Saturday, June 19, 2010

A Summer Story

Saturday Centus is here once more, and you know the drill. A prompt of 13 words from Mr. Jenny (Matlock), a hundred words from me, and a story for all of you! The prompt is in red. Here goes...


Summer came but I couldn't feel it, not deep in my heart or warm on my skin. The sun shone; the sweet smell of lilacs drifted through my window, but the smile plastered over my face was performance art, a cover-up for my real expression of....

Fear. What did fear look like? Maybe that tight-lipped grimace with uplifted corners I wore for my mother. She looked like death, and every day I hoped she was wrong.

We missed him, both of us, our dreams riddled with mujahideen and bomb blasts. He was a reporter, not a soldier.

It was Father's Day, 1984, when I heard that voice in the hallway. The nightmare had ended. He was home.


(Inspiration for this story was Richard Pauli, a reporter who smuggled himself into Afghanistan during its war with the Soviet Union, capturing rare footage of a "secret" conflict that wasn't being recorded visually due to governmental constraints.)

I wonder if fathers know how important they are in the lives of their children. I sincerely hope my own husband does, because he means everything to them.

Happy Father's Day to you, Dave...and to all of those other irreplaceable dads out there.

=)

27 comments:

Unknown said...

What a great way to remind us to recognize our Fathers and all they do for us.
Has anyone told you lately....you're a pretty good writer? ;)

Caroline said...

Wishing you and yours a Happy Father's Day, indeed. I am thankful every day for the father that my husband is to my girls and equally as grateful for my own terrific father!
Loved this post!

Jess said...

Sue you truly are amazing, to take those 13 words and 100 more of your own and BAM, magic! You make me feel exactly what the character in your short is feeling. Quite gifted you are.

Karen said...

Very good! Hope Bishop has a great Fathers Day!

cj Schlottman said...

The tension established in your first two paragraphs melts into an incredible sigh of relief. Good work!

Kat said...

What a wonderful, poignant use of the prompt. Beautiful job, I could feel the tension and worry with every word. And then, the relief. Really nicely written. Kathy

Kim Lehnhoff said...

Great take on the prompt! Well done!

Snarky Belle said...

You are unbelievable!

Haven't had the gumption to comment, etc since J went back to Iraq. I just got all caught up, but I don't have the emotional energy to think of anything to say....well, other than I miss you and love ya to pieces!

Darlene said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Darlene said...

Great story! I agree with Jess, you truly are amazing! I just wish you had more time in your life to write. I would love to see you write another book. I'm still hoping that one day you and Todd will collaborate because I know you two have a great book within the both of you just waiting to come out!

Bookie said...

Powerful...so complete! Nice capture of good emotion at end.

Viki said...

This was so compelling. I imagine families of soldiers feel the same way. It must be very frightening to have a family member in war wondering all the time if they'll come home. Great Saturday Centus.

Karen Mortensen said...

Wow. That is all I can say. Loved this Sue.

Congratulations on your win with me.

Grandma Honey said...

I think many Dads may feel taken for granted because they are generally uncomplaining. That's just the nature of males. But where would we be without them!

Karen Mortensen said...

I left you an award. Go over and see it.

easternsparkle said...

I felt that releif - it's amazing what feelings a few words cna conjure, well done!

Cheryl said...

Great reality check and beautifully written.

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

That packed a powerful punch, Sue! What great imagery!

karen said...

Dang you're good! I'd comment more, but I'm still wedding day fuzzy. When I can organize myself I'll write about it. Good day though - good day.

Vicki/Jake said...

This is the first year in many that I'll spend Father's Day with mine. I love what you've shared here and your gift to do so. Thanks...

jeff campbell said...

very cool story...well done...the historic reference is a great touch...peace and blessings

Tina said...

Wow. Good job just doesn't seem enough, but GOOD JOB.

jfb57 said...

A happy ending - phew! Thank you!

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

Sue I so love my visits with you. What a blessing you are to all of us and I could read your writings all day long. Your wonderful my dear sweet friend.
Thank you for always checking on me. I am staying up longer now but doing my best not to over do it. It has been almost an hour so will be back to bed in just a minute but I just had to come by here and catch up with you first.
Since my ex left Fathers Day has always been a hard day for us but once again we survived it. I miss my dad so but on the 25th I will have a good picture of him on my site.
Love ya
Maggie

Christy said...

Oh this was gripping. I am glad he came home.

Tgoette said...

Excellent job! You weave quite a powerful tale, Sue! Great take on the prompt!

Jenny said...

Sue.

The power and imagery in this really amazed me.

You cast such a spell in so few words.

You took this prompt and worked it into a masterpiece.

Thank you for linking.