#darlene wellington

[summersnow82]

Somethin' Bad - Part 18

Summary: We get a glimpse into the Hackett's past.

Trigger Warnings: Attempted murder, abuse, pregnancy loss, miscarriage

Author's Note: I apologize for the delay - I've had some medical issues that have taken up a LOT of head space for me, plus it's baseball season for the kiddos. (Y'all, T-Ball is the cutest thing EVER!) Thanks for sticking with me. This chapter's a bit short, and I'll do my best to get the next out quicker.

Part 18

“Who did you lose, Travis?” The question hung in the air, and Travis let the silence grow between him and the younger man. Sean’s gaze didn’t waiver, and he seemed content to wait for an answer.

Travis looked away first, scoffing as he grabbed for the bottle again. “Shaddup.” Sean waited, his piercing blue eyes steady on Travis; blue eyes much brighter than Evie’s.

“Oh, honey, that’s… that’s a big question right there.” Annabelle was surprised her question was the one thing to seemingly throw Darlene’s composure. “I mean, you really should be asking Travis about this.”

“Travis isn’t here, though,” Annabelle replied gently. “And honestly, after what happened today I think I have a right to know what’s going on if I’m going to stick around.”

“Tell her, Darlene,” Frank’s said, stopping in his tracks to turn and look at the two women. They’d finally left Travis’ house, and Frank had insisted on carrying Annabelle’s backpack. She’d crammed as much of her and Sean’s things in as possible, and the weight was clearly getting to the older man. “Tell her,” he repeated. “She deserves to know if she’s going to continue seeing him. Needs to know what she’s getting herself into.”

Darlene sighed, resigned to the fact her husband was right. That didn’t make it any easier, though. “Oh, honey.”

Evelyn House was one of the prettiest girls in North Kill. Her beauty radiated from the inside out, only emphasizing her chestnut curls and slate blue eyes. She was fair of face with a figure like a 1950s starlet, and she was known for her keen intellect and gentle demeanor. It was odd to the townsfolk of North Kill she would willingly choose to date a Hackett boy, especially Travis. Despite their prestige and history within the town, everyone knew Constance Hackett had lofty goals for all her boys, none of which included dating a small town girl.

Travis, on the other hand, fell for Evelyn the first time she smiled at him from across the chapel during mass. She was surrounded by kids from their class, but it was clear she would have preferred to be by his side.

“Travis has always had that air about him like a wounded animal. Makes a kind soul like Evelyn want to take him in, and breathe life back into him.”

And she did.

Whenever Travis was around Evie he felt loved, important, seen. His mother’s criticism didn’t sting as much, and his father’s indifference didn’t seem as palpable. Constance noticed, and she did not approve.

“I planned to marry her. Planned to have a whole mess of kids with her. An unplanned pregnancy before the wedding didn’t bother me, but it sure bothered her pa.”

“I will never, ever understand parents who cast their children out,” Darlene said, shaking her head sadly. “Travis was so brave, standing up to Hugo, and telling him a baby was a blessing no matter what. Telling him they were going to get married anyway. Her daddy wouldn’t hear it, though. Said he’d give her the abortion himself.” Annabelle shuddered at the thought. “I’ve never seen Travis so terrified.”

Frank had slowed his pace, wrapping an arm around his wife as he sensed her grief. “Darlene took Evie in after that. The poor girl was too scared to stay in her own house.”

“She finished the semester out with me. Her parents didn’t even come to graduation, although I know her mama wanted to come. I knew Hugo was a hard man, but I didn’t know how hard.”

Annabelle felt a chill run down her spine, and the hair on her arms raise; some of the puzzle pieces were beginning to fall into place.

Constance Hackett never liked Evelyn, but Chris and Bobby adored her. Travis was excited for the baby, and they were happy for their brother and soon to be sister-in-law.

“I suppose… you hope for something long enough when it eventually happens you don’t stop to question why it’s happening. I should’ve warned her. Should’ve been more suspicious. But I thought...”

“Evie wanted Connie to like her so badly, especially after everything that happened with her folks. She was so happy when Connie invited her over. ‘Just us girls’, she’d said. Had the boys set up to go fishing while they had tea and talked about the nursery Connie was working on.”

North Kill was quiet as Darlene spoke, as if the town knew what was coming, and it held too much respect for the past to make a sound. The trio stood in a small circle on the sidewalk under a tree slowly waking up to the coming spring. Silent tears ran down Frank’s face while Darlene’s eyes shone brightly with her own tears threatening to overflow.

Sean’s breath was caught in his chest. Travis had been silent for a long time now, staring off in the distance, reliving the past. When his eyes finally fell on Sean they looked vacant and hollow. “You’re lucky you survived that house, you know. Most of us don’t.”

Looking back, Evelyn admitted Constance’s insistence of having the nursery on the third floor was odd. Evelyn overlooked it, though, chiding herself for even acknowledging the mental red flag when Constance was making such an effort to bury the hatchet. One minute she was standing at the top of the stairs, and the next she was in the hospital in anguish.

Annabelle was shaking her head, willing away the words she knew were coming next. “No.”

“The baby didn’t make it,” Darlene whispered, a sob breaking through, and she buried her face in her hands.

Frank moved to wrap his arms around his wife, meeting Annabelle’s horrified stare as she continued to shake her head. “No. No.”

“Dunno if it was the surgery or the understanding of what happened, but Evie barely made it through. Her folks didn’t show for awhile. Her ma finally came by to say she could come home now that the baby was gone.” Travis’ mouth twisted into a hard knot, and he took another swig from the bottle.

“...and your mom?” Sean was afraid to ask. The nausea was building, bile rising in his throat as the story continued to unravel.

Travis cast a withering glare in his direction. “What do you think, college boy?”

Evelyn refused to press charges even though everyone suspected she didn’t lose her balance as Constance claimed. Any cordial feeling Constance had presented were gone, and she never stepped foot in the hospital. It was suspected, though never proven, that Evelyn laid on the floor far longer than Constance originally stated; an ambulance only gave Constance the illusion of caring, and the doctors suspected the bruising on Evie’s stomach was from more than a hard fall down several flights of stairs.

“Hank tried to get Evie to press charges, but she wouldn’t do it. Kept saying it wouldn’t bring back her baby boy. All it would do would cause Travis more pain, and she wouldn’t do that. Loved him too much.”

Annabelle felt cold all over. “Get in the house before someone dies,” she murmured, recalling Travis’s words earlier. She felt like she was going to be sick again. “Where is Evie now?” She asked hesitantly.

“Her aunt and uncle down in North Carolina heard the news. They were livid with her folks. Came all the way up here, and offered to take her back with them. She could go to college there, and what scholarships didn’t cover they’d take care of for her.” Travis shrugged. “Seemed like good people for the short time I met them.”

“He told her to go. Told her it was a chance she couldn’t pass up. Tried to seem casual about it, but I know that boy inside and out,” Frank said softly. “He cast her out like he did you because he knew in his gut what his mother had done. Knew it even if no one could prove it. Knew she’d try again, and this time Evie wouldn’t survive.” Frank held her gaze steady and intensely, and Annabelle knew he was thinking of what could’ve happened if they hadn’t shown up this afternoon. Annabelle’s chill grew. “He didn’t turn you out because he doesn’t love you anymore,” Frank said firmly, holding her gaze. “He turned you out to keep history from repeating itself.”

Sean swallowed the bile rising in his throat. Travis was wrapping his story up. “… last I heard she was teaching Kindergarten. Got married, adopted a couple a kids on account of…,” he trailed off, sniffing and taking a long pull from the almost empty bottle. “On account of my mother’s handiwork preventing her from having kids on her own.” He shook his head, laughing bitterly. “Called herself damaged goods. Said I should marry someone who could give me kids of my own.” Travis slammed the bottle down on the desk so hard a framed picture tipped off the side. Sean reached for it quickly, catching it before it hit the ground. “See how well that worked out, huh?”

Sean stared at the picture in front of him. Travis was in his army uniform, kneeling next to a little boy.

“My nephew Caleb,” Travis told him, reaching for the picture. “One of the few who tried to save you from that hell of a house.”

Sean was silent for a moment, trying to read Travis’ face. “I’ll make sure to thank him,” he replied softly. “Travis - ,” he began.

“Don’t.” Travis shook his head, tilting the bottle back to finish it off. “Just… you asked. Now you know.”

“So now you know,” Darlene said, her voice wispy from her tears.

“Yeah,” Annabelle replied quietly, nodding. “Now I know.” And I kinda wish I didn’t, she added silently. Because now… now she understood Travis on a whole new level. Now it felt like there was much more at stake than just ending a werewolf curse.

