Daily Post

Second Chances

~ Susan Jarreau ~ Leave a comment

The doorbell rang and Jennifer called out to her son “Answer the door please, I’m up to my elbows in dish soap.” She heard him groan, as he had to abandon his video game, and say something under his breath, some expletives if she had to guess. But he was a teenaged boy and even though she had taught him as best she could, she knew she couldn’t control everything. Being a single mother of a boy wasn’t an easy job. Sometimes she hated her ex-boyfriend for abandoning them. But mostly she tried to ignore him and just live her life.

“Mom, there’s someone at the door for you.” She rolled her eyes. She had deduced that much since Ian wasn’t expecting friends. Sighing she rinsed her hands and dried them with a dish cloth while walking to the front door. A short walk in their small home. When she saw her ex-boyfriend standing in the doorway she nearly fainted. “Mark. What are you doing here?”

Hearing his father’s name, Ian looked up from the television screen. “Is he my father?” The words dripped with contempt and the look on Ian’s face burned with a hatred Jennifer had rarely seen. After fifteen years she never believed this day would come. And now, with no warning, Mark had shown up on her doorstep, unannounced and unwelcomed. And she had no plan. Still, there was unfinished business, if not with her and Mark at least with Ian and Mark.

“Mark, come inside.” She closed the door as her mind raced trying to think of what to say. She had told Ian about his father. In the beginning there were photographs, but as Ian grew old enough to understand the situation, he insisted she take them down. He wanted nothing to do with Mark. A few years earlier Mark began to send birthday cards and Ian responded by burning them without opening them.

Jennifer suddenly wanted a glass of wine. A very large glass of wine. Instead she led Mark to the sofa where Ian continued his game, ignoring the two adults. “Ian honey, you need to quit your game so we can talk.”

“I have nothing to say to him.” Ian’s lips were drawn tight and his eyes never left the screen.

Jennifer took the controller from him, playing a tug-of-war before he finally relented. “Ian, this is your father, Mark. We’ve talked about him before. Why don’t we let Mark tell us why he’s here?” Jennifer was proud that she put the accountability on Mark.

Mark looked down at the floor, avoiding eye contact. “Ian, I left your mom when she needed me the most. And I left you. I let you both down. For years I’ve been avoiding this, avoiding you both, because I couldn’t handle the responsibility.” Mark finally looked up and directly at Ian. “Because I couldn’t handle being a father. I thought you would be better off without me. Then I started sending you birthday cards but you never called. So I decided I would come see you in person to tell you I’m sorry I let you down. Both of you.”

Ian’s eyes were moist with tears, which he tried valiantly to fight back. Mark continued. “I don’t expect you to let me into your life. I just wanted you to know that not a day has gone by that I didn’t think of you, son.” There was a pregnant pause and Mark nodded his head in defeat. He rose to leave. “Thank you both for listening to me. Jennifer, it looks like you’ve done a wonderful job raising Ian. I’m sorry I made you do that alone.” He walked to the door with his shoulders slumped when Ian’s voice came out in a squeak, “Wait.” Mark stopped and turned. “I mean, mom made a whole apple pie for dessert and there’s no way we can eat it all. Do you like apple pie?”

The Lesser of Two

~ Susan Jarreau ~ Leave a comment

You could see her dilemma. She couldn’t tell him the truth and she couldn’t lie to him. The truth would surely destroy him and his faith in her, ultimately destroying them. She didn’t think she was ready for a life without him. But a lie would eat away at her like a cancer, destroying her conscience until she was ready to beg for absolution for a sin he didn’t know she had committed. So you could see her dilemma. Did she choose the fast, heart-breaking, gut-wrenching loss or the slow, torturous, guilt-ridden loss?

Justification

~ Susan Jarreau ~ 2 Comments

Just for now let’s pretend that it didn’t happen.
We’ll pretend we’re both good people.
We did the right things for the right reasons.
And nobody got hurt, at least that’s what we’ll tell ourselves.
And if our conscience tries to interject – hit it off at the pass.
We did what we had to do to survive.
We did the right things for the right reasons.
And nobody got hurt.

