Tag Archives: #blogbattle

#BlogBattle: Week 53 – Anniversary Celebration

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It’s a special Tuesday for #Blogbattle!!  We are celebrating the one year milestone for this weekly event.  Our wonderful, hard-working host, Rachael Ritchey, has asked that we choose one of our favorite posts from the past year, and post it this week.

#BlogBattle is a weekly short story challenge using a single word for inspiration.  If you are interested in joining this awesome writing community, as we journey into the second year, you can find how to here.  If you are looking for some fun stories to read, you can read the current week’s stories and vote for you favorites.

Here is my story I chose from Week 31.  This was a little different from my usual Romance stories, and enjoyed stretching my creative muscles with a little action/drama.

The word: Scar

Genre: Romance/Drama

Worth It

The rain is fiercely coming down, pelting my skin like a thousand tiny daggers. The icy water from the river has risen far too quickly and is now rushing around me. I hold on tight to a tree branch. I know if I start shivering, I won’t be able to hold on. The wind has picked up and the temperature has dropped at least 20 degrees. I knew we should have turned back before the storm hit. My fingers are tingling from the cold, “Adam…I don’t know that I can hold on any longer.” I yell above the rushing water and the howling wind. He answers back “Kate….hold on Kate, I’m coming, I’m almost there.” His voice loud but calm. “Hurry!!” I frantically scream. I try to focus on my grip, but my mind races to the worse case scenario, what if he doesn’t make it in time. The river will swallow me up, I won’t have a chance, just then my grip slips, “Adam!!”

I must have yelled his name so loud that it woke me from my sleep, because I bolted straight up in bed, my chest heaving as I try to catch my breath. I brush my hair from my face, and realize it was just a dream. The same dream I always have when I’m stressed out and things seem out of my control in my life.

I look at the clock, it’s 4 a.m. I’m wide-awake now. I head to the kitchen to get some tea, maybe that will calm my racing thoughts. As I fill the kettle with water and place it on the stove, my mind takes me back, I remember that day all too well. Adam and I always took walks along the river near his house. We were just teenagers then, he was older than I was, yet we spent a lot of time together. We always crossed the river at the same spot, so it wasn’t new for us. But that day the storm rolled in too quickly and the rain came down too hard. We were racing to get home, and I slipped on a rock and almost fell into the river before he caught me. In the process of him saving me, he acquired a nasty gash on his left hand that we didn’t see until we were safely catching our breath in his backyard. I reached over and grabbed his hand cradling it carefully in my own, and said, “You hurt yourself. Yikes, that’s going to leave a nasty scar.”

Applying pressure to it with the corner of his shirt balled up in his other hand, he casually replies, “Eh it’s nothing….it was worth it. I’d never let anything happen to you Kate.”

It was at that moment that everything changed between us, but I was too young to really understand what to do with it, and before I knew it his family moved away and we lost track of each other.

The memory of our friendship and all those carefree days we spent together made me smile. The whistle of the teakettle brings me back to reality. My thoughts begin to berate me. Get a grip Kate. I’m sure he doesn’t even think about that day, or you, at all. Sure he has the scar as a permanent reminder, but I’m sure he has moved on…happily married, with a wife, 2.5 kids, a dog, the house with a white picket fence. Unlike you. Yep…we all have scars, only mine cover the walls of my mind, and canvas my heart.

I shake my head and abruptly stop that train of thought. It has to be the stress from work. My boss assures me this merger is going to go smoothly. I can only hope. I look at the clock again. It’s too early to go into the office. I decide to hit the gym and work off some of this nervous energy. A good work out and some laps in the pool will get me in the right frame of mind.

By 8:00 a.m. I walk into my office with coffee in hand ready to take on the day. All negative thoughts and emotions left drowning in the pool. My assistant Lisa knocks on the door, with files in hand, she reminds me of my meeting at 8:30.

I walk into the conference room, and the VP greets me, and then introduces me to the gentlemen next to him. “Katherine Richmond, this is Adam Madsen.” Adam extends his hand and I firmly shake it, not taking my eyes off him. This can’t be happening. The meeting is about to start, so we take our seats not getting a chance to speak.