[forgottenfriendshiprpg]

most wanted Cis-Girl characters from the animated T.V. shows that are in the Masterlist page? thank you!

Our members said that they would love to see Mrs. Rita Loud, Lori Loud, Leni Loud, Luna Loud, and Luan Loud from The Loud House™ / The Loud House™ Movie / The Casagrandes™ / A Loud House™ Christmas / The Really Loud House™ / A Really Haunted Loud House™ / The Casagrandes™ Movie ; Trixie Tang, Tootie, Veronica, and Mrs. Wanda Fairywinkle-Cosma from The Fairly OddParents™ / The Fairly OddParents™: Fairly Odder / The Fairly OddParents™: A New Wish / A Fairly Odd™ Christmas film / A Fairly Odd™ Summer film ; Cynthia 'Cindy' Vortex, Liberty 'Libby' Folfax, and Elizabeth 'Betty' Quinlan from The Adventures Of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius™ ; Custard, Apple Dumplin', Seaberry Delight, Coco Calypso, Crepes Suzette, Tangerina Torta, Frosty Puff, Raspberry Torte, Lemon Meringue, Apricot, Banana Candy, Watermelon Kiss, Plum Puddin', Annie Oatmeal, Caramel Corn, Lime Light, Honey Pie Pony, Cherry Jam, Sweet Grapes, Princess Berrykin, Lime Chiffon, and Pumpkin Spice from Strawberry Shortcake™ / Strawberry Shortcake™: Berry In The Big City / Strawberry Shortcake’s Berry Bitty Adventures™ ; Duchess Bella Bigowski, Melody, Darlene D'Cornia, Blair Delaware, Gilda, Ms. Griselle Grande, Gwen Grande, Mrs. Penelope Pocket, and Mrs. Pamela Pocket from Polly Pocket™ ; Applejack, Rarity, 'Pinkie' Pie, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Photo Finish, Princess Cadance, Princess Luna, and Cozy Glow from My Little Pony™: Friendship Is Magic™ ; 'Pinkie' Pie, Applejack, Photo Finish, Vice-Principal Luna, and Principal Celestia from My Little Pony™: Equestria Girls ; Rhonda Wellington-Lloyd, Olga Pataki, Lila Sawyer, Sheena, Nadine, Gloria, Ruth P. McDougal, Connie, Maria, Patricia 'Big Patty' Smith, and Mayor Dixie from Hey, Arnold!™ ; Abigail 'Abby' Lincoln, Fanny Fulbright, Rachel McKenzie, Alessandra, Constance, Cree Lincoln, and Laura Limpin from Codename: Kids Next Door™ ; Princess Azula, Mai, Ty Lee, Princess Ursa, Princess Yue, and Mrs. Kya from Avatar: The Last Airbender™ ; Savannah Shane, Belinda Eldor, Brianna Penelope, Nicole Boscarelli, Samantha Shane, Sarah 'Taffy' Maynston, Ms. Shelly O'Keats, Rachel Wyatt-Alcroft, Paris Seltzer, Leslie Myers, Olivia, Kioko, Samantha 'Sam', Megan Jensen, Amelia Collins, Ms. Coco LaBouche, Edith, Hedley, Harriet, Francine Garcia, Emma, Britannica, Mrs. Didi Pickles, Mrs. Charlotte Pickles, Mrs. Kira Watanabe-Finster, Mrs. Dr. Lucy Carmichael, Ms./Mrs. Betty DeVille, and Emica from All Grown Up!™ / Rugrats™ !!

And you're welcome, 'nonnie !!

[ask-the-sinclair-brothers]

11! Special memory for any of yall, im feeling particularly sentimental today

Well back when we were kids momma would use Bo's face as a base for my wax masks so I could go out in public with them without everyone staring at me, or talking behind my back. However we couldn't stay out for long if it was a very hot day.

So when Bo and I were in 3rd grade there was this kid Randy Wellington being just your typical bully. He always seemed to have to take out his anger on me. Since it was a hot day I had to stay inside and couldn't play with the others. Randy saw this and thought it was the perfect time to stay behind and pick on me, he stole my lil sketchbook that I got from momma and started tearing the pages out.

And I couldn't stop him because he was two inches taller than me, but before I knew it Bo saw what was happening and punched him straight on right in the nose. So hard that he knocked him over to scare him, and he didn't put his hands on me for the rest of our elementary school time.

` Vinny

Well I gotta say senior prom I guess? There was this girl called Darlene Smith that I had a crush on, however she was a sophmore and I a senior. Oh and she was a tiny 5'5 but damn if you pissed her of she could take ya down. Darlene worked with my mom on the clothing for her wax sculptures.

But anyways she didn't had plans to go to prom, her parent's didn't like me, so they where trying to convince her not to go with me or buy a dress at all. This was still when mom was alive and next to making wax sculptures mom made the clothing at all. So I busted my ass of for the past 4 months before the prom to try convince her to go with me. And she caved in 2 weeks before prom but she didn't had a dress.

That's when my mom stepped in, the saint that she was and she made Darlene a custom dress that just fitted her so I could take her to prom. Come promight and our school decided to host it in a hotel in a town over because Ambrose was tiny as heck. So in the middle of the road my damn truck broke down and I thought. Yep dates ruined, but Darlene didn't care. We decided to walk the last few miles to the prom but ofcourse I didn't let a pretty lady walk all these miles in her dress ruining her look. So I carried her all the way to the prom, by the time we got there at the venue I was a bit worn off. And we just sat a bit and talked and I thought I had ruined the night, untill she just leaned in to kiss me and well let's just say we had something other on our minds then dancing at that moment, and a certain supply closet was locked for a while.

~ Bo

Well before we got our current dog we had a dalmatian named Bella. I remember this all vividly because Dad took me with him when we picked her up from the shelter. I was about 5 and scared shitless of dogs, but dad just decided "Aye Lester get over it for fucks sake." So he took a 5 year old scared Lester to the dog shelter and I don't even remember how many dog were there.

And at one some point, my ass got so scared because a dog barked that I decided to run like my life depended on it. Not realizing I was seperated from dad. I cried my eyes out and was scared because youknow I was a 5 year old lil' shit. Untill I felt something licking my hand and there was a tiny dalmatian dog looking at me and giving me cups. She was calm and grabbed me by the shirt and somehow got me back to my dad. Who was pissed at me, but when he saw the dog he decided. Well atleast I got a dog that doesn't wanna eat my kid. And that's how we got our first dog Bella.

~ Les

[nikki-shi]

{ BRIANNE TJU, 20, CIS WOMAN, SHE/HER } Is that NICOLE “NIKKI” SHÍ? A SOPHMORE originally from MOUNT FOREST, ONTARIO, CANADA, they decided to come to Ogden College to study CHEMICAL ENGINEERING on an ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP. They’re THE TOMBOY on campus, but even they could get blamed for Greer’s disappearance.

O V E R V I E W 

nicole shí was born on june 20th to shen and atlas shí in ontario, canada. she is a ciswoman. she is bisexual and uses she/her pronouns. english is her primary language. however, she is also familiar with chinese and french. her father is a pilot for the ontario international airport. as his work required him to be away from home most of the time, nicole, often known as “nikki”, and her three brothers were raised primarily by their stay at home mother. as a result, nikki had a closer relationship with her mother than with her father throughout her childhood and young adulthood. her and her brothers were raised into the buddhist religion. the family was upper middle class, though shen and atlas raised their children to be frugal. nikki had two older brothers, charles and eric, and one younger brother, adam. surrounded by boys, nikki learned to appreciate sports at a young age. she experimented with gymnastics as a child, volleyball in middle school, and soccer, tennis, and basketball in high school. she graduated summa cum laude from wellington heights secondary school and earned an academic scholarship to ogden college. she studies chemical engineering and plays on the tennis team and as goalie on the soccer team, all while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average.

P E R S O N A L I T Y

nikki is determined to get what she wants. she is a perfectionist and holds herself to high standards in all aspects of life, something she inherited from both parents. from this trait, she acquires perseverance, but her determination can sometimes blind her from reality and distract her from others’ feelings as well as her own. she is competitive and often willing to do whatever it takes to win, whether it’s a simple board game or soccer game. she is temperamental with a short temper. her love languages are physical touch and words of affirmation. her character inspirations are: emily fields (pretty little liars), darlene connors (roseanne), ginny weasley (harry potter), jessie spano (saved by the bell), katniss everdeen (the hunger games), prue halliwell (charmed), kat stratford (10 things i hate about you), max mayfield (stranger things), monica geller (friends).

