Fiction, Part V!

Sam woke to a pounding in her head that made her want to burrow deeper into the pillows and blankets. She could feel Ty beside her, his arm tightening around her waist as she moved closer to him, and the pounding seemed to take on a life of its own.

"Is somebody at the door?" he finally grumbled.

"Jesus!" She sat up, coming awake quickly as she realized that it was, indeed, someone knocking on the door. And they were getting insistent. "Get in the bathroom!" she hissed, nudging him. "What if it's Johnny again?!"

"Christ." He rolled off the bed and disappeared into the bathroom as she pulled on a robe and closed the bedroom door behind her. "I'm coming!" she yelled as she padded across the living room. She peeked out the door and felt her heart start slamming in her chest as she recognized two police officers.

"Samantha Weber?" the first officer asked her, his eye narrowed slightly, giving his already round face a strange, pinched look.

"Yes, is something wrong?" she breathed, pulling her robe closer around her.

"We have reason to believe there's a Ty von Etter on the premises." The officer held a badge in his hand.

"On the premises?" she questioned, suddenly feeling a twinge of fear. "What does that mean? What's going on?"

"Is he here, Miss?" the second officer stood up straighter and seemed to be trying to intimidate her.

Samantha raised an eyebrow. "Do you have a search warrant? Am I in some kind of trouble?"

"Miss, we just need to talk to him," the first officer said quietly. "We have some questions about a case we're investigating and he seems to be missing. His roommates haven't seen him and they said he's missed work the last couple of days."

"I'm here, Officers." Ty came out of the bedroom in clean jeans and a t-shirt, though his feet were still bare and his hair definitely needed brushing. "You don't need to involve Samantha--"

"Ty, hush up!" Sam glared at him and for a moment they shared a silent battle of wills, with Ty eventually relenting. "Officers, you don't have a search warrant, and you're obviously not afraid for my welfare, so either tell us what's going on, or we're going to close the door and go back to bed." Sam was totally bluffing--she'd never spoken like that to a teacher, much less an officer of the law--but they didn't know that.

"Could we come in?" the second officer asked after a glance at his partner.

"Of course." Sam stepped aside and the two men came in, looking around as though they expected to find drugs or piles of stolen DVD players.

"Mr. von Etter, we understand you're acquainted with a Ms. Lynn Stahl?"

"Yes. She's my ex-girlfriend. We dated all through high school and on and off since then." Ty looked from one to the other, suddenly edgy. "Why? What's going on? Is she okay?"

"Why would you ask that?" the first officer asked quietly, looking at him.

"Because I've been calling her for days and she hasn't called back and now you're here." Ty shoved his hands into his pockets. "Tell me what's happened to her? Did someone hurt her?"

"She's dead, Mr. von Etter."

"Oh my God." Sam gaped at them, her mouth hanging open as she stared from one to the other.

"No, no, no, no!" Ty sank onto the couch and buried his face in his hands. "Dammit, I knew it. I knew they were going to do something! I knew it! I told you, Sam! Didn't I? Didn't I tell you that they--"

"Who is they, Mr. von Etter?" Officer number two leaned down towards Ty.

"I, er, they..." His voice faultered and he looked at Sam pleadingly. Then he seemed to find his voice. "Tell me what happened," Ty whispered hoarsely, his face suddenly even more ghostly white than usual. "Just tell me what happened to her." He clenched his fists tightly at his sides, and stared off in the distance.

"She was strangled." The officer with the narrow eyes spoke with slightly more compassion.

"Was she in her apartment?" he whispered again.

"Her apartment?" Office number two blinked. "No, she was at your apartment. Your roommates found her early this morning when they got home, around 4 a.m."

"In my apartment?!" Ty stood up like a shot and glared at them. "Didn't you talk to them? Didn't you ask them what the hell she was doing there?! She lives in God damn Minnesota! She's never been to that apartment and--"

"Hang on, Mr. von Etter, now, we--" The first officer tried to talk to him, but Ty stalked to the other side of the room.

"Don't tell me to hang on!" he yelled, looking around. "Don't you understand what's happened? Those bastards killed her and I bet they told you they think I did it, right? That I'm missing, that I'm weird or some such bullshit. Johnny probably gave you his song and dance about how I'm like a brother to him, but I've always been a little strange, and how my relationship with Lynn has been on and off and that I don't treat her right. Right? Right?!" He looked at the two policemen knowingly.

They exchanged a glance that told Sam everything she needed to know and she bounded into action. "Has her family been notified?" she asked, standing beside Ty and putting a comforting hand on his forearm.

"One of your roomies gave us--"

"So what do you want from us?" Sam asked, interrupting. "Ty has been with me since Friday night. He hasn't left the house. His roommates took his rent money and then told him he must have lost it, so he's been hiding out here with me. Does he need an alibi? Do we need to make some kind of formal statement?" She looked at them calmly, waiting as though she hadn't another care in the world.

"Mr. von Etter has a history with the victim, and she was found dead in his bed, so we need to ask him some questions."

