Photo © 2011 Gerald Pereira CC BY 2.0
Something a little different today. I signed up to take part in Tony Noland’s Great April Fool’s Day #FridayFlash Blogswap. Tony paired me up with Danielle La Paglia, who has in gracious silence endured my haphazard attempt at keeping to a deadline.
(Oy. Just be thankful you’re not my publisher.)
Danielle and I both wrote a story around the same prompt. I’m posting hers here, and she’s posting my story over on her blog. Tony gave us the following prompt to inspire our stories: “three free tickets to a movie.”
-TimK
Substitute
Sandy fingered the tickets in her coat pocket, sliding their slick backs together as she stared at the house. It had seemed like such a good idea when she’d stopped by the theater two days ago, but the thin slips of paper felt inadequate and meaningless now. What good were three free tickets when they’d lost so much? She thought of putting the car in drive and heading home, but John stepped onto the porch and waived. There was no turning back.
A gust of wind whipped her hair across her face as she stepped from the car. The icy blast beat against her exposed cheeks and sent a flurry of snowflakes into the car before she could slam the door shut. Even the wind knew it was a bad idea.
She ran to the shelter of the porch, hoping to sneak a quick hug from John, a small shot of courage and comfort to push her through. But Maddy shoved the screen door open and ushered her siblings onto the porch. Sorrow hung on them like a heavy cloak, paling their skin, darkening the shadows in their eyes. Even seven-year-old Emily had lost her sparkle. The bright pink smile she used to wear was a soft peach line tugged down at the corners.
Sandy knew she was a poor substitute for the mother they’d lost. She wasn’t trying to replace her. She only hoped to give them a break from the reality that had been forced upon them, even if it was only for a few hours. But seeing their somber expressions, she felt the sting of her mistake. Only time would make it better, not her, not this. She wanted to run, make a hasty retreat and leave them to what was left of their broken family, but John spoke.
“You girls behave and try to have a good time.” He hugged each one in turn then Maddy hustled them down the steps. “Thank you,” he said and squeezed Sandy’s hand. They’d been dating nearly a year and, despite the three-year-old divorce settlement, it was still hard on the girls. Sandy gave a weak smile then jogged to the car.
They rode in near silence to the theater. Each of Sandy’s attempts at conversation were shut down with a one-word answer or a half-hearted nod. Resigned to their silence, she turned on the radio and let the music try to warm the stale atmosphere instead.
As they stepped into the lobby, Emily and Sarah’s faces brightened. At seven and nine, they were amazed at the beauty of the grand theater, pointing to heavy velvet curtains held back with gold ropes and the scrolling wood ornaments decorating the walls. Then they lifted their faces in wonder at the elaborately painted ceiling. The knot in Sandy’s stomach loosened until her eyes met Maddy’s. The fourteen-year-old’s face was set in a cold stare. It took all of Sandy’s strength to stand her ground and force a smile.
An usher finally led them to their seats where they once again sat in silence with only the occasional whisper from the little ones pointing out some new discovery. The house lights eventually dimmed and a hush fell over the audience. The first bars of music filled the room. The curtain rose, and the ballerinas took the stage.
Emily and Sarah were spellbound. Their eyes glued to the dancers—children twirled across the stage, tin soldiers came to life, and a sugar plum fairy enchanted them all. The glow in their eyes raised a lump in Sandy’s throat. She’d done the right thing. And as the saying went, two out of three wasn’t bad.
Emily and Sarah’s giggles and high-pitched chatter filled the car on the ride home, a warm contrast to the start of their journey. When they pulled into the driveway, the wind had died, leaving a peaceful blanket of snow across the yard and roof top. The younger girls clutched their shiny red nutcrackers and hugged Sandy goodbye. Again Maddy ushered them through the door as John and Sandy stood on the porch.
“Thank you for this. Their smiles…” His voice cracked; tears glistened in his eyes.
“You’re welcome.” He kissed her cheek then followed the girls inside. She was almost to the car when the screen door slammed behind her. She spun to find Maddy jogging down the steps.
“Sandy?” Her face was softer, her eyes wider, more innocent somehow.
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.” Maddy gave a soft smile then ran back into the house.
Sandy stood beside her car letting the words of a child warm her. Today wasn’t a substitute, but it had been a welcome reprieve, and that was more than enough for her.
1win azerbaycan qeydiyyat 1win azerbaycan qeydiyyat
爱亦凡海外版，专为华人打造的高清视频平台结合大数据AI分析，支持全球加速观看。
заказать задание kupit-kursovuyu-48.ru .
1win az bank transfer https://1win5761.help/
After I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I get 4 emails with the same comment. Perhaps there is a means you can remove me from that service? Appreciate it!
заказать дипломную работу в москве заказать дипломную работу в москве .
Важное отличие наркологической клиники «Трезвый Путь Коломна» — полный отказ от схемы «одна капельница = решение всех проблем». Детокс здесь рассматривается как необходимый старт, но не как финальная точка. Сначала специалисты снимают острые состояния: вывод из запоя, купирование абстиненции, коррекцию водно-электролитного баланса, поддержку сердца, печени и нервной системы, нормализацию сна, снижение тревоги. Когда организм перестаёт «гореть», начинается следующий этап — стабилизация: врач оценивает психическое состояние, выявляет депрессивные, тревожные, панические проявления, подбирает поддерживающие схемы, которые помогают удержаться в первые недели после кризиса. Далее подключаются психотерапевтические инструменты: индивидуальные консультации, работа с мотивацией, разбор триггеров, формирование новых привычек. В финале выстраивается маршрут поддержки: амбулаторное наблюдение, связь с клиникой, рекомендации для семьи. Такой поэтапный подход делает клинику в Коломне местом, где зависимость перестают воспринимать как «стыд» и начинают воспринимать как задачу, с которой можно работать профессионально.
