Writing Prompt Number 11

[Tommie Lyn]

This week's writing prompt will involve two main characters -- James Weston, a middle-aged plumber who is divorced, and Raina Schlesinger, a has-been rock singer. And include the following words:

red
glass
flag
Ford
book

Keep your story to 500 words or fewer...and have fun!

[Laina]

This week's writing prompt will involve two main characters -- James Weston, a middle-aged plumber who is divorced, and Raina Schlesinger, a has-been rock singer. And include the following words:

red
glass
flag
Ford
book

Keep your story to 500 words or fewer...and have fun!

YIKES! I haven't done #10 yet. :o:o

[melw]

The Little Things
384 words

Raina sat down in the water on the floor, the drain was broken again. When she was on top of the charts she never had to worry about broken drains and flooding houses.

If only she had listened to her parents and invested the money, but at age 20 you never thought about that. Raina thought she would always be on top, always have money. She now only had an old rusty Ford in the driveway that only worked half of the time.

She heard a knock on the door and made her way sliding and opened it. A man in blue overalls and a faded red hat was standing there. “Hi, James Weston the plumber.”

“Of course, come on through to the offending drain.”

“This is just what my wife used to say, that is until she sold her first book.”

“What happened then?”

“She left me for her editor. So what do you do?”

“I paint glass. It is at least something I can do.” A sob caught in her throat. When she thought about the damage singing had done to her voice it hurt.

“Miss, are you all right?” James looked down with a kind smile.

“Just memories, excuse me I will just be outside.” She sat on the step outside and thought of her agent.

Sing, just sing one more concert. Doctors don’t know what they are talking about. You have a voice of an angel. You will never stop wowing the audience. Listen to them chanting your name.

That was the last night Raina had sung. Her voice was damaged as the doctors said it would be if she sang.

“Miss Raina, can you help me put up my flag?” Petey the little boy next door asked.

Raina helped the little boy rig up the flag on his front porch. He gave her a hug and kiss on the cheek.

She smiled as the plumber came out; he only charged her the call out fee as it wasn’t anything too major. Raina was glad she had organised a nice plumber.

It was little things that made the difference. She was happy and had a house and nice friends. She might no longer sing, but she knew in the future she would thank God for the blessing she did have.

MEL

[Tommie Lyn]

Good job, Mel!

[jacks girl]

Raina Schlesinger picked up the remote and turned the TV off. Would she ever get used to seeing herself on the 'where are they now' shows. It didn't bother her really it just seemed strange. What bugged her most was the way people looked at her when she went shopping. It was like they wanted to say something but was afraid to speak to her.

May be she should write a that book that was in the back of her mind. She'd thought about it often, she would tell what it had been like to be a rock singer in the 80's. She even had a title. 'Playing with Glass,' she often felt that was what those years of her life was like. She'd been cut deep by all the mistakes she'd made. Iff she could have only seen the red flag that was waving before her eyes.

She looked out the window and smiled. the old Ford was pulling into the driveway. It was the highlight of her day to have a reason to call James Weston, a middle-aged plumber who she found out last week was divorced. He brought back the good times of her life, the love of the music and most of all he made her smile.

Time would only tell if there was something more between them except a love of music and reliving the good times of the 80's. She was thinking about asking James out this time. May be he would say yes, and may be she'd finally get to see him without that old red hat. She checked her reflection in the bathroom mirror then went to the door to welcome in the new day and to push the dust of yesterday's memories out of her mind.

Jacks

[Tiata]

I'll have to go back to #10, This one came easier LOL


Through The Open Window

Raina organized her red tote bag one more time and took her seat. Settling back she took a deep breath, clenched one hand in the other and looked at the door.

When that door closes I’m closing off my whole life.

“Excuse me Ma’am”

She looked up into twinkling gray eyes bracing for the usual recognition, sorrow, sympathy and finally the request for an autograph.

“Yes?” she said already reaching for her purse

“I think this is my seat next to you. I hope you don’t mind” His eyes crinkled at the edges when he smiled.

“No, of course not” she laughed at her ego.

Pulling a book from her tote she pretended to read but didn’t want that door-closing moment to get away.

“My name is James Weston, most folks call me Jimmy.”

“Hi” she replied politely “I’m Raina Schlesinger” She watched for signs of recognition and surprise but there were none.

He smiled, nodded and glanced at her book “You’re reading Pilgrim’s Progress?”

