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. 

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT - DIRTY - KICKER'S STORY

 

Welcome! This week we have another episode of "The Kicker's Story." We last left Tyler having breakfast with Andrew Forge. Mr. Forge said he knew what had gone wrong for Tyler...

To skip off to read the other blogs, click HERE. Thanks for stopping by.  

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"You do? Tyler took a sip, then added more milk.

"Before you get pissed off, hear me out."

Ty nodded and took a sip.

Andrew leaned back, resting his elbows on the table. "I think it was Las Vegas."

"What?"

"Las Vegas. You know. Sin City. All the immorality and stupidity happening there. I think you let yourself get sucked in and went soft."

"Sucked in?"

"Yeah. Did you have a girlfriend?"

Tyler sense heat creeping up his neck. "Yeah. Did."

Andrew raised his eyebrows. "No longer?"

"She dumped right after I got fired."

"That's one. Did you drink in Vegas?"

"Yeah, but not before a game."

"In-between games? Like during the week?"

"So did everyone else."

"I didn't ask about everyone else. I'm only interested in you."

"Okay, okay, so yes, I did."

Winnie arrived balancing a tray with their food. She put the plates down. Tyle added butter and syrup to his hotcakes and chowed down.

"Did you gamble?" Andrew sliced off a piece of sausage.

"Who lives in Vegas and doesn't gamble?"

"I'm sure plenty of people do. How much did you lose?"

"How do you know I lost?"

"Because the cards are stacked against you. The house always wins. They have the odds on their side. Remember your math."

"Okay. Yeah. I lost." Tyler shoved a forkful of sausage in his mouth.

"A lot?" Andrew kept his gaze on Ty.

"No. I stopped before it hurt –too much."

"If you don't mind me asking. How much did you lose?"

"About five grand."

"Seems like a lot to me."

"No offense, but you're a school teacher."

"No offense taken. You have a point. Still, was losing fun?"

"No way!"

Winnie stopped by to collect the dirty dishes. 

"You could have sent five grand to your mother instead. You'd have helped her. Made her happy and felt like a good guy, instead of a schmuck who got victimized by the lure of the casinos."

Tyler looked down at his hands. One thing about Andrew Forge, he never pulled punches. He spoke the truth, no matter how much it hurt. Mr. Forge reached over and patted Tyler's forearm.

"Don't worry. It wasn't a fatal mistake."

"Really? I’m out of football." Tyler stared at his plate as he cut up the remaining food.

"No, you're not. You're just out of the Nevada Gamblers."

That's all for this week. 

Tuesday Tales - Word prompt "Pipe"

 

Welcome! We have another episode of The Kicker's story. Visit the other authors, and read their fine stories too. You'll find them HERE . Thanks for stopping by. 

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"Before you get pissed off, hear me out."

Ty nodded and took a sip.

Andrew leaned back, resting his elbows on the table. "I think it was Las Vegas."

"What?"

"Las Vegas. You know. Sin City. All the immorality and stupidity happening there. I think you let yourself get sucked in and went soft."

"Sucked in?"

"Yeah. Did you have a girlfriend?"

Tyler sense heat creeping up his neck. "Yeah. Did."

Andrew raised his eyebrows. "No longer?"

"She dumped right after I got fired."

"That's one. Did you drink in Vegas?"

"Yeah, but not before a game."

"In-between games? Like during the week?"

"So did everyone else."

"I didn't ask about everyone else. I'm only interested in you."

"Okay, okay, so yes, I did."

Winnie arrived balancing a tray with their food. She put the plates down. Tyle added butter and syrup to his hotcakes and chowed down.

"Did you gamble?" Andrew sliced off a piece of sausage.

"Who lives in Vegas and doesn't gamble?"

"I'm sure plenty of people do. How much did you lose?"

"How do you know I lost?"

"Because the cards are stacked against you. The house always wins. They have the odds on their side. Remember your math." Andrew Forge raised his gaze from his food to connect with Ty's. 

"Okay. Yeah. I lost." Tyler shoved a forkful of sausage in his mouth.

