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.
гидроизоляция подвала снаружи цены http://gidroizolyacziya-czena1.ru/ .
инъекционная гидроизоляция санкт?петербург http://www.inekczionnaya-gidroizolyacziya.ru .
инъекционная гидроизоляция обзор методов https://inekczionnaya-gidroizolyacziya.ru .
аренда экскаватора погрузчика цена москва аренда экскаватора погрузчика цена москва .
гидроизоляция цена гидроизоляция цена .
FreshTrendHub – Clean layout with plenty of stylish products to explore comfortably.
ремонт подвала [url=http://gidroizolyacziya-podvala-iznutri-czena.ru]ремонт подвала[/url] .
внутренняя гидроизоляция подвала внутренняя гидроизоляция подвала .
гидроизоляция подвала в домe [url=gidroizolyacziya-podvala-samara.ru]гидроизоляция подвала в домe[/url] .
гидроизоляция подвала делать самостоятельно https://gidroizolyacziya-podvala-samara.ru/ .
ремонт бетонных конструкций обследование [url=http://remont-betonnykh-konstrukczij-usilenie.ru]http://remont-betonnykh-konstrukczij-usilenie.ru[/url] .
ремонт подвала ремонт подвала .
ремонт бетонных конструкций гидроизоляция http://remont-betonnykh-konstrukczij-usilenie.ru .
Перед таблицей короткий переход: мы сначала исключаем несовместимости и только потом начинаем инфузии. Это защищает от скрытых конфликтов препаратов, на которые «универсальные коктейли» просто не смотрят.
Ознакомиться с деталями – https://vyvod-iz-zapoya-lobnya8.ru/vyvod-iz-zapoya-kruglosutochno-v-lobne/
вода в подвале gidroizolyacziya-podvala-iznutri-czena.ru .
гидроизоляция подвала монтаж гидроизоляция подвала монтаж .
инъекционная гидроизоляция своими руками инъекционная гидроизоляция своими руками .
услуги экскаватора в москве http://arenda-ekskavatora-pogruzchika-5.ru .
гидроизоляция подвала жилого дома гидроизоляция подвала жилого дома .
ремонт бетонных конструкций антикоррозия ремонт бетонных конструкций антикоррозия .
ремонт бетонных конструкций гидроизоляция http://www.remont-betonnykh-konstrukczij-usilenie.ru .
ModernStyleOutlet – Great selection of trendy items, and browsing felt smooth and effortless.
StyleHubOutlet – Clean, neat interface and plenty of trendy products to explore comfortably.
гидроизоляция цена за м2 гидроизоляция цена за м2 .
гидроизоляция подвала гидроизоляция подвала .
гидроизоляция подвала услуга гидроизоляция подвала услуга .
усиление проема в квартире усиление проема в квартире .
ремонт бетонных конструкций технология ремонт бетонных конструкций технология .
TrendSpotMarket – Great user experience with well-organized product listings.
автоматическое открывание штор [url=https://prokarniz29.ru]https://prokarniz29.ru[/url] .
гидроизоляция подвала снаружи цена гидроизоляция подвала снаружи цена .
электронные шторы http://www.prokarniz29.ru .
гидроизоляция подвала инъекционная https://www.gidroizolyacziya-podvala-samara.ru .
умные шторы умные шторы .
умные шторы умные шторы .
SmartSavingsOutlet – Affordable finds and browsing the site feels comfortable.
BrightGiftCorner – Gifts look appealing, site layout is neat and browsing was effortless.
BudgetFinds – Easy-to-use layout and products are well displayed.
FreshSavingsShop – Loved the range of items, site is quick and easy to browse.
управление шторами с телефона управление шторами с телефона .
Свежая рабочая кракен ссылка проверяется на подлинность через сверку SSL сертификата и сравнение адреса в нескольких независимых проверенных источниках.
автоматическое открывание штор prokarniz29.ru .
инъекционная гидроизоляция санкт?петербург http://www.inekczionnaya-gidroizolyacziya1.ru/ .
1xBet Promo Code $131 https://idematapp.com/wp-content/pages/1xbet_promo_codes_free_bonus_offers.html
1xBet offers a promo code that provides a bonus of up to $131, typically as part of the welcome offer. This bonus can be used for sports betting or casino games, giving new users extra funds to start their betting journey.
UniqueGiftCollection – Loved browsing this site, gifts are nicely displayed and organized.
Innovation & Creativity Hub – Pleasant browsing and easy-to-access creative ideas.
PureHarborStudio Portal – Organized sections and clear visuals made it easy to find items.
Av Tadalafil: AvTadalafil – tadalafil tablets 20 mg cost
Рабочее кракен зеркало обновляется каждые два месяца для предотвращения блокировок и обеспечения непрерывного доступа к маркетплейсу всех пользователей.
Wow that was strange. I just wrote an really long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to say wonderful blog!