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.
canadian pharmacies: CertiCanPharmacy – canadian pharmacy online ship to usa
Большинство семей приходят к мысли о лечении зависимости не сразу. Сначала всё выглядит как «случайные переборы по праздникам», потом алкоголь или наркотики становятся привычным способом снять стресс, забыться, пережить неудачи. Постепенно запои учащаются, человек пропадает на несколько дней, появляются долги, проблемы на работе, конфликты в семье. На этом этапе многим кажется, что обращаться в наркологическую клинику в Лобне ещё рано, что можно «взять себя в руки» и как-то остановиться. Но практика показывает обратное: чем дольше затягивается момент обращения к специалистам, тем тяжелее протекают запои, тем глубже страдает здоровье и тем сложнее вернуть человека к стабильной трезвости.
Подробнее тут – narkologicheskaya-klinika-lobnya
Чтобы лучше ориентироваться, в каких жизненных ситуациях особенно важно не игнорировать проблему, удобно представить их в виде типичных сценариев. Это помогает и самому человеку, и его близким осознать, что происходящее уже вышло за рамки «обычной усталости» или «случайного перебора». Ниже перечислены распространённые случаи, когда обращение в наркологическую клинику особенно актуально:
Подробнее можно узнать тут – http://narkologicheskaya-klinika-moskva11.ru/chastnaya-narkologicheskaya-klinika-v-moskve/https://narkologicheskaya-klinika-moskva11.ru
livescore für Sportwetten live Tipps
mostbet покер http://mostbet43926.help/
kombiwetten rechner
Also visit my homepage :: beste Wettanbieter
안녕하세요, 이 대단한 단락을 읽고 나서 저도 여기서 제 친숙함를 친구들과 공유하게 되어
행복합니다.
Actually no matter if someone doesn’t understand
after that its up to other viewers that they will assist, so here it takes place.
мостбет натиҷаҳо http://www.mostbet43926.help
Hello everyone, it’s my first visit at this web site, and article is genuinely fruitful in favor
of me, keep up posting such articles or reviews.
There is definately a lot to learn about this topic.
I really like all of the points you made.
30с41нж запорная арматура https://sibzta.su/catalog/zadvizhki-klinovye/zadvizhki-stalnye/30s41nzh/
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I get
in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I will be
subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently rapidly.
установка фильтра в систему вентиляции Профессиональная установка и монтаж систем вентиляции. Гарантия качества, доступные цены и быстрый выезд специалиста.
1win как пройти верификацию http://1win52609.help
of course like your website however you need to test the spelling on quite a few of your posts.
Several of them are rife with spelling problems and I
in finding it very troublesome to inform the truth on the
other hand I will definitely come again again. https://link.epicalorie.shop/misty86e111192
http://mymexicanpharmacy.com/# My Mexican Pharmacy
If you want to increase your experience just keep visiting this site and be updated with the newest news
update posted here.
мелбет казино скачать мелбет казино скачать .
What you said made a bunch of sense. However, what about this?
what if you added a little content? I ain’t suggesting your information isn’t good., but what if you added a post title to maybe get people’s attention? I mean Substitute (by Danielle
La Paglia) is a little vanilla. You ought to peek at Yahoo’s home page and see
how they write article titles to get viewers interested.
You might add a related video or a related picture or two to grab people interested
about what you’ve written. In my opinion, it might make your website
a little livelier.
Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it.
Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! However, how
can we communicate?
We absolutely love your blog and find the majority of your post’s to be precisely what I’m
looking for. Does one offer guest writers to write content to suit your needs?
I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on a few of the subjects you write about here.
Again, awesome site!
http://mymexicanpharmacy.com/# pharmacy in mexico
I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you?
Plz reply as I’m looking to construct my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from.
kudos
Thanks for supporting Kyle’s Football Cards on eBay! Enjoy 25% OFF your next order with code
KYLETHANKS25. Authentic jerseys, rare finds, and sports collectibles with fast shipping.
Limited time—don’t miss out!
https://fb2knigi.ru/wp-content/pages/1xbet_promokod_pri_registracii_na_segodnya_besplatno.html
Hi mates, how is everything, and what you wish for to say about this article,
in my view its in fact amazing for me.
canada pet meds: vet pharmacy – pet prescriptions online
I must thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this blog. I am hoping to check out the same high-grade content by you in the future as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my very own blog now ;)
mostbet plinko стратегия http://mostbet43926.help/
wetten internet
My page; sportwetten Lizenz (http://www.relampagocacambas.com.br)
Excellent post. I’m going through a few of these issues as well..
1win retragere prin transfer http://1win5807.help
Hello! Someone in my Facebook group shared this site with
us so I came to look it over. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this
to my followers! Fantastic blog and wonderful design and style.
beste e wallet wettanbieter
My website quotenvergleich wettbasis (Donnie)
test wettanbieter
Take a look at my web page – basketball over under wetten system
[basketball-wetten.com]
I’m not that much of a internet reader to be
honest but your sites really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your
site to come back later on. Cheers
pharma mexicana: mexican pharmacy ship to usa – mexican pharmacy
Домашние матчи «Торпедо» — это скорость, эмоции и особая атмосфера «Нагорного». За яркой игрой стоит сложная подготовка: тактика, физика и работа команды. Как рождается магия побед на льду — подробнее здесь: https://kulturologia.ru/blogs/250925/65615/
Hello to all, it’s really a nice for me to pay a visit this web page, it
includes useful Information.
모든 사람에게 안녕하세요, 모든 것이 잘 가고 있으며,
물론 모두가 데이터을 공유하고 있어서, 정말
좋습니다, 계속 글을 써주세요.
Right now it appears like BlogEngine is the top blogging platform available right
now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?
blsp at
Календарь огородников на март 2026 года
This is very interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger.
I have joined your feed and look forward to seeking more
of your excellent post. Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks!
Эта статья для ознакомления предлагает читателям общее представление об актуальной теме. Мы стремимся представить ключевые факты и идеи, которые помогут читателям получить представление о предмете и решить, стоит ли углубляться в изучение.
Где почитать поподробнее? – https://internationalmalayaly.com/2021/01/31/kuwaq-sports-fest
https://mymexicanpharmacy.shop/# My Mexican Pharmacy
You can certainly see your skills in the work you write. The arena hopes for even more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. All the time follow your heart.
1win retragere Payeer 1win retragere Payeer
mexico online pharmacy worldwide pharmacy My Mexican Pharmacy
http://mymexicanpharmacy.com/# order meds from mexico
Greetings from Carolina! I’m bored at work so I decided to browse your website on my iphone during lunch break. I love the info you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m surprised at how fast your blog loaded on my mobile .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, wonderful site!