TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "CHAOS"

 Welcome! This week we have more of Robbie Anthony's story. He got Dale into his apartment for the night. Will she be safe? She discovers a bookcase full of paperbacks. Which book does she pick? Don't forget to hop on over to the great Tuesday Tales authors. Find them HERE. Thanks for coming.

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Robbie ended the call. Tuffer was right. Proposal was the only thing. Dale would probably say “no”, but he had to try. For a moment he allowed his mind to take a flight of fancy. What if she said “yes”? Best sex ever and being with Dale every day. Cooking together. The dream was too big. His eyes filled. Everyone he knew thought being a professional football player was the dream of a lifetime. Hah! What did they know? Totally wrong. Having a loving family was his dream of a lifetime. The notion he might get it overwhelmed him. He brushed a few stray tears off his cheeks, then picked up the axe and went back to work.

When he finished, he stacked the wood in a neat pile. Then he carted a load inside and set up a fire in the fireplace.

“Lunch!” Came Dale’s voice from the kitchen. Robbie washed up then joined Dale and her parents at the table. The rest of the company had departed right after breakfast. Robbie chowed down on the delicious sandwich, then piled his plate high with reheated potatoes and stuffing from the bowls on the table.

“This meal is almost as good as yesterday’s,” he said.

“So, tell me, Robbie. What are your plans?” Ralph asked.

“You mean about football?”

“About life. Where are you going and all that crap.” Ralph took a bite of his sandwich.

Robbie paused. Should he tell the truth? Spill the beans he planned to marry Dale? One glance around the table told him to keep it to himself. Dale would probably kill him if he told her parents before he got her consent. Still, the urge to treat them like family already gripped his heart. A new kind of chaos for him. 

“Oh. Well, gee. No specific plans right now. But some day I’d sure like to have a nice family like you have, Ralph.”

Dale choked on a mouthful of potatoes. Her father pounded her back. She stared at a grinning Robbie. He left the table to retrieve a glass of water and handed it to Dale. After she took a healthy drink, she raised her gaze to his. 

“Really? Since when?” she asked.

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

TUESDAY TALES - PICTURE PROMPT!

 

Welcome! This is picture prompt week and all posts must not be over 300 words. We're still on The Kicker's Story, Part 1. Robbie's out chopping wood. He takes a break to call his pal, Tuffer Demson. And we get a chance to listen in. Please excuse the locker room language. It's the way two guys would speak to each other without others present. 

When you're finished, hop on over to the other stories by the wonderful Tuesday Tales writers. Find them HERE. 

      

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Robbie put down the axe and picked up his phone. He simply had to call Tuffer Demson, his only friend.

“Hey, Rob. What’s up?”

“It’s happened.”

“What’s happened? You okay?”

“Probably not. I’ve fallen.”

“Are you hurt? Did you call 911?”

Robbie laughed. “No, no. In love. Fallen in love.”

“You? No way. Come on. It’s not April Fool’s Day.”

“Seriously, Tuffer.” Robbie plopped down on a tree stump.

“You fell for Dale?”

“And her whole family. Man, these are the nicest people in the world.”

“No kidding? Really?”

“Really.”

“Congratulations, dickwad! I been saying it’d happen one day.”

“And you were right.”

“So what are you gonna do about it?”

“What do you mean?”

“Have you told her yet?”

“No. Just figured it out this morning.”

“Did you sleep with her yet?”

“Last night. And it was amazing. Now I know the difference between fucking and making love.”

Tuffer laughed. “It’s about time.”

“I’m only twenty-eight.”

“Are you going to propose?”

“Me? She’d never believe it.” Robbie paced.

“Oh yes she would. Especially if you’ve got a ring.”

“A diamond?” He raised his eyebrows.

“Yep.”

Silence. Robbie hadn’t considered the next step. He figured he’d lose her, like he lost everything else that ever mattered. Maybe not?

“I need a ring?” Robbie sat down on a stump again.

“There’s a jewelry store in town. That’s where I bought mine.”

“Will you go with me?”

Tuffer laughed. “You’re not afraid to face the goal posts, the defensive line, and a football, but you’re afraid to pick out a diamond ring?”

“Shut up, Tuffer.”

“Okay, okay. I’ll go with you. Not wasting any time, are you?”

“I don’t want to lose her,” he pushed to his feet.

“The guys’ll shit their pants when they find out.”

“Don’t tell anyone, okay?”

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

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "LUCK"

Welcome! We go straight from Robbie's conversation with Dale's mother to her conversation with her father today. Don't forget to hop on over to the excellent Tuesday Tales authors. Find them HERE.  

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Dale pulled out bread and set up for making turkey sandwiches.

“So when’s the wedding?” Ralph asked.

“Dad!”

“What’s wrong? We like him. Obviously, you like him,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows.

Dale slapped his arm gently.

“Well, it’s plain as the nose on your pretty face,” He tweaked her nose.

