tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14233105680130057802024-03-14T03:35:11.005-07:00Tracey PoolerTracey Poolerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12260734247786886827noreply@blogger.comBlogger329125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423310568013005780.post-82718509397464351332021-01-27T09:53:00.003-08:002021-01-27T09:53:23.877-08:00My Short Short for the Day<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The coldness chilled her bones, but she’d become numb to its effects. She went through the motions but felt nothing
anymore. Her gnarled fingers rubbed
against each other above the flames stretching out from the trash can. Her tattered hat was pulled down around her
ears but provided no warmth as the cloth was barely holding together. Only the dirt and filth kept it from falling
apart. She smelled worse than the rotted
trash burning in the can. The liquid from
the drainpipes was more green sludge than water so there was no way to get
clean, even if that mattered to the broken and battered souls existing in that
dead end space.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Hopelessness oozed from the creatures huddled around the trash
cans, desperate to feel something. The frigid
winter was dragging on. Cloudy days
drifted into dark, icy nights. The sun
had disappeared long ago as did the warmth and hope it brought. Agnes couldn’t remember the last time she
felt anything. For years she had
complained about not having enough; not enough money to buy the things she
wanted, not enough time to herself to do what she wanted, not enough appreciation
from her husband and children for all the sacrifices she made for them. So many years spent complaining, never
satisfied with what she had, never happy with her life. Then as she got older, her
children grew up and moved out on their own, her husband died, and she was left
alone. She had plenty of money now to
buy all the things she wanted. She had
plenty of time to herself to do whatever she wanted. Instead, she sat at home feeling sorry for
herself. Everyone had left her. No one there to talk to, or eat a meal with,
or to hug.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">How did she end up here?</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This desolate place with lost souls, drained of all hope.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">How did this happen?</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span> </p>Tracey Poolerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12260734247786886827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423310568013005780.post-80548916092360534322021-01-22T11:14:00.001-08:002021-01-22T11:14:09.608-08:00My Short Short for the Day<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The shadowy figure crept along the wretched alleyway
littered with decaying trash, rats scrabbling through the piles of stench for a
bite to eat and tainted mist seeping up from the sewers.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Zerrick shouldered open the heavy back door to the
bakery, flooding the alleyway with bright, artificial light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rats scattered, hissing as they are
forced to abandon their dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grumbling,
Zerrick tosses the bags of trash into the stained and battered dumpster. “More food
for you scavengers.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He mutters to the
beady eyes staring at him from the dark edges of the shadows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A coldness brushes past Zerrick who shivers and looks
around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Creepy alleyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why does it have to be so creepy at
night?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the day, it’s dirty and
dank smelling but never causes his neck to prickle at every sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He slams the rusted lid down and turns back
towards the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a moment he hesitates,
unsure if he saw something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shakes
his head, “Don’t be so stupid, nothing’s there.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The door slowly closed behind Zerrick taking the light
with it and returning the alleyway back to is smothering darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rats return to their dinner, savagely
tearing the bags open and burrowing into the decaying rot inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tainted mist hovers mere inches above the
ground, shrouding everything in a foggy, green hue.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tracey Poolerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12260734247786886827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423310568013005780.post-78742303984848840382021-01-19T09:52:00.003-08:002021-01-19T09:52:30.411-08:00My Short Short for the Day<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The fight was on.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Who will win the prized peanuts?</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The blue jay or the squirrel.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Who
will be sneakier?</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Who will be stealthier?</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Who will be smarter?</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Who will ultimately win?</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Really Alan, do you have to make it that dramatic?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gloria rolled her eyes as she walked past her
husband.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Yes, it’s the battle of the ages. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People will be talking for years about this
epic battle of land versus air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which creature
is stronger?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which will survive?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Gloria walked through the living room and into the
kitchen shaking her head all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now, what should I make for dinner?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hmm?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She opened the fridge and foraged
around a bit then closed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She opened
the freezer and picked up a container.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She squinted trying to see into it, but the frost was too thick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She shook it, but of course it was frozen so
that was no use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sniffed it but it
just smelled like ice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a frown, she
put it back on the shelf and closed the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hmm?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Oh, look dad!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The squirrel is telling off the blue jay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see him!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s yelling at him!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carl
cheered the squirrel on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alan had his
hand on his son’s shoulder and was chanting, “Fight, fight, fight!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After a few moments of chanting and squirrel “yelling”,
things quieted down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The squirrel
triumphantly ate the peanut on the wall of the patio while the blue jay flew
away in shame.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Gloria walked back into the living room to see her two
favorite people cheering and high fiving about the squirrel victory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So, this is what our life has become.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sighed before joining in on the revelry.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tracey Poolerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12260734247786886827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423310568013005780.post-434847958114154142021-01-16T16:12:00.003-08:002021-01-16T16:12:25.643-08:00My Short Short for the Day<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Stella turned off the light and climbed into bed.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">She leaned over to set her glasses on the bedside
table when a movement near the foot of the bed caught her eyes.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">She sat up and put her glasses on.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">She leaned forward squinting in the dark to see
what might have made that movement.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">She lived
alone, no family, no pets.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After a moment she shook her head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re just imagining things.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Stella carefully set her glasses on the bedside table
and lay down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The events of the day ran
through her mind and soon she drifted off to sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Darkness thickened outside, clouds obscured
the moon and light was absent from the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Creak.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
sound echoed in the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stella
twitched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She drowsily opened her
eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Creak!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stella shot up in bed wide awake now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Who’s there?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Silence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Stella grabbed her glasses and put them on as she flicked
on the light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her eyes darted around the
room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing nothing, she mustered up
the courage to move her blankets aside and slip out of bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She grabbed her letter opener from the desk
as she left the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She peered into
the hallway, listening carefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When no
sounds came, she tiptoed down the hall, gripping the weapon in one hand and
running the other hand lightly along the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">She eased her way into the living room and edged along
the wall to the table lamp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With her
back to the wall, she took a steadying breath and clicked on the lamp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She locked eyes with a pair of beady, dark
eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The creature froze as did
Stella.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They stared at each other for a long
moment before the creature grabbed an apple from the bowl on the coffee table
