{"id":10271,"date":"2024-03-17T14:12:51","date_gmt":"2024-03-17T19:12:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/faithhopeandfiction.com\/content\/?p=10271"},"modified":"2024-03-17T14:12:51","modified_gmt":"2024-03-17T19:12:51","slug":"a-hero-calls","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/faithhopeandfiction.com\/content\/a-hero-calls\/","title":{"rendered":"A Hero Calls"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By J.H. Jones<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Aileen sat at the kitchen table alone, picturing sparkling unicorns and colorful balloons trimming the counter and cabinets. Her daughter, Nina, was turning four, and she wanted everything to be special.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Excited by her own vision, she jumped to her feet and blinked into the semi-darkness beyond the pool of light from overhead. Not now, she groaned, not today. Rubbing her forehead, she wondered when and sagged back into her chair to pick up the family calendar that lay on the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The house resumed its silence, except for a subtle swish as she turned the pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Outside, the suburban street was quiet, too, apart from a barred owl that had taken up residence in the old oak in front. The owl uttered throaty hoots, and after a pause, Aileen heard a little trill in response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Child and mother, just like Nina and me<\/em>, she thought and leaned forward to catch more of the back and forth. But the wind blew the sounds away as it rustled and scratched through the winter-bare branches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0She pulled her thick cardigan closer around her flannel pajamas. More snow, she sighed, and reached for the wineglass standing at attention at her elbow. After a deep drink, she forgot about snowstorms and owls, and her gaze landed again on the calendar\u2014her anchor, securing all the family variables that floated in and out of their daily lives. Day care, dentist appointments, holidays, neighborhood events, and invitations from friends. And birthdays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Nina\u2019s birthdate was always so slippery in her mind. If she could find the date on the calendar, then she could plan the unicorns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Priding herself on her logic, she started with a glossy photo of snow-capped mountains and frost-kissed pine trees. Boxes swam underneath, and she had to concentrate to confirm they were empty. She moved on, turning one page after the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A robin. Something about the bird struck her as familiar, and she stopped to study the picture. With its head cocked to one side, the bird\u2019s expression seemed to tease her with the question, when is Nina\u2019s birthday?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0She squeezed her eyes shut, longing for a date to present itself. Instead, numbers ebbed and flowed, forming and reforming in strange combinations, none of which seemed right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cAileen? Are you okay?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Her husband\u2019s voice. She snapped her eyes open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ben stood inside the kitchen doorway. Fresh from sleep, his hair poked up in unruly tufts, and his Captain America t-shirt and pajama pants hung rumpled from his lank frame. With his fingers blocking the light, he squinted and gave her a lopsided grin. \u201cYou okay? What are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0How to answer? When she had gotten up, the birthday party idea seemed inspired, and she\u2019d started with a drink to oil her powers of party invention. But a couple of wines later, she couldn\u2019t remember Nina\u2019s birthdate. If he found out, he\u2019d be angry and start in on their nightly argument. She angled herself to hide the glass. \u201cDon\u2019t I get a minute alone? I\u2019m busy planning Nina\u2019s birthday.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNina\u2019s what?\u201d He shook his head. \u201cLemme guess. You\u2019re at it again?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Aileen jutted her chin out. \u201cYou don\u2019t understand\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0He held up his hand, and she stopped talking. \u201cDo you know when Nina\u2019s birthday is?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Afraid to admit defeat, she looked down at the calendar robin for a clue. The bird\u2019s beady eyes mocked her. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes, and she dropped her head in shame. Every night, she went through the same cycle. Why did she have to drink?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWell.\u201d Her husband folded his arms across Captain America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cApril?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThat\u2019s your birthday.\u201d He jabbed a finger at her. \u201cI\u2019m warning you. Nina is too important for me to let this happen to her. I\u2019m her father and I\u2019ll protect her. Do you hear me? Sober up or you can …\u201d He left his sentence unfinished and stomped up the hallway back to the bedroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Funny, she thought. She should feel angry, but she felt proud. He was her daughter\u2019s hero.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hero<\/em>. The word resonated with safety and solace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Envy gnawed at her as she realized Nina would enjoy what had eluded her. Her father never wore Captain America pajamas or stood up to her mother about her drinking. He crawled into his own bottle and abandoned her to fend for herself and her addiction. No wonder she ended up like this\u2014unable to sleep or remember her daughter\u2019s birthday and reaching for another drink night after night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Slumping across the calendar, she closed her eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 <\/p>\n\n\n

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\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A shrill, insistent bell wrenched Aileen from sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0She shoved aside a jumble of dreamy balloons and unicorns to orient herself. Kitchen and ringing phone. The noise would surely wake Ben and Nina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0She pushed back from the table and staggered to the counter, where the cell phones recharged. Stretching out her fingers, she poked at the buttons. No change. Both screens were blank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Another ring. This time she tracked the source, which led her to a shadowy corner of the counter where the old landline squatted. When had it moved to the corner? Yet, here it was, thrumming against the laminated surface. The landline<\/em>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The beige plastic phone was another example of Ben\u2019s brand of heroism, Aileen thought. After they a power outage, he had hooked it up to ensure their safety in case of emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It rang again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Who could be calling, she wondered. She snatched the handset. \u201cUh, hello?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cSorry to wake you, but I had to call.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0She stopped, pressing the handset hard against her head\u2014so hard her ear hurt. \u201cWhat? Who is this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou\u2019ll laugh, Leenee, because this turned out to be the best way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0She hadn\u2019t heard her pet name in a long time. With her heart thumping against her chest, she managed, \u201cDad? Is that you? How \u2026 how \u2026 did you get this number?