Those are lovely. But strange. All alone. Wonder where they came from.
It’s so he can find her.
Who?
The fisherman.
Fisherman? What are you going on about?
Everybody knows the story. He went out the day before his wedding. Never came back. I guess she cracked cause later she walked into the sea. Left her wedding bouquet on the shore, so he’d know where to find her. Just in case he ever came back. Ever since, her flowers show up every year.
Oh no. That’s so sad!
Hah! Got ya. You’re such a sappy sucker. They grow all over.
Staring out the window, I search for the final line of my verse.
Through the looking glass
Beyond the land of wonder
Alice …?
Alice cries for home? Alice mourns for me?
I need to move away from the glass. I can’t focus. Every sound, any little movement, and I’m sure it’s her. Finally. Home for the holidays. She said she’s not interested, but she’s just confused. I can change her mind. Explain things. Show her my words. Convince her she’s meant to be with me. Mine. Forever.
Esther’s Writing Prompt (GLASS) immediately brought Alice in Wonderland to mind and then the Friday Fictioneers photo skewed Wonderland into an even creepier space.
Waiting for my cue, I practice my smile. It feels wrong. Too forced. Too white against the gray pallor of my skin.
I try to shake off my doubts. I am the heir apparent. It is my heritage.
But some nights it’s too much. It’s like a giant squid has me wrapped in its tentacles. It squeezes and squeezes and whispers “birthright” in my ear, but I don’t feel lucky. I feel like it’s trying to drown me.
But it’s too late for second thoughts. The crowd chants my name as I once again claim my birthright.
The umpire’s ruling rang in my ears as it triggers an endless overlapping loop in my mind: I am in control, this is why I practice, treasure this moment, unless you blow it, I won’t, you might, I can’t, gratitude, I need to channel gratitude, this is my chance, someday I’ll tell stories about this moment, I’ve got to shoot my shot, I won’t blow it, I will not blow it.
The whistle blows time and I swallow my last chug of Gatorade.
It tastes slightly medicinal or maybe that’s just the bitter edge of my nerves as I step onto the court and take my shot.
Boy oh boy, that serve had some extra spice on it folks, but was it in or out?
Thanks to FOWC (RANG), Sunday’ Six Sentence Story (SPICE), and the Sunday Whirl (SEE BELOW) for some great words that inspired me to show off my lack of tennis (or pickle ball?) knowledge.
This Fandango Friday Flashback post was originally part of a FOWC from on October 17, 2018! I failed to say what that original prompt was and Fandago’s domain has changed, so who knows? My bad.
Whatever it was, I worked it into my blog for an upcoming trip. I cannot believe that it’s been seven years since we embarked on this crazy driving epic! It turned out to be a an eventful and fun trip. I blogged the whole adventure, so for anyone who may be interested in some random road pics, history lessons, art museums, music memories, middle of the night fire alarms, rants about the orange one, and BOOTS, you can find them all here:
You can also find some other travel adventures via my TRAVEL tab. Although, sadly the realities of life have reduced our travel life considerably. Oh well. I’m happy to say we are no longer stuck in Florida, so I don’t need to drive to the Fall. It finds me!
So please enjoy my happy (and some not so happy-I’m looking at you MAGA) memories and if you can please support your local NO KINGS events.
Today’s prompt from FOWC inspired me (one could say it prompted me) to say a few words about the road trip that begins when my husband and I rise Thursday morning at the beautifully dark hour of 4:30AM and hit the road by 5:30.
“Where ya headed?”
Glad you asked. We are going north to escape the endless summer that has wrapped Florida in its deadly grip. We seek the Fall! Memories of cute boots and scarves and blue jeans and sweaters beckon.
“Come to me!!” They call.
“Wear me.” They tease.
“Wrap me.” They whisper.
I am tingling with excitement.
Oh and I get to see friends and family too. So it’s a win-win.
Of course this road trip includes a giant triangle of driving—South Florida to middle Illinois to Washington DC to south Florida—so it’s possible I’ll change my mind about the win-win. But for now I’ve got the pod casts downloaded and the play lists set.
Here we come autumn!
Updates to follow 🎃 but here’s a haiku to keep you warm till then. It’s not great but … BOOTS!!
Tina Stewart Brakebill 