A S T R O L O G Y

nikki is a sun gemini, rising aries, and moon libra. as a gemini, she is restless, curious, persuasive, and short-tempered. the gemini flower is lavender, the color is yellow, the metal is bronze, and the stone is agate. as a rising aries, she is confident, impulsive, and quick to anger. as a moon libra, she is sexual, diplomatic, and skillful. she is most compatible with leo, libra, aquarius, and aries. 

[ksngdom]

make me yours (ch. 1)

summary. life on the run is never easy, but it's even harder when you've got an assassin stalking you, a government agency on your tail and a billionaire turning up on your doorstep every few years -- like a vagabond cat she'd fed one too many times.

god, darcy lewis hates her life (she really doesn't).

authors note. a bdsm au with a fuck ton of plot. i know what i'm about, son.

word count. 2.5k

read this on ao3!

In the early winter months of 1965, bitter air and tendrils of ice gracing the point of every shard of grass in the expansive field, seven-year-old Darlene Lewis often spent her days chasing Elsie, her German Shepherd, around the grounds of Lewis Farm. The ranges of land and wood reached far and wide. Never did a day pass without the young girl spending hours exploring nature and losing herself in the depth of the land. It was okay, though; whenever Darlene got lost, Elsie always knew the best way to get them back home. 

Born in August 1958, Darlene’s parents had been informed of her classification when she was three days old. 

It was unheard of for a neutral to marry any classification other than their own, so when Janice, a neutral, announced her engagement to Ken, a dom, the news spread fast and wide. Nobody could quite believe that any self-respecting dom would ever agree to settle down with a non-sub, since it was often told that doms were hardwired to necessitate a sub in their lives. Some conspired about the true nature of their relationship and whether it was a cover for something much more complicated, but it became quickly clear that Ken and Janice were simply in love despite all of the odds stacked against them. 

The Lewis family had been defying norms since the very beginning. 

When their daughter was born, the couple swore to never force their girl to be anything she didn’t want to be. They’d experienced enough oppression during their life together to know certainly that they’d never wish it upon their daughter. 

On paper, Darlene Lewis was a sub, but in actuality, she was so much more than her classification. 

The little girl was a free spirit. She preferred trousers to skirts (much to her mother’s perpetual suffering) and took after her papa when it came to getting her hands dirty. Her mornings were spent feeding the livestock and riding on the back of the tractor before her mama would give her a shower and get her dressed for a day of homeschool and exploring. 

The decision to privately educate their girl hadn’t been one that the Lewis’ had made easily, but once they’d weighed up the pros and cons and taken a cold hard look at the local school’s policies when it came to educating subs, keeping her home swiftly became an easy decision. 

They ensured that she never lacked social contact and offered her a more enriched education than any of the public institutions ever would. Each subject was approached with sensitivity, especially the ones that delved into the history of subs and the harm they often faced in society, but each lesson had a purpose. By the time Darlene was five, she could say ‘no’ to her father without hesitation and held a stronger head on her shoulders than the vast majority of subs triple her age. 

Though the farm was well-removed from the nearest town, hidden away beyond miles and miles of winding roads and cobbled paths, the Lewis family were cherished by the local community. Their vegetables were the brightest to grace the shelves of the local grocers during the spring and summer months and their cuts of meat were highly sought after throughout the entirety of the year. 

Much to her parents’ unhinged delight, Darlene thrived at the farm. Her skin was tan and constellations of freckles adorned her cheeks. Her mother styled her hair every morning but by late afternoon it’d be hanging over her shoulder in its natural curls. Her skirts were only worn on special occasions, though she constantly complained until her mama gave in or her papa snuck her away to get her changed. Her dungarees were worn until they were hanging on by thin threads and she had more pairs of patterned wellington boots than she could possibly count.

The winter was always that little bit tougher at the farm. It took more effort to harvest the fields and the livestock needed to be kept well cared for even on the coldest of days. Preparation for the spring season started in November. Ken Lewis spent his days working hard, often with his little helper (Darlene) by his side, whilst Janice Lewis took care of the house and ensured that her family didn’t spend too long working without reprise. 

It was during the second week of November when the initial symptom of things to come arose. Like she often managed to do, Darlene finished her studies early and begged her mama to let her go and explore the fields with Elsie. By the time she was wrapped up warm, a scarf around her neck, gloves on and a heavy thermal coat wrapped around her body, the fields were screaming her name. 

Two hours of playing chase with a German Shepherd was bound to leave anyone exhausted, but Darlene had always had seemingly endless bounds of energy. Days working hard as a farmhands assistant and sprinting for hours on end meant that she had the stamina of a professional sportsman, easily. 

That was why it was such a concern when after only ten minutes of chasing Elsie through the meadow, Darlene’s vision whited out and she collapsed into a heap on the frostbitten grass.  

Her parents were quick to rush to her aid once they’d been alerted that something was wrong by Elsie’s remarkably powerful barks and howls. Janice had sobbed in terror, holding the limp girl in her arms as Ken did his best to remain calm and composed as he did his best to analyse the severity of the situation. To their aching relief, Darlene stirred after only five minutes, bleary-eyed and complaining of a headache so painful that it was making her eyes throb. 

It took five months of exams and inquests before Darlene was officially diagnosed with acute childhood Leukemia. 

In 1965, though the field of medical research was thriving, Leukemia survival rates in children remained abysmal. Ken and Janice were told that their daughter, once so full of energy and now bedbound with fatigue and sickness, wouldn’t live to see her eighth birthday. 

It felt like all hope was lost.

Lewis farm closed down that summer season for the first time in three decades. 

***

It was the summer of 1976. The Outer Space Treaty had been signed and the twenty-fifth amendment had been added to the Constitution. In Somerville, Massachusetts, the sun was setting and the coral hues of the scene were encompassing a wide range of land. A family of three stand together, lost for words as they take shallow breaths of warm air. The whistling summertime breeze sweeping through the shrubs and trees reverberates gently throughout the sparse meadow, enclosing the farm in a blanket of false pretences.

Darlene Lewis, twenty-one years old, swallows roughly. 

There's so much that needs to be said but not nearly enough time. 

At eighteen, the progression of age developing her physical appearance had halted without warning. In what her mama termed disbelief and her papa declared to be chosen-ignorance, it took two years for her to discern the undeniable fact that her body was stuck in time. At twenty she looked as young as she had two years ago and there was little expectation for that to change anytime soon. 

Denial was sour. 

Darlene Lewis stares down at the tombstone and swallows roughly.

A terrible boating accident -- that was the narrative her parents had fed to the town and the state, respectively. Darlene had been sailing with her father, dipping her feet into the ocean when a harsh current had swept her into the unforgiving depths of the rough waters. Her body would be impossible to find; the sea offered no second chances. It was a devastating, perfect cover story. 

Nobody could question the empty wicker casket, nor could they wonder why they couldn’t bid a final farewell to the girl who’d become a special part of the local community over the years. It was a seamless cover-story that was undoubtedly plausible. After all, the percentage of boating accidents that ended in tragedy was considerable. 

The grey-toned stone stands upon a freshly filled burial ground, cursive writing adorning the face of the plaque drilled onto the face. 

Darlene May Lewis. Beloved daughter and friend. Gone but never forgotten. 

A shiver of guilt climbs up Darlene’s spine as her hazel eyes trace the lettering.

The Lewis family had requested privacy during their period of mourning; far from unusual in such an unexpected circumstance. Their farm was blanketed in a wave of grief, though for a far different reason than everyone believed. 

Darlene Lewis wasn’t dead but was having to say goodbye to her parents anyway. 

On her left, long hair tied into a loose plait, her mother stands with red-tinged eyes. On her right, her father stands tall but keeps a grounding hand on Darlene’s shoulder steadily. 

They stand in taciturnity as a wave of impassioned tautness encompasses them. 

When her father draws in a sharp breath, Darlene knows what he's thinking and that nothing she says will halt his self-deprecating train of thought. Remaining quiet, she pushes her lips together and purposefully re-directs her gaze away from the gravestone. 

Attending her own mock funeral was going to give her a complex, no doubt about it. 

"I love you, Darlene." Janice Lewis says. The silence that envelops the trio is heavy. She's speaking to the headstone, as though her daughter isn't stood by her side. Darlene’ss heart twinges. "And I will love you for the rest of eternity."

The woman takes a deep breath when her mother begins to cry soundlessly.

"If I had done things differently--" 

"Don’t do this to yourself." Darlene interrupts, voice unsteady as she spares a glance up at her father. "If you'd done things differently, I wouldn't be stood here today."

