TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "STUBBORN"

 

Howdy-do! Welcome to Tuesday Tales. We have another snippet from "Someone Like You." And, yes, it's more of the scene at the dance. I hope you enjoy it. When  you're done, please visit the other Tuesday Tales authors. Find them HERE. 

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The music stopped. Feeling a touch wobbly, Charlotte reached for her brother’s hand. Unable to tear her gaze from the professor’s, she watched him thread his way through the crowd and head in her direction. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. She flashed hot, then cold, then hot again. She squeezed Corey’s hand hard.

“Ouch!” he said, ripping his hand from hers.

“He’s coming this way,” she whispered.

“Hi, Dr. Garrett,” Corey called out in a confident voice.

Staring directly at her, Professor Garrett got close enough for her to smell his aftershave. “Hi, Corey. Who’s this?” he asked.

“This is my sister, Charlotte. Char, Dr. Mark Garrett, head of the English Department.” Corey made the introductions.

Dr. Garrett offered a strong hand with long, slender fingers. Barely able to breathe, Charlotte took it. His grip was warm, dry, and firm but not punishing. When he held her hand a second or two longer than required, she tingled all over. She almost lost it when he ran his thumb along the back of her hand. Charlotte silently thanked Callie for stubbornly insisting she slather lotion on her hands every night until the leathery woodworker skin became soft and feminine again.

“So nice to meet you,” Mark Garrett said.

Grateful to be able to speak at all, she uttered, “Yes, Same,” in a breathy voice.  She watched the professor’s gaze travel up and down her length, stopping a moment longer here and there. She sensed a blush stealing up her neck into her cheeks and prayed it simply made her look healthy.

“I haven’t seen you around campus. Are you a student here?” he asked.

Charlotte laughed. “Oh no. I’m thirty. I have a job. Corey and Kitty invited me.”

“Oh, I see,” he said, his smile growing wider.

The music started up again with a slow dance number.

“Would you care to dance?” the professor asked, offering her his hand.

“I’d love to,” she replied, allowing a full smile to light up her face. As she moved onto the dance floor, she noticed Kitty shoot a quick look at Corey and grin. 

Mark slid his arm around her waist and folded his hand around hers. Charlotte felt weightless, as if she were floating. Were her feet really touching the floor? She couldn’t feel it. 

That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment if you have a minute. Thank you. 

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "LEAFY"

 

Welcome! It's time for Tuesday Tales again. After taking a break for a week or two due to other oblidations, I'm back. And we have another episode of "Someone Like You." This week we actually make it too the dance...yes, I know, the part everyone has been waiting for! Once you finish my snippet, mosey on over to the other writers and read their terrific stories. Find them HERE. 

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It was a warm night in June. The school dance took place on the back patio and lawn near the cafeteria. Charlotte parked her car, opened the door and got out carefully. Still a bit wobbly on the high heels Kitty had insisted she buy, she picked up her linen jacket and smoothed down the skirt of her dark teal silk dress. The skirt was full, but hung softly about her body, perfect for dancing, Callie had pointed out.

She grabbed the small white satin purse, locked her car and proceeded slowly to the venue. Music greeted her as she picked her way up the uneven path. A gentle breeze swayed the leafy trees shading the path. She inhaled the scents of spring.

“Spring might be my favorite season,” she mumbled to herself.

“Charlotte! There you are!” It was her brother, Corey, and his fiancee, Kitty. He grabbed her elbow and ushered her onto the dance floor. After pushing her brother away, she took a step back and gazed across the room.

Soft colored lights gave off a romantic glow. The music was soft and slow. Most of the dancing figures appeared in shadows. She raised her gaze to the other side of the dance floor and caught her breath. Standing alone by the punch bowl was Professor Mark Garrett. He looked tall, lean, and cool wearing a dark suit and a striped tie.

Her hands trembled and a zing shot through her body. Was he not the most handsome man in the room? Charlotte didn’t know because when he turned his head and made eye contact with her, the rest of the people in the room seemed to disappear.  