Panic Attack

~ Susan Jarreau ~ Leave a comment

Heart beats.
Shallow breaths.
Beats increase.
Breaths decrease.
Heart races.
Can’t breathe.
Chest hurts – something is pushing on it, or sitting on it.
Mind races.
Am I crazy? Am I having a heart attack? No, I’m crazy.
Should I tell someone?
No.
I don’t tell anyone.
Why?
It’s all in my head. It will go away. Just breathe. Deep breath in.
But I can’t breathe.
Gulping for breaths.
I have to be okay.
Focus on something, anything.
A point in the distance.
A sound in my memory.
Close my eyes.
I can see the heart beats, staccato beats.
Focus on the breath.
Short, in – short, out.
Don’t think about the pain in the chest.
Just breathe.
In. Out. In. Out. In. Out.
Rhythm.
Heart rate slows.
Notice my fists are clenched at my side.
Open my eyes.
Breathe in and out. In and out.
I made it through another one.

A Contrast in Contradiction

~ Susan Jarreau ~ Leave a comment

I followed you today, from our old apartment on 78th Street. You stopped at the deli for coffee; black, no sugar, and a chocolate croissant. Your favorite breakfast after our trip to Paris when I insisted that you try mine and you ate the entire thing. But you bought me two more to make up for it. You were always generous and thoughtful that way.

You left the deli and turned right and I instinctively knew you would end up at the park, sitting on our bench, the one where we watched the world rush by while we took our time drinking in the beauty of life. I followed at a safe distance, but close enough to drink in your muscular frame, toned from daily runs, your dark hair that curled slightly at the ends and, when you turned to look at the people around you, your strong jawline, angled nose and dark, thick lashes which were the envy of every woman you met.

At the entrance to the park you stopped and smoothed your hair, pulled your shirt straighter, which I thought was odd. When you started walking again my eyes went to the bench and I saw a woman sitting there, holding a coffee, watching you. My stomach lurched. She was average looking. Dark blonde hair in a chin length bob, basic brown eyes, nondescript face. A cliché really. I think that might have made it even more painful. That you didn’t find someone fantastically beautiful to replace me. You pulled out your chocolate croissant to share with her. Then you both sat and watched the world rush by while I watched you. It was a perfect contrast in contradiction.

The Devil in Disguise

~ Susan Jarreau ~ Leave a comment

I scanned the hallway as I put my key in the lock and turned the knob, letting myself into my empty apartment. The darkness took me by surprise and my heart rate increased. I always left a light on so it wouldn’t be so dark when I came home late. Maybe a light bulb had just burned out. I went to turn on the nearest light switch, feeling along the wall, when the reading lamp next to my favorite chair suddenly switched on, illuminating the profile of my ex-boyfriend. I jumped and took a sharp intake of breath. My whole body began to shake. “How did you get in?”

“You know I’ve never had any trouble getting what I want when I’m motivated.” His deep voice sent chills up my spine. Suddenly I was the frightened girl in the corner, hands covering her face in self-defense. The girl wearing long sleeves in the summer to hide the bruises. The girl ready with an excuse for anything. I remembered all the terror he had put me through. I froze in place unsure of what to expect next. His voice rose without him moving. “Be a good girl and pour me another drink. We might be a while love.” He lifted the glass in his hand and I could see he had already started drinking, another sign that things might not go my way tonight. My mind frantically raced through my options while my body seemed calm, crossing the room to retrieve his glass, a slight smile of acknowledgment to appease him.

I refilled his glass with whiskey, unsure of why I still kept his favorite brand in my cabinet. My hand shook and I spilled some on the dark wood counter. I stared at the pooled liquid and remembered the previous times I had spilled liquor, the punishment sure to come later for the few precious drops of nectar I had cost him. Unconsciously I wiped the spilled liquor with the sleeve of my sweater then took the drink to him. I began to plan my escape route.

