I wanted to update everyone on the Making Wishes Come True contest! As you may recall, Fred Meyer graciously gifted (2) deserving families with $250 gift cards, and (3) additional families with $50 gift cards! And after that, they were able to give an additional (10) $25 gift cards!

Some of you were so inspired by Fred Meyer’s generosity and the stories I shared from readers that you’ve offered to step in and help. I’ve been continuously working behind the scenes to ensure as many families are helped as possible.

As of this posting, 28 families have either received help, or have been matched with someone who has offered to help them! And, approximately $1,500 in gift cards and/or gifts have gone to help these families ($900 of which was from Fred Meyer)! Each of these families has received a gift of at least $20 in value. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU to everyone who has generously helped a family or two. I also want to add that a portion of the credits and proceeds earned through this site have gone on to help families. So thank you to everyone who’s taken advantage of the Vitacost deal (please consider it if you haven’t yet!), purchased a Groupon, or even printed off a few Coupons.com coupons – whether knowingly or not, your support of this site has funneled into supporting deserving families!

I’ve also reached out to every family who initially wrote in for the Making Holiday Wishes Come True Contest to confirm if help was still truly needed or not. I still have 36 families who could really use some help, and 10 I’ve not heard from (so please, check your email if you haven’t in awhile).

I Would Like to Help!

If you can help a fellow Coupon Project family in need, the best way would be to send your monetary gift or Fred Meyer gift card donation to my post office box. I am now checking it daily in hopes of turning these gifts right around to the families who need them most. If you’d like to help, I’m asking you make a donation of at least $25 per family.

Angela Russell
PO Box 23242
Federal Way, WA 98003

Of course, if you’d prefer to email me ahead of time or if you have any questions – just email me at angela @ thecouponproject dot com.

My wish this Christmas is to see as many of these families helped as possible. Thank you for helping that happen!

{ 5 comments }

Photo credit Xavier Lukins

Photo courtesy stock.xchng The Christmas Coupon Project is a 25-part story; one part each day through Christmas. Head HERE for past installments.

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Chapter 24: The Star

Beth was leaning over the checkout lane, engrossed in a book.

“Slow night?” he asked.

“Charles!” she exclaimed, setting the book down. “What are you doing here? It’s Christmas Eve!”

He placed the champagne and cookies down on the conveyer belt. “Came to celebrate, I suppose.”

Beth considered the items he was purchasing. “Got a romantic night planned?”

Charles shrugged.

“With your girlfriend…?”

“Ah, she’s not my girlfriend anymore…”

“Oh,” Beth lowered her eyes, and quickly added, “I’m sorry…”

“Don’t be,” he said. “It wasn’t meant to be.”

Beth tried to focus on scanning in the items, but Charles could see that a smile had crept across her face. How had he missed how pretty Beth was?

“I almost forgot,” she said, reaching for something under the counter. “I have something for you…it just came today.”

She pulled out a Manzer 3000 razor. “No kidding,” Charles laughed. “Why, it’s a Christmas miracle!”

“I was so excited when the shipment came in today, I just had to snatch one up and set aside for you…”

Charles reached into his wallet and pulled out the Manzer 3000 coupon he’d been hanging onto for weeks now. “Manzer coupon…meet Manzer razor,” he said handing it over the counter to Beth.

Beth finished the transaction and went to hand Charles his receipt. But as she did so, the little machine next to the cash register suddenly beeped its green light.

“The Catalina machine!” Beth and Charles said simultaneously. The little piece of paper spit out, and Beth ripped it off.

“Charles – you just earned $5 off your next purchase at Albertman’s – for buying the Manzer!”

“Seriously?” Charles took the coupon, reading it over. “An unadvertised Catalina! Go figure.”

“I haven’t seen that one print before. Must have just started today. Maybe it’s a good thing you didn’t get that Manzer until tonight!”

Charles folded the coupon carefully and put it in his wallet. He recalled the events of the past few weeks, and how Emo Tim had told him that sometimes the best deals were the one you didn’t find in the ad.

“What?” Beth smiled, tilting her head at Charles slightly.

“I have something for you.”

Charles took the package out from under his arm, and handed it to Beth.

“What’s this?”

“A Christmas present, of course.”

 “Charles…?” Beth was both surprised and flattered.

“Open it!” Charles’ eyes lit up, eager for her to see what was inside.

Beth quickly worked through the layers of tissue paper. “The Coupon Project,” she read aloud. “Charles! It’s your photo coupon book! You remembered!”

