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.
1win ставки на Dota 2 1win79230.help
esport wetten deutschland verboten
Visit my site – buchmacher Test (http://www.E-Vikariat-nordkirche.de)
I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz answer back as I’m looking to design my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from. kudos
капитальный ремонт здания капитальный ремонт здания .
Great delivery. Great arguments. Keep up the amazing spirit.
Paragraph writing is also a excitement, if you know then you can write if not it is complicated to write. https://cryptoboss353.top/
Hi, after reading this amazing article i am as well happy to share my knowledge here with mates. https://cryptobossmacher.top/
Great article, exactly what I needed.
fensterreinigung innsbruck
игровые автоматы играть бесплатно и без регистрации Widest Gambit С первого взгляда Widest Gambit погружает нас в атмосферу шахматной партии. Игровое поле представляет собой стилизованную шахматную доску, а символы на барабанах – это не просто абстрактные изображения, а узнаваемые шахматные фигуры: пешки, ладьи, кони, слоны, ферзи и короли. Дизайн выполнен в характерном для Play’n GO стиле – яркие, детализированные изображения, плавная анимация и высококачественная графика.
https://ivertherapeutics.shop/# Iver Therapeutics
For newest news you have to pay a visit web and on web I found this web site as a finest web site for latest updates.
Outstanding quest there. What happened after? Take care!
stromectol for sale: stromectol drug – ivermectin generic cream
Unquestionably believe that which you said. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the web the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while people think about worries that they just don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people could take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
You should be a part of a contest for one of the finest
websites on the net. I’m going to recommend this web site!
Wow, that’s what I was exploring for, what a material!
existing here at this website, thanks admin of this web site.
I always used to read piece of writing in news papers but now as I am a user of web therefore from now I am using net
for articles, thanks to web.
Страницы результатов поиска Widest Gambit “Widest Gambit” от Play’n GO – это захватывающее путешествие в мир стратегии и азарта, где каждый ход может привести к крупному выигрышу. Этот игровой автомат предлагает уникальный игровой опыт, сочетающий в себе классическую тематику с современными инновациями, что делает его привлекательным как для опытных игроков, так и для новичков. Разработчик Play’n GO вновь демонстрирует свое мастерство, создавая игру, которая выделяется на фоне других слотов своей глубиной и продуманностью.
строительные нормы и правила rekonstrukcziya-zdanij.ru .
爱一凡海外版，专为华人打造的高清视频平台，支持全球加速观看。
海外华人必备的yifan平台，提供最新高清电影、电视剧，无广告观看体验。
I’ve been active for almost a year, mostly for portfolio tracking, and it’s always stable performance.
爱一帆海外版，专为华人打造的高清视频平台，支持全球加速观看。
我欲为人第二季平台结合大数据AI分析，专为海外华人设计，提供高清视频和直播服务。
Online casinos real money Australia – bonuses worth claiming
1xbet промокод на фриспины
Online casino Australia 2025 – latest legal updates and sites
Эта статья погружает вас в увлекательный мир знаний, где каждый факт становится открытием. Мы расскажем о ключевых исторических поворотных моментах и научных прорывах, которые изменили ход цивилизации. Поймите, как прошлое формирует настоящее и как его уроки могут помочь нам строить будущее.
Кликни и узнай всё! – https://sweetmacshop.com/2021/11/15/cream-pie-macarons
игровые автоматы играть бесплатно и без регистрации Widest Gambit Игровой процесс в “Widest Gambit” построен на базе передовых технологий, обеспечивающих плавность и стабильность работы. Несмотря на кажущуюся простоту, слот предлагает множество возможностей для формирования выигрышных комбинаций. Специальные символы, такие как Wild и Scatter, активируют дополнительные бонусные функции, значительно увеличивая шансы на крупный выигрыш. Бесплатные вращения и множители добавляют игре динамики и непредсказуемости, заставляя сердца игроков биться чаще.
I’m amazed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s both equally educative and interesting, and without a doubt,
you’ve hit the nail on the head. The issue
is something not enough men and women are speaking intelligently about.
Now i’m very happy I found this in my hunt for something concerning this.
Эта информационная заметка предлагает лаконичное и четкое освещение актуальных вопросов. Здесь вы найдете ключевые факты и основную информацию по теме, которые помогут вам сформировать собственное мнение и повысить уровень осведомленности.
Изучить аспект более тщательно – https://gymsfixer.com/best-full-body-workout-machine-home-gym
Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites
I stumbleupon every day. It will always be exciting
to read through articles from other authors and use a little something from their sites.
sportwetten tipps erfahrung
Feel free to visit my web site :: Basketball-Wetten.com
Excellent items from you, man. I’ve remember your stuff
prior to and you’re just too magnificent. I really like what
you’ve received here, really like what you’re saying and the best way by which
you are saying it. You’re making it entertaining and you still take care of to
stay it wise. I can’t wait to read much more from you. That is actually a tremendous site.
neue sportwetten seiten
Feel free to visit my website: Online wetten Schweiz legal