Short Fiction, short story

Routines of Love

macro photography of eyelashes
Photo by Johannes Plenio on Pexels.com

Belinda looked out the window, her red strands stringing her eyes, still crusted with sandman’s presents; This was her routine each and every day, gazing to the lands and wishing for her dreams to come true; Closing her eyes, stating her wishes into prayers, she then bounced up onto her feet and bounced into the nursery, letting her little brother know her presence.

Smiling, squirming, hiccupping from his milk filled belly, Cleveland wiggled his chubby legs in delight from seeing his sister, clearly loving the routine of being greeted by her cheerfulness; Grasping him carefully, Belinda pulled him up and into her arms, hugging him while singing to him her favorite made up song, written especially for him.

“Baby Cleveland, cheery boy, you are my most favorite joy, how I wish to help you grow, always and ever more to know; How I love you, yes I do, and I always will, it’s true; One day when you are grown up, you’ll still be my buttercup, never will you leave my heart, you have been there from the start.”

stack of love wooden blocks
Photo by Ylanite Koppens on Pexels.com

Giggling and pulling her long tresses, Cleveland clearly adored his big sister, enchanted by her blue-green eyes, he poked at them with his chubby fingers, before reaching for his own as if comparing them with his own rich blue orbs; Carrot tops matching, these two were like two peas in a pod, so to speak, but there was one thing for sure, they were also very different; This was one thing that Belinda would be sure about: personalities.

Just down the road, a few houses down, Barton was also up for the day, doing his routine of chores before going to school, knowing his homework was likely suffering, he had routine responsibilities which took him away from book learning; Sure to make up for his father’s own duties, Barton needed to see to it that his mother did not suffer any more than she already seemed to, as her sighs of sadness prevailed; Taking a moment to take his mother some fresh tea, Barton took her hands in his, gazed into her brown eyes, moist from longing, and told her how beautiful she was and how it was going to be another good day, all before Barton gathered up his books and lunch, putting soles to the dirt road, hoping to catch Belinda on the way to school.

Waving goodbye to her mother, Belinda bounced out the door, books and lunch in hand and looking about, hoping to see Barton as he always made her smile; Sure as the sun shone, there he was picking up his step when he eyed her, almost running to her side; “Good morning Belinda,” Barton breathlessly greeted her, “I hope you don’t mind if I carry your books,” And with this, Belinda smiled at Barton, handed him her books and smiled, nudging along with their hands waiting to be held.

photo of pathway surrounded by trees
Photo by Vitaly Vlasov on Pexels.com

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This is my Six Sentence Story for this week in response to Denise’s prompt word: Routine

Perhaps you would like to publish a story to this prompt. You can go to Girlie on the Edge and check out the rules of the blog hop. It’s a lot of fun!

TTOT

Ten Things of Thankful – March 6 2020

hello march printed paper on white surface
Photo by Bich Tran on Pexels.com

It’s MARCH!! WHAAAAAT?!! Marching forth it’s TTOT time and this here link you see in blue is where you go to add your two cents worth or 10 cents…whichever you wish!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

So many things in life to be thankful for and I am going to jump right in!

  1. Prayer: A friend was in a serious auto accident and survived. From the looks of the vehicle, I don’t know how. Praying that the other person comes through and I am grateful for the power of prayer.
  2. Poet’s Connection – As one who does not easily make it to evening events, I decided to create a meetup for poets on one Saturday per month. The turn out was excellent. This was via Living Poetry and it was a definite repeater, so we will do it again in March.
  3. Voting – I am grateful for the ability to vote and try not to make this a freedom to take for granted. I voted and I am glad that it’s done until November.
  4. Knee Health – Laverne, my metallic knee has been giving me troubles, but she is not infected. I had to have some juices drawn to check it out, That was an ouchie for a couple of day, but it could have been worse. Not having an infection is a big deal. So, now the plan is physical therapy and I am grateful I can do that. I already had PT scheduled for my gait so now I can do both.
  5. Soap-I have a lot of soap as I have always been a big hand washer. So, there’s that fact that I bought a big ole mess of it awhile ago.
  6. Observations-People who wear gloves and wash their hands before handling my food or body. I pay attention at doctor’s offices and restaurants. And it’s a good idea. Glad to report good results.
  7. Libraries – I am doing some extensive research on a topic and grateful for the library and how they can get books from the interlibrary system.
  8. Time with Friends – I had at least three times this week when I got together with friends for various purposes and it was so nice to take the time to be involved with each of them. I am kind of an introvert and it’s a challenge for me to get together with others, but my close friends are totally different. I am also so grateful for my internet chat relationship with my long distance friend. We try to chat at least once a week. I look forward to those.
  9. Daughter is sorting out my pantry as we speak! YAY!!! It’s a mess and I am grateful she likes to do this sort of thing.
  10. and last by not least YOU! and you know what? You can join the table of grateful supper participants.

