauty fills up his soul. He can't help but be completely inspired by you, eager to journal and to reflect on what you told him.

STATEMENTS TO CHALLENGE RINGO'S BELIEFS:

1. "Jesus spent all his time with the lepers, prostitutes, tax collectors and criminals because he knew they needed him more than the righteous did."

2. "Jesus bridged the gap between us and God "

Before the war hit, Johnny could remember feeling that he wanted more. He wanted to be a doctor and a healer and ended up a killer, stage coach robber and a rustler. The opposite of everything he dreamed of. His first kill didn't come until the war hit and Johnny wanted to help the Youngers fight off the Yankees so they wouldn't burn the plantation. Cole Younger's mother was forced to set fire to her own house and Frank and Jesse James' mother had her arm blown off by Pinkerton's. Not to mention the time Ringo was tied to a post and whipped. Then the Yankees got to his mother before he could. The rage boiled over, almost instantaneously turning him into a monster who would kill anyone associated with Yankee oppression. Then he met Curly Bill on a drive with the Double G and he knew he'd be destined to ride with the loud rustler who also rose with the Clanton's.

To be Continued...

Requests always welcome

[uffdah-riley]

Faith & Trust || Self-Para

Date: 9/21/2023 Featuring: Bill & Jill Anderson TW: Politics & Familial Disputes Summary: Discussion begins over how things have changed in Swynlake as a whole and as a family.

School had started off with not a bang but a whisper. Classes were fine, things with Mim were fine, things with Amity were nonexistent, and things with Roxanne were... TBD honestly? Truly a wildcard thrown into the mix, Riley had to admit, but that was life, right? Wildcard after wildcard after wildcard.

Riley Tess Anderson's very existence was a hand dealt by chaos.

It was the middle of the night and the little High Court elf had found themselves in their parents' neighborhood. They thought about visiting Jess but all the lights were off but Riley could hear their parents' hushed voices in the living room as they drew nearer to their home. It wasn't an unusual occurrence but they tilted their head to listen anyway.

"Well if Head Office really feels that way I suppose we shouldn't question it," Bill's tone was assuring and as Riley turned the corner they saw his hands on both of Jill's upper arms in an attempt to soothe his wife.

"You really believe that?" Riley huffed, interrupting whatever it was their mother was about to say. Both of their parents appeared startled, staring at their incorporeal child. Riley didn't do this often; visiting them like this. It felt like a part of their life that wasn't supposed to mix.

They made a mental note not to bring that up to Nick in case he wanted to explore that. Riley was so not ready for that conversation!

"Riley," Jill's voice came out in a sharp breath of air, an indication she was too tired for this conversation. Here we go. "I know you're all 'woke' now or whate—"

"Excuse me?!" Riley gasped. "No! Nuh-uh! What the hell?!" Who the fuck was this? What had happened to their parents? "Are you sure that you weren't taken and replaced by some Fae creature? 'Cause that doesn't even sound like—"

"Don't talk to your mother like that, Riley!" Bill interrupted.

"No, like, I just—" Riley groaned. "What I mean is this town is supposed to be a safe haven! A place where anyone can go and it'll be accepting. It doesn't feel so accepting! This feels like anti-Magick propaganda coming from London!" Riley didn't see how they couldn't see that. "You work for DevTech! You're supposed to be smart! Just think it through!"

"You just need to have some faith, Riley. Sometimes you don't know everything and you need to trust that other people know better than you. Just because you're unhappy doesn't mean we all have to be!" Bill had never been the hard ass back home, at least he'd never had a reason to be. Since coming to Swynlake? Riley had saw their parents grow further and further away from the happy-go-lucky family they once had been and yet here he was accusing Riley of being the unhappy one.

"I know things have been hard for you since the breakup but, Riley, you have to let things go. Some days it feels like you're still mad we moved here!" Riley's mother wasn't wrong but Riley wasn't going to give her the satisfaction of knowing it. "We just want our happy kid back," Jill added quietly.

For a moment Riley didn't speak, just stared at their parents in disbelief. Riley tried to come up with arguments, to tell their parents that they still wanted to be able to talk to them about how they felt since the move to Swynlake, but there was none to be had. Riley hadn't trusted them with much of anything, preferring to talk with Nick about just about anything that crossed their mind good and bad.

Riley counted to ten before turning on their astral heel toward the door. "Yeah, me too."

[digbyvillager]

After all these years I’m finally using this Tumblr😂

So here’s a comprehensive list of some of the things that I like, that you can feel free to ask me about.

