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playing hooky another old writing prompt

The nicest thing Tom ever did was enable me to conceive our children. The second nicest thing Tom ever did was desert us four years ago, leaving us penniless.

The alarm started to beep annoyingly. Carol reached over and turned it off. She hadn’t slept a wink. She’d sat up all night hoping to confront her demons by writing about them and that’s all she managed to write.

Stepping into the comfort of the hot steaming shower Crystal reviewed it all in her sleep deprived mind. She’d been the steadfast, dutiful, faithful, perfect little wife for 14 years. She’d hid the shame of being an abused spouse from everyone. Only Carol’s closest friends saw through the façade, and prayed she’d leave him before it was too late.

Carol was towelling off when she noticed the message waiting light was blinking.

Hmm who would call this early.

“Hi Sweetie, It’s me Judy. I’m on my cell. I know you were going to drive up to Calgary after work to meet me in the airport and visit while I was on my lay over but the weather has gotten nasty here so instead of Chicago to Calgary then Vancouver, I’m being re-routed through Denver then a direct flight to Vancouver. Did Janey find anyone to house sit for the Navy, Air Force guy? Oh gotta run, Sorry Love ya.

Snap! That was literally the only thing getting me through work today

Carol’s girls had all gone on a ‘sisters’ road trip for the long weekend and wouldn’t be back until late Monday. Carol had planned to hang out with Judy, take in a movie, and then go to a spa all day Saturday before driving home.

I am so sick of being the goody two shoes, good old dependable Carol. Gag how boring. I bet half the office plays hooky today. I’ve never even played hooky once……in……

Carol stopped in mid sentence and mid step.

Tomorrow night I should be celebrating my 20th wedding anniversary. IF that isn’t enough to make me want to gag.

But I refuse to spend tonight alone at home in front of the TV crying my eyes out. It’s bad enough today is my 39th birthday.

The heck with little miss goody two shoes.

***

Carol could hardly believe it. When she phoned in sick no one even questioned her. She was such a paragon of virtue no one would ever expect her to flat out lie and take the day off while saying she’d been up all night and was too sick to come into work.

Right now I’ve got the day off what do I do. I want to live on the edge, be daring, do something reckless. Who am I kidding?

Janey!!

Hi Janey, Does Troy’s friend still need someone to babysit his house, water his plants etc?

Hi Carol, I found someone but they can’t start until Tuesday. Why?

I took today off, is this guys’ place as wild as Troy says it is?

Haven’t you been there Carol?

Oh, He threw a party for Troy’s birthday but I guess it was about the same time Tom died.

One side has a view of the skyline. The other the mountains. At night you have an endless sky overflowing with stars.

The top floor has a wrap around balcony on 3 sides. His master suite overlooks the sunrise and the formal living room faces the most amazing sunset with the mountains and … I can’t do it justice trying to explain.

The 4th side instead of a outside balcony overlooks an indoor Olympic sized pool.

Olympic sized pool? Nothing like overkill

Lol you have a real hang up about people with money Carol

I don’t, Money is a tool and it should be used to benefit others and make the world a better place. I don’t mind anyone who had to work for their money, or who didn’t walk over others to earn it.

Carol make your words sweet one of these days you might have to eat them. Janey laughed merrily

Does this pleasure palace of Troy‘s buddy with the ‘lofty goals and immense virtue’ have a spare room I could sleep over in?

Yes, he’s got a few.

Is the master bedroom OBVIOUSLY the master bedroom.

It’s huge, and if that didn’t give it away its extremely masculine. You’d be terrified to sit on the gigantic extra long King sized bed let alone sleep there overnight. I’m sure you’ll know which bedroom is which.

What do you mean I’d be terrified to sit on the bed.

Carol, don’t take this wrong, but you see a cute guy and run. You haven’t been on a date, well since Tom left you, let alone since he died.

Dating is not all it’s cracked up to be.

I don’t know, that’s how I met Michael, Janey sighs.

Oh ugh, cut it out. AND I’ll not only sit on “Mister Top Gun’s” bed, but I’ll sleep in it tonight!!

Loud laughter and gasping for breathe,

Right, Carol if you actually sleep in his bed and bring back a digital picture to prove it, I’ll go to a karaoke bar and I’ll sing any song you choose, at the top of my lungs.

Carol bursts out laughing, you barely sing out loud when we stand at attention to sing O Canada at the kids sports events.

I know I never sing out loud except in the shower.

This is silly, I’ll sleep in Colonel Mustard’s bed and bring back a digital to prove it. You don’t have to sing, but you do have to go with me next time I feel like karaoke. Deal?

Deal

OK Janey, so tonight it will be Miss scarlet in Colonel mustard’s bed with the digital camera. Should I eat crackers in bed just so he knows someone was there while he was away.

Oh heaven’s no. Absolutely not.

Great he’s a classic anal retentive military type. Maybe I should buy him some pink cushions, and maybe some flowery hand towels for the bathroom’

Carol, if you even mention anything like that when you come to pick up the keys, I’ll REFUSE to give them to you.

Janey, you sound like you’re afraid of the guy. IS he like some sort of psycho mercenary type??

No, but he is formidable. Promise me you will not ‘pink-erize” anything in his house ok. He’s a very eligible, good looking, single, macho, male.

You didn’t just tell me the guy is a ‘macho man” Carol breaks out singing the refrain, ‘macho macho man….”

Carol you know I love you, but are you on something???

Oh groan, no just lack of sleep. I’ll be there in 3 hours. This is the guy with the state of the art theatre, and stereo equipment right?

Troy says it’s the most amazing home theatre set up he’s ever seen and the sound quality may be better than front row seats at an actual concert.

Well I love Troy, but it sounds like he ‘idolizes’ this guy a bit too much.

Well Troy was overseas supervising setting up the more permanent army hospital facilities and that’s where they met.

