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 цена за работу [url=http://gidroizolyacziya-czena.ru/]гидроизоляция цена за работу[/url] .
гидроизоляция цена за м2 за работу https://gidroizolyacziya-czena.ru/ .
FreshTrendCollection Link – Smooth experience overall with lots of stylish modern options.
Fashion Forward Corner – Loved the vibe of the site and the pieces were on point; browsing was smooth.
стоимость усиления проема [url=http://usilenie-proemov1.ru]стоимость усиления проема[/url] .
Pure Harbor Essentials – The tidy layout and simple interface improved the shopping experience.
услуга усиления проема usilenie-proemov1.ru .
Нужна работа в США? трудоустройство после курса : работа с заявками и рейсами, переговоры на английском, тайм-менеджмент и сервис. Подходит новичкам и тем, кто хочет выйти на рынок труда США и зарабатывать в долларах.
наплавляемая гидроизоляция цена за м2 работа https://gidroizolyacziya-czena.ru/ .
Pure Harbor Picks – Navigation was simple and I could locate items effortlessly.
Creative Sparks Store – Fast page loads and inspiring concepts throughout the site.
гидроизоляция цена за м2 за работу gidroizolyacziya-czena.ru .
усиление проема в панельном доме усиление проема в панельном доме .
усиление проёма швеллером усиление проёма швеллером .
FreshTrend Styles – Really impressed with how current everything looks, very effortless shopping.
FTC Online Shop – Enjoyed the refreshed look of the items, navigation was smooth.
Urban Style Market – Smooth website flow and a selection of fashionable pieces that stood out.
Modern Fashion Deals – Loved the modern styles here; site navigation was smooth and hassle-free.
обмазочная гидроизоляция цена за работу м2 gidroizolyacziya-czena.ru .
FreshTrend Picks Online – Nice clean interface with a lot of appealing trendy pieces.
PureHarborStudio Online – Intuitive navigation and well-displayed products helped me browse easily.
Нужна работа в США? стоит ли идти в диспетчеры : работа с заявками и рейсами, переговоры на английском, тайм-менеджмент и сервис. Подходит новичкам и тем, кто хочет выйти на рынок труда США и зарабатывать в долларах.
стоимость усиления проема стоимость усиления проема .
«УралДетокс Клиник» организует круглосуточный вывод из запоя на дому с акцентом на безопасность, предсказуемость и конфиденциальность. Мы работаем без выходных, используем портативное оборудование и персонализируем инфузионные протоколы под текущее состояние пациента, коморбидность и бытовые условия. Визит строится не как «сильная капельница любой ценой», а как последовательность понятных шагов с измеримыми результатами: фиксируем витальные показатели, выбираем ведущий клинический фокус, начинаем с тестового объёма, переходим к основной фазе и обязательно назначаем «окна оценки» — моменты, когда каждый участник процесса понимает, что и почему корректируем.
Разобраться лучше – вывод из запоя цена нижний тагил
аренда экскаватора-погрузчика http://www.arenda-ekskavatora-pogruzchika-5.ru .
сервис аренды спецтехники http://www.arenda-ekskavatora-pogruzchika-5.ru .
компании усиления проемов usilenie-proemov1.ru .
Trend & Buy Corner – Lots of trendy choices, and the site responded very quickly.
инъекционная гидроизоляция своими руками [url=http://inekczionnaya-gidroizolyacziya1.ru/]инъекционная гидроизоляция своими руками[/url] .
инъекционная гидроизоляция фундамента инъекционная гидроизоляция фундамента .
акрилатная инъекционная гидроизоляция inekczionnaya-gidroizolyacziya1.ru .
Forest Picks Outlet – Enjoyed the refreshing product range and the smooth transitions between pages.
усиление проемов цена усиление проемов цена .
TAB Trend Store – Good mix of products, navigation felt smooth and easy.
TAB Style Hub – Loved the trendy selection, navigation through the site was effortless.
обнова дота 2 – дота 2 скинс, metaskin gg
написание курсовой работы на заказ цена kupit-kursovuyu-21.ru .
Forest Choice Depot – Solid product variety and a fast interface made scrolling feel effortless.
Rainforest Picks Market – Browsing flowed smoothly, and the items were presented clearly.
Go to the verified website > https://kmural.ru/
Trend & Buy Hub Shop – Loved the variety of products, browsing was fast and seamless.
инъекционная гидроизоляция москва инъекционная гидроизоляция москва .
cdc ivermectin: PennIvermectin – Penn Ivermectin
Forest Essentials Market – Products looked appealing, and moving around the shop felt simple and stable.
гидроизоляция подвала проникающая https://www.gidroizolyacziya-podvala-samara.ru .
гидроизоляция инъектированием гидроизоляция инъектированием .
https://uofmsildenafil.xyz/# Uofm Sildenafil
ремонт бетонных конструкций ремонт бетонных конструкций .
гидроизоляция подвала внутреняя гидроизоляция подвала внутреняя .
ремонт бетонных конструкций материалы ремонт бетонных конструкций материалы .