Welcome! This is picture prompt week. We're limited to only 300 words. We join Marty on his trip to New York City to meet up with a woman who intrigued him. Don't forget to scroll down to return to Tuesday Tales and the excellent stories there. Thanks for stopping by.
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Marty glanced at
his phone, then opened his pocket planner. The bus ground to a halt before the Lincoln
Tunnel. An accident? He hadn’t expected a traffic jam. Being the planner he
was, he’d built in plenty of time for his appointment with Jenny.
A twinge of guilt shot through him. He’d lied
to Flint. He only had one appointment to discuss printing –with that luscious
blonde he’d met at the Harvest dance. If Flint knew, Marty would never hear the
end of it.
Jenny had taken his card and called for an
estimate for their printing services. It wasn’t from the ad, but it was a
business meeting. His nerves kicked up as he checked his watch again. He hoped
to take her to lunch. Hell, if she’d have dinner with him, too, he’d give her
the printing at cost. But he couldn’t tell Flint.
Jenny had two children, a boy and a girl. He’d
always shied away from dating single women with kids because he didn’t want the
responsibility. Wasn’t sure he’d make much of a father, either. But when he saw
Jenny laughing, dancing, and singing with her children, his heart melted.
He stared out the window at the traffic
inching along. It was a gray, windy day in March. Dirty buildings rose up,
blocking his view. Where was that beautiful New York skyline he’d seen in pictures?
His palms started to sweat. One more glance at his watch. Ten thirty. He still
had time.
Ten minutes later, the bus wheezed through
the toll booth and into the tunnel. He hustled to the curb. Verging on being
late, he hailed a taxi that crawled through a snarl of cars and trucks. Sweat
beaded on his forehead as the hands of the clock moved faster than he did.
Great scene. Having been caught in traffic on a tour bus just outside the Lincoln Tunnel, I could feel the frustration. The last time we were in New York City, we took a cab to the hockey game. There was so much traffic, I probably could've walked faster. Loved the realism. Hope he won't be too late.
ReplyDeleteHis pull toward Jenny is delightful and realistic. You show so well the nervous anticipation, hope for a positive outcome, and fear of disapproval from his brother. Love the way you've written this!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great scene!
ReplyDeleteOh, you have me waiting and anxious with him as traffic crawls through ever so slowly. Such a realistic scene, with emotions running high. Great snippet!
ReplyDeleteI love the way you describe the trip he is taking. The way you form the words makes me panic about him being late as much as he is. Great job!
ReplyDelete