Sarah was weary of being a host to the book club. Their venture into literature seemed content with contemporary romance novels with a predictable plot. All being rich socialites, she doubted anyone would insinuate themselves into the real world. Sarah decided she would not bring up the latest news. It was not acceptable within their social circle to discuss anything as crass as war.
Amidst the noise of the vinyl 78 spinning, wearing down the needle of the record player, Joe donned a black turtleneck shell hidden beneath his smart red blazer. Who knew wearing high school colors would turn on girls? He selfishly thought they would assume he was a teenaged sports guy-something foreign to his ultra slim build. A last fiddle with his duck tailed hair slicked to the current design of high school boys, and a flashy smile was all he needed. That, accompanied with no moral thoughts, Joe crossed the driveway threshold and slipped into his ‘59 Chevy and started driving towards the school.
Joe passed by the window every morning and night on his way to and from work. Work was a necessity only; he actually hated his job. By end of the day, Joe was exhausted. Passing the window was the only respite he found.
The first time he saw the mannequin he was taken aback! She looked exactly like his first love, Sandra. He stood mesmerized, thinking of his life’s uncompleted dreams. In his daily routine seeing the mannequin, felt he could silently voice them.
The defense minister stood at the podium ready to harangue the public with a barrage of unconnected excuses for not entering the fire storm occurring within a friendly nation.
“Shoot us the truth, minister” the reporter yelled. He had taken aim at the official speechifying which was the usual fumble trying to quantify our lack of quick response to the situation.
“There’s no reason to think the oppressor won’t continue to raze this small country! Aren’t we standing for “peace” anymore? Tell us what our country is really doing! Is there action behind the scenes?”
The exasperated reporter slumped back in his chair in the press room. The minister looked frustrated and annoyed by the questions, but he too wanted to know what was really going on.
Is it me or are Fridays coming fast and furious? I’ve been rising earlier-no choice- and freezing and then going to bed earlier than ever! Weird, but I am getting plenty of rest😄
I’m becoming addicted to my morning latte from my beloved espresso machine and listening to audible books. It is much easier on my eyes than a physical book and no storage problems! Do not get me wrong, I love the feel and smell of books, but no place to store them now. It is very relaxing and maybe that’s another reason I can rest better than usual? Whatever it is, I’ll take it!
Julie was proud of her new nibling, Sue. “She’s as purdy as a picture” Julie’s father said, “you can’t deny it and I refuse to hear anyone say different!”
Julie would never dismiss her father’s statement because she feared he would launch into another story of how his family members were exceptionally good looking. She was embarrassed for him saying this to his fellow workers at the factory. It was demeaning to them. His statements seemed baleful even if he didn’t mean them to be so. Being proud of his family was great, she just wished he would stop overdoing it.
The wooden planks creaked with every step, even though he was walking slowly. He listened carefully, almost enjoying the comforting rhythmic sounds. The path was familiar and he often sought solace in the quiet forest. It had been a month now, and he still couldn’t believe it.
Last month he was working at his office when his wife called, asking to meet him for dinner. She said she had a surprise for him. He wondered what she could mean by that, but then remembered they had met with a realtor and looked at a home they dreamed of owning. They had only been married a few years but both were successful and thought the time was right.
He shut down early and went to meet at their special restaurant. Anything important to them both was always discussed there. Hurrying down the street, his cell phone rang. It was an unidentified number.
The dinner meeting never took place. The unknown number was a hospital. His wife had been in a car accident and pronounced dead at the scene. As he identified her body, the coroner approached with condolences for both deaths. He asked, “both”?
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