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.
Everwood Supplies Corner – Navigation feels smooth and the products are displayed cleanly and consistently.
pin up aviator app https://www.pinup5012.ru
pin up slot o‘yinlari http://pinup5011.ru
RiseAndBelieve – Clean performance and a naturally inspiring vibe make browsing enjoyable.
пин ап игровые автоматы https://www.pinup5012.ru
BelieveMore Shop – Warm tone throughout the site, loading efficiently and effortlessly.
GlowMarket Picks – Clean, crisp design with well-placed products keeps the shop elegant and accessible.
Quiet Plains Collection – Smooth scrolling and clear layout helped in quickly finding products.
Quiet Marketplace – Clean visuals and smooth transitions made checking items a pleasure.
Metoprolol: cheap hydrochlorothiazide – Hydrochlorothiazide
Global Exclusive Finds – Exclusive global selections presented neatly for effortless exploration.
Insulin glargine: Diabetes Meds Easy Buy – Diabetes Meds Easy Buy
Everwood Picks Hub – Clear product display and fast loading ensure easy and efficient browsing.
Everwood Depot – The product catalog loads quickly, with navigation that feels natural and smooth.
Inspire Daily Corner – A refreshing layout with everything working seamlessly and joyfully.
Quiet Trading Hub – The interface felt simple and intuitive, and exploring products was effortless.
DesignMarket Glow – Professional presentation with clear layout makes navigating items simple.
EverGlow Showcase – Elegant aesthetics combined with tidy layouts make the shopping experience smooth.
Luxury Finds Store – High-quality items presented clearly with a comfortable browsing flow.
Gift Place Unique – Attractive presentation of items, smooth interface, and easy-to-browse sections.
WildBrook Modern Studio Finds – Trendy and stylish pieces, the gallery made exploring enjoyable.
Everwood Stock – Reliable product listings with quick page loads make shopping enjoyable.
Premium Lifestyle Hub – Lifestyle-focused products arranged neatly with fast, easy navigation.
Glow Creative Market – Bright visuals and organized presentation ensure a premium feel.
UniqueGift Select – Modern layout with clear item arrangement and seamless page transitions.
Unique Gift Corner Hub – Clear layout with neatly organized gifts makes exploring easy.
WildBrook Modern Works – Contemporary style throughout, browsing felt effortless and calm.
Magnificent web site. A lot of helpful information here. I am sending it to some pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thanks to your effort!
https://edpillseasybuy.xyz/# Ed Pills Easy Buy
Amlodipine buy lisinopril online Heart Meds Easy Buy
Unique Gift Corner – Well-laid-out pages with a nice variety of products make exploring effortless.
Forest Collective Finds – Well-structured pages and naturally styled products make browsing enjoyable.
Forest Collective Online – Clean layout with natural-looking items, really pleasant to explore.
style picks corner – Shopping selections are well organized, browsing is easy and quick.
ForestInspired Market – Items are presented beautifully and navigation is easy, great experience.
детский пейнтбол Оба вида развлечений предлагают различные сценарии игр, от захвата флага до командных сражений, что делает каждую игру уникальной и увлекательной. Профессиональные инструкторы следят за безопасностью и объясняют правила игры, чтобы дети могли насладиться игрой в полной мере. Это отличный способ организовать день рождения, школьный праздник или просто активный отдых с друзьями.
pin up jonli kazino https://www.pinup5011.ru
Анонимность и конфиденциальность гарантированы. Мы обеспечиваем полную анонимность и конфиденциальность на всех этапах лечения.
Подробнее – вывод из запоя круглосуточно в химках
modern style shopping – Selections are well arranged, site navigation is intuitive and fast.
modern picks hub – Shopping options appear stylish, site loads quickly without issues.
Решение о срочном выезде принимается не из «желания поторопиться», а когда домашняя стабилизация действительно снижает риски. Ниже — ориентиры, при которых не стоит откладывать звонок. Любой из перечисленных признаков — повод для консультации, а их сочетание — для немедленного осмотра.
Исследовать вопрос подробнее – вызов наркологической помощи казань
«НеоТрезвие СПБ» работает в парадигме доказательной наркологии. Мы используем медикаментозные и психотерапевтические подходы, а также их комбинации. Выбор зависит от клинического запроса, сопутствующих диагнозов и предпочтений пациента. Ниже — сравнительная таблица, которая отражает практический смысл каждого направления.
Исследовать вопрос подробнее – клиника кодирования от алкоголизма
modern shopping picks – Items are appealing, navigating the site is smooth and natural.
Кодирование от алкоголизма в Люберцах. Мы предлагаем различные методы кодирования, подходящие для каждого пациента.
Узнать больше – капельница от запоя анонимно
пин ап отзывы пользователей http://www.pinup5012.ru
Hi would you mind stating which blog platform you’re using? I’m looking to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a difficult time selecting between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something unique. P.S Apologies for getting off-topic but I had to ask!
пин ап центр помощи пин ап центр помощи