“I did,” Charles said. “I loved your idea. I wanted to order a second one for you. To thank you.”

Beth was moved. Her face was soft, and radiant. “Thank you, Charles. It’s perfect!”

Charles motioned for her to read more. “See, Beth…look at this page. Here I share how to stack coupons…” he flipped a few more pages ahead for her. “And here’s how to find tearpad and blinkie coupons…”

“This is great,” Beth said. “Seriously…really great.”

“You think so?”

“Yeah, Charles,” her eyes scanned the pages, taking it in. “You should write a book.”

“I did…this one!”

“No,” she said. “You should have a book published. That teaches people how to do this.”

“Thanks,” he said. Charles couldn’t imagine doing anything other than what he presently did. Work in an office 9 to 5. Sure, he might climb the corporate ladder a bit. But doing something completely outside of the box like writing a book? The idea was both fascinating and terrifying at the same time.

“I know you could do it,” Beth was sincere, and Charles knew it. She admired him, and it was a feeling that began to awaken something new in Charles.

Beth was now on the last page of the photo book. “Charles, what’s this?”

Charles took the photo book from Beth. He could not believe what he was seeing. The caption read, “thanks most of all to my friend and faithful coupon mentor: Emo Tim.” The picture showed the sidewalk and the bench outside of Albertman’s. But there was one thing missing from the picture.

“How…” he muttered. “I don’t get this, Beth…”

“What?”

“I took this picture…there was a kid in it…an emo kid…”

“I don’t understand…?”

Charles grabbed for his phone and began to scroll through his photos. “I took that photo with this phone. There is an emo kid doing a wacky pose. He’s the one that taught me how to coupon…”

Charles found the photo. It looked exactly like the photo in the book Beth was now holding.

“I swear, Beth, the photo had this kid, this emo kid, doing a crazy pose…he taught me how to coupon….”

Beth looked at him questioningly.

“Beth…he used to hang out in front of the store all the time, he rode a skateboard…”

“Oh, but there’s no skateboarding allowed out there! My manager makes sure of that!”

“But…”

“Trust me, if there had been a skateboarder? We would’ve known…”

Charles put his phone back in his pocket, shaking his head. “I can’t believe this…”

Charles covered his face with his hands. Was he hallucinating? Had he gone mad? What was happening to him…and why? He felt as if the room was beginning to spin.

But Beth was unshaken. “Charles…” Beth said calmly. “Tell me, this emo kid…did he help you?”

“Yes, he did.”

“So, you would say your life is better, for having known him?”

“Definitely!”

“Well then, I think you encountered a Christmas angel.”

Beth hadn’t laughed at Charles. She hadn’t called him crazy. She hadn’t dismissed what he’d experienced. She’d believed in him.

“Maybe so, Beth,” Charles said nodding, trying to take everything in. “I wouldn’t know how else to explain it.”

Charles thought back to the first time he’d met Emo Tim. He’d seemed real enough. But maybe there was some validity to Beth’s theory. For instance, the little matter of how Emo Tim kept popping up at all the right times and places. And his uncanny ability to pinpoint virtually every deal in the store at a given time. Perhaps Beth was right after all. 

Suddenly, something caught Charles’ attention out of the corner of his eye. He glanced up and out the store’s foggy windows. There, standing outside in the snow, was an emo kid, dressed all in white. His face was sad, yet he was smiling. He lifted a single hand at Charles, and cocked his head back slightly.

“Beth…Beth! There he is!” without thinking, Charles turned back, and grabbed Beth’s hand.

But when they got to the window, all that remained was the snow, falling silently and accumulating in soft piles on the grocery store parking lot.

“He was there…” Charles said.

But Beth wasn’t looking out the window. She was looking down at her hand, still clasped to Charles’. Charles looked down, too, surprised at how natural his hand felt in hers. Had Beth been here, all along? How could he have missed her?

Christmastime is here, happiness and cheer… the classic Charlie Brown Christmas song began over the grocery store loudspeaker. Fun for all, that children call, their favorite time of year…

“Hmmmm,” Beth said, closing her eyes and drinking in the moment. “I’ve always loved that song.”

“Me too,” Charles smiled. And he was still holding her hand.

Although they were unaware of it, there was a star that was shining a little bit brighter than the others high above Albertman’s grocery store that Christmas Eve night. And then in an instant, it exploded into light and blazed across the dark night sky.

