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.
Эта статья освещает различные аспекты освобождения от зависимости и пути к выздоровлению. Мы обсуждаем важность осознания своей проблемы и обращения за помощью. Читатели получат практические советы о том, как преодолевать трудности и строить новую жизнь без зависимости.
Детальнее – Наркологическая клиника «Похмельная служба» в Краснодаре.
plinko slots https://www.plinko62894.help
Worth pointing out that the writer made the topic feel more interesting than I had been expecting, and a look at softwindstudio continued that elevation effect, content that improves the apparent quality of its subject through skilled treatment is doing something real and this site has clearly developed that kind of editorial alchemy throughout.
Buy Tadalafil 10mg http://mensrxguide.org/# cialis for sale
Solid quality, the kind of work that holds up to a careful read rather than a quick skim, and a quick look at staymotivateddaily kept that standard going strong, content that rewards attention rather than punishing it is something I appreciate more and more these days online across nearly every topic I follow.
plinko cash game bd plinko62894.help
Bookmark earned and the bookmark feels like a permanent addition rather than a maybe, and a look at fashionloversoutlet confirmed that permanent status, the difference between durable bookmarks and ephemeral ones is something I have learned to feel quickly and this site triggered the durable feeling almost immediately during my first read here.
Just want to say thank you for putting this together, posts like these make searching online actually worth it sometimes, and a quick look at boldswap kept that going, useful and easy to read without any of the tricks that ruin most blog comment sections lately on the wider open web.
прокапать от алкоголя на дому прокапать от алкоголя на дому
капельница от запоя на дому недорого капельница от запоя на дому недорого
капельница от запоя цена капельница от запоя цена
Recommended without reservation for anyone interested in the topic at any level of expertise, and a look at discoverfashioncorner only strengthens that recommendation, this site clearly knows how to serve readers across a range of backgrounds without watering down the content or talking past anyone in the audience which is genuinely impressive to see.
Услуга “Нарколог на дом” в Уфе охватывает широкий спектр лечебных мероприятий, направленных как на устранение токсической нагрузки, так и на работу с психоэмоциональным состоянием пациента. Комплексная терапия включает в себя медикаментозную детоксикацию, корректировку обменных процессов, а также психотерапевтическую поддержку, что позволяет не только вывести пациента из состояния запоя, но и помочь ему справиться с наркотической зависимостью.
Выяснить больше – http://
Cialis without a doctor prescription http://mensrxguide.org/# Cialis 20mg price
Picked up several practical tips that I plan to try out this week, and a look at naturerootstudio added a few more I will be testing alongside, content with practical hooks that connect to my actual life is the kind that earns my repeat attention rather than the merely interesting that I forget within a day.
Особую опасность представляет белая горячка (алкогольный психоз). У пациента возникают галлюцинации, приступы паники, агрессивное поведение, дезориентация во времени и пространстве. Это состояние требует незамедлительного вмешательства врача, так как человек может представлять опасность для себя и окружающих.
Получить дополнительную информацию – нарколог на дом круглосуточно
Howdy! Do you know if they make any plugins to help with SEO?
I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good results.
If you know of any please share. Kudos!
https://mensrxguide.org/# Buy Tadalafil 10mg
наркология вывод из запоя в стационаре наркология вывод из запоя в стационаре
вывод из запоя стационар вывод из запоя стационар
investment apartments for sale in phuket investment apartments for sale in phuket
Hello, i think that i saw you visited my site so i got
here to go back the favor?.I am attempting to find issues
to enhance my site!I assume its adequate to make use of some of your concepts!!