Getaway Soon

Mind cluttered with urgent details and tasks to be done, Clara’s eyes were wide and fully awake three hours after she lay down. Sleep impossible, she groaned and begrudgingly surrendering her warm bed to get things rolling.

Dressing quickly, she brushed teeth, dabbed concealer over her bruised eye, and swept on mascara. Long blonde hair was ponytailed and pulled through the strap of a pink ball cap. Thankfully she favored large, dark sunglasses that covered up what makeup couldn’t. Keys, phone and bag in hand, she left the house.

She worked for  Best Outcome Collections, and in five years learned what people did to hide. Most important, you need cash.  $50 was withdrawn at three different ATM’s before she drove to First Federal Savings where they banked.

As she breezed in, Clara was thankful for the old law enforcement dispatcher job. She had cultivate an ability to cover emotions and make others feel comfortable. Her ponytail swung and her smile was bright so the visit wouldn’t appear abnormal.

“Jenny, how’s Avery? I hope that flu bug didn’t hit her like it did Lucy.”

She plopped her purse on the counter and quickly asked, “Do you have a withdrawal form back there? I’m getting Lucy a puppy for her birthday and the guy selling the dog only takes cash.”

Jenny responded, “That’s exciting! What kind of dog?”

“Oh it’s the cutest little wiener dog.”

Jenny slid the form across the cool granite counter, Clara filled it out and slid it back.

“$300? That’s a great deal. We spent $500 on Max, but it was worth it. Avery just loves him.”

Jenny ran the transaction, counted the cash and put enveloped it.

Clara turned and smiled over her shoulder as she waved, “Later Jen!”

$450 gave her some room. Secretly pleased about the “Rainy Fund” she started after Shane’s first outburst. Didn’t seem so paranoid now.Outside, she slid into her Malibu, leaned back and exhaled, confidence gained for her and Lucy’s quiet getaway.

Last time we found Clara remembering where it all started. Previous post is HERE.

This weeks post comes to you thanks to Trifecta. The third definition of the word “Appear” has been chosen as inspiration. Post must be no less than 33 words and no more than 333.

APPEAR
3rd definition: to have an outward aspect : seem <appears happy enough>

Trifecta: Week 79

The Good and The Bad

She knew Shane had a temper when they met, but she could always talked him out of the bar fights and road rage tantrums before they escalated. He always laughed afterward for getting so irritated.

They married six months ago, and he loved Lucy like his own. Clara kept her job even though Shane made good money at the mine.

Six weeks ago, he turned his rage on her. She went to the ER, and he was remorseful. She told him
“Once is a mistake, twice is a habit. Never again.”

She drifted off knowing tonight’s, fists launched an odyssey.

This story began with the post Running On Empty. Begin at the beginning, and as always, stay tuned for more. I haven’t decided on a title for the story yet, but it will come.

Inspiration for this post comes from Velvet Verbosity’s 100 Word Challenge. The word to inspire is “Odyssey”. The Challenge is as blog hop, so click on the image below to visit the post and read a few other 100 Word entries. Great writers hang out with Velvet.

A little musical enjoyment fitting to the story, “Drive” by Incubus

CLICK HERE for 100 Word Challenge #333

These Two People

Fifty-four years ago two people, a man and a woman came together, made vows, promises and a covenant was born. This marriage made of vows and promises brought to life a family, born of and in love.

Two people, a man and a woman, served as a Holy example of family and marriage to the family they bore and turned loose on the world. They leaned on each other and held one another up through the ease and the difficulty.

These two people raised that family and taught them to laugh and have fun. A Mom and a Dad, themselves unafraid to be silly, crazy, weird, punny. In fact they encourage it. When all are together it’s sure to be fun and often out of control (in a good way).

These two people, my Mom and my Dad, are MY heroes. What I hope I emulate and what I strive to be. I know every relationship is different, but the nuts and bolts of marriage are the same:

A promise to be true, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. To love and honor all the days of life.

