People Change: Murder at Skinwalker Ranch

By Stella Giza

Sandys kids have gone, leaving her with an empty nest. She loses her job and catches her husband in bed with another woman. What does she do? What any sane woman would do. She gets in her car and drives. She finds herself in a strange place with even stranger people. When evil things begin happening, she realizes she is the key to unraveling the mystery that haunts the Skinwalker Ranch. She finds that she is changing as much as the beast that they call the Skin Walker. But who is he, and why is he killing people? Why is he determined to destroy the ranch and put Stanley out of business? Can John help Sandy, or does he have other things on his mind? Can Sandy put her life back together and rekindle her damaged relationship with her children, or will everything fall apart like her marriage and her career?

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Nov 30, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524652326

Stella Giza

Stella Giza is originally from Massachusetts, but became interested in the people, land, and folklore of the Southwest when she lived in New Mexico and Colorado. She also enjoys traveling and has been inspired by such places as Utah and Arizona. Her writing is how she shares those experiences with others.

Book preview

Prelude

May 5, 2000

S andy raced down the street. She was so mad she could barely see. She flew through intersections and past stop signs without even slowing down. She blew through three red lights before she took a breath and started to scream. She hit the on-ramp to the freeway where she really got the chance to pick up speed. The needle on the speedometer nudged past 105 mph when she finally took her foot off the accelerator. She squeezed the steering wheel so hard that her hands were numb. Her shoulders were practically up to her ears. She was gritting her teeth. Her face and clothes were dirty and she had dried blood in her hair and on her neck. The cut on the back of her head throbbed. She looked in the rear view mirror and did not see any red or blue flashing lights. If a cop stopped her now he would have taken one look at her and slowly backed away from the car in fear for his life.

She was driving north. When her senses finally started to come back to her she let up on the gas and set the cruise control to seventy-five mph. She looked ahead at the horizon and barely noticed the white dotted lines on the highway as they whizzed past. She was not really focusing on anything. She somehow had the hazy recollection that cars were moving near her on my left and right. She shook out her hands and let her shoulders relax. She let out a calming breath and began to observe the passing highway signs. Santa Fe 60 miles, Denver 450 miles.

After about 300 miles Sandy pulled over in a rest stop. She called her husband Matt. When he answered the phone she could hear the muffled sounds of other conversations in the background. She also heard a women’s laughter among the voices. Hey Sandy. How ya doin’? he slurred his words.

I’m good. How are you? You at the club with the guys? She surprised herself by how casual she sounded. She thought that she must be in shock or maybe she really did have a concussion or brain damage after all.

Yea, we’re just having s few drinks. I shot an eighty-seven today. Isn’t that great? He bragged.

No way. He cheated. Sandy heard one of his friends in the background.

That’s right. He cheats. Somebody else added and laughed. Again she distinctly heard the high pitch of a woman’s laughter.

You’re damn right he cheats. Sandy thought to herself. She clenched the phone in her hand and put it down in her lap for a second. She stared up at the ceiling and took a deep breath. She let it out and put the phone back to her ear just as I heard him ask, So, what’s up?

Haven’t you forgotten something? She was wondering if he’d remembered her birthday. She couldn’t believe his attitude. He was acting as if nothing had happened. Like it was any ordinary day. He was distracted but her question caught his attention. There was a long pause on the other end like he was trying to think of something. She spared him the effort. She was so disgusted she just wanted to hang up.

I have to go out of town for a few days on business. She said instead.

Oh. Did you tell me about it? I don’t remember if you did. The phone was muffled and he was talking to somebody else. I think he was ordering another round of drinks.

I might have mentioned it. I don’t know. Anyway, I’ll be gone for a few days. I’ve got to go. Talk to you later. Sandy hung up because she felt tears stinging her eyes and her throat began to close up as she spoke. She swallowed hard and took off down the road again. After passing through Denver she realized she was exhausted and checked into a hotel.

Sandy was all alone in a hotel room on her birthday. She was feeling pretty low and thought if anyone could cheer me up it would be her son Joey. She missed him terribly ever since he had gone away to college. She dialed his cell phone and he picked up after the 7th or 8th ring. There was loud music playing in the background. It sounded like a party going on.

Hello? he said.

Joey, it’s your Mom She replied.

Hello? What? He shouted. Mom?

Yes, Joey, it’s me, Mom. She shouted too, but didn’t know why.

