Tuesday Tales — step inside! Here is where you’ll find entertaining excerpts produced during smiles, tears, and hours of keyboard dancing. These are unedited snippets by a group of hard-working writers, based on word and picture prompts. You can see our works in progress unfold week by week. This week’s word prompt is brown. Make sure to visit the other talented authors of Tuesday Tales.
As Hawtrey’s face mottled from coughing, Doctor Radcliffe hurried up front, a frown furrowing his brow. He settled the aging attorney into a chair before instructing the secretary. “Water if you please, Irma.”
Droplets splashed from the blue plastic cup in Hawtrey’s trembling hands. Finally he managed to take a few sips. Pulling out a tiny enamel pillbox, he retrieved a tablet and swallowed it with more water. I was relieved when the florid color receded and his breathing returned to normal.
Doctor Radcliffe felt his pulse. “Better now. But can’t the reading be postponed until tomorrow, Clive?”
The elderly but feisty lawyer shook his head, returning the cup to Irma and shooing the doctor away.
Behind me, the nephew snarled, “The sooner this so-called will is out in the open, the sooner it can be contested for the forgery it is.”
At the nephew’s belligerence, I feared lawyer Hawtrey’s fit would return, but he had himself in hand. “To all, I beg indulgence for my lapse.” He glanced at Opal. “Particularly to Mrs. Montrose.” Now his gaze encompassed the room. “Squire was my oldest friend. He wanted this proceeding to be done up brown, and that’s how it will be.” His voice sharpened. “Upshaw, I take umbrage at your comments, but with your history they are not unexpected. Hold your peace or leave! Irma, call the sheriff if he interrupts again.”
The widow emitted a low moan and slumped in her seat, her head lolling toward me. I picked up her cup to offer water, but it was empty. “Opal,” I whispered as quietly as I could, hoping not to try Hawtrey’s patience further. “Do you want another drink?” Her head rocked left to right in slow motion. Her pale eyes were glassy and out of it. She slumped down further, in danger of sliding to the floor.
I grabbed her, my heart thudding. “Doctor Radcliffe!”
I hope you enjoyed the snippet based on the word prompt brown. Thanks for stopping by. Read the other amazing excerpts at Tuesday Tales.
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Spirited Stories
All rights reserved, copyright @ 2020 Flossie Benton Rogers
Oh-oh! Did someone poison the widow? An empty cup… Can’t wait to find out.
Poison? Oh mercy me! We’ll see!
This is quite the reading of a will! So many undercurrents, and so much going on!
Thanks for noticing the undercurrents, Mae!
ooh, I love all the drama. Will readings are always fraught, Well done. I love this story. Jillian
I’m going to see how fraught I can make this will reading, Jillian!
Oh wow! This story is full of suspense! I can’t wait for more
I’m glad you find it full of suspense, Cathy!
OMG! Did someone poison Opal? Wow, what a way to leave us hanging. I’m dying to know what’s in that will! And now I have to wait a whole week to find out about Opal. You’re a master of suspense. Great job!
Oh no!! What happened to Opal? With so many murders, was she the next one? So much suspense. Great job!
Oh my! Now you’ve gone and done it and left us all hanging. You’re rotten!
Great snippet. I’m enjoying the tension and troubles during this reading of the will.
Hahaha. I’m glad you’re enjoying the will scene, Trisha.