#writingchallenge2019

[drprescott]

It had been a while since we’d taken a trip. Her new business venture was especially busy during the summer months. But, as luck would have it, we found a few days to carve out just for us. I didn’t want to spend all our time on traveling, so I did a little research and found a spot that I thought would be perfect in nearby Ascension Parish only about 2 hours away.

Kaylie couldn’t believe that I wouldn’t tell her where we were going. I gave her just enough information to know what to pack for a few nights away. No matter how much she flirted, teased or tried to threaten me, I wouldn’t tell her. She worried about Kit, Kat and S’mores, but they were used to traveling in their carriers to the office and had been boarded before. Sometimes I thought they traveled more than we did.

With the cats situated and our bags packed, we headed off on a short road trip. It was a bright, sunny summer day with a gorgeous breeze. A perfect start to our adventure. First she thought we were going to Baton Rouge, but I stayed quiet as I drove past the turnoff to Donaldsonville, the Cajun Village and in front of the Ascension Parish Visitor’s Center.

We followed highway 22 which bends to the right in a long arc. Less than half a mile later, we found ourselves on the Great River Road. Her eyes got so big when we turned right at the levee and drove to the entrance to Houmas House Plantation and Gardens about half a mile down the road. She practically squealed as we arrived at the end of the white fence that spans the front of the property.

”Surprise!” I laughed as I told her we were going to tour the plantation and gardens. I wasn’t going to reveal the rest of the surprise just yet. ”Is that why you told me to skip the fancy shoes and go for comfort?” I laughed and drove us over to the parking area. ”Well, there are 38 acres of gardens, Sweetheart. I thought it was a good idea.” She waited until I parked the car and turned off the engine before throwing her arms around my neck in her excitement. ”Let’s go explore!”

And explore we did. The gardens, the house, the grounds. It was an incredible place. So much history in every leaf and blade of grass. So much of it was familiar from movies like Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte and The Green Book. We decided not to snap any pictures at first. To just be here together experiencing it. Besides what Kaylie didn't know yet is that we were staying in the bed & breakfast on the property for the next 3 nights. I looked forward to seeing her reaction to that most of all.

[leoemery]

Even though our wedding wasn’t until next spring, I had arranged a surprise for my fiancée. I signed us up for ballroom dance lessons. Benji and Tessa offered to babysit and, if they weren’t available, Tessa’s mom Emme said she’d love to help out. She was practically family as well as the one who helped deliver Kaleb.

I think I caught Sam completely by surprise when I told her. She tried to tell me she had nothing to wear and that she couldn’t dance. Then I showed her the simple, elegant halter dress with the full skirt that I bought for her. Something that I knew she’d be comfortable in and be able to dance in. I might have had a little help picking it out.

Once I had convinced her that we would learn together, that Kaleb was in good hands, and that I didn’t expect us to show up at a championship contest, I think she even liked the idea. Did I mention the dress looked incredible on her? I even took her to find a comfortable pair of shoes to protect her feet from me stepping on them.

Once all the possible obstacles were tackled, we headed out to our first lesson. She squeezed my hand so tightly I thought it would bruise. I think she was equal parts excited and scared. It made me love her even more. I didn’t think that was even possible.

I had a feeling she would be nervous at first so I splurged on a private lesson. The dance teachers were a married couple. They worked together so they could demonstrate steps as well as work with us individually as necessary. The first thing we had to learn was proper dance position. They said it would help us to lead and to follow better during our first dance.

They had me place my right hand behind Sam’s left shoulder blade, cupping it. It felt odd at first holding my right elbow up with the elbow pointed out to my right side. But I quickly got used to it. Sam had to wrap her left arm around my lifted arm and then place her hand around my bicep. Once we got comfortable with that, we brought our other arms up and clasped our hands together. It took time to make our elbows feel relaxed and point them down slightly.

Once we had the proper hold down pat, we started learning some simple first steps. Since we didn’t have a first song chosen, we practiced our steps to different songs at different speeds. I would have practiced for hours and hours. Holding Sam in my arms was as natural as breathing. It was also something we couldn’t always do with an active toddler at home. Can you blame me for setting up this surprise?

[allegramurphy]

Only another dancer would really understand what I meant when I said I loved getting lost in the music. Once I learned the basic steps and the music, I could let go and just dance freely. The music took me to a place and time that wasn’t here and wasn’t now. I suppose it might be a little like an actor immersing themselves in a role. Walking, talking, thinking and feeling like another.

Kiara understood it. So did Kenzi and Alexi. I was lucky to find this company halfway across the country from where I had trained. There was something even more welcoming about them. Dancing with them always felt effortless once I learned the steps. Maybe it was their dual nature that made them more accepting of an outsider like me. They were outsiders anywhere else but here every day of their lives.