and scurried to the laundry chute, nudged it open and hurled itself in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stella watched the creature’s tail disappear
as the tiny, laundry door flapped shut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Stella blinked several times waiting to see if the door
would reopen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a few minutes,
Stella took a steadying breath and muttered, “A raccoon…”<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tracey Poolerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12260734247786886827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423310568013005780.post-36811920440571087532021-01-13T12:56:00.004-08:002021-01-13T12:56:34.650-08:00My Short Short for the Day<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“And you were alone?”</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The officer stared at Dora.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Dora nervously looked from her mother and back to the
officer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes, yes of course.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She laughed a little and looked at her mother
quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Who would I be with?” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Amber.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
officer flipped the page in his notebook and paused for a moment reading over
the page.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I went over around 8:15pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I climb up on the porch railing, get into the
tree and there I am.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The officer paused
to look at Dora.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Wha…no…wait.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dora turned red and faced her mother but quickly looked away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then she looked up at the officer before
looking down at her hands.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“So Amber wasn’t there?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The officer waited.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“No, I mean…yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For a little bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were just
reading.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dora looked down at her hands.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Why don’t you tell us what happened Dora.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The officer closed his notebook.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Yes, Dora.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
truth this time.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dora’s mother set her
knitting aside and turned toward Dora.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Well, I…ok, yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Amber came over at 8:15pm that night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That is when she always comes over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I mean, 8 is such an early curfew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am almost 13.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shouldn’t have
to go to bed so early.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not fair.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“So, Amber came over at 8:15pm.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The officer redirected her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Yes, so we were reading about this woman who was a jewel
thief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wore beautiful clothes and
lived in a palace by the ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had
servants and maids and all kinds of people who worked for her…”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Dora, please.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The mother scowled at her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Uh, yes, well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We finished the book and I said I wanted to be rich and have all the
beautiful clothes and things that Anastasia had.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dora hesitated.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Go on, Dora.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The officer urged.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Well, so she said I could never be a jewel thief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was too clumsy and stupid.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dora straightened in her seat and jutted her
chin out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So, I said, of course I could
be a jewel thief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can be as quiet as a
mouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, Amber said prove it! And I
couldn’t back down now could I?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’d
tell everyone at school about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I
said fine, I’ll prove it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dora’s cheeks
were flushed while she spoke but as she paused and caught her mother’s eye, she
paled.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Where is the necklace Dora?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The officer asked tucking his notebook into
his pocket.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Dora slumped and pulled the necklace from her dress pocket.</span></p>Tracey Poolerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12260734247786886827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423310568013005780.post-20079803282195492432021-01-12T17:14:00.003-08:002021-01-12T17:14:29.950-08:00My Short Short for the Day<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Dora, could you explain what you did that night?”</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The officer said, notebook at the ready.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">As the silence dragged out, the officer
looked up at her and raised an eyebrow.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Dora…”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I already told you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why do I have to say it again?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dora crossed her arms and set her jaw.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I know you did, but we just wanted to check our facts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dinner ended at 6pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What did you do after?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The officer skimmed his notes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I went to my room.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dora frowned.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“You stayed in your room?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The officer kept his voice calm.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Yes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dora
shifted on the couch.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Alone.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
officer looked directly at her this time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Yes, of course.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dora darted her eyes towards her mother and then back to the officer and
then she shifted her seat again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“What time did you go to sleep?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The officer wrote some notes on his pad.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“8.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to go
to bed at 8.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every night.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dora crossed her arms again and settled.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Did you hear anything?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Or see anything?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like lights
outside or noises?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The officer looked
at Dora.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“No, I was asleep the whole time.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dora stated, her attitude returning.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“And you didn’t leave your room all night?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The officer locked eyes with her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, I told
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was asleep all night.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dora tensed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">***To be
continued…***<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tracey Poolerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12260734247786886827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423310568013005780.post-77067621892346556232021-01-11T09:39:00.003-08:002021-01-11T09:39:24.915-08:00My Short Short for the Day<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“No, sorry officer.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I didn’t
notice anything out of the ordinary yesterday.”</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The older woman smiled and shook her head.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“I was at work all day, but the wife didn’t tell me about seeing
anything unusual.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man scratched his
chin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Nobody hanging around
either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a quiet street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s why we moved here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good place to raise a family, you know.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The officer nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thank
you, sir.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked back to the Harris’
house where Simmons was waiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Anything?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Nothing, sir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just your typical
day according to the neighbors.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simmons
said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Ok, let’s talk to the older daughter, Dora, right?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The officer consulted his notes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Simmons knocked on the door and Dora answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hi Dora.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Can we come in for a few minutes?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have a couple more questions.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Dora nodded and stepped back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She led them into the living room where her mother was knitting.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Who was it dear?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mrs.