The end.

{ 30 comments }

Photo courtesy stock.xchng

The Christmas Coupon Project is a 25-part story; one part each day through Christmas. Head HERE for past installments.
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Chapter 23: The Final Lesson

It was Christmas Eve and once again, Charles found himself alone. He looked out his apartment window at the snow that was falling in thick drifts in the parking lot. His sister Nan would be headed to their parents’ house by now. They were three states away. Charles tried to recall the smell of turkey and sweet potato pie wafting through his mother’s kitchen.

A Christmas Story marathon was running on one of the cable channels, and quite frankly, Charles had had enough. He clicked the TV off, and flung the remote on the couch.

“It’s Christmas Eve!” he announced in the empty room. “And I intend to celebrate!”

He grabbed a package that had just arrived the day before, put on his coat, and braved the snow.

The drive to Albertman’s wasn’t as bad as he’d anticipated. While the snow was thick, no one was on the road. Charles marveled at how beautiful the rows of houses and trees looked, frosted over in blankets of snow. He passed by a pond with a footbridge, and the little park that months before had been filled with children in their shorts and sneakers. Everything was at still, at rest.

“And to think I might have missed this,” Charles said.

Except for a couple cars, the parking lot was empty. Charles tucked the package under his arm and headed towards the store. Emo Tim was not outside, but that was to be expected. It was Christmas Eve, after all. Besides that, it was snowing. And it was quite late. Nonetheless, Charles found that he was disappointed by the kid’s absence.

Charles rarely drank, but had decided tonight he’d be festive. He picked up a bottle of champagne, looking it over.

“Some have rebates,” a familiar voice said.

“Where did you come from?” Charles asked, startled. “I didn’t see you outside.”

Emo Tim shrugged. “Snuck in.” Tonight he had changed his black garb for white. White hoodie, white skinny jeans, white studded leather belt. Emo Tim had also dyed a white streak in his black hair, giving him a look that resembled a skunk. He’d left his fingernails black, and of course there was his thick black guyliner. It was a very striking look. He had also ditched the crutches, and was wearing a bootie over his cast. Charles was impressed he hadn’t heard him clumping across the grocery store linoleum.

“Rebates?” Charles set down the champagne. “Hey, aren’t you a little young for these sort of deals?”

“I didn’t say I’d done the deal myself.”

“True…”

Emo Tim squatted down at the rows of champagne. “Like this one, see this?” He pulled out a bottle with a tag attached to the neck.

Charles took it, and read the form. “OK, nice. Thanks! I’ve never bothered with rebates, before…”

Emo Tim bristled. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Uhhhh…..”

“Follow me.”

Even with a cast, Emo Tim was remarkably graceful in his movements. And quick! Charles had a hard time keeping up with him. Better hit the gym soon, he thought, struggling to keep up with the boy. On this night, Emo Tim had taken Charles to the cookie aisle.

“Look.”  Emo Tim indicated with a quick tilt of his head that Charles was to look at shelf in front of him. He knew the drill, and knew better than to ask questions.

“Let’s see, Emo Tim,” Charles scanned the rows of chocolate chips, animal crackers, and wafers. He stopped when he found a bag of snickerdoodle cookies with a form attached. “This?”

Emo Tim nodded. “Read it.”

“It says ‘try me free’,” Charles read. “How’s that?” he carefully unpeeled the form and read further. It seemed clear enough. Fill out the form, send a receipt and a UPC and get a check for the full amount he paid. “Heh…no kidding…”

“Don’t forget this,” Emo Tim produced a dollar off coupon and handed it to Charles. “You’ll pay $3 tonight, but get $4 in the mail. A money maker.”

“Wow…thanks!” Charles said, taking the coupon.

Emo Tim smiled, yet Charles sensed something wasn’t right.

“What’s wrong?”

Emo Tim was reluctant to speak. “It’s nothing. Nothing. You ever just get sad?”

“Yeah…yeah, I suppose I do.” Charles thought about Callie.

“Being emo is all about connecting with how you feel inside,” Emo Tim said, setting a hand on Charles’ shoulder. Charles began to wonder if Emo Tim was trying to convert him.

“Uh, yeah, but isn’t being emo about cutting yourself, too?” Charles asked.

Emo Tim removed his hand from Charles’ shoulder and pulled back his sleeves. He held out his arms for Charles to inspect and turned them over. They were perfect. Unmarked.