Ma, Mom? Hello? I can barely hear you. Hello? You there? Hey … Knock it off … I can’t … Hello? I heard noise … shuffling … laughter … muffled music …

Joey?

Mom?

Hello? Can you hear me? She asked.

Can you hear me? He asked.

This conversation was going nowhere. Joey, what are you doing? Sandy asked.

Oh hey Mom, what’s up? How are you? Me and a few of my friends are having an astronomy party. Ouch … I said knock it OFF! Mom, you there?" He stammered loudly.

Yes. Hello?? She said as she was getting more frustrated.

Hey Mom? Can you hear me? His voice was clear now and she could hear him.

That’s much better Joey. What’s going on?

Didn’t you hear? It’s on the news and everything. He sounded excited. All the planets are lining up tonight. We’re having a party and all the astronomy geeks brought over their telescopes. It’s really awesome. Some people are saying it’s going to be like the end of the world or something.

Oh, Joey don’t over react. She cautioned. I’m sure the planets have lined up before and nothing has happened. He made her laugh. He was so enthusiastic. She didn’t want to be the wet towel on his party.

Ah, Mom. He groaned. It’s like the millennium has come and now they’re saying it’s the sign of Armageddon. Even she was laughing now.

Yeah, people get all worked up over these celestial events. She agreed.

They claim there’s going to be earth quakes and tidal waves and all kinds of natural disasters. So, we’re having a big party just in case. Ah, youth. She thought to herself. You know you’re in school and you’re supposed to be studying. She reminded him.

Well, it’s a Friday and anyway tonight we’re studying astronomy. He quickly commented.

Ok, ok, you got me there. She laughed. She was glad we were talking. He definitely had a way of making her feel better.

Oh hey, by the way Mom, I almost forgot … Happy Birthday.

Gee Thanks Joey. I guess you’re right about terrible things happening today. She didn’t like being reminded that she was a year older, but she was glad he remembered her birthday. Then she thought about losing her job and catching her husband in bed with another woman. Her mood started to cloud over. Hey, you’re with your friends so I’d better let you go.

Ok Mom. Thanks for calling. Love ya.

Yeah, love you too. She said and hung up the phone.

Sandy pulled back the curtains and looked out the large window of her hotel room. She was on the twentieth floor and the glare of the city lights made seeing the night sky very difficult. It was very dark because there was no moon and the stars twinkled brightly. Sandy couldn’t tell the difference between a star and a planet. She felt uneasy as she looked out into the darkness. She turned on the TV and the news anchor came on. Could the Planetary Alignment this evening cause Tidal waves or Earthquakes … She shut the TV off.

The slow rolling boil in her head continued and prevented Sandy from falling asleep. She’d be almost asleep when a noodle of thought would come to the surface then she’d be replaying the scene of her boss as they sat in her office. She’d hear the words she said as she fired her. But then finally she fell asleep.

In Window Rock, Arizona Shizhe’e the old medicine man stood outside in the desert near his home on the Navajo reservation. He looked up at the night sky and shivered with apprehension and fear. He could see Venus and Mars clearly without the aid of the old brass telescope he held in his withered hands. There was no moon in the black sky. When he looked through the ancient optical eyepiece some of the other planets came into focus. He shuddered as a terrible sense of foreboding came over him. The desert was eerily calm tonight. He heard what the white men said on the television and the radio. He knew what the scientists and astronomers had been talking about. He knew this time was coming, and he had been dreading it for years. His great grandfather told him about the heavenly arrangement he gazed upon tonight when he was just a boy. He spoke of a time when all the planets would align. The elders warned his people that when it happened it would be the time of great evil. This prophecy had been feared for many generations. The medicine man dropped to his knees and pressed his hands into the warm sand and began to pray. He hoped that in some way he was mistaken. That perhaps his age had confused his recollection of the facts. Maybe his memory and his poor eyesight were mistaken and what he had seen was wrong.

A burrowing owl appeared beside him. It popped out from its nearby hole in the ground and stood on the edge of its den. It stared at him its wide inquisitive eyes glistening in the darkness. His small head bobbed up and down then turned left and right searching the darkness.

Hello, small one. The medicine man said. Then he spoke to the bird in his native Navajo tongue, Ne ahs jah. He said. The bird cocked his tiny head and peered at him intently as if he understood. What can you tell me? He asked. The small bird dipped back into its den and reemerged playfully. It leapt into the air and took flight then disappeared into the night sky. From the darkness Shizhe’e could hear it cry out forlornly in the distance as it flew away. The old man continued to gaze into the heavens.