“Yes” she said

“So am I!” Jimmy pulled a battered copy from the overnighter he had tucked under his seat. “What are the odds of that?” He grinned at her.

“I have no idea!” She smiled back. "Where are you headed Jimmy?"

“I’m going down to place called Mount Moriah Children’s Home, in Columbia. I’m a plumber, and single, at least since my divorce a year ago” He sighed “But most importantly I’m a Christian. A believer and follower of the Lord of Lords and King of Kings. They need plumbers down there. I had to sell my ford truck for the airline ticket but I know he is going to bless me.

Raina sat silently

“Where are you destined for Ms Schlesinger?”

Raina slowly pulled the file from her tote and opened it up to the first page. The picture was still clipped on it and the little post-it flag was sticking on the page, but the Mount Moriah letterhead was clearly visible.

“Same place, Mr. Westin” She showed him the acceptance letter and smiled.

“Well, what are the odds of that?” Jimmy grinned and shook his head.

Leaning back against the window glass, Raina looked up at the door. She had missed it. The moment when her previous life, first as a has been rock singer and then a well-publicized widow, had ended. The door was closed already. But it didn’t feel quite as final as she had thought.

[Katharine]

Another fun one, TL! This comes in at 448 words.

“My finger don’t bend like that!” Raina’s piercing shriek hit the plumber’s eardrum like an arrow straight off the bowstring.

James Weston squeezed his eyes shut and bit his lip. This was the thanks he got for taking the holiday weekend calls. He wished he had a family to keep him at home, but since he was alone it seemed only right to pull the extra duty.

“Ma’am, I’m right sorry I hurt you like that.” He kept his voice even, hoping to calm this high-strung customer enough that she’d bless him with a nice tip. “I thought maybe we could just work your finger out of the drain without taking the sink apart.”

“Well it didn’t work! Think of something else, would you? And hurry up, ‘cause I’m expecting a call from my old manager today. I have to be ready in case he wants to book me for a gig.”

Raina Schlesinger had had a couple of songs on the charts, but it must’ve been at least five years since she had released any recordings. James felt sorry for her – both because her career had dried up and because her pinky finger was stuck in the bathroom drain.

“Easy, now. Let me think a minute, Miss.” He looked under the sink at the plug mechanism. “If I wiggle this just a touch, can you feel it?”

“Ouch!” Her shrill scream punctured his ear again. “Feels like you’re poking me with a piece of glass there! What in the heck are you doing?”

“Just checking my options, ma’am.” James gave up trying to loosen the plug. He was going to have to pull out all the stops on this one, even if it meant extra work putting everything back together. He should have paid attention to her hysteria when she called him; there was a red-flag warning if he’d ever had one.

“Ma’am, I’m gonna have to go out to my truck and get a couple more tools. Can you just sit tight till I get back? It’ll just be a minute,” he soothed. “In fact, you used to sing a number my wife and I danced to on our anniversary. Why don’t you sing it for me while I run out there, okay? It was that one about throwing in the towel after another argument, but it had that great beat to it.”

“Oh,” Raina cooed. “That’s so sweet, you dancing to my song. What’s your wife’s phone number? I’ll call her up so she can hear it, too.”

“Won’t be necessary.” James pulled on his Ace Plumbing jacket. “She drove off in my good Ford truck and sent me the divorce papers a week later.”

[Laina]

Great job everyone.


Looking Up
Words - 488


“Another glass broken. I’ll get fired for sure,” whispered Raina to no one in particular.

“Raina, Raina Schlesinger is that you?” Tammy studied her face. Same plump figure, but not fat. She still had long, sandy hair and baby blue eyes. Short and sassy they use to call her.

Raina looked over her shoulder, “Yeah I’m Raina. Do I know you?”

Tammy walked over and extended her hand. “It’s Tammy Bayruther. We went to school together. Remember? I was Tammy Carlson then.”

Raina threw a spoon in a plastic tub. “Oh yeah, yeah sure.” The woman’s hair was dyed red. Adorned with false eyelashes and fingernails she covered her true beauty. Makeup plastered her face. “How are you?”

“I married Josh Hightower. I know you remember Josh.” Tammy grinned and raised her hand revealing a 2-carat diamond. “No one around here lets him forget his broken ankle from playing flag football. Remember? What a riot that was. That’s what happens when you grow up in a small town and never leave.” Tammy laughed and Raina joined her.