OK well I’m looking forward to “blowing this popsicle stand” for the weekend” I just don’t want to be home this weekend, too many memories.

I’m sorry this is such a tough weekend for you.

It’s getting better but 39 and 20th anniversary. OUCH

What did you say 29 and 10th anniversary??? Janey Giggling in the background.

I’m on my way. Thanks Janey, I feel 2000% better than I did before I called.

Take care Carol, drive safe and plan on staying for lunch OK?

Deal…do I have to sing for my supper?

Suit yourself, but I guarantee that the cook is not singing for her lunch!!

Bye Janey, thanks

Your welcome

***

HOLY when Janey said I couldn’t miss it, she wasn’t kidding. It looks like a cover from architectural Digest. The lines were clean and bold and modern.

Probably looks like a public auditorium inside Carol mumbled.

Troy had stopped by and waxed poetic on how ‘the Lord of the Castle’ was almost perfect. Carol liked Troy but this hero worship stuff was getting to be a bit much. The guy had to have feet of clay and if he wasn’t over in Iraq “single handed-ly saving the world” Carol would prove it.

Mr G I Joe, my name is Rambo, was going to be hearing her sing “you don’t impress me much” if she ever met him.

Ok .now if I can deactivate the security system, without launching a cruise missile, I’ll figure I did ok.

It would take 3 different alpha numeric codes, one for the gate into the property, another for the garage, and (if I’m lucky and say ‘open sesame’ and blink like Jeanne) then this 3rd one let’s me into Aladdin’s house of wonders. Once inside there was a separate code for the in house security system.

Brother this guy is either paranoid, or a crook. With my luck probably both.

I don’t know my cars but I’d swear that’s a Porsche, that looks like a viper and that is a Ferrari. I wonder if he has them booby trapped. In for a penny, in for a pound.

Hi Janey,

Hi Carol

How’s it going?

I haven’t made it into the house yet

You know our bet,

Yes…

Check this out. Carol quickly took a selfie of herself sending it to Janey to await her response.

Carol, what do you think you are doing?

I’m sitting in a Ferrari. It’s not the right color I prefer red, but hey, it’s the only one I see in this guys’ garage.

Carol I really don’t think you should be sitting in one of his cars.

Oh come on. He’s never going to know. And even if he did find out what’s he going do?

Silence

Ok, Ok, It’s not like he’s ever going to know, but I’m getting out. Oh no, I just smacked his other car with the door of the Ferrari, what do I do?

What car, what kind is it, how bad is it… Carol are you sobbing, or laughing?

oh Janey, I just couldn’t resist. ‘The Big Kahona’ parks them far enough apart that even I couldn’t ding the doors. I could open the doors wide open and they wouldn’t even touch….but I won’t try it.

There was the sound of muffled exasperation then Janey said, “Carol I think this might be a bad idea. You are in a really strange mood tonight.”

Breathe Janey, I am walking away from the smouldering hot cars that are symbolic of a man who is insecure in his masculinity and attempting to overcompensate…..

Carol, just be careful, I have a feeling you’re going to say something you are really going to regret.

Janey, I’ll let you go. I have to concentrate on the door to Fort Knox here. Even if he hopped on a plane in Iraq this very minute he’d be hard pressed to get back here before Monday morning.

Monday morning? You were only going to stay until Tomorrow evening.

Well it depends if I like eating crackers or potato chips in his bed.

PLEASE PLEASE tell me you are just doing this to give me ulcers. Carol you are really not yourself today. Do you want me to get a babysitter for tonight and come keep you company?

No Janey, Carol chuckled, It’s just a lack of sleep. Once I get a good night sleep I will be back to being my usual boring self.

Honey I have never considered you boring. A little straight laced but never boring, you are too much fun. I am really happy we got to visit earlier but you seemed kind of off your game today. Michael will understand if you need me to come and stay with your tonight so you are not alone on your anniversary.

Relax sweetie, in all the years I’ve known you you have never been so uptight. That’s usually my job. Hang on a minute. Yay!! This must be my lucky night. Open Sesame has opened.

Pardon?

Nothing Janey, I’m in. over and out. Roger that. Mission accomplished.

Would there be a problem if I do decide stay over until Monday?

Not as long as you don’t spray paint anything pink, or eat anything in bed.

You’re no fun. What am I supposed to do with that six pack of pink spray paint now?

Enough, I’ll let you go, I’m glad you found it.

Thanks to your directions and the fact a house this immense would be pretty hard to miss. Give Michael a hug for me. Love you Janey.

I will, love you too, bye

Carol hung up and put her phone in her purse. She had got the door open but had not yet stepped into the house. Wrestling to pick up a couple grocery bags, the chinese take out she’d grabbed on the way out of town, along with her purse, a gift bag, and her carry on she stepped into the cool dark entryway.

***

OK if I did that right the phone won’t ring Carol thought as she put the recipe card in her pocket. She had just finished keying in the alpha numeric code for the in house security system. Thankfully ‘The Terminator’ left brief, clear, specific details on how to set the alarm so the ‘house sitter’ wouldn’t set it off just walking around and yet someone breaking in would set it off.

Janey had told Carol exactly where to find the recipe card once she was in the house so she would be able to deactivate it in time. She would also need to hold on to the other access codes if she wanted to wander about the acreage or leave and come back during the day.

Carol, had been surprised that although the house was modern and massive, with bold, clean lines it was not an eyesore. It manage to compliment the rugged beauty of the Mountains as well as be in harmony with the natural foliage surrounding the acreage.

Carol had grudgingly had to admit she liked it on sight. But she was totally unprepared for how tasteful and homey the interior proved to be.

No doubt the masculinity and the lack of clutter might have made another layout seem sterile and uninviting but this was designed with pleasure, comfort, tranquility and an uncanny sense of being ‘welcomed home’. It was no easy feat. The vaulted ceilings, the use of windows, the placement of skylights, the natural elements brought in doors from rock used in the fireplaces, the wood used in the furnishing, use of paintings, sculptures, fountains, and textiles which all flowed pleasingly through out.

