the sun sisters want to rock me
but I fell into the ocean spray time after time
I need a resolution, a remedy now
faster than the speed of sound
I ride wild horses on a mandolin wind
listening to my heartbeat
it’s a mad world at the last chance texaco
if you got the money the yellow taxi
will take you there
to feast on berries just for one minute
one word alert
I’m lazy and these hands
would write vows
but it’s too late to apologize
you had the time of your life
free falling in your wildest dreams
I will follow you into the dark
because this is how you remind me
I’m surrounded and can’t find my way
home
Category Archives: The Pen
Dreams
Carry On Tuesday Prompt: “Dream on, for dreams are sweet:”
dream purple mists and strange music
on an island of solitude
for healing comes only when searched for
dreams take us where heart wants to go
are we in control
sweet release of pain to feathers floating on morning sun
Photo by spodzone
Post Five Hundred
Carry On Tuesday #8 on a Thursday and Sunday Scribbling #171 Indulgence
I re-worked this a bit. One paragraph had the word listen in it six times – that’s what happens when I write late at night 🙂
This is my FIVE HUNDREDTH post. I have lived here in the blogosphere since March 2006. That’s 40 months, or 160 weeks, or 1120 days, or approximately a post every other day. Who knew I had that much to say.
This little place has changed since the beginning. I’ve had several themes (getting bored with this one so a change is imminent) , and the focus has changed depending on where my eyes happened to be pointing at the moment. I’ve written about my opinions on whatever. Thought out loud, which can be a bit dangerous! There were the dark times when Dale was so sick and I poured it all out here and held on by my fingernails.
I’ve posted little computer notes on things I’ve learned, I’ve talked about my faith, chronicled “The Great Kidney Transplant”, recipes, pictures, thoughts about books I have read, whatever sparkled and caught my eye – it landed here. Thanks Tony, for setting up the blog, for encouraging me to write, and for always patiently answering my unending questions. This one is for you.
Tomorrow Light #2
It’s been a month since I crept up to the barn and saw the computer under the floor.  If it gets weird here, I’m gone. These days things are crazy. You just never know.   Glenna and Tom had been kind and I help with chores. Glenna has been teaching me how to knit and a little cooking. This week she started teaching me how to play the piano.
There was no lesson today though. The house was clean from top to bottom and I was helping Glenna in the kitchen. There were people coming and they would be hungry she said. I thought it was crazy for others to know where we lived but Glenna smiled and said sometimes we have to trust folks or we might be safe but there won’t be much point to being alive. I’m not sure what I think about that. I saw some pretty bad stuff happen before I came here and I’m not jumping in and trusting anyone.
Tom has been out in the barn all day putting benches out. Some, he built this morning out of logs. He set up some sawhorses and boards to make a table to set food on. Glenna says some folks will bring food. I’ve been chopping and peeling all day. We are using fresh vegetable out of the garden that won’t keep anyway. That at least makes sense to me.
Most everything is done and Glenna said I should take a nap. People won’t get here till after dark. I’m not a baby for Pete’s sake. I climb up to the loft just to make her happy. I like it up here. There’s a little window to let in some sunlight and a quilt that has reds and yellows in it. Tom let me have some blocks and boards up here for a shelf, and Glenna gave me some books. Ain’t. (I mean ‘I haven’t’, Glenna says I need to stop saying ain’t) had books for awhile and when I did they were mostly hunting and fishing books belonging to Pa. My favorite right now is Jane Eyre. She is a poor kid staying with rich family and they are mean to her but she has this whole other life going on in her head. The rich kids are hateful and think they are so much better than her because she doesn’t have money. I like her a lot more than her stupid cousins. I laid down with my book and the sun is warm coming through the little window. Next thing I know, I’m waking up and the lanterns are lit downstairs.
I climb down the ladder and see Glenna setting out the bowls of food to take to the barn.
“Well hello, sleepyhead!” She says. I’m glad you got some rest. Do you want to help me take these out to the barn?” Before we start loading up the bowls there is a sound at the door.
“Is there anybody there?” said the traveler, knocking on the moonlit door.
My heart’s pounding and I am ready to run out the back but Glenna smiles and says “I’d recognize that voice anywhere!” She opens the door and hugs the stranger as he steps inside. “Come in Tony. It’s been too long!”
He has dark shoulder length hair, pulled back in a pony tail and he’s carrying a guitar case. Glenna had told me he came when they gathered and he would play his guitar and sing. Tthe music was important. “Hi there.” He said to me, smiling. He had a kind smile.
“Was your trip hard?” Glenna asked? He looked a little tired.
“I had to stay off the roads during the day. North of here there was a group of people on foot that looked like they hadn’t eaten in awhile. I hid out in the woods until they passed. They didn’t look friendly.”
Glenna looked concerned. “Which way were they heading?” She asked.
They were on the east road that heads out of town. Soldiers passed in a truck and I didn’t see them any more after that.” He said.
A look passed between them and then they looked at me and got that look grownups get when they remember I’m in the room.
“If you want to clean up a bit, you know where everything is. We are going to take these to the barn and we’ll be back for more.” Glenna told him.
“Sounds good! I’m hungry and those look like vegetables from your garden.” He said.
“There is plenty. We’ll see you in a minute.” Glenna said as we went out the door towards the barn with bowls and serving spoons.
The barn was transformed! There were lanterns hung around the walls and people were all smiling and hugging and talking at one time. There were already plates and bowls on the makeshift table. People took the bowls from us and put them on the table and there were kids giggling up in the hayloft. They were all hugging and greeting each other. Finally we headed back to the house for the rest of the food.
“Do you remember everything I told you about tonight?” she asked me.