Harris looked up and quickly stood when she saw the officers following
Dora.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh, so sorry, I didn’t realize…here,
have a seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would you like some tea?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“No, thank you ma’am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
just have a few more questions for Dora.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The officer said taking a seat near the couch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simmons remained standing behind the chair.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Dora sat down on the couch and her mother sat by her, picking up
her knitting but keeping her eyes on the officers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Very well.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She finally said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>***To be continued…***<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tracey Poolerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12260734247786886827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423310568013005780.post-35903394576144647722021-01-08T09:17:00.000-08:002021-01-08T09:17:03.025-08:00My Short Short for the Day<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“No signs of forced entry. No broken windows, doors, or locks. Nothing.
The windows were locked from the inside.
The bedroom wasn’t locked, though.
Mrs. Harris didn’t hear or see anything.
We haven’t talked with Mr. Harris yet.
Still trying to locate him.” The
officer paused.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Any neighbors hear or see anything unusual?” Chief asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“No. We talked
to all the neighbors, but they all lock up and go to bed by 8pm. No one saw or heard anything.” The officer scratched his chin. “We spoke to the Harris’ oldest
daughter. She seemed…nervous about
something. Claims she was asleep by 8:30
and didn’t wake until she heard her mother scream the next morning.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Ok, maybe she knows something.” Chief sipped his coffee. “Other children?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Yes, two little ones.
A 3-year-old and a 5-year-old.
They were put to sleep at 7 and Mrs. Harris checked on them before going
to bed and they were sound asleep. Plus,
they both sleep in cribs, no way they could climb over the railing.” The officer closed his notebook. “That’s it for now.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Alright. Go
back and question the older daughter.
Take Simmons. Ask around the
neighbors again and see if they saw anything unusual at all that day. Maybe there was someone hanging around before
dark. Also, see if they had any maids or
cooks that work for them.” Chief turned
away and took a few steps. “Check the
older daughter’s classmates. See what
they thought of her.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Yes, Chief.”
The officer tucked his notepad into his front pocket, grabbed his hat
and motioned to Simmons on the way out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">***To be
continued…***</span> </p>Tracey Poolerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12260734247786886827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423310568013005780.post-45845690375316866012021-01-07T13:04:00.001-08:002021-01-07T13:04:11.845-08:00My Short Short for the Day<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Where were you last night?”</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The officer held his pencil at the ready.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">When no response came, he raised an eyebrow.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“I…I was at the pub for a bit and then came home.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Al muttered wringing his hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I didn’t do it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The officer stared at him for a long time, waiting him out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hoping the young man would confess or at
least give himself some kind of alibi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After several moments, he said, “What time did you leave the pub?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“I dunno.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Al shifted uncomfortably
in his wooden chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“9 or so.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Then what did you do?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
officer scribbled a few notes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then stared
at the silent figure across from him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If
you don’t talk, then we have to charge you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“I went home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a few drinks with Billy and
then I walked home.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Al sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I didn’t do it I tell ya.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t do it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Al slammed his cuffed fists onto the table.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Alright Al.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Settle down.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The officer stood and walked past Al, patting
his shoulder before leaving the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“What do you got?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chief
asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Not much.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The officer
flipped open his notebook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He left the
bar at 9 or so, then went home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know
old man Jenkins won’t be able to corroborate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ted says he didn’t leave the bar till after midnight.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“What did Mrs. Harris say?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Chief poured himself another cup of coffee.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“She put it in the jewelry box and went to bed at 8pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next morning, the jewelry box was open,
the lock broken, and the locket was missing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He flipped the page.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“What did you find at the house?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>***To be
continued…***<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tracey Poolerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12260734247786886827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423310568013005780.post-11117104141922877362021-01-06T08:15:00.002-08:002021-01-06T08:15:10.060-08:00My Short Short for the Day<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“He did it!</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I know he did
it!”</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The woman strained to break free
from the officer’s grip.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“I didn’t do it!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The young
man pleaded with the officer who was cuffing his wrists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I swear!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Alright, let’s go.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
officer locked the young man in the cell and walked back to the main room.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“So, what do we have?” The police chief asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Well, Mrs. Harris reported her locket missing and claims Al did it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The officer read from his notes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The chief sat on the edge of his desk and folded his arms across
his chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, did he do it?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“He says he didn’t.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Did you find the locket?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The chief blinked but didn’t move otherwise.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“No.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Were there any witnesses?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The chief stared relentlessly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“No.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Is there any evidence that he did it?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The chief shifted slightly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“No.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Then take Mrs. Harris statement and put Al in interview room
1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll have a little talk with him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The chief stood without unfolding his arms.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Yes, chief.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The officer
