Hamburger Bowl #AtoZChallenge #ShortStory #Foodie Crossword Clue 9 Across

We watch the final season of Stranger Things on Netflix. 

"Remember when this show had fast-food chains selling food related to it?" Wren Noel asks.

"Yeah. Odd, because it was only on Netflix, so not everyone could watch it. And that's a streaming service, so there are plans with no commercials, which means no cross-promotional advertising. How did those places make money from it?"

Wren Noel tilts their head, seeming to ponder this. "I don't know. But I remember there was a hamburger that looked so mouth-watering. Be impossible to eat right now with these damn casts."

"You want me to feed you a hamburger?"

"It'd be too difficult. A big, fully stacked, juicy burger like that? It'd drip, you'd be holding it forever, it's just not practical."

I grin. "Screw practical. Improvisation!" I start wheeling away.

"Liv, it's too messy, don't worry about it."

"Wren Noel, improvisation! You think they defeat Vecna by following exact plans and everything going perfectly to plan?"

"No, they usually have everything going wrong. And what if they don't defeat Vecna?"

"That'd be a shitty ending," I call over my shoulder as I wheel out of the room. 

I get some red quinoa and diced sweet potatoes going on the stove. Then chop up some romaine lettuce and tomatoes. In a skillet, I brown some chopped onion and minced garlic, add half a can of rinsed black beans, plop in the ground beef, and then season the mix with oregano, smoked paprika, black pepper, and cayenne. Grabbing a mixing bowl, I pour in ketchup, relish, dried mustard, and a splash of apple cider vinegar. 

Stirring, draining, checking, adding, there's a crunch element needed yet. I check my pantry and find the Flamin' Hot Cheetos. I combine everything in two bowls and return with them to the living room.

"Ta-da. Stranger Things Hamburger Bowl, by Liv." I feed Wren Noel a forkful. 

"What! How in the world did you come up with this? Seriously, we should market this. Start a food truck or something."

I laugh. "Only for you. Everyone else is on their own."

9 Across - Setting of Stranger Things

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
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Good Reason #AtoZChallenge #ShortStory Crossword Clue 10 Down

Family Guy is an American animated sitcom created by Seth MacFarlane. Episodes push the envelope, resulting in the show being canceled twice so far. This episode is no exception. The Edible Arrangement is the first episode of Season 24. 

"Would you take them?" Wren Noel asks me.

I stroke Fred's orange fur as he purrs in my lap. "I don't know. I mean, I know there are legal ones here in Pennsylvania. But what if they interacted with my other meds?"

Wren Noel nods. "People often assume that I do use such substances. I have heard that for years, long before any of it was legal."

"I never assumed that about you." I pause. Fred lifts his head, glaring at me for stopping. I rub behind his ears, setting the cat-world right again. "Do you?"

"No. I mean, I'd give it a go. Like, right now, I'm not driving or going to work, so it wouldn't matter much. But I don't know if I would want to do it just to do something, you know?"

"Yeah, I guess there should probably be a good reason. To feel better, maybe."

"Or to create. In this episode, it seems to be a bonding experience." Wren Noel points out.

"I already communicate with the dead. Not sure I want that gift enhanced by anything." We laugh about this. Wren Noel makes funny faces of pretend ghouls. 

https://familyguyfanon.fandom.com/wiki/The_Edible_Arrangement

10 Down - What ^Stewie Griffin steals from Brian and slips to Lois ^

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
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Friends Fight Bordedum #AtoZChallenge #ShortStory #Blogging Crossword Clue 22 Down

Stargate SG-1 Season 1, Episode 18 plays. We laugh about O'Neill and Carter being trapped on "an ice planet," when really they're in Antarctica. 

"Would you melt some more ice for me?" Wren Noel jokes.

I laugh as I take his water bottle away. I wash it and the long straw, then refill it with cold water and bring it back. 

"I'm sorry we're just binging shows and movies. I feel like I should have more fun suggestions."

I shrug. "Honestly? It's nice just relaxing. You need to heal. I'm not aggravating my condition by pushing too hard, something the doctors are constantly on me about. Well, except one."

"Oh?" Wren Noel asks before leaning toward the straw.

"Yeah. One of the new ones says to push, accept no limits, that pain is a gift. Other doctors who have been treating me for years warn against it, say I could easily undo surgeries I've had, and that I could sever my spinal column by not paying attention to my body when it reaches a limit. So that's sixteen opposed to overexertion, and one rookie in favor." I frown and flip to another show.

"Episode of House, MD?" I ask. Wren Noel nods, so I queue it up. "It's quite a fantasy, having a doctor who cares that much, even though the premise of the show is that he doesn't care. But House and his team are dedicated and determined, every episode, to solve the case. They have to know what's wrong with the patient, and they do everything possible to heal the person."

"Remind me what country it's set in? Canada?"

I shake my head. "That's the unrealistic, fantasy part. It's set in Princeton, NJ. Imagine if, just 70 miles from here, about 90 minutes away, there was a doctor who could actually heal patients that everyone else has given up on."

"Would. Not could, Liv. Would. I'm sure plenty of the ones around here just have their hands and minds tied by bureaucrats, the government, and insurance companies."

"Maybe," I frown. I know it might be true, but that feels like someone would have fought it by now. Then again, that's asking the most exhausted people to fight a nearly impossible, uphill battle. We're lucky to get health care at all. I pay more for my health insurance than I do for my home. 

I let the episode distract me. There's a blogger who needs House to find out what's wrong. The actress is famous from another show. I'm curious if blogging is as popular now as it was when the episode came out. 

