Live and Learn

Tandem Bike kept running. His new shoes were slipping and slowing him down. He looked back to see if her thugs were still following. Stupid me, he thought, I will never learn that if it’s too easy, it’s not legal.

Joining the rest of the guys on a Saturday night, all sitting around spouting the usual complaints of not finding a good paying job, the last surly girlfriend rebuttal, or the politics of the latest administration, and most of them loved to complain loudly, not really listening to their peers. A typical night for the disgruntled twenty somethings, no revelations or inclination to make real changes.

Sloughing his way home from work on the following Monday, Joe was approached by a woman in a tight pinstripe fashioned suit and seemed to appear from the bar he was about to enter. She engaged him in conversation and it was easy for her to see potential in the unhappy man. Over the night’s drinks, close slow dances and general heat, she made Joe think he could leave his routine and decided to take her job offer.

Joe was young, very handsome and had a great physique considering his daily routine was a hard labor job. She oohed and ahhed her way into his psyche, soothing his frustration over life in general; jeopardized him as she expertly baited him with her charm. As time progressed, Joe began to believe she had the answers. He left his job, his friends and she molded him further into her vision.

Mesmerized by her idea, that he could be so much more than the ordinary as he saw himself, she tweaked him until she thought him perfect. Joe was under the spell of her idea, her visions, and slowly succumbed to her completely. It was only after this night, the culmination of her training, that he realized what she really wanted.

He was her escort for the evening at a swanky hotel dinner. That’s what Joe thought. It was after dinner when he realized her scheme. She pulled him into a poorly lit room and started to seduce him. . .that’s what he thought was happening. Suddenly when he was about to act, a spotlight came on and loud words came from the woman he had trusted. “Let me debut my new protege, Tandem Bike!” The spotlight shown directly on Joe’s perfect anatomy. Joe quickly covered himself in embarrassment, finding out he was being “auditioned” for a new pornographic film company.

Joe squirmed back into his clothes as fast as he could and ran out the back door. He had no knowledge of her intentions and the results of her prowess to help him were quashed. He kept running until he found his old friend’s apartment. The only recompense was the ability to tell a new story to the wearisome group. However, TB was his new moniker.

***

https://rugby843.blog

https://fivedotoh.com/2019/09/24/fowc-with-fandango-debut/#like-35463

https://cyranny.com/2019/09/24/jeopardize-word-of-the-day-challenge/#like-49823

MLMM Wordle #151

No harmony on this ash gray day as he rolled up his sleeves to begin the daily chore of cleaning the sanctuary. Walking down to the small church, the cumulus clouds hiding the sun’s momentary glimmer, and all seemed too quiet. Even Mrs. Markle’s dog just sat on the porch staring as he walked by, but did not sound his usual bark.

His skin started to crawl, and goosebumps began to swell on his arms as he spied the broken glass. It wasn’t the glass or the idea of having to sweep up another mess that bothered him. It was the feeling of alarm as he approached the opened door. There was no welcome greeting from the vicar as he stepped over the threshold. The old minister lay crumpled on the floor. The foreboding feelings now realized.

***

https://mindlovemiserysmenagerie.wordpress.com/2019/09/23/wordle-151/#like-18673

Daily Addictions – Honey Cake

Image: Flickr

***

I said to the bee, good morning cutie

I see you love that sunset beauty

You don’t mind if I check your hive

Sneaking in before you arrive

I’m in the mood to cook and bake

Going to make a sweet honey cake

Thanks to you for being so fruitful

Making honey from your snootful

It’s all part of nature’s design

You enjoy yours then I’ll enjoy mine

Providing honey is so divine

Have a recipe for thick sweet brine?

No bother, I’ll let you get back to work

And pass on by to gather the perks.

***

https://dailyaddictions542855004.wordpress.com/2019/09/24/daily-addictions-bee/#like-433

https://dailyaddictions542855004.wordpress.com/2019/09/23/daily-addictions-bake/#like-430

Twittering Tales 9-24-19

Contemplating whether to end it all. Trains come and go every few minutes. I have plenty of time to decide. It would be quick and so messy no one would know it was me. That’s why I’m here. No one knows me, wants to know me. I don’t even want to know me. That’s why I’m here.

***

280 characters

September is Suicide Prevention month. Listen to someone in need.

https://katmyrman.com/2019/09/24/twittering-tales-155-24-september-2019/

Kira’s Sunday Scribbles

When does dream become reality? A child may wish for a pony, or a life on a farm with lots of animals to play with, as he sits quietly contemplating the next moment’s adventure. His imagination soars with the quick attention span he has yet to nurture. Instead, he visions fishing with the excited anticipation of his dad’s approval, or flying a kite with his mom holding the spool. Always musing of the next magical fantasy, he sits alone.

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2019/09/23/kiras-sunday-scribbles-55/

Macro Monday

A trip to my mailbox in the apartment complex. You might say an urban adventure. . .or not. . .but it was fun, especially getting close to the motorcycle guy’s beauty😎. Another clue I’m no photographer is taking a picture of cement and sharing it🙄😂.

My philosophy is you can find beauty everywhere, you just have to look.

***

Sunshine’s Macro Monday

Monday Peeve #2

Paula at https://lightmotifs.wordpress.com/ started this new thing, not a challenge for me really, I have a few pet peeves, maybe it is for you–give it a try. Everyone needs to vent a little!

***

Hmmm, I think I might start today with email advertisements. The worst I get are male enhancement, dating services asking if I’m still alone, or funeral help. Where do they get these ideas? First I’m not male and if I was I doubt I would need enhancement because of course I’d be a handsome virile devil!

I suppose these all relate to aging, and yes I am, as we all are. It’s that odd thing that happens named life and if you are still alive, you’re aging! I stopped counting birthdays three years ago after surviving till 70 and the pressure was off. My mom died at 70 and I thought if I make it past that, I’m fine.

This rant also includes sales calls I can now block on my phone. My particular favorite is a warning about a car warranty that’s going to expire on a 2001 Camry that was totaled in an accident a few years ago. Now they are more clever using your own area code to see if you’ll answer thinking you might know the person. I don’t fall for that either. Maybe I’m just a harda–.

https://lightmotifs.wordpress.com/2019/09/23/the-monday-peeve-2/#comment-26704

FFF Challenge #33

It lies before me, the answers to every question I have had, possibly since birth. Asking my parents anything always received a don’t bother, I’m busy, go play. Always curious I never gave up asking questions of my peers, my educators, even strangers. Of course they all looked at me as if I should already know the answers, or with the same look I received when questioning my parents.

The population of this world doesn’t seem as curious as maybe it should be. Asking why or how should be on the tip of our tongues, yet isn’t. Aren’t we curious anymore? Are we so ready to accept the latest news report, believing the recent Twitter or FB meme that we ignore the more complicated view? Is life so hurried we rarely take the time to look deeper into something controversial? So busy with our personal busyness that we choose not to look outward?

I can see your frown, feel your indifference, apathy for everything but your own personal daily trauma of which you suffer. . .we all suffer in different ways. Take a day, just one day, look up, look out, realize how much you’ve missed.

As for the book with all the answers–it’s always been there, you just need to open the cover and read.

https://fivedotoh.com/2019/09/23/fandangos-flash-fiction-challenge-33/#like-35693