I love you Mom and Dad! Happy Anniversary <3 <3

Running on Empty

The visage looking back was foreign yet familiar. The split lip, swollen right eye showing off colors blending from bright pink to maroon and purple.

Joining the battered face was the pounding headache from the concussion she knew she’d suffered. She didn’t need prying eyes, opinionated glances or meddling advocates tonight. She reached for the Vicodin from the last ER trip and swallowed two with a handful of water from the bathroom sink tap.

Work took him away and Lucy was in school. A hot shower soothed and relaxed. Drowsy from the Vicodin, she crawled into bed for a needed sleep.

~*^*~*^~*^~*^~*^~*^*~*^~*^~*^~*^~

This week Velvet Verbosity gave the word prompt “drowsy” for this weeks 100 Word Challenge.

Jackson Browne, of course. What else could it be with that perfect title for this piece? I’m beginning a new series with this piece. Stay tuned for more . . .

Original Photo by matthewnstoller from flickr, made available through CreativeCommons

Oh Heavenly Day

He watches clouds billow and dance. Amid the shape-shifting  forms another appears, bouncy and unchanging. His angel retrieves and delivers the white balloon to the boy. Clapping gleefully, he receives the kisses and wishes.

They see a glittering trail where the message traveled from below. A shiny dimpled face dances and sings while two more smiles sigh “Right now, the only thing we really have to do, is have ourselves a heavenly day.”

The boy watches, more balloons appear, their sparkling trails dazzle and thrill. Whispering in his tiny ear, their greeting slowly rises,

“Have a Heavenly Birthday, baby brother!”

God seems to have His hand in things this week. It starts with Lance asking me to chose the song this week for his 100 Word Song prompt. As I read his message, my Capt. had music playing downstairs and I heard  ”Heavenly Day” by Patty Griffin. I promptly answered with this song as my choice.

When it came time to write, Happy Birthday wishes began to pour onto my nieces Facebook page for her sweet baby boy, who passed away in December. May 1 was his first birthday. My song choice became a God moment, inspiring me to write to, and for, my great-nephew Marcus. With permission from his mommy, I wove my words among the pictures they took at their celebration.

Happy Birthday Marcus!

Over

****Click here for previous installment of Vivid Black –> Walls

He continued down the hall, “Not right now Henry. Gotta get reports done.”

Henry followed insisting, “Come on Jerrod. This is important.”

Deputy Osborn stepped out, stopping his progress.

“Alright, but LT’s gonna be pissed if I don’t get these done.”

Hand on his shoulder, Henry steered his partner into interrogation, Ray followed and Osborn stood outside.

Three men seated. Adrenalin masked pain and fear.

“Jerrod. It’s over.”

His expression melded and morphed from calculated awareness to cool defiance, then calm resignation. Shoulders squared, he began.

“Henry, I don’t know where I belong. I don’t know where I went wrong.”

Back where most of the story has been created, with Lance’s robot alter-ego LeeRoy and his 100 Word Song. This weeks offering Ho Hey offered perfect lyrics to bring this story to a conclusion. I feel like a parent sending their kid off to college. It’s been the better part of a year from beginning to end. Let me know what you think. Might work a little more and fill in some blanks and make it more complete.

To read Vivid Black from start to finish, Click HERE.

Walls

****Click here for previous installment of Vivid Black –> Remembering

The automatic door swooshed open and he walked through mindful of everything. Every wall he built protected what remained of his sanity and his essence. He keyed in the code to enter the secure offices then walked the hall to the office shared by the team. All were blind to his disguised awareness.  He saw Lt. Jacoby propped against Henry’s desk reflected in picture framed glass. He attempted to casually continue by, but he was anticipated. Henry stepped out, glanced down at the black Danners and bloused khakis. He fixed a stare and grimly intoned,

“Jerrod. We need to talk.”

 

Writing more Vivid Black with Velvet Verbosity’s 100 Words #328. Her word this week is “Wall.”

To read the entire Vivid Black series so far, Click HERE.

It’s a blog hop, so click on the image below and visit page. Then read some of the other submissions and give them some comment love.

100 Words #320 – Wall