It takes every ounce of my strength to focus on the meeting. I just know it’s him. The meeting ends just in time for lunch. I quickly exit the conference room, on my way out I let Lisa know I’m leaving the building for lunch. I have to get away and wrap my brain around this whole situation. When I return from lunch Adam and I will be working closely together until this merger goes through and then daily, once it is done. How am I going to do this? There is no way he recognizes me. I go by Katherine now, my last name has changed, my hair is a different color. OK…I can do this, just focus on business. I cannot bring myself to eat, so I return to the office, ready to work.

Lisa let’s me know that Adam is waiting for me in my office. I walk in and casually say, “Are we ready to work?” With that we dive into the task at hand. He is focused on the details, so it makes it easy to keep things strictly business, and I am determined to keep it that way even though the scar on his left hand seems to want to incite me to do otherwise.

We’ve put in a long day, and then some. We order Chinese Food in for dinner as we wrap up for the day. It isn’t until then that our conversation turns to idle chitchat. I notice no wedding ring, and he confirms with his conversation that he isn’t married. With that bit of information, I cannot help myself, I have to know. As I begin cleaning up the empty food cartons I reach over and run my finger along the scar that runs the width of his left hand. “That’s quite a scar you’ve got there…so…was it worth it?”

He gazes down at my finger caressing his hand for a heartbeat, then looks up, stares deep into my eyes as if searching for the answer, and when he finds it he says, “Kate.”

© 2015 Carrie Ann

#BlogBattle: Hair – Week 52 – Locks of Love

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🙂 Tuesday brings us another #Blogbattle and its One Year Anniversary!!
Woo-Hoo!! Time sure does fly when you’re having fun!!

#BlogBattle is a weekly short story challenge using a single word for inspiration.  Hosted by the talented Rachael Ritchey.  Feel free to join in, or click here to read the current week’s stories and vote for your favorites.

With this weeks word, I just had to take a trip to the Hair Salon to check up on my dear friends favorite characters, Nita and Michael 😉 Happy Reading!!

This week’s word:  Hair

Genre:  Contemporary/Inspirational

Locks of Love

Nita walks into her hair salon carrying a bag of Double Chocolate Chunk Brownies, and two Venti Iced Smoked Butterscotch Lattes. Without a word, she places one of the cups in front of Michael along with the bag of brownies, and turns to hang up her coat. She hears a slight gasp and a rustle of the bag as Michael opens it to reveal its contents.

“Buttercup, you didn’t.” Michael proclaims as he takes a sip of his latte.

“Yep, I sure did.” She replies with a smile.

“Oh, my, gawd, I have died and gone to heaven, this is absolutely delish. What’s the occasion?” He asks with a hint of skepticism.

“Can’t I treat my partner to breakfast?” Nita replies.

Michael just gives her a look, and continues eating his brownie.

“What?” He’s not buying it, she continues. “OoooKaaay…so, I have this friend.”

Michael swallows his brownie with exaggeration, to prevent himself from choking, “That never ends well.” He says flatly.

“I’m serious Michael, just hear me out.”

“OK, OK Cupcake…proceed.”

“My friend Kat just moved here from the small town she grew up in. She is staying with her cousin for awhile, since there are more opportunities for her here to find a job in marketing. She has never been away from home, and she lived a very sheltered life. She was raised in a very strict church, where she couldn’t wear jeans, couldn’t wear any make-up, and she has never cut her hair.”

With eyes wide, he asks, “How were you two even friends?”

Nita shrugs, “We just were. Even though I didn’t agree, I respected their beliefs, and never tried to change her. Now her beliefs are different, so slowly she has been making some changes with her clothes, and makeup, but the hair is the last to go. She is ready to step out and get a new look. Plus she wants to donate her hair to Locks of Love*. So. This is where you come in, I want you to work your magic on her.”

“Oh Honey Bun, why didn’t you say that in the first place, you know how I do. Question is, why aren’t you doing it?”

