word_of_law:

Avery Crittenden did not get nervous on dates with women. He did not worry about what he wore, how he looked, or if it was a good or bad hair night. He didn't get nervous over business dinners when million-dollar deals were on the line, or times when the eyes of the entire gallery were on him, listening to him speak on why this or that argument held water or did not.

He stood outside the Chuck E. Cheese Restaurant early Saturday afternoon and wondered if the sweater and slacks were too conservative for meeting his daughter. Would she pick up on that? Should he have just gone with the polo shirt and jeans? Would that make her think he was a slacker of some kind? 

Would Sydney consider him a bad influence upon her?

Avery took a few deep breaths and smiled ruefully to himself, thinking he should have gone with the polo shirt and jeans.  Ah, well. He hoped Zoey would enjoy spending a little bit of time with him today, and that Sydney would see that he was ready to be an active, supportive parent to their little girl. He knew it was best to take things in slow steps, but he also wanted to let Zoey know he would always be there for her.

So, he waited outside for Sydney to show up with Zoey and fought the urge to call and say he'd be late so he could run home and change.
 

dorthyjames:

With some free time, and finally feeling comfortable at school, Dorthy decided it was about time to do some independent practicing. Finding an empty classroom she put a copy of the Webster Dictionary on one of the desks and took a seat four desks away. It was hard enough to move something of that size, and to control its exact movements? Here goes nothing she thought as she concentrated on the large book. In her mind she was reaching out and grabbing the book, lifting it off the desk but nothing happened.

 

Cursing to herself Dorthy mentally shook it off and settled herself back into the chair letting all of her thoughts turn to the book. Steadying her breathing and reaching out to the book through her mind she felt it lift up. She shut her eyes fighting to get the book to levitate, putting all of her energy to the task. She could feel it lift off the desk and opened her eyes; focusing on the sight before her she heard a thump.

nextgen_citizen:

The Huntington Library had recently added 35 personal letters of Charles Dickens to their collection.  Michael was only personally acquainted  with one person he believed would give the matter the interest it was due.

He called Sydney.