Though predominantly masculine, the comfort of the leather furnishings, the gourmet kitchen, the many additional touches made this house not a museum, sterile and unlived in, but a home welcoming, comfortable, and begging to be used, enjoyed and filled to capacity.

Once Carol had gotten over the initial shock of loving the home, as that’s what it felt like not just a house, but someone’s home, she placed her provisions in the side by side fridge/freezer.

She was surprised how well stocked it was knowing the owner was away for an undetermined amount of time. There was a distinct lack of junk food, but her purchases would more than make up for that.

Carol paused wondering if there was an elevator, this place was lavish so probably there was one …somewhere.

Once she reached the upper level Carol began opening doors along the right side of the corridor. There was an assortment of rooms, a few appeared to be small offices, fully equipped with every possible ‘business’ machine.

The two guest bedrooms on this side were generic and still leaned towards the masculine side of the spectrum. Yet nothing smaller than an extra long queen bed was in either room. There was a ‘jack and jill’ connecting bathroom that serviced the two guest bedrooms.

As Carol turned she crossed the hall and realized that it seemed to mirror the right side of the corridor. Apparently in this hallway there was a total of 4 small offices, and 4 generic bedrooms and 2 ‘shared’ full bathrooms.

There were French door directly ahead with a hallway connecting to a corridor where she imagined she’d find another 4 offices and 4 bedrooms. Carol left her carry on, purse and gift bag in front of the French doors.

The Left corridor was not exactly as she expected. Finding two very feminine rooms with every imaginable amenity a female guest might find herself in need of. The beds were again queen sized but the furnishing more elaborate and elegant. The bedrooms did not share a bathroom but had their own individual ensuites

Where Carol had expected to find the 4 small offices she found instead a medium sized board room with every imaginable audio-visual, electronic or computer need met and then surpassed.

Across the hall was a full equipped gym. It was large enough to accomodate a basketball court, yet also appeared to have a ballet barre at one end with floor to ceiling mirrors. As she looked around she saw an assortment of gymnastic paraphernalia as well as what looked like glassed in cabinets displaying fencing equipment. Carol shook her head in disbelief as she turned off the lights and closed the door.

She started wondering if there was a hidden ‘bat cave’ below the main floor of the house. Even as she let herself indulge in such a flight of fancy Carol knew she was avoiding the inevitable.

Carol grit her teeth as she opened the French doors and walked in. The sconce lighting came on automatically giving a sedate source of light in this entrance way. .

There was a single door down the hall to the left. On the right, there was another set of French doors with a second set of heavy wooden doors 5 feet beyond those .

Taking a deep breath Carol pushed open the heavy solid, oak double doors just beyond the second set of French doors.

The door entered into the most palatial suite Carol had ever seen or imagined.

The thick carpet; the heavy curtains on either side of the sheers covering the floor to ceiling windows; the entire room was exquisite without having the feeling of “a Martha Steward over the top designer” having been there.

Everything was tasteful, yet understated. It was truly someone’s inner sanctum. Carol would sleep the first night in the Lion’s Den but for Saturday and Sunday she would definitely sleep elsewhere. Carol suddenly felt very much that she was encroaching upon someone’s very private, very personal space..

She hesitated and was about to turn and quickly exit the room when she could almost hear a childish taunt from grade school. Chicken….chicken….chicken, pluck pluck pluck.

Carol rolled her eyes and marched back to where she had left her suitcase, purse and gift bag. Grabbing them she quickly returned to the inner sanctum. She was annoyed by her cowardice and muttered to herself. It’s not going to be the end of the world if I spend one night in ‘his’ bedroom. Even as she said it she knew she would definitely not be eating anything in bed or anywhere near this room.

She walked through the door and nearly dropped her suitcase, “Oh Lord, I did just find the Bat Cave.” A massive king-sized, four poster, canopied bed draped in black and red was straight ahead. It looked large enough for the first string of a basketball team to pile in and fall fast asleep without ever bumping into each other.

The furniture was the finest mahogany, the fireplace was polished black granite, the word palatial didn’t seem to do it justice. The Bed’s ensemble of Black and Red Satin, and what might also include a combination of, leather, and velvet had a palpable sensuality of it’s own. Carol was embarrassed to find even though it was only an empty room the raw sexuality of the furnishing made her blush and feel as if she was having a hot flash.

***

“It’s now or never.” Carol, kicked off her shoes, went to the head of the bed, and pulled back the sheets. She wasn’t prepared for a faint but very distinct , masculine scent to be released just from opening his bed and pulling back the sheets. Whoa if he smells even half this good, I’d be a goner. Carol slipped in between the sheets fighting the immediate desire to roll around in the sheet and enjoy just the incredible sensual feeling of them. Quickly pulling up the sheets she went to snap a picture on her cell phone. I can tell I’m still dressed. She quickly pulled the T shirt over her head and dropped it on to the floor. She snapped the picture using the bedspread to cover the bra straps now hanging down on either side making it look more convincing.

Carol literally leapt out of the bed, pulled her t-shirt back on and then straightened the bedding as if she were obsessive compulsive.

Turning to go she saw that one wall was full of books from floor to ceiling. She paused imagining herself reading while relaxing on the leather chaise lounge near the smaller, natural gas fireplace. The fireplace was tastefully nestled between the bookshelf and what appeared to be a stained glass octagon shaped window.

She looked to the right and she could see a door open to the ensuite. She knew it would be wiser not to look but it was as if she was a moth and the ensuite was a flame. It was opulent beyond possible expectations. The faucets gleamed as if they were 24 K gold. The entire bathroom which was as large as the feminine guest rooms were wall to wall black marble. Definitely the ‘Bat Cave’. Beyond the long vanity with two recessed sinks was a huge bay window. Tucked into the area of the bay window, surrounded by luscious blooming exotic flowers and ferns, was a hydrotherapy tub built for two but large enough for at least 4. At the foot was a Wall Mounted 48” HD TV monitor.