Another shrug, “I think you are what she needs to get through this, it’s a big step. Plus I’m still close with her family, I don’t want to be the one to do it I guess.”

“She’s not going to get all hysterical on me is she?” Michael questions with apprehension.

“No, no. Nothing like that. You just know how to make women feel beautiful, and that is what she needs right now.” Mocking him she adds, “You know how you do.”

“I am all that and a bag of chips my Little Frappacino,” Michael says with a single snap of his finger.

“She’ll be in this afternoon, I penciled her in. Her name is Katherine, but I call her Kat.”

“This afternoon? What if I had said no?”

“That’s what the brownies and Iced Smoked Butterscotch Latte were for.” Nita says as she waggles her eyebrows

“You. Little. Minx. Mmmmm….these brownies though.” Michael says as he takes another bite, and his eyes roll to the back of his head while he closes his eyes.

~ ♦ ~

Nita greets Kat with a great big hug. She takes her coat, and then walks her over to Michael’s station.

“Michael this is Kat, Kat, Michael.” Nita makes the introduction as Kat sits down.

Kat quietly responds as she holds out her hand, “Nice to meet you Michael.”

“The pleasure is all mine Kat.” Michael shakes her hand with both of his. “Would you just look at all this gorgeous hair?” Michael exclaims as he combs his fingers through it, looking directly at her in the mirror, with his megawatt smile. “Just think Sunshine, how happy you’ll make one cute little Angel Face when she receives her new hair-do from Locks of Love.”

With that Kat smiles and visibly relaxes in Michael’s chair.

Oh, yeah, he was definitely the right person for the job. Nita walks away with a smile on her face knowing that her long time friend is in good hands.

Michael and Kat discuss what she would like, and he suggests what he knows will look good on her. Before Michael gets started, Nita documents this event with photos. She takes a before picture, and a picture as Michael cuts the portion that will be donated. They agree that Kat will not see the progress until it is complete. Michael keeps her distracted through the whole process keeping her talking and laughing. Kat was genuinely enjoying herself, and Nita was happy to see the Kat she knew all too well.

As Michael is finishing up, Nita walks past him. Doing all she can to contain her excitement, yet wanting him to see her approval, she lays her hand on his upper arm and gives it a squeeze. He looks into her moist eyes, and gives her a knowing wink.

Michael removes the cape, and adds some finishing touches. Nita takes Kat’s hand and asks if she is ready. With an enthusiastic nod, they turn her chair around so that she is facing the mirror. Her eyes open wide, as she raises her hand to her mouth in shock. Not fully recognizing the person looking back at her, yet thinking she is really pretty. Kat moves her head back and forth as her hair sways with the movement. She runs her fingers through her shoulder length hair, in awe at the golden highlights and just how shiny and soft it is.

“Kat, you look gorgeous!!” Nita says as she squeezes her shoulders. “What do you think?”

“I….I…I don’t know what to say.” Kat stutters as her shock gives way to elation.

“I’ve rendered a woman speechless…my work is done here.” Michael says with a dramatic bow.

Laughing, Kat gets up from the chair, reaches out to hug him and says, “Thank you Michael, thank you so much.”

“Awww Kit Kat, you are so very welcome.” He steps back and rests his hands on her shoulders, looks directly in her eyes and says, “Always remember. You, do you Boo. Always do you.” He says with a wink as he smooths his hands over her hair.

© 2016 Carrie Ann

*Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis.  You can find more information here.

#BlogBattle: Pure – Week 50 – Pure Love

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🙂 It’s Tuesday again, time for #Blogbattle

#BlogBattle is a weekly short story challenge using a single word for inspiration.  Hosted by the talented Rachael Ritchey.  Feel free to join in, or click here to read the current week’s stories and vote for your favorites.

