Ah, the late gift arrival. There’s nothing like a parcel drop-off race to the finish line to renew your faith in the miracles of Christmas. But if the holiday buzzer happens to sound and you’re left empty-handed while sipping on your seventh spiked eggnog weeping as you gaze out the living room window, it is then you concede that the Grinch must be more real than Santa.
Ah…the office Secret Santa. An annual festive get-together with your fellow coworkers. The people you spend a big portion of your daily life with. A second family, some would say. It’s a chance to enjoy a holiday break with that family, away from the weekly grind, and to take part in a little giving and receiving. I’ve been a part of a bunch of Secret Santas in my day. Most if not all of my former places of employment have practised the tradition and it’s no different at my current job. My law firm partakes as well. Each time, a fun experience. This year’s Secret Santa email dropped in my inbox last week. I picked my person to buy for yesterday. It was my first sign of Santa’s coming.
Whoosh…
A door slides open from left to right. A young woman scurries across a bedroom as quick as she can coming to a stop at the room window. As soon as she reached the view which was into outer space, a transport pod shot away from the lower deck of the same space station she stood on the third level of. Every few seconds she waved both her hands vigorously hoping someone she missed already would see her farewell before the pod shuttle burned itself into Earth’s atmosphere becoming no longer visible. As soon as it did, her smile was gone. She felt a rush of sadness fall over her. It lasted but a few seconds until she remembered the promise she had been left with which made her smile come back.
That bench and those two trees cure writer’s block. Game on! – Ash
When I see someone writing, I leave them alone, and now we’re best friends. – Ash
And, now you can open your eyes…
Wow… your DeLorean bed arrived. So, this is what we all got you for your birthday gift?
It certainly is. You could say this puts a new “spin” on “bedtime”.
Great and with puns included. It’s official, you’ve gone full nerd.
Shush, your pretty mouth. You like it. I can see you do behind whatever that expression is you’re trying to make. Come on, be honest. It’s exactly what you expected when you said I could get whatever I wanted for my fortieth.
Yeah, I rolled over way too easily it seems this “Back to Your Birthday” day.
Ouch!
Writing for me is a sixth sense. I lose it sometimes, so I must rely heavily on the other five to get it back. – Ash
Writing can feel like a state of consciousness all of its own. When creativity strikes, you get TKO’d from the real world, but to win each round…you don’t get back up. – Ash
Here’s where this story began…CLICK HERE!
Friday was gone. Saturday was coming up with the sun, and Ryan had still not been asleep. His acute insomnia was expected after he travelled. Triggered by past traumas. Any variance in his life could bring on his curse of no bedtime, sometimes it’s a week before he feels any sign of tiredness. It’s three days into his house swap, one of those life variances that was suggested by his sister, Laura. She has been telling him forever how it would be a good idea for her brother to get away for an extended period of time. To see and to get to experience another part of the country. A difference in atmosphere could be exactly what Ryan needed. An opportunity to leave that place behind for a bit. It’s been long enough with those bad memories. It’s time to heal.
Continue reading “Story Jots # 11 (b) – Red Door, Blue Cadillac, And A Murder”
I’m bitten…
I will become one of them any minute. It can’t end like this. I promised. That day he took them from me. That monster, Roșu. I called him Red. He was the first one and started all of this. I called him that because it was all I could see when I thought of him. And it was all he wanted. Nothing, but red. Red everywhere. To feed his parasitic reign. An eternal starvation for existence and undying life sustained by the veins of human prey. Prey fooled by his dark fluence of sultry words and reverie. Like it did when he stole my family. It was his bloody thirst that started this hunt. Started my journey to find and destroy him. But, now I need him. I must stay alive a little longer. I have to signal Red. For a choice. A choice my loving husband and dear daughter never had. If he gives me that choice, it could be my last chance.
to be continued…
Earth To Ash 