Yes, but I live here #AtoZChallenge #ShortStory Crossword Clue 5 Down

"More action, more action, more action," Wren Noel chants after we finish watching all the Matrix movies. 

"Well, I guess we'll go with a classic." A few clicks of the remote and Christmas music fills the room. Bruce Willis is on an airplane, headed to California to see his wife, Holly.

"Die Hard," Wren Noel says in a deep voice before cheering. 

As the limo nears Nakatomi Plaza, I spot the low gas price. "Not even a dollar a gallon. Man, those were the days!"

Wren Noel chuckles. "You don't drive, Liv."

"Yes, but I live here and I can't farm. So the price of gas impacts the price of fuel to get food to the store, and the price of the bus to drive me to the store or Instacart to deliver groceries for me when even the wheelchair isn't enough to help me move around."

"True. It sometimes feels like there are villains from this film franchise running our government. And by the next election, neither one of us might have the right to vote." Wren Noel cracks their neck.

"Yup. Actually, they seem worse than these villains," I reply.

"We need a John McClane."

"Yes, John McClane, please report to the US Congress and help fight for some rights." We both laugh at my pretend paging. 

5 Down - Exclaimed with a swear by John McClane

The crossword clue will contain the LETTER of the day, though it might not be the *first* letter in the word. 

My April 2026 Blogging from A to Z Challenge Theme is a slice-of-life short story with two characters binge-watching shows and movies while creating a crossword puzzle. Read and play along!

Please check out the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge
#AtoZChallenge
a-to-zchallenge.com

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Xylophones #AtoZChallenge #ShortStory Crossword Clue 25 Across

"We need to binge something good for the letter X of the crossword," Wren Noel says.

"Or eat some Xylaria polymorpha," I say with a wicked laugh. "Dead man's fingers. It's a mushroom or fungi. Hard and woody, probably wouldn't kill you, but definitely not delicious."

We both laugh. I put on a short animated film called Self. "She gives up parts of herself to try to fit in."

"This is tragic. It's so dark, if you think about it."

"I know! Without any words, it's got all this depth about learning self-acceptance and self-value and inner beauty. The wood and metal sound like windchimes, but they could be xylophones. What do you think?"

Wren Noel shakes their head. "Maybe we should go with some famous trans siblings. A film with Switch as a character."

I pop on the first action-sci-fi film from the Wachowskis' series. Neo is told to follow the white rabbit, and heads off to a sex club. 

"Do you know that some people think that's just a dance club or a rave or something?" Wren Noel asks me as the movie plays.

"It seems kind of obvious to me, but I guess if you didn't pay attention, and consider this movie is only R-rated, it could seem more innocent," I answer.

"Maybe because most people have never been to such a club."

"Yeah, definitely a factor as well," I laugh.

We watch as AI robots threaten the human population, a future that feels like a too-real possibility.


25 Across - This simulated reality is part of the war between humans and machines.

The crossword clue will contain the LETTER of the day, though it might not be the *first* letter in the word. 

My April 2026 Blogging from A to Z Challenge Theme is a slice-of-life short story with two characters binge-watching shows and movies while creating a crossword puzzle. Read and play along!

Please check out the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge
#AtoZChallenge
a-to-zchallenge.com

JDORNER1460A   🛒 💰✨ Get $10 off Instacart. Use my code JDORNER1460A at checkout or follow this link. Terms apply. https://inst.cr/t/493b819c5

Wishing for Wing Zings #AtoZChallenge #ShortStory Crossword Clue 7 Down

"Introverts deserve sanctuary," the character Bazeema says as today's animated movie plays. 

"That's the truth," Wren Noel chimes in. 

"Do you consider yourself an introvert?" I ask. It's not a word I'd use to describe my friend here.

"Not all the time. But there are days when I prefer to be alone. Or, at least, alone with a friend." They smile and wink at me. I smile back.

"The trouble with this movie is that not all wishes are good or fully articulated. Still. Maybe it's not so bad to wish to be accepted."

Wren Noel ponders this before replying. "What if wishing to be accepted meant that others had to surrender their beliefs, or at least bend them?"

"That is what it means. That's seriously the primary roadblock. Some people are unable to accept others because they harbor an intolerant belief that not everyone deserves acceptance, or deserves to be alive without conforming to make others comfortable." I cross my arms.

"Easy now. You're talking to a transgender individual who dresses in splatter punk style. Trust me, acceptance isn't something I feel often."

"I know," I lean against Wren Noel's shoulder. "I didn't ask for my psychic abilities. Acceptance for being born would have been nice."

"Wish for loved ones to be safe. That'd be my wish."

"It's a good one. I make that wish often."

We keep watching the movie. It isn't overly popular, possibly because the plot is a bit complex for a children's film. Star, the nonverbal main character, is cheeky and adorable, though. Reminds me of some of the mythical creatures I care for around here. 

"Do you ever wonder why they call celebrities stars?" I ask Wren Noel.

"Probably because they stand out. I mean, we look at the night sky, and you know there are planets and space rocks and stuff, but you mostly see the stars."

I nod as I look up the answer online. "Interesting," I say before reading the answer provided. 

"Celebrities are called ' stars' because they are seen as brilliant, shining, and distant, much like celestial bodies, representing figures who stand out from the crowd and offer inspiration or guidance. This metaphor originated in theater, referring to top performers whose popularity and charisma made them shine brighter than others, with usage dating back to at least 1779. 

They act as guides in culture, providing a focal point in a chaotic world, akin to how sailors navigated by stars."

Wren Noel nods. "Yeah, that makes sense too."

"Want to wish for food from Instacart? I have some restaurant credits."

