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.
I have been surfing online greater than three
hours nowadays, yet I by no means found any interesting article like yours.
It is lovely worth enough for me. Personally, if all webmasters and bloggers made excellent content as you probably
did, the net will probably be a lot more helpful than ever before.
Valuable information. Fortunate me I found your website by accident, and I am shocked why this accident didn’t came about in advance! I bookmarked it.
Вывод из запоя показан при:
Получить дополнительную информацию – narkolog-vyvod-iz-zapoya murmansk
mexico medicine online pharmacies in mexico My Mexican Pharmacy
was bedeuten quoten bei wetten
My web site: alle wettanbieter im vergleich
What a material of un-ambiguity and preserveness of precious familiarity about unexpected emotions.
Nice blog right here! Additionally your website rather a lot up fast! What web host are you the use of? Can I get your associate hyperlink for your host? I desire my website loaded up as fast as yours lol
best pet rx: pet drugs online – pet pharmacy
fantastic points altogether, you just gained a brand new
reader. What may you suggest in regards to your post that
you made some days in the past? Any positive?
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to
be actually something which I think I would never understand.
It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me.
I’m looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!
bester bonus sportwetten
Stop by my web-site … Ausbildung buchmacher
В Башкортостане хоккей ассоциируется с «Салаватом Юлаевым». Клуб прошёл долгий путь к славе и стал символом силы, традиций и единства региона. Подробнее здесь: https://all-new-events.livejournal.com/184754.html
I am really loving the theme/design of your site. Do you ever run into any browser compatibility problems? A number of my blog readers have complained about my website not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Opera. Do you have any recommendations to help fix this issue?
https://vetfreemeds.shop/# dog prescriptions online
Hi there, You’ve done a great job. I will certainly digg it and
personally recommend to my friends. I am sure they’ll be benefited from this
web site.
Big thanks for putting your opinion out there — it matters
Hi there, this weekend is good designed for me, for the reason that this occasion i am reading this fantastic educational post here at my home.
This platform exceeded my expectations with low fees and fast transactions.
gratis bonus sportwetten geld zurück erfahrungen
https://vetfreemeds.shop/# dog medicine
purple pharmacy online ordering: best pharmacy in mexico – My Mexican Pharmacy
лазерный принтер в наличии (Лазерный принтер – идеальное решение для быстрой и четкой печати документов. | Лазерные принтеры превосходят струйные по скорости и экономии тонера. | Хотите лазерный принтер купить? Широкий выбор моделей по доступным ценам! | Лазерные принтеры купить легко в нашем магазине с гарантией качества. | Купить лазерный принтер – значит инвестировать в надежность и производительность. | Заказать лазерный принтер онлайн – быстро и без лишних хлопот. | Лазерный принтер цена радует: от 5000 руб. за базовые модели. | Узнайте лазерный принтер стоимость – выгодные акции для всех покупателей. | Ищете лазерный принтер недорого? У нас лучшие предложения! | Лазерный принтер купить недорого – реальность с нашими скидками до 30%. | Дешевый лазерный принтер не уступает по качеству печати. | Бюджетный лазерный принтер для дома и офиса – оптимальный выбор. | Лазерный принтер купить онлайн в 2 клика с доставкой. | Заказать лазерный принтер онлайн – удобный сервис 24/7. | Лазерный принтер интернет магазин с тысячами отзывов. | Интернет магазин лазерных принтеров – ваш надежный партнер. | Лазерный принтер каталог: фото, характеристики, отзывы. | Лазерный принтер в наличии – забирайте сегодня! | Лазерный принтер с доставкой по России бесплатно от 5000 руб.)
Hello, I believe your site could be having browser compatibility issues.
When I take a look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in I.E., it’s got some overlapping issues.
I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up!
Apart from that, great site!
Этот сборник информации привлекает множеством мелких деталей и необычных ракурсов. Мы предлагаем взгляды, редко полезные, но способные немного разнообразить знакомство с темой.
Подробнее читать – мефедроновая зависимость
You could certainly see your expertise within the article you write.
The sector hopes for even more passionate writers
like you who are not afraid to mention how they believe.
Always go after your heart.
