Happy Medium

by Sarah Adler

Gretchen only takes people’s money if she’s certain she can leave them better off than she found them.

Because the other rule she lives by, the one that’s unwritten but perhaps more important, is that the beautiful, masterful pictures she paints are only for other people. Not for her.

The man standing in the doorway isn’t really that tall—several inches shorter than Yolanda’s six-one, for sure—but Gretchen’s petite stature and his slight elevation on the threshold contribute to the illusion that he towers over her. He stares down with hazel eyes

Finally a hero that isn’t over six foot!

“Hm. Well, the first thing you need to know about Charlie Waybill is that he’s a genuine good egg. And his yolk’s real runny.” Gretchen grimaces. “What’s that mean? It sounds gross.” “It means he’s got the softest heart.”