Change is Good
By astraplain@yahoo.com

Beverly was despondent. She sighed again, toying with 
the misshapen mass that had been her dessert. Carmel 
frost was usually her favorite but today it held 
little appeal.

Giving up at last she lay the spoon across the dish 
and pushed her chair away from the table.

She had tried relaxing music, reading, and even 
tending to her plants. None of it helped. She knew 
she was only delaying the inevitable.

Steeling herself for the task ahead, she moved 
resolutely into the bedroom. As she passed the 
mirror, she paused a moment to study her reflection.

She had to admit that what she saw was acceptable. 
She was in good shape physically - she prided herself 
on that. She might not be quite as slender as the day 
she first beamed onboard the Enterprise; there was a 
bit more flesh in a few places than there had been 
ten years ago - but it was nothing that would slow 
her down.

There were small things of course. There always were. 
It was one of those things she was going to take care 
of now.

She walked to the closet quickly, opening it and 
exposing the neat row of clothing inside. She ran a 
hand over the cloth until she got to the last item. 
Pushing it aside she revealed the shelves and their 
contents. She studied the articles for a moment, 
appreciating their familiarity. They were 
comfortable.

Perhaps a little too comfortable she decided. Just as 
certain relationships had become too comfortable. She 
took too much for granted these days.

But... that was about to change. Resolved, she 
reached out and lifted the first item off the shelf. 
It was her favorite - and she had had it for years. 
It was a little worse for wear since the crash of the 
Enterprise-D, but it had survived even that. It would 
be the first to go.

Again and again she reached into her closet, 
withdrawing the items. Taking a moment to appreciate 
each one.

When the shelves were empty, she gathered arm loads 
and methodically placed the items, one by one, into 
the recycler. All but one.

When it was done she felt better.

Change was good. She reminded herself of that often. 
This time she believed it.

Moving back to the mirror she considered the 
reflection again. She looked good, she assured 
herself. Really good.

Who needed all those wigs anyway?

Smiling, she placed the lone remaining wig into a 
brightly decorated box, considering it for a moment. 
A spark of pure delight made her feel giddy.

She just knew Anij would love the gift.

::the end::