welcome readers & writers! monday is upon us again. a new week, a fresh start. let's enjoy the week reading and writing together, eh? many thanks to brian potopowitz for a great story on yesterday's post.
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i had to stop the car last week when i came across this sign post. what's your take on it? 250(ish) words or less (but we're flexible here, so more is okay) - story, poem or creative non-fiction. here's my fiction spin:
When Leah and Len first moved into the cul-de-sac on Surrender Ave (no outlet) they thought their street name was funny and kind of cute. They always got a laugh when they gave their friends directions to the house. Even their pizza delivery guy made a joke about it every time he came to the door, two pepperoni, double sausage delights in hand. "I'm in the twilight zone, right? Surrender Ave., no outlet - Ha! Ha!" But that was then. Twenty-six years is a long time to live in the same house, with the same person.
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For years something fun was always happening. Their twins were taking first steps, riding tricycles in the driveway, posing for photos with their new backpacks on the front porch, losing wobbly front teeth. In a blink Kari was taking piano lessons while Keeton pounded drums in the garage; they were dressing up for their first class social, earning their drivers licenses, looking at colleges. It had been easy to surrender then.
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Now the house was quiet. All of the vibrance and color and buzz dimmed. Leah and Len couldn't think of anything to talk about, so they didn't. They ate their dinner on TV trays and, after, they read separate books until bedtime.
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On this particular evening, Leah finished the dishes, wondering if she'd last another minute in this house. Maybe they should just move on in to Shady Oaks retirement village, she thinks. They'd be fifteen years early, but so what. Then the phone rang.
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Len got to it first. Leah thought she heard Kari's voice on the other end, and watched as Len's face light up. "Nah," he said, "really? Well that's just fabulous, Kare-Bear! Hold on, you've gotta tell Mom." He held the phone out to Leah, his hand covering the mouthpiece. "Kari and Mark are getting married," he said in a stage whisper. He sent her a grin and she lobbed it back, jumping up and down as she took the phone. "Hello, sweet Kari..."
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For years something fun was always happening. Their twins were taking first steps, riding tricycles in the driveway, posing for photos with their new backpacks on the front porch, losing wobbly front teeth. In a blink Kari was taking piano lessons while Keeton pounded drums in the garage; they were dressing up for their first class social, earning their drivers licenses, looking at colleges. It had been easy to surrender then.
-
Now the house was quiet. All of the vibrance and color and buzz dimmed. Leah and Len couldn't think of anything to talk about, so they didn't. They ate their dinner on TV trays and, after, they read separate books until bedtime.
-
On this particular evening, Leah finished the dishes, wondering if she'd last another minute in this house. Maybe they should just move on in to Shady Oaks retirement village, she thinks. They'd be fifteen years early, but so what. Then the phone rang.
-
Len got to it first. Leah thought she heard Kari's voice on the other end, and watched as Len's face light up. "Nah," he said, "really? Well that's just fabulous, Kare-Bear! Hold on, you've gotta tell Mom." He held the phone out to Leah, his hand covering the mouthpiece. "Kari and Mark are getting married," he said in a stage whisper. He sent her a grin and she lobbed it back, jumping up and down as she took the phone. "Hello, sweet Kari..."
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click on comments below to send in your response. i love to read your work!