I was starting to think that this might be home. I might finally feel like I could put down roots. Actually not live out of a suitcase for a change. What a strange feeling that would be. It might be as freeing as getting lost in the music. Who knew you needed to get lost to be finally found.

[mavsinclair]

“Forget regret, or life is yours to miss. No other path, no other way, no day but today.” ~ Rent

You're not here, but I feel your presence everywhere. Today is Father's Day, but there is nothing to celebrate. If you were here, I’m not sure we would even speak on the phone. Definitely no Father's Day dinner. Not even if Mom was still alive. Why would I want to spend time with the man who made her life a living hell?

One of my homework assignments from Jordan was to write a letter to my late father. To try to release some of the past and move forward. I guess it was worth a shot. I grabbed a legal pad and a pen. For several minutes I just drummed the pen against the paper trying to figure out what to say.

Dad,

My earliest memory of you is so loud. You were yelling at Mom. Probably berating her and calling her names. Certainly never complimenting her or thanking her for cooking and cleaning and putting up with you. As I got older, you spent less time trying to hide those one-sided fights. Were you trying to show me how a real man treats a woman, Dad?

I regret not doing more to protect Mom. To get her out from under your control. To get us someplace safe where we could learn that relationships between men and women could be different. Instead, I sit here alone in my apartment surrounded by computers with only a few friends. So worried that I might turn into you that I haven't dared get to know or get close to a woman since before high school. I can't risk it.

I’m not worried about getting hurt. I’m scared to death that I’ll be the one doing the hurting. I would sooner live a life alone than raise my voice or God forbid my hand to another. If I hadn’t been in that car accident and then almost addicted to painkillers, I might not have met Jordan. She is the only woman I have had any kind of relationship with since Mom died. You’d hate her. Maybe that's why I like her so much. She’s smart, determined, patient and assertive. She never would have put up with you for a day let alone a lifetime.

So this Father's Day, this is the only effort I will make to remember you. All of my fear and anger and disappointment are being soaked into this paper. If Jordan is right, I might actually get a decent night’s sleep. No more nightmares of you yelling and stomping around and hitting Mom. No more, Dad. No more.

By the time I realized that I had filled almost 2 pages on the legal pad, tears were streaming down my face. I never felt them when they started. I went into some kind of trance or something as I finally let go. I would swear the pen had a life all its own. I couldn't possibly have written this, could I? I put the pen down and rubbed my face before looking at what was on the paper. Not once did I recognize the words as my own. Even though I wanted to crumple it up and toss it, I knew that it would be better if I showed it to my therapist. Guess that’s some progress, huh?

[eliblackthorne]

We were watching a movie while Lili was visiting her brother and new nephews after work. Out of the blue, Austin turned to me and said, ”So Lili’s kinda like a Transformer right?” I almost choked on my soda. ”Um…how do you figure, Buddy?” I was a little afraid of his answer. ”Well, Transformers can change into cars or robots. Both are really cool and can be helpful.”

I had a feeling I was going to regret this. ”And this applies to Lili how?” He looked at me like I had two heads. ”Lili can transform, too. Or shift I think she and Emma called it, right? Into an animal like a dog or a wolf.” I thought about it for a minute, then had to admit he was right in a way. ”I guess you could say that, but maybe we should ask Lili if it's ok before calling her that. Deal?” He nodded and reached for some more popcorn.

I was apprehensive about telling Austin about Lili but knew that we couldn't move forward as a family if we kept things from him. I wasn't sure if he could understand the reality of what we were telling him versus the myths that exist about werewolves and shifters. Would he think that Lili was some kind of monster no matter how much he had grown to love her? Luckily we had decided to ask Emma and Martha for help. Martha told us a story about Emma when she was little that Lili and I loved.

Emma had been having a rough time around the full moon several years ago. Martha's friend Jackson was sitting with Emma while Martha drew a bath. Martha had come back in the room just before hearing Emma ask Jackson if his skin got too tight, too. Martha could still remember him saying, "It does. 'Specially on full moon nights like tonight. Bet your Grandma and Mama both feel that way too. 'Cause we're...we're all special." Emma seemed to think about that, then whispered that a few of the kids at school said shifters and weres were monsters. He closed his eyes. "No, darlin'. We're different. But that doesn't make us monsters. People sometimes get scared of what they don't know. It's easier to say monster than try an' get to know people who're different."

Emma squeezed her grandmother's hand as she told us the story. They exchanged looks and then Emma asked if she could help Lili explain what they were to Austin. I knew Austin loved Emma and Martha, so I readily agreed. It was hard not being in control of the situation, but I thought it was an important step for Lili to handle herself. Emma was closer to Austin in age, and Lili was a teacher. She was also about to become Austin’s mom when we got married. I guess I made the right decision trusting these incredible women based on how relaxed my son was talking about his mom-to-be. I couldn't have been prouder of the young man he was becoming as I reached for my own popcorn.

