A Fresh Start

No razzle and dazzle tonight...here is day 7 of the 31 day writing challenge.

Writing Prompt – A man must convince his lover that moving and a fresh start is best.

Jake sat, with his head in his hands. He knew that the conversation that was coming was not going to be easy. It was going to take every bit of persuasion that he had to get Ryan to move but he knew he was right. Wandering around their condo, he read the email for the millionth time, double the pay. DOUBLE the pay and the job he had always wanted but he knew convincing Ryan to leave their family and friends was not going to be easy but damn it he wasn’t asking him to move to another country, yet. He started trying to get his thoughts together because glancing at his watch, Ryan should be home in about half an hour. Hmmmm…maybe I should ply him with wine first. Not a bad idea, rushing into the kitchen he desperately scanned the wine rack looking for Ryan’s favorite. Ahhh perfect, one bottle of sparkling muscato left. Putting it in the blast chiller, he scrounged around for something to pair with it. Pulling out a plate, he gathered the last of their brie, grapes, strawberries, gouda, apples, and water crackers. This should definitely make Ryan happy. Heading back over to the wine rack, he look for a back up, just in case one bottle was not enough. Hmmmm, red muscato it was going to have to be. Everything ready, Jake continued to pace. He was so excited about what this could mean for their future and he just hoped he could get Ryan to see the potential.

He heard the key in the lock and went to the door. He could keep the smile off his face, and as soon as Ryan came in he grabbed him and kissed him deeply. Ryan was shocked but pleased with his enthusiastic welcome home and leaned into the kiss, running his hands down Jake’s back. Pulling back a little breathless, Ryan whispered, “Are you going to talk to me or fuck me because I know there is a reason behind that greeting.” Jake laughed, kissed him on the forehead and took his hand. Leading Ryan into the living room, he took his bag from him and headed into the kitchen. He reappeared with the tray of goodies and the wine. Ryan was seated on the sofa and looked a little apprehensive. “So what gives? I know I didn’t forget our anniversary, so what brought all this on, on a Tuesday no less?” Jake sat, poured the wine and looked at Ryan with deep intensity. “Please hear me out, completely before you say anything.” Ryan gulped his wine, nervous about whatever was coming. Jake began, “You know how much I have wanted to be an editor. I have dreamed of the opportunity to work for Penguin books for a long time. Well, I found out they had an opening for a junior editor and I thought I would take a chance and apply. I know I should have told you but I didn’t think anything would come of it. Well, they contacted me a month ago and wanted to do a video interview with me. I still didn’t think anything would come of it, so I kept my mouth shut and did the interview. Then two weeks ago, they contacted me and wanted me to come in for a face to face interview. The senior editor was going to be in Dallas, and decided that it would be the perfect time to interview me. I flew up on Friday and interviewed with her. She is just so lovely and bright and charming and everything I ever hoped for in a potential boss. I still didn’t say anything because well I didn’t want to get my hopes up and saying it out loud made it so real,” Jake paused to take a drink of wine. Ryan sat stunned and Jake could see the glimmer of hurt in his eyes. Taking a deep breath he continued, “So I got a call today from Isabelle and she offered me the job. ME! Can you believe it? She wants me to be a junior editor in the young adult division of Penguin books. Do you know what this means baby? Do you?” Ryan sat down his wine and leaned in and kissed Jake, “Of course I am not surprised that they want you. Your are very talented but why don’t you tell me what the catch is? I know you and I know that there is a catch to all of this, otherwise you would have told me all of this from the beginning.”
Jake finished his glass of wine, poured them both another and said, “The job is in Seattle and they want me to start in three weeks. I have to give them an answer by Thursday.” Jake prepared for the explosion and was shocked by the utter silence. Ryan leveled his gaze at Jake and said, “Let me get this straight, you want us to pick up and move in three weeks to the other side of the country? You want us to move away from our HOME and FAMILY and FRIENDS to fucking hippy country? HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?” Jake rallied, “Hear me out on this, please. I swear I didn’t deliberately do this to deceive you. I didn’t honestly think I would get the job. But baby I did, I got the job I have always wanted and I have so much opportunity to move up. They are going to pay me DOUBLE, did you hear me DOUBLE what I am making now, and that is to start. Within two years I could be making double that. This will give us the financial freedom to do so many of the things we have been wanting to do. Now I know that it isn’t home but well we both know, the west coast are a lot more welcoming to gay couples than Texas. Also, this would give us the financial ability to start our family. You could even take off the first two years with the baby like you wanted to do. I know that moving is going to be hard but we can still visit and they can visit us.” Jake had dropped to his knees in front of Ryan, begging, “Please baby, I can’t do this without you. I want this for me but I want this for us. A fresh start, a new place, new memories, no exes to be jealous of, no nosy parents dropping in all the time, no more pinning vacations on pinterest but actually taking them, no more worrying about commissions. I looked at schools there and they are desperate for teachers. You can take your pick of schools. Please, please tell me you will think about it.”
Ryan reached out, cupping Jake’s face, “This really means this much to you? You would really make enough for us to start our family? Really?” Jake kissed Ryan’s palm, “Yes, yes , yes to all of the above and I swear if we hate it, we will move back here as soon as my contract is up. I just need to give this a shot. I need this as much as I need the air I breathe and as much as I need you. I can’t live with the what ifs. SO what do you think?” “I think that we have a lot to work out but when we exchanged our vows, I said I was with you no matter what. So, now start over and tell me everything…….”

