TUESDAY TALES - PIC PROMPT -

This week is our picture prompt week. We had to choose among several doors. This is my choice. We return to "Too Late for Goodbye" again this week. I hope you enjoy this 300-word snippet and will return to Tuesday Tales and read all the stories. 

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Jackie hesitated before knocking on the old oak door. She glanced up at the mansard roof, the graceful, peeling white shutters and the thick, detailed, white molding. The house was a mansion. She wondered about the old woman who lived there.

The young woman took a deep breath and let it out. This companion job was her last chance at independence. She had to make it work and she would, no matter how cantankerous the old lady was. Jackie would find a way to get along with her. Screwing up her courage, she knocked once, then again.

“Coming, coming! Keep your shirt on.” The hinges creaked and the heavy door swung open. Behind it stood a short, slender woman. Her gray hair was cut in a stylish, attractive do. She wore a little lipstick, black pants, a T-shirt, and a corduroy jacket.

“Jackie Tremont?”

“Yes, ma’am. That’s me.”

The older woman rested her hands on her hips and looked Jackie over.

“You’re kinda skinny, but I guess that’s to be expected. I mean after what you went through.”

“You’re Maxine Connors?”

“Call me Max. Come on in. We’ll get you settled in your room later. You’re just in time for lunch.” She stepped aside and let the young woman inside.

Jackie carried a small suitcase and wore a backpack. She put her luggage down by the door in the mahogany paneled entryway and followed Max into the kitchen.

“I understood you could cook,” she said, sitting down at the table.

“Yep. I’m not gourmet chef, but I can do a fair stew and bake a little bread.”

“That’s good.” There were two place settings. “Let’s eat.”

Jackie looked around, but didn’t see any food.  “What are we having?”

“I don’t know. What are you making?”  Maxine asked, breaking into a smile.

Thank you for stopping by. Don't forget to find out what doors the other writers selected and read their stories.

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TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "SWALLOW" #shortstory #amwriting

Welcome. Life took over last week and I couldn't post. But I'm back this week. We return to the work-in-progress, tentatively titled, "Too Late for Goodbye."

Jackie stared back and forth from one to the other. She recognized a physical resemblance but had no memory of them. Pain like she had never known seared her body.

“Mom? Dad?”

“Mama and Pop,” Bill corrected.

As if he had placed a puzzle piece in her brain, the sound of his voice and the nicknames reverberated in her head, brought their names back to her. She nodded.

“Yes. I remember those names.”

“That’s us,” Betty said in a low voice.

 “What happened to you, sweetheart?” Bill probed.

“I don’t know.” She swallowed, surprised she was still upset to admit that after so many months of explaining again and again that she hadn’t a clue.

“Oh my God,” Betty’s fingers flew to her mouth and she turned to her husband and sobbed.

“Can you come with us, Ms. Tremont? I think we can clear some of this up and you can go home with your family.” The officer motioned her to follow.

After two hours at the police station, Jackie was released into the custody of the Tremonts. The investigators instructed her to call them the moment she recollected anything at all. The earnest looks on their faces gave them credibility. They had been most kind through her ordeal. Jackie promised to get back in touch if her memory returned. She thanked everyone in the station house for their kindness and care.

After a tearful farewell with Angela, Jackie slid into the backseat of the older couple’s car. Fear and emotion had tugged at her all day, exhausting her. She slept most of the way back to Pine Grove. Once they arrived, after settling her in her old room, her parents showed her pictures of them together in happier times. Jackie believed that they were her family. A tension she’d been holding for a long time melted and flowed out of her. She’d have to get to know them again, but that would be okay. At least she had a family. 

Thank you for coming. Don't forget to read the other stories by talented writers. 

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TUESDAY TALES - MORE FROM "TOO LATE FOR GOODBYE"

Welcome! Thanks for stopping by. This week we continue with a short excerpt from my WIP, "Too Late for Goodbye" and the word prompt "Grab." Don't forget to visit the wonderful authors of Tuesday Tales. Scroll down for a link below. 

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The next morning, after Angela left for work, Jackie bundled up and went for a walk. Though she still walked with a slight limp, she was determined to get her smooth stride back. Then she did some hand exercises as she perused the want ads on Angela’s computer. I have to get a job.

 She’d only been at Angela’s house for four days when law enforcement showed up, right after Angela.

“You’re home early. Are you okay? Jackie asked her friend.