Ken Lewis grunts, sweeping away a stray tear with the back of his hand. "You can't know that for sure, Darcy-girl." He speaks. "I should've found another way. I could’ve found another way. But you were so small and so sick. They told me you were dying and I swear my heart truly broke into millions of pieces.” 

Janice Lewis weeps into her hand at the memory. 

"And then you saved me." Darlene reminds him, tenderly. She reaches out blindly to take her mother’s hand, desperate to give the woman as much comfort as she could. Her chest burns. "You gave me the chance to live a normal life, papa."

Because no matter what anyone in the past of future had to say about it, Darlene Lewis had defied all odds and lived a normal childhood. She’d eventually entered the public school system and made friends and memories that she’d remember for the rest of her life. She’d babysat for people in their town and saved up her allowance for two years in order to buy the perfect prom dress. She’d lost her virginity to a neutral (all of the teenaged doms in town had given her the heebie-jeebies). She’d graduated with a 3.5 GPA and decided to forgo college, which is where the majority of her friends had flocked to following the completion of high-school.

For argument’s sake, there were certain aspects to her life that were more unusual than others. Her heightened senses and agility were the most prominent as she was growing up, but the no-ageing thing had hit hard at eighteen and taken the mantle as the most apparent anomaly that separated her from the general population.   

"There is nothing normal about you, Darlene." Her father says, shaking his head. The woman almost cracks a small smile, desperate for a sense of normalcy, but his defeated tone is deplorable. "I will never forgive myself for what I did to you. I was reckless and desperate but I should’ve known better."

Momentarily, Darlene lets her gaze flicker to the horizon. She briefly wonders whether a comparable metaphor can be drawn from the sun setting below the horizon and marking the end of a day, a week, an era. 

Leaving everything behind wouldn’t be easy, she’d always known that, but they’d be safe. That was what she had to keep reminding herself, again and again. Loneliness was a small price to pay in order to keep the two people she loved most in the world safe.

"You saved me," Darlene repeats, meeting her father’s eyes. "You loved me too much to let me die. You loved me so much that you spent a fortnight in a lab finding a way to save my life and you actually did. You loved me so much that you recreated the serum that made Captain America and used it to cure my cancer, papa. You did that for me and I won't ever be able to thank you enough for it."

A lull falls over the meadow. In the far distance, a flock of birds begin to chirp and a deer sniffs at the trunk of a tree. Darlene gets lost in the depth of her senses until her mother sets a gentle hand on her arm and squeezes. 

"Where will you go?" She asks. Her voice is raw with emotion as, for the first time in what feels like centuries, she fixes her eyes on her daughter. 

Darlene breathes softly. "I'll go anywhere. Everywhere."

The possibilities were endless and though she painted a smile on her face to appease her worrisome parents, her stomach twisted uneasily at the concept. 

She'd always wanted to travel the globe but never imagined having to do it alone.

Her mom’s hand falls from her arm to grasp her hand and Darlene forces herself to breathe evenly.

They'll be safe when she's gone. They'll be safe when she's gone. 

She repeats the phrase like a mantra in her head. Again and again, until her temples begin to throb. It hurts but she doesn't stop, she can’t stop, because if she doesn't keep reminding herself why she's doing this, walking away will be impossible. 

They'll be safe when she's gone. 

"Will we ever see you again?" Her father asks, solemn. It's selfish to ask, he knows it, but the strained words fall from his mouth before he can filter them.

"I love you both," Darlene says. Her parents wince at the obvious deflection. It hurts her and it hurts them just as much. "I always will."

"Be safe, my girl." Her father places a kiss on her forehead, an act of familial dominance that makes her heart warm. Being a sub in a society governed by the two other secondary-genders had always been tough, but her papa had never let anyone treat her like anything less than the smart, beautiful woman she was. "If you ever need anything, we'll be here."

Her throat tightens when her mother leans in and kisses her cheek but doesn't manage a word between her silent sobs.

On June 18th, 1976, Darlene Lewis was officially registered dead with the state.

On June 23rd, 1976, Darcy Mae was born.

[marva16]

New Work In Progress

New Work In Progress

Darlene Wellington believed her marriage of twenty-four years was worth fighting, for until the afternoon she walked in on her husband and his secretary. In the midst of her pain Pete Logan comes into her life. He is a friend when she needs a shoulder to cry on. However, Pete wants more than just friendship. When her husband falls ill, Darlene must choose between her loyalty to her husband and…

[johanni5]

--> Picton und Überfahrt auf die Nordinsel⛴ Nach dem Aal-Café fuhren wir weiter nach Picton, da ich von dort aus die Fähre für den nächsten Morgen gebucht hatte. Picton ist ebenfalls eine kleine schöne Stadt, die wir am Abend bei einem Spaziergang und Abendessen genießen konnten (Bild Nr. 1 und 2). Morgens um 6:00 Uhr bei der Fähre angekommen, hieß es für mich nach 3 Monaten zu meiner geliebten Südinsel auf Wiedersehen zu sagen.(Bild Nr. 3) Die Überfahrt auf die Nordinsel dauerte 3 Stunden und die Anlegestelle war in Wellington. Da meine Eltern nicht mehr so viel Zeit von ihrem Urlaub übrig hatten, beschloss ich direkt nach der Fähre, 5 weitere Stunden in den Tongariro Nationalpark zu fahren. Auf der Fähre konnte ich zum Glück noch eine Unterkunft buchen und für den nächsten Tag das Shuttle für unsere lange Wanderung: das Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Diese Wanderung lief ich bereits mit Darlene und ich war so begeistert, dass ich es unbedingt meinen Eltern zeigen wollte.

[atlanticcanada]

P.E.I. toddler meets baby lamb, cuteness ensues

Kadence's grandmother Darlene Poirier sent this video to CBC P.E.I. of her granddaughter interacting with a baby lamb, born on the Poirier's farm in Wellington. 

from CBC | Prince Edward Island News https://ift.tt/3fnoHTT

[clancarruthers]

CLAN CARRUTHERS - DARLENE EMILY CARRUTHERS

CLAN CARRUTHERS – DARLENE EMILY CARRUTHERS

 DARLENE EMILY CARRUTHERS Darlene Emily Carruthers BIRTH 3 APR 1939 • Drumheller, Bow River, Kneehill, Alberta, Canada DEATH 7 1 2017 • Guelph, Wellington, Ontario, Canada CARON, Darlene Emily (Carruthers) Passed peacefully on Sunday, January 8, 2017, with her loving family by her side. She will be sadly missed by her husband of 54 years, John M. Caron, of Guelph. She was an incredibly loving…

[ggaines1]

Just Pinned to Graves Darlene's Vintage Postcards: St Paul cathredral Tomb Duke Wellington http://bit.ly/2WaF8XP

[summersnow82]

Somethin' Bad - Part 16

Summary: In which Constance Hackett is a wretched hag, Travis doesn't know how to handle his own trauma, and Frank makes another appearance. (Because I love him.)

Author note: Thanks for sticking with me, folks. This will probably be my last update until the new year. My beautiful boy brought some nasty bug home from school, and I'm completely exhausted. Your kudos, comments, reblogs, etc. are all so deeply appreciated; you have no idea how much I appreciate it.

I feel like I've read the line "A prisoner can't be a girlfriend" in another fanfic, so I'm going to go a-huntin' and see if I can track it down. I can't get it out of my head, and I need to give proper credit.

UPDATE: A big thank you to @prurientpuddlejumper for your help. It was your fic, “Through the Bars” where I read that line! (Chapter 5, cause I reread it all last night.) 😊

Trigger Warning: Constance is her own trigger warning, but she's especially wretched here. Foreshadowing to additional Travis trauma. Don't worry, my lovelies. I promise our boy will have a happy ending.

---------------

Annabelle was livid as she stood behind Travis; she was seething she was so incensed. She had been raised in a loving home with parents who did their best, and while they weren’t perfect, home was a safe haven. She had been grounded more times than she cared to count, but her folks apologized when they were wrong, and worked hard to have an open line of communication with her and her sister. Now, watching this bizarre Hackett family interaction, particularly with Constance, Annabelle began to understand some of the reasons her stoic sheriff behaved the way he did.

Like hiding the romance novels. Bet mama wasn’t a fan of that, she thought.

A pang of guilt overwhelmed her at the thought; she should’ve gone to the station with him. Maybe then they wouldn’t be in this mess. Then again, Annabelle hadn’t planned to open the front door. She assumed the commotion outside was bound to catch someone’s attention, Travis would get a call, and rush home. But for someone her age, Constance Hackett didn’t tire easily; in fact, she seemed to grow more enraged as more time passed until Annabelle finally believed she would make good on her threat and burn the house down.

She couldn’t let that happen to Travis.

