Category Archives: Fiction

Becca’s Date

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Welcome back! It’s Fiction Friday and I have another installment of Becca & Jake’s story. Last week I asked if you could suggest a title for it and Stephanie came up with Playing with Fire. What do you think?

It had been almost a year and a half since Jake had passed away and Becca found herself at the day spa getting ready for a dinner date. She wasn’t quite sure how she’d gotten to this point because she wasn’t looking to date but she let her friend talk her into a blind date a couple weeks ago and to her surprise they actually hit it off.

Max was the complete opposite of Jake. Max was very tall where Jake was of average height. Jake was sandy blond where Max had thick, dark hair. Blue eyes for Jake and milk chocolate eyes for Max. The differences went on and on from there but she refused to let herself continue to compare them any more. It wasn’t fair really and she was finally getting used to the idea of dating again.

The nail tech brought her out of her thoughts. “Alright, what color do you want today?”

Becca looked up. “Umm.. how about a french manicure this time.”

The two chatted while her nails were finished and then Becca headed home to change and put her make up on. She couldn’t believe how great she felt after spending the day at the spa! A facial, massage, manicure and a pedicure can do wonders for a person she thought and made a mental note to do it again soon.

Becca slipped into the her favorite dress. While everyone else wore a little black dress she wore one that was a deep purple color that barely skimmed her knees and fell in a deep V in the front and back. The dress made her feel sexy and confident and she was hoping that Max would like it too.

She sighed as she looked into the mirror. “Why am I trying so hard to impress him?” She slid her feet into her black heels and grabbed her bag just as the doorbell chimed. With one more glance in the mirror and a deep breath she said, “Here goes nothing.”

Becca opened the door and took in the sight of Max standing there in a well fitted black suit. “Hi,” she said softly.

“Hi…. you look amazing, Becca.”

She smiled at him. “Thanks.”

“Are you ready to go,” he asked.

“Yea, just let me grab my purse.”

Max placed his hand at the small of her back as the walked out to his car and Becca felt butterflies in her stomach at his touch.

They had reservations at a local restaurant that had recently opened up and was beyond their expectations. They talked all evening over a bottle of wine, letting their fingers skim across each others when they reached for their glasses.

There was definitely chemistry thought Becca and she was beginning to hope that he felt the same way. They reached her place and she looked over at Max, “Would you like to come up for coffee or something?” She felt silly asking but she wasn’t ready for the night to end yet.

His smile when he responded brought back those little butterflies again. “Sure.”

She let them in the door and as she closed it he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

Becca melted into his body as her arms wrapped around him pulling him closer. She wanted to feel the strength of his arms and chest as she ran her hands over them. But it wasn’t long and she pulled back with a gasp. “Umm… Coffee?”

Write On Edge: Red-Writing-Hood

It’s time for a change in outward appearance, be it a character, yourself, or someone in your life. In 500 words or less, write about a makeover of your choice (hair, clothes, makeup, facial hair for the menfolk), fictional or memoir/creative non-fiction. Let’s think about how physical appearance changes can affect the inner landscape.

Noah

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Welcome back to another installment of Becca & Jake’s story. I think it’s time I come up with a title for this don’t you? I am open to suggestions! What do you think?

Mandi’s phone rang as she scooted to the edge of the couch so she could reach it and of course given her size and how fast she’d been moving lately she missed the call.

“Figures…” she mumbled as she looked at the caller ID. “What the hell…again?” She hit redial and waited for him to answer.

“Hi,” Jake said. “How are you doing?”

“I look and feel like a beached whale…. but other than that I’m alright I guess.”

“How’d your last appointment go?” He asked.

“Any day now is what they told me so I’m just sitting here and waiting.” Mandi paused for a moment and finally asked, “Do you think you’ll be here in time?”

“Yea,” he said. “I’m leaving tomorrow and should be there late in the evening.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mandi let out a blood curdling scream as she held on tight to Jake’s hand.

“Good job, Mandi!” The doctor said. “One more and you’re done.”

With one more push Jake watched his son born and then handed over to Mandi.

He leaned down and kissed her forehead as he gently touched his son…. lost for words.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jake carried the car seat with Noah all bundled in it up into the house while Mandi took their bags into the bedroom.

“The nursery looks great,” he said as he peaked around the corner.

“Thanks,” Mandi replied. She didn’t really have a lot to say to him. She knew that he was leaving the next day and wouldn’t be back for a long time. It shouldn’t bother her… she knew that he had a life to return to and she had the most beautiful baby to raise.