“Why…why would I cut myself?” Emo Tim asked. His eyes were dark, brooding. Then he leaned over and whispered, “I cut coupons, Charles!”

Charles quietly snickered. Then he looked up at Emo Tim, who was still standing there, looking completely serious. The entire thing suddenly seemed overwhelming ridiculous to him. Charles began to laugh, and laugh. He laughed like he hadn’t laughed since he couldn’t remember when.

He imagined how this must all look…a 30-something learning how to use coupons from an emo kid…Charles couldn’t stop laughing.

“I mean…who learns about rebates on Christmas Eve!” he blurted. He laughed more, and more. And it felt good. Like a downpour after it’s been dry for too many days.

Emo Tim extended bowed his head, closing his eyes. “It’s good to hear you laugh, Charles.”

In spite of the smile, Emo Tim still looked sad.

“Something is wrong,” Charles said, calming himself down. “What is it?”

Emo Tim paused. “I’m going, Charles.”

“What? Going?” Charles couldn’t imagine Albertman’s without Emo Tim.

“My family is moving,” he explained. “I came to say goodbye.”

Charles was speechless, and shook his head. “Emo Tim…but there’s still so much I need to learn, and so much I want to ask you…”

Emo Tim smiled gently. “Follow the blogs. They will guide you.”

“But….”

“Charles, it’s been real,” Emo Tim said, straightening his backpack. “Merry Christmas.”

Charles nodded, realizing nothing he could say or do would stop Emo Tim from leaving. “Merry Christmas, Emo Tim….thank you.”

Emo Tim reached back and grabbed his iPod from out of the side of his backpack. Just before he put the ear buds in he added, “And good luck with that girl.”

“Who?”

“The cashier of course!” Emo Tim winked and headed out into the cold.

Charles stood and watched Emo Tim until he couldn’t see him anymore, until the very cold and snow seemed to envelop him. “Goodbye, old friend,” he whispered. “You’ll be missed.”

With champagne and cookies in hand, Charles walked down the aisle and towards the front of the store. Checkout lane number nine was lit. And just as he expected, there she was.

{ 9 comments }

Photo credit Mary Supe

The Christmas Coupon Project is a 25-part story; one part each day through Christmas. Head HERE for past installments.
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Chapter 22: The Next Day

Gary set down his coffee, and sat back in his chair. “Wow…wow, Charles…”

“Yeah, it was kind of a night, I guess you could say.”

“Man, I have no words,” he rubbed his chin, and shook his head. “I’m sorry.”

Charles nodded, looking out the Starbucks window. It had started to snow that morning, and it was beginning to cover the ground. He watched a young couple laugh, holding onto each other as they dodged snowflakes on the sidewalk. As the boyfriend held the door to Starbucks open for his girl, she leaned over and gave him a peck on the cheek.

“Things are already awkward,” Charles rambled. “At work today…I know people have been talking.”

“Well it’s bound to happen. Just let ‘em talk and be done with it. It’ll die down soon enough.”

“And Callie…” he continued. “How am I supposed to act around her?”

Gary took a sip of his coffee, thinking. “Here’s what I think you do. Treat her like your coworker.”

Charles considered what Gary was saying.

“Do what you need to do to get your work done,” Gary went on. “But Charles, keep it professional.”

“Trust me, Gary,” Charles sighed. “It’s over.”

The young couple were now ordering their coffees, and admiring the pastries through the glass. They were holding hands, smiling. Gary could sense Charles was watching them.

“You’ll find her.”

“Who?” Charles asked. “I’ll find who?”

“The right girl. Who knows? She might appear when you least expect it…right under your nose…”

“Maybe…” Charles’ mind drifted.

“Hey listen, this power meeting is coming fast to a close and there was one final agenda item to discuss today.”

“What’s that?” Charles tried to focus on what Gary was saying.

“Coupons!”

“That’s an agenda item?” he grinned.

“It is. Charles, I need to tell you…I’m sort of excited about this presentation you’re doing at work next week.”

“Really?” Charles couldn’t trace any sarcasm in Gary’s voice.

“I am,” he replied. “The wife and I were looking at our budget last night. We really need to make some changes. I think this could help.”

“Gary, it could,” Charles said. “I promise!”

“I hope so!” Gary took in a final sip of his coffee. “I sure don’t want to cut my once-a-week Starbucks out!”

