Ta Pieces

Two feisty hearts saw one another across a crowded '70s dance floor. Boogie, Oogie, Oogie. Neither chance nor luck could keep these two lookers apart. Eyes locked, arms intertwined, they spun together into a red whirl of thumping desire. A one-night stand led to several. Beep, Beep, Beep. Hooked on each other, they joined together to create a love so profound they amazed even themselves. Their two beating hearts purred aloud when their sweet baby heart arrived. Ta Pieces was their dream; they adored their baby to pieces.

Ta Pieces' rosy color was a gift from her Mom, while her curvy shape was a blessing from her Dad. Every day, she admired her changing body in the mirror. She wondered, though, when she would grow into a full-size juicy heart, like her parents. "Someday, Ta Pieces, you will grow into yourself and be the greatness you always were meant to be," proclaimed her Dad.

Love surrounded Ta Pieces everywhere she traveled. Every day she looked forward to meeting new people and experiencing fun places.

Ta Pieces enjoyed playing with her sister, whom she loved and admired. When together, Ta Pieces' shape grew – a little bit bigger and juicier from all the love they shared.

Ta Pieces loved her grandparents, who adored her. "We just wanna hug, hug, and hug ya more, sweetie," Ta Pieces snickered when they surrounded her with nurture and support.

Ta Pieces loved her pets. Kiki loved to purr. Honey loved to cuddle, and Cozy, her dog, made Ta Pieces' insides smile.

Miss A was her third-grade teacher; she encouraged Ta Pieces to study hard, read books, and write stories. Miss A knew she was bound for excellence, even if Ta Pieces didn't know this herself.

Ta Pieces met Curly in 4th grade and soon became best friends. They liked to play every day – until one day, Curly didn't. She had moved onto other hearts. Ta Pieces grew confused.

By 8th grade, Ta Pieces enjoyed her neighbor, Friend. It was heart-warming to have a BFF again. One day, Ta Pieces learned BFF moved away with her family. She was despondent — a few small cracks formed on her shiny armor from the heartbreak.

Ta Pieces found other friends at school. She flirted with different hearts. By high school, she found herself attached to Cute. They shared kisses behind the gym, and soon Ta Pieces was hooked. Days later, she saw Cute with another heart kissing behind the gym — witnessing this; a few larger cracks started to show in Ta Pieces' armor. She spent many days weeping and being glum.

After high school, Ta Pieces went to college. She remembered it was Miss A's kind words that led her to this place. Surrounded by hearts: big ones, little ones, smart ones, beautiful ones – she was in heaven.

Ta Pieces met an incredible heart named Suave. He had all the looks and qualities she admired. She spent many years in love with Suave – so much so – she thought that he might be the one for her. Five years later, Suave broke up with Ta Pieces. After the initial shock, Ta Pieces thought her insides had shattered. She moped for what felt like a lifetime. Her Mom and Dad even grew concerned.

Several years later, Ta Pieces' Dad passed away. She felt broken. Her Dad taught her to be the unique heart she was always meant to be. The cracks in her armor nearly broke her in two. Her sorrow made Ta Pieces unreachable on the inside.

Years later, Ta Pieces surrounded herself with a variety of hearts: big ones, small ones, jolly ones, female ones, male ones, all sorts. She wanted to experience all the love available to her. Her heart had grown large, the scars were real, and the cracks were numerous and visible. She wondered if others noticed her changes. She felt restless. After being close to Roundy's heart, the cracks on her surface broke further apart. A tiny branch poked out from her shell. She grew confused.

Ta Pieces met a sweetheart named Chilly. Chilly came on strong, bidding love with flowers and promises. She tried to be understanding. When Chilly wanted to be close, she grew fidgety. A large branch grew out of her armor. Then two more branches began to show. A small leaf sprouted on the twigs. Soon afterward, she moved on from Chilly. More branches started to grow – wild-like and plentiful.

Ta Pieces enjoyed the company of several hearts. Sometimes her cracks became prolific, like when her friend Lucky married. They could no longer be as close. Ta Pieces even met a super fun heart named Coy. Every time Coy wanted to be tight, the tree branches in Ta Pieces armor got in the way. Ta Pieces was more interested in growth than love; in fact, change became her driving force.

Over time, Ta Pieces had experienced many losses in life. One day the worst arrived. Ta Pieces lost her Mom, and afterward, her rosy color turned from red to blue.

After several years, Ta Pieces felt different. One day, she went from a broken heart with woody branches to a fully-formed tree that grew luscious heart-shaped fruits. All the pain, loss, and love transformed Ta Pieces on the inside and the outside. She was clear that love comes in various shapes and forms. Her trunk listed all her past lovers carved within the shape of a heart. She grew into the greatness she was destined to be — tall and proud.

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