“Are you ok?” Jake asked as he walked into the kitchen with the baby in his arms. “You seem distant.”

“I’m fine,” she replied. “I just don’t want things to get to comfortable… you’re leaving.”

“Mandi… I’m sorry… you know I have to.” He held his son close to him and looked down at him. “You know I’ll do anything I can to help you and I’m always going to be there for him. I just need time to talk to Becca and explain things.”

“I know,” she replied. “But she’s going to know that something is going on if you don’t tell her soon.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jake left mid morning after Mandi got up and around for the day.

When she finally got the baby to sleep and went to lay down on her bed she found an envelope lying on her pillow and when she opened it up she found close to $2000 in there with a note from Jake.

Mandi,

I know I can’t always be there for our son, but I hope that this helps for a bit.

Jake

Mandi held it close to her as the tears fell.

Write On Edge: Red-Writing-Hood

This week, write a fiction or creative non-fiction piece about a time one of your main characters finds himself or herself paying back a debt–financial or otherwise

The Coffee Shop

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Zermat-Romantic-M

This week the fabulous writers from Write on Edge are tempting us with a new prompt….. Introduce a romantic interest or opportunity and see what happens. And do it with 450 words or less. 

In keeping with the current storyline of Becca & Jake I bring you another installment in their story. If you’d like to read more click here.

Becca looked down at the cup in front of her, it was half full of tea that had gone cold hours ago. Another turn of her head and she looked out the window and realized that dusk was setting upon the city.

How long had she been sitting there? Hours it appeared, but she’d finally been able to make some progress on her final project for graduation. It was the last step before she was done with six long years of school, hard work, lack of sleep, and determination. It would be worth it though.

Becca stood up and walked up to the counter and ordered a cup of coffee this time. She figured she’d need it to get through the rest of the evening.

The door opened and a tall guy with sandy brown hair and green eyes walked in. Immediately Becca’s eyes were drawn to him and when he looked up and smiled at her it was all that she could to keep from drooling all over herself. Quickly she looked back at the clerk and thanked her before moving back to her table.

Becca started to gather her things when she sensed that someone was sitting across from her.

“Hi,” said a distinctly male voice.

Becca looked up and her eyes locked with those deep green eyes that walked in the door a few minutes ago. “H..hi,” she replied. He had caught her off guard and she was having trouble with words for some reason.

He held his hand out to her and smiled. “I’m Jake.”

She smiled in return because it was hard not to. “I’m.. I’m Becca,” she replied a bit softer than she’d meant to as she shook his hand.

“So, I’ve seen you here a few times… you’re pretty focused on your work all the time,” he said to her.

“Umm… yea. It’s quiet and I can usually make progress on my project. My roommates can be loud sometimes….” she replied trailing off as she finished gathering her things. “Do you go to Brown too?”

He laughed at her question. “Nope,” he replied before taking a drink of his coffee. “I went to college out west and graduated a year or so ago.”

“Oh,” she said and felt like an idiot for making an assumption.

“I’m an elementary school teacher,” he told her.

She smiled again at him, “Wow! That takes a lot of patience.”

“It does, but I love it.”

“I’m graduating this spring,” she told him.

They talked until the shop closed and then left together.

Waking up……. but not alone

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This week we’d like you to write a fiction or creative non-fiction piece about a time someone crossed a line, legally or ethically. Explore the motivation of your character and possibly the consequences of his or her actions.

Write On Edge: Red-Writing-Hood
Jake jumped out of bed and grabbed his clothes quickly, not caring about the fact that he was totally nude. “I’m sorry…. ” he started as he pulled on his pants. “I can’t believe this happened.” He finished more to himself than to her.

“You can’t believe it?” Mandi demanded. “What did you think we were going to do? Chat all night and do each others nails?”

Jake looked over at her as he finished getting dressed. “Mandi, I’m sorry. This should have never happened… I… I sort of have a girlfriend.”

“Well guess that’s why you murmured Becca in your sleep,” she replied as she stood up to gather her things. “So now what?”

Jake shrugged in response, “I guess we forget this night happened and move on.”

And that’s what they did. Mandi returned to school while Jake went back to the states. Both had set aside their night together and moved on.

——–

Jake’s phone buzzed in his pocket as he made his way through the crowds of people at the mall. “Hello,” he said without even bothering to look to see who it was.

“Jake?” A woman’s voice asked hesitantly.

“This is Jake,” he replied. “Who is this?”

“Mandi,” she said.

Jake paused for a moment remembering who she was and for a moment fear shot through him and he didn’t know what to say.