“Dad! Robbie doesn’t want to get married.” She pulled out a jar of mayo.

“What? Every man wants to get married.”

She shook her head. “Not Robbie.”

“Did he tell you that?” Ralph picked up a carving knife and went to work on what was left of the turkey.

“Yes.”

“Then you’re a fool, daughter dear.”

“Why?”

“What’d you bring him here for? Why are you seeing him? You want to get married and have a family. Why are you hanging around a guy who doesn’t?”

She shrugged. No way could she tell her father she’d fallen under Robbie’s spell and couldn’t stay away.

“Think of where I’d be if I hadn’t married your mother? She makes a very comfortable life for me. I’m a lucky man. Honestly. I don’t believe Robbie doesn’t want that. Look at how he jumped at every chance to help?”

“He did.” Dale spread mayo thickly on each slice of bread.

“And he wasn’t playin’. I could tell. The man needs a family.”  Ralph placed neat slices of turkey on a plate.

“I agree. But he has other ideas.” She doled out turkey to each sandwich.

“Yeah? Not after this weekend.”

“Maybe you’re right.” She couldn’t think that way. Hoping Robbie had changed because of one weekend’s exposure to her family was unrealistic. It would lead to heartbreak.

Dale rummaged through the fridge until she found lettuce and tomato.

“Here. You slice the tomato. No one slices like you,” Dale said, handing two generous tomatoes to her father.

He laughed. “You’re just like your mother. She uses flattery like that to get me to do things, too. And it always works. I’m a sucker for that woman. And for you, too, Sister.” He picked up the first tomato and settled it securely on his carving board. “He seems like a smart guy. But if he lets you get away, the man’s a damn fool.”

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

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT 'BUD"

 

Welcome! This week we peek at an early morning meeting over coffee with Barbara, Dale's mother, and Robbie. It's a very frank discussion. When you're done, hop on over to the other stories by our excellent author. Find them HERE.

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Barbara’s brows lowered and her tone changed. “Yes, she is great. The last thing she needs is someone breaking her heart.” Her eyes bored into his.

He raised his palm. “Believe me. The last thing I want to do is break her heart. She’s amazing. I’ve never known a girl like her. I’m honored she takes any interest in me at all.”

Barbara laughed. “Are you kidding? Have you looked in the mirror lately?” Barbara added milk to her coffee.

“Dale’s not that superficial.”

“No, but she’s human. I can understand how she couldn’t resist you.”

“I’m not just a pretty face,” Robbie said, picking up his mug.

Barbara patted his hand. “No, you’re not. You’re amazing, too. You’re the first guy she’s brought home who got right to work. Like a member of the family. ” 

“It’s an honor to be part of your family, even for only a few days.”

“You don’t have any family?” Barbara took a sip.

“No,” Robbie said, casting his gaze to his hands.

Barbara paused, as if waiting for an explanation. If she was, she’d have a long wait. Robbie had learned long ago not to reveal his sad family history to people. So, no matter how much he liked Barbara, the one word would have to do.

“I see.”

“I’m not much of a family man.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Don’t you want to have a family of your own?”

Robbie shook his head. “Hadn’t planned to.”

“Really?” The shock on Barbara’s face told him he’d stepped over the line. Revealed too much. Damn, why couldn’t he remember to keep his mouth shut?

“That’s what Dale wants. Did you tell her?”

“She knows. I’ve been up front with her from the beginning.”

“And she’s okay with that?”

“You’ll have to ask her.” Robbie finished the last of his coffee and rose.

Barbara put her hand on his arm. “Don’t go.”

“I’ve said too much already.” Robbie rinsed out his mug and placed it in the dishwasher.

“If Dale wants to continue this budding relationship, do you?”

“This is getting pretty personal. Dale and I haven’t discussed any of this.”

“I’m her mother, don’t I have a right to know?”

“No, you don’t. This is a discussion I will have with Dale.”

Barbara sat back. “Well, I’ve been told, haven’t I?”

“Is my mother prying?” This time the voice was Dale’s.

“I wasn’t prying, exactly…” Barbara said, her cheeks coloring.

                             

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

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "HARD"

 

Welcome! Sorry, but I'm unable to access the logo for Tuesday Tales. So please pretend you see it. This week we have more of Robbie and Dale's story. Looks like Dale and her family are having an effect on Robbie, don't you think?? 

When you're finished with my story, hop on to the others, great stories by talented writers. You'll find them HERE. 

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A bad dream woke Robbie early. He eased out of bed, careful not to disturb Dale, and slipped his robe on. He yawned and glanced at his watch. No sense getting dressed at five in the morning. No one else would be up.

He padded silently to the kitchen and started coffee. He filled a mug and plopped down at the table. His brows knitted. Upsetting thoughts about last night swirled through his brain. He was a master of sex, but he’d never had sex before like he had had last night.

