22

The peal of the old church bell resounded throughout the village countryside once again. It was not as deafening as the one in his heart on this sacred day as he set eyes on his bride for the first time. He knew now he was ruined; she had ravaged his heart with her splendor, and they would spend the rest of forever entering into an unspeakable joy.

21

His love chases in like a storm so that good and bad alike blow across the landscape of my soul. Clouds like gray, faceless sentinels march and march, quaking the only earth I've ever known. I am Dorothy, and I need more than a well-intentioned wizard to get me home. This is His way.

20

Suddenly she caught her own reflection in the shop window. Centered just right, her face was imprinted in the plate on display.

19

Her words poured out like flood water--fierce, brown cannonballs filled with mud and twisted steel and blind power.

18

Her eyelashes still glistened with the tears that a hug and a cookie helped soothe.

17

A bath is for soaking in pleasure. A shower is for washing off pain.

16

Her dog made little whining noises and snorted while his paws kicked and twitched in a dream where he romped forever in meadows and fields.