"A lot?" Andrew kept his gaze on Ty.

"No. I stopped before it hurt –too much."

"If you don't mind me asking. How much did you lose?"

"About five grand."

"Seems like a lot to me."

"No offense, but you're a school teacher."

"No offense taken. You have a point. Still, was losing fun?"

"No way!"

"You could have sent five grand to your mother instead. You'd have helped her. Made her happy and felt like a good guy, instead of a schmuck who got victimized by the lure of the casinos."

 Tyler looked down at his hands. One thing about Andrew Forge, he never pulled punches. He spoke the truth, no matter how much it hurt. Mr. Forge reached over and patted Tyler's forearm.

"Don't worry. It wasn't a fatal mistake." Andrew put his fork down and pulled a pipe out of his pocket. "I know. No smoking here. I never smoke this anymore. Just keep it handy to remind myself."

"Maybe not a fatal one, but I’m out of football." Tyler stared at his plate as he cut up the remaining food.

"No, you're not. You're just out of the Nevada Gamblers."

That's all for this week. Come back next week to see what Andrew Forge has to say. 

Tuesday Tales - Word Prompt "Cheese"

 

Welcome! This week the word prompt is "cheese". We have another episode of "The Kicker's Story", and a meeting between Tyler and Andrew Forge, Principal. Don't forget to visit all the stories this week. Find them HERE

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Tyler threw off the covers and slung his legs over the side. He yawned, scratched his stubbly face and pushed to his feet. A hot shower woke him up. He shaved and put on a long-sleeved navy-blue T-shirt and his best light blue jeans. He needed to look reasonably well put together. His former principal was a stickler for neatness and cleanliness. 

He remembered kids being sent home to change if they were too grungy. And he banned out-of-control facial hair. He checked the thermometer outside the kitchen window. Eighteen degrees. He shrugged on his down jacket and kissed his mother on the cheek. He pocketed the keys to Charlie's car and got behind the wheel.

Dread constricted his stomach. How could he eat when his anxiety level was over the top? What was he so worried about? It's not like Mr. Forge could do anything to him, right? He couldn't get expelled or anything. So what was the big deal? He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Still, his stomach knotted. He'd always craved approval from Coach Forge and Principal Forge. In high school, he'd worked hard to achieve respect.

Could one stupid game loaded with idiotic mistakes really destroy what he'd worked years to build? It seemed that way. He pulled into the small parking lot and shut off the car. He took another deep breath, swallowed and got out. Muttering to himself the words  he always said while running out on the field to kick, "I've got this." 

He opened the door. There was Andrew Forge, sitting by a frosty window, always drafty. He shuddered. Nervous and then freezing. Not a good combination. 

"Morning, Mr. Forge." Tyler plopped down into the booth seat opposite.

"Morning. Whatcha having this morning?" Mr. Forge asked.

"What did you order?"

"My usual. Vegetable and cheese omelet and sausage."

"Oh. Ok." Tyler didn't need to even glance at the menu on the table.

"Have whatever you want. Build yourself up. I'm assuming you'll be practicing today."

Tyler nodded. Winnie came by, holding a pot of hot coffee. She dropped a menu in front of Ty. "Coffee?" she asked, turning his mug over.

"Thanks. Yeah."

When she finished pouring, she spoke. "Whatcha having?"

"Pancakes and sausage, please."

"How many?"

"Stack. That's three?"

"Right. Coming up." She plucked the menu from the table and scurried away.

"Good choice. Carbs for energy."

Tension gathered in his shoulders. "Okay, Mr. Forge. Can we dispense with all this good manners and stuff? What do you want?"

"I just wanted to talk to you about what went wrong in Las Vegas." Andrew picked up his mug.

"I don't know what went wrong." Tyler added a touch of milk to his coffee.

"I have an idea."

That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by. 

Tuesday Tales - Picture Prompt Week

 

Welcome! This week is picture prompt week. When you read my story, you'll understand why I picked this picture. And, yes, it's another episode of "The Kicker" story. Don't forget to visit the other authors and read their stories. You can find them HERE. Thanks for stopping by!