“Jake… I’m pregnant.”

“What?” he asked. “Why are you telling me this?”

She sighed, “because it’s your baby.”

He laughed. “Not possible,” he stopped walking and moved out of the way of the crowds. “Why are you trying to pin this on me?”

“I’m not,” she replied softly. “I haven’t slept with anyone in months other than you.”

Again Jake paused and cursed under his breath. “What are you going to do?”

“Keep it of course!”

“Mandi…. come on… think about this for a minute. Are you sure?”

“Yes, I am very sure. Look Jake… I’m just letting you know because it’s the right thing to do but I’m not asking you to be part of this child’s life or mine.”

“This is going to ruin my life!”

Mandi’s voice rose, “Your life! You bastard! What about me?”

“I’m engaged and getting married this summer!”

“Well congratulations! While you’re on your honeymoon I’ll be as big as a house and getting ready to deliver your child!”

“Mandi, please… calm down. You sprang this on me! Give me some time to process it all. I’ll give you a call after the holidays, alright?” And with that he hung up as Becca made her way over to him.

She leaned into him and kissed him. “Everything alright? You look upset.”

He pulled her close as they headed out of the mall and said, “Yea, I’m fine. The crowds were getting to me.”

“Well, we’re done Christmas shopping so we won’t have to go back,” she told him with a smile.

Looking for more of Jake & Becca’s story? Click here!

When all is lost

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According to Dante, the gates of hell are inscribed “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.” Let that inscription lead, but not necessarily define, your piece for Friday’s link-up.

Write On Edge: Red-Writing-Hood

When all is lost there is hope. Hope in the future, hope in love, and hope that things will get better.

That’s what everyone kept telling her, but she knew that they were wrong and things weren’t going to get better. As a matter of fact things were getting worse day by day and keeping hope was more difficult than just accepting the inevitable. So what was inevitable… death and taxes and she sure as hell didn’t owe any money to the government. All that was left was death.

According to statistics accidents happen every day and there are some where we stand up and brush off the dirt and then there are others… like what happened to Jake.

Becca kept playing that day over and over in her head and still couldn’t figure out how it happened. One minute she was sitting on the beach watching Jake surf, something he was very accomplished at, and then next thing she knew he was being pulled out of the water by a couple other surfers and he was unconscious.

It had been almost three weeks since that day on the beach and he had yet to wake up. The doctors said that he was in a coma and that his chances of waking up were slim but she had refused to believe them. She knew that Jake was strong, healthy, and that there was no way that he would ever leave her side. She had so much hope that he would fully recover. She had to believe that he would wake up and they would continue on with their lives together as they had planned. She had hope that her love would be enough to bring him back to her.

Becca knew in the back of her mind that he was already gone after the first week and a half of sitting by his side in the hospital. She would sit there day and night and hold his hand in hers. It was cold and limp… not like that of a dead person but of someone who was not in control anymore. She would talk to him, smile, and even laugh as she talked of their lives together in hopes that she would get some sort of response out of Jake but there was nothing, not even the slightest twitch.

Hope was gone and now all that she had left was fear, a deep sadness, and she wanted to give up. Giving up would be so much easier than accepting that the love of her life was slowly slipping away from her.

The doctors gave her the options and then left her to consider what decision she would make. All she could do is hold Jake and cry and think how unfair life was.

Towards the end of the fourth week in the hospital a decision was made with family. They let Jake go.

Looking for more of the story? Check more of it out here.

Mac & Piggy

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If you’d like to read more of Becca & Jake’s story check it out here.

“Are you watching that video again Jake?” Becca called from the living room. A smile spread across her face knowing full well what the answer was, he was watching Mac Davis sing to Miss Piggy, a classic episode of Muppet’s again.

“Yea, it’s my favorite,” Jake called back from the study. He knew that he needed to get the paper work for work done but this was more entertaining. The Muppet’s were a flash back from his past and always made him smile.

Becca sat down next to him she and planted a kiss on his cheek, “Mind if I watch with you?”

“Nope, I was hoping you would.” He moved his chair a bit so she could move closer. “I could watch these over and over again. They never get old.”

Becca laughed. “I know.”

“When I was little we had a nightly routine,” he started. “After dinner with my family my dad would give me a bath and then we would sit down together with my mom on the couch and watch the Muppet’s every night until 8 and then I’d curl up in bed while my mom would read me a book.”

His voice was soft and reminiscent as he recalled the childhood memory and Becca knew that he was missing his parents a great deal. She took his hand in hers as he spoke.

