The Bettermost Drabblefest: Please Join In!

[mariez]

In the Shadows

Jack undressed quietly and paused to peer through the bedroom window, the moonlight casting shadows on the driveway as the trees rustled in the wind.  How many times had he looked down from his bedroom window as a child as that same moon cast shadows on the dirt drive leading to that gravel road stretching south. 

He was a thousand miles south of Lightning Flat now, but as he climbed into bed next to his sleeping wife, he knew he hadn't traveled so very far after all.  Still crazy to be somewhere else.  Still living in the shadows of life. 

He tried to relax, listening to Lureen’s soft breath on the pillow beside him, but the familiar pang of emptiness stabbed his heart.  If anything, it was he who was nothing… he who was nowhere.

A tear silently fell.  In the shadows of his marital bed, he resolved that he would somehow convince Ennis to change his mind.  Like tweezers picking at a thin shard of splinter that had festered and inflamed the surrounding delicate skin, it would hurt at first, but Jack hoped the ensuing relief and healing would be worth the pain of the initial digs and probes. 

When he woke to the early morning sun, the shadows had retreated.  He realized that somewhere in his mind he'd always had the belief that their long separations had been easier on Ennis somehow, but watching him fall to his knees had been a revelation.  Underneath it all, their needs were the same and were not based on their libidos, but their craving to be understood, accepted and, above all, loved for who they were.  He saw with clarity a vision of their future that didn't wither from the gloom of darkness, but thrived from the beacon of their love. 

~~~~~~~~

I hope that was hopeful enough, Gwyllion!  I guess the title should be changed, though - maybe "Out of the Shadows and into the Light."    Thanks - that was fun!

Marie

[gwyllion]

Yay mariez!  That was beee-yoo-teee-ful!  I'm a sucker for a happy ending!  Thanks for making my day!   

[mariez]

Okay, here are some prompts for a rainy Monday:

• over-the-top
• under the radar
• even-steven

[gwyllion]

Jack's Birthday Surprise

Ennis flew under the radar all week before Jack’s birthday by hiding the gigantic cardboard box in the horse trailer.  Since Jack always had money, it was easy for him to splurge on over-the-top gifts for Ennis.  Ennis had to rely on creativity instead.  When Jack was off pooping, Ennis hauled the box to the campsite, got inside, and waited.  When Jack returned, he looked at the box curiously.  Suddenly, Ennis jumped out and shouted, “Happy Birthday Jack!  I love you!”

"Holy shit!” said Jack.  “This is the best birthday present ever!”

“Whew!” said Ennis.  “We’re finally even-steven!”

[mariez]

Jack's Birthday Surprise

Ennis flew under the radar all week before Jack’s birthday by hiding the gigantic cardboard box in the horse trailer.  Since Jack always had money, it was easy for him to splurge on over-the-top gifts for Ennis.  Ennis had to rely on creativity instead.  When Jack was off pooping, Ennis hauled the box to the campsite, got inside, and waited.  When Jack returned, he looked at the box curiously.  Suddenly, Ennis jumped out and shouted, “Happy Birthday Jack!  I love you!”

"Holy shit!” said Jack.  “This is the best birthday present ever!”

“Whew!” said Ennis.  “We’re finally even-steven!”

A nice, happy one!  And very creative, too - just like Ennis's idea! Thanks, Gwyllion

[mariez]

Let's try some idea prompts:

• something having to do with the weather
• something having to do with a fast-food restaurant
• something having to do with a color

[gwyllion]

A Long Road

          “It’s yer turn a drive,”  Jack complained. 

          “This wuz your idea, Dumbass.  I think you should drive the whole way,” said Ennis.

          “The whole way?  It’s more’n two thousand miles!”

          “That’s if yer shitbox truck even makes it.”

          “I’m hungry.  Stoppin’ at McDonald’s, then yer turn a drive.”

          “Ya know, Jack, they got mountains in New Hampshire, jus’ like in Wyoming.”

          “That so?”

          “They call ‘em the White Mountains.”

          “Do ya think it’s warm enough?”

          “I hear it wuz ninety degrees there jus’ yesterday.”

          “That so?”

          “You want me a drive?”

          “Maybe we’ll get there after it passes the House.”



          http://www.wmur.com/politics/19324169/detail.html

[Luvlylittlewing]

Very nice!  This is typical Jack and Ennis.  I can imagine such an exchange between them!  Well done, Babe! 

[gwyllion]

  Littlewing

OK, how about some baseball prompts inspired by my son's game (W 9-7) last night

          * baseball

          * uniform

          *  team

[Monika]

A Long Road

          “It’s yer turn a drive,”  Jack complained. 

          “This wuz your idea, Dumbass.  I think you should drive the whole way,” said Ennis.

          “The whole way?  It’s more’n two thousand miles!”

          “That’s if yer shitbox truck even makes it.”

          “I’m hungry.  Stoppin’ at McDonald’s, then yer turn a drive.”

          “Ya know, Jack, they got mountains in New Hampshire, jus’ like in Wyoming.”

          “That so?”

          “They call ‘em the White Mountains.”

          “Do ya think it’s warm enough?”

          “I hear it wuz ninety degrees there jus’ yesterday.”

          “That so?”

          “You want me a drive?”

          “Maybe we’ll get there after it passes the House.”



          http://www.wmur.com/politics/19324169/detail.html

this is great. Thanks!