Исследовать вопрос подробнее – адреса наркологических клиник
melbet sports melbet sports .
1win azerbaycan rəsmisi https://1win5761.help/
QQ88 là nền tảng cá cược trực tuyến uy tín, cung cấp casino live, nổ hũ, bắn cá và thể thao với hệ thống bảo mật cao, vận hành ổn định.
Hi, I read your new stuff regularly. Your humoristic style is witty, keep it up!
When I originally left a comment I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a comment is added I get 4 emails with the same comment. Perhaps there is a way you are able to remove me from that service? Thank you!
When I originally left a comment I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there a means you are able to remove me from that service? Thanks a lot!
1win qeydiyyat olmadan giriş https://1win5761.help
When I initially commented I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I get four emails with the exact same comment. There has to be an easy method you are able to remove me from that service? Kudos!
1win bonus kodu 1win5761.help
When I originally commented I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on each time a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the same comment. There has to be a means you can remove me from that service? Many thanks!
After I originally commented I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is added I get 4 emails with the exact same comment. Is there a way you can remove me from that service? Thanks a lot!
An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a co-worker who has been doing a little research on this.
And he in fact bought me lunch simply because
I discovered it for him… lol. So let me reword this….
Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending time to
discuss this topic here on your internet site.
When I initially commented I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on each time a comment is added I recieve four emails with the exact same comment. There has to be an easy method you can remove me from that service? Kudos!
Наркологическая клиника «КоломнаМед Центр» — это место, куда можно обратиться в тот момент, когда домашние попытки контролировать алкоголь, наркотики, аптечные препараты или смесь всего сразу перестают работать, а жизнь превращается в постоянное «завтра начну с нуля». Здесь не обещают чудес за один день и не пугают диагнозами, а выстраивают понятный медицинский маршрут: детоксикация, стабилизация, реабилитация, поддержка семьи, профилактика срывов. Пациент получает помощь в защищённой, конфиденциальной среде, где всё организовано так, чтобы снизить тревогу и стыд, убрать хаос вокруг зависимости и дать человеку шанс вернуться к нормальной жизни без давления, угроз и токсичных «стимулов». Для родных клиника в Коломне — это опора: конкретный адрес, конкретная команда, чёткие сроки и понятные этапы, вместо бесконечных обещаний «он сам справится».
Исследовать вопрос подробнее – https://narkologicheskaya-klinika-kolomna10.ru/narkologicheskaya-klinika-cena-v-kolomne/
1win poker otağı https://www.1win5761.help
When I originally left a comment I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the exact same comment. Is there an easy method you can remove me from that service? Appreciate it!
1win mobil tətbiqi 1win mobil tətbiqi
After I initially commented I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the exact same comment. Perhaps there is a way you can remove me from that service? Many thanks!
When I initially left a comment I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on every time a comment is added I recieve four emails with the same comment. Perhaps there is a means you can remove me from that service? Thanks a lot!
官方授权的iyftv海外华人首选，第一时间提供最新华语剧集、美剧、日剧等高清在线观看。
After I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on each time a comment is added I get 4 emails with the exact same comment. Is there an easy method you can remove me from that service? Thank you!
When I initially commented I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Perhaps there is a way you can remove me from that service? Appreciate it!
Hello i am kavin, its my first time to commenting anywhere, when i read this piece of writing i thought i could also create comment due to this brilliant article.
When I initially commented I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is added I receive four emails with the same comment. There has to be a way you are able to remove me from that service? Many thanks!
QQ88 là nền tảng giải trí trực tuyến với casino, thể thao, nổ hũ, bắn cá đa dạng. Hệ thống ổn định, dễ chơi, ưu đãi hấp dẫn cho người tham gia.
Не всегда человек способен прекратить употребление алкоголя без медицинского вмешательства. Чем дольше длится запой, тем выше риск осложнений. Обратиться к специалисту следует при появлении следующих признаков:
Разобраться лучше – помощь вывод из запоя
бездепозитные бонусы казино новые Бездепозитные казино за регистрацию — это онлайн-казино, которые предлагают игрокам бонусы без необходимости вносить собственные деньги. Такой бонус обычно выдается сразу после создания аккаунта и подтверждения регистрации. Это отличный способ попробовать игры и познакомиться с платформой без риска потерять свои средства.
действующий промокод на 1хбет Вводите действующий купон на https://thealeshaart.com/wp-includes/pages/1xbet_romokod.html и получите бонус 100% на депозит, чтобы начать ставки с преимуществом.
When I initially left a comment I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the same comment. There has to be a way you can remove me from that service? Many thanks!
After I originally left a comment I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on each time a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the exact same comment. Perhaps there is an easy method you are able to remove me from that service? Kudos!
When I initially left a comment I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the same comment. There has to be an easy method you are able to remove me from that service? Cheers!
After I initially left a comment I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on each time a comment is added I get 4 emails with the exact same comment. Perhaps there is a means you are able to remove me from that service? Cheers!
бездепозитный бонус за регистрацию в казино с выводом денег без первого депозита Ищите лучшие предложения бездепозитных бонусов за регистрацию и начните свое увлекательное путешествие в мир онлайн-казино уже сегодня!