 

That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by. 

TUESDAY TALES - POWERFUL

 

Welcome! We have another installment of Tuesday Tales. This week we're writing to the word prompt "powerful." I have another snippet from  "Someone Like You." This time it's Charlotte and Derek interacting. 

Don't forget, when you're done reading to hop  on over and read the snippets from the wonderful Tuesday Tales authors. Find them HERE. 

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       At the lumber store, Derek Larch greeted her.

       “What are you building?”

“A bench. Do you have any wood on sale?” she asked.

“Whacha looking for?” he asked.

“Maybe teak. Or if that’s too expensive, white oak or cedar?”

“Yep. Cedar for sure. You making something for outside?” he asked.

“Yes.” She moved past him and headed for the lumber yard in the back.

“I can give you a good price on this,” he said, pulling out some cedar boards.

“Fine.”

“Got the design? Lemme see,” he said.

“No. That’s all right. I’ll measure and pick what I want.”

He gripped her arm. His eyes narrowed. “You ain’t makin’ this for some dude, are you?”

“None of your business,” she said,  squirming to get away but his grip was too powerful.

She planned to make a bench for the cemetery so Professor Garrett could sit when he visited his wife's grave. But it would be her secret.

“You belong to me and it’s time you realized it,” Derek said before releasing her.

“I don’t belong to anyone but myself.”

“You go ahead and think that. No one else wants a girl painter. But that suits me just fine.”

“You don’t know that. I’m not a girl. I’m thirty. I’m a woman. Just ring up the wood and let me be, Derek,” she said, as she retrieved the boards she wanted.

“I love you, Charlie. Always have,” he said, his voice softer. 

His admission stunned her. She didn’t know what to say. Was he right? Did she belong only to him. Did she have no chance with someone as refined as the Professor? Maybe it was true. She tossed her head to rid her mind of the notion that she wasn’t good enough for Mark Garrett, paid for the wood and left. 

That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by!

TUESDAY TALES - "BLAND"

 

Welcome to Tuesday Tales, where writers write stories to word prompts. This week the word prompt is "bland". We continue with "Someone Like You" this week, but we're switching to the pov of Professor Mark Garrett. Who knows what he thinks of things and what his life is like? Read this snippet and get to know him. When you're done, go on over to the other writers' blogs and read their stories. You'll find them HERE. 

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Professor Mark Garrett  entered the teacher’s lounge in the administration building at Kensington State University and plopped down on a seat at the long table. He opened his briefcase and pulled out a slightly mashed homemade sandwich.

When he went to the sideboard to get a cup of the free coffee there, the door opened. Junior professor, Corey Anderson, entered.

“Hi, Corey. How’s your first semester going?” Mark asked, adding cream to his coffee.

“My students know more than I do,” he moaned, sinking down on a chair at the table.

“They just think they do. Show ‘em who’s boss. Give ‘em a test to show them exactly what they don’t know.”

“Good idea,” Corey said, opening his briefcase.

The men exchanged stories about their classes while they ate. When they finished, Mark pulled out a handful of papers.

“Essay?” Corey asked.

“First round of papers this semester,” Mark said with a grunt.

“What’s the problem?”

“They’re so bland. They’ve got some crazy idea that good literary writing is all about description. Bland description. They need to step it up, add some color, some action, dialogue. Something to keep me awake,” he said, faking a big yawn.

Corey laughed.

When he finished, Mark packed up his work and returned to his office. Restless, he wandered over to the window where he watched birds at the feeders.

A bright yellow male goldfinch, joined by his mate, stood peacefully helping himself to birdseed.

“Even the damn birds have mates,” he muttered to himself. “Nancy, why did you have to die?”

“Lucky a hawk doesn’t’ snatch one of you up.” Angry at feeling lonely, he returned to his desk, but his focus continued to elude him. He swiveled in his chair and continued to stare out the window.