Magdalena saw the old man standing alone in the desert staring up at the night sky. Look at that old fool! Talking to himself. She had also been watching the sky and waiting for this day. She knew of sign he had seen. But for her it meant the time had finally come for her son to reach his full potential.

She went back inside her government issued house. Years ago the white men came and brought them on trucks and gave them to her people. She resented the men, but accepted the house they offered. The house was dropped onto the concrete cinderblocks and connected to the propane tank out back. She refused the electric connections and chose instead to use kerosene lamps for lighting. Their yellow flames produced an unpleasant acrid aroma and dirty soot blacked the ceiling above. She didn’t understand the need for carpet on the ply wood floors and preferred to leave them uncovered. She had finally consented to her son’s wishes for running water after his incessant complaining and his laziness and refusal to fetch the water from the nearby creek. She burned wood in a small iron pot-bellied stove for heat. Luckily for her in Arizona there were only a few nights in the winter that she really needed it.

Of the very few modern amenities she did chose to have, she had a telephone. She picked up the receiver and dialed the number carefully.

Her son answered. Hello?

Ma’iitsoh, it is time. She said.

What? Who is this? Mother? The man said.

Listen to me. We must do the ritual TONIGHT.

Tonight? Are you sure?

Yes, I am sure. Magdalena said.

The planets are aligned? Ma’iitsoh asked. He had a worried look on his face.

Yes.

Then I will do it. Will you do your part? He asked.

I will. At midnight. She hung up the phone and began to prepare her house for the ritual.

The man hung up the phone after speaking to his mother. He turned to the man sitting beside him and said, Lefty, go to the cave and get everything ready. We have to do the ceremony tonight.

I told you, don’t call me that. He sulked and continued to sit on the sofa as he looked down at his leg. He was born with a clubfoot. He had gone through many surgeries as a child to repair it, but because he had worn a cast for so long it had stunted his growth and his left leg and his left foot was considerably smaller than the right one.

Whatever. Just go there and get everything ready. I’ll meet you there at midnight. He punched Lefty hard in the arm.

Owww. Lefty cringed and rubbed the sore spot. He resented the fact that his friend bullied him, but was afraid to stand up to him. What’d you do that for?

Because. Every time I tell you to do something you give me grief.

Lefty continued to sulk. Are you sure you’re ready for this? He asked.

The dark man contemplated the answer before he spoke. I’ve been preparing for this night my whole life.

I know you had to study with your Mother and stuff, but what else did you have to do? Left asked.

There was a rite of passage.

What does that mean?

It means I had to do something to prove I was worthy, you know committed. The dark man said. He had a sneer on his face and a far away look in his eye.

What’d you do?

I killed my father.

You did? Lefty’s eyes were wide in disbelief. Your own father?

Yeah, you got a problem with that? I killed my brother, too. So what about it? The dark man stood up. He was getting angrier and more agitated.

Nothin’ man. Lefty said. He knew not to push the issue too much with his friend. I’ll see you later at the cave. He got up and left the cabin. Lefty limped across the field and made his way toward the rendezvous point. He struggled along the path but climbed up the canyon wall with fierce determination up toward the opening of the cave. He had difficulty climbing because of his deformed left leg. Once he finally made it to the top he caught his breath and shined a flashlight around the cavernous space. Smoke hung in the stale air from an old campfire that still smoldered in the center of the cave. A dirty pot sat on the fire pit. It was partially filled with water. He arranged some fresh wood beneath the pot and blew on the coals to ignite the flame.

Several vials and glasses sat in the sand and were lined up in little rows. They were filled with many types of dried plants. He picked up one of the glasses and added the contents to the liquid in the pot. As he heated the brew he began to mumble to himself.

He put the flashlight in his mouth and began to crawl around on his hands and knees searching through the cave for the other items they needed. He clamored through the debris of bones, sticks, strings, rocks, dried weeds and feathers. He began to gather things and arrange them neatly on the floor of the cave. Soon Lefty heard the crunch of footsteps behind him on the dry gravel. He did not turn to see who stood there; he could sense his evil presence. He tensed when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Ma’iitsoh. He said and stood to face the other man.