Charles always returned to work from their power meetings energized to face the rest of his day. He wondered if Brent and Harry felt the same way about their meetings. Charles and Gary dashed up the back staircase and started down the hall. They were on just on time to make it back to their desks before Harry and Brent would be any the wiser.

Except today, Brent was in the hallway, leaning over Callie’s cubicle. He was saying something quietly to her, and grinning. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys and handed it to her. Callie quickly handed him a different set of keys in exchange.

“Shoot!” whispered Gary to Charles. “I bet they Brent and Harry didn’t meet today!”

 “What do we do?” Charles shot back.

But before Gary could respond, Brent looked up. “Well, well…where have you two been?”

It was clear to Charles that Gary was clueless as to how to respond. Charles took the reins.

“We had a meeting, if you must know,” Charles said.

“About what?” Brent took a step closer to Charles, looking at the coat in his hand. “You do know you’re on company time, right?”

“OK, then, Brent,” he said. “I’ll tell you what we were talking about, if you tell me why you’re standing here at Callie’s cubicle, talking to her.” Charles and Callie’s eyes met briefly, and then Callie lowered hers.

Brent reddened.

Gary stood, open-mouthed, eyebrows raised, and flashed a smile at Charles.

It was Callie who broke the silence. “Really, let’s everyone…let it go…”

“I can do that, Callie,” he said politely. “Now if you’ll excuse me, Brent, I’ll be heading back to my cubicle.”

“Very well…” Brent said, stepping aside. Charles brushed past and as he did, Brent leaned in his ear and whispered, “Chucky.”

“My name is Charles.”

“Chucky!”

Charles said nothing, and clenched his jaw. Brent began to laugh, knowing he’d always have this over Charles. He’d always have this last jab.

“His name is Charles,” Gary said. “Stop calling him that.”

“You know what? No!” Brent boomed. “I think I’m calling him Chucky from here on out!”

“C’mon, Brent, just let it go,” Callie pleaded.

“Why should I?” he laughed. “I’m calling him Chucky!”

“His name is Charles,” an older voice interjected.

Everyone spun around to see Harry peering out of his office. He was clearly agitated at having been interrupted. “Show some respect.”

Brent nodded quickly. “Yes, Sir,” he mumbled.

“And for Pete’s Sake, Brent, pipe down. I’ve got a conference call in here!”

After Harry shut the door, Charles gave Brent a “tsk, tsk” sign and Callie a quick nod. Then he turned and walked to his cubicle in blissful silence. He sat back in his chair, threw his coat on the rack, and smiled.

{ 3 comments }

Photo credit Armand

The Christmas Coupon Project is a 25-part story; one part each day through December. Head HERE for past installments.
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Chapter 21: Crossroads

Charles felt like he’d been punched in the stomach. Why was Brent’s car parked in Callie’s driveway? Had it really been too good to be true this entire time? He sat there for several minutes, trying to come up with a logical explanation. Or what he should do. Charles felt a wave of nausea come over him.

Charles had two options. First, he could drive away and forget the whole thing. Forget Callie, and the fact he was falling for her. Or, he could confront her and Brent.

With everything in him, Charles wanted to drive away. It would be the easiest way out. But Charles felt like the time had come to finally stand up, and not run away from life’s difficulties. He’d let Brent, and even perhaps Callie on some level, intimidate him for far too long.

Charles got out of his car, marched towards Callie’s door, and knocked hard.

“Who’s there?” he heard Callie ask from inside.

“Charles,” he replied. “Please let me in.”

“Charles! Charles, please wait a minute…”

“Let me in now.”

He could hear Callie moving items around inside, shutting a door, and running across the room. Then it was true, Charles thought, his heart breaking. “Callie!”

Finally, Callie opened the door. Her hair was frazzled, and she was wearing a silk robe over yoga pants and a camisole.

“Charles?” she asked. “Why do you look so upset?”

“Callie, I can’t believe you!” he pushed past her, making his way into her living room. She had candles lit, and everything looked pretty well put together. Pillows fluffed, books stacked neatly, and even a bowl of popcorn on the coffee table. “Where is he?”

“Who?” Callie asked, shaking. “What are you talking about, Charles?!”

“You know who I’m talking about – Brent!” Charles could not believe the level of deceit this woman was capable of. “His car is parked in your driveway.”

“He’s not here, Charles! Please calm down!”

Charles looked her in the eye. “I don’t believe you, Callie!” He began walking through her house, opening doors.

