My Cardboard Balcony

Because I'm sleepy and not exactly prolific writing-wise, here are a few things I've already done for the ake of the Christmas spirit: 1. Bought and wrapped everyone's presents. 2. Put up an artificial Christmas tree in my apartment. 3. Listened to Christmas carols. 4. Stocked up on peppermint schnapps and Irish cream as a Christmas tradition. 5. Enjoyed indulging in the holiday at my job, as the bookstore is playing the appropriate music and has been decorated in the appropriate. Also, books. 'Tis the season to keep moving. Enjoy, boys and girls.

"Caramel Kisses" is an unfinished novel I began to write back in 2009 and stopped working on in 2010. The two main characters - Adriana Maguire Reynard and Emma Burking - would ultimately be revised for my later completed novella, "The Liffey Is Half-Asleep," in 2011. Several elements of "Liffey" can be found in their original forms in "Caramel Kisses," such as the characters' names, the haiku scene, and Adriana's penchant for writing.  Because of its influence on my later writing, I figured that this story, though incomplete, was worth sharing. Caramel Kisses: Chapter Three by Belinda Roddie She sat by herself in the small coffee shop, reading the San Francisco Chronicle and sipping from a clear cup. I fumbled with my drink and ignored the chocolate leaking in between my fingers because the lid had loosened and it wouldn’t cooperate with my trembling grip. The skin around my joints fused together, warm and sticky and brown and

Dolorai Hammer was becoming fatigued in the pursuit of the Garrulous Bandit, and she stopped at the nearest bedraggled hot spot to find a place to stay. The only place in suitable condition was an age-old tavern that kept its beds hot and its beer nearly frozen, and Hammer was more than happy to pull of her hat, sit down, and watch the frosty tap spew. "Not from around here, are you?" asked the tender. "Overused question," Hammer replied.