Writing 8 - Awkward Prom Date

 Prompt: Awkward Prom Date - Your Character's prom date went ... not so well. Why?

Oh! Dear Diary! It was supposed to be the BEST night of my life and instead it was the WORST!!! I can't believe it! I'm destroyed! 

You know how I was so excited to go with Bradley? How excited I was when he asked me to prom? It was supposed to be the night of my dreams!! But no ... that's not what happened. 

Oh, he came to pick me up ok. That part was perfect. Just like I dreamed ... I came down the stairs in my perfect mint-green long gown with my hair in curls and ribbons. He looked at me and I could tell that he liked what he saw. 

"Wow!" he said. "You look beautiful!" 

"I clean up nice, don't I?" I smiled back at him. 

He opened the box and took out a lovely wrist corsage and slid it over my hand. It felt a bit prickly, but I thought I'd get used to it. I took the small box on the shelf by the door and carefully pinned a matching flower to his lapel. 

"Oh, my! Don't you two look lovely!" My mom gushed. "Harold, take a picture of them before they leave!" 

My father got his camera and took a couple of photos of us, in a few different poses. It felt so good. 

I had a crush on Bradley ever since he sat beside me in math, about 3 years ago. I was always his friend and he often asked me for help when he didn't understand. The year we got to be lab partners was the best! I just felt so in sync with him, it was like we were meant to be together! And this year ... the icing on the cake. His prom date! 

"Come on, we gotta go," he said and took my hand. A thrill ran through me. 

We dashed out to his car and he was a complete gentleman and opened the door. I slid into the front seat. 

This sounds perfect, doesn't it? I thought this was the perfect way to start the evening! And maybe it was. But it didn't stay that way for long ... 

I got into the car and realized we were not alone. There were 3 guys in the back seat. I turned around. 

"Hey, Joey! Tom! ... and that's Max, right? What are you doing here?" I asked.

"We don't have dates and The Man here offered to drive us," Max said. 

"Oh, ok," I said, a bit puzzled, and looked expectantly at Bradley. 

"Yeah, I couldn't let them find their own way. I thought you wouldn't mind," he said a bit bashfully. 

I shrugged and resigned to the fact we wouldn't be alone. Oh well, the night was young ... right? 

We got to the school and Bradley was still the gentleman and opened the door for me. But at that moment, instead of taking my arm and heading for the school doors, he turned back. The guys from the backseat had gotten out of the vehicle and were standing by the trunk. 

"Yeah, yeah ... I'm coming," Bradley said. He fished out his keys and popped the trunk of the car. The guys reached in and each of them took out a bottle of alcohol. And not small ones either! 

I stared. "What's that?" I asked. 

"Liquor, what does it look like?" Joey said. 

"That isn't allowed into the building. This is a school event!" I said. 

"We know ... it's not coming in with us ... now!" Tom grinned. And the rest of them, Bradley included, broke into laughter.

I stared. I had a feeling this would not end well. I turned around and started heading to the door. Alone. 

"Hey! Wait up for me!" Bradley called. "I need you to cover for me!" 

"What? What are you talking about?" I asked. 

"Nothing crazy, just a little fun. They do it at all the proms, over all the years. It's a tradition," he said. 

"What? What do you mean?" I asked. 

"Oh, you'll find out soon enough!" he smiled. I didn't like that smile. He was turning into a guy I didn't know. I thought I knew him, but maybe I was wrong. 

Oh, Diary, I look back on that moment and I should have asked him to take me home right then. Or, talk to a supervisor or teacher. They would have known what to do. Instead, I just went along with it. I feel so bad now! It should have been such a perfect night and it was the furthest thing from it. 

I noticed the guys had vanished. "Where did the other guys go?" I asked. 

"Don't worry about it. They'll be along soon," Bradley said. 

I had a feeling that I knew what they were doing. Stashing the alcohol near a door, so they can easily find it when they want it. Why does everyone think alcohol makes things better? I really don't get the allure. It's not like I haven't had liquor; I've even been drunk a time or two, myself, but I also know when to do it and when not to do it. And this was definitely a time to NOT do it. 

Writing 6 - Tornado Season

Prompt: Tornado Season - A tornado is forming, and your character is in the absolute worst place they can be at the moment. Where are they? How do they handle the situation?

I set the basket down on the side of the garden and stepped into the rows. The earth was moist and loamy, good for growing vegetables. I began cleaning away the weeds and making sure the new growth was free and in its own ground. Things looked good. 