hurried off.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>***To be continued…***<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tracey Poolerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12260734247786886827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423310568013005780.post-71336901600607147272021-01-04T09:21:00.003-08:002021-01-04T09:21:44.702-08:00My Short Short for the Day<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The sun stretched out across the wooden floor. </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A scruffy, old cat curled up into a knot of fluff
in the sunniest spot.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The rocking chair
creaked as it gently moved back and forth, back and forth.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The click click click of the knitting needles
filled the tiny space.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Peace blanketed
the room.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Outside a squirrel chittered from the treetop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sat poised on a branch crunching a nut,
tail flicking and nose twitching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
stopped from time to time to listen, hearing nothing he continued his breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">A crow flew past cawing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two robins chirped and one took off after the
crow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chasing it high into the air,
looping and twisting, copying the crow’s every move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the while sharply yeeping at the
intruder.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Further down the way, a distant car could be heard
puttering along a dirt road, bumping and chugging, kicking up dust in its
wake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The driver muttering as she
gripped the wheel tightly, struggling to keep the car on the narrow road as
every bump and hole tugged at the tires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Miles away people are bustling down the sidewalks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grim faces set in permanent frowns, walking crisply
towards their destinations, jostling others along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They only pause at crosswalks, robotically
waiting for the signal to change, then moving forward like a rushing tide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Horns honking as the cars move and jerk to a
stop, then inch forward again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drivers
yelling out their windows and shaking their fists at everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thumping, pounding, and hammering of
construction in the nearby lot.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The wind shifts, rushing out of the city and away, racing
along the clouds and dancing out across the treetops of the forest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ruffling the grass in the yard outside the
little house and drifting in through the open window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The gentle creaking of the rocking chair pauses for a
moment as the rose scented breeze tickles her nose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She closes her eyes for a moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A smile slowly spreads across her face and the
creaking begins again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Tracey Poolerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12260734247786886827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423310568013005780.post-65037159507036320722020-12-18T11:55:00.003-08:002020-12-18T11:55:39.963-08:00My Short Short for the Day<p> <span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Raptorman, Raptorman.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Does whatever a Raptor can.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mary smiled at her son as he sang the song to the tune
of Spiderman’s theme song.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“He steals the children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To build a nest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never stops. To take a rest.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mary’s face scrunched up.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Watch out for Raptorman.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mary turned to her 5 year old son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Honey, what was that song you were singing?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I dunno.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Well, who did you hear it from?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary squatted down near the boy who continued
to play with his tiny toy trucks on the linoleum floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Was it someone at school?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“No.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Oh, was it a kid from the neighborhood?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary leaned in a bit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“No.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Well, where did you hear it?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary’s brow furrowed deeper.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Oh, just somewhere by the bushes.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“The bushes near the playground?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary tensed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Yeah.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Was someone in the bushes?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary struggled to keep her voice calm.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Yeah.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Did you see who it was?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Yeah.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mary took a calming breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do you know them?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Yeah.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mary was reaching for her cell phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Who was it?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Raptorman.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tracey Poolerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12260734247786886827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423310568013005780.post-78823916142675728682020-12-15T10:53:00.003-08:002020-12-15T10:53:31.092-08:00My Short Short for the Day<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It was almost Christmas and she still had nothing for Grammy. What do you get someone who has
everything? And what do you buy to
really express how much that person means to you? She had spent all last summer at the old
cottage with her grandmother. Just the
two of them. The cottage was small but
cozy and just across the dirt road from the secluded, private beach. The warm days were spent combing the sand for
seashells and sand dollars, splashing in the cold ocean water, and climbing the
rocks to search for hidden tide pools. Every night they had a small bonfire on the
beach and cooked up seafood they had gathered earlier from the mud flats. Grammy told her stories about her childhood,
growing up in Ireland. Stories about her
family traveling to the US on a ship that sailed for weeks. About starting a new life in a new country
and how it made her stronger. About
marrying and have children, raising those children as best she could after her
husband died young. About becoming a
grandmother and being able to relax and enjoy spending time with all her
precious grandchildren. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It has to be the best gift ever!
Just any old thing won’t do. But what?! She was too old to get away with making some kind
of craft, plus she wasn’t particularly good at crafts. Grammy loved music, but she didn’t know how
to sing or play music, so that wouldn’t work.
Grammy loved to read, maybe she could write a story. Well, probably not, she wasn’t very good at
writing. Or maybe she could make some
sort of scrap book or collage with pictures.
No, that wouldn’t work. She didn’t
have the money for the supplies nor the creativity to create either. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Slowly she trudged to her Grandmother’s house. She inched her way up the steps, disappointed
that she couldn’t come up with anything good enough as a gift for her
Grandmother. She rang the doorbell and
waited with her head hung low and her shoulders slumped, her hands shoved in
her jacket pockets and her foot kicking the clumps of snow at the edge of the
doorway.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Oh, Angie! Come in dear!” Grammy waved her in. The air smelled of fresh baked gingerbread
and cocoa. Grammy’s smile lit up the
room as she hung Angie’s coat on the rack.
She ushered her into the kitchen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">As Angie sat down, Grammy put a cup of hot cocoa with mini
marshmallows floating on top and a plate of gingerbread cookies in front of
her. Grammy got a cup of hot tea and sat
down across from her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“What a wonderful surprise!” Grammy said. “How are you dear?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Not good.” Angie pouted and
stared into her cocoa. “You see. I’ve spent the past week trying to come up
with the best Christmas gift for you and…I couldn’t do it.” Her voice trailed off.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Now dear, don’t you know?
