TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "EASY"

        

Welcome! This week we have another episode of "The Kicker's Story" and it's all about the girls this time around. Don't forget to read all the wonderful Tuesday Tales stories. Find them HERE

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        "I gotta go."

"If you run into Tyler Bentley, invite him to dinner."

"Oh? Why? You interested?"

"No, but I'd like to catch up. See what he's doing."

"Yeah, right," Merrily snickered. "Like you're not interested."

"I'm not. Really. Just curious. Want to know how he's handling stuff."

Merrily nodded. She knew about him being fired. Courtney had told her. She felt sorry for the young man, but her mind was full of this amazing opportunity. She totally forgot about the necklace. In fact she'd forgotten to take it off.

She bounced out of the house and stuck a brisk pace to Cedar Lake. She'd try out some easy routines with different music until she found the right one. As she walked along, her mind whirled. Should she pick popular music or classical? Something, like a standard tune from Irving Berlin or the latest song from Lady Gaga? What about Adele? Everyone loves her songs. Should she use one with a vocal or all instrumental.

Preoccupied, she sank down on a bench by the lake and shuffled through the playlists on her phone until she found three pieces she wanted to test. She 'd start with her favorite part of an old routine she did in college and see which parts went with the music. Would any of those fit?  

She shed her clothing, donned her skates, and headed out on the ice to warm up. She skated forward, then backward, and attempted a few small jumps. She didn't see Tyler coming down the street.

The cold wind combed through her hair as she increased her speed. Twirling here and there, then back to skating in a large circle. It wasn't long before her exercise warmed her muscles and the movement relaxed, easing into her natural grace, executing a routine that had become part of her body so many years ago.

She stopped and hit play. Tchaikovsky's "Waltz of the Flowers" from "The Nutcracker Suite" made her smile. 

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "BAUBLE"

 

Welcome! We have another episode of "The Kicker's Story" today  Check out all the wonderful stories HERE  Thanks for stopping by. 

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Merrily's phone rang. "Hello?" She fingered the diamond bauble around her neck.  

Connie quietly finished her eggs, keeping one eye on her younger daughter.

"What? Really? That's fantastic. Yes. Yes. I'll be ready." Merrily put her phone down.

"Give," Courtney said, taking her attention away from her own business.

"This is the best news!" Merrily jumped up and paced in the small kitchen.

"And it is?" Her mother gestured.

"That was the secretary for Arthur Douglas, head of the Olympic Committee."

"Wow!" Courtney's eyes widened.

"She said I'm being considered as a trainer and assistant coach to the figure skating team for the upcoming winter Olympics!"

"Holy crow! That's terrific!" Connie grinned.

"What does that mean? Being considered?"

"It means I have to try out. Come up with a four minute routine and perform for the committee."

"You have to do a routine? Why? Why can't they simply take you because you've been training and advising young girls on ice skating for like seven years already?" Courtney asked.

"Because that's the way they do things. They want people who can really skate themselves. So they can judge, advise, and correct the skaters. Help them."

"Did you know about this?" Connie asked.

Merrily nodded. "I'd heard about it from my old skating partner, Chet."

"You still in touch with him?" Courtney made a face.

"Yes! No judgments please."

"Are you still crazy about him?" Connie asked, rising up and gathering the plates.

"Well. We broke up a long time ago. But we keep in touch."

"You mean he keeps you on a string if there's no one else to warm his bed, don't you?" Courtney handed her plate to her mother and refreshed her own coffee.

"Courtney! Stop." Connie knitted her eyebrows.

"Okay, okay. I know you've got a fatal thing for him. But you should move on."

"I have. Sort of." Merrily took the plates from her mother and loaded them into the dishwasher.

Courtney clicked her tongue against her teeth. "You're much too good for him."

"I agree," Connie said with a nod.

"I've got to practice."

Placed her hand on Merrily's arm. "When is the tryout?"

"March fifth. They'll announce the team in April."

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "SIMPLE" - THE KICKER'S STORY

 

Welcome! This week the word prompt is "simple" or any form of that word. We have another episode of "The Kicker's Story". Don't forget to visit all the author's. Find their blogs HERE. 

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"If you get your act together, I bet you can get back in."

"Yeah? How? It would take a miracle?"

"Maybe not a miracle, just a connection. Derek and I might be able to pull some strings and get you another chance with another team. Except for this past season, your record has been amazing."

Tears stung at the backs of Tyler's eyes. "Excuse me." He jumped up and hotfooted to the men's room. He'd be damned if he'd let Mr. Forge see him cry. He put his forehead down on the cool porcelain sink. Could he let the Forge's bail him out – again?

Still, he wanted back in so bad. Andrew Forge was right, Tyler had slacked off. Screwed around with alcohol and gambling. He knew he'd been up late too many nights. Brittany had been no help. Even when he tried to keep a curfew, she'd coaxed him out to see a show or hit a slot machine when he should have been asleep.

His kicking had begun to slide weeks before the big fuck-up game. He'd felt it, knew things were a little off. He ignored the signs. Hey, wasn't he simply the best kicker in the NFL? He kept crazy hours, partying and gambling, ignoring the fact that he had to work harder and harder to keep in shape and score an easy extra point.

He could never hide the truth from Andrew Forge. He'd always seen through Tyler's excuses in high school, and nothing had changed. Ty turned on the water and rinsed off his face. He took two deep breaths and exhaled slowly, then opened the door and rejoined Mr. Forge. He slid into the seat. Mr. Forge wiped his lips and picked up his mug.

"More coffee, Gents?" Winnie asked, brandishing the hot pot.

She refilled both cups.

"Okay. So, yeah. I admit it. I screwed around. I can't take it back."

"You were disciplined in Pittsburgh. That's why you got the job with the Gamblers."

Ty nodded.

"You did it once, you can do it again. I bet you've learned from that experience, haven't you?"

"I'm never stepping foot in a casino again."

Mr. Forge laughed.

"Yeah. So? So I learned. Too little to late. I can't erase those blown kicks can I?"

"No, but you can turn over a new leaf. I believe you already have. Which is why we're having this conversation."

"Because I'm practicing?"

"Practicing in below freezing weather. Yes."

Tyler raised his eyes to connect with his mentor's. He saw hope.

That's all for this week. Thanks for stopping by.