I had tried growing a garden last year but it didn't take too well. I didn't know much about this but Margaret, from a farm over, gave me some tips for this year and I thought I'd give them a try. One of the tips was to find good earth, moist and easy to break into small clumps. I had found a space a distance from the house, and everything looked like it was on track. We might have beans and potatoes yet! 

I was caught up in thinking about what we needed to be prepared for the coming winter, what could we have used last year. I was so caught up in my thinking that I didn't see the clouds start to form in the west. It wasn't until a low rumble caught my attention. I stood up and looked behind me. The sky was dark and ominous. 

As I watched, mesmerized, the clouds began to swirl and take on a very angry look. A bit of a cool wind began to pick up, pinching my skirt and whipping it around my ankles. I couldn't believe how quickly the weather changed. The sun was gone and I felt the first raindrop on my cheek. Maybe I should head back? 

I made my way back to where I set my basket but it was no where to be seen. I looked around. Nothing. I started to head along the side of the garden, but realized I was going away from the house and that might not be a good idea. Maybe I should forget it and head back? 

I looked up into the sky. It wasn't angry anymore. It was starting to form a circle. Was that what I thought it was? I had never seen a tornado before, but it didn't look like a walk in the park. There was an almost eerie hue developing. The black of the clouds was still there, but the wind had picked up, the rain was coming down in strong sheets, and a green glow had begun. I was drenched in an instant and knew this was not the time to look for a lost basket. I started to make my way quickly to the house in the distance. 

My skirts were not made for running. I reached over and grabbed the cloth and held it close to my waist. A bit better. I broke into a run. 

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw it. A slicing needle funneled down from the cloud to my left. It grew on the top and angled towards the earth. I stopped. I had never seen anything like this before. The rain poured down on me but I could still make out the tornado beside me. 

Suddenly, I realized that if I could see it, that meant it wasn't far away. I now saw the debris starting to be thrown up around the base. No doubt it was coming my way. I broke my awe of Mother Nature and turned and ran with all my might towards the house. 

And, in an instant, I missed seeing the gopher hole in front of me, and I was down - in the wet mud, hands outstretched and covered with the rain-soaked earth. I grunted as I slid forward. Now, not only was I soaked and wet beyond belief, I was also a mess with mud and dirt and all sorts of things. I tried to get up and realized something was wrong with my ankle. Oh no. I looked back - the tornado was definitely heading my way. 

Writing 4 - Glad You Called

 Prompt: I'm Glad You Called - The person whom you have been trying to talk to for ages finally answers the phone. Who is this person? How does the phone conversation progress? 

I'll try once more. I've tried so many times, and it always goes to voice mail. I push the button again. 

"Hello?" a voice comes through the phone. 

"Hello? Hello? is this Vicky?" I ask anxiously. 

"Yes, who is this?" she asks. 

"Maddie, it's Maddie! I've been trying to call you for a long time! How are you?" I ask.

"Maddie? I don't know any Maddie," she responds. 

"Vicky? Vicky Brown?" I ask. Maybe this number had been given to someone else? 

"Yes," she responds. 

"It's Maddie. Maddie Jacobs. We went camping a lot together," I said. "Many years ago." 

"I don't know any Maddie," she said. 

"I remember you had dogs. Many dogs. And you'd take them camping with us." I tried to prod her memory. She sounded the same. Maybe a little more raspy? "I remember one was called Dorothy." 

"She died a long time ago," Vicky said. "I wish I could remember you. You sound like a nice person." 

I was stunned. How could she not remember me? I know it was a long time, but I still clearly remembered her. "Vicky, I called to see how you are doing. And wondered if you wanted to get together for dinner this week? Maybe you and your daughter, Janet, and myself can get together?" 

"Do you know Janet?" Vicky asked. 

"Yes," I answered. This was a strange conversation. I wonder what happened to Vicky? 

"I don't know. I'll have to ask Janet. Maybe you could call me back?" she said. 

"Tell you what, Vicky. I'll call Janet and see if we can plan something. I'd really like to see you again. It's been so long," I said. This really puzzled me. 

"Ok, that sounds like a good idea. Have a good day," she said and the line disconnected. 

I sat in puzzlement, holding the phone and looking at it. That was not how I expected the call to go. 

Opening up the Contacts list, I typed in Janet's name and touched the Connect key. The phone began ringing. Within two rings, a voice came on. 