I sat on the sofa across from him as he drank the whiskey, only halfway listening to him prattle on about how we were meant to be together. The fact that he was so calm, so impassive, worked in my favor. “I have to admit love, you definitely stumped me when you left. I thought I had lost you for good. But you just threw me off the trail. You’ll never lose me. Understand, love?” His blue eyes pierced through me and I felt them all the way to my soul. I whimpered and nodded because at that moment I knew I would never escape him.

Ponytails and Sneakers

~ Susan Jarreau ~ Leave a comment

Daily Prompt – Stylish

I wouldn’t know stylish if it bit me on the ass. As much as I drool over fashion magazines and dream of runway models’ closets, my wardrobe largely consists of yoga pants, t-shirts and jeans. My fancy clothes are slacks, blouses and heels, overdressed three times a week at my part-time job.

When I go to bed and close my eyes I dream I’m a fabulously successful actress at the Oscars, dressed in a couture gown and Christian Louboutins; or a high-powered anything, dressed in a custom-tailored business suit from Milan and Manolo Blahniks. In truth, I stumble in anything with a heel less than two inches high.

I’m a simple girl meant for ponytails and sneakers. But I can dream of French twists and stilettos.

Scream

~ Susan Jarreau ~ Leave a comment

Daily Prompt – Silence

I sat in the darkness of the still room.

My eyes adjusting to the pitch black.

My voice cried out “Why?”

And the silence screamed back.

Let’s Play Ball

~ Susan Jarreau ~ Leave a comment

Daily Prompt – Hike

I sat in the bleachers, laptop perched on my knees, finalizing some paperwork for my client. As a sports agent, and the child of a major league baseball player, I was a natural for the job. The only problem – I was a female in a male dominated world so I had trouble being taken seriously. I looked up at my pitcher on the mound. He was giving a final pre-draft workout. “Great job Ryan!” I clapped my hands in support as he tipped his ball cap at me.

I had focused back on my laptop when I heard a commotion on the field. Ryan was arguing with the coaches at home plate as the catcher walked to the dugout. I quickly made my way down to the field.

“What seems to be the problem gentlemen?” I looked at the men around me, their eyes boring down on me, scowls on their faces intended to intimidate me. “Our catcher’s got a cramp. Can’t get down in a squat. Sorry, Jessie, we’ll have to cut the tryout short. I’m sure everyone got a good enough look at your guy.” Like hell. He had only been on the mound for fifteen minutes. This had nothing to do with my client and everything to do with his female agent.

I stood firm and crossed my hands in front of my chest. “Then get another catcher. You’re a baseball club, I know you have more than one catcher.” I could see by the looks on their faces they were formulating the next lie to stall me and prevent Ryan from throwing anymore today. I wasn’t going to let that happen. “Never mind.” I said, grabbing a catcher’s mitt and pulling on a chest protector. “You can’t do that Jessie.” I turned to them with a determined look on my face. “Watch me.”  I strode to home plate, kicked off my heels, hiked up my skirt and squatted behind the plate. “Okay Ryan, lemme see the curve.”

Dark Cloud Go Away

~ Susan Jarreau ~ 1 Comment

Daily Prompt – Passionate

I lay in my bed for the fourth day in a row, remote control at my bedside. At least today I had showered and put on fresh pajamas before crawling back into the safe shelter of my down comforter. I stared blankly at the television, unsure of which program was airing at this time of the afternoon. My thoughts briefly strayed and I wondered about the last time I had been happy. I honestly could not remember. There had been days when the sadness wasn’t overwhelming. But a day with a glimmer of happiness, that memory escaped me. I closed my eyes and tried to conjure up tears, but they wouldn’t come. Ironic that I was so depressed I was beyond crying. Or maybe I was just out of tears. I had met my yearly quota. I let out a deep sigh and wished that I could feel passionately about something, anything again. But I knew that was hopeless. Opening my eyes again I stared vacantly at the television.