Now, he stood in front of her taking an attack intended for her, an attack Annabelle knew she could’ve easily deflected, even with her damaged arm. Travis probably could’ve deflected it, too, but he didn’t; he took the slap, and now Constance was raising her hand again.

“No! Travis, no!” Annabelle heard the desperation in her voice and hated it, but she wasn’t going to stand there and watch him get beat. Intuition told her he would take the beating without a sound, and if Constance had taught Annabelle anything in their brief time together it was once she got started it would only get worse.

“Ma!” Bobby cried out from the side, obviously confused and upset by what was happening. His father hushed him, but the large man still looked concerned; like he knew something was wrong, but he couldn’t put a finger on it.

The horror of their situation made it hard to breathe; she could handle monsters any day of the week, but she struggled with abuse. She knew – she knew – Travis had grown up like this; taking verbal and physical abuse, and probably a good deal of emotional neglect, at that. She would not – could not – stand by and watch this happen. Her body moved of it’s own accord, and she was ducking under Travis’ arm before she could think. Constance was swinging her arm up to clock Travis in the face, her hand contorted like a claw, when Annabelle grabbed it with her good arm, twisting to pivot Constance’s body in the opposite direction.

The move required correct technique, but little strength, and Constance was quickly tumbling to the ground with the force of her own velocity. She heard Jedediah cry out and rush to his wife’s side, both looking up at Annabelle with a mixture of shock and fury. “How dare - ,” Constance began, but Annabelle cut her off.

“You will not touch him again, do you hear me? I know your kind, and you will not touch him EVER again.” She was trembling with rage as she looked down at Travis’ parents, but her voice was miraculously low and steady. “Travis Hackett is a good man, and a good son, and a good sheriff, and you will not touch him ever again. Do you hear me?” She repeated herself, partially because she was too angry to think of anything else to say, but also because she wanted them to know she meant it. She’d imagined this scene with Sean and his father hundreds of times, inventing ways she’d save her best friend from his deep-rooted trauma, but Sean’s father wasn’t here: Constance and Jedediah Hackett were.

In her peripheral she noticed Bobby wasn’t moving; he seemed stunned by what was unraveling. Jedediah was helping Constance up, both looking at Annabelle with intense hatred, and perhaps something bordering on respect. Annabelle assumed very few people stood up to the Hackett family, but their respect wasn’t something she was interested in.

She’d take their fear, though.

Constance stood, clenching her fists, eyes bulging. “I’ll kill you for that, girlie.”

“Try.” Annabelle breathed the word, but she knew they heard her, and they knew she was not afraid. She felt like a mongoose facing down two cobras; they had no idea what she could do, but she would be happy to show them. Constance raised her hand again, and Annabelle couldn’t help it: she smiled.

“Constance Hackett, what the sam hill do you think you are doing?” A new voice rang out across Travis’ front yard breaking the tension. All eyes turned to see Frank Wellington standing on the sidewalk. He was accompanied by a lovely, well-dressed woman around his age, one of her arms looped through his while the other carried a pie plate.

“Hey, Father Wellington! Hey, Mrs. Wellington!” Bobby smiled, waving at the couple.

Annabelle blinked. Father Wellington?

“Hey there, Bobby,” the woman said, flashing him a sincere smile before looking back up at Frank. “Honey?”

Frank had appeared so sweet and passive in the whole five minutes Annabelle had spent with him, but the look on his face now was stern and full of reproach. Travis’ hands were on Annabelle’s shoulders in a flash, wheeling her back towards the house. “Travis,” she protested, but he shushed her, and continued to shove her firmly.

“Get in the damn house,” he muttered, clearly taking advantage of the distraction. “Before someone dies.” He gave her a firm thrust that almost got her over the threshold, and she whirled, glaring at him defiantly.

“I will not - ,” she began.

“You get back here, you little witch!” Jedediah’s voice made both of them freeze, and they turned to see him pointing a finger at Annabelle. “We ain’t done here yet.”

“Jedediah, get your house in order, and leave the poor girl alone,” Frank called, moving swiftly in his direction. “And learn to park,” he added, motioning towards Jedediah’s truck. “This how you show your son respect?”

“You ain’t a priest no more,” Constance hollered at him, her venom just as potent. “We don’t have to listen to you.”

“Constance, let’s not kid ourselves: you never listen to anyone but yourself.” Frank seemed unimpressed. “And if we’re being honest, the whole town knows Travis is a saint for putting up with your nonsense.” Annabelle felt Travis’ grip on her tighten, and Frank glanced their way. “You two kids all right?”

“Yes, sir,” Travis said with a brief nod.

“Yes, Mr. Wellington.”

Frank gave a small nod their way before turning back to the senior Hacketts. “Why can’t you let the boy be happy, Constance? You have to take everything from him?” His words seemed weighted, and Constance’s body language indicated more was being said than Annabelle understood.

“You can’t prove nothing,” she retorted.

“No witnesses,” Jedediah added, and Annabelle frowned. What the actual what now?

Frank gave them a hard stare. “Except God.” The senior Hacketts seemed to waver just slightly in their resolve, but Frank was already moving on. “Unlike this little display,” he said, gesturing with a hand. “Lots of witnesses. Lots of folks saying you started it, and she,” he pointed in Annabelle’s direction, “was just defending herself.” Constance’s eyes flickered to her husband. “Think maybe it’s time you got going.” Constance’s eyes narrowed, and she thrust forward, saying something so low Annabelle couldn’t make it out, but Frank seemed unfazed.

To the side of them, Frank’s female companion was holding the pie plate out to Bobby. “Now, you enjoy this, sweetheart. I can make another just like that!” She snapped her fingers, and Bobby grinned, taking the plate with glee. “And don’t you be a stranger, now. You pop on by whenever you like, m’kay?”

“Yes ma’am,” the younger man replied, grinning with delight.

“Give it back, Bobby,” Constance cried as she turned, stalking back to the truck. “You ain’t eating one of Darlene Wellington’s pies in my house.”

“Aww, Ma.” He paused, before an idea obviously struck him. “Can I eat it outside the house?” Darlene chuckled, and gave Bobby a quick pat on the shoulder.

“You take care, darlin. Bye, Connie!” Darlene called sweetly, waving at Constance and Jedediah as they got into the pickup, both fuming. Bobby clambered in the backseat, holding the pie plate like newly unearthed treasure. The car doors slammed, and the truck revved out of Travis’ front yard leaving skid marks as a parting gift. “I won’t be seeing that pie plate again,” Darlene sighed, looking relieved despite her revelation. “Travis, honey, I’ll make you another pie tonight.”

“That’s all right, Mrs. Wellington,” he said, both his voice and face devoid of emotion.

“Nonsense,” Darlene continued on. “You’re an angel for taking care of those bats for us.” She frowned, stepping closer to him, and raising her hand to his cheek, her hand hovering over a forming bruise. “Let’s get some frozen peas on that, sweetheart.” She took his hand, leading him into his house with so much confidence Annabelle could only blink and follow along.

“My wife is a very take-charge kind of woman,” Frank said, coming up behind Annabelle, chuckling softly. “But it’s only because she means well.” He craned his head, surveying her closely. “Are you all right, Alice?”

Annabelle opened her mouth, and then closed it, remembering her alias. She honestly hadn’t expected to use it much, but here they were. “I suppose so,” she answered honestly, still in shock. “That was… bizarre.”

“That’s one word for it,” Frank admitted, shutting the door behind them. “But you looked like you were handling yourself well.”

Annabelle cast her eyes back to Travis who was currently being fussed over by Darlene. “Are they always so… awful?”

Frank sighed. “The Hacketts are one of the oldest families here in North Kill. I’m afraid with that comes a feeling of entitlement to do or say as they please. Constance minded her manners better when Hank was still sheriff, at least.”

She turned to Frank, her brow furrowed. “What did you mean about taking everything from Travis?” She kept her voice low, and Frank frowned as if he were debating on what to say next.

“Alice, sweetheart, will you come hold this pack of peas to Travis’ face while I hunt for some castor oil? We’ll keep that handsome face from bruising in no time,” Darlene said.

Annabelle moved to Travis who currently had his eyes closed like he was counting to ten over and over. She raised her hand to his face, and he gruffly but quietly said, “I can hold the damn peas to my own face.” He opened his dark eyes, glaring down at her. “What the hell were you thinking?”

“Me?” Annabelle asked in shock. “Are you serious?”

“I could’ve handled it,” he replied, placing the peas down on the kitchen counter.

“By what? Taking a frontal assault? I can deflect those all day long,” she shot back, her tone growing defensive.

