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.
Потолочные плиты Армстронг http://www.potolok-armstrong1.ru .
smilecentral – Fast-loading pages with tidy layout made shopping enjoyable.
smilecorner – Smooth browsing, intuitive interface, and items are clearly presented.
карниз с приводом http://www.elektrokarnizmoskva.ru .
электрокарниз http://elektrokarniz1.ru/ .
рейтинг сео рейтинг сео .
как забрать бонусы 1win как забрать бонусы 1win
Плиты Армстронг http://www.potolok-armstrong1.ru .
Silver Moon Selections – Organized layout and clear menus made finding items quick.
timber hub link – Smooth interface and well-organized products enhanced browsing.
рейтинг лучших seo агентств https://reiting-seo-kompanii.ru/ .
seo агентства seo агентства .
shoppick – Clean interface, products are easy to locate, and navigating categories was simple.
электрокарнизы для штор купить электрокарнизы для штор купить .
1win букмекерская контора зеркало 1win букмекерская контора зеркало
электрические карнизы для штор в москве http://elektrokarniz1.ru/ .
электрокарнизы [url=https://prokarniz36.ru/]https://prokarniz36.ru/[/url] .
электрокарнизы для штор купить http://www.prokarniz36.ru .
shop wild timber – Fast-loading pages and intuitive navigation made browsing effortless.
Silver Moon Fabrics Shop – Smooth browsing and well-organized products made shopping effortless.
shop timber gallery – Clear interface and smooth scrolling made shopping simple.
Silver Moon Collection – Clean design and organized categories made discovering items easy.
ViagraNewark: Viagra Newark – Sildenafil Citrate Tablets 100mg
электрический карниз для штор купить http://www.prokarniz36.ru .
рейтинг лучших seo агентств reiting-seo-kompanii.ru .
электрокарниз http://www.prokarniz36.ru/ .
оценка повреждений после залива [url=www.ekspertiza-zaliva-kvartiry-5.ru/]оценка повреждений после залива[/url] .
оценка ущерба при заливе квартиры оценка ущерба при заливе квартиры .
Нарколог на дом в Челябинске — это услуга, которая позволяет получить профессиональную медицинскую помощь при алкогольной или наркотической интоксикации без необходимости посещения клиники. Такой формат особенно востребован в случаях, когда пациент не может самостоятельно прибыть в медицинское учреждение или нуждается в конфиденциальной помощи. Врач-нарколог выезжает по указанному адресу, проводит осмотр, оценивает состояние и подбирает оптимальную терапию. Квалифицированное вмешательство помогает избежать осложнений и стабилизировать состояние уже в течение первых часов после прибытия специалиста.
Получить больше информации – нарколог на дом анонимно
Silver Moon Fabrics Finds – Very easy to navigate, and the items were displayed clearly.
смета на ремонт после залива смета на ремонт после залива .
независимая экспертиза залива квартиры независимая экспертиза залива квартиры .
Вывод из запоя в Ростове-на-Дону — это медицинская процедура, направленная на устранение симптомов алкогольной интоксикации, восстановление функций организма и предотвращение осложнений. В клинике помощь оказывается круглосуточно, а лечение проводится под контролем опытных наркологов. Такой подход позволяет безопасно прекратить употребление алкоголя, избежать резкой отмены и стабилизировать состояние пациента. Процедура проводится как в стационаре, так и на дому, с учётом состояния здоровья и степени зависимости.
Детальнее – вывод из запоя на дому цена ростов-на-дону
I am not sure where you’re getting your information, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for fantastic info I was looking for this info for my mission.
прокарниз http://prokarniz36.ru/ .
удаленная работа для пенсионеров Работа с телефона: мобильность и доступность. Многие компании предлагают работу, которую можно выполнять с телефона. Это отличный вариант для тех, кто всегда в движении.
филлеры для косметологии купить [url=https://filler-kupit.ru/]filler-kupit.ru[/url] .
купить филлеры оптом купить филлеры оптом .
Капельница от запоя — это не «чудо-микс», а управляемая медицинская процедура с чёткими целями, окном оценки и понятными критериями остановки. В «ЮжУрал Детокс Центр» подход построен по принципу минимально достаточных вмешательств: сначала безопасность (дыхание, сознание, гемодинамика), потом переносимость воды и сбор нормального сна, а уже после — метаболическая поддержка и восстановление бытовой устойчивости. Такая логика исключает полипрагмазию, снижает риск нежелательных реакций и даёт семье прогнозируемую картину на ближайшие 24–72 часа. Мы не обещаем «мгновенного чуда» — мы предлагаем дисциплину маленьких шагов, которая с высокой вероятностью приводит к устойчивому результату.
Подробнее можно узнать тут – https://kapelnicza-ot-zapoya-v-chelyabinske16.ru/kapelnicza-ot-pokhmelya-na-domu-chelyabinsk
Viagra Newark: over the counter sildenafil – ViagraNewark
mines 1win telegram mines 1win telegram
филлеры купить цены https://filler-kupit.ru .
акт о заливе квартиры акт о заливе квартиры .
автоматические карнизы prokarniz36.ru .
филлеры москва оптом filler-kupit.ru .
https://viagranewark.com/# Viagra Newark
Ed Pills Afib erectile dysfunction pills for sale Ed Pills Afib
perscription drugs without perscription https://viagranewark.com/# Buy generic 100mg Viagra online
залив с крыши оценка ущерба залив с крыши оценка ущерба .
филлер купить филлер купить .