“Have you gone mad?” she screamed after him. “I wouldn’t cheat on you!”

Charles had now opened every door in Callie’s house. There was no sign of Brent. He was beginning to feel foolish, confused. But why was Brent’s car in her driveway?

He put his hand on the doorknob to the coat closet.

“Charles,” Callie lowered her voice. “Charles, look at me. I would not cheat on you. I promise.”

He went to turn the doorknob.

“What? Do you think I’m hiding Brent in the coat closet?”

He considered what Callie was saying. How ridiculous would it be to open the door and find Brent hiding behind some coats? Charles wanted to believe Callie, with all his heart he did. But he could not fathom a logical explanation for Brent’s car being in her driveway.

In spite of everything, Charles felt compelled to open the door to the coat closet. What happened next came as a shocking surprise.

Dozens of Albertman’s plastic bags filled with items spilled out of the closet and landed at Charles’ feet.

“What….what’s this?” he leaned down, picking up a bag. Inside were at least ten Manzer razors.

Callie’s face dropped. She said nothing.

“You…” Charles began to put the pieces together. Was it possible Callie had been the mysterious shelf clearer all along? “You did this….do you have any idea how long I’ve been looking for one of these?” he was holding a Manzer, incredulous.

“Charles…” she began, stammering.

He began pulling out more and more bags out of her closet. They were filled with more Manzer razors, toothbrushes, tuna fish, crackers….pancake mix. “You took all the pancake mix! And I let you have that last box!”

“You don’t understand!” Callie was growing agitated, and reached for some of the bags, desperately trying to shove them back into the closet. “Get out of my stuff!”

But something else had caught Charles’ eye. A pile of papers on the closet floor. Coupons. He picked them up, looking hard at them. “Callie…”

“Please go,” she said firmly.

“Callie…did you…copy these?”

She said nothing.

Charles remembered Beth, in tears. “Do you know what you’ve done?”

“Charles, I can explain.”

“Try!” Charles could see no possible, rational reason for what Callie had done at this point.

“Money is tight,” she started. “I needed to find a way to make money….” She struggled to find the words. “So I’ve been buying items for cheap or free with the coupons and reselling them on an online auction site.”

“What?!”

“Listen to me,” she continued. “People are happy to buy items for my prices online, and I’m still making a profit.”

“But you defrauded a store in the process!”

“But think how many people they’ve hurt, Charles!” she snapped. “Who can afford those prices? It seems to me they asked for it.”

Charles shook his head, completely stunned. “I just don’t get this…any of this, Callie…”

Callie walked over and put her hand on Charles’ shoulder. “Charles, join me.”

“No….”

“Yes, imagine how much we could make together,” she said. “Think about it…”

“Never!” he said.

“Listen, there’s a nice cashier at Albertman’s. You just make small talk to her, and she’ll push anything through…here’s our chance to get ahead, Charles.”

Beth, he thought. The muscles in his face tensed.

“Please, Charles, don’t be angry…”

“Callie, I’m beyond angry,” he said. “Do you realize what you’ve done? Because of you a good person almost lost her job. A very good person.”

Charles turned for the door. “So…explain one more thing to me…”

Callie stood there, arms at her side, saying nothing.

Charles pulled back the curtain to Callie’s driveway, and pointed outside. “Explain that!”

Charles wasn’t sure if Callie looked like she was about to yell or cry.

“Why, Callie?”

After a moment, she quietly said. “I needed a bigger vehicle, for my store trips. I asked Brent if I could swap cars on the day I do my trips…”

“I can’t believe this…”

“He was happy to help me!” she blurted.

Charles felt as if he was going to be very sick. All those times Brent had ogled at Callie. No wonder he was happy to help. “I’m done, Callie.”

“Please, Charles,” Callie was crying. “Please, don’t go! I promise, I’ll make things right…”

He turned and looked at her. Her face was streaked with tears, and she was shaking. She wrapped her thin arms around herself. She was still undeniably beautiful. Part of Charles longed to run over and embrace her, to put this behind them. He remembered the day he met Callie, walking with her down the hallway to the breakroom. How he had longed for this woman, hoped for her. Could he now let her go? Let his dream of a future together go? Could he go back to being alone again?

She looked at him, her troubled eyes glistening. “Please, Charles. Please…”

And what happened next, his friends would all say, Charles’ backbone grew three sizes that day.

“No, Callie. Goodbye.”

Charles walked out the door and didn’t look back.

{ 21 comments }