You’ve already given me the best Christmas gift ever.” Grammy stretched her hand across the table
and patted Angie’s hand.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“I have?” Angie looked
puzzled.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Yes, dear.” Grammy
smiled. “It’s you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Angie took a moment, then
brightened, jumped up from her chair, raced over to her Grammy and gave her a
big hug.</span> </p>Tracey Poolerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12260734247786886827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423310568013005780.post-57814425137223411662020-12-14T17:03:00.001-08:002020-12-14T17:03:05.580-08:00My Short Short for the Day<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The darkness pervaded every inch of the room, seeping through the
windows and doorway, oozing in through the cracks in the ceiling and gaps in
the floorboards.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The air was silent and
still, void of sound except the single heartbeat coming from the corner.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The train rattled across the icy tracks, thunking along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The swaying of the cabin did nothing to still
the thudding heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe it wouldn’t
notice, maybe it would keep going, past this small, insignificant
compartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The heartbeat thumped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please, oh please keep going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t stop here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please don’t stop.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The silence was broken by a soft swish of a socked foot sliding
across a smooth floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Swish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Silence. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Swish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Silence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The heartbeat thumped faster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Shhh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stay calm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stay quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Stay hidden. Thump. Thump. Thump.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Swish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Silence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sound came closer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Swish. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Silence. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was nearly to the small, insignificant
compartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Swish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Silence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was here.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Thumpthumpthumpthumpthump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hold
your breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t make a sound.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Silence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Thumpthumpthumpthumpthump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Stay quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stay hidden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shhhh.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Silence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Thumpthumpthumpthumpthump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why won’t it go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t hold
still for much longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Silence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Swish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It moved away, inching down the hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Swish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Silence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Thump thump thump thump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stay calm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stay still.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wait.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Swish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Silence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was getting faint now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Swish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Silence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Thump thump thump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Breathe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Quietly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Silence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Thump thump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carefully, get
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Softly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Silence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Thump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now’s my chance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Slide open the door and run for
connector.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is an emergency exit
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll have to jump.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Silence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Go!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The door slid open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The heartbeat stayed normal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quickly, down the hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The clank of the door opening and
closing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too loud.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Swish.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Oh, no!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hurry!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The handle, it’s stuck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Swish. Silence. Swish. Silence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It’s moving fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hurry!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Phhshh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jump!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jump!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Swish. Silence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">White snow swirled around silently, softly burying the
heartbeat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Muffling it, disguising
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hidden beneath the cold.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tracey Poolerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12260734247786886827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423310568013005780.post-80668997694018981192020-12-11T17:44:00.003-08:002020-12-11T17:44:19.933-08:00My Short Short for the Day<p> <span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Chip the squirrel raced down the tree, around the yard, up the
fence, gathered himself…this was his time to shine!</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">He made a monumental leap across the gap to
the wire, traversed the wire, scurried down the pole onto the sidewalk, weaving
and dodging pedestrians strolling along and finally scampered back up the tree
again.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Panting, he turned to survey his
course.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Excellent! He was finally ready
for the Squirrel Tournament.</span></p>Tracey Poolerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12260734247786886827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423310568013005780.post-73730256242593112022020-12-09T18:44:00.002-08:002020-12-09T18:44:20.477-08:00My Short Short for the Day<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Moira grumbled as she hit the alarm knocking it to the
floor.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">With a huff she slammed the
blankets back and pulled herself up.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">She
rubbed her eyes, put on her glasses and trudged to the bathroom.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Once she was somewhat refreshed, she slouched
to the kitchen, poured a bowl of cereal and crunched it mechanically while
staring at the wall.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It tasted like
sawdust.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The cell phone rang making her jump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She instantly straightened up, replaced the
distant grouchy look with one of alert seriousness and answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This is Sanders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Be there in 5.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time to
work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She dropped the half full bowl in
the sink, grabbed her gun holster and put it on, pulled her jacket on over it
and grabbed her keys on the way out the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The car started quickly for once and she sped off to the crime scene.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tracey Poolerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12260734247786886827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423310568013005780.post-84838686095331347452020-12-08T17:20:00.001-08:002020-12-08T17:20:20.979-08:00My Short Short for the Day<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The smell of cookies filled the room.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ellie, Sam, and Meg were eagerly preparing
their workspace.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A piece of parchment
paper, a bowl of frosting with a popsicle stick for spreading, tiny bowls of
sprinkles, sparkles, and other toppings.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The oven dinged.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mom put on her
oven mitts and carefully opened the oven door.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The kids stood nearby with rosy cheeks and big smiles.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">After the cookies had cooled, Mom placed one in front of each kid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ok, ready, set, go!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The race was on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who would
create the most amazing cookie ever!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Ellie and Sam were smearing a thick layer of frosting followed by a
dash of sparkles, a pinch of sprinkles, a couple mini marshmallows, some rainbow-colored
nerds, and a dusting of powdered sugar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With
a flourish, Ellie threw her hands up in the air and stepped away from her
cookie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Close behind, Sam set his
popsicle stick down, gave his cookie a quick once over and then put his hands
in the air.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Meanwhile, Meg had carefully spread a thin layer of green frosting
over her cookie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She made sure to keep
the frosting on the cookie with none of it touching the edge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She smoothed the frosting down so there were
no ripples or bumps to be seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then she
picked up a mini marshmallow and picked a small piece off it and carefully
placed it on the cookie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She repeated
this gesture over and over until there was no more marshmallow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She studied her cookie for a moment then
picked up some blue sparkles and sprinkled them over the cookie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After another moment of studying it, she
smiled and put her hands in the air.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Ok Bakers, place your cookies on the plate and we will get the
judges reaction.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mom held the plate out
to the kids and each one carefully placed their masterpiece on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mom walked out into the living room where
Grandpa was sitting in his favorite chair. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The leather was worn and faded but it suited
