Winter Season

Screaming

Sleep didn’t come easy this night. Esther was thinking about Bell’s question. She had done such a good job of fighting why she was really here. All the excitement of moving, getting the house clean and getting to know Oscar had been heaven sent distractions.

She had that same nightmare. Over and over she relived the same event. It made Groundhogs Day look like child’s play. She hadn’t had that dream in a month. She had been too exhausted. Was this why the landlord was so ready to get her gone? All the late night screaming? No one in the building had really said anything to her. But could it be?

She woke to Oscar trying to wake her. He was kneeling over her, frantic. She was covered in sweat, her heart was racing. But she wasn’t in the bed. Where was she?

Oscar had finally gotten control of her hands. “Esther, what’s wrong?” She closed her eyes to focus on her breathing. “Esther?” He whispered.

She slowly reached out for him. As if he were a ghost. A figment of her overactive imagination. If she touched him, would he disappear? No, he was really there. She touched him again to make sure.

Her movements reminded him of a child trying to touch a bubble but at the same time not wanting to pop it. The look on her face was one of confused torment.

“Esther?”

Once she convinced herself he was real, she held onto him for dear life; pulling him as close as she could. His heart was beating wildly. Wait a minute, she told herself. He didn’t have a shirt on. There she was clinging to his bare chest; his warm skin, and the hint of Old Spice.

“Esther? Say something please.” His voice was gentle.

She backed away for a moment. There was enough light in the room for her to see that he had a wild expression in his eyes. “Did I hurt you?” She held his face. “Did I?”

“It’s only a scratch, I promise.”

“I’m so sorry.” She sniffed.

“Please, it’s okay.” He held her hands that were still on his face. As he pulled them away he kissed the top of them.

“Hold me.” She pleaded. “Don’t let go.”

A command he gladly followed. He sat with his back up against the wall, guided her to him and wrapped her up as tightly as he could with his arms and legs. She snuggled into him as if he were a blanket.

He had been asleep but woke to gentle breath on his neck. Her head was on his shoulder. He smiled a great big smile. He had no idea what the nightmare was about but he was loving this.

He woke again to feel her snuggling her face into his neck. Her arms were around his back. He readjusted his position so he could hold her again.

“Tighter,” she moaned.

He did his best to honor her wishes.

He woke to her caressing his face. “Thank you.”

“Why were you screaming?”

“Bad dream.” She snuggled back into his arms.

When she woke again, it took her a little while to figure out she was in the guest room, almost in the back corner between a night stand and the wall. Oscar had guided her to his lap. That much she remembered. He had gotten her out of her hiding place. Out of her nightmare. Could he do it? Could he be the one to end her nightmare? The thought made her shiver. There wasn’t enough therapy in the world to end her nightmare. Time possibly could dull the trauma.

Winter Season

“No Thank You” Challenge

Attached is a piece of flash fiction, with exactly 100 words including the phrase “no thank you”. Let’s see yours! My digital timekeeper …

“No Thank You” Challenge

Ricky Hurlich, thanks for posting your challenge and allowing me to reblog it.

“No thank you challenge” 100 word story

This day sucked. All day long it was one thing right after another. It all started the second my foot crossed the threshold. Didn’t even get time to clock in before fur started flying.

Chico had gotten into the treats and got diarrhea.

Sam got out (somehow) and decided to play with a skunk.

Buttons had kittens.

Duke bit Buttercup. Bob couldn’t fine any of the 100 muzzles we have on inventory.

A BIRD!

Connie; our new volunteer, threw up before promptly quitting.

Bob rubbed his fingers through his thinning hair and asked “wanna get a drink?”

“No thank you.”

Happy Thanksgiving

Written at the first of the Covid pandemic.

🦃

The turkeys are thawed in the fridge with care,

in the hopes that salmonella will not come visit this year.

~

We have visions of pies, cakes and cookies dancing in our heads.

It may only be Thursday but we will be Sunday fed.

~

Soon the air will be filled with the delightful smells of our Thanksgiving feast.

Mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, fruit salad, stuffing and stuffing and stuffing.

~

Our bellies will bust. Our buttons will pop.

But we can’t forget the egg nog to top it all off.

~

Though this year will be different;

no one really wants Covid to show up for dinner.

–

We can still feast and enjoy loved ones company;

however, 6 feet apart. Let’s make everyone a winner.

~

So feast on, feast on, eat more ham.

Or a goose, a duck, maybe even Spam.

~

From Chico and I, Happy Thanksgiving to y’all.

Enjoy your blessings and count them all.

Winter Season

The Past

Oscar just watched her. She had started swirling her water in the glass. He quickly changed the subject and more laughing ensued.

Everyone had left; Oscar and Esther worked together this time to clean up the kitchen.

She reached with her left arm to put something away in a cabinet above her head. Her shoulder screamed. ‘No.’ She thought she said it in her head but she must have said it out loud and Oscar heard. While her hand was still on the bowl, above her head, he took it from her putting it away. “Thank you.”

“Thank you for helping me.”

“I guess I’d better go too.” She walked toward the door to collect her coat.

Oscar quickly followed her. “Stay.” His hands were on her shoulders. “Please.” Neither of them moved for a moment. “You don’t have any furniture in your house. It would be a shame for you to sleep in a sleeping bag when I have a soft bed. Stay.”