“Hey, let me introduce you two. James come on over here. Raina, this is James Weston. We both work for Southwest Plumbing.” She pointed across the street. “I’m the bookkeeper and James is a plumber. What are you doing working here? You were a rock singer last I heard.”

“Yeah I was, but I didn’t like the lifestyle. I was young and immature, got into the drug scene. I went to rehab and got cleaned up. I’m starting all over and took whatever job came available first. Reina smiled and shrugged her shoulders. This was it.”

“Hey, Josh is employed at the bank. He said they were searching for a couple of tellers. Why don’t you go and see him or call and make an appointment. I’m sure he could get you hired.”

Tammy rummaged through her pocketbook. “Here’s his business card Raina. Jobs don’t last long in Whooley Falls. Go see him today if you can. If you need transportation you can borrow my Ford.”

“Thanks Tammy. I really appreciate this. I’ll go and see him this afternoon. I get off at 2:00 today.”

“Well we need to get back to work James, let’s go. Here's a tip sweetie.”

James and Raina studied one another and smiled. James looked away and lowered his eyes. Raina continued to examine James. No ring. Not handsome, but not ugly. Great teeth. Things are looking up.

“Thanks honey,” Tammy said to the cashier. “By the way Raina we’re having a get together at the house tonight. It’d be great if you could come. It should be entertaining. You’ll see allot of your old friends from school. James will be there too. Come at 7:00 if you can make it.”

“Okay, thanks. I think I will. It might be amusing to see the old gang again.” Yup, things were definitely looking up.

[Tommie Lyn]

A Leaky Faucet and a Can of Chili

Word Count: 471

“Just sign here, ma'am.” He extended a receipt book and pen.

She took it and scrawled “R. E. Schlesinger” on the line marked 'x.'

“Thanks.” He handed her a copy and exited.

Raina watched through the dirty window glass as he climbed into his Ford truck. Red lettering on the door of the pickup said “James Weston Plumbing,” his phone number listed beneath his name. An American flag waved in a perpetual breeze on a decal on the rear window.

He didn't even recognize me. It's truly over. She turned from the window. What was it Andy Warhol said? Each of us gets fifteen minutes of fame? I guess I've had mine.

The doorbell rang.

James Weston removed his cap when Raina opened the door.

“Ma'am, I hate to bother you, but, my daughter would have a fit if I didn't ask. . . . could I get your autograph for her?”

Raina's sagging shoulders lifted. “Of course. Won't you please come in?”

She gestured toward the sofa. “Have a seat and I'll get an eight by ten glossy for her.”

“Thanks.”

When Raina returned with the photo, Weston still stood near the door. She sat and patted the sofa cushion next to her. “Come sit while I sign it. What's her name?”

“Amy.” James perched on the edge of the seat. “Amy loves the oldies.”

Raina's hand stopped moving. Oldies? My songs are oldies now? Her shoulders drooped again.

“Yep, Amy's gonna be thrilled that I saw you. Heck, I'm thrilled myself.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I've been a fan ever since you appeared here in concert back in . . . when was that?”

Raina glanced up at him. “More years ago than I care to remember.” She stared at the photograph in her lap, at the smooth, unlined face that smiled up at her.

James sighed. “I guess all of us would like to turn back the years, huh. Back to happier times.”

“At least you have a family to go home to. I gave up all that for my career.” She gave a bitter chuckle. “My career. What a joke.”

“Naw, I don't have anybody to go home to. I'm divorced. I live alone. The kids live with their mama and her new boyfriend over in Jensonville. I just see them on weekends.”

Raina gave James an appraising look. He seemed a nice fellow. Her aching loneliness and the prospect of another dreary evening alone prompted her to ask, “You had supper yet?”

“No. Been working.”

“Right.” She chuckled. “I'm not a great cook, but, if you don't have plans, I can heat up a mean can of chili.”

“Wow! Supper with Raina! Are you kidding?”

His obvious delight washed over Raina like a cloudburst on parched soil and she drank it in. And felt thankful for the aggravating leaky faucet that brought him here.

[Tommie Lyn]

Hey, everyone, great job! It always amazes me at the vivid imaginations shown in the word prompt stories. And how the same few words of the prompt can give such varied results.

[Katharine]

Another set of fun reads!

I've got to confess, though, that I came across at least two of the highlighted words in the other stories wondered if I had even thought to include them in mine! The ways we all used the words were different enough, my feeble brain couldn't make the connection! What vital variety here. Way to go!