Movies: Wes Anderson (especially Life Aquatic and Fantastic Mr Fox), Studio Ghibli (especially Whisper of the Heart and Spirited Away), A24 (Everything Everywhere All At Once, Lady Bird, etc.), Emperor’s New Groove, Whiplash, Scott Pilgrim, Ratatouille, Kill Bill, Spiderverse (both of them), The Incredibles, Moulin Rouge

Shows: Avatar TLA, Community, Bojack Horseman, Cowboy Bebop, Gravity Falls, Kaguya-Sama: Love is War, Freaks & Geeks, Succession, Breaking Bad, Steven Universe, The Office S1-5, Stranger Things, Over The Garden Wall, The Good Place, The Owl House, Heartstopper, Death Note, Barry, She-Ra, Phineas & Ferb, Arcane, Adventure Time, Regular Show, Infinity Train, Amphibia, Dragon Prince, Clone High, Harley Quinn

Characters: Kronk, Yzma, Todd Chavez, Faye Valentine, Toph Beifong, Zuko, Uncle Iroh, Abed Nadir, Troy Barnes, Ai Hayasaka, Yu Ishigami, Amity Blight, Raine Whispers, King Clawthorne, Luz Noceda, Saul Goodman, Jesse Pinkman, Greg Hirsch, Tom Wambsgans, Makoto Niijima, Goro Aketchi, Peridot, Garnet, Pearl, Entrapta, Scorpia, Catra, Link, Zelda, Sheik, Soos Ramirez, Stan Pines, Miles Morales, Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy, Hobie Brown, Dr. Doofenshmirtz, Vanessa Doofenshmirtz, Agent P, Marceline, Ice King, Marcy Wu

Musicals: The Great Comet, Hamilton, Hadestown, Les Miserables, Next To Normal, West Side Story, Heathers, Sweeney Todd, Twisted, A Strange Loop, Ride The Cyclone, Moulin Rouge, Beetlejuice, Into The Woods

Games: Persona 5 Royal, Legend of Zelda, Smash Bros, The Last of Us, Shadow of the Colossus, Super Mario Odyssey, Super Mario Galaxy, Bugsnax, Pikmin, Animal Crossing,

[manitat]

Tonći Kožul: Najbolji filmovi 70-ih...

The Adventurers

Aguirre, the Wrath of God (Aguirre, der Zorn Gottes)

Airport

Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore

Alien

Ali: Fear Eats the Soul (Angst essen Seele auf)

All Screwed Up (Tutto a posto e niente in ordine)

All That Jazz

All the President's Men

Amarcord

American Graffiti

The Amityville Horror

The Amusement Park

The Anderson Tapes

...And Justice for All

Annie Hall

Apocalypse Now

The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz

The Ascent (Voskhozhdeniye)

Assault on Precinct 13

At Long Last Love

Autumn Sonata (Höstsonaten)

The Baby

Bad Company

Badlands

The Bad News Bears

The Ballad of Cable Hogue

Bananas

Barry Lyndon

Battle for the Planet of the Apes

A Bay of Blood (Ecologia del delitto)

The Beguiled

Being There

Beneath the Planet of the Apes

Between the Lines

The Big Boss

The Big Bus

The Bird with the Crystal Plumage (L'uccello dalle piume di cristallo)

The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant

The Black Windmill

Blazing Saddles

Boxcar Bertha

Bound for Glory

The Boy Friend

The Boys in the Band

Breaking Away

Brewster McCloud

A Bridge Too Far

Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia

The Brink's Job

The Brood

Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson

Cabaret

California Split

California Suite

The Candidate

Carnal Knowledge

Carrie

The Cars That Ate Paris

Car Wash

The Cassandra Crossing

Catch-22

The Cat o' Nine Tails (Il gatto a nove code)

Céline and Julie Go Boating (Céline et Julie vont en bateau)

Charley Varrick

Chilly Scenes of Winter

Chinatown

Chinese Roulette (Chinesisches Roulette)

A Clockwork Orange

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Coffy

Colossus: The Forbin Project

Coming Home

The Conformist (Il conformista)

Conquest of the Planet of the Apes

The Conversation

Convoy

Cooley High

The Crazies

Cries and Whispers (Viskningar och rop)

Crimes of the Future (1970.)

Cross of Iron

Cry Uncle!

Daisy Miller

Damien: Omen II

Dark Star

Dawn of the Dead

Day for Night (La Nuit américaine)

Days of Heaven

Death on the Nile (1978.)

Death Race 2000

Death Wish

The Deep

Deep Red (Profondo rosso)

The Deer Hunter

Deliverance

Dersu Uzala

Despair

Desperate Living

The Devils

Diamonds Are Forever

Dirty Harry

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie

Dodes'ka-den

Dog Day Afternoon

Don't Look Now

Dracula (1979.)

