www.montereycountynow.com DECEMBER 25-31, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 21 tle yet merciless, a maneuver that forces checkmate! Henry looks up at his opponent. His gaze meets that of his 6-year-old daughter, legs dangling, eyes wide with admiration, vulnerability, lit with hope. He exhales, the adrenaline ebbing in a warm flush of love. He nudges his King into the corner square. Softly, he says, “Your move.” Baseball By Thomas Krause A golden glow shines across the crispy fall evening, gusts tumbling leaves along lightly like fragments of memory. Mom and I sit together inside, half talking, half watching the TV. When did we become fans again? A crack of the bat, a rush of jubilation. We’re both standing now. Expectation and anxiousness hang thick in the air. One, two…there! Three outs. The season ends, improbably, in gold. How fast life can change. Amused, glowing, we sink into the half empty couch. Long years have passed since we last cared. Why now, I wonder? The vacant seats on the couch remind us. Birthday S’mores By Sarah Boyle Today he’s 7, and beaming. “An actual flint rod Mom? This is the best birthday ever!” “Then let’s do this! Grab some Vaseline, cotton balls, some dry brush, kindling, firewood, and of course your flint rod!” He’s seen it done, he knows the drill, and sets it up perfectly. He strikes his rod for the first time, creating several sparks, his eyes widen with amazement! Strikes again, then it happens, the spark catches and the fire’s lit. He blows gently, getting a nice flame. Proudly adding wood to his fire…I hand him the sticks, marshmallows, chocolate and grahams. In Trouble By Dawn G. Lightning flashes outside. It is a stormy night, I stay on the couch watching TV. Suddenly, the lights go out, and I see a flash of white pass by, heading straight for the dining table. I hear the sound of paws on the floor. What or who could it be? I tiptoe over and grab the white! It was my dog, Puffy! I take a look and notice that not only are the lights gone, but so is my taco! Cheese, crumbs and bits of lettuce are all that are left of my dinner. Mom is going to be so mad. Love and War By Russell Sclafani Lightning jolted down. Rain slashes me and the rest of the cold witches; my legs feel soggy from all this hiding. The big question: why are the royal Sanchez hunting us? Unfortunately Sanchezes have the newest wands, the forest was bustling with knights. At that moment, a bright blue light emerged from one of the big red trees. “Candyland,” General Sanchez shrieked, like his soldiers had terrible hearing. Sharply, brightly and quickly, a different portal opened, but it’s pink. “The dragon of love is here,” I beam. The crowd of witches bustle with excitement. Crumbling, General Sanchez ran away yelling. Bottle Blues By Sue Braum He knew she was trouble. Nothing good ever came from his involvement with her. Yet there she stood. Tall, tan and glistening in the dim light of his kitchen beckoning his lips like a moth to a flame. “You know you shouldn’t do this,” his conscience whispered. “What’s one night?” his dark side said. “One night is never just one night,” conscience reminded. “Fuck it. I’m going in,” he caved. He grabbed her by the neck and with one flick of his bottle opener took his first swig in six months. New Neighbor By R C Roach The greying man felt lonely as he looked out the kitchen window. His only companion, a male Norwegian forest cat was fondling with his neck against her Calico face, and they weren’t fighting anymore. She wore a decorated collar with a bell and light blue ID tag. Both cats licked noses, slowly backing away, looking into each other’s eyes and parting in happy meandering ways. The doorbell rang. He opened the door. “Is my cat over here?” she asked. “Who are you?” in an apprehensive face. “I’m your new neighbor…” Scan to Buy Tickets December 31, 2025 New Year’s Eve Casino • Live Band • Open Bars Grand Buffets • DJ & Dancing PREVENTION•EDUCATION TREATMENT•RECOVERY S.T.E.P.S. EMPOWERS TEENS, PROMOTES HEALTHY CHOICES, AND PREVENTS TEENS SUBSTANCE USE. SUPPORT PREVENTION AND HELP YOUTH THRIVE! MONTEREYCOUNTYGIVES.COM/SUNSTREET
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