Mallory Pike:
The pretty, young redhead tossed her coffee cup into the garbage can and raced down 5th Avenue. She ran down the steps to subway just in time to catch her train home. Finally able to relax, she grabbed a seat near the door. It was only a short ten minute ride until Mallory was back near her home. She got off the subway, and walked two blocks through Manhattan's chilly November streets until she reached her building. Letting herself in, she was greeted by Poe, her grey and white cat.
"Hi Poe," said Mallory stooping down to pet the cat "Are you all alone today?"
The cat purred and wrapped himself around Mallory's leg.
Mallory lived in a medium sized two bedroom apartment on Manhattan's lower east side. She didn't just live with Poe however. For the past five years Mallory had shared her apartment with her boyfriend, Michael Gutierriez. Mallory had met Michael back in college, at Northwestern University. He was a journalism major, same as her, and the two shared a love of writing. As soon as Mallory had met Michael she fell in love with his dark hair and big brown eyes. Michael was half Puerto Rican, half German, and Mallory thought the combination was just perfect.
Once they graduated, Mallory got a job in NYC working for a new magazine, "Blush", and Michael got a job at the Wall Street Journal. They two decided it was fate that they both wound up in NYC, and decided to live together. Although Mallory and Michael found this arrangement just perfect, Mal's parents didn't share her enthusiam. Although non-practicing, Mal's family was Catholic and her parents were convinced that living together before marriage was a sin. They didn't disown Mallory, but they were pretty angry with her. They quickly got over it, however, and the Pikes nearly adopted Michael as a second son.
The phone rang almost as soon as Mallory had gotten in. It was her sister, Vanessa, who lived not far away on Long Island. Vanessa had graduated from Columbia University three years ago with a degree in English Literature, and now taught jr. high English, while writing poetry on the side.
"Hello?" said Mal
"Mallory!" said Vanessa excitedly "I have the best news! Joshua proposed to me! Last night! The wedding is in June!"
Mallory shrieked, out of happiness for her sister and settled down to help her plan the wedding. Mallory felt a little sad that she and Michael weren't married, but they had decided long ago that marriage wasn't right for them, and for the most part, they were happy with their arrangement.
"Mal," Vanessa said "I have to call the rest of the gang, but I'll come out and see you this weekend, okay?"
"Great" said Mal and hung up the phone.
Mallory went into the kitchen to fix herself some tea. She felt lucky for everything she did have- a loving family, a terrific boyfriend and a great job. She had every reason in the world to be happy.
The pretty, young redhead tossed her coffee cup into the garbage can and raced down 5th Avenue. She ran down the steps to subway just in time to catch her train home. Finally able to relax, she grabbed a seat near the door. It was only a short ten minute ride until Mallory was back near her home. She got off the subway, and walked two blocks through Manhattan's chilly November streets until she reached her building. Letting herself in, she was greeted by Poe, her grey and white cat.
"Hi Poe," said Mallory stooping down to pet the cat "Are you all alone today?"
The cat purred and wrapped himself around Mallory's leg.
Mallory lived in a medium sized two bedroom apartment on Manhattan's lower east side. She didn't just live with Poe however. For the past five years Mallory had shared her apartment with her boyfriend, Michael Gutierriez. Mallory had met Michael back in college, at Northwestern University. He was a journalism major, same as her, and the two shared a love of writing. As soon as Mallory had met Michael she fell in love with his dark hair and big brown eyes. Michael was half Puerto Rican, half German, and Mallory thought the combination was just perfect.
Once they graduated, Mallory got a job in NYC working for a new magazine, "Blush", and Michael got a job at the Wall Street Journal. They two decided it was fate that they both wound up in NYC, and decided to live together. Although Mallory and Michael found this arrangement just perfect, Mal's parents didn't share her enthusiam. Although non-practicing, Mal's family was Catholic and her parents were convinced that living together before marriage was a sin. They didn't disown Mallory, but they were pretty angry with her. They quickly got over it, however, and the Pikes nearly adopted Michael as a second son.
The phone rang almost as soon as Mallory had gotten in. It was her sister, Vanessa, who lived not far away on Long Island. Vanessa had graduated from Columbia University three years ago with a degree in English Literature, and now taught jr. high English, while writing poetry on the side.
"Hello?" said Mal
"Mallory!" said Vanessa excitedly "I have the best news! Joshua proposed to me! Last night! The wedding is in June!"
Mallory shrieked, out of happiness for her sister and settled down to help her plan the wedding. Mallory felt a little sad that she and Michael weren't married, but they had decided long ago that marriage wasn't right for them, and for the most part, they were happy with their arrangement.
"Mal," Vanessa said "I have to call the rest of the gang, but I'll come out and see you this weekend, okay?"
"Great" said Mal and hung up the phone.
Mallory went into the kitchen to fix herself some tea. She felt lucky for everything she did have- a loving family, a terrific boyfriend and a great job. She had every reason in the world to be happy.