It is the bottom of the ninth inning in Game 7 of the 2014 World Series at Chicago's Historic Wrigley Field. With two on and two out and the Cubs trailing award-winning veteran pitcher, Leon Chapman and his Boston Red Sox, the Chicago Cubs' and their fans' dreams of ending the ballclub's century-plus old championship drought rests on the shoulders of a GIRL? Will 42-year-old Kim Reedeaux become each Cub fan's shining heroine or sinister villainess? Will her archenemy Leon Chapman take the lightning from the overcast October sky and steal the Cubs' thunder or will he drown in tears of defeat as he watches his former team live their moment? Follow the twists and turns, hardships and triumphs that have led the Cubs' ponytail-wearing shortstop to the opportunity of a lifetime

It is nearly Christmas and the Wells family had just moved to their small town. Eight-year-old Nicholas was lonely and in need of a friend. He would soon learn that the good friend we need is as close as our front yard.

Whether you share short stories, knit novels, or compose poetry, you are constantly in search of a subject. Where do you find your inspiration? Where do you search for the sanity that is the focus of your piece? The challenge usually is finding something, someone, or some essence worthy enough to place on paper so that the goodness spills over the page into the minds and hearts of your readers. This anthology is filled with inspirations from talented writers who have shared their work with Story Institute. Authors in this volume include: Teri A. Murray, Skyler Wolf Jones, Rebecca Laskowitz, Jill Eisnaugle, E.D. Arrington, Amy Priddy, Yael K. Miller, Cacy Ann Minter, Courtney Lyn Blystone, Bryan Kaminsky, Aaron Eugene Lee, Joy Sheppard, Suzanne Grenoble, Timothy Russell, Jamie Lyn Waters, Lamar Cole, Crystal Robin Rose, Michele Lee Moyer, Damien Livingston, Cathy P. Staley, Jody McMaster, Kaylee Lynn Gates, Hannah Ruth Steadman, Frank Kilbourn