“I’m fine. The police are here. They want to ask you a few questions. They’ve brought someone else, too,” Angela said, stepping back, holding the door open.

Two uniformed officers entered, followed by an older couple. Jackie stood up from the computer table and grabbed her cane. There was a gasp from the man and the woman burst into tears. Jackie stared at them, fear coursing through her veins.

“Do you recognize these people?” One officer asked her.

“Should I?”

“Oh my God. Jackie. Jackie, darling. My sweet girl,” the woman moaned.

“Seems they’re your parents,” the other officer chimed in.

Jackie froze, unable to suck air into her lungs. Her heart beat doubled, pounding in her ears.

“This is Betty and Bill Tremont. They live in Pine Grove. They’ve just reported you missing.”

TUESDAY TALES

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V.L. Locey: Tuesday Tales - Picture Prompt

This respite from the tension of Jon's life is most welcome. But why do I feel it's temporary? I love that Charlotte has fooled everyone. The secret is a wonderful one. Love this story.

TUESDAY TALES, PICTURE PROMPT

Welcome! Thanks for stopping by. This is the picture and the story is, tentatively, "Too Late for Goodbye." This is a work-in-progress and has not been edited. 

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Bill Tremont yanked open the car door. “Get in, Betty.”

     “Are you sure you want to do this?”

     “What the hell’s wrong with you, woman? Our daughter’s been missing going on a year now. And you think she’s just finished with us? Bullshit. I don’t buy it for a minute and I’m sick of sitting around listening to you make excuses. I’m driving to South Hampton now. You can either come with or stay home. The choice is yours.”

Betty Tremont got in the front seat. Her husband threw the car in gear and headed down Route 16 toward the highway. They had a good fifteen miles to go, Bill’s foot pushed down on the accelerator.

“Take it easy, Bill.”                                          

“Shoulda done this six months ago. Eight months ago!”

“What if she’s there and just doesn’t want to speak to us?”

“Then I’ll take her over my knee, give her a lecture and come home. At least I’ll know she’s alive.”

“Oh, Bill, you don’t really think she’s…”

He put his hand on her arm. “I don’t. But we’ve gotta know. Don’t get upset. If the news is bad, there’ll be plenty of time to lose it then.”

Betty patted his hand. “Always the voice of reason.”

They drove on in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Bill didn’t often lie to his wife, but he did today. She’d been able to read his mind very soon into their thirty year marriage. And this time was no exception. Grim thoughts about his daughter were what drove him behind the wheel. Betty voiced exactly what he had been thinking. Jackie’s dead. Why else would she lose contact with us?

Bill Tremont had a reputation as a truthful and curious man. He had to know, always. And the fate of his daughter was no exception. 

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MEET DEVON DRAKE, CORNERBACK & STORMY GREGORY

DEVON DRAKE, CORNERBACK

Welcome. Let me introduce Devon Drake and Stormy Gregory, hero and heroine of book 4 of the First & Ten series, but it can be read as a stand-alone. Here's a bit about the book:

Devon Drake, star cornerback, has it all: hot super model girlfriend and pro football career, or does he? A childhood friend wanders back into his life, upsetting his ideal existence. Is it finally time to tell her the truth about what happened fifteen years ago?

Stormy Gregory is on the run from a violent man. Her best friend offers her a safe place at the shelter for abused women and children. Grateful to be out of harm’s way, Stormy helps with a charitable event, not expecting to run into Devon Drake, her friend’s brother. Will she run again rather than face rejection?

Cracks in his perfect world threaten the cornerback’s starting lineup status. An unwelcome surprise short-circuits Stormy’s attempt to build a new life. Can they pull together or will the secret that separates the former friends keep them on a downward spiral?

Thanks for stopping by. Buy it in ebook or paperback here:

AMAZON

BARNES & NOBLE

ITUNES/APPLE

KOBO

GOOGLEPLAY

SMASHWORDS

AMAZON U.K.

PAPERBACK

CHECK OUT ALL THE FIRST & TEN BOOKS ON MY WEBSITE HERE

FREE PICTURES!

Hey all you authors and bloggers out there. I'm making some of the pictures I took free today. (No, sorry, not the red balloon that says "free photos".) So grab whatever you want from the photos below. No royalty necessary. Attribution would be appreciated, but not mandatory. Feedback is welcome, too. Enjoy!