"Ask them!" Ty growled, his chest heaving with the effort it was taking for him to stay calm. "Ask me whatever you want! I didn't hurt her--I would never hurt her! I loved her most of my life! Just because we couldn't live together doesn't mean I killed her!"

"Calm down," Sam whispered, moving closer to him. "Just answer their questions."

Ty sat down then, his hand clamped tightly around Sam's, and told the officers everything that had happened in the previous weeks. Sam added her own experiences in the last few days, and the policemen wrote everything down without comment. They asked a few more questions and then slowly stood up.

"Mr. von Etter, are you planning to remain here for a while? Your apartment will be a crime scene for another 24 hours and then you'll be allowed back in."

"You're welcome to stay here," Sam whispered to him.

"Thanks." He nodded numbly. "Yeah, I guess I'll be here for a while longer."

"Don't leave town, Mr. von Etter. There will be detectives on the case with more questions."

"I'm not going anywhere," Ty said as they retreated out of the apartment.

For a while, they sat there quietly, neither speaking. Finally, Sam reached over and touched his face. "You okay?"

"I'm numb." He said after a long moment. "I'm sad, because she was my first everything and I'll always love her, but more than that I'm scared, because I know I didn't do it and that whoever did is trying to make it look like I did."

"I know." She squeezed his hand. "But we're not going to let anyone frame you. We'll figure this out. We'll make calls, we'll get a lawyer--"

"How the hell am I going to pay a lawyer?" he interrupted. "I can't even pay my own rent! My parents still send me grocery money! I'm 28 years old and I don't have a pot to piss in--how the hell am I going to get a lawyer?!"

"We'll figure it out," she said gently. "I could lend you--"

"No!" He glared at her. "You're already doing too much--I never should have involved you, but I guess it's too late for that! You're not going to give me money. I'll get a day job, or sell a few guitars, I'll do something." He got up and started to pace. "He killed her. I can't believe he killed her." He turned and stared at Sam. "Sam, I've known Johnny my whole life, and up until about a week ago, I never would have guessed he was capable of something like this. What the hell am I going to do?"

Sam didn't have any answers for him.

To be continued...

Some Holiday Shopping Savings Tips...

Since so many of you tell me how busy you are all the time, I thought I'd give you some of the updates on the price comparisons I've done so far this holiday season. I'll give you some of my favorite places, some deals I've found and whatever else I think might interest you.

We'll start with books... many of you out there are Stephen King lovers, so let's take "Under the Dome." It's been out for a few weeks and it's available almost everywhere. You can hit the big name stores like Barnes & Noble and pay something like $22 for it. You can hit Walmart and pay right around $19. Costco has it for $18 and change. However, if you're smart, you'll head straight to Amazon.com, find it for 14.50 and take advantage of the FREE Super Saver Shipping. You have to spend $25 to get the free shipping, but they will combine almost anything that ships from AMAZON (not one of their re-sellers) to give you the discount. If you have readers on your holiday list, always go to Amazon first.

For all you scrapbooker's on my list, there are a few products that are pretty cool this year, but some of the deals already passed on Black Friday. The Making Memories Slice machine was $89.99 at Hobby Lobby (reg. $149.99) and they had all the cartridges for $19.99 (reg. $39.99). Archiver's had a pretty good deal too; they offered it for $119.00 but you got the Sports cartridge free (reg. $39.99) so you got $190 worth of products for $119.00.

Right now one of the hot items is also the Sizzix Texture Boutique Embossing Machine. The Beginner's kit retails for $49.99 but you can get it for 34.88 at www.scrapbooking-warehouse.com. Their shipping is fairly reasonable too, although it used to be a flat rate and they don't do that anymore. You can find it all over the place, but there are really no other great deals on this. Even on Ebay it's selling for almost full price, and with shipping you might as well pick it up at your local store.

One of the hot toys this year seems to be this goofy little truck from Matchbox called Rocky the Robot Truck. There were no deals on Black Friday and the only place I've actually seen them has been at Target. They are going for full price on Ebay and while the retail price at Target is listed as 59.99, they are on Toys R Us.com at 64.99, although they're offering free shipping. I think it's a crock, so if you're looking for Rocky, try your local Target. I have yet to see them at Walmart or any other discount-type stores. I got mine the week BEFORE Thanksgiving at Target for $45.00, but I think that ship has sailed...

Now if you're already relatively frugal, you still need to keep your eye on the ball. There are a lot of sales going on everywhere. Hobby Lobby and Michaels are putting most of their Christmas-themed items (everything from trees to ornaments to wrapping paper) on sale at 40-50% off. Some of the bigger name stores like Macy's have been advertising "Friends and Family" specials with "extra 25% off everything" type deals. There are tons of coupons in the newspapers and online, and I've noticed that a lot of stores seem to be price-matching. If you see a digital key chain for $9.99 at one store, chances are you will find it at several other stores as well. No one wants to lose a customer this year, so keep your eyes open.

