PJ and Vicki Collaborate...THE END...

This week I'm collaborating with my good friend PJ @ Seens 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)

Had I actually done this again? How could I be so reckless, so self centered? This has to end...


I'd worked hard at hiding my addiction. Yet here I was, back at the same downtown location, the same woman with bleached blond hair, the same wrenching pain in my stomach, the denial ripping through my mind.


I reached into my pocket and pulled out the wad of cash I'd kept hidden from John. He can't know...


Her words echoed through my head 
as I walked out the door...
 
"Are you sure that's the one you want?"
 
I felt a little lump in my throat as I peered down at my choice, held tightly in my hand. I didn't think this would be so nerve-wracking. Was I making the wrong decision? I couldn't agonize over this any longer.

I took a deep breath before managing to say, "... Yes, it is."



Need to find another secret place to hide my newest
designer handbag...




Chapter 2 (PJ)

The feel and scent of my new handbag made my heart soar…but I couldn’t take it home with me. John would be there. Hmmmm… What to do?

A quick stop at Pam’s was my time-tested solution. My car knew its way there automatically.

I skidded into the driveway, grabbed my newest acquisition, flew up Pam’s front step and barged inside, yelling, “Can I store this with the others and borrow one of your black dresses for dinner with John’s boss? I was supposed to buy one.”

Pam appeared, holding two black dresses. I selected one of them all too quickly.

"Are you sure that's the one you want?"

I felt a little lump in my throat as I peered down at my choice, held tightly in my hand. I didn't think this would be so nerve-wracking. Was I making the wrong decision? I couldn't agonize over this any longer.

I took a deep breath before managing to say, "... Yes, it is."

Chapter Three (Vicki)

The traffic was repulsive, but I managed to get home and half dressed before John walked in the bedroom.

"Ummm, the little black dress. Are you sure that's the one you want?"

I felt a little lump in my throat as I peered down at my choice, held tightly in my hand. I didn't think this would be so nerve-wracking. Was I making the wrong decision? I couldn't agonize over this any longer.

I took a deep breath before managing to say, "... Yes, it is."

I wasn't about to let this turn into another insane argument.
 
He was so stinking critical of anything I did. Yet his boss's wife topped him in that kingdom, peering sideways through her cat green eyes at me all night.

Course the boss had his own way of looking at me...leering replacing the peering.

But I can survive another night, knowing the plans Pam and I made are my best kept secret.

Just keep focused...

Chapter 4 (PJ)

The ride home was blissfully silent. I didn’t need to hear a play by play of what I’d done wrong. I knew John well enough to understand he wasn’t pleased.

We went to sleep like fighters going to their separate corners. Thank goodness for king-sized beds and the escape night offers!

… I fell asleep and dreamed.

I dreamed I was in a Hollywood movie,

And that I was the star of the movie.

This really blew my mind: the fact that me,

an overfed, long-haired leaping gnome

should be the star of a Hollywood movie.

And they asked me, "Are you sure that's the one you want?"

I felt a little lump in my throat as I peered down at 

my choice, held tightly in my hand. I didn't think this 

would be so nerve-wracking. Was I making the 

wrong decision? I couldn't agonize over this any 

longer.

I took a deep breath before managing to say, "... Yes, it is."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Special thanks to Eric Burdon and War....."Spill The Wine" :)





 Chapter Five (Vicki)


I came awake with a choking gasp, thoughts of a long haired gnome rummaging through my stash of handbags, Pam tied upside down in the closet.


Need to stay away from the wine...


John had made his escape, to my relief.

After showering, stuffing necessities into my overnight bag and making sure Pam was upright and breathing, I headed out the door.

I looked again at the flight ticket in my hand and remembered the words that day...

Are you sure that's the one you want?"

I felt a little lump in my throat as I peered down at my choice, held tightly in my hand. I didn't think this would be so nerve-wracking. Was I making the wrong decision? I couldn't agonize over this any longer.

I took a deep breath before managing to say, "... Yes, it is."

As I drove toward the airport, memories of walking in Memphis with the son of a preacher man made me melt again...

Chapter 6 (PJ)

The plane’s engines roared to life and the earth disappeared beneath a wad of cumulus cotton.

My Ipod ear buds kept the creep oozing into my seat at bay.

“Leavin’ on a jet plane. Don’t know when I’ll be back again…”

I flashed back to when I first met Dwayne …the tiny church in Memphis…Dwayne’s daddy preaching…coffee hour...Being nervous and hesitating in front of the coffee cake for half a beat too long before choosing a piece without nuts.

“Are you sure that's the one you want?"

I felt a little lump in my throat as I peered down at my choice, held tightly in my hand. I didn't think this would be so nerve-wracking. Was I making the wrong decision? I couldn't agonize over this any longer.

I took a deep breath before managing to say, "... Yes, it is."

With big brown, smiling eyes he’d said, “My name’s Dwayne. Welcome!”

“I’m Mary,” I’d replied, suddenly feeling quite giddy. “Thank you.”

The End.