There was a two person walk in shower with at least 8 shower heads each at various angles and heights. On either side of the 12 foot long shower were a his and a hers toilet. On either side of a walk in linen closet were a dry sauna, and a steam room.

Carol was feeling slightly dazed. She had decided that she might just sleep on top of the bedspread tonight. She was feeling as if she was walking on hallowed ground and she knew doing it without permission.

***

Carol had scouted out the pool and the grounds and been impressed. What this guy needed if he wasn’t gone all the time was a couple huge dogs to take full advantage of the amazing acreage.

Carol had regained her determination to party hardy once she left the sacred chambers of the Masked Marvel. The location was isolated, but she knew it was safer than Fort Knox.

Listening to the sound system made her feel like she was center stage. After eating the Kung Pao Chicken and fried rice she brought with her she was feeling energetic. She decided to put on her favorite playlist of concert video. She cleared off the coffee table, kicked off her shoes, tucked her t-shirt up under her bra, and tugged her jeans down to show off enough midriff to satisfy any Britney Spears fan.

As her playlist of concert videos started she leapt onto the coffee table, hair brush from her purse in one hand, and proceeded to prance her stuff back and forth as if she were on stage She sang at the top of her lungs, and did a great imitation of some of her favorites including Steve Tyler, Mick Jagger, and Elton John. She pranced on the coffee table with a dash of Cher and did her best imitation of Shakira. She was feeling footloose and invigorated as she paid homage to her favorite band. Carol shook her hips and air guitared as she imitated Jon himself while she sang one Bon Jovi anthem after another.. Finally after taking the last bow along with Jon and Richie she purposely collapsed throwing herself backwards onto the massive, comfortable leather couch..

As the final credits for the youtube concert videos faded Carol stood up and pulled her shirt back down. She walked over to the bag by the fireplace.

When she had planned to take a belly dancing class she had splurged and bought an outfit that had made her feel brazen but alive. She’d taken one class and discovered although she could to the basic moves the next morning she would almost need chiropractic intervention.

She hesitated, looked over her shoulder then laughed out loud. ‘Yeah like there’s anyone within a 10 mile radius that could possibly even see me.. Carol quickly stripped down to her particularly skimpy ‘champagne and cream’ bra and panties. As she pulled out the sheer, silky outfit she smiles at the feel of the material against her bare skin. She closed her eyes and sighed.

Once she has discarded her underwear she hooked up the bikini top and adjusted the cups to make sure what needed to be covered, was covered. The magenta bikini top and bottom were the tiniest she’s ever worn, but they went underneath the harem pants, and vest of the “I dream of Jeanne” belly dancing outfit. Carol had never worn them since she ended up not taken anything more than the first free introductory class. But this was her night to throw her inhibitions out the window. Tonight this woman was going to roar. The plate glass window from across the room reflected her image, she paused, there was a wild-ness in her eyes that startled her but made laughter bubble up from the depth of her soul.

“Who is that wild, wanton, woman looking at me?” She asked her reflection out loud in a flirtatious tone. That was Carol’s cue to start singing along to a medley of Shakira songs on her cell phone, and trip the light fantastic Arabian nights style.

As the beat intensifies, Carol lost herself to the music. When it was over her skin was glistening with beads of sweat. Her hair is now half up, half down She pulled out the last of the bobby pins and shook out her hair.

Grabbing a pen, she began to check off her list.

One. Play hooky for the first time in my life

Two. Dance on a table with wild abandon playing air guitar and pretending to be Jon Bon Jovi the Ringmaster of the ultimate Concert Experience.

She stopped to jump up and then bow to the huge glass windows which were now acting like mirrors. Next, with a gyrating hip and one lip curled back, said out loud,, “thank you, thank you very much” With that she flopped back down and grabbed her list. ‘Ok so I’m not Elvis.’ she thought

Three Wear the Belly Dancing outfit I have never had the guts to wear

Four wear it and pretend I’m Shakira.

Five Sleep in Bat Man’s Bed and eat crackers while recording it on my cell phone to send to Janey. Well maybe without the crackers. Hmm maybe just lay on top of the bed.

What next? Carol was a little annoyed that she had only managed to list 5 things to do to rebel against her goody two shoe image. while she had bagged her things that morning. She leaned back and closed her eyes. What I really need is to cool down or I’m going to be stiff as a board tomorrow. She suddenly sat up, eyes wide open, maybe I won’t eat crackers in his bed, but there’s no one to stop me from….Carol quickly added a six, seven and eight followed by a questions mark to her rebellious ‘to do list’.

She dashed out through the kitchen and opened the doors that lead to the indoor swimming pool.

Soon ws Carol is certain she has everything secured; Jacuzzi next to pool on; filter for pool on; has skimmed anything noticeable from the pool’s surface she slipped out of the flimsy Jeannie pantaloons and crop top. Carol dove into the deep end of the pool and briskly swam the entire length of the pool. She came up out of the water feeling totally rejuvenated. “Ah. This is the life.” She shouted.

She looked over her shoulder self consciously and then shook her head. Get a grip!!! She reached back and releases the hooks on the belly dancing bikini top. She blushes as her breasts are released from the fabric and they suddenly react to the cooler temperature of the pool room.

The music piped into the pool area is from her cell phone on random shuffle, it’s an old Carol King song. “I feel the earth move under my feet…” She starts dancing and gyrating to the music forgetting her state of undress.

She twirls the bikini top in her right hand as she prances around dancing in the shallow end of the pool. As the song ends she flips it into the air strip tease style. It arcs gracefully out over the pool and then lands on the smooth surface of the water. She smiles as she watches it slowly sink.