I nodded. She had told me that we didn’t ever mention the computer but that tonight was important because we would get a new password. I had heard about the internet and how before everything changed, anyone could talk to anyone else and pass information back and forth. Now the N.U.S.A. had control and when people can’t talk to each other, they have no way of knowing if what the government tells them is true. No one says it out loud but everyone knows they lie. You don’t need a computer to figure that out.
Glenna told me that now they had small groups of people that could only talk to each other and then only if they had the password. There were a bunch of these ‘darknets’, she called them and each group could only talk to the people in their network. When I asked her how they could connect to each other she smiled and called me ‘one smart cookie’. She said before the world lost it’s mind, cables were laid all over the place. If you had to dig a hole and put one cable in, it wasn’t much extra trouble to put in several cables. There were thousands of fiber cables that were never used and mostly forgotten. They were being used now.
We went back to the house and got the rest of the food and Tony walked back to the barn with us. When we set the food on the table, Glenna smiled at Tom and he put his fingers to his mouth and whistled. Everyone stopped chattering and Tom said a blessing, thanking God for letting everyone get there safe, for providing food, and good friends, and asking Him to keep blessing us. Everyone said Amen and started filling plates and passing them around. I got me a plate and found a seat on a box back in a corner so I could watch.
The flickering lantern light threw shadows around the barn and reflected in smiling eyes. Men talked about weather and traveling. Women talked about their kids and food and health as they ate. Kids finished eating first and ran around the barn or hid behind mothers who fussed at them to settle down It wasn’t mad kind of fussing because they would smile indulgently. I didn’t run with them but it was nice to see them having fun Kind of made me sad about my own mama. Silly, how can I miss someone I don’t even remember.
Empty bowls and plates were stacked in a metal washtub for later and Tony pulled out his guitar and started to tune it. Everyone settled down and got quiet as he strummed a few chords. He played a few songs that some of the older folks must have known, because they sang along. They asked him to play one of his own songs. I watched Glenna sit quietly as he began to play.
He picked out the first chords and I heard the word ‘dark’ and my ears perked up. Glenna sat quietly with her head leaned toward the music and as he sang the chorus the second time through she sang it with him. She had explained how the password would be in the music. I was just beginning to learn but I knew there were eight notes in an octave. At some point the lyrics would mention the word ‘dark” and those who knew what to listen for would memorize the chorus and later transcribe the notes in the chorus as numbers.
Just a group of folks getting together, eating and enjoying some music. No law against that. Tony played a few more songs after that as families loaded up and started home. I helped Glenna start cleaning up and Tony packed up his guitar. I was walking next to him going back to the house. I looked up at him and said “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure” He said.
“How did you figure all this stuff out?” I asked.
He smiled. “Music is just math out loud.” He said.
Glenna asked him if he could stay but he said he had to move on. There were others to sing for and miles to go. He looked at me and grinned. “I think I’ll be seeing you again.”
I hoped so. I wanted to learn more.
To go back to the beginning : Part One
Stealing Time #8
Cassie and Kell slept for a few hours, then got up and dressed. Cassie packed a few necessities in her backpack. Kell had noticed that she always carried the pack but had never paid attention to what she put in it before.
“Prepared for emergencies?” He asked.
“I learned after a few jumps to try to have a snack and some clean clothes with me all the time.” She grinned as she stuffed a tee shirt for him into the bag.
They locked up and walked down to the coffee shop where they saw the computers for public access. While Kell logged in, Cassie went to the counter and got them two coffees. She held out Kell’s coffee and asked him what he had found.
“Look at this!” He said. “I knew I had seen this before. It’s like a twisted figure eight. It’s the symbol for infinity. There’s more here.” He said as he clicked another link. The next site told them about a man named Mobius that the Mobius strip was named for. It showed a strip of paper, twisted, then formed into a loop with the ends taped together. If you were physically able, you could run your finger all the way around, touching both sides of the paper strip without ever taking your finger from the paper.
“That’s cool. So do you think that’s how time works?” Cassie asked.
“I have no idea but maybe? It makes sense doesn’t it? We think of time as a straight line, moving in one direction with a beginning and an end.” Kell said thoughtfully.
“The next question I would ask is did your mom know? Did she ‘jump’?”
“If she did, why didn’t she tell me? We never made any jumps either.” Cassie said.
Kell cleared the history and logged off. “I don’t know Cass, maybe she thought she would have more time.” He stopped, thought and for a moment. “Have you ever jumped to a specific time?”
“No. It seems like a portal opens when there is a need, like when you were in danger of being killed by the explosion at the center. I don’t know what will happen next…or when.” Cassie said as they walked out the door.”
They walked along thinking and talking, not really paying attention to where they were going. The sky was clouding up. Kell realized they were standing across the street from the Community Center. “Look at the poster Cassie!”
She turned and looked at him and followed his line of sight. In the front window of the Community Center was a poster showing a large picture of the cold eyed man who was cutting a ribbon on a new facility. “We have to get close enough to see what it says.” Kell said.
“We have to be careful though – according to the newspaper date we are only two years into the future and we have no way of knowing if you are still involved with the center or their reaction after the explosion.” Cassie said.
“I know, but I think it’s important. It’s about to start raining. I’ll put up my hood and keep my head down. Just a fast look! You walk down this side of the street for a few blocks and I’ll meet you.”
“Kell…okay. Just be careful!”
Kell put up his hood and strolled across the street. There was a light drizzle falling now. Cassie forced herself to stop watching him and walked up the street. She pretended to look in store windows as she watched his reflection as long as possible. It was hard to keep going without looking at him but she didn’t want to attract attention to him. As she started up the next block Kell came up from behind and fell into step beside her, taking her elbow. His mouth was set in a straight line and his eyes were blazing. “What did it say?” Cassie asked him.