"Hello? Maddie?" she said. 

"Yes! This is me!" I said. "How are you?" 

"I'm doing fine, and you?"

"Good. Say, I just called your mom and it was a strange conversation. Is she doing ok?" 

"Well, no. Not really." 

"I'm so sorry! I wanted to get together with her. I've been trying to call on and off for the last few months, and I just got her voicemail. Today she answered."

"Yeah, she has been having a lot of trouble. With her memory and stuff. It's been really hard on us kids." 

"Is she still in her same house?" 

"No, we've had to move her to a care facility. It seems that she has a form of dementia." 

"Wow." I paused. This woman had been so feisty, so strong in her diminutive frame, and this is how she is now? And, she wasn't much more than 65 years old! 

"Hey, Janet, would you and Vicky be interested in meeting me for dinner this week? I've been thinking of your mom a lot for some reason and wanted to see her again. Maybe she'll remember me when she sees me? And with you along, she'll be more at ease. Besides, it would be nice to see you again, too." 

"Yeah, I think we can arrange that."

We identified a few possible days, and said our goodbyes. It will be nice to see them again. 

I sat on the chair in silence. It's becoming more and more difficult to see things change around me. Not only with what I see in the mirror but the changes in my friends, too. I know this is part of life. I know nothing stays the same. But still. I remember the challenges other friends went through when their parents were aging, I remember the difficulties I went through with mine. But this was different. This is a friend. The first of my friends to reach the point where things change. Never to return. Soon it will be me. Will I be ready when it comes? 

Writing 3 - Misheard Lyrics

 Prompt: Misheard Lyrics - Think of some of the song lyrics you have misheard throughout the years. Pick one and use these lyrics as the title of a new creative piece. 

My selection - in honesty, I'm borrowing this one as I cannot think of my own. The actual lyrics: Oh Canada! We stand on guard for thee! Misheard: Oh Canada! we stand on cars and freeze! 

There is nothing like the middle of winter in Winnipeg, Manitoba. This city is known to have not only the hottest temperatures in the summer but the coldest in the winter. It is not uncommon to hit a week of -45C or colder at least once a winter. There was one experience that is burned into my memory about one such winter and one such journey into the storm. 

I saw her step out of the airport. Driving up to the sidewalk, I powered down the passenger side. "Hey! Looking for a ride?" I asked with a smile on my face. 

"Katie!" the woman screamed. 

I jumped out of the car and ran around and hugged my cousin. I had not seen her for years, and yet she was instantly recognizable. "I can't believe we're doing this!" I said as I picked up her luggage and put it in the back seat with mine. 

She got in the passenger side and took a deep breath and I got behind the wheel. 

"How are you doing? What are you doing?" We talked over each other and broke into laughter. 

"Ok, girl! We got hours ahead of us and there will be lots of time to catch up!" I smiled at her. I was so excited to spend time with her, even though the reason was not the best. "How was your flight? I asked. 

"It was good. We hit a bit of turbulence over the prairies, but for the most part, it was good. I got most of my book read!" she said. 

"Oh? What book is that?" I asked, thinking maybe I'll get another recommend for my never-ending "TBR" pile. 

We eased into an easy conversation as I made my way out of the city. We had planned this impromptu trip, coming from different places in the country, to visit our ailing aunt. This would likely be the last time we both would see her and it was important to make this trip. Both our fathers (and brothers) had passed away years before and Katie and I stayed in loose contact over the years. When Aunt Maude got ill and entered into her final time, we decided we needed to bring memories of her brothers to her once more. 

As I hit the edge of the city, I noticed that the wind was beginning to blow and the snow was starting to dust across the road. "I hope you dressed for winter," I said. "I know you live in a place that isn't known for the bad weather, but this might not be pretty by the time we get back," I mentioned. 

"I did, but I probably don't own what is needed here," she said. 

"Well, we will pray nothing happens," I said. "Have you heard about the horrible weather they have been having? Record-breaking cold snaps!" I said. 

"No!" she said. "How bad has it been?"

"A week ago, the weather was consistently around -50C without windchill. I don't ever remember it getting that cold for that long, even when I lived here," I said. "Today the report was that it will warm up. To -38C, " I smiled. I had brought my winter boots and parka and I know it might be cold for me, too. I will have to keep an eye on her. 

Once we got on the open road, the wind had picked up and was gusting more and more. I put my headlights on, even though it was in the early afternoon. I hope it wasn't going to get worse as it has been a long time since I drove in a storm. 