The lack of love in his life ate away at his heart. He expected the loss of his wife would end any desire for love and romance. As much as he tried to ignore it,  the yearning to love and be loved only grew with each passing year. And he wasn’t any closer to filling that void than he had been the year before. He recalled the words of his boss, President Mac Caldwell.

“Chaperone the dance, will  ya?”

“And watch everyone else find love? No way.”

“Come on, you never know where you’ll find love.”

“Yeah? Not in a crowd of college kids.”

“Give it a try.”

Now he regretted giving in, but it was too late to  back out.  He sighed. He needed a woman in his life. But where could  he find someone old enough to date on a college campus?

“As Nancy would say. ‘Never give up’.” 

 

 

 That's all for this week. Comments are most welcome. Thanks for stoppping by. 

 

TUESDAY TALES - "EASY"

 

Welcome! This week we're writing to the word prompt "Easy." We have another installment of my story, "Someone Like You." When you're done reading my story, please visit the other authors and read their tales. You can find them HERE.     

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   “Next makeup,” Callie said. She grabbed Charlotte’s arm. “Come on. This will take some time.”

Callie paid Pam, and the women bundled into the Caldwell’s SUV. They stopped at Kitty’s apartment to pick up supplies, then headed for the president’s residence.

Charlotte plopped down into a chair in front of a mirror.

“This transformation might take a little time. Be patient,” Kitty said. Callie strode into the room, balancing all sorts of scissors, tweezers, blush, powder, and eye shadow palettes.

“This is what I found in the cabinet. There’s probably more in the medicine chest.”

“Mom, that’s quite enough.”

“What are you going to do to me?” Charlotte asked. Her eyes grew big as saucers when she perused all the paraphenalia.

“Easy peasy. Just a few plucks and such,” Callie said, attempting to sound breezy, but not making eye contact with Charlotte.

The young guinea pig, pushed to her feet. “Wait a minute…”

Kitty pushed on her friend’s shoulder. “Relax. Everything’s gonna be okay.”

Charlotte eased back down in the chair, took a deep breath, swallowed. “Go ahead.”

Callie, tweezed. Kitty applied blusher. Callie added concealer. Kitty powdered over the cheeks. Callie added teal eye shadow and blended it with cream colored shadow to shade and add depth to Charlotte’s eyes. Kitty painted on eyeliner.

“Which color?” Kitty asked, holding up four lipsticks.

“Oh, this one. Definitely,” Callie said, plucking out a subtle peachy shade.

When they were finished, Charlotte stared at her reflection in the mirror. She didn’t recognize herself.

“Like it?” Callie asked.  

“Pop would keel over,” she murmured.

:”Maybe, but you’ll dazzle the professor,” Kitty said, sitting back, wearing a smug smile.

“Even my brother won’t recognize me.”

“But this is what you look like. Beautiful and glamorous. He’s a goner,” Callie sighed.

“Who’s a goner?” came a masculine voice, Mac Caldwell had returned from a meeting.

Callie shooed him out of the room.

"For the dress, I think we’ll have to go to New York,” she said.

“Yay! Road  trip!” Kitty said, clapping.  

That's all for this week. Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment. You'll make my day!

TUESDAY TALES "THRUST"

 

Welcome! We authors are writing to the word prompt "thrust" this week. My story is another excerpt from "Someone Like You." When you're done, hop on over to the other authors' work. Find them HERE. 

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Charlotte fidgeted with the buttons on her sweater as she sat in the beauty parlor chair. Behind her, Kitty, Callie, and Pam conducted a heated discussion on what to do with Charlotte’s hair. Pam pulled Charlotte’s hair back, then let it fall, she raised it up, then let it droop.

Charlotte watched in the mirror. The cacophony of voices all at the same time made her dizzy. She bit her lip and shut her eyes.

“The Look?” Pam said, holding a brush.

“Yes. That’s it. That’s perfect,” Callie said.