The Driver

Duel

Duelle

The Duellists

Dusty and Sweets McGee

Earthquake

Eaten Alive

Effi Briest

The Electric Horseman

El Topo

The Enforcer

The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser (Jeder für sich und Gott gegen alle)

Enter the Dragon

Equus

Eraserhead

Escape from Alcatraz

Escape from the Planet of the Apes

Even Dwarfs Started Small (Auch Zwerge haben klein angefangen)

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex

Every Which Way but Loose

The Exorcist

Exorcist II: The Heretic

Eyes of Laura Mars

Face to Face (Ansikte mot ansikte)

Family Plot

Fantastic Planet (La Planète sauvage)

Fast Company

Fat City

The Fate of Lee Khan

Female Trouble

Fellini's Casanova (Il Casanova di Federico Fellini)

F for Fake

Fiddler on the Roof

F.I.S.T.

Fist of Fury

Four Flies on Grey Velvet (4 mosche di velluto grigio)

The Four Musketeers

Fox and His Friends (Faustrecht der Freiheit)

Foxy Brown

Freebie and the Bean

The French Connection

Frenzy

The Friends of Eddie Coyle

Funny Lady

Fun with Dick and Jane (1977.)

The Fury

Ganja & Hess

Gates of Heaven

The Getaway

Get Carter

Getting Straight

Get to Know Your Rabbit

Gimme Shelter

The Godfather

The Godfather Part II

Gods of the Plague (Götter der Pest)

The Goodbye Girl

Good Guys Wear Black

Go Tell the Spartans

The Great Waldo Pepper

Grease

The Green Room (La Chambre verte)

Grey Gardens

Hair

Halloween

The Harder They Come

Hard Times

Harlan County, USA

Harold and Maude

The Heartbreak Kid

Heart of Glass (Herz aus Glas)

Heaven Can Wait

Hester Street

High Anxiety

The Hills Have Eyes

Hi, Mom!

The Holy Mountain

Home Movies

Hooper

The Hospital

Husbands

I clowns

Images

India Song

The In-Laws

Interiors

Izbavitelj

Jabberwocky

Jaws

Jaws 2

Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles

Jeremiah Johnson

The Jerk

Jesus Christ Superstar

Je tu il elle

Joe

Junior Bonner

Kelly's Heroes

The Kentucky Fried Movie

The Killer Elite

Killer of Sheep

The Killing of a Chinese Bookie

King Kong (1976.)

Klute

Kramer vs. Kramer

The Kremlin Letter

The Landlord

The Last Detail

The Last House on the Left

The Last Movie

The Last of Sheila

The Last Picture Show

Last Tango in Paris

The Last Waltz

The Last Wave

The Late Show

Legend of the Mountain

Lenny

Leo the Last

Les Rendez-vous d'Anna

The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean

The Life of Brian

Lisa and the Devil

Lisice

Little Big Man

A Little Romance

Live and Let Die

The Long Goodbye

Love and Anarchy (Film d'amore e d'anarchia)

Love and Death

Love on the Run (L'amour en fuite)

Love Story

La Luna

Macbeth (1971.)

Magnum Force

Mandingo

Manhattan

The Man Who Fell to Earth

The Man Who Loved Women (L'Homme qui aimait les femmes)

The Man Who Would Be King

The Man with the Golden Gun

The Marriage of Maria Braun (Die Ehe der Maria Braun)

Martin

M*A*S*H

McCabe & Mrs. Miller

Mean Streets

The Mechanic

The Merchant of Four Seasons (Händler der vier Jahreszeiten)

Mikey and Nicky

Minnie and Moskowitz

Mirror (Zerkalo)

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Moonraker

The Mother and the W*ore (La maman et la putain)

Mother Küsters' Trip to Heaven (Mutter Küsters' Fahrt zum Himmel)

Mr. Majestyk

Multiple Maniacs

The Muppet Movie

Murder on the Orient Express (1974)

My Little Loves (Mes Petites Amoureuses)

Nashville

National Lampoon's Animal House

Network

The New Centurions

A New Leaf

News from Home

New York, New York

Nickelodeon

A Night Full of Rain (La fine del mondo nel nostro...)

Night Moves

Noroît

North Dallas Forty

Nosferatu the Vampyre (Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht)

Obsession

The Offence

Oh, God!

The Omen

The One and Only

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest

De cierta manera (One Way or Another)

Opening Night

Orchestra Rehearsal (Prova d'orchestra)

Out 1: Noli me tangere

Paper Moon

The Parallax View

The Passenger (Professione: reporter)

Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid

A Perfect Couple

Performance

The Phantom of Liberty (Le Fantôme de la liberté)

Phantom of the Paradise

Picnic at Hanging Rock

Pink Flamingos

The Pink Panther Strikes Again

Play It Again, Sam

The Poseidon Adventure

Predstava Hamleta u Mrduši Donjoj

Quadrophenia

Quintet

Rabid

Raining in the Mountain

The Return of the Pink Panther

Revenge of the Pink Panther

Robin and Marian

Rock 'n' Roll High School

Rocky

Rocky II

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Rollerball

Roma (1972.)