“Oops”. She giggles. She is about to swim back to the diving board when she suddenly stops. “It’s not really Skinny Dipping it I don’t do it right she thought

She quickly peels off the wet bikini belly dancing bottoms and tosses it across the pool to join the still slowly sinking top.

Once she reaches the far end of the pool she climbs out to gracefully dives back into the water. Carol feels exhilarated by the sensation of the water caressing her body totally free of any clothes or swim suit. She does several laps and then decides to float on her back and enjoy the stars through the large skydome above Carol let’s her mind wander and wonders if the glass is bulletproof or some kind of transparent solar panels

The water lapping against her body, the hum of the water filter, the celestial wonder above clearly visible through the glass dome over the pool is mesmerizing. Carol floats, relaxed and without a care in the world.

Drifting carefree totally immersed in the tranquility of the pool and the stars Carol is startled by something. She immediately begins to tread water turning and looking around trying to figure out what had shook her out of her reverie.

Carol’s heart is pounding like a trip hammer, she realizes that her swim suit has sank to the very bottom of the pool. She quickly swims over to the shallow end of the pool and pulled herself out just far enough to stretch across the cement floor. She attempts to reach the long stick with a net she used earlier to skim the pool. She finally gave up and climbed unceremoniously out and scrambled over to grab the net.

She hurried back and jumped in feet first with the net. Soon as Carol is able to snag her swimsuit she pulled them on. Once again making sure the miniscule bikini top is secure Carol climbed out of the pool. She ran over to a cupboard by the door. Inside she finds a stack of very thick bath towels.

***

Armed with the stereo typical rolling pin from the kitchen along with having pulled her jeans and T shirt over her wet swimsuit, Carol begins to systematically check the downstairs. Once the downstairs is done and she has double checked the setting on the security system Carol picked up the landline to phone Janey and ask what might bump in the night in this castle of a home.

Carol clicks the handset repeatedly but no dial tone.

Damn she hadn’t bothered to check when she came as she had just been talking with Janey on her cell phone. Carol grabs her cell phone from where she had plugged it into the pool’s sound system. she punched last number dialled. Nothing happened. Carol tried again. Carol shook her head as if to clear it. As she re-dialed from memory she stopped. The phone is saying no coverage. “I don’t believe it. The phone worked out in the garage but won’t work inside the house.” she mutters but resists the urge to throw it across the room.

Every scary, “home alone, and the phone line has been cu” movie ran through Carol’s mind terrifying her to the point of nearly peeing her jeans. No she thought I didn’t come out here to be irresponsible, and break the rules for the first time in my life and be a little daring to have some nutcase kill me.

“Sucker,” she heard herself scream. “I’m Menopausal . I’ve got a gun and I know how to use it.”

The hair on the back of her neck stood on end. She could almost feel his breath run down her neck at the same time she heard him softly chuckle. “I’ve never killed anyone whose made me laugh before….”

He was close enough she could feel the heat of his body as he stood behind her.

Paralyzed with fear she didn’t turn around but growled menacingly, “If you kill me, Troy’s buddy who lives here will track you down and make you wish you’d never been born.”

He disarmed her and spun her around to face him before she could blink, “You, are my house sitter?”

“You’re Batman?” she squeaked feeling faint and relieved at the same time.

He looked at Carol with a combination of bewilderment and consternation. “You’ve either bewitched me, or you are a mad man, make that a mad woman. After watching you swim, that’s at least one thing I can be certain of”.

“You didn’t let me know you were there, or turn away and not look?”

“I’m a soldier, not a Saint.”

Carol lost all composure and slapped him as hard as she could. She would have been horrified if he hadn’t smirked and asked,

“ Feel better?”

“Your despicable, you…. What ever she was going to say was cut off as he crushed her lips beneath his.”

Old Christmas heatwave writing prompt

Alicia couldn’t believe it, a HEATWAVE…in December…in New Jersey??? She stared at the Christmas tree she’d just decorated. It certainly didn’t feel like Christmas.

Feeling the need to get into the mood Alicia turned on her laptop, found her Christmas play list, and grinned. Bon Jovi concert, Red Banks, NJ Dec 22nd 2008. She and Chad had gone and had a blast. Soon Jon’s voice filled the room as he sang Blue Christmas. She had over 2 hours of Christmas music on her play list and half a dozen gifts that she still needed to wrap.

Alicia finished wrapping the last gift and placed it under the tree. An hour of Christmas music had lightened her mood. The old AC unit’s feeble attempt at cooling down the living room only left her feeling hotter and stickier than she did an hour ago. Her parents had lived in this house, in a blue-collar suburb of Trenton New Jersey, since before Alicia had been born.

She went upstairs pealing off her clothes as she went. She tossed them in the hamper in her old room and walked into the recently renovated bathroom. She was grateful for the pulsating showerhead as it eased the tension out of her neck and shoulders. She wasn’t sure if a hot shower was the best idea when she felt so hot and sticky, but it worked to relief the stiffness and pain that had plagued her after over exerting herself last night.

She rinsed her hair with lukewarm water. It felt good as it gently cooled down her skin. Slipping on a lacy thong and wrapping up in a fluffy white towel she walked out of the bathroom and back into her room. The towel barely covered her ‘assets’ but it was fragrant and soft.

She went to her suitcase forgetting her favourite jeans were in the washer downstairs. Slipping into a long sleeved, white, ‘man tailored’ shirt she quickly did up the buttons. She paused, despite the unusually warm weather her feet felt cold so she put on a thick pair of socks from her suitcase. Alicia grabbed her hairbrush from off the old dresser and headed downstairs.

As she went to walk past the living-room she caught her reflection in the large mirror over the fireplace. Just as she started down the hallway to the laundry room Jon stopped singing ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’ and broke into ‘Run Run Rudolph.’

She shook her head and laughed. She turned, ran back and slid across the floor until she was standing with the banister behind her and was facing the living room fireplace.