[merrickkingston]

Sunrise ~ ‪@KiaraSawyer_ ‬

It was difficult to admit that I was jealous of the way the golden light was caressing her skin. Shouldn’t I be enjoying the sunrise instead of being jealous of it? It was a truly spectacular sight this morning, but I couldn’t wake her. We had been up late last night. Talking and laughing. We’d been seeing each other for a while now, but this was the first time I had brought her out to the lake. To one of my favorite spots. It was remote and tranquil and so worth the hike.

I wasn’t sure that she would be up to the hike or camping outside. My Tiny Dancer didn’t even hesitate. She surprised me by being as comfortable in jeans and hiking boots as she was in lace and tulle. We had gone on runs before of course. Before and after we started seeing each other. But this was different.

The climb to the top was more strenuous than any of our runs. Not that it was too difficult for us as shifters. But it wasn’t some place that I ever took tour groups or more than a small handful of my friends. Until now. Now this was our spot. And whether I wanted to or not, I couldn’t let her miss this sunrise. “Time to rise and shine, TD,” I playfully growled as I ran my fingers along her sun-kissed skin waking my girlfriend at least long enough to enjoy the view.

[dariusfrasier]

Unexpected ~ ‪@MacyEdwards_ ‬@AvaWilke

The house was big. Much bigger than I expected based on the photos. Macy had gone on ahead to check out the kitchen while I headed to the back. There had been a cute porch swing out front. Just begging for sweet tea and cool night breezes. Out back there was a huge, mature tree and a nice size patio. We could grill and set up a table and chairs to enjoy the outdoors. Not too much yard that it would take long to care for.

I couldn’t argue with the location. It was close to her dad and the school. Whether she took online classes or on sight ones, it was ideal. I was hard pressed to find anything I didn’t like about it. When Macy called me to come see the bedrooms, I shook my head with a grin. I knew that tone of voice. She was happy. Really happy.

“There are so many windows!” she squealed as she grabbed my hand. “I don’t even care which bedroom I get. Each of them is perfect.” Chuckling, I kissed her temple. “You think so, huh?” She nodded excitedly and tugged me along on a tour. There were five bedrooms all together and three bathrooms. Plenty of room for a guest room and a dedicated office.

“Think we should call Ava? Meet her for drinks and figure this out?” That smile. I would do anything to keep that smile on Macy’s face. We had been so frustrated by the apartment hunting so far. It was tough finding affordable, clean, and safe places near school. I could afford more, but didn’t want her to be uncomfortable with a high rent. We did consider getting a place together, but neither of us wanted to rush into things. I had done the moving in thing before. Way too soon. I was determined not to make the same mistakes with Macy.

What I hadn’t counted on was our surprise ally, Ava. The pretty brunette teaching assistant of Macy’s dad. She had just graduated with her Masters degree and needed to vacate her sublet. Mike happened to mention our house hunt when they were packing up his office for the summer. She asked if he thought we would consider renting a house with her. Splitting the rent three ways to make our money go farther. If it had been anyone else, Macy and I would have been nervous, but this was someone Mike had known for several years. Thanks to her, we were about to start our next adventure in a new place with friends, family...and George.

[tatemichaels]

No Wrong Way Home

It ain't where you been, but where you're going to

it's not where you're from, but where you belong

….and there's no wrong way home

Seven months. It had been seven months since Dad had died. Seven months since I had come back here to Montana. It wasn’t something I expected to do. Short visits on major holidays maybe. But it wasn’t my home. It hadn’t been for a very long time. But now? Maybe it could be again.

Mom had settled with her sister in California. She seemed happy. We spoke on the phone from time to time. She even emailed me photos from the beach. I know she missed Dad, but I don’t think she was ever happy in Montana. Especially not in the very modern house I lived in now.

The house wasn’t always this contemporary. Dad had remodeled it over time. I didn’t even recognize it when I first got back. When you have a client, there’s often a bit of resistance to your ideas. When you design for yourself, the only feedback is in your head. An architect with free reign can get a bit…. schizophrenic at times. Mom loved Dad so much she wouldn’t object to anything he wanted too loudly. She couldn’t. It wasn’t in her nature.

After living here for a few months, I was getting used to the house and all the changes. It felt like the house of a much younger man than my father. Maybe the man he always wanted to be. Before marriage and family. With his own successful firm, he could finally afford it. I wasn’t sure it was exactly to my liking, but it was growing on me. It definitely gave me a new appreciation for my dad and his vision.

They say you can’t go home again, but I think they’re wrong. I came back. The circumstances weren’t ideal, but I was doing my best to make it work. A showpiece house, my own firm. I really couldn’t complain. And then there was Rissa. If anyone or anything could make this feel like I was home again, it might be her. Guess it was time to invite her over and see how she reacted to the house. With time and a bit of luck, maybe Dad’s vision would turn into a real home.