“If you had just stayed in the house…,” he started.

“She would’ve burned it down!” Annabelle cried. “Travis, she was out there for a good twenty minutes or more wailing on the front door like a lunatic!” Annabelle thrust her arm out in the direction of his front door. “I kept waiting for windows to shatter.”

“I could’ve handled it,” he repeated through clenched teeth.

“Like I imagine you’ve done your whole life,” she shot back. She regretted the words the minute they were out of her mouth; she saw the flicker of pain in his eyes and the wince as he set his jaw. He was already in enough pain, and she’d just piled on. “Travis, wait, I didn’t mean that. I didn’t - .”

“You can’t stay here.” He drew his mouth in a tight line, staring down at the kitchen counter. “Not tonight. Maybe not anymore.” His eyes flicked up at her, and she saw the softness edging away. He was going back to the no-nonsense officer, leaving any sweetness or gentility behind.

“Here we are!” Darlene called, whisking back into the room with a small brown bottle in hand. She read the room instantly, glancing at her husband who’d been watching the lover’s quarrel unravel before him. “Oh, dear.”

“You know, honey,” Frank said softly, breaking the tension, “You just got that guest bedroom looking so nice. Why don’t we have Alice over for a night or two? Let some of this… tension… die down a bit. What do you think, Travis?”

Travis was still staring at Annabelle like he had in the interrogation room, completely devoid of warmth. “Sounds fine, Frank.”

Annabelle narrowed her eyes, glaring at him. “We would love the company, darling,” Darlene said, coming over to give Annabelle’s shoulders a squeeze. “Give him time to miss you, dear,” she said softly.

“Doubtful,” Annabelle replied, pulling away. “Besides, all my things are in the wash.”

“I’ll drop it by when they’re dry,” Travis drawled, uninterested.

“There’s a roast in the oven!”

He shrugged, staring back at her like it didn’t matter. Like she didn’t matter. Like nothing they’d shared together had mattered at all. She wanted to slap him, hit him, scream at him, anything to get some response - anything but his stupid, blank, cruel cop face. She’d earned more than that by now. Instead, Annabelle stepped back, arching a brow in his direction. Ice cold words danced on her tongue begging to be let loose. Sharp, cruel thoughts she’d be ashamed of later lashed at her mind. So much to say, and none of it kind.

Just like his mother.

The revelation was like an ice bucket being dumped over her head, and for a moment she couldn’t breathe. He must have noticed the shift in her demeanor, because for a moment – a brief moment – his face relaxed, and she saw her Travis looking at her with something akin to concern.

“I need… I need a minute,” Annabelle said, stepping back and accidentally bumping into Darlene. “Excuse me.” She turned, rushing to the bathroom, the bile rising in her throat.

----------

Travis felt like a grade-A, double-prime jerk as he watched Annabelle hurry off to the bathroom. She’d gone from looking furious to so pale so quickly he thought she might pass out. He closed his eyes, rubbing a hand over his face. He had screwed up again, and he didn’t know if he could fix it this time.

“Why haven’t you told her yet?”

Travis sighed. He still had an audience, and despite how much he loved Frank and Darlene it still mortified him to know they’d witnessed his family hysterics again. “Frank, not now.”

“Then when, exactly? If you’re going to have a successful relationship with this girl you need to be honest about your past.”

Travis wanted to laugh. Under normal circumstances, Frank would be right, and Travis would be compelled to share. But he wasn’t really dating Annabelle, and a possibility of a relationship wasn’t going to arise. A prisoner can’t be a girlfriend, and even if she didn’t view herself that way he still had Sean locked up. There was no way – no healthy, legitimate way – Travis and Annabelle could ever be together.

“We’re… she and I… we’re not what you think, Frank,” Travis said softly, still unable to meet the older man’s eyes.

“It’ll be all right, darling,” Darlene said softly, patting Travis on the shoulder. “I’ll go put her things in the dryer. Give y’all a chance to talk.”

Frank waited until Darlene was out of the room before he moved closer to Travis. “You need to tell her or you’re going to lose her, son.”

Travis blew air hard out of his nose, whirling to face the older man. “I’m not your son, dammit.”

“Language,” Frank said firmly, pointing a finger at Travis. “Now I know you’re angry, but don’t take it out on me.” He paused. “Or her.”

Travis huffed, crossing his arms across his chest as he leaned back against the kitchen counter. He looked like a defiant teenager. “She can hold her own,” Travis muttered, not daring to meet Frank’s eyes.

“You mean that stunt with your mother out there?” Frank thrust his thumb in the direction of the door. “That was impressive, but I’m talking emotions, Travis. She cares about you, son,” Frank said, moving closer. “And I think you care about her, too. Am I wrong?” Travis sucked his teeth and averted his eyes; it was all the answer Frank needed. “Y’know, I talked to Evie last month.”

Travis’ head jerked up at the mention of his ex-girlfriend’s name. “You did?”

Frank nodded. “Always calls me on the anniversary every year to say thank you. To remember.”

Travis stared down at his toes as he focused on his breathing. “She wants to remember?” He heard Frank step closer, and when the older man put a reassuring hand on shoulder he didn’t flinch. He squeezed his eyes as tight as he could, and dug his short nails into his arms so redirect the pain.

“I know you’re sending her away to protect her, son,” Frank said, his voice soft and gentle. “Just make sure she knows it, too, okay?”

Travis sucked on his teeth, thinking about Frank’s advice. He’d known Frank most of his life, and he’d always offered Travis love, respect, and advice with the best intentions. Still… there were some things Frank didn’t know about – things like werewolves and time travelers.

“I’ve got to get back to work,” he said, straightening to his full height, and still avoiding Frank’s eyes. “I’ll call later to check in.” He heard Frank call after him, but he kept walking, clenching his fists tightly by his side.

The ride back to the station was a blur; Travis was still trying to process everything that just unfolded, and all the damage he would have to fix. But first things first – he’d left Sean in the showers in his rush to get home, and he needed to make sure he was safe and secure for the night.

The station was quiet when he arrived which wasn’t a real reason to worry. The apple pie sitting on one of the abandoned desks was, though – it was the same pie Darlene had given Bobby. A chill ran through Travis; the last time his brother came to the station… well, there was a reason Travis didn’t like to use the middle jail cell.

He felt the barrel of the shotgun in the small of his back before he heard anything, and Travis silently chastised himself. Annabelle and Sean had been open and honest with him about their abilities, and he’d taken their words as bravado and pride. He realized now how wrong he had been. “Hello, Sheriff,” Sean said, his voice lacking the friendly tone he normally used with Travis. “Where’s Annabelle?”

[institutogamaliel]

Após dois dias preso, cantor gospel Wellington Camargo é solto; saiba mais

Após dois dias preso, cantor gospel Wellington Camargo é solto; saiba mais

Da redação

Após dois dias preso por não pagar pensão alimentícia, o cantor e ex-deputado estadual Wellington Camargo foi solto por volta de 22h desta quinta-feira (31). Ele estava detido no Núcleo de Custódia de Aparecida de Goiânia, na Região Metropolitana da capital. De acordo com a advogada dele, Darlene Liberato, o valor que ele devia para a ex-mulher foi quitado.

Já a defesa da ex-esposa…

[keijay-blog]

New Post has been published on https://cookingtipsandreviews.com/how-to-make-margaritas-taste-of-home/

How to Make Margaritas | Taste of Home

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Bring vacation to your kitchen.