Lefty, why do you insist on calling me by my Dine name? The dark man seemed irritated.

Because you are the Wolf. He responded. Lefty was pale and seemed frightened. I thought it sounded better. Especially tonight.

Huh. The dark man responded mulling the thought over. He had an opened bottle of Jack Daniels in his hand. It was half empty. He took a sip and handed it to his friend. Lefty took the bottle from him and drank from it. The dark man scanned the cave as if he were looking for something. Did you bring it?

What? The pelt? Yea, it’s over there. Lefty wiped his mouth with his sleeve and motioned to a pile of fur that lay crumpled on the floor in a dimly lit corner of the cave. The dark man went and gently picked the skin up off the floor. He cradled it in his arms and held it almost lovingly. He stroked the coarse fur with his hand. A flash of anger fell over the dark man. God dammit Lefty. You idiot! I told you never to put the skin on the ground. Never! He shouted.

I’m sorry Ma’iitsoh. I forgot. Lefty scrambled to the dark man’s aid and attempted to help him with the wolf pelt. Ma’iitsoh backhanded him across the face. He fell to the ground holding his check.

Get away from it. Don’t touch it. The dark man said. He walked to a wooden post that was stuck into the ground. He gently placed the hollow head of the wolf on top of the post and let the pelt drape down along the wooden beam. The hide was dry and stiff. The light from the fire began to illuminate the space inside the cave. Ma’iitsoh stood back from the wolf pelt and admired it. Lefty got up from the ground and stood beside him passively. Ma’iitsoh passed the bottle back to him.

So what do we do first? Lefty asked the dark man. He cowered beside him like a dog that had been beaten regularly. You’d almost expect to hear him whimper.

We have to drink the liquid.

We? I’m not drinking that stuff. Lefty said.

The dark man was upset. Why not? He said. His face contorted in resentment and he tucked his chin in quickly.

Because this is your deal. And if you get sick or something I need to be able to get help. Lefty said. He ran over to the fire and brought the steaming liquid to the dark man and handed it to him.

Nobody can help me. He took the liquid his accomplice had prepared and sniffed it. He looked Lefty in the eyes. Lefty was soulful as if searching his master’s approval. The dark man only looked away in disgust.

Magdalena had to help her son by performing the sacred ritual simultaneously with him. She drew a large circle on the bare wooden floor with a red crayon. Inside the circle she drew a large five-pointed star, at each of the points she placed a lighted candle. She sat inside of the pentagram and began her meditation. She was prepared to enter the realm of the dead where she would speak to the spirits and ask them to guide her son through his transformation.

At midnight Magdalena took a sip of the drink and waited for it to take affect. The cup of liquid she had prepared consisted of belladonna, henbane, toloache (nightshade leaves and flowers) and several types of sacred mushrooms. Her concoction would poison a regular person but because she had built up immunity over the years she could tolerate an enormous dose. Little did she know that it was also slowly driving her insane. The toxins intended to induce the hallucinations were gradually eroding her cerebral cortex and driving her to madness. First she felt nausea and the sensation that the room was closing in around her. The flames of the candles seemed to elongate and burn in tall, wide, jagged ribbons of orange and yellow. The flames reached out to her and encircled her body lifting her upward. She writhed on the floor as furious delusional images flashed through her brain. The walls of the room bowed inward and flexed outward as if the house itself were breathing. Billowing clouds of smoke engulfed her as the flames consumed her body. Voices called to her and she burned. She turned to ash as she became one with the air and the smoke. Vapors of the evil spirits entwined with her essence and she communicated in her spirit form with the soulless dark wanderers of the night.

Ma’iitsoh! She cried out. He voice sounded hollow and echoed. The reverberation came back to her ears over again and again in waves … Ma’iitsoh, soh, soh, soh …

She could see a faint form appearing in the darkness in front of her. Its faceless shape was dark and shifting like the smoke from a flame. Hot flashes of the form crackled and sparked in her vision: it was a brief shape of a man for a moment then became the tendrils of smoke, then the gaping mouth of a wolf as the flames engulfed the image. The fire and smoke were consuming the shapes as they shifted and undulated before her.

She spoke to the spirit within her room, Help my son. Help him to transform. Please. Her voiced echoed, Please, please, please …

The smoke was black and turbulent. Within was an inferno of fire with a red-hot core churning and rolling inside. Magdalena could see a shape shifting and changing from the form of a man to the one of a wolf. She only saw brief wisps of the images while she waited for it to speak.

