Stories

White Elephant Present Prompt #23: "Stars for the Star." A bit of sweet at Christmas.

Eighteen year-old Cam Franklin's life changed when he went to lifeguard orientation for the community pool. That's when he met Ian Greenely, the boy who would actually change his life. Little did he know, he had a few more life-changing events in the year to follow.

For monsters, Halloween is like Christmas, and nothing ruins the holidays more than having to work fast food.

Soon after Sam gets a new job, he meets Brian and is immediately enchanted with him. Will Sam dare make the first move even though he is not out to anyone at his new place of work? Or will he wait to see how Brian feels about him?

The lens of the camera is shallow. It sees colour and shape. It gives the illusion of motion in two dimensions. It draws the light from the dark. In that space between lens and subject, between picture and reality, lies solitude.

Jonah lived in that solitude, content within its embrace.

Until Michael.

Steve and Chris, who met and became close in Thrift Shop Nation, return in another tale.

Working at the thrift shop has proved to be both interesting and rewarding for the boys. The summer is nearing its end, but both want the job to go on. They have been discovering that the thrift shop is more than just a job, and that Debbi is more than just a boss.

And that life among the world of 'previously owned' items is a long way from being dull...

As a pair of coworkers are thrown together by chance, one man’s secret is revealed. When does someone else’s business become your business?

The first Christmas in six years without the world being at war; there is hope, there is remembrance, and there is uncertainty.

The store's family-feel is reinforced weekly with the publication of "Store Chat," but it takes effort. So does social justice. The Elevator Captain, the Editor, the Columnist, an Elevator Operator and her young son all strive for the renewed potential of Christmas in peacetime.

Kip Meijer is probably the only tattoo apprentice in history without a single tattoo of his own. His appearance and skill change the atmosphere at the Brick and Tenth Tattoo Studio, but Kip has a secret, and he's been keeping his heart and his skin saved for something special. It'll be just his luck if the two things show up together.

Steve Henson was looking for a summer job. Small town life didn't provide much in the way of employment for idle teenagers, so when his mom located him a possible spot at a new business opening in town, Steve jumped at the chance to check it out.

And found the answer to all of his dreams in the process...