She started alternating between ‘air guitar’ and singing into her hairbrush, as she imitated the old “Risky Business” Guitar Hero commercial Chad loved so much.

As she pranced about she sang joyously at the top of her lungs “Run Run Rudolph” with total abandon. She went so far as to jump up on top of the coffee table and then jumped on the couch landing on her back, kicking her feet in the air.

She had just turned to face the fireplace and turned up her collar, as Tom Cruise did in the movie, still dancing about and singing along as she ‘twerked’ backwards to the music. She

suddenly backed into something. Backed into something where she knew there should be nothing.

She whirled around almost losing her balance. She was stunned to see a total stranger in army fatigues grinning at her from ear to ear. He reached out but Alicia was too alarmed at his sudden appearance to understand if he was attempting to steady her or to assault her. Her fight or flight instinct kicked in. Alicia overcompensated as she tried to pull away, keep her balance, and make a hasty retreat by taking several steps backwards without taking her eyes of her ‘assailant’.

What happened next was a comedy of errors. Alicia stepped on a tape dispenser still on the floor next to the wrapping paper and scissors. It hurt like the devil causing her to hop on one foot. As she grabbed her foot with one hand her other foot landed on several rolls of wrapping paper, which shot out from under her. She waved her arms in the air trying to stop from falling backwards only to have her right arm get tangled in the garlands and lights on the Christmas tree.

To her horror Alicia realized not only was she about to lose her balance and fall backwards into the tree and on to the presents but the tree was going to fall on top of her.

Out of the corner of her eye, Alicia saw a blur. A strong, muscular arm snaked around her waist pulling her upright and briefly suspending her in the air. As she regained her footing she turned and stared. The stranger in uniform had stopped the tree from hitting her by blocked it with his shoulder and by extending his arm as if holding back a crowd of crazed paparazzi.

He swiftly shifted his weight and twisted to bring the tree back upright. Once he was certain it was stable he returned his attention to Alicia. She was pressed so tightly against him she could feel his muscles ripple when he moved and swore she could hear his heart pounding. She blushed furiously as he turned to look down into her eyes and she realized it was her heart that was pounding so fiercely.

She found herself lost in his eyes, and overwhelmed by the concern she saw. That’s when it happened, she felt electrified from head to toe, emotions she’d bottled up so long threatened to burst forward as her thoughts ran away with themselves. She was frightened by the intensity of the feelings flooding through her. She looked down in an attempt to gather her thoughts only to be more aware of how their bodies were melded together and how ‘right’ it felt to be in his arms.

She gulped, clear her throat and looked up to confront this stranger and insist he let go. As she looked up though, all thought ceased as she saw the depth of desire in his eyes. Alicia drew in a sharp breath, breaking the spell.

He suddenly stepped back, and a guarded, almost haunted look, veiled what ever thoughts and feelings he was having. “Ma’am, are you alright?”

Alicia’s heart filled with fear. Why hadn’t she thought of it sooner. Chad was deployed in Afghanistan, but it couldn’t be. They would have sent someone older, someone in the Formal Army uniform if…. This man was too young, and he was in fatigues, too casual to deliver that sort of news.

“Ma’am, are you alright? I knocked but you couldn’t hear me. The screen door wasn’t locked. You are Chad Powers little sister, Alicia?”

“No, no.” Alicia went to step back, but this time away from the Christmas tree. As she put her full weight on to her left foot a searing pain shot through her body. Alicia winced and whimpered.

Once again he reached out to steady her, but then picked her up and set her down on the couch. He gently examined her ankle then once he was done, he sat down on the coffee table, and leaned forward. He took her hand in his to comfort and reassure her. She looked pale, and fearful.

“I’ve worked with Medics overseas. I don’t think it’s broken but I believe you may have a severe sprain. Where’s your kitchen?”

“ What? Alicia felt exasperated.

“I don’t have time for this. I have too much to do.” Alicia swung her feet down and attempted to stand up but no sooner than she did a sharp pain shot through her body.

“If you knew Chad you’d know if I was Alicia.” She said harsher than she meant but now she was in pain even without any weight on her foot.

“Ma’am, all I know is this is the address Chad gave me, and you have the same colour eyes, hair, and complexion. He also mentioned you were a huge Bon Jovi fan.

“ And”, he paused, “I’ve seen your brother do the “Risky Business air guitar and dance routine.”

“How? Where?”

“First I need to get something for your ankle.” He returned with a sandwich bag filled with frozen peas and put it on her sock covered ankle.

“I’ll tell you, if you tell me why you said, you weren’t Chad’s little sister.”

“I didn’t mean no, to your question. I thought, I thought you were here to tell me…”

“Oh Ma’am, I’m so sorry.

“No they wouldn’t send me to deliver that kind of news.” He moved over to where Alicia was sitting, “May I?”

When Alicia nodded, he sat down, put his arms around her, hugged her then wiped a tear from her cheek with his thumb.

“We were in Kandahar. There were some wounded warriors who were supposed to be flown to Germany but their flight was postponed. They were stable but their injuries severe enough to be sent home for rehabilitation. It was Christmas Eve. It’s bad enough to be deployed for Christmas, but to be bedridden in a base hospital…

“A bunch of us got together and did a spoof on ‘Call Me, Maybe’ just for them. When it was done they wanted an encore, we didn’t have one.

“Chad said, give me a minute. We had no idea what he was up to. Suddenly ‘Old Time Rock n Roll’ is blaring over the PA system, your brother comes sliding in wearing nothing but a long sleeved, white lab coat and his skivvies.

“He danced around singing his heart out. We all roared with laughter. We were just about to leave when the commanding officer announces, ‘wheel up in 20’ and they were gone.”

“He made their night and ours. Each of those wounded men, wrote to the base and asked them to forward a thank you letter to Chad.

“Those letters meant a lot to Chad.”

“Maybe you should tell me your name, and why you’re here?”

