Page 4 of Priority

It always has been.

It always will be.

Has to be.

“We’re not going to Doctenn for Christmas, Wyland.”I swallow the lump of apprehension in my throat, drop my attention down to my booklet, and coldly state, “End of discussion.”

There’s no reluctance in his retort or him storming off elsewhere, “I hate you.”

Which is fine.

Because at least he’ll still be alive to do so.

Chapter 2

Brynley

I may be a bit bias, but I’m just gonna say it anyway.

I wear the gold shirt in this family for a fucking reason.

Who just bought their nine-year-old daughter a purple, five-string violin for Christmas?!

This Captain.

Right here.

The same one who last minute arranged for her family to go to a midnight showing ofHow the Grinch Stole Christmasto help calm her other nine-year-old’s nerves about her big performance in the charity productionhostedby her family’s company in which all proceeds – tickets as well as concessions – go to helping provide holiday gifts for children in homeless shelters.

It’s a win-win for all involved.

Blakely gets the gift of acting on stage – her favorite shit in the world – and other kids get to open presents on Christmas morning, perhaps getting something they want or need.

However, I just wanna be clear.

Blakely didn’t get the rolebecauseher last name is Wilcox.

No.

She had to audition just like everyone else.

And she pre-emptively agreed to accept whatever part she was given with “jingle bells” on.

Luckily for her, all the acting classes and late-night line rehearsing with her big brother paid off.

She’s Cindy Lou Who.

And I’m simply the grateful Who that has a best friend well versed in hair along with makeup, which will guarantee she looks equally as good as she acts.

Neither of my girls became ocean obsessed; however,bothfell in love withStar Trekand Batman.

Just…not in the ways we would’ve thought.

Blakely loves acting.

Accents.

Sir Patrick Stewart, Michael Dorn, Sir Michael Cain, and Morgan Freeman are all acting staples in her “study” materials.

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