“Just keep walking for a few minutes while I try to calm down!” he said. Kell was walking rapidly with his head down and Cassie was having trouble keeping up. She pulled him down a side street into a doorway.
“Tell me. Now!” She said.
Kell took a deep breath. “That man, that Jack Maxwell…he is buying the Community Center! They are renaming it The Maxwell Center!”
“He just keeps showing up! Kell things are looking a little weird…” Cassie said.
It was raining harder and now there was some lightening and thunder. “We’re going to have to get inside soon.” Kell said.
“I don’t think so” Cassie said pointing a little to the north. There were birds all whirling together, trying to stay in one place in the wind. “I think we better head that way.”
“Oh man, not really ready to do this again!” Kell said. but he let Cassie pull him towards the spot under the birds. They were getting soaked but they kept going. A man called out as he ran down the street from the direction of the center.
“Run!” Cassie said and they took off. They ran up some concrete steps and the wind was getting stronger. “Have you ever done this in a storm before?” Kell had to yell now.
“Doesn’t matter! Let’s go!” The air was doing the shimmery thing again and they held hands and just before the guy following them came around the corner, they jumped.
The heat and humidity hit them like a cloud of steam. They weren’t near the Community Center anymore. They weren’t any where Kell recognized at all!
“I have no idea where we are!” He told Cassie.
“I do.” She said. “We’re near my gran’s house. We’re in New Orleans.”
Promises, Promises
one word prompt: vows
They wrote their own vows as was the fashion just then. He would love her forever. she would cherish him always. He would take care of her. She would love and support him. Who knew how long forever would seem.
***
There were promises and vows that she made to herself. Vows that promised she would not live her entire life with this misery. He never understood her, never tried. She was tired of his harping about money, the house, the kids, couldn’t she do anything right?
***
He had made vows to her when they got the news. He vowed he would not let her have pain, would not let her linger in limbo. Vowed that he would never forget her and see that the kids remembered too. she made him vow that he would marry again and not wallow.
***
She took her vows and went into the cloistered life. She never wanted to end up like her mother, sad, bitter, disappointed in the world and old before her time. She would never depend on man for her life, love, fulfillment. She had a better way.
***
He vowed if he ever got out of this cell he would get clean and go see his dad. He vowed on his mother’s grave that he would make things different, better. He would marry the girl, get a job, buy a home. He would join the world.
***
Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/ronsho/
The Dating Game
Sunday Scribbling prompt #170 : human
She dressed with care, having discarded dresses that were too short, too revealing, not sexy enough, made her look fat. She had finally gone shopping, blew a weeks pay on a little cocktail dress and shoes to match. Got it zipped, where are those earrings?
Two weeks ago she had made the decision to go ahead and sign up for an account on eLove.com and she had filled out her profile of likes and dislikes and what she looked for in a man. Hmmph, breathing, single, heterosexual, and employed. She really wasn’t that fussy. The website promised an experience that was out of this world. She had splurged on a manicure and pedicure, had her roots touched up, She slipped on her shoes and examined herself in the mirror. Not too bad.
The mirror showed a slightly middle-aged woman with thinning hair, a little bit of bulge and skin no amount of moisturizer would make look nineteen again, dressed to go on the prowl. She saw an attractive, put together, vital creature in her prime, ready for love. She put on her Luscious Wine lipstick, blotted her lips on a tissue and grabbed her little purse with her mad money, I.D., pepper spray, and breath mints tucked in the bottom.
Last week she had checked her inbox and there was an email notifying her that someone had checked her profile and wished to meet. There was a link to click on to see his profile and respond. she clicked it and was pleasantly surprised. He wasn’t bad looking, had all his hair. He had beautiful green eyes and a nice smile. He liked traveling, having new experiences, learning new things. He listed his business status as consultant. That sounded like it paid well and when she suggested they meet at Brocatto’s he didn’t bat an eye. She decided to use some of her bill money on a taxi instead of taking the bus. She wanted to make a good impression on what could be her future and smelling like some of the riff raff on the bus was not her idea of classy.
She took one last look around the apartment. She had dusted all the knick knacks and arranged her lacy pillows just in case they ended up back here. You didn’t plan on that, at least for the first date but you never knew. There hadn’t been a man here since Ted and he didn’t even stay long enough to get the tour. He finished and half dressed mumbling something about dark bars as he made his exit. He had never even called back. Riff raff!
The cab honked and she locked her front door and entered the cab telling the driver the address. He dropped her at the door and she stepped into the foyer. She gave the Maitre ‘d the name of the gentleman she was meeting and he escorted her to a secluded table in a quiet corner. Great place for quiet conversation. He stood as she got to the table and held out his hand. They exchanged pleasantries and he held out her chair for her. He ordered a bottle of wine and they talked quietly. The waiter came and she allowed him to order for her. She didn’t care what she ate, she was salivating thinking about her rosy future if she could work this right. She wouldn’t have to worry about the bill money she had spent and she could quit her crappy little office job.
When the soup came she carefully placed her napkin in her lap and took a taste. It was wonderful, nothing like the cafeteria food she was used to. She looked across the table as she raised her face from her soup just in time to see the worm looking thing from his mouth retract leaving an empty soup bowl behind. His green eyes glittered and glowed and spun as they bulged from his head and then sunk back into their orbits. He smiled, or at least she thought he did. How does one know, after all?