She turned studying his face for a moment. Those big brown eyes were full of sadness again. The ones that only an hour ago were so full of light and laughter. He had his heart on his sleeve. It was easy to tell by the tone of his voice. “As you wish.” She smiled, slightly deflated. But she hated that sleeping bag.

“May we talk for a while?” He looked so lost. Almost like a child.

“Of course.”

He guided her to the couch. As they sat down, he began to speak. “Your word ‘neotenous’ has really bothered me.”

She was floored. After a moment was able to blurt out, “I’m sorry.”

“Please don’t be.” He wasn’t able to look at her. “I’ve thought about it ever since you said it. It hit me like a punch to the gut. I don’t understand why. It’s just a word.” He blushed. “I even had a conversation with our biology teacher about humans as animals. It was brought to my attention that maybe I was looking at this all wrong. Maybe it wasn’t the human aspect of the word at all.” He paused.

For a moment, she thought he was finished. With her voice soft and low, “if I ever say anything to upset you, I am more than willing to help figure out the issue.”

“It’s just a word.” He pleaded.

“It is. But something about it is upsetting.”

He felt a ripple of emotion seize his body. “But why?”

“I am more than willing to help you figure out the why.”

“This is stupid.”

“I disagree. There is a reason for your concern. You may have to sleep on it before an answer reveals itself.”

She took a deep breath, “thank you for changing the topic of conversation earlier.”

“You’re welcome. It was obvious from the way you started nusin’ that glass, that subject needed to go away.” The look on her face was one of utter bewilderment. He laughed. “Nus, nursing.”

“I love it. I’m gonna have to use it.”

“Being a teacher,” he added “you get good at redirecting people. Until my family enters the picture.”

Winter Season

Easter

What’s your favorite month of the year? Why?

Whatever month Easter is in. Some years it has been March; other times April. Easter is my favorite holiday for two reasons:

Easter means spring is right around the corner. The Earth is waking up from its hibernation period. Birds are singing. Flowers are blooming. Sadly, the grass has started growing. But oh well.

Easter is jelly beans, chocolate bunnies, or soft fluffy bunnies. Baby chicks. Eggs, eggs, eggs.

Okay, three reasons: Easter is the resurrection of my Lord and Savior Jesus. Without whom I would have nothing and be nothing. Amen!

Winter Season

Friends

“Sure thing. Come with me sir.” She held her arm out for him in a move that traditionally gentlemen did for their ladies. “Oh, did you lock up? I know that I don’t really have anything in there worth stealing yet. But this really sweet gentleman told me that crime is everywhere.” She winked.

“Yes, my lady I did indeed lock up.” He smiled as he took her arm. She led him to his house. As she opened the front door his stomach let out a low, long growl.

She giggled, “nothing to eat today?”

“Just coffee and pop.”

“I will tell you the same thing I used to tell pap, ‘man cannot live on coffee and doughnuts alone’.”

He threw his coat over the couch as he strolled into the kitchen, shoes on. That smell. What had she been up too? Burgers. That smell was the wonderful aroma of grease and beef. The doorbell rang. He looked like a deer in the headlights. But only for a moment.

“Please don’t be mad. I invited Chet and Bell over for dinner.”

“Mad.” He smiled. “Never.” He gave her another great big hug before almost running to answer the door.

Bell had brought a lovely bouquet of flowers with them. Esther stood in the kitchen doorway watching the exchange of friends. Oscar really was a great person. It wasn’t a show he was putting on for her. And this was her first time seeing Bell. She stood at Chet’s shoulder, a guess of about 5 foot 6 or so with long black hair. They looked so in love. A looked that Esther envied but at the same time didn’t understand. Perhaps country men were different? Then Oat entered her mind. No. They were the same. These two men were different.

Oscar formally introduced Bell to Esther.

After they all had a plate of food. Chet bit into his burger. “Hmmm,” he growled with his mouth full. “These are grilled.”

Oscar smiled real big. “Found my grill did ja?” His eyes danced in a way that Esther hadn’t seen before.  

Esther looked sheepishly at the ceiling with a half-smile on her face. “Hmmm, yeah.” She whimpered. And everyone laughed.

“You fixed the fries on the grill too. How’d you do that?” Bell asked.

“Piece of tin foil and cooking spray, sea salt and a little pepper.”

“These are the best.” Bell added.

After dinner, they all retired to the living room with a coffee or water. Everyone was laughing and having a great time. Chet was beguiling them with funnier tales from his 25 years of being in law enforcement.

Bell changed the tone of the conversation. “It’s not all fun and games Chet. There have been times that you have scared the life out of me,” she hesitated and pointed at Oscar, “us.”

“I know, love.” He smiled and held her hand.

Esther asked, “If I may, what is Bell short for?”

“Isabella.”

“It’s beautiful. Are you originally from this area? Your accent is a little different from the guys?”

She smiled, “no. I grew up in Lexington. One day I was going to Hazard for a meeting and got pulled over by this overzealous deputy for speeding.” She winked at Chet. “And the rest as they say is history.”

“So Esther, what did you do before you came here?” Bell asked with a smile.

Esther returned a forced smile, “I am not at liberty to discuss my former employer at this time.” She stared at her glass of water. Not wanting to see the confused expression on everyone’s face.

Winter Season