The Close Escape

Like anything else, this is definitely something that takes work and commitment.  I find myself at times, thinking of making excuses about why I can't do the blog tonight (rather pathetic when I am only on day six) but I keep making myself log on to the computer and do it anyway.  I probably didn't pick the greatest month to decide to do a 31 day writing challenge but I did and despite long hours at work, illness, and the general I don't wannas I am going to stick with it.  I am going to look for a few that take some more thought and effort to do soon but for now, here is day 6 of the 31 day writing challenge.

Prompt: Describe your getaway from the scene of a crime.

I stand in the shadows, breathless at what I have just witnessed.  Did I really just see that?  Easing my cell phone out of my pocket, I try to capture a picture of the criminal.  I quietly step further back into the shadows, my heart is hammering so loud I swear he has to be able to hear it.  For some reason my mind is clear enough to worry about my phone giving me away, so I quickly silence the ringer.  Staring at the killer groping around the body, I realize it is just a matter of time before he makes his escape.  I need to move and quickly.  Backing away, I am afraid to turn my back to him, I inch further and further up the street.  When I think I may be far enough away to turn my back safely, I turn and run.  Glancing back, I see no one.  Heart hammering, I look around and still see no one.  How is it possible that there is NO ONE around?  In a city this size and every person is somewhere else now?  My heart is in my throat as I glance back and realize that there is someone after all and they are moving swiftly towards me.  I break out into a full sprint, the air is ripping out of my lungs, and I am not sure how much longer I can go.  The blood rushes in my ears and I cannot distinguish my footsteps from the others.  I see lights ahead and pray to God that there are people.  I chance a glance back and see that the figure is closer.  I round the corner and see my salvation; a couple is getting out of a taxi.  I run full tilt, knowing that this maybe my last chance.  Throwing myself into the back of the cab, I yell an address at the startled driver.  I lean back my lungs screaming for air, I feel the bile rise in my throat.  I slowly turn and see the face of the killer as he turns the corner, eyes locking on to mine.

What Remains

It is funny how, at times I struggle to keep my writing impersonal.  I have a tendency to create characters that are somewhat reflective of people I know, or even myself.  So far in this challenge I have used familiar places but haven't created a character that is based on the familiar.  Writing win!  Here is installment 5 of the 31 day writing challenge.

Prompt:

_______ always said he did not believe in ghosts until he saw _______ on that _______ night in the middle of _________.  He said it was the smell of _________ that made him realize …

Blake sat, hands shaking and tried to explain what had happened to his Mom.  Blake always said he did not believe in ghosts until he saw his Dad on that crazy night in the middle of the hospital room.  The smells of vanilla tobacco, Old Spice, and the earth that always seemed to linger around his Dad made him realize that he was not losing his mind.  Blake watched as his Dad approached Michelle and their newborn son.  His Dad stood and looked at his first grandson, born just weeks after his death.  Blake stood mesmerized and unsure what to do.  His Dad had obviously not realized he was there and Blake just wanted to drink in his image. The realization that his Dad was still with him and with his new son lifted his spirit in a way Blake could not even imagine.  The only problem now, was trying to make his Mom believe him.  His Mom looked at him and in the way, a mother only can, she knew.  She reached for his hands and looked him right in his eyes, “You saw your Dad didn’t you?”  Blake jerked back, “How did you know?”  “Oh honey, I feel his presence too, and if anything was going to keep him here it was the baby.  He was so excited and happy; he just couldn’t hang on long enough.  I knew he would find a way to see him.”  “  I did see him, the night Alex was born.  He stood over him and just smiled.  It was his smell, there was never anyone that smelled like him.”  “  I know baby, just remember that no matter what those that love us never really leave.  Their memory, love, and legacy remain.”

Just a Little Curveball

I have written something on this prompt before (that I had only shared with one other person) and decided to revisit the prompt.  This isn't the same story that I wrote previously, just the same prompt.  I hope you enjoy, day 4 of the 31 day writing challenge.

Prompt: Write a story that takes place entirely on one square foot of tile – a kitchen, pool, wherever you like.