Аппаратные методы кодирования включают лазерную терапию и электростимуляцию биологически активных точек, влияющих на центры зависимости в головном мозге. Эти методики способствуют быстрому формированию устойчивого отвращения к спиртному и хорошо переносятся пациентами.
Подробнее можно узнать тут – http://kodirovanie-ot-alkogolizma-odintsovo2.ru/
Wow, this article is fastidious, my younger sister is analyzing
these things, therefore I am going to tell
her.
Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the images on this blog loading?
I’m trying to find out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog.
Any feed-back would be greatly appreciated.
I am regular visitor, how are you everybody? This article posted at
this web page is really pleasant.
Pretty! This has been an extremely wonderful article. Thank you for supplying this information.
No matter if some one searches for his necessary thing, thus he/she wants to be available that in detail, therefore that thing is maintained over
here.
certainly like your web site but you have to test the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling issues and I find it very bothersome to tell the truth then again I will surely come back again.
Having read this I thought it was rather enlightening. I appreciate you finding the time and energy to put this content together. I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!
I personally find that the checking analytics process is simple and the seamless withdrawals makes it even better.
Если присутствуют судороги, галлюцинации, выраженная спутанность сознания, боли в груди, нарушения дыхания, неукротимая рвота, критические скачки давления, подозрение на тяжёлую интоксикацию или состояние резко ухудшается волнами, домашний формат может быть рискованным. В таких случаях врач объясняет, почему безопаснее стационарное наблюдение, и помогает организовать дальнейшие действия. Это важная часть профессионального подхода: цель не «сделать услугу любой ценой», а снизить риск тяжёлых последствий.
Выяснить больше – https://narkolog-na-dom-pushkino12.ru/narkolog-na-dom-kruglosutochno-v-pushkino
топ моменты приключения в дороге
A motivating discussion is definitely worth comment.
I believe that you need to write more about this subject, it may not be a taboo subject but typically people don’t talk about these topics.
To the next! Cheers!!
https://amzn.asia/d/0iLm7rge
I’d like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this
website. I’m hoping to see the same high-grade blog posts from
you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired
me to get my own, personal site now ;)
Do you mind if I quote a couple of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to
your blog? My blog is in the exact same niche as yours and my users would truly benefit from a lot
of the information you provide here. Please let me know if this okay with you.
Regards!
https://vetfreemeds.shop/# canada pet meds
It’s an amazing piece of writing in favor of
all the web visitors; they will take advantage from it I am
sure.
Группа препаратов
Углубиться в тему – https://narcolog-na-dom-ekaterinburg000.ru/vrach-narkolog-na-dom-ekb/
vet pharmacy: VetFree Meds – pet prescriptions online
http://mymexicanpharmacy.com/# pharmacy in mexico that ships to us
заказать лазерный принтер (Лазерный принтер – идеальное решение для быстрой и четкой печати документов. | Лазерные принтеры превосходят струйные по скорости и экономии тонера. | Хотите лазерный принтер купить? Широкий выбор моделей по доступным ценам! | Лазерные принтеры купить легко в нашем магазине с гарантией качества. | Купить лазерный принтер – значит инвестировать в надежность и производительность. | Заказать лазерный принтер онлайн – быстро и без лишних хлопот. | Лазерный принтер цена радует: от 5000 руб. за базовые модели. | Узнайте лазерный принтер стоимость – выгодные акции для всех покупателей. | Ищете лазерный принтер недорого? У нас лучшие предложения! | Лазерный принтер купить недорого – реальность с нашими скидками до 30%. | Дешевый лазерный принтер не уступает по качеству печати. | Бюджетный лазерный принтер для дома и офиса – оптимальный выбор. | Лазерный принтер купить онлайн в 2 клика с доставкой. | Заказать лазерный принтер онлайн – удобный сервис 24/7. | Лазерный принтер интернет магазин с тысячами отзывов. | Интернет магазин лазерных принтеров – ваш надежный партнер. | Лазерный принтер каталог: фото, характеристики, отзывы. | Лазерный принтер в наличии – забирайте сегодня! | Лазерный принтер с доставкой по России бесплатно от 5000 руб.)
I constantly spent my half an hour to read this web site’s content all the time
along with a mug of coffee.