“I would always procrastinate for as long as I could, asking for one more book but I would always fall asleep before she was done with it.”

Becca moved closer and entwined her arm with his. “Let’s watch this video and then get something to eat.”

Jake sang along softly with the song, “Baby, baby don’t get hooked on me.”

Miss Piggy curled up with Mac as Jake pulled Becca into his arms.

Write On Edge: Red-Writing-Hood

One Night

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If you want to read more of Becca & Jake’s story check it out here.

It was a rainy night in Dusseldorf when Jake walked out of the pub. He knew that he had to much to drink already but he was having the time of his life with his college buddies. The night was still young and they moved on to the next place just down the street, this one was more lively then the last and was sure to be entertaining.

The smoke filled room was packed with crowds of young people all drinking large mugs of beer. Laughter could be heard over the voices.. mens and womens mingled together in a melody that was enticing and could brighten any bad mood in moments.

Jake and his friends easily moved towards the bar and ordered their drinks as they scoped out the room.

Brian laughed as he nudged Jake. “What about that one?” He said gesturing to a tall, dark haired girl sitting at the end of the bar with a couple of other girls.

Jake nodded, “Yea, she’s not bad.”

Brian almost snorted beer out of his nose. “Not Bad! Hell… if you don’t go talk to her I will!”

Jake looked at his friend with a raised eye brow. “I’m sure that Jess would love that,” he said referring to Brian’s fiance. He took another drink of his beer and with liquid courage coursing through his veins Jake made his way over to the beautiful brunette across the bar.

Mandi took another drink of her beer as he approached and then greeted him with a smile.

“Hi,” Jake said returning her smile. “I’m Jake.”

“Mandi,” she replied holding her hand out to him.

Jake took her hand in his gently, it was so soft, delicate, and beautifully feminine, and gave it a small shake. “You’re American?” He said noticing her voice and accent when she spoke to him.

“Yes, as are you,” she replied. “I’m here studying for a year before returning to Yale.”

Jake looked impressed. “Nice, what are you studying?” He asked before taking another drink of his beer.

Jake spent the rest of night talking with Mandi and before he knew it he had invited her back to his hotel. They fell into each others arms as soon as they were in the door knowing that it was the alcohol that was allowing them to act on their urges.

———

The light was streaming through the windows so brightly that Jake had to roll over to keep the light from causing his head from pounding more. As he moved he felt the warm, soft flesh of a person next to him causing his eyes to open quickly.

Fear ran through his body faster than anything ever had as he tried to remember the night before.

She rolled over towards him and opened her eyes slowly. Their eyes met with the same startled look.

Mandi sat up quickly pulling the sheets up to cover her naked body. “What the hell happened last night?”

“I.. I’m not sure,” Jake replied.

Write On Edge: Red-Writing-Hood

This week’s prompt was a challenge for this opening line; “It was a rainy night in Dusseldorf…”

Well… How did I do? I’m trying to fill in some of the holes in the storyline and this piece ties directly to this one.

Their Song

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If you want to read more of Becca & Jake’s story check it out here.

Becca had finished packing up the truck before the rain started. With the keys already in the ignition she turned it over but she couldn’t seem to put the truck into gear and pull away from the house. The house that held so many memories, so much love, and hope for the future. Gone…. all gone now.

She finally pulled her eyes away from her house and the past as she drove down the road the followed the coast into the city. The rain started to come down harder causing her to turn the radio up louder so she could hear it and then the song came on. Their song.

Before she knew it she had pulled over into an empty beach parking lot. The melody pulled her deeply into her memories. Memories that she had been trying so hard to bury and push out of her mind.

I’ll be your dream
I’ll be your wish I’ll be your fantasy

The day they met the song was playing in the background at the coffee shop near the beach.

I’ll be your hope I’ll be your love
Be everything that you need

The song played softly in the background the first night she made dinner for him in her tiny apartment.

I’ll love you more with every breath
Truly, madly, deeply do

The song was playing when he asked her to marry him…. fighting against the sound of the surf crashing against the beach.

I will be strong I will be faithful
’cause I’m counting on

The song was playing when they had their first dance together as husband and wife.

A new beginning
A reason for living
A deeper meaning, yeah

Tears streamed down her face as sobs racked her body and her fingers gripped the steering wheel so hard that her knuckles were white as snow. Becca hadn’t let the emotions get to her like they did at that moment, but then again she hadn’t let the memories flow through her like they were right now. The moment she heard the news she walled everything out… every memory & thought that was of him.