Girls Weekend

~ Susan Jarreau ~ Leave a comment

Daily Prompt – Together

Do you remember that weekend at the beach right after graduation? We drove from the city and stayed at the house Lisa’s parents used to own. Suntans, bikinis and boys in the surf and sand during the day and beer, seafood and more boys under a blanket of stars at night. Six girls set loose on the world. We sat up at night planning our lives. We were gonna have it all and do it all together. I remember driving away that last day, looking back at the ocean; the waves crashing against the shore as if we had never been there. That’s the funny thing about the ocean, it goes on without you, waves crashing again and again. That weekend was the last time we were all together.

31 Weeks

~ Susan Jarreau ~ Leave a comment

Daily Prompt – Fragile

I stood over the incubator, my hand pressed against the hard plastic, helplessly looking at my newborn daughter struggle to breathe. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. A car accident had sent me into labor 9 weeks early. I was alone – my husband Matthew was still deployed and none of my family had arrived yet. As much physical pain as I was in, the emotional turmoil I felt was so much more deep. My heart ached looking down at the tiny, fragile body with tubes and wires seeming to be everywhere. An alarm sounded nearby jarring me from my thoughts and sending my heart racing. A nurse rushed to a nearby incubator and I sighed a breath of relief. Then the tears started to fall. What if the next alarm was mine? I looked down at my tiny baby girl. She didn’t even have a name yet. We still had six names on the list. She was such a fragile little thing. Please God, please let me keep her long enough to give her a name.

A Boy and His Dog

~ Susan Jarreau ~ 2 Comments

Daily Prompt – Slog

The rain had picked up and I pulled my hood tighter around my face, ducking my head from the wind. I slogged through the muddy trail looking for the right spot. I was close, I could feel it. I desperately wanted to call out, but I knew there would be no answer. Finally I saw it, an old wooden cross worn by a few years of exposure to the weather and animals. A simple name was etched onto the cross beam. BAXTER. Our dog, the only family we had.

Kneeling in front of the cross, I brushed off the moss and laid the wildflowers on the ground in front of it. I touched the wood gently, as if I was touching Baxter himself. “Hey boy, it’s been a while. God I miss you like crazy.” I paused as my eyes filled with tears, which mixed with the raindrops slipping down my face.

“Chris never got over you. Neither of us did. We tried to get another dog but we just couldn’t. We could never find another dog like you.” I bowed my head and closed my eyes, choking back the sobs. “He’s gone Bax. Chris is dead. Did you run into him yet? I know he’s up there looking for you. It would be the first thing he would do.”

Finally I let the sobs come and my whole body shook with grief and pain, with fear and shock. Until there was nothing left. I touched the cross again. “Take good care of him Baxter. My two boys are together again.”

Meet the Neighbor

~ Susan Jarreau ~ Leave a comment

Daily Prompt – Perplexed

Walking up the stairs to my apartment, I saw the package sitting on my doorstep. I was perplexed. Nobody knew I lived here except Kim. I looked down at the box at my feet. No markings from the post office or package delivery service. Odd. I cocked my head to the side and bent at the knees, investigating further. In black marker only one word – Neighbor. I gingerly lifted the box to my ear. No ticking or other noise from within. Satisfied I stood and tucked the box under my arm, unlocking my door and dropping my briefcase, dry cleaning and the box on the kitchen table.

I poured myself a glass of wine, took a long sip and let out a deep breath, walking back to the table. I faced the box squarely and pulled off the wrapper, still half expecting the thing to blow up and kill me instantly. Maybe I watched too much television. Slowly pulling off the lid, I peeked inside and found a box of Rice-a-Roni, a loaf of sourdough bread, a very good amount of Ghirardelli chocolate, and two tickets to the 49ers game on Sunday along with a note. “Welcome neighbor. 5B here, Ryan Bates. I noticed your plates are from Illinois. I thought I’d start you off with a taste of San Francisco. And maybe take you to the game Sunday? Show you how football is really played.” I smiled and pulled off a hunk of bread to go with my wine. What the hell. Locking my apartment, I headed for 5B to meet my neighbor and explain how the Bears play the game right.