We end up ordering from Anna's Brick Oven in Bethlehem. A Shrimp Crabmeat Pizza and a 10-piece bucket of Boom Boom Wing Zings. 🍕🍗

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11304740/

https://yarn.co/yarn-clip/0fdbcf7d-b581-43c1-8a2f-0345a4733e10

7 Down ___ upon a star ⭐

The crossword clue will contain the LETTER of the day, though it might not be the *first* letter in the word. 

My April 2026 Blogging from A to Z Challenge Theme is a slice-of-life short story with two characters binge-watching shows and movies while creating a crossword puzzle. Read and play along!

Please check out the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge
#AtoZChallenge
a-to-zchallenge.com

JDORNER1460A   🛒 💰✨ Get $10 off Instacart. Use my code JDORNER1460A at checkout or follow this link. Terms apply. https://inst.cr/t/493b819c5

Random Sunday Stuff

Random rant about AI and social media ^

Random humor about Virgin River horse scene 

19th Wedding anniversary meal

Steak w bella mushrooms, veggie mix, twice baked potato, and shrimp 

Attempt to hack my PayPal account.

I reported it.

Looked online, there are dozens of similar reports. The scam is they send a few cents, get authorization, then steal hundreds (or more). 

Not enough being done! 

Just trying to fight for LGBTQIA equality. Not that my current PA Congressional Representatives are going to be of any use or help. But I'll say it anyway. At least they'll know they fail to represent their consistency. They don't care, but still, they should at least know.

We got great food from our local food truck. 

Backup is Valuable #AtoZChallenge #ShortStory Crossword Clue 23 Across

"I love this opening theme song," I say as we start binge-watching a TV show with a high schooler who has a knack for detective work. 

"I love the dog. There should be more scenes with the dog."

"Backup is undervalued." 

Wren Noel nods. "Backup is valuable! Best dog character in a show."

"I wouldn't go that far. They replace the original Bulldog with a Pit Bull."

🎶

A long time ago we used to be friends

But I haven't thought of you lately at all

If ever again a greeting I send to you

Short and sweet, to the soul I intend

We used to be friends

A long time ago

We used to be friends

A long time ago

🎶

The theme song plays on repeat in my mind. How many friends have I lost over the years? People I once focused my time and energy around, and now haven't given a thought to in ages. Have they thought about me? 

"Wren Noel? How many friends do you think you've lost over the years?"

"I don't think about it, Liv. People weave in and out of our lives. We gotta just be grateful for whatever good moments we get, I suppose."

The answer doesn't sit well. I hate that people can just stop being friends. Sometimes they just, I don't know, stop being there. Why is that?

23 Across -- ___ Mars helps her private investigator father

The crossword clue will contain the LETTER of the day, though it might not be the *first* letter in the word. 

My April 2026 Blogging from A to Z Challenge Theme is a slice-of-life short story with two characters binge-watching shows and movies while creating a crossword puzzle. Read and play along!

Please check out the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge
#AtoZChallenge
a-to-zchallenge.com

JDORNER1460A   🛒 💰✨ Get $10 off Instacart. Use my code JDORNER1460A at checkout or follow this link. Terms apply. https://inst.cr/t/493b819c5

Understatement #AtoZChallenge #ShortStory Crossword Clue 1 Down

I break out the tissues when we watch Ghostbusters Afterlife. Partly because the ending is sad, but partly because it's sad because Harold Ramis, who played Egon Spengler in the original Ghostbusters, died in real life and the movie is a tribute to him. 

"You're such a softie," Wren Noel says with a sniffle. I hold a tissue to their nose.

"Blow," I instruct. "Fellow softie."

"This Podcast kid, his big fan,"

"I know!" I wail before bursting into tears again. "Dammit. Why is this horror comedy making us cry?"

"Because we're deeply damaged?" Wren Noel suggests.

"Maybe we should start a podcast."

"No. We should just watch something else. Too sad, Liv, too damn sad!"

"Understatement," I choke out between tears. 

1 Down -- Mystical Tales of the ____ Universe is the name of the Podcast

The crossword clue will contain the LETTER of the day, though it might not be the *first* letter in the word. 

My April 2026 Blogging from A to Z Challenge Theme is a slice-of-life short story with two characters binge-watching shows and movies while creating a crossword puzzle. Read and play along!

Please check out the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge
#AtoZChallenge
a-to-zchallenge.com

JDORNER1460A   🛒 💰✨ Get $10 off Instacart. Use my code JDORNER1460A at checkout or follow this link. Terms apply. https://inst.cr/t/493b819c5

Time to be Inspired #AtoZChallenge #ShortStory Crossword Clue 2 Down

"That was fantastic," Wren Noel says as we finish lunch. "Where did you learn to cook?"

"Around, I guess. I first got good while watching this Alton Brown show." I pop on the food show that made Alton Brown famous.

"Oh, my favorite celebrity chef."

"Mine as well," I say as the cheery theme plays. Two puppets are fighting about dough. The show mixes a lot of humor with education, the science of cooking. I'm grateful we're watching, because I need inspiration as to what we're having for dinner. Time to be inspired. 

2 Down -- Alton Brown's best-known show was called Good ____

The crossword clue will contain the LETTER of the day, though it might not be the *first* letter in the word. 

My April 2026 Blogging from A to Z Challenge Theme is a slice-of-life short story with two characters binge-watching shows and movies while creating a crossword puzzle. Read and play along!

Please check out the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge
#AtoZChallenge
a-to-zchallenge.com

JDORNER1460A   🛒 💰✨ Get $10 off Instacart. Use my code JDORNER1460A at checkout or follow this link. Terms apply. https://inst.cr/t/493b819c5