Tuesday Tales 2023-5-30 Cup

May flew by! It’s time for Tuesday Tales, May 30, 2023, where we use word and picture prompts in the stories we’re writing. I am working on a cozy mystery. This week’s word prompt is cup. Events occur prior to Peri’s relocation to her former childhood home in Glisten, Georgia. When you finish reading my snippet, make sure to visit all the talented authors of Tuesday Tales.

I ushered people toward the Egyptian-style structure and was about to point out an example of the pinecone motif disguised as an acorn. My phone burst out with Rockin’ Robin. “Gotta take this,” I called out. “Look around all you want, but don’t wander far. Holler at me if you see a Pharaoh or a mummy!”

The group laughed amiably, and most crowded close to the small, ornate building. Two or three stragglers stayed by the shrubbery near the entrance. They included Tom Burl, who seemed to be keeping a wary eye on me. I suppressed a chuckle, as I realized that his gaze also darted in the direction of the big grandfather oak.

I answered the phone with enthusiasm. “Robin! What’s new?”

“Ha!” she scoffed. “You’re funny. I know I said it before, but you are one lucky girl, Peridot Augusta Nash. Imagine having a godfather, that you rarely see, buy your childhood home—a hotel and tearoom no less– and ask for your help in bringing it up to par.”

“I know. I truly am flabbergasted. I can’t even believe Jack returned to Glisten after all these years. After his and Dovie’s world tour honeymoon, I figured they’d settle on some exotic island. I never dreamed he’d buy the August Crow Hotel and include me in his plans. When you and I stopped in Tea Thyme last year, it looked okay to me, maybe a little lackluster. Jack didn’t give me many details. He’s saving that for in person. But he did say he’s made good progress with the hotel in the weeks he’s been there, but there’s still a lot of work to be done.”

“He’s right. The Stricklands did their best and concentrated on the tearoom because it was their bread and butter, but the rest of the building needed an influx of moolah they never had. The most they ever did was implement “a cup of the week.” Plus, the August Crow’s haunted reputation has revved up over the years. That could be good or bad, depending on the spin put on it, and the Stricklands never made the most of it. Marcella told us about some of the spooky things that went on, remember? They freaked her out. They would me, too. Of course, such episodes are right down your alley, Peri!”

I snorted. “That would be too much to hope for. It’s probably just kids trying to scare each other.”

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed the snippet inspired by cup. If you haven’t done so already, check out the other excerpts at Tuesday Tales.

Cheers & Happy Reading!

Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Spirited Stories

All rights reserved, copyright @ 2023 Flossie Benton Rogers