Write a scene showing a man and a woman arguing over the man's friendship with a former girlfriend. Do not mention the girlfriend, the man, the woman, or the argument.
It’s one of those “dog days” of summer. The plants are panting for rain but basking in the sunshine. The meteorologists are backpedaling on their promises for moisture, yet getting off on reporting on the record-breaking heat. It’s the kind of sweat-until-there’s-a-stream-running-between-your-breasts kind of hot.
Even in the heat, there are beings lounging in the humidity. Humans, dogs, squirrels, birds, rabbits even chipmunks. Some coexist peacefully, even genially. Others, not so much.
Watching the natural fireworks that tend to occur when the heat rises over 90 degrees becomes a regular, though not pleasant, pastime. It’s not pretty. It’s not pretty when the pretty leaves you with no place to go.
Words zing through the air like fireflies on steroids, a virtual tennis match of tears, betrayal and love. Past and present collide as fingertips lunge like lightening between bodies. The air, electric in its stagnancy, leaves exclamations and contradictions hanging.
There is an odd compulsion to get closer, to peer at the train wreck that has developed and search for survivors, or rather, casualties.
Words continue to volley until one scores a hit. Tears fall, and there is a stony silence, followed by retreat. The air remains charged, but broken.
by Heather, Blog Exchange Guest Blogger
(You looking for Binky? Yoo hoo! She's over here...)
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Heather is a SAHM to 2 young children. She has plenty of random thoughts and feels compelled to share them with strangers. Her daughter is amazed at the size of her Cool Zebras. Don’t forget to visit your friend Elizabeth there, keeping my place warm today.
This post is part of the September Blog Exchange. This month's exchange is a little different - we're all writing short (fictional) stories based on the 13 Writing Prompts found at McSweeney's. You can find me at Heather's site today, and the full list of participants can be found by clicking here.
Friday, September 01, 2006
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10 comments:
Ooooh, I liked that. Like I said to Bethiclaus, I thought that was one of the more difficult prompts, and I love seeing how others have done it.
Fireworks and heat- very appropriate. Excellent!
You use some great descriptors - very vivid. I'd love to see this one expanded. Awesome piece.
really great job with a tough prompt.
So evocative--I really enjoyed reading this (and I think I might be sweating a little now).
Ooh, Heather. I love your take on this. It's almost like poetry the way you wrote it. Amazing how the same prompt evoked such different writing!
Your creativity really shows through in this exercise. I was way too scared to pick this prompt, so I admire the fact that you went for it. Nice!
Good twist on the prompt. I liked the fireworks and the heat.
I was way too intimidated to try this blog exchange, but you did a superb job! I am in awe of your talent.
Veeeerrrry nice. You handled that prompt - a difficult one - really well.
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