We continued chatting about the lives we left behind - her and her family and adventures; me and my work and projects. It was nice to connect again. 

About an hour down the highway, things were definitely getting worse. "I hope this is as bad as it gets," I comment. "I'm not too worried, but if something were to happen, it wouldn't be good." 

"I trust you," she said. 

"Maybe we should call on our fathers to help us?" I said. 

We smiled but not from humour. The road ahead was definitely getting worse. I began to really watch the center line of the divided highway so I knew I was where I should be. The wind was blowing the snow so badly that I could barely see 100m ahead of the car, and I knew it was getting worse. 

I slowed down. I knew the turnoff onto a side road was coming, but I didn't know where. And I didn't want to pass the road and miss the sign. "Katie, if you could help me watch for the turn-off to Winkler, that would be great. I don't want to pass it by accident in this weather." 

"For sure!" she said. 

Shortly after that, the turnoff came. The snow was blowing so hard by this time that we barely caught it. I noticed we had passed no one on the highway for quite a way. 

"That's the sign, I think!" she said and pointed. I slowed and made sure I took the road safely. The car made a slide to the left but I was able to bring it back. There was no doubt that the road was sheet ice. I would have to be very careful or we ran the risk of not making our destination. And to be stuck in a ditch in this weather and this cold would be deadly.

Writing 2 - Spinning the Globe

 Prompt: Spinning the Globe - Imagine that a character did the old spin-the-globe-and-see-where-you-take-your-next-vacation trick. Write a story or scene describing where they went and how their trip panned out. 

I've done some crazy things before, but never have I done this before! I think to myself as I settle into the plane seat bound for .. Edinburgh, Scotland. But that's not the destination - that's just the airport! My destination? a small chapel about 10 miles south. And the adjacent 'castle' - Rosslyn. I sit here and think back ... 

The money had just been transferred into my account. A relative had passed and I received a small inheritance. I should use it for something else, but I so badly needed to shake up my complacent life! and so this is what I did: I went to the library and found a globe on a counter. I took it down and said a small prayer over it. "Dear God, you know I need a break. Please guide my finger to where I should go ..." and I spun the globe, closed my eyes, and pointed. 

There, right above my fingertip, the letters spelled out 'Rosslyn'. Scotland. Cool! I've never been to Scotland! Since I was already in the library, I found a book on the country and looked up the location. And, my heart stopped. If God guided me to go here, an adventure was sure to ensue! 

You see, not only is there a chapel there, that looks more like a cathedral, but there's also a castle there. And the castle is open to tourists for lodging! Before leaving 30 min later, I had not only booked a week at the 'castle' but also my flight overseas. And now, everything is beginning. 

As I sit here, I leaf through a tourist travel book to check out more about this location. It's the site (and final scene) for the movie The DaVinci Code, but more than that, it's a masonry's dream. The stone work and the creation of the chapel left me in awe. To think that this is what I would be seeing was a dream come true! The castle nearby does not look like the traditional building I think of when I think of a castle, but it is intriguing regardless. My only thought was that it seemed quite big and it was only me staying there. I wonder if there are any ghosts? After all, the chapel was built in 1446. 

I slept a bit and I read a bit and I wrote a bit. All good preparation for this adventure! I had not done much travel to this point, so I was stepping out of my comfort box in more than one way. Just over 13 hours later, the plane was taxiing to a stop at the exit ramp. The pilot came on to wish us well, and I waited for my turn to get my bags down and disembark. Making my way down the ramp, I began to look around for the luggage collection area. It took a bit to find it, but thankfully my suitcase was one of the first down the chute. 

Now what? I guess I need to get to the castle. How would I do it at home? Taxi. I stepped outside and ... right there was a taxi. I walked up to the gentleman. "Can you take me to Rosslyn Castle?" I asked. 

"Och, aye, lassie," he answered. 

In that instant, I realized I might have a bit of trouble. It was English, but it wasn't. I think he said he could? "Great!" I smiled at him and he put my luggage in his trunk. 

The city gave way to rolling hills and I breathed in the amazing smell that wafted through the open window at my side. "What can you tell me about the castle and chapel?" I asked my driver. I knew we didn't have much time so I wanted to get as much of a local glimpse as I could before I got there. 

