Truth is
a cool autumn day can be
the exact temperature
and same weather wise
as a warm spring day.
Continue readingTruth is
a cool autumn day can be
the exact temperature
and same weather wise
as a warm spring day.
Continue readingAnother 5-Saturday month has ended and along with it another 5-part short story here on my blog. This was a fun one to write and if it felt a little sitcom-y there is a good reason. I used my vast expertise and many years of sitcom watching to cultivate it. One sitcom in particular inspired its origins.
Continue readingWhile Gus changed from his work clothes and got ready for bed, Kristina worked quickly to get what she needed for her plan. It wasn’t that elaborate. All she needed was a paper bag and a black marker.
When he finished getting ready, he walked out to the living room to join her. He was looking at his phone’s screen and sat down on the couch next to her. “Sleepy punch?” He questioned teasingly.
“That’s all she needs to know right now.”
He looked at her. “At some point, she’s going to figure out the truth.”
Kristina thought about it and nodded. “I know. I’ll tell her the truth some day. When she’s about 50. Or maybe she can read about it in my journal when I’m dead.”
“You don’t keep a journal,” he said.
“Guess she’ll never hear it from me then,” Kristina replied.
Continue readingImagine
two seeds planted.
One seed’s
watering can
was flattering truth
and its sun
was hard truth.
Continue readingGus made himself as comfortable as he could be on the small bed and stretched his arm above Ginny’s head on the headboard. “Before I tell you about my first kiss with your mom, I have to start at the beginning. And that all starts with your grandma.”
Ginny cocked an eyebrow and looked at her dad. “What?”
“I owe all this,” Gus waved his arm around the room, “to your grandma.”
Kristina snorted and then caught herself. By doing so, she knocked her balance off and she rolled off the ball. She sat back on it. “Sorry, I just find that kind of funny.” She looked at her daughter. “For no apparent reason.”
Gus winked at her. “As I was saying, there wouldn’t be a first kiss and there certainly wouldn’t be a Ginny without your grandma.”
Kristina shook her head and rubbed her forehead.
“You see,” Gus continued, “you can already tell my story is going to be good.” Ginny smiled at him oblivious to her mom’s reactions.
Continue readingSmiles are meant for joy
but some smiles hide pain.
It’s hard to tell by looking
what a smile may contain.
Is it truth or just a ploy?
Continue readingGinny sighed but didn’t complain. The longer the story the longer until she’d have to turn off the lights and try to fall asleep. As long as neither of her parents caught on to the delay, she could be patient until they told her about their first kiss.
Kristina continued the narrative. “I was so embarrassed and sad, I just wanted to get out of there. I needed some time to think about everything that happened. I mean, I did date Carson for a few years so it was a big decision. Life altering at the time.”
“Your mom walked fast when she left,” Gus nodded his head. “She was almost to her car before I caught up with her. As I have learned, she may be tiny but she can move quick.” Kristina barely reached 5’3”. Even though Gus didn’t quite hit 6’, his wife’s petite size made him seem like a comparative giant.
“But you caught up with her, right?” Ginny asked a little concerned.
Kristina smiled at her daughter. “Yes, he did.” She looked up and thought about that night so long ago to refresh her memory. Then continued with the story.
Continue readingGoing through some keepsakes
and memories
I see a picture of a moment
a moment of youth
a moment of joy
a moment of laughter
a moment of fun
caught in a 4×6 cell.
Continue reading“As good as your mom’s story was, I’m sure she left out a few things,” Gus said while laying down on the other side of Ginny. It was a small bed so there wasn’t room for all three so Kristina slid off and sat on an exercise ball.
“Well,” Ginny said, “she hasn’t actually told me about the kiss yet.”
Gus looked at Kristina and cocked his eyebrow.
“I told her about the double date,” Kristina explained.
“Oh, right,” he nodded his head. “Your mom’s first kiss.”
Continue reading