“I suppose so. But it might be a bit old school,” Kitty chimed in.

“The professor is a bit old school,” Callie said, lowering her voice.

That brought giggles from all the ladies.

Pam ushered Charlotte into a chair by the sink. She washed the young woman’s hair, conditioned it and put some addition goop on it.

“Come on, Sister. You’re ready,” Pam said.

Kitty and Callie sat in the waiting area. They put their heads together hunched over Kitty’s phone.

“Too short,” Callie said.

“Too slutty,” Kitty said.

“Too dreary,” Callie said.

“Too Middle School,” Kitty said.

“Maybe,” Callie said pointing to something.

Charlotte tried to watch them in the mirror in front of her, but kept being distracted by Pam cutting her hair. She figured they were looking at dresses for the dance.

Pam took her time, but finished at last. She picked up the hair dryer and brushed and shaped the glamorous hairstyle she’d created. When she finished, she twirled the chair around. A mirror was thrust into Charlotte’s hand.

“So you can see the back.”

Charlotte’s mouth hung open. Pam moved the chair again and Charlotte faced herself in the huge mirror.

“It’s…it’s…it’s…”

“I know. Beyond words. Fabulous. You look gorgeous,” Callie said, squeezing the young woman’s arm.

“Is it really me?” Charlotte asked.

“Oh yes. And we’re just getting started,” Kitty said. 

That''s all this week. Thanks for stopping by. 

TUESDAY TALES - NOW

 

Welcome to Tuesday Tales, where authors write to a different word prompt each week.  This week the word prompt is "now".  This week we have another excerpt from the Kenington State story. Don't forget to visit all the authors. You'll find the link to them HERE.

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“Kitty, do you mind if we use your old room?” Callie asked her daughter.

“Nope.”

“Good. Come in, Charlotte. Sit down at the dressing table. I’ll be right back,” Callie said, disappearing down the hall.

Charlotte stared at all the paraphenalia on the table. There were pencils in shades of blue, violet, and green. Pots half full of mysterious creams were clustered in a group. Some of those sparkled, while others ran the gamut from pink to peach.

“What are all these things for? It looks like the beauty counter at the big stores in New York,” Charlotte said, daring to pick up a pot of cream-colored goo.

 “They’re to make you beautiful,” Kitty said, pulling a chair next to her friend and plopping down.

“Hah!” Charlotte laughed. “You’ll need a whole lot more than a few pots of goop and colored pencils to turn me into anything presentable.”

Kitty gave her friend’s arm a gentle squeeze. “That’s not true. You’ll be surprised.”

“I certainly will. The mirror doesn’t lie.”

Callie swooped into the room, her arms loaded with supplies.

“Oh yes it does! You’ll see. When we get through with you, your real beauty will come forward.”

“What real beauty?” Charlotte drew her brows together.

“You’ll see,” Callie said. “Kitty, phone Pam. We need an appointment,” Callie said, fingering Charlotte’s thick, mahogany brown hair. “We need this gorgeous mop tamed before the dance.”

“Right, Mom,” Kitty said, picking up her phone. “Pam? We have a hair emergency. When can you squeeze us in. No, not for me or Mom, but for my friend, Charlotte. What? Perfect. We’ll be there.”

Callie picked up the tweezers.

“No time for that, Mom. Pam is holding a slot for us if we can be there in twenty minutes.”

“Oh, okay. Let’s go, now,” Callie said, dropping the tweezers on the dressing table.

“Pam? Hair emergency?” Charlotte pulled back her long hair with her hands.

“You have beautiful hair. But it needs to be shaped. You need a good haircut by a professional. We have a wonderful hairdresser who does our hair. She’s very talented.”

“Cut my hair?” Charlotte raised her eyebrows. 

“No, no. She’s not going to cut it all off. She’s’ going to shape it into a stunning hairdo. You’ll see. Trust us,” Callie said in a gentle tone.

That's all for this week. Thanks for stopping by.