The waiter came to remove the soup bowls. He had ordered her the special House Salad, prepared with fresh greens and the Chef’s own special dressing. He said he preferred to watch her enjoy her meal and the soup was all he required. He made small talk while she savored the salad. There was an odd flavor to the dressing that she couldn’t quite identify. It was delicious though. She felt very comfortable and found herself chatting about her life and job and for some odd reason it didn’t bother her that his eating habits were a bit well, inhuman. She chuckled to herself, thinking that her preferences for a mate had not included human. It was confusing why that didn’t bother but the salad was so good, she had the urge to lick the last drops of dressing from the bowl. He nodded and smiled as though he read her thoughts and even held the bowl up for her.
He paid the check and took her elbow to guide her out of the restaurant. On the street she was thinking his travels and wondered if they were on this planet. He suggested they go for a walk and she just grinned and signaled her acquiescence. They strolled down the street and turned down a lane that was not as well lit. She giggled, ready for his kiss and just as the strange proboscis extended from his mouth toward her eye, she screamed.
One word: Surround
One Word prompt: Surround
The wind was blowing so hard I could hardly stand, but still I pushed ahead hoping to get to the next block, to shelter, to a place behind closed doors before whatever was blowing in on this storm could surround me.
When Is a Prize Not a Prize?
One Word prompt : Ticket
The contest promised adventure, excitement, and maybe romance to be found on this weekend trip to the island. As the passengers disembarked and looked around blinking in the bright sunlight they saw what looked like cattle trucks backed up to the tarmac. When she gave the steward her ticket she never meant to sign on for this.
Stealing Time #7
It’s dark, fog brained, pitch. What is that sound?? Where am I? Kell struggled up from sleep, trying to make sense of the messages his brain was sending him. He felt around the bedside table next to him and found the lamp and turned it on. “Wha….Cassie, baby, what is it?” Cassie was standing in front of the window, arms wrapped around herself, eyes wide open, staring at nothing. The sound coming from her made goosebumps on Kell’s arms.
He jump. stumbled to her and tried to put his arms around her but it was like hugging an ice sculpture. He spun her around so he could see her face. “Cassie, talk to me! I’m right here. It’s ok!” Kell rubbed her arms and touched her face and she slowly closed her eyes and leaned against him, shaking and limp.
“Give me a minute” she said. She was ice cold and pale. Kell pulled her over to the bed and sat down, still holding her. Tears were streaming down her face now.
“Was it him again?” Kell asked.
“Yes and you too. You looked so…I don’t know, bereft! I couldn’t stand it. And he was smiling, happy.” Cassie cried. “I hate him! He’s there when I’m awake and shows up when I’m sleeping. This time my mother was there too. I wish I knew what it means, what he wants!”
“I know. So do I.” Kell was rocking her like a child now, holding on to her, warming her. Her robe had slipped down off her shoulder and he pulled it back around her. The shaking had stopped and her color was coming back. He bent his head down to kiss her on the forehead and as he did she turned her face up to him. She had stopped crying.
“Do you think you can go back to sleep? It’s too early to get up.” Kell asked her.
“I think so. I’ll try anyway.” Cassie answered. “Could you get me a drink of water?”
“Sure, be right back.” Kell said.
Kell went to the kitchen to get her a glass and when he came back, Cassie was already in bed. He realized the robe was on the floor. She sat up with the sheet wrapped around her and took the glass from him. He got in the bed and waited. They had been through so much lately, he didn’t want to misunderstand. She set the glass on the nightstand and scooted down in the bed till she was laying down face to face with him. “I love you” she told him. “I’m sorry about, well everything. I feel like it’s all my fault somehow.”
Kell reached for her and folded her in his arms. “If it hadn’t been for you I would have been killed. You didn’t ask for this. It’s happening to both of us.” He said.
“But maybe if I hadn’t come looking for you, you wouldn’t have been in danger to begin with.” She whispered.
“You can’t know that. Maybe the man would have come looking for me and you wouldn’t have been there to warn me. I’m glad you found me . We are going to figure this out.” he said. “Whatever happens we will face it together and someday we will be looking back at all of this and it will be nothing more than a great story to tell.”
As he finished talking, Cassie smiled and kissed him. “I want somedays and I’m glad I found you.
This time Kell kissed her and the kiss, at first tentative, grew to more, and they held on to each other and to the love that had come with them through time. For a little while they left the fear behind and time stopped for them.
Later they talked quietly. Kell remembered he meant to ask Cassie about her medallion. “You never take it off. Where did you get it?”
“It belonged to my mother. Before she died she took it off and gave it to me. She had worn it as long as I could remember and she told me to never take it off.” she told him.
“It looks familiar to me. I think I’ve seen that symbol before. Maybe we could stop by that coffee shop with the internet cafe and search for it tomorrow. It feels important somehow. It looks a little like a figure eight” he said.
“I never thought about the symbol meaning something.” she told him, shrugging her shoulders.
“What happened to your mother? Did she get sick?” Kell asked her.
“No, it was a car accident. She was called in to work on a Saturday and someone ran her off the road. I called her job when she didn’t come home and they said they hadn’t seen her. I got a neighbor to give me a ride and retraced her regular route. If I hadn’t been looking, I wouldn’t have seen her car. It was a big drainage ditch and the trees and shrubs around it hadn’t been cleaned out in awhile.” she told him. The driver of the other car never stopped. She was still conscious when I got to her but she was hurt so bad….. I still miss her.” She said. “I was seventeen.”
“Cassie, when did you start uh, ‘time traveling’?” Kell asked.
“Not long after that.” she said.
Stealing Time Part 6
No prompt – just story.
Kell and Cassie quickly scanned the article under the picture of the man. Kell flipped back to where it was continued and they read on. “This says he is a businessman from New Orleans and he’s planning on investing in this community where he now has some of his interests.” Kell said. “It makes him sound like he’s a saint!” Said Cassie shivering.