He grinned and said, “Alicia, my name is Andrew. Andrew Sinclair.”

“Nice to meet you Andrew.” She chuckled.

“When Chad found out he’d miss Christmas again, and heard about you and Michael, it broke his heart. He made me promise, if I got home for Christmas, I’d come here and make sure you were ok.”

“But what about your family?”

“My family didn’t agree with my going into the military. Dad died when I was little, during a training exercise using live ammo.My Mom was devastated. My step-Dad is totally anti-military. I only hear from my Mom on my birthday. They spend Christmas with his kids.

“My fiancée, while I was deployed, called off the wedding. She didn’t want to deal with being a military spouse. So…”

“Oh, I can only imagine how hard that must be.”

“That’s why Chad had insisted your family invite me to spend Christmas.”

“Pardon?”

“Chad said he told you all about me in your Christmas card.” Andrew said awkwardly.

“Oh. Now I get it.” She grinned, and she squeezed his hand reassuringly then took a Christmas card off the end table and read it out loud.

“Sis, Don’t want you alone at Christmas. Don’t want him alone either. Don’t worry he’s housebroken. Won’t be able to resist my best friend’s, deep brown, puppy dog eyes. Love, Chad.

“I was expecting a puppy.”

“I’m so embarrassed.” Andrew blushed.

“Don’t be. I’m so glad you’re here.” Alicia kissed him on the cheek and winked.

“Thank you,” relieved, Andrew winked back smiling.

***

Now Andrew realized Chad had set him up, but he was glad he had and thought, “I owe you one buddy.”

Alicia sat peacefully resting her head on Andrew’s shoulder, and thought, “I owe you one big brother, but how do I explain no one else will be here for Christmas?”

three years later lol

Hmm it has been almost 3 years lol

I misplaced my log in information and gave up trying to access this blog.

Today while randomly searching for an email I had shared with a friend I found my blog address and figured out how to get access once again. It was an email about an on going WIP, as in its been going on for years lol

Anyway it was interesting to stumble on to this now. a couple prompts I remembered writing, a couple I enjoyed reading as I had completely forgot I had even written them Not sure if that is good or bad.

I have been writing off and on over the last 3 years and even successfully met a goal I set for Nanowrimo one year although when I went to add my word count it was after Midnight so my finally tally did not include what I had written those last two days. Alas the problem with writing more under pressure of a deadline than writing consistently on a daily basis.

Ok well I guess this random rambling makes this officially a blog rather than just postings of writing prompts I hope my writer friends might read and then be inspired to write their own 10 word writing challenge.

Grateful to still be alive and still enjoying creative writing even if it is mostly just for my own enjoyment and relaxation.

Ridiculous, reckless and irresponsible

Deleted on purpose

2nd Creative challenge writing prompt

The second writing prompt I did from Creative Copy Challenge.

The required words were:

Conceal
Memories
Arabian
Four-beat
Wood
House
Town
Original
Place
Herald

‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’ echoed down the aisle and out into the dimly lit, almost deserted, street. Jenna had just returned from the Arabian Peninsula was jetlagged and feeling a tad hung over. The melody reverberated in her head as if it was a track from that four-beat band her brother used to listen to in the early 90s.

Although this was the place where the original Angus and Jenna McRae had called home, the present day Jenna McRae had left town 6 years ago and never looked back. She stopped in front of the house where she and her siblings had grown up and enjoyed a fairly happy childhood until that fateful day.

The sturdy brick house had endured the bombing raids of WWII. There had been so many happy childhood memories made within those walls, but now the peeling paint on the wood window sills told a sad story of neglect. How could she have known opening the door that wintry day would change her life forever. The house was no longer home, and now only reminded her of the real reason for her multitude of business trips to Saudi Arabia. For now she had to conceal the truth but she was determined that soon, very soon, that would change..

Through gritted teeth she huskily said, “Danny, I promise I will see that justice is done, or I’ll die trying!” Jenna spun around and marched briskly back to the Chesham tube station. It was going to be a long night.

She dreaded visiting the cemetery after all these years but it might be her last chance for some sort of closure and to say goodbye. Things could easily go pear-shaped on her next assignment. Jenna knew if their intel was bad they would not make it back. She also knew she would not get to the cemetery until after midnight but it was now or never.

To be continued

Another Creative Copy writing prompt

Root canal
Drill
Smoke
Swelling
Needle
Edit
Copy
Numb
Rain
Spain

Frustrated with the poor internet reception in her hotel room Jacelyn tried once again to EDIT the information she was trying to insert into the Travel Insurance claim form. If she could just finish this last page she would print a hard COPY and then hit send.

“‘The RAIN in SPAIN is mainly on the plains.’ Yeah Right!” She muttered.

The unusually heavy rain had not let up for over 2 days which was an insult to injury quite literally.

The emergency ROOT CANAL Jacelyn had been forced to have endure while on vacation had proved to be an absolute disaster. First the NEEDLE meant to NUMB the pain had literally struck a nerve. She could have sworn she smelt SMOKE as soon as the Dentist had turned on the DRILL. The SWELLING should have subsided yesterday but her jaw felt even more swollen and painful than it did the day before. Now with the threat of flooding not only was the Dentist office closed but so too was the only pharmacy in the quaint, out of the way village she had chosen to spend her two week vacation.

My second blog post that didn’t post ;)

This was my second blog post but apparently I didn’t save it correctly 🙂

So I will re-post

Conceal – Memories – Arabian – Four-beat – Wood – House – Town – Original – Place – Herald

Day 2 Camp NaNoWriMo 2 prompts combined

I missed two prompts the first one was fast and easy but the second one took longer but was a continuation from this one so I will post them together

Intrinsic – Enormity – Thwarting – Magnify – Testify – Print – Crystal – Quartz – Communications – Sign

The intrinsic value of all life had never been questioned but the enormity of what they were about to do should have been. Thwarting the Overthrow was one thing but was this really a way to magnify the ‘calling’ they believed they had been given? One day they would have to testify to what they had done, to what had happened to need them to act in such a brash and cavalier manner. The dust obscured the print beneath the crystal dial. The quartz in the cave walls interfered with communications but there was no sign of the storm outside stopping so they had no other choice but to proceed.

