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.
Can I simply say what a reduction to seek out somebody who really is aware of what theyre speaking about on the internet. You definitely know easy methods to deliver an issue to light and make it important. Extra people have to learn this and understand this aspect of the story. I cant consider youre not more common because you positively have the gift.
Обзор посвящён процессу восстановления после зависимостей. Мы расскажем о различных этапах реабилитации, поддерживающих ресурсах и важности мотивации в достижении устойчивого выздоровления.
Разобраться лучше – Наркологическая клиника «Похмельная служба» в Краснодаре
mines melbet http://www.melbet82460.help
aviator əlaqə http://aviator57204.help/
Simply wish to say your article is as astounding. The clearness on your put up is just spectacular and that i can suppose you are knowledgeable in this subject. Fine with your permission allow me to grasp your RSS feed to stay up to date with approaching post. Thank you 1,000,000 and please continue the rewarding work.
With almost everything which appears to be building inside this specific subject material, a significant percentage of points of view are generally rather exciting. On the other hand, I appologize, but I can not give credence to your whole plan, all be it stimulating none the less. It looks to everyone that your opinions are not entirely rationalized and in fact you are generally your self not really fully confident of the argument. In any case I did take pleasure in looking at it.
В этой публикации мы предложим ряд рекомендаций по избавлению от зависимостей и успешному восстановлению. Мы обсудим методы привлечения поддержки и важность самосознания. Эти советы помогут людям вернуться к нормальной жизни и стать на путь выздоровления.
Раскрыть тему полностью – капельница от запоя
I have come to understand that charges for online degree pros tend to be an incredible value. Like a full College Degree in Communication in the University of Phoenix Online consists of 60 credits from $515/credit or $30,900. Also American Intercontinental University Online offers a Bachelors of Business Administration with a complete school element of 180 units and a tariff of $30,560. Online studying has made getting your diploma been so cool because you can easily earn your degree through the comfort of your abode and when you finish working. Thanks for all the other tips I’ve learned from your website.
Wonderful blog! I found it while surfing around on Yahoo News. Do you have any tips on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Many thanks
здесь vodkabet новый сайт
Greetings from Carolina! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to browse your blog on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the knowledge you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m surprised at how fast your blog loaded on my phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, fantastic blog!
I?d need to check with you here. Which is not something I often do! I take pleasure in studying a put up that may make individuals think. Additionally, thanks for permitting me to comment!
Мы рассмотрим современные вызовы здравоохранения и пути их решения с помощью технологий и научных исследований. В статье собраны данные о новых лекарствах, методах диагностики и системном подходе к улучшению здоровья населения.
Почему это важно? – Наркологическая клиника «Похмельная служба» в Воронеже
капельница на дому цена екатеринбург капельница на дому цена екатеринбург
Thanks for revealing your ideas listed here. The other factor is that when a problem occurs with a laptop or computer motherboard, individuals should not take the risk regarding repairing the item themselves because if it is not done correctly it can lead to permanent damage to the full laptop. Most commonly it is safe to approach your dealer of that laptop for any repair of that motherboard. They’ve got technicians who have an expertise in dealing with laptop computer motherboard complications and can get the right analysis and undertake repairs.
стоимость капельницы на дому екатеринбург стоимость капельницы на дому екатеринбург
сколько стоит капельница на дому в екатеринбурге сколько стоит капельница на дому в екатеринбурге
капельница на дому екатеринбург цены капельница на дому екатеринбург цены
Вызов нарколога на дом в Казани. Круглосуточная наркологическая помощь на дому: лечение запоя, детоксикация, капельница, консультация. Анонимный прием. Узнайте цену в клинике.
Ознакомиться с деталями – http://narkolog-na-dom-kazan23.ru
Ended up here on a wandering afternoon and was glad I stayed for the read, and a stop at northdawn extended the wandering into a proper exploration of the site, the kind of place that rewards aimless clicking with something genuinely interesting rather than the shallow content that mostly populates the modern open web.
If I had to summarise the editorial sensibility of this site in a few words it would be careful and human, and a look at fernpier extended that summary feeling, capturing the essence of a sites approach in brief is hard but this site has a clear enough identity that the summary comes naturally enough.
Aw, this was a very nice post. In idea I want to put in writing like this moreover ? taking time and actual effort to make an excellent article? however what can I say? I procrastinate alot and under no circumstances seem to get one thing done.
What?s Going down i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It absolutely useful and it has helped me out loads. I hope to give a contribution & assist other users like its helped me. Great job.
Decided to set aside time later to read more carefully, and a stop at flarefests reinforced that decision, content that earns a calendar entry rather than just a passing read is in a different tier altogether and this site is clearly working at that elevated level which I really do appreciate as a reader today.
Incredible! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It’s on a completely different topic but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Superb choice of colors!
В этой медицинской статье мы погрузимся в актуальные вопросы здравоохранения и лечения заболеваний. Читатели узнают о современных подходах, методах диагностики и новых открытий в научных исследованиях. Наша цель — донести важную информацию и повысить уровень осведомленности о здоровье.
Жми сюда — получишь ответ – «Похмельная служба» в Воронеже
автоматические рулонные шторы на окна автоматические рулонные шторы на окна
рулонные шторы автоматические купить рулонные шторы автоматические купить
Thank you for the good writeup. It if truth be told used to be a leisure account it. Look advanced to more delivered agreeable from you! However, how could we keep in touch?
Thanks for sharing superb informations. Your web-site is so cool. I am impressed by the details that you have on this site. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for extra articles. You, my friend, ROCK! I found just the info I already searched everywhere and just couldn’t come across. What an ideal web-site.
Coming back to this one, definitely, and a quick visit to nicholashirshon only made me more sure of that, the kind of writing that makes you want to set aside time later rather than rushing through it now while distracted by everything else competing for attention on the screen today across so many tabs.
Thank you for another informative blog. Where else could I am getting that type of info written in such an ideal way? I have a undertaking that I’m simply now working on, and I have been at the glance out for such information.
Easy to recommend without reservations, the site delivers on every promise it implicitly makes, and a look at goldenhorizonhub kept that same standard going, the kind of consistency that earns trust over time rather than chasing it through aggressive marketing is what I see here and it is appreciated greatly by this particular reader today.
This design is incredible! You definitely know how to keep a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Fantastic job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!