Grandpa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Now, it is time for the judging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bakers, please be seated.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carefully
placed the plate of cookies on the tv tray in front of Grandpa. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Well, let’s see here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hmm?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grandpa looked very serious as he studied
each cookie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’d say they all look
quite interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tree is elegantly
decorated on the first cookie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
snowman is very tough looking on the second cookie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the heart on the third cookie is very
lovely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I can’t decide based on
looks alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, I must taste them.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Grandpa took a big bite of the first cookie and made several “Mmms”
and “Hmms”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he took a big bite of
the second cookie and made several “Umms” and “Ohhs”. And finally, he took a
big bite of the third cookie and made several “Ahhs” and “Uhhuhs”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The children watched excitedly as Grandpa
carefully finished off each cookie, wiped his mouth clean and set the napkin on
the crumb covered plate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, I have made
my decision.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Grandpa sat up straight in his chair and looked fondly at each
child who was beaming back at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My
decision is…I need more cookies to test before I can decide!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Grandpa!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The children
laughed and tackled him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tracey Poolerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12260734247786886827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423310568013005780.post-27741093552383678562020-12-07T20:43:00.001-08:002020-12-07T20:43:05.971-08:00My Short Short for the Day<p> <span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Looks like it’s gonna be another cold one.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Get bundled up before heading outside this
morning.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We’re gonna be hitting a low of
0, so make sure you wear a hat and gloves and grab that scarf that’s been laying
around.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">You’ll need that, too!”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jan clicked off the radio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Great.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She grumbled as she pulled on her jacket and trudged outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The car had a glaze of frost over it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No point in scraping the windshield, I’ll let
it warm up a bit first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She thought as
she settled into the freezing seat and shut the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Click, click, vroom! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She pressed the gas pedal a couple more times
to make sure it would idle, then climbed out, slammed the door, and raced back
inside to the warmth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m so tired of
this cold.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She muttered pouring herself
another cup of hot coffee.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Are you tired of the cold?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking for an adventure?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Search no further!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come join us in Kauai!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beautiful beaches, warm sun and all the fun
you desire!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t wait for adventure to
come to you, you should come for the adventure of a lifetime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kauai!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Oh, wouldn’t that be nice.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jan muttered rinsing out her cup and setting
it on the rack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She bundled herself into
her thick coat, turning the collar up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then she pulled down her warm hat, wrapped her thick wool scarf around
her neck and face, then sat down to tug on her boots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next the pulled on her gloves, grabbed her bag,
and walked miserably out to her car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After a several minutes of scraping her windows were clear and she got
in her car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once she was buckled up, she
carefully made her way down the driveway and onto the slippery street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her drive to work was slow and tense as everyone
cautiously made their way through the snow and ice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Jan turned on her radio and the song was just
ending.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“All Elvis, all day! So up next
is ‘Blue Hawaii’” As the song began, Jan smiled and sang along with the words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The King may not be with us anymore, but he
still lives on in our hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here’s
another oldie but goodie!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time
Jan pulled into her parking spot at the office, she was in a much better
mood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then she opened her door and was
hit by a blast of cold in her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ugh!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">She slammed her door shut and hurried into the
building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She stomped the snow from her boots
before walking into the lobby. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her frown
engulfed her mood completely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
slugged her way to her desk, unbundled her layers of clothing and changed into
her work shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then she settled at her
desk with a hot cup of coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She turned
on her radio and turned it to the “Elvis station”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the King sang “Hawaiian Sunset”, Jan’s
mind drifted to the add from earlier about Hawaii.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next thing she knew, she had picked up
the phone and dialed a number.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Brunswick Tour and Travel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How may I help you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woman asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I would like to book a trip to Kauai, please.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jan smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tracey Poolerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12260734247786886827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423310568013005780.post-8084113255867478202020-12-04T08:05:00.003-08:002020-12-04T08:05:48.594-08:00My Short Short for the Day<p> <span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">His arrival was expected but he was running late.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The dark was settling down around the tiny
house in the woods.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A stream of smoke
wafted into the sky, leaving a white trail behind.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Ma sat in her rocking chair knitting a blue and green scarf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The chair creaked softly, and the knitting
needles clicked as her fingers deftly looped and tugged the yarn into
place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scarf would be warm for
little Johnny and it was his favorite colors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Pa sat in his rocking chair moving slowly back and forth and
smoking his pipe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes were half
closed as he hummed quietly to himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From
time to time he would poke at the fire to stir it up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Ellie sat on the rug near the hearth playing with her rag doll.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She talked to the doll, making up a fantastical
story in which the doll was a princess and had to go fight an evil monster to
save the kingdom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Johnny was sound asleep in his bed in the next room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been a struggle to get him out of the
barn earlier and wash him up for bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The calf was a few days old now, but Johnny insisted he had to be there
to make sure it was safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few cookies finally
coaxed him into the tub.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Mary was sitting at the table with her book open, trying to read
but her nerves wouldn’t let her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
wanted to get up and pace across the worn floor but didn’t want to answer to Ma
and Pa’s questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So she sat still
staring at the pages but not seeing a word.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A firm rap on the door silenced the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All eyes turned towards the sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pa set down his poker and took the pipe from
his mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gently patted Mary’s
shoulder as he walked past her to the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Edward, good to see you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come
in.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Edward stepped into the room and Mary blushed as their eyes
met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His smile warmed her heart. She
walked over to him, wanting to hug him but restraining herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hello.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Edward bowed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hello Mary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m deeply sorry for making you wait.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he looked from Pa, who had returned to
his chair, to Ma and spoke again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
apologize for being so late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather
was not agreeable and caused a delay on the train.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes returned to Mary and he took her
hands in his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I would have exited the
train and run all the way here if I could have.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Mary laughed at his foolish remark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Don’t be silly. You would have gotten lost in the dark.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She looked at him for a moment more before
leading him to a couple chairs Pa had set near the hearth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They sat and talked by the warm fire, never
letting go of each other’s hands.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tracey Poolerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12260734247786886827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423310568013005780.post-82498643137657678142020-12-02T07:56:00.003-08:002020-12-02T07:56:36.584-08:00My Short Short for the Day<p> <span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Alright Stanford, start typing.”</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Stanford’s fingers hovered above the keyboard,
paused, waiting for inspiration to hit.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Honey, why don’t you take a break and have some tea
with me.” Wanda called out from the
kitchen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“No, I can’t, I have to write.” Stanford called back. He dropped his hands to his lap. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Suit yourself.”