The above was headed in one direction but then …

Vortex – Whirlpool – Cap – Clock – Drop – Gulf – Gezer – Strip – Volts – Axle

The vortex that had damaged their ship reminded him of the whirlpools back on his home planet. After being marooned on a planet of blistering sand and unbearable heat he longed to be back home on a planet known as an aquatic paradise He paused to remove the cap from the canteen and took a sip. They would have to clock in the time and location of the samples to make sure the results were accurate. He was careful not to drop the lid as he replaced it making sure it was securely sealed.

As he drilled down for the next sample the earth began to shake. Suddenly they were tossed about as the ground seemed to be split in two.

A huge gulf appeared as a gezer of hot liquid belched upwards dampening the stalactites above. It had a foul stench and everyone scrambled to their feet and backed as far away from the newly formed ravine as they could.

He tore a strip off his sleeve and placed in over his mouth and nose. Those with him began to do the same. One of the younger cadets stepped towards the ravine wanting to record what had happened. He was walking back towards the others when a glob of liquid dripped off one of the stalactites onto his hand. He quickly shook it off and brush the back of his hand on his pant leg.

Suddenly he fell to the ground convulsing as if thousands of volts were coursing through his body.

The medic assigned to the research party told everyone to stay back. He quickly retrieved a bio hazard containment unit from the double axle cart used to haul their equipment. Before he could suit up a greenish vapour rose from where the unknown liquid had been on his hand and the leg of his pants. The convulsions instantly ceased

The medic started towards the unconscious man but stumbled backwards as the cadet leapt to his feet

The cadet stretched and twisted as if to release tightly knotted muscles. He shifted his shoulders, moved his head from side to side and then looked towards the others.

Something wasn’t right. His features went from distorted and pained to blank. As the medic took a step towards him the cadet’s countenance changed. In an unearthly and sinister voice he hissed, “So this is how it finally feels to be released.”

Day 1 Camp NaNoWriMo 3rd prompt

Gated
Compute
Boot
Disc
Portable
Flexible
Insulation
trigger
Soda
Jealous

Living in the exclusive GATED community had done nothing to deter them from breaking in.

The PORTABLE external hard drive was gone. Some genius had poured an entire can of SODA over the open laptop. It was no surprise that it would no longer BOOT up. They had ransacked the entire townhouse. The extend of the damage was probably due to their frustration over failing to achieve their objective.

The saving grace was they did not find the DISC they were looking for. They probably were not FLEXIBLE enough to climb up and reach the panel covering the insulation in the far corner of the miniscule laundry room/closet.

What did not COMPUTE was what TRIGGERED them to make such a daring daytime attempt to steal the information in the first place. It had definitely not been a ‘black bag’ job. The fact they had not bothered to hide the fact they had been there nor bothered to make it look like a robbery was disconcerting. It was cold comfort to know they had underestimated her.

Some people who were JEALOUS of her recent promotion. LIttle did they know how steep a price she had paid to earn her promotion. Now this. At least they had not found her ‘to go bag’. She knew the drill. It wasn’t the first time she would have to relocate, change her name, and lay low but she was determined it would be the last time. This time she would bring the war to them. This time she would be the one to invade their homes and disrupt their lives.

Welcome

Welcome to my blog.

I am just planning to use this to share Writing Prompts and ideas with my writer friends and family. Here is a creative writing challenge prompt that I decided to do. Enjoy

The words required to be included were

Hydraulic
Leek
Weather
Simply
Solutions
Polyunsaturated
Value
Posthumous
Cling

“It’s just not feasible.” his pleasant voice rumbled.

“I value you opinion on these things but you are just being argumentative!” her voice tinkled with humor.

“I am serious, if someone cut the hydraulic lines you would know it before you reached the end of the driveway. The only way to make it work would be to have mice, due to inclement weather, hiding in the old detached garage. They nibble on the lines just enough to weaken them.”

“ Darling, are you actually trying to help me find solutions to my dilemma or not? I’d really rather the solution not be a posthumous one. Could you pass me the butter? It may not be a polyunsaturated fat but I can’t imagine making the soup without it.”

“ Are you trying to butter me up?” He questions her wiggling his eyebrows as he hands her the newly purchased pound of butter. “If you are it won’t work, no matter how much I love your leek and potato soup on a wild and stormy night like tonight.” He looks past her at the swirling storm clouds visible through the enormous bay window of their fully modernized kitchen.

“That was a simply dreadful pun my dear.” She chuckles and playfully kisses his cheek before returning her attention to the butter as she just adds it to the sizzling pan on the stove.

“You are a stubborn wench, my love, go ahead and cling to your original idea whether or not it’s impossible”. He stops chopping up the leek and waves the knife in the air to emphasis his point. “Can’t you kill them off a different way?”

“I could but that would be cheating. The original script included a huge fiery crash.” She nervously touched her necklace, a family heirloom containing a coin that was dated from antiquity, and sighed, “I wish we lived in a simpler time and place.”

Immediately a streak of lightning illuminated the night sky and the ancient cathedral on the hill visible out the window.

A horrific boom a split second later threatened to shatter the windows as the lights went out plummeting them into total darkness.

There was a howl from behind her and she spun around startled.

“Jonathan? Jonathan, are you alright?”

She edged towards where he had been before the lights went out. Her foot kicked something. She bent over to feel what it was. It was the handle of a knife on the floor. As she reached passed it, she felt something warm and sticky on the floor. Thinking it must be the latte Jonathan had purchased on his way home from picking up the groceries she licked her trembling fingers and was repulsed. It was not coffee she tasted but blood.
To be continued