Saint Jack

Sambizanga

Saturday Night Fever

Schlock

Scrooge

The Seduction of Mimi (Mimì metallurgico ferito nell'onore)

See No Evil

The Sentinel

Serpico

Seven Beauties (Pasqualino Settebellezze)

Shaft

Shaft's Big Score!

Shaft in Africa

Shampoo

Shivers

The Shootist

Silent Movie

Silver Streak

Sisters

Slap Shot

Slaughterhouse-Five

Sleeper

Small Change (L'Argent de poche)

Smile (1975.)

Smokey and the Bandit

Solaris

Soleil Ô

Sorcerer

Soylent Green

The Spirit of the Beehive (El espíritu de la colmena)

The Spy Who Loved Me

Stalker

A Star Is Born (1976.)

Start the Revolution Without Me

Star Trek: The Motion Picture

Star Wars

The Sting

The Story of Adèle H. (L'Histoire d'Adèle H.)

Straw Dogs

Stroszek

The Sugarland Express

The Sunshine Boys

Superman

Suspiria

Sweet Movie

Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song

Swept Away (Travolti da un insolito destino...)

Taking Off

The Taking of Pelham One Two Three

Taxi Driver

Telefon

The Tenant

Tess

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

That Obscure Object of Desire (French: Cet obscur objet du désir)

Thieves Like Us

The Third Generation (Die Dritte Generation)

Three Days of the Condor

The Three Musketeers (1973.)

Thunderbolt and Lightfoot

THX 1138

Tko pjeva zlo ne misli

Tommy

Tora! Tora! Tora!

A Touch of Zen

Touki Bouki

The Towering Inferno

Tristana

The Turning Point

The Twelve Chairs (1970.)

Two English Girls (Les Deux Anglaises et le Continent)

Two-Lane Blacktop

Two Mules for Sister Sara

Up in Smoke

The Valiant Ones

Vanishing Point

Wake in Fright

Walkabout

Wanda

The Warriors

Watermelon Man

Wattstax

The Way of the Dragon

The Way We Were

A Wedding

West Indies: The Fugitive Slaves of Liberty

What? (Che?)

What's Up, Doc?

Where's Poppa?

White Lightning

Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?

The Wicker Man

The Wild Child (L'Enfant sauvage)

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

Wise Blood

The Wiz

A Woman Under the Influence

Woodstock

Woyzeck

W.R. - Misterije organizma

Young Frankenstein

Zabriskie Point

Zardoz

[kushblazer666]

Oh, my...I got goosebumps reading this...❤

WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

One day a man saw an old lady, stranded on the side of the road but, even in the dim light of day, he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. His Pontiac was still sputtering when he approached her. Even with the smile on his face, she looked worried.

No one had stopped to help for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He didn't look safe; he looked poor and hungry. He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He knew how she felt. It was that chill which only fear can put in you. He said, 'I'm here to help you, ma'am. Why don't you wait in the car where it's warm?

By the way, my name is Bryan Anderson.' Well, all she had was a flat tire but, for an old lady, that was bad enough.

Bryan crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two.. Soon he was able to change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt. As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down the window and began to talk to him. She told him that she was from St. Louis and was only just passing through. She couldn't thank him enough for coming to her aid.

Bryan just smiled as he closed her trunk. The lady asked how much she owed him. Any amount would have been all right with her. She already imagined all the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped. Bryan never thought twice about being paid. This was not a job to him. This was helping someone in need and, God knows, there were plenty, who had given him a hand in the past. He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way.

He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance they needed and, Bryan added, 'And think of me.' He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and depressing day but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into the twilight.

A few miles down the road, the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to get a bite to eat and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The whole \scene was unfamiliar to her.

The waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet smile, one that, even being on her feet for the whole day, couldn't erase. The lady noticed the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger. Then she remembered Bryan. After the lady finished her meal, she paid with a hundred dollar bill. The waitress quickly went to get change for her hundred dollar bill but the old lady had slipped right out the door. She was gone by the time the waitress came back.

The waitress wondered where the lady could be. Then she noticed something was written on the napkin. There were tears in her eyes when she read what the lady wrote: 'You don't owe me anything. I have been there too. Somebody once helped me out, the way I'm helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here is what you do: Do not let this chain of love end with you.'

Under the napkin were four more $100 bills. Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve, but the waitress made it through another day. That night when she got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written. How could the lady have known how much she and her husband needed it? With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard.... She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered soft and low, 'Everything's going to be all right. I love you, Bryan Anderson.'

There is an old saying... 'What goes around comes around.' Today I send you this story, and I'm asking you to pass it on. Let this light shine. God works in mysterious ways and sometimes puts people in our lives for a reason.

Don't delete this. Don't return it...

Simply, pass this on to friends, I just did...