Do you remember?

This week Jenny has given us an evocative prompt which, given the date, can only really be linked to one event – do you remember where you were on September 11, 2001? When events changed the modern world forever? When time almost stood still? They say that there are certain events in history that will stay with you forever – Kennedy’s assassination is one of them. The events of 9/11/01 another. Please visit Jenny to see what other people remember.

The prompt is in bold.

John had phoned me at work to see if I’d seen the internet news. I hadn’t. He told me what had happened. This was late afternoon in the UK and I was due to finish work soon. As I walked home I remember wondering what had happened. As I got home the second plane hit the building. I stood frozen in front of the flickering images on my TV and couldn’t believe what I was seeing. My abiding memory is the horrific footage of people fleeing the huge debris ball that rolled down a New York side street.

We visited ground zero in 2003, the atmosphere was surreal – and very moving.

What I did over my Summer Vacation

This week Mrs Matlock has taken us all back to that first day of term when we had to write about our summer holidays (for some reason I always hated that). This can be fact or fiction and has to be written in the first person. I’m going to continue Dotty’s story so the following is a work of fiction.

I sit in the car watching from a distance wondering what I’m doing here. On vacation, my two weeks away from work and I’m here with Dotty who is work. I’m risking a lot here for her, bit I think she appreciates that. I can see it in her eyes when she thinks I’m not looking. She needs a new counsellor – I can look after her in other ways now. I become aware of movement in the mirror. She’s in pieces again, I rush from the car and scoop her in my arms, holding her as tight as possible.

Phew – bang on 100 words (after a fair bit if editing!)

If you’ve not followed Dotty’s story till now here are the back links (written in no particular chronological order) if you’d like to catch up – I have a feeling one is missing but I can’t find it for the life of me!!

Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six, Part Seven, Part Eight

The Knock On The Door

Saturday Centus time again! Nice short prompt this week which is nicely tucked up in the body of the story (bold & italic). Once again the rule is 100 words or less excluding the prompt, it’s amazing what you can convey in 100 words – have a look at some of the other entries!
I needed to do this. After coming so far I had to see him, I needed explanations. Just a hint as to why he dips in and out of my life the way he does. That day in the park was typical, he suddenly appears from nowhere and just as quickly disappears. Well this time I’m on his territory, there’ll be no disappearing act – he has nowhere to go. He’s already home.That's why it meant so much to make this journey. I take a big breath in and knock on the door. And wait, my heart pounding out of my chest in expectation.

The beginning

Slightly different spin this week to celebrate Saturday Centus number 10 – we’re allowed 200 words, whoo, hoo!! But it has to be on a romantic theme.

I know I haven’t been around for a couple of weeks and I haven’t looked back at the prompts I missed – deliberately so as not to kick myself if I missed an opportunity!

Anyhow, onwards. I hope this completes a little more of ‘my’ story. Remember – the ‘I’ is not me – it’s totally fictitious! The prompt is in bold as usual.

The other entries are here

The party was in full swing by the time I entered the room, I darted in between the guests as discreetly as I could, trying not to draw too much attention to myself. There was a wonderful cacophony of noise surrounding me but I managed to hear a very distinct ‘Ahem’. When I turned around I was startled to meet a green-eyed gaze which completed a perfect face. My heart raced and my breath became short, I could feel my face warming, knowing the resultant colour would give away my feelings. ‘Would you care for some air, you seem rather, umm warm’ The voice was velvet perfection.

He took my elbow and gently led me outside to the cool late summer breeze, I knew I shouldn’t even be there. Certainly shouldn’t be alone with him and his reputation, I wondered why he had picked me out. Was it because he knew I shouldn’t be there? Was I a challenge? Another conquest to make? Before I knew what was happening I was in his arms, powerless to resist the pull of his lips to mine. I knew it was wrong. But it felt right. I didn’t tell him about you until you were two years old. We were fine, you and I. We didn’t need him.

The first time

I’m liking this Saturday Centus stuff! Shame I’ll miss the next few weeks :( I’ve tried to link in with my previous efforts and am actually enjoying finding out who ‘I’ am – does that make sense? I mean I obviously know myself but I’m still getting to know the ‘I’ in my story for it is not the real me! There are back links here, if you want to see what happened previously – I’m feeling a bit like a time traveller now!

Anyway – onwards, cut the waffle, this week’s prompt is in italics – don’t forget to pop over to read the others.

It was Fathers Day, 1984, when I heard that voice in the hallway, my mother pulled me closer to her. I was four years old and the apple of her eye. It had always been the two of us and that was the way we liked it. We’d bake, sew, read and draw, spending all our time together when we could. On the night’s she worked, I went to a neighbour who cared for me as one of her own.

The voice moved closer, her grip tightened around me. “Honey” she said, “ Meet your Daddy”  I looked up into his bright blue eyes and smiled at him for the very first time.

Courage

Saturday Centus time again. The prompt is in italics and I’ve cheekily picked up on a couple of previous efforts (here) and (here)

It’s true, the smell of freshly mowed grass can stay with you for years, for decades, as I walk along the smart street with it’s neatly manicured front lawns, trimmed to almost perfection, I’m transported back to the days before all this.

Before the trauma that led to me walking away from all that I held dear, my mind is muddled my memories blurred but I know that I have to knock on that front door. It’s been three months since he walked out of the cafe without saying a word. This time there’ll be no running away. Not by him. I will be strong, regardless.

Empathy

Saturday Centus time again! The prompt is in italics, courtesy of Mr Jenny!

I settled into the comfortable movie theater seat with awkward 3D glasses perched on my nose, a small tub of popcorn on my lap, and a bottle of water lodged into the seat holder, although it was dark I felt self conscious. I was not used to going out on my own and wondered why I had chosen a 3d movie. I needed to share my feeling of looking stupid with the glasses, but those days were gone.

The room was almost empty. I snuggled down in the seat and prepared to be entertained. I became aware of somebody sitting next to me. “Do you mind?” she asked. I shook my head. “I feel so stupid coming here alone, I just had to make an effort”she said. “I’ve never done this before”.

Gone

Ooh Mr Jenny has been kind this week! For this week’s Saturday Centus I have swapped the prompt to the end and continued with my week one contribution.

“Hey, looks like you could do with a hot meal – how have you been?” It must be five years since the last time we met.

“I’ve been fine” I lied, too ashamed to confess to how I’d been living my life. “How about you? Still working all hours?” As he pulled me to my feet I noticed that he was starting to age, fine lines across his brow, smile lines around his eyes.

We walked across the park to a cafe, “I need the bathroom” he said, “I’ll be right back”

Ten minutes passed.

“May I help you, miss? You look puzzled.”
“Mmmm… thank you, I’m just looking for my father. We came in together a moment ago, but he seems to have wandered off.”

Mississippi Miracle Mud

Time for Saturday Centus hosted by Jenny. As usual the opening prompt is in italics and the rule is to complete a short story in a hundred words or less – and no pictures!

I look back over my shoulder, squinting into the late afternoon sun, gawking with stunned alarm at the broad rolling muddy waters of the Mississippi, when I say ‘alarm’ I really mean realisation. It’s at this moment I recognise that this is a glorious business opportunity – there are millions of gullible women (and some men!) all over the world who would pay an absolute fortune for some Mississippi Miracle Mud. Underneath those rolling waters lies a gold mine – I don’t understand why nobody has thought of it before or have they?