Angie stood at the bathroom sink trying to gather her thoughts.  Glancing at her watch, she wasn’t sure if she had been in there for minutes or hours.  10 minutes, wow, just 10 minutes.  It felt like longer.  She looked up at her reflection, wondering if she looked different.  Surely when your life changes like this, you look different right?  Peering closely, she could see no change other than the obvious signs of tears.  She could hear voices in the other room but she just didn’t know if she was ready to go out there yet.  As she stood, she felt a pain in her hand and realized, looking down, that she was gripping her cell phone so tightly that she was surprised she hadn’t cut herself.  Letting go, she felt the life drain from her and sunk down to the floor.  All she could think was what now…what in the hell do I do now?  How do I explain this?  I do I deal with this?  How did I get myself into this mess?  There was a soft knock on the door and she heard the voice of Dave, her fiancé, “Honey, is everything ok?  Our guests are waiting.”  “  I’m fine.  I will be out in a minute,” she replied, surprised by the steadiness in her voice.  She heard Dave as he headed back to the living room and she took a few deep breathes before picking herself up off the floor.  Turning on the water, she ran cold water over her wrists and onto a washcloth.  Pressing the cloth to her eyes, she hoped she could minimize the evidence of her tears and pulled open her makeup drawer.  Pushing her raging thoughts back down, she fixed her makeup and readied herself to rejoin everyone.  Just as she reached for the door, her phone rang again.  Looking down she saw the number and sighed.  “I can’t talk right now.  Dave and our guests are waiting for me,” she whispered.  “Fine but you can’t put me off forever,” the harsh voice barked.  “This isn’t going to simply go away.”  “I know, damn it!  Now let me go and I will call you back.”  “  Make sure you do, they’re dead because of us, and we have to figure out what to do next.”  She heard the dial tone and put her phone down.  Plastering on a smile, she went out to have dinner with her future in-laws.

Night Visitor

There is a post that I have seen on facebook and on pinterest that I find interesting and creepy.  The post consists of many (25 I think) of the scariest/creepiest 1-2 line "stories."  I thought I would take one of those as my "prompt" for this post.  Enjoy, day 3 of the 31 day writing challenge.

Prompt: There was a picture in my phone of me sleeping. I live alone.

Kaci laughed as she snapped another picture of Elizabeth attempting to ride the mechanical bull.  She loved girl’s night out, if for no other reason than it gave her plenty of opportunities to take silly pictures of her friends.  Sides hurting from laughing, she snapped another picture as Elizabeth tried to stand after being thrown off.  Snorting with laughter, she gave her best friend a hand as she left the pit and they headed back to the table.  The other girls gave Elizabeth a round of applause as they finally made it to the table and laughing they ordered more drinks.  As the evening progressed, Kaci snapped picture after picture.  Some of the girls began to grumble, “Kaci you never let us take your picture!  Why do you always end up with all of the incriminating photos?”  Snickering to herself, Kaci just smiled a wolfish grin and snapped another picture.  Elizabeth leaned over and snatched her phone away.  “Hey!  Give that back!”  “  Not until I see what pictures, you have in here.  I may need to delete some of them.”  The girls began to toss the phone from person to person, as they scrolled through the evidence of the night’s events, always keeping it just out of Kaci’s reach.  “Oh my God, Bella you have to see this picture!”  Jen chortled.  Bella snatched the phone away, “Oh hell no!  That one definitely needs to be deleted!”  “  Don’t delete it,” Kaci cried.  “I don’t post them.  I just like having the memories.”  Bella relented and kept scrolling.  “Hey!  You have been holding out!  When did you start seeing someone?”  “  What are you talking about?”  “  Umm hello…the picture.  Someone that is obviously intimately involved with you took it.”  Reaching for her phone, Kaci was completely confused.  As she looked down at the screen, she felt her blood run cold.  “Kaci….Kaci….ummm Kaci.  Are you ok?  You look like you have seen a ghost.”  Kaci held the phone out to Elizabeth.  As Elizabeth looked down at the image she heard, Kaci say, “There is a picture in my phone of me sleeping, dated last night.  I was alone last night.”

A Parent's Wish

So here is installment two of the 31 day writing challenge.  Today definitely felt better than yesterday.  I don't feel as rusty.  Who knows, perhaps this will kick start me back to writing my novel.  I hope you enjoy!

 

 

Prompt: My father always wanted me to be __________ but my mother always said I should be ____________.