This week’s word:  Pure

Genre:  Contemporary

Pure Love

Ever since she was a little girl, my daughter Evie longed for a puppy of her own. Being a dog-lover myself, and knowing how it was to grow up with a dog, I also wanted this for my daughter. My husband was not a dog-lover, but wanting to make his baby girl happy, he agreed that one-day we would get a dog. But as the days passed, there was always something to prevent us from getting that dog. Mainly, the cost of having a dog and the fact that we rented our home instead of owning it. But how do you explain to a spunky little girl that it would be difficult to keep the dog fed and cared for, when we were struggling to make ends meet and keep our family fed. So we pacified her with many life-like stuffed animals. With every holiday, or every glimpse of an adorable puppy, made my daughter exclaim, “I wish I had a puppy.”

As she got older, we were able to explain to her our situation while renting a home, and how some landlords did not allow pets. She seemed to understand and accept that as a good reason. But her dad promised her, when we got our own home, we would get a dog.

As the years ticked by, and with the dawn of social media and smart phones, Evie’s love for puppies grew. Every day as I signed into my Facebook account, I was usually greeted with a picture or even a video of some adorable puppy. It was our thing. Even as a teenager, she longed for that fluffy, cuddly goodness. Just the picture of one sent her into squeals of delight…well momentarily…she was after all a teenager.

Several difficult years have passed, along with the unexpected passing of my husband. We were left with nothing. Therefore, the kids and I had to move in with my mom. Through our grief, I knew if we had a puppy, it would help with the stress and sadness, but my mom was adamant against having any type of pet in her house. We especially couldn’t afford it now.

It was difficult at first, but we were able to get through. Even in her grief, my daughter was there with me, helping with her younger brother, and concentrating on her studies. She kept her grades up all through high school, even earning scholarships to continue her education. She decided to attend a local college, at least for the first couple of years.

Now that I own my own home, I knew it was time to fulfill that promise my husband made to our daughter so long ago. I am so proud of the young woman she has become that I just want to make her happy. Even though she is a young woman now, with her own life and her future ahead of her, she still lives here at home. I witness all too often the stress that college brings. I pray that she will be just as excited about this gift, as she would have been had she gotten it years ago.

I was able to find a purebred Golden Retriever, just like she always wanted. I also purchased everything that is needed for our new pup.

When she comes home from class, she walks in the door, and drops her backpack in the hall, and begins to furiously text on her phone. “How was class honey?”

“Ugh!! Don’t ask.” She grunts, not even looking up from her phone or losing any texting momentum.

“Hey Sweetie, you got a minute?”

Her fingers stop, and she slips the phone in her back pocket, “Sure mom, what’s up?”

“Let’s go into the living room, have a seat on the couch.”

“Uh-oh, this can’t be good.”

“Oh I’m sorry honey, there’s nothing wrong, honest. I have a surprise for you. I am so proud of the hard work that you have put into your studies, and….well…just sit there, I’ll be right back.” I stutter, too excited myself, I run into the other room to get the puppy.

Before I come out, I yell down the hall, “Close your eyes honey.”

He’s a squirmy little fellow, but I hold on to him until I am standing in the doorway to the living room. I bend down, and release him out of my arms, as I tell her to open her eyes. He lops right over to her, she falls to her knees on the floor and scoops him up, as tears stream down her face.

“Oh. My. Gosh. Mom. Are you freaking kidding me? A puppy? Look at ‘em….he’s so adorable…he’s ours?” She says all through tears as she wrestles with the little golden fur ball.

“Yes, he’s yours honey.” I say trying to hold back my own tears, but not doing a very good job of it. This expression of pure joy on my daughter’s face is priceless. Not to mention the pure love emanating from this adorable, little fluff ball, as he squirms, and licks at her tears; tail wagging with abandon.

I sit down on the floor next to her, wrap my arms around her and the pup and hug them both. “Your dad promised you we’d get a dog, so I wanted to keep his promise to you. He’d be so proud of you sweetheart. I just wish he were here to see that gorgeous smile on your face. I love you honey.”

“Thanks mom, I love you too. I want to think that he is here with us, you know?”

Just then the pup runs towards the kitchen and stops before he hits the kitchen floor, and starts barking. Just as quickly as he took off, he returns to us with his tail wagging and his tongue hanging out, with a smile of his own on his face.

