Day 25: Contemplation of Doubt

	The daily routine was really beginning to eat away at Marlon. Wake up, eat breakfast, watch the fairy walk through the door, go to work, fix machines that no one else was fixing, and save people who couldn't find their way out of a wet paper bag!
	Another emergency. Marlon could have sworn that one of the ladies looked like a thief stalking around the neighborhood and sneaking in to people's houses. Shouldn't she be able to sneak her way out of a burning house?
	Sure there was fire coming from the windows, but it wasn't major. The major fire was in the garage. Marlon couldn't prevent the serious damage that was done, but he did get the fire out. What are these people doing in their garages, Marlon wondered. People are so careless in this town! The fire was huge, and Marlon had to pee. There was no time for that! He was unable to contain the liquid in his body while fighting the fire, and Marlon was not very pleased with this. But the fire HAD to be put out! His bodily needs were unimportant.
	Doubt arose in Marlon's mind. It was bad enough that he had wet himself like a baby. "I can't keep doing this," Marlon said to himself. "But what else would I do?" The very thought made him depressed, but then he felt joy and happiness as another thought entered his mind. Annalove. Yes, Annalove! She's a great friend, and I felt very happy with her. Perhaps I could talk to her? Meggan wouldn't understand. She's fought so hard to improve that station for my benefit. She would be disappointed in me to know how I felt. Yes, Annalove would understand.

Day 24: Tension Confusion

Marlon was the first one out of bed. He was not prepared for the day that awaited him. All Marlon knew was that it was Sunday, and there were no big plans. Good. He was rather tired from last week's events. To think that it all starts again tomorrow! Should I call out sick? No, can't do that. I'm the Fire Chief. It wouldn't bode well for the Fire Chief to call out sick after receiving a medal. Not a good example. Think about breakfast. Shouldn't be too hard, because I am hungry. This mushroom omelet should turn out really...
A buzzing and several chirps came from his pocket. Who could be calling me, Marlon wondered. Lifting the annoyance to his ear, Marlon smiled and greeted the intruder. "Good morning, this is Marlon. How can I help you?" "Good morning to you too, Marlon. This is Annalove. You know, from work? I never did thank you properly for saving my husband's life. Would you like to meet me today for breakfast? It'll be my treat." What was the harm? She was married; he was married. Should be no problem. "Sounds good," he replied. "I'll see you in a bit." The phone clicked off, but not before the mushroom omelet burned. Meggan and Temeka might still want it, right? Some ketchup or hot sauce, and you really can't tell. I better get going.
Marlon and Annalove met at the restaurant for breakfast, and they had a wonderful meal together. Time to go home. "Would you like to play some games at the casino together? It'll be my treat" Seriously? She's going to give me some money to gamble, Marlon considered. "That'll be fun!"
"Mom, the ice cream truck is outside. Can I get some ice cream?" "Sure, Temeka." "When is Dad coming home? Where is he?" "He sent me a message that he's spending time with a friend at work, who wanted to thank him for saving their house and family." "Oh, okay," Temeka shrugged as she walked to the truck full of goodies. "I'll take a freezer bunny-pop, please."
My luck is incredible today, Marlon thought to himself. I could certainly use more days like this.
Annalove smiled sweetly to Marlon. "Are you having a good time, Marlon?" Marlon nodded. "You deserve to have a good time. You have done so much for this town." She sighed. It sounded like disappointment. "I have to return to my husband soon. Would you like to sit outside and look at the stars together?" No harm in that, right? "Sure," Marlon said as he looked out the window. Was it getting dark already? Was I having that much fun?
They sat together outside by the pool of the casino. It was quiet; comforting. Marlon hadn't felt this way in a long time. "I love looking at the stars," Annalove confessed. Her hand was slowly crawling up Marlon's arm. "Don't you? "I haven't looked at the stars in a long time," he admitted. Marlon could feel her hands gently reaching up to his neck and shoulders. That... that felt pretty good. It's just a massage. It doesn't mean anything, right? "You are SO tense, Marlon," Annalove said softly in his ear. "Relax." It sounded like a command, but not a bad command. She was right, he DID need to relax more. "C'mon, let's take care of your muscles properly over in the hot tub."
This did feel wonderful, Marlon thought. Her hands were over his neck, upper back, and now lower. "This is much better," Annalove said. "I can feel the tension beginning to leave your body." She was right. He was feeling MUCH better now. The water was warm; her hands were warm. That sweet, soft voice. This was still okay, right? No, of course it is! We still have clothes on, and she did say she had to go home soon.
Marlon definitely felt relaxed. Annalove told him about one of the hotspots in town. Sounded like a good place to go for a cup of Joe.
Marlon sat there with Joe. Joe sat is the cup staring back at him with nothing to say. Marlon didn't know what to say back. Why was he so confused? Everything made sense before, but now... He wasn't sure if he wanted to keep working as a firefighter. He had an obligation, didn't he? Wasn't his own happiness worth more? Annalove suggested that it was. She has such a beautiful name. Her face, silky hair, amazing eyes... Drink your Joe, Marlon.
It was getting late; very late. Marlon wasn't sure if his wife Meggan would get upset for being out so late on a Sunday. She shouldn't be! Nothing happened, right? I better have a good reason just in case. I've never used these Llama Transport devices, Marlon thought as he stepped into it.
Marlon transported to the medical facility to get a flu shot. He was feeling a little sick; possibly. The flu shot would certainly help against any viruses floating around there. It didn't do much to cure the confusion running through his head and his heart.