What will you do for me in return-n-n ? It asked in an ethereal whisper.

Anything you ask,sk,sk. Give my son the power,er,er …

Kill the Medicine Man, Shizhe’e,e,e! It responded in a vaporous wave. Magdalena broke down into tears and her fear overcame her. She convulsed madly.

The smoke and flames that held Magdalena squeezed her tightly and she felt as if she were suffocating. She thought it was sucking the life from her. She choked and coughed. To her it felt as if the presence was within inches of her face when she heard the voice whisper in her head. Ka’agolii, the woman. You must stop herrrr. And destroy Little Bearrr. Or your son will dieee.

Nooooo! Magdalena screamed. Vooooomp! With a whooshing sound the smoke suddenly withdrew and the flames subsided. The old woman’s eyes rolled back in her head and she clenched her teeth. She passed out and fell exhausted onto the floor. She lay in a heap within the pentagram she had drawn with the red crayon. The candles had burned down to stubs.

Alright, let’s do this. The dark man said and took a sip from the pot. Ugh, this is disgusting. He said and made a face. Then he forced the rest of foul tasting liquid down his throat.

Lefty and Ma’iitsoh continued to drink from the bottle of Jack Daniels. They sat together near the fire and waited for the hallucinogens to have their affect.

Are you supposed to be getting drunk while you do this? Lefty asked him.

Shut up. The dark man said. He felt his pulse quicken. His skin was clammy and moist with perspiration. I’ll do what I want. Dammit Lefty. The fire crackled and sputtered.

Do you feel anything yet? Lefty asked.

Yeah, I’m starting to feel a little queezy, like I’m going to puke. And everything is spinning.

See I knew it. You probably drank too much.

The dark man lay down on the floor of the cave. When he opened his eyes he looked at Lefty. He had a crazed look on his face.

Whoa dude, your eyes are totally dilated, man. Lefty laughed.

You look freaky. The dark man said. What’s wrong with your face?

Nothin’ man.

It’s all hairy and weird looking. Are you growing a beard? The dark man asked.

No man. You’re tripping. That stuff must be working. Lefty said.

The dark man reached out to Lefty and stroked his face with his fingers.

Get off me man. Lefty said.

I swear to god, it looks like you’re all covered in hair. Dude.

Well, I’m not, so get over it. Lefty said. So, do you want to start the ceremony before you freak out some more?

The dark man started laughing. He lay on the floor laughing uncontrollably. He rolled on his back and holding his sides he laughed and rolled and belly laughed some more.

What in the hell has gotten into you? What’s so funny? Lefty took another swig off the bottle of JD.

You are, man. You’re funny. You’re one funny guy. Look at that foot. Ha, ha, ha! That freakin’ foot is so small. The dark man rolled on the ground and laughed hysterically.

Shut up man, that’s not funny at all. You’re an asshole.

Ma’iitsoh stopped laughing abruptly and jumped on top of Lefty. With his teeth clenched he shouted in Lefty’s face. You don’t ever call me an asshole again. If you do I will kill you.

Lefty squirmed out from under Ma’iitsoh and stood over him. He looked down at him and said, If you’re going to kill me then do it.

The dark man looked up at Lefty with horror in his eyes. You’re HUGE man. How’d you get so damn huge? Holy shit you’re a giant.

Get up Ma’iitsoh so we can do the ceremony. Left reached his hand out to offer his friend assistance. The dark man cowered in the sand.

Get it away from me. He said.

What’s wrong with you?

It’s coming to get me. The dark man said. He was clearly delusional.

What is? Lefty asked.

The wolf! The dark man pointed to the pelt lying in the sand. It had come off the post and was laying in a pile. Lefty went over to pick it up.

Don’t touch it. The dark man screamed.

Lefty turned to look at him. What? Why?

It’s ALIVE!

You’re crazy. He said and picked the pelt up off the ground and repositioned it back on its perch on the post. Lefty could have sworn he felt it twitch and he flinched and drew his hands back quickly.

See, I told ya! Ma’iitsoh said.

Why don’t we just do what we came here to do? Lefty said.

