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.
A piece that did not try to be timeless and ended up reading as durable anyway, and a look at zirqano extended that durable feel, content that stays useful past its publication date without straining for permanence is content that ages well and this site has the kind of evergreen quality that I value highly today.
Сегодня легко вызвать нарколога на дом в балашиху круглосуточно, просто позвонив по единому телефону нашего специализированного центра в любое время суток, любой день (даже в выходные и праздники). Нарколог на дом в Балашихе — экстренная помощь при алкогольной и наркотической зависимости. Если ваш близкий человек страдает от запоя или отравления алкоголем, не ждите — срочный вызов врача на дом позволит быстро стабилизировать состояние и избежать тяжёлых последствий. Наша наркологическая клиника предлагает полный комплекс услуг: вывод из запоя, кодирование, детоксикацию, психотерапию и реабилитацию. Опытные специалисты выезжают по любому адресу в Балашихе и ближайшим районам Московской области. Мы работаем круглосуточно, гарантируем полную анонимность и конфиденциальность — никакие данные не передаются третьим лицам, а врач приезжает без опознавательных знаков.
Разобраться лучше – narkolog-kapelnica-na-dom
Рейтинг геодезических https://инженерные-изыскания-рейтинг.рф и кадастровых компаний Москвы с актуальной информацией о стоимости услуг, опыте работы, сроках выполнения и репутации исполнителей. Сравнивайте предложения и находите надежных специалистов для вашего проекта.
Thanks for your handy post. Through the years, I have come to understand that the actual symptoms of mesothelioma are caused by the actual build up connected fluid between the lining of the lung and the upper body cavity. The ailment may start within the chest region and propagate to other parts of the body. Other symptoms of pleural mesothelioma cancer include fat reduction, severe deep breathing trouble, nausea, difficulty eating, and bloating of the face and neck areas. It ought to be noted that some people living with the disease usually do not experience every serious signs at all.
Обратившись к нам, вы получаете не только экстренную помощь, но и полный комплекс услуг с гарантией качества и анонимности. Вот основные преимущества нашей работы:
Подробнее – narkolog-na-dom-moskovskoj-oblasti
Детоксикация от наркотиков в частной клинике — это сложный медицинский процесс, который требует обязательной госпитализации. В нашей клинике детоксикация от наркотиков обычно занимает 7-14 дней, лечение проходит только в стационаре. Это необходимо, чтобы круглосуточно контролировать состояние пациента, своевременно корректировать терапию и полностью исключить возможность срыва. Наши врачи-наркологи (в том числе Викторович, Юрьевич, Евгений Анатольевич, Марина, Татьяна, Ольга, Наталья Валерьевна, Андрей) и психиатры разрабатывают индивидуальную программу лечения, учитывая тип употребляемого вещества, длительность зависимости, возраст и общее состояние здоровья больного. Лечебно-реабилитационные мероприятия включают не только медикаментозную терапию, но и подготовку к дальнейшей психологической работе. При необходимости привлекается реаниматолог, терапевт, проводится ЭКГ и лабораторная диагностика.
Исследовать вопрос подробнее – detoksikaciya-narkozavisimyh-moskva
Вывод из запоя на дому в Казани удобен, когда близкий человек не готов ехать в клинику, плохо переносит дорогу или находится в состоянии сильной слабости. Врач приезжает на дому, сохраняет анонимность, спокойно объясняет процесс и начинает лечение только после осмотра и согласия пациента. Вызов врача на дому особенно важен, если муж, отец, брат, мама или другой близкий уже не может перестать пить и нуждается в срочной помощи.
Выяснить больше – вывод из запоя дешево казань
Glad I gave this a chance instead of bouncing on the headline, and after directionalsystems I was certain I had made the right call, snap judgements based on titles miss a lot of good content and this is a reminder to slow down and check things out before scrolling past in a hurry.
reputable indian pharmacies: Online medicine home delivery – online shopping pharmacy india
Народ помогите Двойки, замечания, учителя орут Качество знаний никакое Короче, единственная школа где кайфово учиться — онлайн школа Москва с зачислением Учителя настоящие профи В общем, там программа и условия — онлайн школа москва официальный сайт https://shkola-onlajn-dyk.ru Переходите на нормальное обучение Перешлите другим родителям
mostbet hry crash http://mostbet74512.online
Norm Casino войти
?
Если вам важны именно официальные новости, а не слухи, канал – самое безопасное место; там публикуют только то, что пришло от бренда, а не перепечатки с форумов.
Really appreciate the lack of pop ups, modals, cookie banners stacking on top of each other, and a quick visit to kilzavo confirmed the same clean approach across the rest of the site, technical decisions about user experience are part of what makes content actually pleasant to engage with for sure.
Honestly impressed by the consistency of voice across what I have read so far, and a quick visit to logicllama continued that consistent feel, when a site reads like one careful person rather than a committee the experience is more rewarding for the reader who notices these subtle editorial details over time.
Нарколог на дом в Балашихе с быстрым выездом специалиста, осмотром пациента и оказанием медицинской помощи в наркологической клинике «Частный Медик 24».
Исследовать вопрос подробнее – http://narkolog-na-dom-balashiha13.ru/
I just added this blog site to my google reader, great stuff. Cannot get enough!
Another thing is that when searching for a good on the internet electronics retail outlet, look for online stores that are continuously updated, trying to keep up-to-date with the most recent products, the very best deals, plus helpful information on products. This will ensure that you are getting through a shop which stays over the competition and give you things to make educated, well-informed electronics purchases. Thanks for the crucial tips I have learned through the blog.
Great beat ! I wish to apprentice at the same time as you amend your site, how could i subscribe for a blog web site? The account aided me a appropriate deal. I were tiny bit familiar of this your broadcast provided shiny clear idea
Really appreciate that the writer did not overstate the importance of the topic to make the post feel weightier, and a quick visit to patioleaf maintained the same modest framing, content that is honest about its own scope rather than inflating itself is the kind I trust and return to repeatedly over time.
Нарколог на дом в Балашихе нужен, когда человек после алкоголя, запоя, отравления, абстинентного синдрома или употребления наркотиков не может самостоятельно восстановиться и нуждается в медицинской помощи. Вызов врача на дом позволяет быстро оценить состояние пациента, провести осмотр, подобрать препараты, назначить лекарства, поставить капельницу и определить, возможно ли лечение в домашних условиях или требуется госпитализация в стационаре.
Узнать больше – врач нарколог на дом
Ребята кто хочет заработать То график убийственный Объездил кучу сайтов Короче, единственный где есть нормальные предложения — трудоустройство в Казахстане официальное Зарплаты реальные В общем, сохраняйте себе — сайты для поиска работы казахстан https://vakansii.sitsen.kz Не сидите без денег Перешлите тому кто ищет работу
Люди помогите советом Хотел стену снести между комнатами Разрешения эти дурацкие Нервов просто не осталось Короче, ребята реально толковые — перепланировка квартиры под ключ в Москве с гарантией Всё за месяц закрыли В общем, смотрите сами по ссылке — согласовать проект перепланировки квартиры https://pereplanirovka-kvartir-vhj.ru Не начинайте без проекта Перешлите тому кто тоже ремонт затеял
Норм казино вход
?
Зеркала Норм казино часто разносятся по форумам случайными пользователями, но официальная версия всегда одна — в телеграм?канале; там же можно пожаловаться, если вы увидели фишинговый домен, и модераторы предупредят остальных.
Your blog won’t render appropriately on my apple iphone – you may want to try and repair that