Category Archive:Velvet Verbosity

It’s only a job. Only a job.

She repeated the mantra – day after day – hour after hour – report after tedious report.

Five years helping people. Janelle had come to realize the one person she wasn’t helping was herself.

Time for a change. She stopped by her boss’ office and gave her ultimatum.

I’m taking a week off. I don’t care about deadlines. Starting now.

“Whatever you need”, he said. “But the job won’t wait. Come in tomorrow or don’t come in at all.”

It’s only a job. I’ll find another. When I start looking again. In about a week.
———————————————-
VV’s “not so highbrow writing prompt this week is WHATEVER. It tickled her and it tickles me . . . but I chose not to go with the teen use of the word. The above is my take on the prompt. Thanks for reading.

Reading favorite books were special times with my daughters, then grandchildren, when they were young, leading to cuddles and snarky comments, and laughter – always laughter.

Sometimes there were tears; reading Where the Red Fern Grows almost did me in. It’s hard to read over a lumpy throat.

Day after day, year after year, each successive grandchild would sit at our breakfast table; Grandpa cooked pancakes while Gramma read. All ears at full attention as both soul and tummy were filled.

Despite modern electronics they all still love the printed page. I’d like to think our special times contributed to that.
———————————————————————————————-
Velvet Verbosity’s challenge is LISTENING. This is what I think about that.

At the end of the day
Contrails crossing the velvet sky
I settle into my chair
And listen to your snores
You

At the end of the day
Sun sinking into Cook Inlet
I reach out to caress
Your hair your beard
Me

At the end of the day
Ocean waving goodnight
I trust myself to you
After all these years
Us

At the end of the day
We say goodnight
And bless each we leave
Behind to grow
Future

At the end of the day
What is left to say
We lived, we loved
We leave it all
Behind
——————————————————————————-
Velvet Verbosity challenges us with the Remains of the Day. Although my doctors told me today that I am “young” (as compared to the older folks in their waiting room) I am entering the last third of my life. And, so, my thoughts often turn inward and these words reflect that.
🙂

Charts and optimal dates and preferential temperatures. One line or two. As if she could summon whatever it is that makes up the human soul as easily as she could a cab on a busy New York avenue.

She and Mike had been together 6 years. They’d spent three glorious years of young love and infatuation with all things “couple”.

It was the coupling that was mechanical now. The past three years had seen highs and lows and way too much cotton padding.

Tessa wiped, opened the door, and walked into Mike’s arms, hungry for a touch that wasn’t scheduled or intended.

Looking up, she gave away nothing, instead she simply tilted her chin.

When his mouth found hers, she melted against her husband. Furiously working to release the buttons, Tessa slipped the shirt from his shoulders and pushed him onto the bed.

Mike moaned with false hope. Smiling she sank down into the betrayal with a passion she hadn’t felt for him in years.

The letting go was easier than she anticipated; as easy as flushing the blood and dreams away had been.

“Honey?” she whispered, “I’m leaving you.”

————————————————————————
Edited to add: the italicized portion is Kirsten’s addition/conclusion to the story. Both Hubbymoose and I gave it the PurpleMoose seal of approval with a clap of the hands and loud guffaws. Serves Mike right, we think.
🙂 Thanks, Kirsten – much fun writing with you. And many thanks to Velvet Verbosity for co-hosting the prompt contest.
————————————————————————
The first 38 words of this piece were written by (now) Trifecta editor Joules who won that week’s challenge. Present day – an anniversary challenge from Trifecta’s editors is to pair up two trifectans to continue the story. I have completed the first part and now turn it over to Kirsten of Kir’s Corner. She is madly typing even as I post this. Watch for the next part soon..

Whee!

The news was greeted with sighs and wistful smiles. Hopes pinned on one candidate vanished with the flick of a wrist. Small town politics at its best, the race had been hard fought, harder won. Someone sobbed in his beer. The other hoisted an aged whiskey in salute.

“Good thing this only happens once every four years.”

“You’re right, Harold. If this campaign had lasted one more day you would have had a divorce decree acting as coaster to that glass.”

“Awww, Margie. C’mere and give me a kiss. My people are waiting. You and me, girl. You and me.”

——————————————————————————————–
Velvet Verbosity tells about an upcoming nerdery-competition held jointly with writers from the 100 Word Challenge and the Trifecta Writing Challenge, but does not forget to give us a 100 word challenge . . . VANISHED.