Daily Prompt – Elegant

She looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was swept back from her face and held in place by diamond clips. She wore the matching diamond and emerald earring and necklace set he had given her for their tenth anniversary. She was dressed in an elegant shimmery silver evening gown. Tonight was a fundraiser or charity event of some sorts – there were so many she had lost track. Sometimes she longed for the simpler days. Before the money, before the parties, before she became the woman in the mirror. She sighed and touched up her lipstick, waiting for him to return from the office. He wouldn’t have long to change before they would have to leave. She didn’t want to think about what was keeping him. Lately he left the house earlier and returned later.

Her phone rang and she looked at the screen, biting her lip self-consciously before answering. “Hello darling. Yes of course. I understand. No, it’s no problem, I’ll have Henry drive me there. What time do you think you’ll be there? I see. Okay. I love you.” She pressed the button to end the call and closed her eyes. She would be going alone again. He would try to meet her there if he finished at the office. Otherwise he would see her at home. He trusted she would have a lovely time at the event with all of their friends. A single tear escaped and slid down her perfectly powdered face. He hadn’t said ‘I love you’ back. Opening her eyes she wiped away the tear and touched up her lipstick. She was the woman in the mirror.

Daily Prompt – Twinkle

I arrived at the party late and in desperate need of a drink. “My damn boss made me draft the proposal three times before he decided to go with the first draft.” I told Michele as I took a long sip of Chardonnay. My shoulders fell soft for the first time that day. “This has been the longest week, I just want to drink wine, eat . . . what do you have to eat?” My eyes wandered to the kitchen.

Michele grabbed my hand. “Forget about food. I want you to meet Jason. I have a feeling.” I stopped and felt the drag on my arm. Shaking my head at her I glared and stood my ground. “No. NO. When you say you have a feeling it always turns out bad. Remember Brad?”

“What was wrong with Brad? You loved Brad.” Michele had a glowing smile on her face, the matchmaking smile that I hated.

“I loved Brad. Sofia loved Brad. Alicia loved Brad. Veronica loved Brad. That’s what was wrong with Brad.” Her face screwed up like she was going to cry. “Michele, it’s okay, you don’t have to do this. I don’t need a guy to be happy. I’m fine with my Chardonnay.” I held my half-drunk glass up as proof. Still, she looked so defeated.

Best friends since college, she was a hopeless romantic and was always trying to set me up with the perfect man. There had been Brad. And Roger. Before him was Nathan. And Ethan. I sometimes got the two mixed up. “If you really want me to be happy, more wine please.” I drank the last of the wine and handed her the glass.

I slipped into the crowd and made my way toward the kitchen. I hadn’t eaten since lunch and my stomach was growling. Just before I reached the door he turned and looked at me. At 6’ 2” he was much taller than me, even in my heels and his medium length brown hair was obviously tousled from his fingers, probably done unconsciously, but it made him look boyishly handsome and the look distracted me momentarily from my hunger. There was a twinkle in his green eyes and a playful smile on his lips. “I’m sorry miss but if you want access to the kitchen you’ll need the secret word.” He stifled a laugh.

I stared blankly, not quite keeping up with his humor. “Excuse me?”

Michele came up behind me with a glass of Chardonnay. “Oh good, you met Jason. I knew you two would hit it off.”

Daily Prompt – Plop

The sky darkened with the coming storm, mirroring my mood. I rushed to get home before the rain started, back to the safety of my home, to the arms awaiting me. Plop. I saw the first drop hit like a plump grape then splatter. Plop. Plop. The drops began a steady beat against the windshield and soon I flicked on the wipers. The weather mimicked my heart and a downpour ensued, forcing me to bend forward just to see the lines on the road. The water pelted a staccato beat on the top of the car.

Finally, I pulled into the parking spot and gave a brief thought to waiting out the storm in the car. I knew I would go insane in the small confines of the metal capsule. I opened the door and made a mad dash for the front door, quickly rushing through and shutting it and the pelting rain behind me. She was sitting on the sofa waiting. “It’s over.” I managed to squeak out before I collapsed into a pool of tears before her. She held me in her arms and let me cry out my fears, my pain, my disappointment. When I was finished I looked into her dark eyes. “He’s gone for good this time.” My best friend cupped my chin with her hand and smiled. “Let’s hope so.”

Daily Prompt – Cake

He leaned against the wall, arms crossed in front of his chest. A huge grin crossed his face as he watched his two-year-old daughter sitting on his wife’s lap. She clapped her hands in delight as the birthday cake was placed in front of her, two candles brightly glowing in the dim light of the dining room. Abbey would no doubt have no memory of this day but it would be forever etched in his mind.

It took six long years to conceive her, now every day of her life he rejoiced. He had memorized every feature, her strawberry blonde hair, just long enough to brush. Bright blue eyes that sparkled like stars. A button nose that turned up slightly at the end. Chubby baby cheeks that puffed out when she laughed. And that laugh, it was like listening to angels.

Pushing away from the wall he strode across the room to join his family. Bending down to place a kiss on his wife’s cheek, reveling in her radiant smile, he stroked his daughter’s head. He sighed and smiled. He was truly blessed.