The crying was almost cathartic and that there was a weight being lifted off of her. At that moment she knew she’d be alright.

She wiped the tears from her face and listed to the rest of their song, Truly Madly Deeply.

Write On Edge: Red-Writing-Hood

Show us in 400 words or less how your character reacts to a piece of music.

How did I do? I would love your concrit!

Georgie

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We cut it, curl it, straighten it, color it, grow it out, despair over it. It can ruin our entire day or make us feel sexy or powerful or an entire spectrum of emotion.

It’s our hair.

We make judgments about mullets and comb-overs and bowl cuts. We envy thick, luscious locks. Or wildly hued ones.

Hair says a lot about us. About who we are or who we want to be, or maybe just who our friends are.

This week we’d like you to write a piece about hair. It can be about you or one of your characters where hair figures prominently. Don’t just describe it. Use it as a vehicle to tell us something about your character, a situation, you and your life.

Write On Edge: Red-Writing-Hood

Georgie walked into the office late in the day as usual and he was wearing his typical uniform in black. Dress slacks of some poly blend that looked itchy, black dress shirt with a sheen that slightly reflected light, shiny black loafers, and a few gold chains that peaked out of the unbuttoned shirt. Georgie always left the top two or three buttons undone and never wore a tie.

To say that he thought highly of himself was an understatement.

But the one thing that he was most proud of was his dark, slicked back hair that was pulled into a ponytail at the base of his neck. He went to great lengths to keep his hair slicked back and perfectly neat and the minute that he had a hair out of place he was in the office, in front of the mirror fixing it.

Aside from his profession as a lawyer he led a shady lifestyle, but I think that the outfit and hair gave that away, but that all changed one day.

A case gone badly, a jilted lover, and a pair of scissors was all it took for everything to change for Georgie.

Connie was pissed off and while Georgie was taking a nap in his big office chair she snuck in and snipped off the end of his ponytail, and then made a few random clips here, there and well… everywhere.

Georgie woke as she made the last few clips and screamed like a little girl as his hands immediately flew to his head. Connie did nothing but laugh while the secretary gathered her things for an early lunch.

That night Georgie found himself in a cell with some seriously messed up hair, no ponytail holder or gel to keep his much loved locks in place. Connie, well she was in the hospital recovering from a few stab wounds.

Recognition

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Write On Edge: Red-Writing-Hood

This week, we’d like you to take us on an actual journey, specifically a road trip? Think about who is in the car. Where are they going and why? What’s on the radio or what are the travelers talking about?

In 300 words or less, create a fiction or creative non-fiction piece that lets us feel the wind from an open window or the dry heat of a car vent.

red car

The long and winding rode was laid out ahead of me and out my window there was nothing but empty land, random trees, and dust bowls. It was a pretty desolate area that I had been traveling for hours now; each road sign brought me closer to civilization and a new life.

I left the middle of the country about a week or so ago, Indiana to be exact. It was a small town, with small minds and very little room for change or innovation. I had to leave after he raised his hand to me…. it was not the way I wanted to live the rest of my life. I packed up everything I could into my little convertible, put the rest into storage in the next town over, and headed west. It was just the open road, my music, and me and to make it even better… half way down the highway heading out of town I put the top down & let my cell phone fly out of my hand and crash to the ground. All connections to my old life were now severed and it felt good.

After another week of travel I finally hit the west coast and found myself traveling north after a weekend on the beach. The view was gorgeous! Ocean to the left and beautiful mountains and trees to the right it was then that I knew this was where I wanted to be and as the sun was starting to set over the water I pulled into a little roadside diner.

I parked in front and the bell on the door jingled as I walked in signaling my arrival. It was a small diner with booths that lined the windows overlooking the highway and a traditional diner counter complete with red stools and laminate counter top. All that was necessary now was Alice or Flo to come walking through the swinging kitchen door, instead an older woman came out to greet me and refill the cups of a few people at the counter.

I noticed a car pull in while I sat in the booth reading the paper. Normally, I don’t pay much attention but how often do see a classic car like that… I’m a sucker for a well maintained classic. I put it out of my mind, with my budget I could barely afford my cake and coffee, and returned to the paper. Again the bell jingled announcing another customer and as he walked by our eyes met and locked, for that brief moment in time I felt lifetimes flash in my mind. He had a look of recognition on his face and quickly looked away breaking the connection we had.

I know that I went over the word count but I cut it off at the best place I could find… even though I’m not sure of it still. And in case you’re wondering… yes, this is part of my novel for NaNoWriMo! So I would love any and all feedback!