In fact, this whole trip had shaken his entire belief system. No longer grounded in the certainty that the bachelor life was his best path, he floated, cut loose by his emotional response to the sweet kindness of Dale and the acceptance by her family.

Convinced from childhood he didn’t deserve true love, he’d grabbed bits and pieces of affection where he could. The glitter of greed in the hard eyes of the women he’d dated and slept with put him off marriage. They’d used him as much as he had used them. It was quid pro quo. When they became too demanding, he’d leave, unwilling to be sucked dry financially. Dale was different.

As he sipped the hot beverage, he examined his feelings. He and Dale were leaving

 Saturday afternoon. In the past, he’d be champing at the bit to get home in the safe solitude 

of his apartment. Instead, being alone no longer appeared safe. He’d leave this warm home 

reluctantly. He’d had a taste of happy family life and it only whetted his appetite.

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That's all until next week. Thanks for stopping by. 

TUESDAY TALES PICTURE PROMPT

 

Hello there! Welcome to my Tuesday Tales. It's picture prompt week, where we write to a picture. And have no more than 300 words! This week we have another episode of "The Kicker, Part One." We are getting close to the last post for this story as it will be going to the editor soon. When you finish, hop on over to read the great stories HERE.  Thanks for stopping by:

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Settling on the porch swing, Robbie spoke first. 

“You’re so lucky. You have an amazing family,” Robbie said.

“Thanks. Yeah. I do,” Dale replied, zipping up her jacket. “You’re not the same Robbie Anthony I knew in Connecticut.”

He chuckled. “I am. You didn’t know me well.”

“I guess not. Since you date so many different women, I didn’t think family meant much to you.”

He laughed. “Not having it makes me want it more.”

“True.”

“This has fulfilled a lifelong dream. Your mom is the perfect mother, and this was a perfect Thanksgiving.”

“Even with my siblings giving you a hard time?”

Robbie grinned. “They’re only looking out for you. Being protective.”

Dale bowed her head to avoid Robbie’s eyes. “I guess. They embarrassed me.”

“Don’t be embarrassed. I wish there was someone in my life who cared that much about me.”

Dale opened her mouth then closed it. He stared for a moment before leaning down to kiss her. She turned toward him. He started slowly, then ramped up the heat, angling his head to deepen the kiss. Dale responded opening for his tongue. His expertise off the field stole her breath. Her heartbeat quickened as blood pumped through her veins, reaching all the way to her sex. Lusty emotion ruled Dale.  Powerless to stop, she gave in and responded.

Her tongue rose to meet his. He groaned faintly as they kissed. Before she passed out from lack of oxygen, Dale sat back. Panting, she raised her hand to her mouth as she gulped air.

“Wow,” Robbie said, his eyes glowing like a panther’s in the night.

“Yeah. Wow.” She replied.

He glanced at his watch, then at her. “Do you want to…”

“I do. Let’s go,” she said, knowing what the rest of the sentence would have been.

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That's all for today. Thanks for coming. 

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "SMOKE"

 

Welcome! This week we have another episode of "The Kicker" and the word prompt "smoke." When you're done here, hop on over to the other authors' wonderful stories. Find them HERE. 

Thanks for stopping by. 

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The meal was fabulous. The only thing to interrupt pleasant talk were the sounds of chewing. Barbara beamed at the “ums” and “ahs” of happy diners. In years past, when Dale had brought home one of her “charity cases”, her relatives had been subdued. Like the visitor had intruded and brought everyone down. But not with Robbie. He bubbled. His enthusiasm permeated the atmosphere. Her relatives responded.

“Which dish did you make, Robbie?” Angela asked.

“None. I just helped. Like with the pie.”

“Then don’t be taking credit for the food. If you get my meaning.”

Silence followed.

Robbie stopped, his fork loaded with stuffing halfway to his mouth. A second later, he put the food in his mouth and chewed. After he swallowed, he broke the heavy silence.

“That’s right, Angela. I can’t take credit for Barbara’s amazing cooking. I was just the bus boy.”

“That’s not true. Robbie was my right hand. We’d never have gotten all this food to the table on time and so perfectly cooked if he wasn’t with me in the kitchen every step of the way,” Barbara said.

In the ensuing silence, Dale noticed a touch of color creep into Robbie’s cheeks. This is what a mother does, defend her chicks.

“Well, I say ‘bravo’ to Robbie for helping create his incredible meal,” Scott said. “Mom, you and Robbie outdid yourselves.” He burst into applause.

Everyone else at the table joined in except Angela. Wearing a pouty expression, she threw her napkin on her plate, pushed her chair away from the table and got up. Without a word, she flounced down the hall. Dale heard the slam of the guest room door.

Conversation resumed. Funny stories past and present filled the air. With the focus off Robbie, Dale slipped her hand over his in his lap and gave it a squeeze. If she worried about him being able to handle himself, that vanished like a mist in the summer sun. He squeezed back and shot her a warm gaze.