“I know” Kell was yawning now. “I am too tired to think . The last few days are catching up with me, I guess.”
“Me too. I feel like it’s been weeks since I’ve slept.” Cassie said. “I’m tired, but I’m not sure I’m going to be able to sleep. It worries me that he is out there and knows where we are.”
“I bolted the door from the inside. If he was going to hurt us, he has had opportunities. I think he is waiting for something, though I can’t think what. Maybe if we get some rest we can make some sense of this in the morning. Do you want to shower first?” Kell was folding up the paper and picking up the sack of toiletries.
“Sounds good.” Cassie got up tiredly and took the sack with shampoo and toothpaste. A hot shower is sounding pretty good.”
“Cassie headed for the shower and Kell turned down the bed and looked in the closet. There was her robe. Now what should he do? This was weird, to find they were married. They hadn’t talked about it at all and now….well, with everything they had been through, they would face this too, he hoped. Listen to me, thinking this is something we have to face. This had always been easy before, as though they had always known each other. He took the robe off the hanger and knocked on the bathroom door.
Cassie opened the door a little and he could see she was in her underwear. He held out the robe to her and she smiled and said thanks and then froze. I’m standing here in the door in my underwear like it’s nothing, she thought. Why was this is so awkward? Now she was nervous. How did he feel? The whole marriage thing, they really hadn’t had time to talk about it, to get used to the idea. She looked at his face and his eyes caught hers and she knew it would be okay. She trusted him, and he believed in her. He had the funniest look on his face. She smiled and he grinned as though he had been waiting for her reaction. Yes, it would be more than okay. “Thanks!” She said and closed the door. She clapped her hand over her mouth as she felt the uncontrollable giggling start. It’s the stress, she thought. She stepped into the shower and let the hot water rush over her, calming her. She was tired, full, and now clean. Heaven, she thought.
She turned off the water when she was through and dried off. Using the same towel to wipe off the mirror, she combed her hair out and brushed her teeth. She hung the towel up to dry and then stopped and got a clean towel out for Kell and put it over the towel rack. She pulled on her robe and stepped out into the bedroom. Kell was sitting on the edge of the bed reading the rest of the newspaper.
“Learn anything helpful?” She asked him. “Ask me in the morning when my brain is working again.” He said. “I’m way to tired to think.”
“Your turn. I even left a little hot water for you.” She said. She saw he had turned the bed down, and that he had a clean tee shirt and boxers with him. She grinned at him as he gave a little shake and closed the bathroom door. She turned on a lamp by the bed and turned off the big ceiling light. She checked the lock on the window and shuddered a bit before pulling down the shade and making sure the curtains were pulled shut. She wandered around the room, looking at their things and wondering what it had been like, picking them out together. She yawned again and went to the bed and curled up on the pillows. She could hear the water running and Kell humming in the shower.
Kell came out of the bathroom drying his hair. He looked up and saw Cassie, sound asleep on the bed. He sighed, hung up his towel, combed his hair,and lay down on the bed beside her. He reached out and touched her face and then picked up the little medallion she wore on the chain around her neck. She never took it off and now he had the weirdest feeling. It looked familiar, like he had seen it somewhere else. He would ask her about it in the morning. He pulled the covers up over both of them and reached over to turn out the light. Cassie turned onto her side and he curled up next to her, pulling her up against him. Cassie snuggled a little closer. Kell put his arm around her and she pulled the arm closer and in minutes, Kell was fast asleep as well.
Outside in the dark, the man in the leather coat frowned. He stared up at the window where the light had been a few moments ago with hate and determination, turned on his heel and headed back down the street, whistling.
this truly is a bit rough. I need an English teacher smacking my hand with a ruler on a regular basis. I’ll go back over it later to fix it, just had to get it down before it went out of my head.
Remodelling Psycho Style
Had to give this a go – I liked this prompt Paschal. It wrote itself.
She was radiant as she came through the door. She was finally going to leave him. Things had been good at the start, but they changed over time and lately she didn’t know what to make of it. He scared her a little bit. He was always nice. Treated her with respect. He was patient and he seemed happy. At least he smiled all the time. Trouble was, the smile never moved up to his eyes. He was too controlled and she had known for some time that she was going to have to get out. Now that she had met someone, the time had come. She would tell him tonight after supper. Her bags were already packed and in the trunk of her car. Supper was cooked and on the table. They would eat, she would get through it somehow. Then she would tell him and she would be free.
He carefully pulled the screed across the last of the concrete and looked back at the new patio. It was going to be a great place to barbecue. Neil Youngs’ After The Gold Rush was playing on the stereo and and he was sweating a bit but it was all good. He was tired but he sang quietly “I was lyin’ in a burned out basement with a full moon in my eyes”. He had stayed up late to do the prep work. It took a deep hole to get her and a good sand base in before daylight. Once he had that part done he could work during the day and it was now afternoon and he was nearly finished. He was ready for a cool lemonade and a shower. He was going to enjoy this new patio. The house would go back to the way he liked it. Everything in it’s place. No one to wonder what he did in the basement at night. He might even extend this patio some more before the summer’s end.
Return Of The Reluctant Wizard
Carry On Tuesday Prompt # 7 and Sunday Scribbling # 169 Toys
“Our year is up” she said. “Will you go then?”
“I cannot stay and cannot go” He said. His eyes filled at the thought of leaving her but he missed his home and he knew he was needed. Could he deny himself and go? There was nothing but pain in this decision but he would do what he must.
He smiled at Nuala and held out his arms to her. The music was playing and they began to dance slowly, swaying with it. She laid her head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat. “You will be old again and in pain. I can’t bear it.” She sighed. “I know” He said softly. “You know my heart.” He hummed softly and began to sing with the music. “The red rose whispers of passion and the white rose breathes of love. None can compare with the beauty, of my lady and the moon above…” As he sang the last words she found her arms empty and wept.
