Intermezzo
December and La Niña bring a powerful storm to the peninsula. Gale force winds and rain whip La Push, and mudslides close roads to Hurricane Ridge. Forks loses power for two whole days. Charlie and the cruiser are out at all hours. Bella weaves by dangerous candlelight in her closet.
The storm passes, roads are cleared, and the lights come back on. Outside their circle, the month of long dark settles in.
Snow sports in the mountains are not as popular with the locals this year as they have been in the past, but the Park Service visits the school nevertheless, to give a talk about avalanche awareness.
Mid-terms and winter break approach. Counselor Blake writes her last entry for the month.
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Swan, Isabella M. 17 yo F DOB 9/13/1990 NKA
Intake date 9/21/2007 See Hx
12/17/2007: Quarter Summary
Semester grades at baseline. Teachers report uniform continued lack of initiative in class.
Does not participate in extra-curriculars or sports. Minimal interaction with peers observed.
Parent reports dietary & fluid intake at baseline. No scale at home to monitor weight maintenance. PCP visit report appended. PE and labs normal.
Presentation at sessions: adequately developed teen; dress, grooming, and hygiene appropriate; no indication of injuries. Shadows under eyes suggest sleep deficit. Alert and oriented. Affect labile. One word answers to questions are appropriate but exhibit no effort to participate in therapeutic or problem-solving process. No observable progress from previous entries.
... ...
Charlie takes Bella to the Christmas tree lighting in town. Doing this together is a first for both of them. Friends from the station and friends from school come to offer season's greetings. Bella pantomimes warmth and cheer. Cries in her father's jacket on the way home.
Charlie and Renee debate on the phone how to manage the holiday.
The year pivots on its longest night. Outside the window, an owl sits on its branch.
Author's Notes ...
🎄✨ So many thanks to CindyWindy for holding my hand and talking me down off cliffs and catching my grammar and just having the patience of many saints as she has beta'd me through all the months of coming back to finish this story! ✨🎄
❤️🎁 To everyone reading and commenting: You are the best gifts I could wish for. Last chapter and this one have been short ones, so I wanted to post a little early. Happy Solstice! 🎁❤️