"Oh, she's an interesting place, that one! Much goings-on, I say! ... "

Writing 1 - Vampires

 The Prompt: The Variants of Vampires. Think of an alternative vampire that survives on something other than blood. Write a story or a scene based on this character. 

Coming down the driveway, I wonder what's in store for me today. Each day, I was never if I should be excited or dreading what the next 10 minutes would hold. I guess it doesn't matter - the end is always the same. 

"Hi, mom! I'm home!" I shout. I listen to see where the noise is coming from. 

A muffled voice from the back. "Hi, there!" 

So far so good. I hear the footsteps coming down the hall, and she rounds the corner. Tattered pants, old t-shirt, ratty sweater. Maybe an ok day? 

"How was school?" she asked. 

"Ok," I answered, not sure how things were going to go from there. 

"Did you get the results from your test on Monday?" 

"Yeah." 

"Well?"

"It was ok. I passed." 

She didn't say anything. I took a deep breath. 

"What do you mean, you passed? was that good or not? is this something to worry about?"

"No, mom. All's good." 

"You know you shouldn't have gone out with your friends on Friday. You should have stayed home and studied. This is not the daughter I raised." 

"Mom ... I did the best I could."

"You could have done better if you had studied more. You know, I think you need to stay home for this month. No social activities, no going out. To school and home to study. I have things you should be doing around here, too. I can't do everything myself and you're old enough to help." 

I'm glad the day had been good until now. I'm glad I was able to have lunch with my friends and that the projects I was working on for class were with good people. I'm glad my days are good. 

"You don't know how good you have it. Why you throw it all away for other people, I don't know. I would never have done that. You're not grateful at all for all I do for you." 

I close my eyes as I stood in the foyer. She is standing in front of me and I can't go anywhere without getting her to move. 

"Mom, could you please move. I want to go to my bedroom." 

"You never listen to me. You never do what you're told. No wonder you're doing so poorly." 

"Mom ..." I sigh. She doesn't move. "What do you want me to do?" 

"I want you to do as you're told. I want you to stop fooling around and get down to work. You'll never amount to anything this way." 

"Ok, mom. Let me take my things to my bedroom and I'll help you," I resign myself. I feel like I've just been deflated. 

She shuffles to the side, enough for me to pass, but still tight enough that I have difficulty. It's her way of letting me know she has the authority. I have to maneuver around her and invade her space because she controls the area. It's not that she's a large woman, but that her power consumes the room. If I could make myself small as a mouse, I would still be in her way. 

I drop my things off inside my bedroom door, put on my slippers, and come back. "What are you making for dinner?" 

"Me?? I'm not making anything for dinner. You know how to cook. You make something. It's only dad and you." 

"And you," I correct her. I should have thought first. 

"No, you don't have to make anything for me. I don't need anything," she almost hissed at me. "You've shown me what you think of me ... I would never have treated my mother the way you treat me. Go do your thing. You don't care anyway." 

How things could go from a welcome home to this venom in a split second baffled me for years later. I felt exhausted, and I had barely got home. How was I going to get my homework done tonight? 

Reboot

 

It's been a while since I have come here and set a goal. My world has been chaos in many ways, but there has been slow progress forward. The fact that I still dream of being a writer is something that certainly remains. So, maybe another creative writing challenge. The difficulty is that the book I used last time is packed (I moved this last summer), so I need to find prompts from somewhere else. 

Ooo! I think I found one! Here!  

So, shall I keep the same premise as last time? Maybe a few changes.  Here are the parameters for this time: 

• I'm not going to miss a day. Each time I write will be the next consecutive day, so there will be 30 entries on 3- different days. 
• I will use the link above - from Writer's Digest, using the first 30 prompts. I have not looked at them and will on each successive day. I think it will suit my needs. 
• As before, I will set the timer for 20 minutes, remove distractions, and focus on writing. Also, if I feel compelled, I will write for another 10 min. As I said before, it's not about finishing something, but simply writing something. And something every day. 
• As before, I will write something creative - the beginning of a story, the end of a story, something in between, something from my own life something created, something I heard. A poem. A piece of prose. Not a report or essay. I will omit the source, so "I" could be anyone (or anything!). The main character also could be anyone/thing! And, as before, nothing x-rated or violent. 
• Because I want to finish before the end of the year, that's why I have set 30 days instead of 50. We'll see what we choose for the next challenge! But ... to get my feet wet again, here's a good place to start. 

So ... come along for the ride, if you want ... let's see where this goes! Consistency is the key!