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successfully streamed into his body, walloping him with sudden fatigue. As he stood at the doorstep of death, Troy whispered, “I am unrepentant. ”

A Lost One
     
    With a cheerful smile plastered on her face, Marsha Collins stood over the kitchen sink and gazed into the backyard. Bustling children scampered about, slipping and gliding on the moist grass as the sprinklers doused the lawn with glee. The kids raced for a turn on the water slide. The adults surrounded the sizzling grill and the hardwood patio table, chattering and bantering. The festive music danced through the party, blending seamlessly with the jovial ruckus.
    Marsha leaned on the counter and whispered, “Happy birthday, sweetheart...”
    Marsha stood five-five with a slim figure. She wore a white slip-on patio dress and white sandals. Her silky black hair reached down to her narrow shoulders. Her lustrous brown eyes were bright enough to illuminate the most despairing chasm at the bottom of the ocean. There were small speckles plastered on her defined cheekbones. From the kitchen archway, Alan Collins tapped the wall and interrupted the ruminative moment.
    Alan asked, “What are you still doing in here?” Marsha nonchalantly shrugged and sighed. Alan huffed, then said, “You should be outside, sweetie. You should be enjoying the day with everyone else, not locking yourself up in here. You know, she only turns one once, right?”
    Alan walked to Marsha's side, then peered outside. The couple gazed at their beloved daughter, Lily Collins, as she tottered towards the water slide. The tender baby's heartwarming giggle was sweeter than a pile of sugar drenched in honey. Her elephantine ears protruded from beneath her wavy black hair. Her sparkling brown eyes glimmered with innocence.
    Alan wrapped his arm around Marsha's shoulder and said, “I don't know what I'd do without her. She's a beauty, isn't she?”
    Marsha nodded and responded, “She really is a blessing. I just... I just can't believe she's here after... after...”
    Alan sighed and shut his eyes, then said, “Listen, Marsha, you can't dwell on that forever, okay? You can't keep thinking about it. It was years ago. We're better now. We know better. We know how to take care of ourselves.” He pointed towards Lily and said, “I mean, she's perfectly fine. Lily's perfect, no health problems at all. And, everything will be fine when we're ready for another.”
    Marsha smirked as she pulled away from Alan's grip. She carefully examined her husband. The man stood a sturdy six-one. His straight black hair was parted to the right. She glanced at the stubble on his chiseled jawline – the five o'clock shadow she adored. Alan wore a blue polo shirt, khaki pants, and brown boots. A simple but fairly attractive man.
    Marsha nodded and teased, “Already planning an entire family, are we?”
    Alan planted a kiss on Marsha's forehead, then said, “Well, it's up for discussion, I suppose.” He chuckled as he sauntered towards the back door, then said, “You should really come out, Marsha. It's your day as much as it's hers.”
    Marsha leaned on the counter and responded, “Okay, okay. I'll be out in a minute, I promise.”
    The sink generated a garble of noise as water spurted from the faucet and splashed on the dish. Marsha scrubbed the dish, softly humming as she killed time. Abruptly, a barrage of thudding footsteps and a young girl's joyful giggle echoed into the kitchen from the neighboring hallway.
    Marsha furrowed her brow as she turned the faucet handle, then trudged towards the archway. The center hall harbored the archways to the kitchen and living room, and the staircase to the second floor. The hallway was empty, all of the guests celebrated in the cramped backyard.
    Marsha dried her hands with a white hand towel and shouted, “Jenny?! Jenny, are you in here?” There was no response. Marsha said, “It's okay if you're running around in here. You won't be in any trouble, sweetie. I'm not