© 2016 Carrie Ann

#BlogBattle: Lollipops – Week 49 – The Flavor of Truth

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🙂 Tuesday = #Blogbattle

OK, so here’s my attempt at a Western.  I have no idea where this came from, maybe it was the pic of the cowboy and the lollipop, or maybe it’s the huge amounts of chocolate I have consumed after my daughter and I hit the 50% off Valentine’s Candy sales yesterday.  Whether it’s any good, is neither here nor there, I had fun getting out of my comfort zone.

#BlogBattle is a weekly short story challenge using a single word for inspiration.  Hosted by the talented Rachael Ritchey.  Feel free to join in, or click here to read the current week’s stories and vote for your favorites.

This week’s word:  Lollipops

Genre:  Western (that was actually difficult to type, lol)

 

The Flavor of Truth

Now that ol’ Jeb is takin’ a long rest in the bone orchard, Bart decides to pay a little visit to the missus, on the matter of the debt Jeb still owes him. Standing in her back yard, he still towers over Annabell as she stands on the steps of her back porch.

“I would say that I’m sorry about Jeb, but can’t say that I ever really liked him much. But there is the matter of the money he still owes me, so how you reckon that thar will be taken care of little missy?”

“I just need some time Mr. Ferguson, Jeb was just laid to rest two days ago, God bless his soul, please just give me some time.” Annabel hates giving this man any respect, but she forces herself to play the hopeless widow, for now.

“Why not have that boy of yours come work for me, work off his ol’ man’s debt.”

Annabell struggles to contain her fury, there is no way she would let this man get near her son, he’s hurt this family enough. Through gritted teeth, she slowly yet confidently replies, “Mr. Ferguson, I asked for some time. My son will not be consorting with the likes of you in any way. I will get you your money.”

“The likes of me, huh? Make no mistake missy, I’ll get my money one way or another.” Bart sneered. As he walked away, he passes Jeb’s faithful stallion, Atlas. Bart smooths his fingers over his mane and pats his neck, then says, “Mighty fine animal you got thar, Good day to ya.” With a tilt of his hat, he is gone.

Annabel will not let that man ruin her day, but the evil she saw in his eyes still has her legs trembling. She whispers up a prayer, and goes on to tend to her chores.

• ♦ •

The next morning her neighbor Scarlett, bringing fresh eggs for her breakfast greets her. “Good Morning Annabell, your son take Atlas out for a morning ride?”

“No, why do you ask?”

“He wasn’t in his stall when I walked by.”

“Are you sure?” Annabell doesn’t wait for an answer, but runs out the door towards the barn with Scarlett right behind her.

“He’s gone, Scarlett, he’s gone!!”

“Who would have taken him? Everyone knows what that horse means to your family.”

“Oh no….oh no.” Annabell chants quietly as she begins to tremble.

“Annabell, who did this? You know something, tell me.”

“I can’t, Scarlett, I just can’t.” She buries her head in her hands and begins to weep.

Scarlet hugs her friend, as she comforts her. Her mind reeling, who could have done such a thing? Then she realizes. Only one person could make another this frightened without even speaking their name. She knew what she had to do.

The next day, Scarlett sets out to put her plan in motion. She contacts the Sheriff to explain what has happened, and how she is going to handle it. She asks if he would be at the Saloon at high noon. She also contacts the Maloney brothers. They will have no problem jumping in if someone decides to kick up a row.

She makes a batch of her Homespun Confections just like her grandmother taught her, using fresh berries. She puts a special finishing touch on one of them, just like her mother taught her, and places that one in her pocket, the others she stores in her apron.

When she arrives at the Saloon, Bart is already there. He’s there everyday at lunchtime to bend an elbow. She offers her sweet confections to the towns’ people who have gathered for lunch. Smiling and laughing as she makes her rounds, she is sure to make eye contact with Bart as much as she can. Everyone knows that Bart can’t pass up a beautiful redhead in an immodest blouse. As she approaches his table, he says, “Hey there little lady, what you selling.” Even though he tries to smile, and make his voice sound sweet, she can’t help but notice the cold steel in his eyes.