    white tableware
    Photo by Kaboompics .com on Pexels.com

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Short Fiction, short story

Fishing for Answers

Alora Grittiths

Photo by Alora Griffiths on Unsplash

Shaking the wrinkles from the old, worn coat, he placed his arms into the sleeves, one by one and proceeded to gather up his fishing gear and head to the river.

Thinking time was what he needed, and that old coat was a necessary part of his life, as he felt the comfort, the familiarity and what he swore was the scent of his daddy’s old pipe tobacco.

Standing at the shore, doing more thinking than fishing, he snagged a few but no real keepers, until finally, right after spotting the most vivid red cardinal, he hooked the biggest fish he had seen in a long time,  maybe even when his daddy was with him many years ago.

“Yes, I understand now, daddy, and I will do just that tonight, see you the next time.”

With a determined gait, he double stepped it back to his place and cleaned up, knowing he needed to have a spit shiny image in order to accomplish his goal.

With her bright red curls shadowing her sparkling blue-green eyes, she smiled the most beautiful, wide smile, all before he took her hand and said, “it’s time for me to talk to your daddy, but first I want to make sure it’s okay with you,” and he knelt to the ground.

 

This is my contribution to the Six Sentence Story for this week where Denise provides us a prompt word each each. This weeks word was “coat.”

Would you like to join and also see what other stories are available to enjoy? Just go to this LINK

TTOT

Ten Things of Thankful – Feb 28 2020

cardinal
Painting by Kay Doiron
Wowzers! This month has flown by!! Let’s get the party started!

1. – 3. Cardinals – Family – Heavenly Visitors: The photo for my header this morning is a painting my near great niece, Kay, painted for her grandmother, my sister.
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The cardinal represents those we have lost coming back to visit. We lost two fans of Saint Louis Cardinals, our nephews Keith – whose birthday is today – and Michael, whose birthday is in March. Keith is shown here playing his guitar and Michael at the Cardinal’s stadium. We were blessed to have these two in our lives and they are truly missed.
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4. Weather – is it spring or still winter? It’s crazy, but at least the sun is trying to shine.

5. Write Now is coming up in May and I am excited about all the choices of presenters. I am going to have a hard time narrowing down my choices, but there are far worse problems to have. Here is the link to #WriteNow2020

6. Poetry – Tomorrow is a Poetry Meetup of which your’s truly has put together. Wish me luck! It looks to have a nice turnout, right here in Raleigh!

7. Art – I have been working diligently on art work for my current WIP and it’s coming along well, although it’s taking longer than thought. All is well, though.

8. Taxes are done! WOOHOO!!

9. People who care – Blessed indeed!

10. And here is the spot for you to share your thankfuls! Hey, it’s leap year, so who’s asking who to get married?

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Short Fiction, short story

Birth Day

grayscale photo of baby feet with father and mother hands in heart signs
Photo by Andreas Wohlfahrt on Pexels.com

Belinda’s red tresses were gracefully swept back with a slice of the blue gingham Barton gave her for their anniversary, knowing her love of blue and how beautiful it accented her copper crown.

Betty Lou carried her tools to the duplex where Barton and Belinda made their home, Clement sniffed at the bag and licked Betty on her calf, Clement loved Betty almost as much as the salt she emitted.

Barton was working the mines, trusting that Betty Lou would be there for his bride when the time came for their first born to enter the world, how much he wanted to be there, but knew that he needed to keep making a living to provide for his family.

Bellowing was not Belinda’s way, but the beauty of childbirth brought with it truer than true pains and this was no exception as the baby was ready to be born.

Bathing the birth mother with the gentlest strokes, Betty Lou prepared for the great event, watching and waiting for the grand entrance of the new soul into the world.

Bawling from the first bit of air to his lungs, the little bitty boy announced his birthday to all who could hear, surely in the next door range, at least; a precious baby boy was born into the world, the world of coal miners, loving family, and his first best buddy, Clement, coming as close as he could to make sure his new prince would be safe.

…..

This is the Six Sentence Story in response to the weekly prompt with you can find here: Girlie on the Edge’s Link

Thank you to Denise for her devotion to providing the weekly prompt. This week’s word was “Slice.”