Wanda set a cup of tea and a small plate of cookies on the desk before
taking her tea into the living room.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Ok, focus.”
Stanford sipped his tea. “Mmm. Not bad.”
Then he dipped a cookie in it before taking a bite. “Well a short break won’t hurt. In fact, maybe that’s just what I need to
re-energize my brain.” He took his tea
and cookies into the living room.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">About a half hour later, Stanford returned to his
desk. “Ok, Stanford, you’ve had a break,
now it’s time to get serious.” He
stretched and flexed his fingers, sat up straight and tall, and placed his feet
flat on the floor. “Alright, let’s go.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">His fingers hovered over the keyboard, paused, waiting
for inspiration to hit. Nothing. He slouched.
His hands dropped to his lap. He
stared at the blank screen. He was about
to put his head down on the keyboard when he heard his wife coming towards him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“How’s it going dear?”
Wanda called as she passed by into the kitchen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Stanford typed furiously on the keyboard. “Great!
It’s really moving along now.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Oh, that’s wonderful.
I guess all you needed was a little break.” Wanda walked over and kissed Stanford on the head. “Can I read it?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Oh, no, not yet.
I’m really in the flow of things.
Later, ok?” Stanford hunched
forward to block his screen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Ok, dear.”
Wanda patted his shoulder and left.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Phew!” Stanford
looked at the barrage of random letters scattered across his screen. He deleted it and then started typing
whatever came into his mind. At first,
he trudged along but soon it turned into something more solid. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Dinner in a half hour, Stan.” Wanda called from the kitchen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Ok.” Stanford’s
fingers were flying across the keyboard as the words poured out. Finally, he hit the end of the page and
stopped. “Wow, Stanford, not bad.” He stared admiringly at the words that filled
up 3 pages. “Not bad…well, hopefully not
bad.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Dinner!” Wanda
called. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">“But we can wait until
tomorrow to see if it’s bad or not.” Stanford
saved the pages and closed the laptop. </span>Tracey Poolerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12260734247786886827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423310568013005780.post-17365009128674796652020-12-01T17:34:00.003-08:002020-12-01T17:34:24.640-08:00My Short Short for the Day<p> <span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Little Elf flew as fast as she could.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The puffball on the top of her stocking cap
flapping in the wind.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The stars twinkled
a path to her house but already the darkness was beginning to fade and the
light would soon dawn.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">She was late!</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">How could she have overslept?</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Why did her alarm pick today of all days to
not go off?</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">What a mess!</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">She was a new elf and she was making a rookie
mistake.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">She had prided herself on always
being punctual to every meeting, every training, every class.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">And now, of all days, and of all times, did
she blow it?</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ugh!</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Fly faster!</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">She willed herself to move faster than ever.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The moon was slowly drifting down below the horizon and
the sun was peeking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She only had a few
more minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What would she do if she
was late?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How would she explain to the
poor child?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She couldn’t!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wasn’t allowed to talk with the
child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her new child!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Poor thing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was her first time meeting this child and she was going to be late!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How could this happen?!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Suddenly her house was within view!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, I can make it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not much further.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She pushed herself to fly with all her heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was almost there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A light turned on upstairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, no!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That must be the child’s room!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She had to hurry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost there!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She zipped down the chimney, careful to not
bump the soot covered walls and zoomed out into the living room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ahh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Look at that beautiful tree!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She admired
the tree for a moment until she heard a thump on the staircase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, right!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Where to sit?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Little Elf zigzagged around the room trying to find a
comfortable spot to land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’d be stuck
there all day, so it had to be a good spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She flitted around like a hummingbird until she found the perfect spot
on top of the mantle next to some books and ceramic reindeer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She settled in just as a giggle came from the
bottom of the stairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She put on her
biggest smile and froze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The giggly child came into the room and searched
everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little Elf enjoyed the
enthusiasm as the child checked under every cushion and on top of every
book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She even checked the stockings
near the tree before she turned toward the mantle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She locked eyes with Little Elf and
squealed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Momma!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Momma!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I found her!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s here!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Little Elf wanted to hug the darling little girl but
didn’t dare move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead the smiled and
let her heart warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had made it,
thank goodness!<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tracey Poolerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12260734247786886827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423310568013005780.post-30428935262962067202020-11-30T07:54:00.003-08:002020-11-30T07:54:48.128-08:00My Short Short for the Day<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“So…whatcha doin?”</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ally leaned over Buddy.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">He was
hunched forward with his head down.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">He
had been like that for hours and Ally wanted to know why.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Wait a minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m almost done.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Buddy’s body
barely moved but Ally knew he was tinkering with something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">She leaned further, then moved to peek around him, then
huffed and stood back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Done yet?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Alllmmost…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was a little zap and then Buddy sat up beaming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Done!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ally looked at his hands and saw a small robot-like
thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What is it?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Ally, meet Ralph.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Buddy held out his hands towards Ally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">As she watched, the robot thing stuck its hand out
towards her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Did that just move?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ally instinctively shook its little hand
staring in fascination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For once, she wasn’t
bouncing around the room with a million questions and ideas.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Ralph, this is Ally.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ralph bowed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Nice
to meet you, Ally.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ralph’s voice was a
little hesitant but sounded more like a cartoon character than a robot.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Nice to meet you, too, Ralph.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ally couldn’t believe it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A talking robot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her friend made a talking robot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How did you do it Buddy?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Well, it’s an idea I’ve been working on for a long
time but last night, in my dreams, it came to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The missing piece finally came to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s so weird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was almost ready to give up but then, it
