Fall, and love, are back on Pine Street.

Kassandra finishes her story, and Franny asks a question that will hang in the air all summer.

Kassandra, the self-defined barista who aspires to be an artist, continues her story of a teenage experimental kiss and its aftermath.

David let them into the house. The living room still held Marilyn’s eclectic collection of furniture: the cushion-laden couch, oversize coffee table, mismatched, comfortable chairs. It felt different, though. Less messy. Less cluttered. A bit sterile, even. Franny noticed with a cold stab of sorrow that most of the art had been stripped from the … Continue reading Pine Street Episode 110 Reboot

What would Marilyn do? Franny considered the possibilities, as the group stood in the gathering chill on Allison’s porch. Would she have welcomed David with a warm hug, holding no judgment in her heart for his past - distant or recent? Would she have whisked Douglas away, sternly instructing David to come back to the … Continue reading Pine Street Episode 109 Reboot

Marilyn, the art professor who had died nearly one year ago, had been one of the first people to encourage Kassandra’s pursuit of her own creative life as an artist. Douglas became part of the package, joining Marilyn as a cheerleader for Kassandra, and a friend in his own right. Kassandra and Douglas embraced in … Continue reading Pine Street Episode 108 Reboot

When Kassandra was a girl, she had a best friend. The two girls shared everything: their taste in ice cream (“three kinds,” as they called Neopolitcan); their crushes (Sammy, the dark-haired, blue-eyed football hero at their junior high school); and even their long limbs and lanky builds. People often mistook them for sisters. They both … Continue reading Pine Street Episode 107 Reboot

Kassandra loved summer. She loved every season in the valley, and her favorite was always the one that was happening around her at the time. She stepped out of the coffee shop, waving a cheerful farewell to her coworkers, ready to enjoy a rare afternoon off on a lovely day. A little cool, yes, and … Continue reading Pine Street Episode 106 A Reboot

Douglas turned to see his son David on the sidewalk. There is an expression that Douglas always thought of as a terrible cliche: his heart leapt into his throat. But he could not help but note the heartbeat that threatened to take over his ability to breathe. “David.” Every one on the porch appeared frozen … Continue reading Pine Street Episode 106 Reboot

Leo recognized Douglas first, his tall frame coming into focus the closer he came to the sidewalk in front of Allison’s old green house. No, that’s not true. Precious recognized her old friend Douglas first, expressing her joy with whimpers, wiggles, and three short yips. She’d sniffed him from a block away, his comforting smell … Continue reading Pine Street Episode 105 Reboot