A Date with Destiny

~ Susan Jarreau ~ Leave a comment

Daily Prompt – Radical

I stared at my reflection and barely recognized the dull, lifeless eyes looking back. When had my life become so monotonous? When had I stopped living and begun to merely exist? I thought back to the days when he and I were together. Everything had a certain shine to it, colors seemed brighter, noises sounded sharper. After he left everything slowly changed. Now I needed something new. A radical, life-altering, no turning back change. Smiling, I pivoted on my toes and went to the bedroom to pack.

Three hours later I had two suitcases in the backseat of my Mustang. I threw my arms around her neck. “Kimmy, I’m gonna miss you so much.” I fought back the tears. “I still can’t believe I’m doing this. You’re sure you can take care of the movers and selling this old place for me?”

My best friend hugged me even tighter. “Of course I can. I’ve got you covered. Honey I’m so happy you decided to do this. You’ve always wanted to move to San Francisco. Mark only held you back. It’s your turn now. Go and shine.”

I climbed into my car and turned the ignition over, the engine roaring to life. With the top down and the radio blaring I made my way down the road, majestically into the sunset as I waved goodbye to Kim and left my old life behind, driving forward toward my new destiny.

Our Tree

~ Susan Jarreau ~ Leave a comment

Daily Prompt – Stump

I went to the woods, where we used to go when we were young, to escape our tragic teenaged lives. I found the rock we used to sit on, talking about our dreams, about our futures, planning and scheming what our futures would be. Walking further, I looked for the tree where we carved our initials, SRM + SAR. I’m sure if anybody passed they assumed it was for lovers, but we were best friends since middle school. When we were still innocent and impressionable. We clung to one another out of necessity, borne of exclusion into the popular crowd.

Then in our junior year of high school, you became one of the anointed few. A popular boy took a shine to you and your stock soared, taking you to new heights we had previously mocked. Of course you couldn’t take me with you. That’s not the way it works. So I watched as you became the person we always mocked. But this time I didn’t have anyone to taunt with. You were generous enough to walk by me without commenting, a small favor for such trivial times. I resented you but I was thankful that you left me alone. As sad as I was that you had left me behind.

I finally found our tree, what was left of it anyway, chopped down and now just a stump. It was in the clearing, marked with the stones we left in the ground. Unmistakable to anyone but you or me. I brushed away the moss from the base of the tree and thought of all the conversations that took place here, all the dreams, all the plans. A sad smile crossed my face and I fought back the tears. “I’ll always love you Sara.” I said as I touched the tree stump. I stood and made my way back to my car. I had a memorial service to attend.

Of Hiking and Zen

~ Susan Jarreau ~ Leave a comment

Daily Prompt – Recharge

My shoes were caked in mud, sweat beads ran in rivulets between my breasts and down my back, and I could hardly catch my breath as I struggled up the rocky path. Beth told me it was an easy hike. Served me right for listening to a Zumba instructor. My best friend was 50 feet ahead of me and chirping away breathlessly about the beauty of nature or some shit like that. I fought the urge to hurl a rock at her head. Just a small rock.

Trying to sigh through my breathlessness, I did find it touching that she was trying to keep my mind off of Kevin. He’d left for a new job in Chicago and had promised we would try and make our relationship work. He had only called once, the day he arrived in the new city, and promised he would call again as soon as he was settled in at work and moved into his new apartment. That had been a week ago.

“The great thing about hiking is you’re not only releasing those endorphins but you’re taking in the energy of the Earth.” Beth turned around on the path and spread her head and arms out to the sky. I am ashamed to say that I could no longer take her positive outlook so I hurled a smallish pinecone at her head. (It did far less damage than the rock, plus my aim was off and it only struck her on the shoulder.)

“What was that?” She shrieked at me. “I’m trying to help you. You need to be in a Zen place right now. You need to find a place of peace.” Her hands went to her hips and she pouted out her lips, clearly not in a Zen place herself.