Alright. First we need to prepare the wolf pelt. I will bath it in the essences of the four elements. He turned and looked at the fire. Ma’iitsoh said, Fire. Then he cupped his hands over the fire as if to capture the essence of the fire in his hands. He made a throwing gesture toward the pelt as if he were throwing the fire on it. With a look of stern determination on his face he did the same thing with water, earth and air. He removed all his clothing. He tied a small animal skin around his thin waist with a leather string. He sat on the floor in front of the post with the wolf pelt on it and continued to meditate and chant. Lefty waited. When the dark man was ready he stood up.

Are you ready? Lefty asked. Ma’iitsoh looked up at him with crazy, glazed eyes and nodded. Lefty grasped the pelt and pulled it down from the post. Somehow it felt heavier to him than it did before. It felt thicker and fuller as if the skin was re-hydrated and moist and full of blood. It felt warm and plump. He gently pulled the pelt up on to the dark mans shoulders and set the hollowed out skull of the wolf on top of his head. The tail trailed onto the ground. Ma’iitsoh swayed as he held his arms out from his sides. Lefty continued to arrange the wolf pelt on the dark man’s body. He placed its front legs on the dark mans outstretched arms, and the hind legs of the wolf onto the man’s legs. He pressed the pelt onto his back. Lefty joined in the chanting and continued pressing on the pelt. They performed the ritual unsuccessfully until finally the Ma’iitsoh collapsed in exhaustion.

Why isn’t this working? The dark man bawled. He gathered the heavy pelt and held it in his arms. In desperation he threw it to the ground and fell down beside it. The pale man dropped to his knees on the floor and glared at his master.

Because you are not filled with enough hate! You need to be enraged and consumed with anger and hatred. You are not trying hard enough. Lefty yelled.

I can’t do it. Ma’iitsoh sobbed.

It’s because you’re weak! Lefty said. He kicked at him and ran out of the cave leaving the dark man to wallow in his own disgrace and self-loathing.

Lefty, don’t leave me. The dark man called out. He was alone and afraid. He looked at the wolf pelt lying in a pile on the floor and he thought he saw it moving toward him. In his confused state he didn’t believe what he saw.

Lefty! One of the front legs of the wolf stretched out toward him as it began to crawl across the sand. The lifeless, soulless skull lifted up from the pile of skin and its back began to arch. The tail flicked in the sand. The other paw came out from the pile.

Lefty! Where are you? He screamed. He was frantic. He caught the smell of death coming from the pelt as it moved closer. He couldn’t move.

After a moment Lefty ran back in to the cave. He grabbed the dark mans face in his hands. He spoke directly into his face and with a pleading look in his eyes he said, Ma’iitsoh, what? What is it?

He pointed to the wolf pelt. Lefty turned and looked. When he saw the pile of fur moving toward them he fell down backward in the sand. What the –

I told you. It’s alive.

It’s working. Lefty said. The dark mans fear had transformed Lefty into a believer. The pelt was real and the stories of folklore and superstition were confirmed to be truth. He knew what he had to do. He felt a surge of confidence and took control.

Ma’iitsoh, think of the one person you hate more than anyone in this world. Use that hatred. His face was red and he panted frantically.

I hate Magdalena! The dark man cried. His voice was low and deep in his throat like a growl.

Lefty grabbed the wolf pelt. He felt it writhing and resisting in his arms. He was almost fighting with it. It was getting stronger. Before long he knew it would take on a life of its own. He threw the wolf pelt back on the shoulders of the dark man before it was too late. He shoved the empty wolf head down upon his head. Ma’iitsoh crawled on his hands and knees across the dirt. I hate you Mother! He wailed. He began to feel the power of the wolf as his anger grew. He shrieked in pain as the pelt took hold of his body. It clamped down onto his skin and merged with his flesh. It wrapped and bonded with him and Ma’iitsoh changed into the wolf.

01

RECOLLECTION

S andy woke in the strange hotel room. She was vaguely aware that she was in Denver. She started to think about the past few days. Yesterday had been possibly the worst day of her life.

The day before she had gotten fired. But before that the girls in her office had surprised her with a birthday cake. Deep down she wished they had forgotten. She didn’t want to be reminded of her age. This year was the last of the thirties and then next year was the big 4-0. She didn’t really want to eat any cake either. It was really bothering her that she was turning another year older.

She remembered sitting alone at her desk listening to the voices and laughter fade away as the last few girls made their way out of the office. Sandy thought that everyone had been especially nice to her recently. She noticed a few more lasting smiles and some lingering stares over lunch. Also more