Josh sat staring into his glass of Chivas, replaying the last week.  He couldn’t believe that his Dad was gone.  The man that he had looked up to, had aspired to be was gone.  He felt Carla’s hands begin rubbing his shoulders but he just couldn’t shake the sadness.  “Honey, do you need something?” she murmured in his ear.  “No, yes, I don’t know.  I just feel so lost.  I love my Mother, as much as she can be loved but I just can’t get past this feeling that this is her fault.”  “  Why do you say that?”  Josh swigged down his drink and reached for her hand.  “Did I ever tell you what my parents wanted for me when I was a kid?  I remember being 8 years old and my Dad telling me all he wanted for me in life was to be happy….my Mother?  Yeah ... well all she wanted was for me to be rich.  I never understood her obsession with money and status.  My Dad worked himself to the bone to make her happy and he swore that he was happy but I don’t know if I buy that.  He had no interest in cars, houses, country clubs, or any of the drivel that my Mother found so important.  He did it to make her happy.  Why do I say that this is her fault?  Because I think, he died of a broken heart.  I think that he worked and worked and never was able to live up to her idea of the perfect husband.”  “  Oh honey, I am sure she loved your Dad and was happy.  Your Dad always seemed happy when he was here.”  “  Here?  Oh yeah he was happy when he was here.  He told me once that his children were his life and joy, well until his grandkids came along.  Too bad we all got the hell away from Mother as soon as we could, which also meant that we abandoned him as well.  Maybe this is our fault as much as hers.  If we had been there for him then perhaps it would have given her someone else to criticize other than him.”  Carla massaged his shoulders and tried to hold on to her composure.  She had never realized the depth of his anger towards his mother.  She had always known there was a strain there but his mother was always perfectly pleasant…well maybe she had been too pleasant.  His dad on the other hand had been warm and genuinely caring.  The kids adored their Grandpa and she dreaded having to tell them he was gone.  She watched her husband pour himself another drink and realized he only drank when he was dealing with his Mother.  Funny, she hadn’t put two and two together until tonight.  Half turning, Josh pulled Carla around and buried his face in her stomach.  Sighing, he flashed to the joy on his Dad’s face when he became a Grandpa for the first time.  Josh couldn’t contain himself any longer and began to weep.  Clinging to his wife, he wept for his Dad.  He wept for himself.  He wept for his children.  He wept for his sisters.  He wept.  But, he shed not one single tear for his mother.

An Echo in the Hall....

So a couple of friends of mine completed a 31 day writing challenge a couple of months ago.  It was inspiring to see them write their blogs (and read about the books that they love) and complete the challenge.  They did theirs on the books that they love/influenced them but I think that I am going to kick this off with a 31 day blog challenge of creative writing.  I will eventually do the books that I love and I have a couple of others that I am tossing around doing as well but I really wanted to kick off the new year by getting my creative side flowing again.  I do so much writing for school (which I do enjoy) but rarely make the time to write for the love of the craft.  So this is me...making the time to do something that I love.  If you have a writing prompt or something that you would like to challenge me with, please feel free to send it my way!

Prompt 1:

“The echo of shuffling footsteps….”

Samantha stood leaning against the wall of her cubicle sipping her peppermint tea and watching the traffic on the freeway.  Sighing, she looked back over her shoulder at the mounds of work still stacked on her desk.  She had been hoping to be out of here by now but looks like it wasn’t in the cards for her today.  Glancing at her watch, she saw it was almost 9 pm.  She put her mug down on her desk and headed for the door.  As she reached for the door, she thought she heard her papers rustle on her desk.  Glancing back everything looked in order.  Shrugging and chalking it up to the heat kicking on, she reached for the door handle.  Heading out of her office to the ladies room, Samantha became aware that the entire building was empty.  What the hell?  I thought these guys would be here until at least 10 and now there was no one around.  Why did this always give her the creeps?  She can be in her office alone but the whole building?  Yeah, she didn’t like that much.  Hurrying down the hall, she promised herself she was going to finish up her current reconciliation quickly and get the heck out of there.  She ducked into the handicap stall of the bathroom and pretended like she wasn’t completely weirded out right now.  Just as she reached to flush, she heard the elevator start its ascent to her floor.  Oh good, so maybe I am not the only one here after all.  Finishing up, she headed for the door and pulled it open.  Stepping out into the hall, she caught movement out of the corner of her eye but when she looked, there was nobody there.  “Hello?  Is someone here?”  Samantha heard nothing but the faint echo of footsteps in the lunchroom.  She stood, unsure if she wanted to check it out or run back to her office.  Deciding that she just wanted to get the hell out of there, she walked quickly back to her office.  Keying in her code she heard the footsteps again.  Heart hammering, she turned and again nothing.  Jerking the door open, Samantha lunged inside and pulled the door shut.  Dashing over to her desk, she clocked out and grabbed her purse.  Steeling herself, she pushed open the door of the office and ran for the stairs.  She sprinted down the steps and out to her car.  Locking herself inside, she tried to calm herself down.  Looking back up at her office, she stifled a scream as she saw the blinds snap close and the shadow of a person shuffle out of her cubicle.