“I need cell reception!” I screamed at her, waving my useless phone in the air. I had been secretly pressing buttons since the beginning of our little morning excursion and the battery was now down to single digits. “How am I supposed to answer his call if I’m in a freaking forest?” Beth could sense my frustration level was on overload and gave up on trying to calm me. “Alright, let’s get you home.” Her shoulders drooped in failure.

As soon as we were home I ran up the stairs and plugged my cell phone in to recharge the battery. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I stared at the screen waiting for the phone to come to life. I was certain he had called while we were gone. It was Saturday. He had just been busy during the week – too busy to call me. I was certain of that. Now that it was the weekend he had time to call and reassure me. If my phone would just cooperate.

Finally, there was enough juice to turn it back on. I watched as the logo played across the screen, my legs dancing up and down in anticipation. The home screen lit up. No missed calls. My breath caught in my throat. I pushed some buttons, scrolling through screens. No missed calls, no missed texts. Nothing. Damn. I swallowed back my tears and called downstairs. “Beth, I’m sorry I pegged you in the shoulder with a pinecone.”

Sin on a Bun

~ Susan Jarreau ~ 1 Comment

Daily Prompt – Sandwich

I walked in the back door and dropped my shopping bags on the floor. Kim and I had spent most of the day at the mall and I was exhausted and starving. “Jack, I’m home.” Silence. He hadn’t said anything about going out. I walked into the kitchen and saw it, sitting on the middle of the kitchen island. The sandwich. Circling the island slowly, eyes locked on the heavenly looking snack, I took a deep inhale and closed my eyes, savoring the aroma.

He had shaved the leftover smoked Virginia ham from our dinner the night before and added thinly sliced sweet Vidalia onions, pan-seared long enough to soften and caramelize them to heighten their sweet flavor, then tangy bread and butter pickles, freshly preserved by my mother over the summer just like Granny used to make when I was a child, a hint of Dijon mustard with a slight bite, all on a freshly baked Kaiser roll from my favorite neighborhood bakery.

The sandwich looked absolutely sinful. My stomach growled, a painful reminder that I had skipped breakfast. It was obvious he had put a lot of effort into this masterpiece. “Jackson. You home?” My words echoed through the silent house. Bending down to eye level I stared at the sandwich and weighed my options.

He walked into the kitchen carrying a six-pack and caught me with the last bite in my hand, crumbs on my lips, an orgasmic look on my face and a guilty expression. I could hear the disappointment in his voice. “I forgot the beer.”

The Woman in the Mirror

~ Susan Jarreau ~ Leave a comment

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.

Matchmaker

~ Susan Jarreau ~ Leave a comment

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.”

Dark Skies

~ Susan Jarreau ~ Leave a comment

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.”

Abbey

~ Susan Jarreau ~ Leave a comment

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.

Final Goodbye

~ Susan Jarreau ~ 3 Comments

Daily Prompt – Sidewalk

The city of lights. Paris in spring was our favorite time. Strolling arm in arm along the Seine. Sipping cappuccino at a sidewalk café. Spending hours perusing the finest art in the world. And the romantic nights when the city came to life with light and love. Paris without you is just a maze of streets. It’s lost the romantic mood of days past. The Eiffel Tower is just a hunk of metal. The Arc de Triomphe is just a piece of concrete. Even Mona Lisa’s smile mocks me.  I sip the last of my Sancerre from the stemmed glass and take a final look around our favorite restaurant. A single tear escapes and slides down my cheek, but I don’t bother wiping it away. I step out onto the sidewalk and pull my scarf tighter around my neck, bracing myself against the chilly winter air. It seems fitting leaving you behind now, when everything is dead, before spring arrives with the promise of a new day.

