Happy Independence Day! I hope you celebrate the 4th of July in a special way. Welcome to Tuesday Tales, 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 black. Events occur at the August Crow Hotel, Peri’s former childhood home, in Glisten, Georgia. When you finish reading my snippet, make sure to visit all the talented authors of Tuesday Tales.
“Yes, for years I thought maybe we made it up or I had dreamed it, but with the experiences I’ve had since then, well, we weren’t dreaming, Robin. That first time– you had come over for a sleepover, remember?”
“It’s a little fuzzy.” Her brows squinched together. “But, yes, I remember. We were playing outside around the gazebo. We played until dark, as usual, and then came in for supper.” She turned, her eyes lighting up. “Your mom let us make stovetop s’mores for dessert.”
Like a flash, I could taste those s’mores. “Oh, yeah! We made a mess, but they were so good.”
“Your mom and dad had plans or were expecting guests or something and sent us to bed early.”
“After baths and vigorous teeth brushing, as I recall.”
She nodded, looking up, remembering. “We were in the twin beds in your room, bound and determined to stay awake as long as we could. We were laughing so hard that your mom came upstairs and got on to us. Then your dad came up, scowling as black as thunder. Your mom called us a funny nickname—bed rebels or something.”
A smile tugged my lips apart. “She called us her giggling bedtime bandits. We did finally end up falling asleep, but then—some time later–you woke me up.”
Her eyes got big. “Of course, I woke you up! Someone was singing! At first I thought it was the tv, but I looked at the clock, and it was three o’clock. Then I thought it was your mom, but why would she be singing at three in the morning? When I listened hard, it didn’t sound like her, and anyway it was coming from the opposite direction of your parent’s room. So I woke you up.”
“We tiptoed down the hall with our hands over our mouths to keep from making a noise.”
She nodded agreeably. “We were as quiet as two mice. The door was cracked open. You peeked in. I tried to pull you back.”
“The moon was coming in the window. Huge and yellow.”
“You slid through the crack, me right behind you.”
“And a lady was standing there. She stopped singing and smiled at us. She was nice. The floaty lady, we called her afterward.”
“We called her that because we could see right through her!”
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed the snippet inspired by black. 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
I LOVE this!! How charming and chilling at the same time. Love that the kids saw the apparition and weren’t scared or anything. Just took it in stride. Great snippet. Love bedtime bandits…so perfect!
Thanks, Jean. Ahh, those olden days of kids giggling at bedtime. I miss hearing it.
Excellent scene. Love the slow setup–and the giggling bedtime bandits. Interesting how the kids are curious but unafraid. That floaty lady would’ve terrified me.
Finding something so unexpected can be quite the memory! Peri seems to remember it fondly, Robin not so much lol.
I want to read more about the floaty lady.
We may learn more about her. Thanks, Loretta!
Great snippet!
Thank you!
ahh sweet. I love the memories and I love the floaty lady! Jillian
Thanks, Jillian! She’s an interesting lady.
I LOVE this!! The whole snippet, but especially ‘the floaty lady’. A perfect childhood recall of a special moment. Love that they could hear her singing and then could see her too.
Ahh, I’m glad you like the floaty lady. Thanks, Trisha.