valentines

Jools knew he had a lot to be thankful for. He was still here. and he was with the one he loved, Evan. He'd also managed to get on at the University, just by a fluke. He guessed. He filled in when there was a no show and was now employed at the University as a Chinese interpreter to help with the student program, especially for those who needed housing.

However, it was Valentines Day and as cold as winter could get with a new blanket of snow with chances of it blowing about, making the wind chills dip into the negatives. He knew Valentina wasn't her cheerful self and Ollie was nowhere around these days.

"I hate to ask what happened," Jools told Evan. "Let's just have a potluck."

Evan got help from Lux and Will. Besides, no one really wanted to go out and celebrate on these cold days. They invited some new friends they'd met down at the bakery where Valentina worked. Evan even asked Ste to come.

So it was a full house with lots of Valentine cookies and of course, Evan's spaghetti. Ste showed up with fresh rolls.

Jools was beginning to think Valentines day was best spent with friends.