Tuesday Tales 2023-8-15 Lamp

Welcome to Tuesday Tales, where writers use word and picture prompts in our stories. My current work in progress is a cozy mystery. This week’s word prompt is lamp. 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.

We joined Dovie at a table in the tearoom. I inquired, “Did you reach the nurse?”

“She’ll call back.” Dovie selected a snickerdoodle.

The three of us sat in silence for a few moments, enjoying the spicy cookies and our hot drinks. Obviously, we were all in need of a restorative break. Out the large square windows facing the parking lot and woods beyond, fall masqueraded as a shy, retiring lady mincing her way across a shadowy, cloud-dimmed afternoon. It wouldn’t be long before she attained a more colorful vitality and jazzed up her appearance with touches of gold and scarlet. I had always looked forward to October in Glisten.

Dovie reached up and turned on a standing lamp made of hobnail milk glass. The light heightened her drawn features. “About Naomi Upshaw–I don’t know her well. I’ve only been in Glisten for a couple of months, as you know.”

Robin spoke up. “She’s a force of nature—founding member of the Heritage Club and active in numerous community activities.”

Dovie brushed crumbs from her chest. “I’m sure she insisted on coming with the committee to stay on top of anything that may affect the festival. Have you ever interviewed her for the Trumpet?”

“No, Bill tends to send Ollie for such features. He pampers her as if she’s Queen Victoria.”

“Dealing with the committee is one of the things needing to be handled while Jack is sick.”

Holding hands with the town matriarch hadn’t been in my lesson plan, but my godfather’s new wife was looking frazzled, and I wanted to set her mind at ease. “I’ll keep Mrs. Upshaw in the loop. It’s no bother. I’m sure Robin will help smooth the way as well.”

My friend gave me a look but nodded agreeably.

We had managed to finish our drinks and several cookies by the time a beige sedan eased into view and stopped beside the handicap ramp. It was followed by a smaller sedan and then a sports car that sped by both of them and swung into an actual parking space on the opposite side of the driveway.

“Geez Louise!” Robin exclaimed, lurching from her seat. “That silver blue Jaguar belongs to Bon Bon Jarvis. Don’t tell me she’s part of the committee!”

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed the snippet inspired by lamp. 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

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