The only things I've noticed this year that isn't "on sale" in general is holiday-themed entertainment. The Radio City Rockettes are in town and tickets range from $45 to the $100 range, which is a lot for a family of four. Stone Mountain and popular rides-throughs like the one at Lake Lanier Islands haven't been broadcasting discounts this year either. It's sad, because the prices really make them almost prohibitive, but there's enough going on this time of year to make up for it. However, I've noticed a lot of Homeowners Associations are doing fun things this year like cookie exchanges and breakfast with Santa, so if you're looking for affordable holiday entertainment, check your local neighborhoods!

I'll have more tips and bargains for you in the coming days...

Kathy

Grown-Up Letters to Santa...

When I was a kid, I don't remember ever writing "letters to Santa." I guess I figured out Santa wasn't real at a fairly young age, but my parents "played" Santa well enough that I never found the need to ask for anything--I usually got what I really wanted. When I got older and moved across the country, however, it got to be a joke between my parents and I, so I started writing letters to Santa that I would send them around the holidays so they would know what I wanted and/or needed.

Now that I'm married, with children of my own, I tend to continue the "Adult Santa Letter" tradition with my husband, who then passes it around to my parents, his parents and anyone else who wants to know what to buy me. Frankly, it's a lot of fun, and the family really appreciates the opportunity to buy me something I want, instead of a widget with a bow that's going to sit in the box for a year until I decide to re-gift it. Truthfully, I usually put a lot of things on my list because I don't want to KNOW what I'm getting--I do like surprises--and if I just put three or four things on there, it won't be hard to figure out what's under the tree.

So just for fun, I thought I'd put my Santa Letter on my blog this year so that the whole world will know what I want--but also so that some of you out there will post yours in the comments section as well! Maybe after the holidays we can all see how many of got what was actually on the list!

Dear Santa:

I've been a really good girl this year, volunteering at my boys' schools, getting a part-time job subbing, and taking care of everything when Kevin travels. It would make me SO happy to get a few little things on my list...

1) "U is for Undertow" by Sue Grafton
2) "Dark Horse" CD by Nickelback
3) "Use Once and Destroy" CD by Rock City Angels
4) "Fa La La" cartridge by Making Memories (for Slice Machine)
5) Slice Carry Bag
6) Archiver's Gift Card
7) KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer (in red)
8) "The Unit" Season One DVD
9) iPhone
10) Spa Gift Certificate (especially a massage!)
11) Tickets to see Bon Jovi in April
12) "Bookplate Special" by Lorna Barrett (paperback only)
13) "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" by Deborah Grabien
14) "Frill Kill" by Laura Childs (paperback)
15) Sizzix Texture Boutique Embossing Beginner's Kit

So there is it, my 2009 holiday wish list... from the super cheap to the fairly costly! Now post your lists and let's see what we all wish for when we're not being practical!

Until tomorrow!
--Kathy

Those Who Can, Do; Those Who Can't...

No, I am NOT going to say "Teach" because that's just wrong! Especially now that I'm a (substitute) teacher. Teaching is just as hard as doing, and sometimes harder! But that old saying has left me wondering lately. Not because I agree with it, but because a lot of times, it's true. Musicians who are now music teachers, artists who teach elementary school, and writers (like myself) who are substitute teachers-what, exactly, are we all doing?

In my case, the reason is two-fold. First, I wanted to be home with my children when they were born, and I used the a good portion of that time earning my Bachelor's Degree, which was a long-time goal. Second, writing just doesn't bring home a steady paycheck unless you get into a full-time, often stressful, position. In the old days, getting a check for $25 and a pair of concert tickets was enough, but now, it would cost me more to pay the babysitter so I could attend the concert than anything I might get paid. And frankly, those jobs are few and far between too.

I've been told I have a fair amount of talent, and I writing is what I do and who I am at a most basic level, but at this stage in my life, I simply don't know how to to be a "do-er" in my field. So I write for my own pleasure, now I have my blog, and occasionally I do freelance work that brings in craft supplies or some other form of minimal payment. In the interim, I am a substitute teacher. Sometimes, it feels really, really good. I can work when I want, be home when I need to be, and still bring in extra cash.


Other days, it sucks, plain and simple. Not because it's a bad job, but because it's not the right job for ME. I want to write--I NEED to write--and I do write, but if no one (hardly) ever sees it, where does that leave me? I don't necessarily write for a particular reason--like money or praise or controversy--but it seems unfinished somehow to leave my works on a disc or in a box somewhere. What good is my creativity, my gift if I deign to call it that, if no one sees or reads or appreciates it?

So I guess I started to wonder... do you DO what you love or do you just do what you can? Am I selfish to believe that I should be able to do what I was born to do, or do I suck it up and just be happy that I have a husband who can support us and that I can at least dabble in my passion? Because those that can don't always do it, and those that can't sometimes do it anyway. The rest of us fall somewhere in the middle. Right? Wrong? Weigh in...