Short Story Wednesday

The Choice, Part 2 & #IWSG First Wednesday

Dear Readers,

As usual, I’m serving up another dose of fiction. Part 1 of The Choice came out last week. I’ve linked to it so if you’d like to see how this story started, you can. Since this is the first Wednesday of the month, I answer The Insecure Writers’ Support Group question and visit many long-time friends to read what they’ve written. If you’re a writer and want to interact with others who labor over stories, join us. We’re a great group.

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The Choice

Part 2

Aunt Edna was the only lady who said nice things about Glenna, and that was because Glenna won her over. Nobody liked Aunt Edna’s gooseberry pie, ‘cause it always had white gritty bits in with the fruit. Mary Phillips told her to dissolve the cornstarch in juice, but Aunt Edna never seemed to get the hang of it. Well, one Sunday Glenna up and asked not just for seconds but for thirds. I figured it was because Glenna got tired of Aunt Edna always being teary after potlucks. That didn’t win Glenna any popularity either ’cause Aunt Edna baked more Sunday pies with gritty bits from then on.

“Come on in here, Lannie,” Glenna called from the back porch. “I got company inside.”

The company turned out to be Majorie Leonard from across the street. Mom said she was plump and perky—a little too perky for a widow. Sex on her mind, Mom said, but that was before she saw me leaning against the doorjamb minding my own business. She suddenly needed more nuts for the canasta ladies, and I had to go to the A&P for some.

“Afternoon, Lannie.” Mrs. Leonard was perky, all right. Her hair was done up neat with a bow at the back. She’d curled her lashes and drawn blue lines under her eyes to make them big. Her mouth drew up like a tidy pouch of tobacco while Glenna carried away the breakfast dishes and stacked them in a sink already full of pots and plates left to crust over.

“Afternoon, Mrs. Leonard.” I nodded and gathered up the newspapers and garden books on the other chairs for Glenna and me to have someplace to sit.

“Lemonade?” Glenna asked.

“That sounds very refreshing, doesn’t it, Lannie?” Mrs. Leonard said.

“Yes, ma’am.” I couldn’t figure why she was perched here in Glenna’s kitchen at 4:30 on a hot afternoon when she could be in her air-conditioned living room watching everybody’s favorite Soap. How was she going to have anything to say after church next Sunday?

We were pretty much out of conversation by 5:00. Glenna, who never said much anyway, filled the quiet by passing the last cream-centered chocolate cookie in its cellophane wrapper. I declined politely as I’d been taught, but Mrs. Leonard didn’t hesitate a second. She snapped up that orphan cookie and nibbled around the edge with her tiny teeth until it disappeared like all the others.

At 5:05—I was watching the clock trying to think how we could get rid of Mrs. Leonard so as Glenna and me could go back outside—the screen door slammed and in comes Herb.

“Afternoon, Herb,” Mrs. Leonard said. And now perky wasn’t enough to tell how she looked.

“Afternoon, ladies.” Herb’s one of those men who can smile like you think a handsome cat might.

Mrs. Leonard crossed her legs and made her top foot all pointy. I didn’t remember perfume before she twitched her legs, but right then the smell hooked my nose and swiveled me around in my seat. Herb’s face turned positively barnyard mouser.

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Uh, oh. I see trouble brewing for Glenna and I’m sure Lannie does, too. Part 3 next Wednesday. And now for…

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. This group is all about connecting! Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! Otherwise, when you leave a comment, people can't find you to comment back.

The awesome co-hosts for the April 2 are Jennifer Lane, L Diane Wolfe, Jenni Enzor, and Natalie Aguirre!

Remember, the question is optional!

What fantasy character would you like to fight, go on a quest with, or have a beer/glass of wine with?

I don’t read much adult fantasy, but I have written some for kids. My Adventures with Pete and Weasel series is all about impossible things happening to two twelve-year-old boys. If I could, I’d go on one their quests with them. They save the Ornofree swamp from destruction (Alligators Overhead), they close the time lock and save the world (The Great Time Lock Disaster), and they set history back on course in Some Very Messy Medieval Magic. They don’t do any of that easily or because of Pete’s talent as a wizard. It’s more despite all his bumbling and because Weasel sticks with him no matter what.