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.
一帆官方认证平台，专为海外华人设计，24小时不间断提供高清视频和直播服务。
I am regular reader, how are you everybody? This paragraph posted at this web site is truly good.
超人和露易斯第四季高清完整版AI深度学习内容匹配，海外华人可免费观看最新热播剧集。
вакансии шымкент umicum.kz .
What is the best online casino in Australia for real money?
超人和露易斯第二季高清完整版结合大数据AI分析，海外华人可免费观看最新热播剧集。
真实的人类第二季高清完整官方版，海外华人可免费观看最新热播剧集。
ifvod平台，专为海外华人设计，提供高清视频和直播服务。
官方授权的一帆视频海外华人首选，第一时间提供最新华语剧集、美剧、日剧等高清在线观看。
Online casino Australia legal alternatives – safe offshore casinos
1win хатои android 1win хатои android
강남출장마사지는 고객님이 계신 공간으로 직접 방문하여 편안한
환경에서 최고의 힐링을 경험하실 수 있도록 설계된 프리미엄
출장 마사지 서비스입니다. 저희는 단순한
http://ivertherapeutics.com/# buy ivermectin
夜班医生第四季高清完整版运用AI智能推荐算法，海外华人可免费观看最新热播剧集。
Having read this I believed it was rather informative. I appreciate you finding the time and energy to put this article together. I once again find myself personally spending a lot of time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worth it!
Online casino Australia real money – play pokies and win big today
爱一帆会员多少钱海外版，专为华人打造的高清视频平台采用机器学习个性化推荐，支持全球加速观看。
真实的人类第二季高清完整官方版，海外华人可免费观看最新热播剧集。
爱一凡海外版，专为华人打造的高清视频官方认证平台，支持全球加速观看。
愛壹帆海外版，專為華人打造的高清視頻官方認證平台，支持全球加速觀看。
爱亦凡海外版，专为华人打造的高清视频官方认证平台，支持全球加速观看。
凯伦皮里第二季高清完整版，海外华人可免费观看最新热播剧集。
官方授权的iyf.tv海外华人首选，第一时间提供最新华语剧集、美剧、日剧等高清在线观看。
growthninja.click – Mobile version looks perfect; no glitches, fast scrolling, crisp text.
Superb blog! Do you have any helpful hints for aspiring writers? I’m hoping to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you suggest starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m completely confused .. Any ideas? Thank you!
Sertraline USA: generic zoloft – buy zoloft
http://neuroreliefusa.com/# neurontin price south africa
growthrouter.click – Navigation felt smooth, found everything quickly without any confusing steps.
seonexus.click – Mobile version looks perfect; no glitches, fast scrolling, crisp text.
вакансия тшо вакансия тшо .
我欲为人第二季官方认证平台，专为海外华人设计，24小时不间断提供高清视频和直播服务。
growthninja.click – Navigation felt smooth, found everything quickly without any confusing steps.
I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you make this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz reply as I’m looking to design my own blog and would like to know where u got this from. thanks
growthrouter.click – Overall, professional vibe here; trustworthy, polished, and pleasantly minimal throughout.
Skycrown online casino – top choice for Australian players
My spouse and I absolutely love your blog and find most of your post’s to be exactly I’m looking for. Do you offer guest writers to write content for you? I wouldn’t mind writing a post or elaborating on some of the subjects you write with regards to here. Again, awesome site!
seonexus.click – Appreciate the typography choices; comfortable spacing improved my reading experience.
leadmatrix.click – Appreciate the typography choices; comfortable spacing improved my reading experience.
戏台在线免费在线观看，海外华人专属平台结合大数据AI分析，高清无广告体验。
Бонус за депозит щедрый, вейджер x30 адекватен, но новичкам лучше начать с небольших сумм.
Iver Therapeutics: ivermectin 1 cream 45gm – ivermectin 500mg
官方授权的iyftv海外华人首选，第一时间提供最新华语剧集、美剧、日剧等高清在线观看。
gute wettseiten
Also visit my web blog; sportwetten System Strategie (Slavejko.vlatkopetrovturnir.mk)
愛壹帆海外版，專為華人打造的高清視頻平台AI深度學習內容匹配，支持全球加速觀看。
Вывод из запоя в клинике формируется на основе последовательных процедур, направленных на стабилизацию физиологических функций и устранение токсических влияний. Такой подход позволяет корректно регулировать состояние пациента и контролировать интенсивность симптомов. Рабочие алгоритмы включают оценку метаболических процессов, анализ соматических показателей и определение степени неврологических изменений. В результате создается структурированная модель помощи, ориентированная на восстановление адаптивных возможностей организма. Процессы выполняются под контролем специалистов, что обеспечивает прогнозируемый терапевтический эффект и снижает вероятность осложнений.
Ознакомиться с деталями – срочный вывод из запоя кемерово
I really like it when people come together and share opinions.
Great website, continue the good work!
leadmatrix.click – Overall, professional vibe here; trustworthy, polished, and pleasantly minimal throughout.