He was in the cave again and his body that had been young and healthy for his too short time with Nuala had aged and the feelings, the aches and pains, hunger, thirst, all came upon him in waves. He slowly opened his eyes and looked around. The wall was covered with runes of protection. He knew that the cave would have been hidden by magic and so undisturbed until he returned. There was no fire and he was cold but more he needed nourishment. There would be nothing til he made his way down to the valley, to his home.
He slowly got up, saw his pack and staff, laying where they fell a year ago. He opened the pack and sprinkled the herbs that were left on the floor of the cave in gratitude for the gift of the last year and for returning him safely. He pulled on his cloak and once again took up staff and pack and set off. He had forgotten how painful each step was and he carefully and slowly climbed down from the cave, wishing for the path to be easier, but knowing that everything has it’s price and the cost for a year with Nuala would be great. His breath became labored and he was shaking from weakness but he kept going. Holding to branches, and clutching his staff he continued, nearly weeping from the struggle.
At last the ground evened out a bit and the going was not as tedious. The sun was coming up higher. He had been traveling in the half light of early dawn and was grateful for the light and the warmth. How he had missed the sun! The morning birds were waking and singing in the trees and the sounds of earth animals coming out of their burrows to greet the day. He walked on, weariness slowing him and yearning for home moving him forward. He finally reached the edge of his beloved valley and smiled as he walked just a tiny bit faster. Home was waiting.
Finally he reached the path that led to his house and as he stumbled forward, the sun was kind to him and warmed his bones, the same old bones that had dreamed of a lady in the moon. He staggered to his door and with barely enough strength to push it open, thankfully entered the home he had missed. He dropped the pack and staff and loosened his cloak. He drew some water from the old pump and drank thirstily. He toyed with the idea of eating but it would have to wait. He all but fell on his bed and slept til the sun set, knowing nothing for those hours. He woke with the moon and stepped outside his door to gaze up at the glowing iridescent orb that held his heart. It might have been his imagination, but he could have sworn that Nuala wept a tear that became a shooting star. It lit up the night sky over his valley for just a second and then as quickly as it appeared, was gone.
shhh – I’m back…
This post brought to you by the music of John Mayer:
Down to the wire
I wanted water
but I’ll walk through the fire
if this is what it takes
to take me even higher
then I’ll come through, like I do
when the world keeps testing me, testing me, testing me…
There is a storm coming in and it meant cloud cover at the track this morning so I got an extra lap in and then came home and helped finish mowing the lawn. Perspiration seems to equal inspiration 🙂 Come on sweet rain!
Like the reluctant wizard, we are never completely happy. We want and wish, and when we get, it doesn’t satisfy. We think if only…
Sunday Scribbling: Toys
My toys are all laid out to see
A list of prompts to inspire me
Computer lit up – keyboard in wait
Paper and pens’ appetite to sate
But the most important “toy” of all
The muse that keeps me in it’s thrall
My brain is dead, a dry lump of clay
No one, it seems, want to come out and play
Cassie and Kell won’t answer the door
Katie is mad at Mary Sue, once more
Glenna and John and the girl are asleep
The wizard and his lady are making out – I peeped
Do I force, ignor, make it a chore
Or let it alone, let it marinate more
Is it gone or just refusing to speak
Did it break, hide away, spring a leak?
I’m not in a panic but frustration looms
I hope that it finds its way home soon
I’ll finish this rhyme and hope for the best
I’m afraid I’m failing if this is a test
One Word: Event
Forgot to post my One Word attempt yesterday. The word was event and the site gives you one minute to write before the little timer “dings”
They don’t call it a heart attack anymore. Nowadays, it’s a cardiac event – like something you send out invitations to and clean up the house, maybe hire a caterer and bartender. Maybe they think it sounds less scary but you can pretty it up all you want with words. It’s still an insult to your life.
Early Morning Track Ponderings
One Word this week was track
I try to go to a local walking track at least three days a week. I go at 7 and the Texas summer is telling me I may need to go earlier. I started this morning with Spirit In The Sky playing in my ears, setting the beat, the cadence as I move around the track even though muscles are complaining. Thinking about spirit. The human spirit.
A minute isn’t long enough for two miles of thinking. I have to come back and revisit this.
Okay, where was I. Spirit In The Sky, warm day. I’m walking along, swinging my arms. Twice around is two miles. The song starts me thinking about the human spirit – isn’t that a misnomer? Human equals flesh – spirit, God. My misbehaving, undisciplined, flesh, complaining, moaning, whining it’s way around the track, down the path, on the journey.
I start out moving to the song, the music keeping the speed until my body settles and muscles loosen and I fall into rhythm with comfortable ease. About halfway through the walk the comfort isn’t quite as comfortable and I look at the shoe prints in the sand ahead of me and just follow those footprints still listening to the music knowing the goal is worth it. The killing the flesh, struggle to be stronger, healthier. Can’t get there without some pain. There’s pain – arthritic feet but you walk through it, past it.
Sometimes there is shade and a cool breeze. The walking is pleasant. I’m on the path and the path is smooth and easy on my feet. Other times the shade is gone and the sun beats down and I’m sweating and wishing I was somewhere else and I could be, it’s a choice after all. Sometimes I choose wrong but the path is always there and I come back. There is some ugly trash along the path but also beautiful flowering trees. Others walk the path as well. We nod and speak and all keep walking.
The track is not far from where I live but it isn’t exactly at my home. I have to act to get to it. I have to choose to get in my car and drive there. I choose to listen to the music and keep walking, putting one foot in front of the other, finish the race, claim the prize, complete the walk.