She focuses on his eyebrows, so it looks like she is looking into his eyes, “These are my very own Homespun Confections, one taste of my lollipops, and you’ll never be the same.”

“Is that right?” Ogling her as if she were the sweet treat. “Say, aren’t you Athena’s daughter? Talk is that you all are a bunch of witches.  You tryin’ to put some kind of spell on me?”

Scarlett sits down next to him and rests her chin on her hand, and looks at him. “I would think an intelligent man like yourself would scoff at the notions of mere towns people.” She makes a show of pulling out the lollipop, and begins to wave it in front of him. “Besides, that’s my momma, and she’d rather you refer to her as an enchanter. As for me, I just like to make sweet treats for people to enjoy.” She hands him the lollipop. He opens it and begins to taste it. “Mmmm this is good, do I taste boysenberry, and blueberry?”

She nods her head with a smile, as she waits for the affects to kick in. She makes eye contact with the Sheriff, to signal him to get into place.

“You sure are a pretty little thing, I hope you didn’t take offense to the witch comment. It’s just that it was mighty convenient that all your husbands just happen to come up missin’.” Bart drawls on.

“Well, you know, sometimes things just come up missing.” Scarlett says with a shrug.

“You’re right about that.” Bart says with a laugh, as he looks down at the lollipop, and takes another lick.

“Sounds to me like you have some secrets cowboy.” She looks from side to side, then leans in closer to him and says quietly, “I’ll tell you my secrets if you tell me yours.” She knows that the berries have done their job, so she comes right out and asks, “What do you know about Annabell’s horse?”

Without hesitation he says, “Yup, that was me. I took her horse and sold it to a fella passing through town, got more than enough money to cover her good-for-nothin’ husband’s debt.” With a satisfied smirk, he pops the candy back into his mouth and crosses his arms across his chest.

A voice from behind him bellows, “The jig is up. Bart Ferguson, you’re under arrest.” The Sheriff grabs his wrists, as the Maloney brothers grab his arms and lift him out his chair.

Bart spits out the lollipop right at Scarlett, and seethes, “You. Little. Vixen.”

“Truth has rough flavors if we bite it through.” With that, Scarlett sticks a lollipop in her mouth, and savors the taste with a satisfied smile, as she waves to a defiant Bart being carted away.

© 2016 Carrie Ann

“Truth has rough flavors if we bite it through.” by George Eliot

 

#BlogBattle: Chasm – Week 48 – The Next Step

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🙂 Tuesday = #Blogbattle

I haven’t joined in for a couple of weeks again, oh how I’ve missed writing, nonetheless, excited to be back at it!!

#BlogBattle is a weekly short story challenge using a single word for inspiration.  Hosted by the talented Rachael Ritchey.  Feel free to join in, or click here to read the current week’s stories and vote for your favorites.

This week’s word:  Chasm

Genre:  Romance

The Next Step

Even though it is her day off, Nita goes in early to her Hair Salon. Her younger sister Kaycee is in town, and will be in later. Whenever Kaycee is in town, Nita schedules her for a color, cut, style, manicure and a facial. Kaycee gets some pampering, and Nita savors the time spent with her sister.

She walks in and is greeted by her business partner, Michael, “Morning Honey Bun, I didn’t expect to see you here this early. What time is Kaycee coming in?”

“Hey Michael. She’ll be in once she rolls out of bed, probably around 10 or 10:30. I thought I’d come in and catch up on some paperwork.”

“I left the inventory sheets on your desk. I see she still lives the charmed life, is she still seeing the same guy?”

Nita says with a sigh, “Yes…Only my sister would find a guy who seems to have walked off the page of a romance novel.

Michael holds up the palms of his hands and shakes his head with a look that asks, what does that mean?

“You know, over six feet tall, rich, unspeakably handsome, with six-pack abs. Well…I can’t verify the six-pack abs, but you know what I mean.”

“No, Sweetpea, actually I don’t. I don’t read romance novels, and I haven’t seen the guy.” Just then a timer rings, and Michael is out the door to tend to his client.

