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Storytime Tapestry Newsletter The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural
awareness throughout the world. Hearts and Humor – A Michael Smith Column Tonight I'm doing something I hardly ever do - post twice in two days. I owe it to you. There are times when I go more than a week without posting. I good friend of mine has a new book out. You should check this out. Carol's been through rough times. She tells it all in her latest book. Carol Roach M.Ed, B.A. Publisher: Storytime Tapestry Author: Angels Watching Over Me:http://www.lulu.com/content/644485 Picking up the Pieces: A Woman's Journey: www.publishamerica.com Freelance write As I mentioned yesterday, I was entered in the Writersweekly.com 24-hour short story contest. I showed you the topic. Today I give you my entry. The topic made me think of a woman stranded on an island or something. I decided to take it in a different direction. The judges of this contest love a surprise. I tried to give it to them. I wrote and rewrote this story all night long and into the morning. Here is what I was given. Below that is my entry. I would love your comments on this one. I really want to know your opinions. See below for information on how to send them to me. TODAY'S TOPIC! She could hear the buoy bell ringing in the distance but it was too dark to see anything beyond the receding foamy water. She shivered as the wind picked up, knowing a late-season Nor'easter would hit in the next few hours, and knowing this was her last chance. She raised her arm and threw the glass bottle into the darkness... ~~~~~ WORD COUNT Stories for today's topic must not exceed 1000 words. (Your story's title is *not* included in the word count. We used MSWord's word count function to determine the final word count in submission.) Here's what I came up with: Laura's Storm Steve's arm draped over Laura's shoulder. A light breeze blew off the blue face. Small waves splashed against the rocks. Chilled by the early spring wind, she rested her head against Steve's muscular chest, snuggled close to his warmth, and sighed. Their new home stood behind them. Its large windows gave a view of the Nova Scotian coastline. Laura remembered playing on the shores of her hometown of Sambro. As a child, she dreamed of her own home and family on the ocean she loved so much. She dreamed of a career, a wonderful husband, and children of her own. Steve's arm pulled her close. "I love you." He whispered and kissed the top of her head. "I love you more!" She giggled and rushed to their house. "No fair!" Steve laughed and chased after her. ****************************** "Ron, be careful!" Laura yelled at her young son leaping across the rocks on the shore. Steve laughed. "Laura, it's OK. Let the boy play. That little mountain goat will be fine. Remember when we were kids?" Steve flipped the steaks on the grill. "We used do the same." "Steve," she looked at him. "I know we did, but he's so small." "Laura, he'll be fine." Mary ran up to her. "Mom, look." She held up a sheet of paper. "Look what I made." Laura took the drawing from her daughter. A bright yellow sun hung low over the ocean. Three stick figures stood in the foreground - one of them, legs spread, was suspended over two rocks. "Thank you, Mary. It's beautiful." Laura hugged her daughter and looked at her husband. "Steve?" He looked through the cloud of smoke rising from the grill, "Yes?" "I love you! Thank you!" "For what?" he asked. "For this!" Laura tilted her face to the sky. Her thick hair dangled from her head and swayed in the wind. She opened her arms and turned in a circle. "Look around us, Steve. It's my dream come true." ****************************** "Laura!" Her boss yelled through the phone. "Come to my office!" "Mr. Leibrock, is something wrong?" "Come to my office!" he snapped. "Yes, Sir." Laura walked to his office. Impending doom made her stomach churn. His door was open. He sat at his desk. "Come in!" He growled. "Yes sir." "Close the door." "Mr. Leibrock?" "Laura, close the door." She did as she was told. "Mr." "Laura, have a seat." "Mr." "Laura, let me talk." He picked up a pen, fiddled with it, and stared over her head. "Laura, I'm afraid I have to let you go." "But, Mr..." He cut her short again. "Laura, you've done great work here. Most of our major clients are yours." He paused, put his pen down, looked at Laura, and continued. "Lately, I've noticed you coming in late." "Mr. Leibrock, I can explain." She tried to interrupt. "Laura, our best client is upset." He slammed his hand on his desk. "A talking caveman?" He stood. "What were you thinking? ****************************** Laura finished cleaning her desk. Her co-worker and friend, Wayne, hugged her. "I'm sorry, Laura. I thought your idea was great." "Thanks, 'round. K?" "Laura?" " to one side and made it hang crooked. "Laura, call me if you need anything." A tear formed in the corner of his eye. "You've taught me so much." " ****************************** Laura hugged Mary and Ron and watched the school bus pull away. After six months, she was still unemployed. The bus rounded a corner and disappeared from view. She sighed and returned to her house. Behind her, the ocean, unsettled by an earlier storm, tossed its waves against the rocks. Laura pulled the comforter to her chin. She snuggled under its warmth and allowed the sounds of the ocean to lull her to sleep. She woke to silence. The clock read 3:30 PM. The children should be home from school. She stretched. Ignoring her pounding head, she walked to the bathroom. A note was taped to the mirror. "Laura, I'm sorry. I can't live like this anymore. The kids are with me. My lawyer will call you." Laura backed against the wall and slowly slid to the floor. "No!" she screamed. "Steve! No!" She hugged her knees to her chest and sobbed. ****************************** Laura listened to the buoy bell ringing in the distance. It was too dark to see anything beyond the receding foamy water. She shivered as the wind picked up, knowing a late-season Nor'easter would hit in the next few hours. Knowing this was her last chance, she raised her arm and threw the glass bottle, half full of vodka, into the darkness. She turned to the empty house that was once her dream. Years of alcohol abuse had cost her a great job, a wonderful man, and her children. She'd call Steve and tell him she'd be OK. "Maybe he'll come back and bring Mary and Ron with him." she said to know one. The thought of her last drop of alcohol drifting in the ocean brought on the first cravings. The storm winds picked up and pushed Laura toward her house. She ignored it. She had a bigger storm to deal with. Michael T. Smith msmith4@nj.rr.com If you enjoy a story, feel free to pass it on to your friends. My only request is that you include the link for your friends to join our family. To join our family, go to: http://subs. zinester.com/ 86758/ REMOVE THE SPACES TO GET TO THE SITE. SPAM BLOCKERS ARE HURTING EZINES. DON'T LET THEM PREVENT YOU FROM READING GREAT STORIES. As promised, here is a list of great inspirational sites. I subscribe to all of them. You will love these sites. Run by my friend Carol, Storytime Tapestry at: http://archives.zinester.com/98907/ By my good friend Keith in Australia: http://www.agiftofinspiration.com.au/ My friend Phil runs http://www.peoplestuff.com.au/ Phil's awesome and brutally honest Zev, yes another friend, runs http://empoweringmessages.com/stories/ Heart Catchers is a wonderful site. www.DianeDeanWhite.com www.Heartwarmers.com and www.petwarmers.com are two wonderful story sites. http://hodu.com/ http://www.mydailyinsights.com/ www.ripplemaker.com http://www.sermonillustrator.org http://www.SkyWriting.Net Here's a newly discovered one I like: http://www.archive.zinester.com/9516 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WarmFuzzyStories/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WithInSight/ That's all I can think of right now. If I come up with more, I'll add them. Enjoy!!! I love your comments, Send them to msmith4@nj.rr.com. I'll include some in every post. Here are some comments on my story from yesterday: What a beautiful story. I have 2 large glass doors. When a bird hits the glass it's best to let it lie there. Very often it is stunned, NOT DEAD. I have seen "dead-looking" birds get up , shake themselves, after 10 or more minutes, and fly away. Now, if you have a cat, that's a different matter. Peace&Love, Valerie (Sound advice there. Thank you, Valarie) **************** |
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