Mini synopsis: This story involves the loss of a parent due to Alzheimer's. We often wage the battles of 'I should have said...' or 'Did they come to understand...' as we watch that person slipping away. This story tries to focus on the ideas of love and hope, which added to loss can be a very emotional balancing act to read.

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Authors note: This story contains sexual situations, subject matter, and topics – mild at best – but none the less present. If the idea of sex, between consenting adults is a trigger for you, please refrain from reading this work of fiction. You’ll note above the stories warnings also. Any sexual content is NOT gratuitous and germane to this love story. Thank you.

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December 15th, 10:33 a.m.
“So that’s your New Year’s resolution, to be done with that chapter of your life?” Angela asked.

You’ve read this story at least a dozen times on BigCloset or some other site. Maybe those stories were all farfetched, had some mystical or magical component, or maybe even an alien encounter of some type drove the story. This story won’t involve any of those things, though theoretically my story might actually benefit from the introduction of one or more of those ideas, but I’m hoping this is an interesting enough read without those distractions.

So, let’s get the basics covered, and you’ll see what I was dealing with as I tell my story.

Author retains all rights to this original work of short fiction.

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Author retains all rights to this original work of fiction.

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Author retains all rights to this original work of fiction.

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Friday, June 8th, 4:51 p.m., Phoenix, Arizona
Getting back to the office turned out to be a quicker trip than I thought it would be, though I had to use Lyft first to get my car from the police station. This late in the day, the office was almost empty, and my attempt to find Valerie and recruit her in my quest to deal with Gabriella fell way short. She'd gone home for the day due to a sick child. Damn it!

The author retains all rights to this original work of fiction.

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Ask the Right Questions, Chapter 1 of 6

--- Six years and 5 days ago ---

June 3rd, 20:23 local time, Patsah Melah, Afghanistan
I had been connected on and off to the SAT-Link laptop since arriving an hour ago at our position on the outskirts of Patsah Melah. Colonel Flagg's delegation was just east of our position over the Afghanistan/Pakistan border and had arrived about three hours ahead of our making it to Patsah Melah.

Author retains all rights to this original work of fiction.

Friday, March 29th 9:36 AM
Sleep alluded me and getting my brain to shut off was impossible. I think the only reason I fell asleep was due to exhaustion. I was feeling that way now - exhausted. I was dreading meeting everyone for breakfast. So much so I almost cancelled, but didn’t because the backlash would have been worse than what I had been facing since sitting down - which was pretty intense.

Author retains all rights to this original work of fiction.

Thursday, March 29th 8:43 PM
The after party was more like an after dance than a gathering of all the contestants being made available for the audience to schmooze with. With how I was feeling about the competition right now that was kind of a relief. I didn't think I had it in me to smile while people told me I should have won or placed. What was I doing here?!

Author retains all rights to this original work of fiction.

Thursday, March 29th 12:47 PM
"I don't have a problem, but... But you have...," I replied defiantly, awkwardly, and without as much anger as was boiling inside of me from this whole situation. The initial confrontation spiked my anxiety to the point it brought on a panic attack - which ramped up my fears about anything and everything. Can you breathe? Are people watching you? Will I have to fight her? Am I going to pass out? I need more air...

Author retains all rights to this original work of fiction.

Wednesday, March 28th 11:33 PM
We were hurried off stage after a rousing final chorus of applause from the audience. Leza Howell continued to work the crowd and encouraged them to attend the after show as we headed back toward the 'green' room. Once there we were given a chance to go grab any personal items we might want - Amen! I grabbed my cellphone and wristlet clutch.

Author retains all rights to this original work of fiction.

Wednesday, March 28th 12:13 AM
Tyler slowly moved the arm, then leg he had slung over my body as we cuddled while coming down from our sexual highs. The warmth of his skin on mine was mesmerizing to me and I wondered if he felt anywhere near the same as I did. I watch him sit up, look back at me, and smile, "I wish I could stay longer, but Dana will probably think I got abducted or something ridiculous like that... I'm sorry, I should probably go."

Author retains all rights to this original work of fiction.

Tuesday, March 27th 6:11 PM
"Hey Brea... How's it going?"

As much as I wanted to really speak my mind, needed too for my own sanity and to keep from spiraling into a dark place, I decided it was probably best to go with a generic answer since I didn't know Blake all that well, "It's going pretty good." I hoped I sounded like I believed my own answer.

Blake raised an eyebrow, "You sure? You don't sound very convincing."

Author retains all rights to this original work of fiction.

March 15th 9:18 PM
“…I think I'm ready now... Intoxicate me now with your lovin' now... I think I'm ready now...,” I sang into faded silence.

Elizabeth assists the FBI and there's a message she's getting at lunch that sparks hope.

Can Elizabeth and Paul lure Amber's 'Daddy' out into the open? How are they feeling about being together last night?

Janet remains an odd piece of the puzzle Elizabeth can't figure out, but continues to go along with deceiving her. Have they found Amber's 'Daddy'? And what happened last night with Paul that made Elizabeth question everything she thought she knew and felt about them getting closer?

Amber's recovery operation is implemented and Elizabeth is along for the tense ride. A celebration dinner leads to getting to know one another and a potential for sparks, but how far will they go?

Elizabeth gets a first look into Amber's life outside her online presence and by all accounts Amber's life was everything hers wasn't. From supportive parents to no lack of clothing - how was it this kid turned to the underbelly of the internet and why? Is there's something brewing between Elizabeth and Paul?