The spirit moves us, not our spirit. We move along the path, track, onward on the journey, wherever the spirit takes us, flesh dying, spirit moving, til we can go home. Trials on the way and joys too. Never alone, spirit always with us, nudging, prodding, waiting, speaking if we listen. Waiting for us to choose, listen, move, obey, and then come home.
Sunday Scribbling Vision and Carry On Tuesday #5
The italicized text in the first sentence is the prompt for Carry On Tuesday. and Sunday Scribbling prompt #168 is Vision
Tomorrow Light #1
A lantern light from deep in the barn shone on a man and woman in the door. I shrunk deep as I could into the shadows. I couldn’t hear everything they were saying because of the wind. Then the wind let up and their words were carried through the night mist.
“Think its late enough?” The woman asked.
“Hope so, we have to chance it anyway.” The man pulled a key from his pocket and they moved deeper into the barn. The woman had a broom and swept straw from a place on the floor. She helped the man lift a piece of plywood that had been covered with the straw and together they set it aside. He knelt down and did something outside of my vision. They pulled something and a part of the floor came up. There was a trapdoor in the barn!
They both disappeared into the hole. Now what? Do I get closer? What if they catch me? Since the “New United States” had been formed people were suspicious of everyone. There were whispers of people snooping around and next thing you know, nobody is speaking about them and everything about them is just gone.
You never heard about them on the news. No sir. All the news has to say is that things are getting better everywhere since the new president. They say poverty is being eradicated, whatever that means. Seems to me that everyone I know is poor. Maybe that’s what they mean. No one is any poorer than anyone else.
Ain’t no insurance anymore either. The government news talks about medical care for all but it don’t mention nothing about having to wait so long to see a doctor that you die of old age if whatever you got don’t kill you.
I should know. That’s what landed me here in the first place. Pa got a cough that just kept getting worse and by the time he got to see a doc it was too late. Guess he knew all along because he taught me stuff about taking care of myself. I grew up in the country so I knew a lot of stuff already. Ma died when I was little so it had been me and him long as I could remember so I knew how to cook and do chores. Knew a little first aid. He showed me plants you could eat in the woods, and stuff you could use for medicine.
He’s been gone two weeks and I found this farm a few days ago. I’ve been hiding at night in the woods behind and slipping up just before dawn and stealing a little from the garden. They have fresh tomatoes, I haven’t had anything so good in awhile. Tonight I had been heading to my hiding spot when I heard the man and woman talking and eased back up closer to see what I could find out. He spoke nice to her and she smiled at him a lot.
I crawl closer til I’m just outside the door. I can hear muffled voices coming from under the floor. I’m sweating and shaking but I can’t stand not knowing. I get closer and closer trying to be silent.
I am right there now and peep over the edge. I bite my lip so no sound comes out. There in that hole is a computer. My pa told me about them. Everyone used to have one and they could read stuff and talk to each other. I always wanted to see a real one but the government had shut down the internet for regular folks. Only people that had it now were government or a group of folks the government called Downloaders. They hunted them and rounded them up. Sometimes there would be a news story about them and according to the news, they were the root of everything wrong these days. Sucking up all the fossil fuel and something they called bandwidth. They were accused of stirring up trouble and they would be taken for relocation and rehabilitation. Pa would always snort and say “Never thought the country would come to this.” Then he’d turn off the tv and refuse to watch it for days.
Sometimes when we were fishing he would talk about the old days. He never talked about ma though. I guess it still made him sad. I’m laying here just thinking and watching and the man and woman are huddled together in front of the screen. I can’t see it but there must be someone there because a voice is coming from speakers next to it.
“Good to see you, Tom. Hasn’t been much news from the south lately. Looks like you’re almost completely cut off.” The voice said.
“We’re having to be more careful. There’s been a lot of New United States Army trucks on the roads lately. No one is saying much and we’re all staying off the roads. Don’t want to attract their notice when we have no idea what they are up to. “ The man said.
“How’s Lani and the boys?” The woman asked.
“Doing ok, Glenna. Thanks for asking.” The voice said. “Our littlest has a cough, but now that spring is here he seems better. Lani misses you”
“Glad to hear they are ok. You give them my love, Wes.” The woman named Glenna told him.
“What about you and Tom?” He asked. “You holding up ok? How’s the garden?”
“Wish we could send you some fresh vegetables.” John told him. “Glenna canned some vegetable soup for next winter.”
“Lani would love that. She craves salad and she always loved Glenna’s cooking. She worries the boys aren’t getting enough healthy food but no one is these days. You stay safe and try to get word to us if you learn anymore about those N.U.S.A. trucks.”
“Will do,” John said. “Same to you and Lani and the boys.”
The screen glow changed colors so voice man must be gone. Time for me to move. I start to inch back and a loose piece of straw falls and lands next to the keyboard. The man was shutting the thing down and he and Glenna both looked up at the same time. Forget being sneaky. I jumped up and ran for it but I guess all the sleeping in the woods and eating stolen scraps hadn’t done me any favors, because fast as I was, the man was much faster. I was almost to the edge of the circle of light outside the barn when he grabbed hold of a fistful of my shirt and backpack and I went down.
I wasn’t taking any chances on how nice they were. I came up kicking and scratching and he just wrapped huge arms around me and lifted me all the way off the ground. I still fought but there wasn’t much I could do. I didn’t yell. because who was going to come? No help that’s for sure. I f anyone did come they might be worse than what I had gotten myself into with these two.
I kicked out and he let out a little yelp of pain and backed into the barn door. Soon as we were inside, Glenna shut the door and stood in front of it holding the broom like a weapon. “Don’t try it.” She said, shaking her head. My escape cut off, I settled down. Guess I was going to have to play like I was scared (which wasn’t to hard to do) and watch for my moment.
