The Book Store.

That Saturday, Stella woke up feeling anew. Her bruises, aches, and coughs had gone away. Dressed in her favorite jeans and her softest sweater, she entered the kitchen. Her mother sat at the counter with a steamy mug of tea and an open magazine. "I see that you're feeling better." Her mother greeted.

Stella nodded as she stretched her arm to retrieve a box of cereal from the cupboard. "Even the bruise is gone."

She smiled.

Arms full with the box, a spoon, the milk, and a bowl, she made way towards the spot next to her mother. "I need to head to the book store and see about restoring a book I dropped during the storm." Stella poured the cereal before moving onto the milk.

"One of these days, you'll learn not to drag that silly old book everywhere." said her mom, eyes not leaving the magazine. Stella glanced at it, it was one of those bridal magazines. Stella found it ironic her mother had called her old book of classic fairy tales silly, when she was longing for her own fairy tale.

She didn't mind though, Stella decided as she happily started on her cereal. She wanted her single mother to have her Prince and fairy tale wedding.

When she finished with her cereal, she hopped off the stool and rinsed out her bowl. She gave her mother a kiss on the head and started to head for the door.

"Stella Ann get back here and put away this box. I've taught you better." Her mom glanced up and glared, Stella laughed as she retraced her steps. Mission: Complete, she thought. She was always playing these 'missions,' such as getting her mom's attention away from the magazine or getting her brother to throw away that candy wrapper she conveniently left on the coffee table.

She had a pleased look on her face when she left the house. Clutching her book against her chest, and wallet in her hand, she made her way to the path leading to town.

Oliver Boyd.

"Mind taking me into town?" Nalie asked from his doorway, Oliver tore his eyes away from his laptop and gave her the droll stare he knew annoyed his sister. She pouted, "Please? I need to get a few things for a project and Dan isn't here."

Of course, Dan wouldn't be home. He only had eyes for his mom, forget the children. When the Misses wasn't home, it was time to get the truck looked at or his buddy needs help over at his home. It was the same with Oliver's father. When Nalie and Oliver visited, they were treated as vases in the foyer. Vases who reminded the older man of their mom, his one and only wife.

His father was bitter and rightly so, Oliver's mother left the man for a her colleague. Most days even Oliver was bitter. His father was no better, on the weekends they spent with him, he worked and gambled his money away. The nights he came home, he had a lady on his arm with hooded eyes and breath smelling of liquor. Mr. Boyd had commented many times as Oliver grew up, "Who needs women? Boyd men don't; my father warned me, son. Did I listen? No." He'd get this far away look on his face as he would quote, "Let them love you and leave them. No use in getting your feelings hurt in the process."

"Can you?" Nalie interrupted his thoughts. He set his laptop on the bed and grabbed his keys, deciding he no longer wanted to be here with remnants of their broken family.

"Yeah." As he headed out of his room with his sister in tow.

Stella White.

Stella entered the dusty old book store, Charlie's Book Emporium.

"Hello, little Stella." A voice came from behind the wooden desk that held the ancient cashier.

Stella laughed as Charlie jumped up and winked at her. Charlie Tuck was a delightful, old man who claimed that he could spot Stella a mile away and blind folded. So far he's kept his word and has failed to let Stella catch him off-guard. She smiled at him, "Hello Charlie. How are you today?"

"Pah, the Misses has me on a rabbit diet. Claiming my cholesterol is too high." He grumped but then cheered up as he spotted the book in her arms. "What can I do for ya today?"

"Unfortunately, clumsy me dropped my book in a puddle." She frowned as she placed the thick book onto the counter top. The pages were wrinkled and the cover had water spots, Stella winced.

"Well, darling, I have some good news for ya." Charlie said after inspecting the title and the publishing information inside. "I have a spare copy of this in the back room."

"Oh." Stella wasn't looking for a new copy, then again she wasn't sure what she was looking for when she came to the bookstore. It was the last thing her father had given to her before passing. It contained his handwriting and promises.

Noticing her crestfallen expression, Charlie continued, "Well, deary, why don't I keep the book for a few days and see what I can do to repair it."

"Could you? Name the price, I'll pay it." Stella offered as she placed her hands played with the hem of her sweater.

The elderly man's face softened, "No worries, Stella. I'll do this one for free. Though I would not mind dinner one bit." He winked. "Well, the Misses and I."

Stella laughed, "Of course."

-Ack, I'm back. Tons of sorries. A few weeks turned into months, and before long into years. It was hard to remember and write, but I got it, I think. More to come. This goes to Indie, Oliver's #1 Fan.