22  Down - A patient and personal blogger with an unknown medical condition, on House, MD.

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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Epic Binge-Watching #AtoZChallenge #ShortStory Crossword Clue 14 Across

Another epic binge-watching session. Falling Skies gives us five seasons of a post-apocalyptic science fiction television drama. Including another Karen to hate. The term "Karen" is slang for a well-off woman who complains about trivial matters and demands everything be her way. In this case, it's a character who ends up serving the aliens. 

"What would we do if aliens invaded right now?" Wren Noel poses.

"Probably die. We're not in the best position to survive."

"You really think we'd die?"

I gently tap of the casts covering Wren Noel's limbs. "Well, you could knock a few of them out. And I've got some creatures around here who would eat several. But yes, eventually. Look how much they have to move around in this show. How far do you think I'd be able to wheel? The sidewalks don't even connect well enough for me to get across town to the pharmacy when the bus doesn't run. Forget the apocalypse, I struggle with current normal times." 

Wren Noel frowns at this. It's another two episodes before there's another peep spoken.

"Was Karen also Daisy, Daisy Adair, on Dead Like Me?" Wren Noel nails the impression of the character. 

"You're thinking of Laura Harris. This actress is Jessy Schram."

"Are you sure? You recall the show I mean, right? With the grim reapers in the opening credits."

"I love those opening credits. And I loved her character. But it's not her." I pull out my phone and open the IMDb app to prove it. 

14 Across - Enemy alien Overlords and Queens in the Falling Skies TV series

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
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Days Go By #AtoZChallenge #ShortStory Crossword Clue 24 Down

Our days go by. Binge watching, sharing meals, and basic needs being tended. The physical therapist shows up to help Wren Noel learn to hobble better, or whatever it is. Not wanting to leave anyone here without me, I order groceries from Instacart. 

After my delivery arrives, I busy myself in the kitchen making a Middle Eastern-themed meal for us. Tabbouleh is a parsley salad with tomato, couscous, onion, lemon, and herbs. I wash all the herbs, a few that I've grown myself, and dry them in the salad spinner. I chop the parsley and mint. My kitchen smells amazing! 

"Is he getting enough protein?" 

I turn toward the voice. It's the physical therapist. "Wren Noel prefers they/them pronouns. And yes, I've been following the dietary guidelines."

The therapist huffs. "I don't believe in all that pronoun nonsense. And that food looks vegetarian and without protein."

I hear one of my creatures stirring in the next room. This mortal has no sense of danger. My creature friend senses my discomfort and thus is preparing to eat a physical therapist for lunch. "Well, if you're done for the day, you can use this door to leave."

"He's gonna need protein to heal."

"There's a salmon marinating. It will be served alongside this." The door to the sunporch inches open with a high-pitched creak that triggers aversion. Doesn't matter how often I lubricate the hinges; some creatures just have a way with things. 

The therapist winces. "I suppose I should go. I'll be back for the next appointment."

I half-wave. "Okay. Bye."

Death narrowly averted, I finish preparing food and head back to the room where Wren Noel is waiting. 

"I've been watching The Rookie. Have you seen it?"

I nod. "Yeah. I really like Celina Juarez."

"I imagine, if her character were real, she'd like you too, Liv." 

I grin at the compliment. It would be nice to have a cop friend. As the episode plays, a band taunts John Nolan with a song. Wren Noel and I laugh as we replay the catchy tune.

24 down - A song written and sung by Zander Hawley for The Rookie is ____ Cop

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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Can't Follow Up With Just Anything #AtoZChallenge #ShortStory Crossword Clue 20 Across

"We can't follow up such a classic film with just anything," Wren Noel remarks.

"Of course not. We're going to need something a bit unexpected. Big celebrities, lots of blood, a splash of humor," I wave the remote as I make my selection. 

"I haven't seen this," Wren Noel remarks as I make my selection. "Is it about dieting?"

"Not exactly," I say with a chuckle. "But we won't be eating Drew Barrymore's preferred meal."

I set a water bottle with a long straw on the tray table so that they can hydrate. Then settle into my chair, curled up with a hot cup of blueberry green tea. 

"Would you still be my friend if I ate your neighbor?" Wren Noel jokes. 

I grin. "I'll roll us across the way right now if you're willing to give it a go. She hates me."

We both laugh. 

"She'd probably come back and haunt you," Wren Noel points out.

"She'd be an angry spirit, blaming me for her returning. Wouldn't be the first one though."

"Oh?"

"Every now and again, there are these ultra-religious spirits who blame the Medium, as if my kind are preventing them from moving on. And they get stuck here longer, unable to move on, unwilling to accept help from the only people able to offer it." I shrug.

After several episodes of the show, Wren Noel points out that, eventually, Drew Barrymore's character learns to accept the help of her husband, daughter, and even the boy next door.  

20 Across - Comedy horror Netflix series set in the suburban city in California's Santa ____

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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Breakfast #AtoZChallenge #ShortStory Crossword Clue 21 Across

B 21 across — The first bride seen in Rocky Horror

 

I wake up, tend to my morning needs, then tend to Wren Noel, and then the cats and creatures. 

"Sir Pusspuss slept on my lap last night. Most I've ever seen of that cat."

"Really?" I set Wren Noel's breakfast on the tray table, then look around. "He's gone again, isn't he?"

"Oddest cat. But I swear I hurt less this morning. I feel bad that I can't help with the cooking," they frown.

"Have I ever allowed you to cook in my kitchen? Leave me some function!" I feed them a bite of oatmeal. 

"Thanks. Raspberries, almonds, and honey?"

"Yes. Do you like it? I love steel-cut oats." I'm impressed they knew the ingredients.

"It's exceptional. So, what's breakfast without entertainment? Perhaps a classic movie?"

I wink as I feed them another spoonful. "A cult classic? Rocky Horror!"

We both sing the theme song as I queue up the film.

"Most people forget how this movie starts. We should create a crossword clue based on these characters that barely get any screentime." 

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