Day 23: Campaigning for Funds

	Autumn had begun, and it was a recovery day for us. After the events of yesterday, everyone wanted to have some quiet time. Mommy had woke up to make waffles, but they didn't turn out so well.
	Daddy had a received an invitation to receive a medal from the mayor for his heroism yesterday.
	Sis went outside to play, however it was cut short when it started to rain.
	Once Daddy came home, he felt like sleeping. He didn't want to mess up his body's schedule, so he relaxed in front of the magic screen to watch people run into each other while throwing a deformed ball across a field.
	Tonight, Mommy was invited to a party at one of the houses that Daddy had saved from a fire. They wanted people to come over in swimsuits, which Mommy found odd since there was no swimming pool here. Mommy thought to herself, "Perhaps the swimsuit is because of the rain?"
	She took off her outer clothing to reveal her swimsuit and introduced herself to the host. Mommy didn't mind wearing her swimsuit, because she saw this as an opportunity to ask donations for her political campaign fund
	Mommy was a smooth talker. One would think that these people tried to put my mother at a disadvantage, but she turned it around into an opportunity and was able to raise a lot of money for her fund.
	Only one didn't try to take advantage of her, and that was a little girl. She was excited to watch her favorite shows with my mommy and point out all of her favorite parts.

Day 22: The Rumbling Storm

	They returned in my dreams. The floating, color people. They were bright, and they were coming closer, closer, grinning, and closer...
	"Whaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Slurp, slurp. I wasn't really hungry, but this makes me feel better. Thanks, Mommy. I'm sorry I woke you up.
Daddy had a very dangerous day at work today. He was talking with one of the new fire specialists under his command. He was getting to know her when suddenly the earth moved! Literally, the whole ground shook, the sky was full of explosions and lights, water fell from the sky, and it felt like everything was going to end and those color people were going to come get me!
	It wasn't the end of the world. It was an earthquake! A serious one had struck the town of Moonlight Falls, and several homes were affected. Daddy had to save them! The rain and wind of the storm fought against him as he made his way to the first house.
	Oh, no! It was Zoe! Temeka's new friend was in trouble! She was trapped under wood and debris that fell onto her.
"Zoe! Hang on, sweetheart. I'll get you out of there," Marlon said with conviction.
Fear climbed up Marlon's spine. "I have got to fix this gas leak before there is an explosion!"
	The thunderstorm continued to blast and roar it's ugly voice across the sky as Marlon doused the remaining fires of the first house.
	It was a frightening night, and Daddy's work was not done yet. He had to go to the next home!
One by one, he rescued helpless people who were hurt and trapped from the effects of the quake. He did it with rhythm. The people had to be saved first, then the gas leak fixed, then put out the fires.
One victim was the husband of his new fire specialist that he was getting to know before the quake happened!
	Mommy and Temeka were reading a book together. Temeka hesitated and said, "Mom, I'm scared. Is Dad okay? Will he make it home?" "God will protect him. Many are hurt and injured, and your father is a good and decent man," Meggan said holding back the tears. "He'll be home."
	It was late. Very late. Daddy fought his way through the fire to save the rest of the injured and helped them escape, so that he could fix any remaining gas leaks and put out the fires.
My hero came home to us. Daddy had tears in his eyes when he picked me up. "I almost thought I'd never see you again, son." Daddy was crying! "I'm so glad to see you!"

Day 21: Devilish Pranks, Mystery Angels, and Innocent Fun

	My sister, Temeka, was staying the night over at her friend, Zack's, house. She was cozy and slept well in her sleeping bag, however she does remember opening her eyes in the middle of the night and seeing a yellow ghost. She paid it no mind, figured it was a dream, and went back to sleep.
	Not long after she work up, Sis was up to her devious little tricks. I don't know what possesses her to be nice one moment and mean the next.
Perhaps it is revenge from being caught in an embarrassing situation?
She was warned that she had been misbehaving, because she had taken a bath. They didn't see the toilet prank she committed? Temeka sat eating her breakfast outside while plotting her next move.
	Meanwhile, her friend Zack got a very wet, explosive surprise upstairs.
	Back at home, another watery explosion happened in the shower. It didn't keep Mommy and Daddy from kissing each other, though. "Nothing says I love you more than a broken shower," Marlon said with a chuckle as he kissed Meggan sweetly on the lips.
Sis was hard at work. I'll show them, she thought with an evil chuckle slipping through her grin.
BLAM! SPLASH! Another victim. "Temeka!"
	Temeka was ready to leave the house, anyway. Ironically, her friends Zack and Zoe went with her to The Moonlight Falls Annual Summer Festival. All three children were excited to go, and the adults were more excited to get them all out of the house.
	It was a time that Temeka would not soon forget, because she began to build strong friendships this day.
Mommy and Daddy were going to festival too, and they brought me!
It was my first time seeing a beautiful creature that my daddy had called a horse.
Temeka and Zack were kicking a ball against each other. Sis called it Soccer, but Zack referred to it as Football. They had a bit of a disagreement with the name, but it didn't keep them from having fun.
Daddy was having fun too. There was a machine that gave his skin a beautiful, golden glow!
	Temeka had some fun getting her face painted with sparkly designs.
	And the family had fun throwing water balloons at each other with Zack.
And while they were having fun, a stranger picked me up. I thought he was going to take me away, but he looked down and smiled saying, "You have a wonderful life ahead of you, Little Dillon." Was he an angel?
"Your sister, however, is on a troubling path," the angel said. "May you be an influence of good to her." Somehow, I think he knew that Temeka was up to her pranks again. Was this Prank Day?
	The sun rolled down beyond the mountains, and the night sky was filled with explosions and colors.
	It was a fantastic, fun-filled day for all of us. I looked into the night sky to see the stars and think about the angel who talked to me, and then I turned to look into my mother's eyes. She was my Everyday Angel.
Good night, and I hope you had a great Summer too!