“Why Tom – it’s a little girl! What are we going to do now?”
He asked me if I was going to be quiet and not try to run. Said he would let me loose if I promised. I nodded my head and he turned loose of me. I dashed off a few feet, rubbing my arms where he had nearly squashed me. I stood there looking at them with my arms crossed.
The man asked me “What’s your name?”
“Where’d you come from?” Silence.
I just stared at him. What difference did my name make? The woman was looking at me, eyes all full of pity. I knew I had lost weight and I needed a bath.
“Tom, she looks like she’s starving. We have to feed her” She said softly. Tom frowned and sighed. “Let’s get you in the house and I’ll draw some bath water. You’re covered in mosquito bites and if you don’t get clean you’ll get an infection and I don’t want some dead kid on my conscience.” The thought of food and a bath! I can always take off later. I nodded and said thanks. Glenna opened the door and the man kept his hand on me like I might take off if he turned loose and I followed them inside.
A look passed between them and I couldn’t tell what they were thinking. Tom had a helpless look on his face and Glenna was smiling at him like she had just gotten a present. Maybe they aren’t so bad and they DO have a computer.
Cassie and Kell are telling me their new story right now – they will be back soon 🙂
Stealing Time #5 Sunday Scribbling
Sunday Scribbling prompt was absurd.
Cassie and Kell walked down the street. The street was familiar and yet it wasn’t. Subtle differences caused by time. “Look! The Community Center is still there!” Kell exclaimed.
“Maybe we shouldn’t get too close until we know a little bit more about this time.” Cassie said thoughtfully.
“You’re probably right.” said Kell as he glanced around and behind him uneasily
They turned down a side street and headed toward a line of shops. There were people strolling down the sidewalk. Some were looking in windows, some talking, and some sharing a cone from the ice cream shop. About halfway down the street they spied tables and chairs at an outdoor cafe.
“There! Let’s see if they have pizza. I know I could think more clearly if my stomach wasn’t growling!” Cassie said. Cassie and Kell walked down to the cafe and went to the window to place their order. There was a chalkboard menu to the left of the window and thank goodness, pizza was listed. Cassie looked at Kell and he grinned and turned to the tattooed, pierced, and bored looking teenager behind the counter. “Two slices of Pineapple and Canadian Bacon Thin Crust and two bottled waters please.” he said.
After he had paid, they found a table and chairs in the shadows and sat down to eat. Neither one spoke for a few minutes, too busy chewing and licking melted cheese from their fingers.. Cassie reached out and stole a piece of bacon from Kell’s pizza, “Hey!” he laughed. The smile kind of died on his face. It seemed so absurd to be sitting here eating pizza as if all were normal.
“Maybe we need to figure out what we know and then work on what we don’t” Kell wiped his mouth with a napkin and took a swig of water. We know we are in the future, but we don’t know when.”
“And we know you are supposed to do something – but we don’t know what.” Cassie added. There has to be a reason for my dreams and my uh, ability.”
They finished their water and bundled up their trash and threw it in the can by the counter. “Come on, lets get a newspaper and some supplies and head back.” Kell grabbed Cassie’s hand and they headed down the street to the drugstore. They picked up a paper, and some toiletries, coffee and breakfast bars for in the morning. Kell paid for their purchases and they headed back towards the apartment.
The sun was getting lower and more people were out walking. Cassie and Kell strolled with the crowd, taking their time. As they neared the apartment, Cassie glanced in a window as they passed and saw a face reflected that stopped her in her tracks. Kell stopped and turned to her and saw where she was looking. As he peered at the window he too saw a face in the crowd that was looking directly at them. It was there for a second and by the time Kell whipped around to see the real person, the face was gone. Cassie still stood frozen in place. Kell grabbed her ice cold hand and rubbed it. One look at her pale face told him that the face was the one from her dreams. “Come on Cassie, lets get inside!” Cassie stumbled blindly, as Kell pulled her along. He unlocked the door and then relocked it once they were inside. He flipped on the light and dropped the shopping bags on the table. “Cassie, talk to me baby! Sit down here, come on, are you ok? We are safe now. We’re inside and he’s gone!”
Cassie slowly sat down and sat at the table shaking. “It was him. He is here and he terrifies me. I don’t even know why, Kell!” She looked up at him. “I’ve only dreamed of his face. How can a dream face scare me so badly?”
“Cassie, I’ve never even dreamed of him and it scared me. There was something about those eyes. They were so cold, even though he was smiling. We can’t let him freak us out though. You got us this far Cassie. You’re the bravest person I’ve ever met. We can get through this!” Kell, held onto her hands as he spoke.
“That’s the longest speech I’ve ever heard you make, Kell.” Cassie let out a long sigh. “Ok, we can do this. I’ll try not to freak out too often.” As she spoke, Kell picked up the newspaper that was rolled up in the bag and laid it on the table. They both looked at the paper and there on the front was a picture of the man they had just seen on the street.
One Word
Another blogger mentioned this site in a post so I went to play. It’s called One Word. You click go and a word appears at the top of the page and your cursor appears in a space where you write on the prompt for a minute. When the minute is up you get a message telling you to finish your sentence and click submit. You enter your email and your entry will show up on the site. Don’t enter your email and it will be deleted when you click submit. New word everyday. Fun. Here is mine for today
Raft
they floated down the river and the sun was nice and warm. Too bad she would never know. She was laid out in the bow with a bullet through her pretty head. She would never tell him how to paddle again. She would never tell him that he didn’t know how to load the car right. She would never again tell him every single thing that came into her mind that said he was not good enough – would never be.