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.
Je suis epate par Pokerstars Casino, on ressent une ambiance de fete. Le catalogue est un tresor de divertissements, incluant des paris sportifs en direct. Le bonus de depart est top. Le service d’assistance est au point. Le processus est transparent et rapide, de temps a autre des offres plus consequentes seraient parfaites. En conclusion, Pokerstars Casino garantit un amusement continu. A signaler le site est rapide et engageant, ce qui rend chaque partie plus fun. A signaler les evenements communautaires dynamiques, propose des privileges sur mesure.
Voir le site|
https://aeromedsrx.com/# AeroMedsRx
Magnificent beat ! I wish to apprentice whilst you amend your site, how can i subscribe for a weblog site? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit familiar of this your broadcast provided vibrant transparent concept
Je suis captive par Stake Casino, ca invite a l’aventure. La bibliotheque de jeux est captivante, proposant des jeux de table classiques. Il amplifie le plaisir des l’entree. Les agents sont rapides et pros. Les transactions sont fiables et efficaces, rarement des recompenses additionnelles seraient ideales. Pour conclure, Stake Casino assure un fun constant. De surcroit la plateforme est visuellement captivante, ce qui rend chaque session plus excitante. Particulierement attrayant les tournois reguliers pour s’amuser, qui stimule l’engagement.
Obtenir des infos|
I especially liked the material about Exploring the crypto industry with AI: one step ahead of the market.
Смотрите сами:
https://kitchentechy.com
By the way, if you are interested in Step-by-Step Financial Guides for a Secure Future, take a look here.
Ссылка ниже:
https://codefortots.com
Viagra online price: Buy Viagra online cheap – Buy generic 100mg Viagra online
Je suis enthousiaste a propos de Pokerstars Casino, c’est une plateforme qui deborde de dynamisme. Les options de jeu sont infinies, incluant des paris sportifs en direct. Le bonus de depart est top. Le suivi est impeccable. Les retraits sont simples et rapides, malgre tout des bonus plus frequents seraient un hit. Pour finir, Pokerstars Casino offre une aventure inoubliable. Ajoutons aussi la navigation est claire et rapide, ajoute une vibe electrisante. A signaler les tournois reguliers pour la competition, qui booste la participation.
https://pokerstarscasino365fr.com/|
Je suis totalement conquis par Pokerstars Casino, ca offre un plaisir vibrant. Les titres proposes sont d’une richesse folle, offrant des sessions live palpitantes. 100% jusqu’a 500 € + tours gratuits. Les agents sont toujours la pour aider. Le processus est fluide et intuitif, de temps en temps des offres plus genereuses seraient top. Au final, Pokerstars Casino merite une visite dynamique. A souligner la navigation est simple et intuitive, ajoute une touche de dynamisme. A souligner le programme VIP avec des avantages uniques, assure des transactions fluides.
Entrer|
электрокарниз москва http://www.elektrokarniz-dlya-shtor15.ru .
J’adore l’ambiance electrisante de Pokerstars Casino, ca pulse comme une soiree animee. On trouve une profusion de jeux palpitants, offrant des tables live interactives. Il amplifie le plaisir des l’entree. Le suivi est d’une fiabilite exemplaire. Le processus est fluide et intuitif, neanmoins quelques tours gratuits en plus seraient geniaux. En conclusion, Pokerstars Casino est un lieu de fun absolu. Par ailleurs l’interface est intuitive et fluide, ajoute une touche de dynamisme. Egalement excellent les paiements en crypto rapides et surs, cree une communaute vibrante.
Entrer sur le site|
карнизы с электроприводом карнизы с электроприводом .
J’ai un faible pour Mystake Casino, c’est une plateforme qui deborde de dynamisme. Le catalogue est un tresor de divertissements, offrant des tables live interactives. Avec des depots fluides. Le suivi est d’une fiabilite exemplaire. Les retraits sont lisses comme jamais, rarement quelques tours gratuits en plus seraient geniaux. Pour conclure, Mystake Casino offre une aventure memorable. Notons egalement la navigation est intuitive et lisse, apporte une touche d’excitation. A souligner les options de paris sportifs diversifiees, cree une communaute soudee.
Trouver les dГ©tails|
Je suis sous le charme de Casinozer Casino, on ressent une ambiance festive. Les titres proposes sont d’une richesse folle, proposant des jeux de table sophistiques. Il donne un elan excitant. Le support est pro et accueillant. Les paiements sont surs et efficaces, en revanche des recompenses additionnelles seraient ideales. Dans l’ensemble, Casinozer Casino vaut une visite excitante. Pour completer la plateforme est visuellement electrisante, apporte une touche d’excitation. Un point fort les transactions en crypto fiables, propose des privileges personnalises.
Entrer sur le site|
Je suis bluffe par Mystake Casino, il cree une experience captivante. Le catalogue est un tresor de divertissements, incluant des paris sur des evenements sportifs. Avec des depots instantanes. Le suivi est impeccable. Les gains arrivent sans delai, de temps a autre plus de promotions frequentes boosteraient l’experience. En somme, Mystake Casino est une plateforme qui pulse. A signaler le design est moderne et attrayant, ce qui rend chaque partie plus fun. A signaler les tournois frequents pour l’adrenaline, garantit des paiements securises.
Aller voir|
J’adore l’ambiance electrisante de Pokerstars Casino, ca invite a l’aventure. Les options de jeu sont incroyablement variees, offrant des tables live interactives. 100% jusqu’a 500 € avec des spins gratuits. Les agents sont toujours la pour aider. Les gains arrivent sans delai, rarement des bonus plus frequents seraient un hit. En conclusion, Pokerstars Casino est un immanquable pour les amateurs. A souligner le design est moderne et attrayant, facilite une immersion totale. Particulierement attrayant les nombreuses options de paris sportifs, garantit des paiements securises.
Cliquer pour voir|
Je suis bluffe par Mystake Casino, il offre une experience dynamique. On trouve une profusion de jeux palpitants, avec des slots aux designs captivants. Le bonus initial est super. Disponible 24/7 par chat ou email. Le processus est fluide et intuitif, mais encore des bonus plus frequents seraient un hit. En fin de compte, Mystake Casino offre une aventure inoubliable. A signaler la navigation est simple et intuitive, apporte une energie supplementaire. Egalement excellent les paiements securises en crypto, offre des bonus exclusifs.
Voir la page|
Personal Idea Hub – Insightful content encouraged consistent focus on creative pursuits.
Je suis accro a Casinozer Casino, ca invite a l’aventure. Les options sont aussi vastes qu’un horizon, avec des slots aux graphismes modernes. Avec des depots fluides. Le service client est de qualite. Les retraits sont ultra-rapides, mais des offres plus importantes seraient super. En resume, Casinozer Casino garantit un amusement continu. A souligner le site est rapide et style, permet une plongee totale dans le jeu. Un plus les evenements communautaires dynamiques, garantit des paiements rapides.
Entrer sur le site|