Memories

~ Susan Jarreau ~ 2 Comments

Daily Prompt – Melody

I walked into the shadowy room, furniture covered with sheets, a musty smell in the air. Looking around I saw the photographs on the wall, the ones I had memorized as a child. I saw them every Sunday when we came to visit Granny and Pops for supper. After, the kids would play on the porch while the women cleaned in the kitchen and the men retired with their bourbon. Later there would be music and dancing. My sisters and cousins and I would sit in the corner watching, mesmerized by the scene played out before us. Standing in the empty room now I closed my eyes. A familiar melody played in my head and I was back in the corner watching, mesmerized. A smile crossed my lips and I hummed and swayed to the silent tune. Slowly opening my eyes, I returned to the empty room. I pulled a box across the room and began to fill it with the pictures from the walls. Sighing, I looked out to the sign in the front yard. “For Sale”

The Hammock

~ Susan Jarreau ~ Leave a comment

Daily Prompt – Shiver

I lay in the hammock in the backyard, strung between the two old oak trees, barren of leaves in the crisp November air. The afghan that my grandmother knitted is wrapped around me but still I shiver at the thought of you and me and the first night we put the hammock up. We laid together, arms and legs intertwined so I didn’t know where you ended and I began. My head rested on your chest and I could hear your heart beat, mine soon began to beat in time with yours. For a moment the world was silent, there was only the sound of our two hearts beating. You whispered “I love you” and as I looked up I saw a shooting star. If only I had made a wish you might still be here with me, in the hammock between the two old oak trees.

The Fall

~ Susan Jarreau ~ 1 Comment

Daily Prompt – Fierce

I loved you with a passion so fierce, so raw, so intense. Our hearts beat in tune, our souls intertwined, we became one. We soared to new heights and rode on the wings of angels. Which made the fall all the more painful and devastating.

Old Habits

~ Susan Jarreau ~ Leave a comment

Daily Prompt – Vice

You were like a forbidden cigarette, stolen puffs in the girls bathroom at Stratford High between English and Biology. An easy habit to start when you’re sixteen years old. I told myself it would be easy to quit. Just like I told myself it would be easy to quit you. But it wasn’t.

Time after time, lie after lie, I kept going back for more. It will be different this time. There was always the hope, that was my salvation. The thought that you would change. And every time, every new beginning, everything was good. Then the lies would start. And my world would begin to unravel.

The cigarettes were easy to quit. But you weren’t. You’re my only vice.

What Is Love

~ Susan Jarreau ~ Leave a comment

Daily Prompt – Expert

I’m no expert, but I still believe in love. The butterfly-in-your-stomach, stay awake all night talking, goofy smile on your face kinda love that makes you feel like you’re sixteen again and the boy in your algebra class maybe smiled at you when you passed your tests forward. The kinda love where you sit in the movie waiting for him to hold your hand and finally pretend to grab something out of your purse just so your hand brushes his. The kinda love where you confide to your best friend that this one might be THE ONE and start looking at wedding dresses in magazines.

I’m no expert but I still believe in love. The bottom line, spreadsheet can we afford to live together kinda love. The rational, practical are we compatible kinda love. The sensible kinda love that asks do we have common goals. The reasonable kinda love that anticipates what the future might hold and prepares for any circumstance.

I’m no expert but I believe for love to be successful and lasting you need all of the above. The practical and the whimsical. The rational and the breathtaking. The sensible and the thrilling. Packaged together, this love is surely the most durable kinda love.

Sweet Cheat

~ Susan Jarreau ~ Leave a comment

Daily Prompt – Cheat

The children’s voices called out in the hot summer air. “Marco”, then a chorus of “Polo” from scattered places across the pool. The water provided little relief from the steamy heat of the south Texas heat wave, but the kids seemed oblivious as they continued game after game in the water to pass the day.

“Marco”, the tow-headed boy called yet again. It had been his turn for hours it seemed and he was getting frustrated. He heard the cacophony of voices again, as if taunting him. “Polo”.  Eyes closed he moved in one direction then another. He decided he’d had enough. “Marco”. He waited patiently. “Polo”. The sound came from directly in front of him. He opened one eye, just slightly and saw Madison looking right at him.

In a hushed voice she whispered, “No fair. You cheat.” She kissed him squarely on the lips and swam away, leaving him with a lopsided grin and a renewed spirit. “Marco”!