Marshmallow-Almond Key Lime Pie

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Lemon Coconut Squares

The tangy lemon flavor of this no-fuss bar dessert is especially delicious on a warm day. It takes me back to selling lemonade on the sidewalk as a little girl. —Donna Biddle, Elmira, New York

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Pina Colada Molded Salad

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Coconut-Macadamia Biscotti

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Tropical Crisp

One bite of this sweet, juicy, crunchy crisp, and you just might hear the crash of the ocean and feel warm sand under your toes! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Pineapple Upside-Down Muffins

For a modern version of upside-down cake, we use pineapple and a sweet batter to make fun muffins with a cherry on top. —Suzeanne Longwill, Ortonville, Michigan

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Refrigerator Lime Cheesecake

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Pina Colada Zucchini Bread

At my husband’s urging, I entered this recipe at the Pennsylvania Farm Show and won first place! I think you’ll love the cake-like texture and tropical flavors. —Sharon Rydbom, Tipton, Pennsylvania

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Lime & Gin Coconut Macaroons

I took these lime and coconut macaroons to our annual cookie exchange, where we name a queen. I won the crown! — Milissa Kirkpatrick, Angel Fire, New Mexico

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Pina Colada Bundt Cake

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Pina Colada Grilled Pineapple

During a cookout with friends, I forgot about dessert. I had a fresh pineapple and coconut, so I improvised. Now I grill pineapple at every cookout. —Josee Lanzi, New Port Richey, Florida

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Mango Pie with Coconut Crust

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Aloha Cupcakes

A friend asked me to make a coconut and pineapple cupcake for a gathering she was hosting. Everyone agreed that this beauty took them to the tropics. The macadamia nuts are completely optional (the friend happens to be allergic), and the cupcakes are still fantastic without them. —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta

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Mango Rice Pudding

Mangoes are my son’s favorite fruit, so I was ecstatic to incorporate them into a healthy dessert. You can also use ripe bananas instead of mango, almond extract instead of vanilla, or regular milk in place of soy. —Melissa McCabe, Victor, New York

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Hawaiian Joy Bars

With the hint of rum plus the nuts and coconut, these bars are like a trip to the islands. I served them to my family and at my work and church, and I always hear murmurs of appreciation. —Jennifer Neckermann, Wentzville, Missouri

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Lime Angel Food Cake

For my husband’s family reunion, I took a store-bought angel food cake and turned it into this special dessert with a lovely lime cream frosting topped with toasted coconut. It went over big! —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania

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Panna Cotta with Papaya Coulis

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Frozen Key Lime Delight

In the middle of summer, nothing hits the spot quite like this sublime Key lime dessert. Cold, creamy and tart, it looks like sunshine.—Melissa Millwood, Lyman, South Carolina

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Best Lime Tart

This treat is the perfect balance between tart and sweet, and the almonds in the crust are just wonderful. This is one of my husband’s favorite desserts. Enjoy! —Charis O’Connell, Mohnton, Pennsylvania

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Buttery Coconut Bars

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Hawaiian Waffles

I created this waffle recipe to recapture the memorable tropical tastes we enjoyed while visiting Hawaii. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

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Pineapple Breeze Torte

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Toni’s Tropical Biscotti

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Key Lime Cupcakes

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Coconut Pound Cake with Lime Glaze

This pound cake is the best! Oven temps will vary, so if the cake is not done after 1 hour and 20 minutes, continue baking in 5-minute intervals. Use fresh, not bottled, lime juice for the glaze. —Jo McFarland, Sterling, Virginia

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Sunrise Pops

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Pineapple Pie with Coconut Cream

You’ll find pineapples and coconut everywhere in the South Pacific, so we play them up in this creamy cool pineapple pie, dolloped with coconut cream. Divine! —Karen Naihe, Kamuela, Hawaii

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Tropical Muffins

I entered these muffins at our county fair and won the grand champion award for baked goods. They’re so moist, they don’t need butter. —Sylvia Osborn, Clay Center, Kansas

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Favorite Coconut Cake

When I need an impressive dessert for a special occasion, this is the recipe I depend on. My guests are glad I do! —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana

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Glazed Coconut-Banana Bread

Give your celebration a tropical flair with this exotic variation of banana bread. It’s quick to prepare, giving you plenty of time to focus on other holiday details. —Katherine Nelson, Centerville, Utah

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Island Crunch Cheesecake

Inspiring ideas come from many places, and often when we least expect them. I enjoy making cheesecakes for family and friends, and I came up with this recipe after eating ice cream on vacation. Featuring pineapple and coconut, this cheesecake will remind you of a trip to an island paradise. —Ellen Batenhorst, Omaha, Nebraska

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Lemon Meringue Angel Cake

I’ve been told that this dessert tastes exactly like a lemon meringue pie and that it’s the best angel food cake anyone could ask for. I’m not sure about all of that, but it is delightful to serve, and each slice is virtually fat free. —Sharon Kurtz, Emmaus, Pennsylvania

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Lemony Coconut Bars

These lemony and chewy bars make a refreshing addition to the holiday cookie tray. Try lime juice and zest for a zingy twist. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey

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Coconut Rum Balls

My mom has made rum balls for as long as I can remember. They look beautiful on a dessert spread and can be packaged in a decorative tin as a gift. I swapped coconut rum for the traditional rum and added shredded coconut. —Jana Walker, Macomb, Michigan

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Coconut Dream Cupcakes

My daughter, Elizabeth, came up with this incredible recipe. The cream cheese in the middle is a fun surprise when someone takes their first bite. —Julie Flournoy, Laurelville, OH

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Frosted Pineapple Cookies

These are the best pineapple cookies—sweet and moist with real tropical flavor. Because they are unique and look so pretty, these cookies are a hit whenever I serve them. People can’t seem to eat just one! —Mary DeVoe, Bradenton, Florida

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Creamy Pineapple Pie

Creamy Pineapple Pie is a light and refreshing dessert that’s quick to make and impressive to serve. This is one of our favorite ways to complete a summer meal. —Sharon Bickett, Chester, South Carolina

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Macadamia Sunshine Bars

Your guests will be delighted with my bars. They are packed with nuts and dried fruit. I think that when you take a bite of this treat it’s like a mini-vacation to a Polynesian paradise. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota

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Tropical Carrot Cake

I look forward to August because our family reunion means fun and great food, like this classic cake with the special flair it gets from pineapple. My great-aunt gave me this recipe, and I always make it for the reunion. —Victoria Casey, Enterprise, Oregon

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Easy Coconut Cream Pie

This is my own recipe for a pie that I make often. It’s been a family-favorite dessert since the ’40s, when I made several of these pies to serve a threshing crew of 21 men! —Vera Moffitt, Oskaloosa, Kansas

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Orange Dream Angel Food Cake

A basic angel food cake becomes a heavenly indulgence thanks to a hint of orange flavor swirled into every bite. The orange color makes slices of the cake look so pretty when arranged on individual dessert plates.—Lauren Osborne, Holtwood, Pennsylvania

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Rum Balls

Rum flavor comes through nicely in these traditional, soft Christmas cookies. Roll half in powdered sugar and the other half in crushed vanilla wafers for visual appeal. —Audrey Larson, Bloomington, Minnesota

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Coconut Pie

Watching my mother cook from scratch, I hardly knew that anything was available “pre-made” until I’d left home. One of Mom’s best desserts is her creamy old-fashioned coconut pie. A rich slice is true comfort food. —Mary McGuire, Graham, North Carolina

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Cherry Coconut Bars

I came across these bars while stationed at a Michigan Air Force base in 1964 and have been making them ever since. My children don’t think an event is special unless they are part of it. —Marguerite Emery, Orland, California

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[geektalknews]