was there.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Buddy smiled down at Ralph.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Like in the movies.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ally said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Yeah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something
like that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Buddy gently set Ralph on
the desk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ok, Ralph, let’s see what you
can do.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Ralph smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
think you might be surprised.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tracey Poolerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12260734247786886827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423310568013005780.post-62980674189185111022020-11-24T10:44:00.003-08:002020-11-24T10:44:37.824-08:00My Short Short for the Day<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The waves crash down over my head and I start
choking.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Water fills my nose and mouth,
and I can’t breathe.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I sink like a stone,
helpless.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">My eyes fill with terror as my
breath stops.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I reach for the surface and
watch the light fade into darkness.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Whump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hit the
bottom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can still see some light above
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stretch up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My lungs are burning and I realize I’ve been
holding my breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gave up but my body
didn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I move my body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I touch dirt beneath my fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I put my feet on the dirt and crouch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s still time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I shove off from the bottom and fix my gaze on the
light above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kick my feet fast and
hard, as if I have flippers on them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I move
my arms, pulling water away from my face as if I could move it aside and squeeze
through to the top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stare and kick and
pull.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My lungs are on fire but I deny
them their job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My legs are heavy with
exertion but I ignore their suffering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
must keep going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Fwoosh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I burst up
and out of the water, gasping, sputtering and smiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I choke and splutter as I doggie paddle to
shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I claw my way onto the beach and collapse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water laps at my feet but I don’t
care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no strength to move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just let my lungs fill and release, fill
and release, fill and release.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tracey Poolerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12260734247786886827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423310568013005780.post-983994165841197692020-11-20T07:35:00.002-08:002020-11-20T07:35:17.754-08:00My Short Short for the Day<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“So…what do ya wanna do today?”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I dunno.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
do you wanna do?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I dunno.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Should we go somewhere?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Maybe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where do
ya wanna go?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I dunno.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where
do you want to go?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I dunno.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Wanna watch a movie?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Maybe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do ya
wanna watch?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I dunno.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
do you want to watch?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I dunno.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Wanna get something to eat?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Maybe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do
ya wanna eat?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I dunno.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
do you want to eat?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I dunno.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Do you have the remote?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Nope.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Guess we’re watching this then.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Yup.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The door opened then slammed shut.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“Are you kidding me?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Have you been sitting here all day?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I dunno.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have
we?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“I dunno.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tracey Poolerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12260734247786886827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1423310568013005780.post-13891741011198429462020-11-18T07:48:00.000-08:002020-11-18T07:48:02.804-08:00My Short Short for the Day<p><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The little gray puffball floated down through the stars,
gently drifting past the winking lights.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It continued to float downwards through the inky darkness of space and further
down towards light.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The air thickened, filled
with white fluffs hovering in place.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
puffball floated down even further.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It passed
through the white fluffs and smiled, then into the bright blueness of day.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It could feel the warmth of the sun tickling
its cheeks and still it floated down.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The earth pulled it closer and closer.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The puffball, curious as ever, wondered what the ground would feel
like.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It had never touched the earth.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The smells that filled the air were wonderful
and strange.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Finally, with the gentlest
of bounces, the puffball landed.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">But
wait, it didn’t hit the ground, that was still a few feet away.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It had landed on something brown and
soft.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The puffball looked around but
could only see the soft brown around it.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Where could it be?</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Suddenly it
was being lifted and carried away from the soft brown and gently dropped onto a
new surface.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It was soft, too, but in a
different way.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The puffball looked up
and saw something looking back at it.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The being smiled and giggled.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
puffball smiled back and giggled, too.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The little girl couldn’t believe her luck!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A real, live puffball had landed on her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had chosen her to be its guardian!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She must tell mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But first, she wanted to play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To laugh and have fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To show her little puffball all around the
yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The puffball was amazed by the
trees and river, the grass and flowers, the sweet scent of the summer breeze,
the soft trickle of the cool water, but more than anything it wanted to touch
the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The soft brown soil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The little girl saw the puffball look down
and reach out towards the ground, as if trying to touch it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The girl thought maybe it wasn’t happy and
wanted to get away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, with sadness,
the girl gently set the puffball on the dirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The puffball touched the soft soil and giggled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It rolled around in the dirt and giggled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It dug into the earth and giggled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, how wonderful the earth was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It tasted the dirt…blech!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It spit the dirt out and looked up at the
being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The girl chuckled and said, “you
aren’t supposed to eat the dirt.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
puffball smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was so much to
learn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The girl held out her hand and
the puffball climbed on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She gently
carried her new friend home.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Tracey Poolerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12260734247786886827noreply@blogger.com0