Once Nita is done with her paperwork, Kaycee comes in around 10, with her Grande Mocha Latte. Michael greets her by wrapping her in a big hug, “Hello Gorgeous, is that man of yours spoiling you rotten?”

“He certainly is Michael,” as she welcomes the hug. She steps back, with a gleam in her eye and a playful laugh she adds, “But I’m sooo worth it.”

Michael squeezes her shoulders and says, “You certainly are, Beautiful, and never forget it. You look fabulous!!”

Nita has all the supplies ready when Kaycee sits down in her chair. Not only does Kaycee get highlights in her naturally blonde hair, but she also adds some lowlights. It’s a process, yet there will be no break in their conversation once they get started.

Kaycee sits down, and takes a sip of her Starbucks, with concern in her voice she says, “I had that same dream again last night.”

Michael walks up just as she says it, and asks, “What dream?”

Kaycee lets out a breath and explains, “I’ve had this dream several times now. It’s a bright sunny day and I’m walking through this big grassy field, and just as I’m about to walk forward, a big chasm opens up in the ground. Then this wooden bridge appears over it, like I can safely walk across it, but the bridge disappears into the clouds and I can’t see what’s on the other side.”

With a hand raised Michael questions, “A chasm? Don’t you sound all smarticle.”

With wide eyes Kaycee exclaims, “I know right!!” With a shrug she confesses, “I have a word of the day app…it was my word yesterday.”

“Ah…gotcha.” Michael nods and points a finger at her. “So what does this dream mean?”

“I have no idea.”

“Sit tight Chica, I can help. Well…my friend Jasmine can help, she has this uncanny ability to interpret dreams…she’s pretty much always right. Oh, and when’s your birthday? She’ll ask me that for some reason.”

“March 16th.”

“Got it, let me give her a call.”

Nita continues working, but assures Kaycee, “I forgot about Jasmine, Michael has told me how she can interpret dreams.”

Michael comes back and as he sets up his workstation for his next client, he reports, “OK. So. Jasmine says that it’s the fear of taking the next step in your life. She asked if you were in a relationship, and said that your boyfriend probably wants to take the relationship to the next level.”

Kaycee raises her hand to her mouth, and with her eyes as wide as saucers she says, “OMG that’s amazing!! That’s it!! Julian has been making more comments about us living together, and then the other night we even talked about marriage, just in a general sense, like ‘at what age do you see yourself getting married’ kind of stuff.”

Excited, yet a little concerned, Nita asks, “So what did you tell him? Does he know about your past, and about Kevin?”

Kaycee replies. “Yes, I told him all about Kevin. Like I said, it wasn’t like a deep conversation. But for me, I’ve really been thinking about it lately. That’s probably the reason for the dream.”

“So do you see a future with Julian? Are you ready for that yet?” Nita inquires without interrogating.

“Actually, Nita, I think I am. It seems the more time I spend with him, the less doubts I have.”

As if on cue, Kaycee’s phone chirps with an incoming text message. “It’s a text from Julian.” Her smile could not get any brighter.

“Of course it is.” Nita mumbles good-naturedly.

“Ohhh….look.” Kaycee mewls as she holds up her phone for Nita to see.

Hope you are having fun. It doesn’t
matter what your sister does to your
hair, you’ll always be beautiful to me.
Miss you.

“Let’s cut your hair off and dye it green, and see what he says then!!” Nita jokes.

“Not funny!!”

As Nita puts the finishing touches on Kaycee’s hair, she says, “Kaycee, you are a beautiful woman, but you’re also smart, confident, funny, and you have a big heart. You deserve to be loved by someone who loves you for all those things, and I believe Julian does, he’s a great guy.”

Kaycee jumps out of the chair, and wraps Nita in a big hug, “Thanks Nita, I love you.”

“Love you too.” As Nita steps back, she takes her sister by the shoulders and turns her to face the mirror, “But for the record, now that I’m done with you, you’re breathtakingly beautiful.”

 
🙂 997 words!!

 

©2016 Carrie Ann