LOVEABLE QUIRKY PEEPS

6/13/10

SATURDAY CENTUS # 6 FINISHED..

This week I'm collaborating with my good friend PJ 

 Scenes From The Backs Of My Eyelids  

to create what we like to think of as a rolling work, done 

in multiple chapters. The prompt in each chapter is blue:




CHAPTER ONE (Vicki)

It’s true, the smell of freshly mowed grass can stay with you for years, for decades, allowing the goosebumps to again surface...

Summer breezes blow so cool down by the pond and that's where I was going. Bare feet, my favorite cotton dress, a glass of sweet lemonade Mama made that morning.

And thoughts of him...

This was my quiet place hidden across the meadow. I could peel the confinement of society away, slowly sink my bare skin into the cool, calming water and dream myself far away.

That's where I was when I heard the voice. So soothing, so confident, so enticing.

Maybe I was lost in deep thoughts, only wishing to hear it....


CHAPTER TWO (PJ)

“Becky, I knew you hadn’t forgotten me, girl!” His familiar Camel smoking, JD drinking rasp made my heart quicken, like always.

I didn’t dare move. Well, my eyes darted as far as they could in the direction from which his voice had come without moving my head.

I waited for something more; anything more. It was only after my lungs had an audible intake of air, I realized I’d been holding my breath.

The sun inched slowly west across the summer sky. I raked my hand through my hair and silently chided myself for getting carried away like I had.

It’s true, the smell of freshly mowed grass can stay with you for years, for decades….


CHAPTER THREE (Vicki)

So many ends to tie up. The sale, the packing, items to be donated. Time was running short. The sun's slipping into it's bed and I need to finish this back yard.

How is it life can stomp on your heart without even the slightest warning? I'd been so sure of myself. So comfortable soaking in the sweetness of what, to me, was the ideal life.

And yet so vulnerable.

Oh, the choices I've made, the loves I've known....and let slip away.
 

It’s true, the smell of freshly mowed grass can stay with you for years, for decades.
 
Many years have slowly blanketed that day. Yet my mind is haunted with memories of such splendor...




CHAPTER FOUR (PJ)

“Becky! Where are you?” Mama’s yell jolted me back to reality. It didn’t matter that I was fully grown. I was her youngest; a blessing and a curse.

“Mama, I’m out here trying to finish up the backyard before dark!” I hollered back.

Mama stepped out on the back stoop. “That’s dilly-dallying if I ever saw it! You’d best get a move on! And don’t go putting that mower into the shed before you hose it down! I know how you are when you’re hurried, doing things all willy-nilly. “


I watched as she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. 

It’s true, the smell of freshly mowed grass can stay 
with you for years, for decades.”




CHAPTER FIVE (Vicki)



As she rested her eyes, time froze. The sweet scent pulled her back; a young gal full of fancy and frills, full of dreams. Back to the pond so magical and intense.  Her Becky went there often.


She knew how soothing that water could be, and how dangerous to the soul, leaving memories that never fade...

It’s true, the smell of freshly mowed grass can stay with you for years, for decades,

But it can never wipe away reality. 


Becky's voice shattered the fantasy.

"Mama, are you alright? We need to get going, it's getting dark."

As my thoughts are pulled from the backs of my eyelids, I see my Becky, and I know it's time...


CHAPTER SIX (PJ)

“My goodness! I’m more tired than I thought! Let’s go inside. You’d best get yourself a shower and a good night’s sleep. Tomorrow will be here before you know it and you’ll have a long day on the road.” I couldn’t believe my baby was going to move hundreds of miles away.




Becky sighed. “I’m bone tired, Mama, but we put in a good day. I couldn’t have done it without you,” she said, kissing my cheek.




I rose to return to the kitchen, but went out the door to the back stoop again. I saw children playing on swingsets. It’s true, the smell of freshly mowed grass can stay with you for years, for decades.


 






Hope you enjoyed this weeks story.
Come see us again next week...



And Keep Smilin (o:






3 comments:

Cheryl said...

You two did a great job with this. Bravo!

Viki said...

I loved the whole story. So heartwarming and beautiful. Great job.

Jenny said...

A complete novel in...ummm.... yea....600 words. Took me a second to add that up! Wow.