Roseanne is back and nostolgia reins in this weeks TV Round Up Week of March 25

Source:TVGuide.com If you're one of those people who love to have their nostalgia itch scratched, then this week you are in luck. NBC brings back the 1970s rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar. ABC brings Roseanne back after a 20-year hiatus, and NBC is celebrating 1980s/1990s composer Andrew Lloyd Webber (Cats/Phantom of the Opera). All this and more in the weekly TV Roundup. MONDAY “American Idol” 8 p.m. Fox — Hollywood Week continues. “The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling” 8 p.m. HBO (part one) — A profile of comedian Garry Shandling (1949-2016) begins with a look at his childhood and early days of his career. (Part two airs same time Tuesday night). “Love and Hip Hop Atlanta” 8 p.m. VH1 — Erica and Rich reconnect, but she doesn’t approve of his new client. “The Resident” 9 p.m. Fox — Conrad’s ex-fiancé is admitted to the hospital with abdominal pain that proves to be a medical mystery. “The Alienist” 9 p.m. TNT (first season finale) — Kreizler confronts the demons of his past. Moore tells Sara the truth. Connor takes matters into his own hands. “Teyana and Iman” 9 p.m. VH1 (new series) — Dive into the busy lives of entertainer Teyana Taylor and professional athlete Iman Shumpert as they strive to balance their careers, marriage and raising their daughter. “Leave it to Stevie” 9:30 p.m. VH1 (second season debut) — Savannah convinces Stevie to see a hypnotist to cure his womanizing ways. “Scorpion” 10 p.m. CBS — Team Scorpion must use their high IQs to win a softball game when the homeland director challenges, with all of their future government contracts on the line. “The Good Doctor” 10 p.m. ABC (first season finale) — The team at St. Bonaventure needs to quickly discover the truth behind a young college student’s unexplained injuries before his condition worsens. “Good Girls” 10:01 p.m. NBC — With Dean back in the house, and her criminal activities expanding, Beth struggles to keep her new business separate from her home life. TUESDAY “Roseanne” 8 p.m. ABC (10th season debut) — Roseanne and Dan adjust to living under the same roof with Darlene and her two children, Harris and Mark, when Darlene loses her job. “NCIS” 8 p.m. CBS — The NCIS headquarters are evacuated after the team discovers a body and some bomb materials on the roof of the squad room. “Black Lightning” 9 p.m. the CW — Black Lightning attempts to rescue several long-missing children reveal a secret he did not anticipate, and its resulting connections. “Black-ish” 9 p.m. ABC — When both Dre and Bow’s families show up for Easter, they have to learn to love each other’s different cuisines. “Rise” 9:01 p.m. NBC — When Lou describes his vision for the show’s staging and design, Tracey questions his every decision—but it’s Simon’s bombshell news that forces Lou to ask himself whether picking this controversial show was worth the cost. “Splitting Up Together” 9:30 p.m. ABC (new series) — After breaking the news to their friends and family about their divorce, Lena has to deal with her son Mason’s growing pains. Jenna Fischer of “The Office” is one of the stars along with Oliver Hudson of “Rules of Engagement” fame. “Chicago Med” 10 p.m. NBC — When a mother makes a decision regarding care of her vegetative adult son, Dr. Halstead and Dr. Manning find themselves at odds. “For the People” 10 p.m. ABC— Sandra and Kate go head-to-head on a high-profile case involving a young woman accused of leaking classified information, but they learn to find common ground in their fight for justice and the pursuit of the common good. Allison struggles to make a case for her. “Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and Biggie Smalls” 10 p.m. USA — Poole and Tyndall investigate a dirty cop. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8szcyMpM54   WEDNESDAY “Empire” 8 p.m. Fox — Nurse Claudia takes her job to a new level when she kidnaps Lucious. To rescue him, Cookie must race against time and use the skills she learned in prison. “Survivor” 8 p.m. CBS — Tribes are going to be mixed up again and not a moment too soon for the Malolo tribe. “Alex Inc.” 8:30 p.m. ABC (new series) — With the help of wife Rooni and their children, radio journalist Alex Schuman (Zach Braff) quits his prominent job to start his own podcast company. “Modern Family” 9 p.m. ABC — Haley’s brilliant astrophysicist boyfriend comes to meet the family, setting Claire and Phil off in a competition about which one of them is smarter. “Star” 9 p.m. Fox — Carlotta is devastated after the fire that resulted in someone’s death. “Suits” 9 p.m. USA  — Harvey and Louis fight to protect the future of the firm from its past. “The Americans” 10 p.m. FX (sixth season debut) — In the autumn of 1987, a major arms-control summit looms, and Elizabeth is pushed to her limits as never before; and Philip has settled into running their expanded travel agency until an unexpected visitor makes a disquieting request. “Designated Survivor” 10 p.m. ABC — As tensions between East and West Hanchu escalate, President Kirkman travels to Camp David to broker a peace treaty with the leaders of those countries. “Andrew Lloyd Webber Tribute” 10 p.m. NBC — A celebration of Andrew Lloyd Weber includes a conversation with the composer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X58fcXjR-pg   THURSDAY “The Big Bang Theory” 8 p.m. CBS — Penny gets the opportunity to host Bill Gates at work when his company wants to partner with her pharmaceutical company. “Grey’s Anatomy” 8 p.m. ABC — April’s crisis of faith is challenged by a patient she treats who is a rabbi, and Meredith treats a patient who is a transplant surgeon at another hospital. “Gotham” 8 p.m. Fox — Arkham’s “finest” give Gordon and Bullock a run for their money, as they hatch a plan to escape the asylum. “Siren” 8 p.m. Freeform (new series) — A mysterious girl arrives in a small coastal town, leading to the return of vicious mermaids who are seeking to reclaim their rule over the ocean. “Young Sheldon” 8:31 p.m. CBS — A disappointing loss at the science fair sends Sheldon’s life in a new direction. “Marcia Clark Investigates the First 48” 9 p.m. A&E (new series) — Marcia Clark investigates the death of toddler Caylee Anthony. Questions are asked about whether or not the girl was murdered by her mother, Casey Anthony. “Station 19” 9 p.m. ABC — Upon the arrival of Batallion Chief Frankel, Jack begins his first shift as co-captain and continues to butt heads with Andy on leadership styles. “Mom” 9 p.m. CBS —Christy and Bonnie help Jill get sober again, and Christy’s boyfriend, Patrick, is less than understanding when it ruins his birthday weekend “Will & Grace” 9 p.m. ABC — Grace brings Will for support when she goes home to celebrate her deceased mother’s birthday. “Atlanta” 10 p.m. FX — Trust in one’s barber is spotlighted. “Chicago Fire” 10 p.m. NBC  — Upon the arrival of Batallion Chief Frankel, Jack begins his first shift as co-captain and continues to butt heads with Andy on leadership styles. “Scandal” 10 p.m. ABC — When Charlie is taken into custody for the hijacking of Air Force Two, Quinn is faced with an important choice. FRIDAY “Rapture” 3:01 a.m. Netflix (new series) — Throughout 8 episodes and featuring a diverse swath of artists — Nas and Dave East, T.I., Rapsody, Logic, G-Eazy, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, 2 Chainz and Just Blaze – Rapture dives into the artists’ lives with their families and friends, to sitting front row in the studio and grinding on tour, to experience the ecstatic power of moving the crowd. “A Series of Unfortunate Events” 3:01 a.m. Netflix (second season debut) — The series plunges further into the epic world of this darkly comedic mystery. “Blindspot” 8 p.m. NBC — The FBI team and Avery attend a gala hosted by their target Hank Crawford in hopes of arresting him. Roman grows closer to the Crawfords. “Dynasty” 8 p.m. the CW — The arrival of Alexis (Nicollette Sheridan) has thrown the entire Carrington family into disarray. “Masterchef Junior” 8 p.m. Fox — The junior home cooks craft desserts using natural sweeteners in place of sugar. “MacGyver” 8 p.m. CBS — When Matty and the team search for a former government tech who stole classified intel and has been evading capture, they reunite with the Coltons, the family of bounty hunters, who are pursuing the same man for different reasons. “Taken” 9 p.m. NBC — Hart must find a way to stop an exiled former journalist from leaking the names of government assets abroad before innocent lives are taken. “Hawaii Five-O” 9 p.m. CBS — The ex-wife of the man who shot Danny comes to Oahu and reveals how Danny’s protection during a dangerous domestic dispute when he was in New Jersey helped save her life. “Blue Bloods” 10 p.m. CBS — After Danny’s brother-in-law gets caught up with the mob and steals Danny’s credit card, Danny forces him to take down the mobsters with Baez’s help. WEEKEND “Home by Spring” 9 p.m. Saturday Hallmark — An ambitious event planner goes undercover as her boss and returns to her rural hometown. “Instinct” 8 p.m. Sunday CBS — The murder of a young man who recently left his family’s religious community leads Dylan and Lizzie to a series of possible suspects. “Jesus Christ Superstar Live” 8 p.m. Sunday NBC — The iconic rock opera stars John Legend in the title role, Sara Bareilles as Mary Magdalene, and Alice Cooper as King Herod. From the Marcy Armory in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, N.Y. “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” 8 p.m. Sunday Bravo — The season finale. “American Dynasties: The Kennedys” 9 p.m. Sunday CNN —As personal scandal threatens his marriage and looming nuclear war undermines his administration, President John F. Kennedy must fight to protect the presidency, the country, and the world. “Homeland” 9 p.m. Sunday Showtime — Carrie and Saul interrogate a suspect; Wellington makes a play. “The Walking Dead” 9 p.m. Sunday AMC — Rick and Morgan find themselves in the company of strangers. “Madam Secretary” 10 p.m. Sunday CBS — As the 20th anniversary of the American embassy bombing in Mali approaches, emotions run high among the State Department staff. “Trust” 10 p.m. Sunday FX — As word of his grandson’s kidnapping spreads, J. Paul Getty sends his trusted fixer, Fletcher Chace, to Rome to investigate the mysterious disappearance. “Silicon Valley” 10 p.m. Sunday HBO — Richard’s in over his head when he finds himself leading a much larger team and managing a number of small conflicts among his employees Read the full article

[marva16]

Ne w Book

Cover Photo and Synopsis

Hi everyone. Here is a synopsis of my current work in progress

Darlene Wellington is devastated by the discovery that her husband Charles is having an affair with his secretary. Darlene is comforted by Pete, a stranger she meets at a club. He is a life savor at a time when she needs a shoulder to lean on. Pete makes it clear that he wants more than just friendship.…

[ggaines1]

Just Pinned to Graves Darlene's Vintage Postcards: St Paul cathredral Tomb Duke Wellington http://bit.ly/2WaF8XP