It was a clear summer day. An airplane flew overhead, oblivious to terrestrial troubles. Tall green fields of corn spanned for miles in between the gridlines of highways and dirt roads. A mosquito, finishing the last few tastes of a groundhog vein, spread its miniscule wings and took off. It zipped upwards until it was flying above the corn field. The magnificent blue sky had no visual appeal to the insect. The air was warm …showed first 75 words of 2416 total…

…showed last 75 words of 2416 total…she recognized the warm smiles of her parents who looked relieved at something. She noticed the redness of her mother's eyes. She had been crying. "Mommy," murmured Nicole, and at that, Gloria let out a whimper of relief and bent down to kiss her on the forehead. While she enjoyed the feeling of her mother's warm lips on her forehead, the only thought that passed through Nicole's head was, "I'm never taking the bus again."