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIt\u2019s an emergency, and this phone is for emergencies. Am I right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Something didn\u2019t add up, yet she was sleepy and hung over and couldn\u2019t put her finger on what was wrong. Not wrong exactly, but something didn\u2019t fit. She drew her tongue over lips, wanting a drink to clear her head. \u201cGimme a minute, then I\u2019ll listen\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNo time. Don\u2019t put the phone down. I\u2019ve got something to say. Maybe I wasn\u2019t there for you when you were a kid\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWait.\u201d She knew what didn\u2019t fit. Her father drank himself to death years ago. Yet, someone who sounded like him was on the phone. She\u2019d heard about AI-generated fake voices, but her father\u2019s? \u201cWho is this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cLeenee, it\u2019s Dad.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0His tone was unmistakable, and despite her misgivings, Aileen felt warmth flooding her body. Beyond anything she understood, he was talking with her. \u201cDad, is it really you? Where are you? Can I see you? How\u2014”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cStop interrupting. Still a chatterbox. I gotta tell you a couple of things. First, I love you. Very much. Forever.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhere are you?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNot important. Point is, I couldn\u2019t fight it. You know what I\u2019m talking about, right? But you\u2019re different from me. You can do it and I\u2019m gonna be there to help you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cHelp?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cYou\u2019re in a pickle, Leenee. Just like the old days. But this time, I\u2019m gonna be there for you. You gotta believe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0His sound grew more distant as he talked. \u201cWait! I love you, daddy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThat\u2019s my girl. Love you back. Remember, I\u2019m here for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Quiet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0She wanted to shout his name down into the phone, but it was a useless impulse. He was gone, and her cry froze in her throat. Slowly replacing the handset, she wondered if she had really heard him and how he had dialed their number? Did they have phones where he was? And where was he?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Whirling around to look out the window over the sink, she scanned for some clue that might reveal his whereabouts. All she saw were the first rays of sun cutting through the clouds, exposing patches of bright blue. Morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0As if on cue, her husband\u2019s familiar shuffle echoed down the hall. Ben tossed her a hostile grunt and pushed the button on the coffee machine then waited for his cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Controlling her impulse to blurt out everything, Aileen gestured at the window. \u201cWhat do you know? Nice day. No snow, after all.\u201d The aroma of coffee drew her closer to him. \u201cMmmm. Smells good.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0He glanced at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0An opening, she reasoned. He was ready to talk, and she asked, \u201cDid you hear that ringing? Did it wake you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cRinging? Yours or mine?\u201d Avoiding contact, he cut around her and retrieved his cell, then started scrolling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThe, um, landline.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d He shot her a dark look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cIt rang. Here\u2019s the weird thing, my\u2014”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWeird? You bet. Because you\u2019re out of your effing mind. You better do something about your problem today. Get me? I don\u2019t give a flying\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNo, listen, when I picked it up\u2014”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ben shoved past her and yanked hard at the curled wire, pulling the phone out of the corner so that it thudded across the counter. \u201cYou\u2019re hallucinating because it\u2019s disconnected. As in, not working. It couldn\u2019t ring, get it? I took it out a couple of days ago. With the new cell phones, we\u2019ve got backup and don\u2019t need this anymore. I was going to tell you yesterday afternoon, but you were already so far gone.\u201d His lip curled in disgust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhat? Disconnected? Believe me, this gets weirder because my\u2014”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m only going to say this once.\u201d Interrupting her, he threw back his shoulders and took a deep breath that filled his Captain America logo. \u201cYou address your problem starting today or get out\u2014like pack your bags. I won\u2019t have another night like last night and all the other nights before. I won\u2019t do it anymore. This is about Nina, and I\u2019m gonna be there for her. That means you gotta make up your mind.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Aileen swallowed hard, wanting to describe what had happened. But what had happened? With a sinking feeling, she darted her eyes toward the phone, sprawled on the countertop. Given that she had been half asleep and still drunk, had she really heard it ring? Had her father\u2019s voice come through as clear and bell-like as she thought? Wanting it to be real, she felt herself clawing back his words before they faded away from her memory. Leenee. Emergency. Love<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0What stood out the most in her mind was his promise to help her. He\u2019d sounded just like Ben and his pledge to protect Nina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0My own hero.<\/em> Her father might not have safeguarded her in the past, but he was there for her now, helping her on a journey that she suddenly felt ready to start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0She moved to the sink and pulled out the liter bottle stashed underneath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cGeez. This early? You\u2019re not at it already?\u201d Ben growled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Upending the bottle, she watched the liquid drain away. To her surprise, instead of loss, she felt relief and a lightness. She wanted to giggle but was afraid her husband wouldn\u2019t understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI might be home late this evening. There\u2019s something I need to do, a meeting I need to go to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Cautious, Ben narrowed his eyes. \u201cWhat\u2019s got into you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cI dunno.\u201d She flashed him a shy smile. \u201cMaybe, a kinda Captain America? It\u2019s complicated.\u201d She furrowed her brow. \u201cJune first.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWhat?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNina\u2019s birthday. I remember.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

J.H. Jones (she\/her) is an author of stories and poems, working on her debut mystery novel. Her passion for creative writing comes after a career of crafting business messages for various companies. When she\u2019s not writing, she enjoys brainstorming story ideas with her millennial daughter and working with her husband on their backyard re-wilding project.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Wine<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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