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"Damn. This car takes forever to heat up."

"I know, I know," Connie said, turning to look out the window. "I need a new car. You guys are a broken record."

Merrily stepped on the gas and the old car leaped into action. Doing ten miles over the speed limit felt like they were flying. She hit the brakes and the car jerked to a halt in front of the house.

"What the Hell?" Connie peered out the window. "Someone is parked in my driveway! The nerve. I'm calling the Sheriff."

Merrily grabbed her arm. "No! Don't."

"Mom. That's not somebody else's car."

"Well it sure ain't mine," Connie replied.

"Actually, it is." Courtney giggled.

"What?"

"Santa made a visit while we were away. And he dropped this car here just for you. 'Cause he knew you needed it," Merrily said.

"Oh, come on. I stopped believing in fairytales a long time ago."

"Go. Take a look."

Connie stepped out. The car, a shiny silver SUV stood proudly in her driveway, looking like it belonged there.

"Sure wish this was mine," she mumbled.

The girls joined her.

"Open the door, Mom," Courtney said.

Connie did. She spied a key sitting on the driver's seat. "What the?"

"It's from us, Mom," Courtney said.

"Yeah. You needed it. So we bought it."

"Outright, Mom. No payments. It's yours. Hank at the Ford Dealership took this car in a trade-in."

"You bought this?"

"Yep. We got a really good price."

Connie laughed.

"Get in. Turn it on. It's got a lot of stuff. Safety stuff," Courtney said.

Connie fingered the key, then put her hand over her eyes. "You two. You're just incredible," she mumbled.

Merrily hugged her mother. "Come on, Mom. Give us a ride."

Connie wiped her cheeks with her fingers and smiled. 

Tuesday Tales - Chin

 

Welcome! This week, we're writing to the word prompt "chin". We have another episode of "The Kicker". Don't forget to visit the other authors and read their great stories. You can find them HERE. 

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"Come on, Romeo," Uncle Charlie said, chuckling. "Time to go home." he fished the car keys from his pocket. Tyler followed them. Maybe coming home for Christmas wasn't such a bad idea.

When they got home, his mother yawned. "I’m going up to bed."

"Oh, wait. Ma. Ma?"

"What?"

"Please get me no later than eight tomorrow."

"Okay. Why?"

"Meeting Mr. Forge for breakfast tomorrow."

"Derek Forge?"

"No. Andrew Forge."

She nodded. "Bless those men. They still believe in you."

"At least someone does," Tyler muttered.

Charlie reached for his nephew's arm. "Now you wait a minute. Your mother and I have never stopped believing in you. Maybe we don't have an idea what happened to make you crash and burn, but you're still ours. And we know you'll straighten out and be okay."

"'Night, Tyler," Marge Bentley kissed her son on the cheek, cupped her brother's chin and headed up the stairs.

Emotion choked Tyler. Uncle Charlie caught him by surprise. He never expected support. Now he needed to figure out how to justify their belief in him.

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   As the Christmas celebration wound down, excitement grew inside Courtney. Merrily whispered in her ear.

"Did the guy make the delivery?"

Barely able to contain her excitement, Courtney nodded.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Merrily gathered their belongings and shoved them in two bags. She fingered the necklace.

"Don't you dare put that in a bag! You'll lose it." Courtney took one bag and thrust the other at her sister before she turned to her mother. "Come on, Mom. Let's go."

"But Charlie was just telling me a story."

Merrily too her mother's arm. "He can come over later and finish it. Let's go."

Connie Adams shrugged. "Sorry. Please Charlie, do come over later for a nightcap."

The man nodded and backed away.

"What's so important you have to drag me away from Charlie?"

"You'll see," Courtney said, opening the firehouse door. 

The young women ushered their mother into the passenger seat.

"Hey! Wait! It's my car, I'll drive." Connie protested.

"Not tonight," Merrily said, slipping behind the wheel. Courtney opened the trunk and stuffed the packages in. The car was warming up when she slid into the backseat.