Tuesday Tales is a weekly blog featuring diverse authors who post excerpts from their works in progress based on word and picture prompts. We’re a dedicated group that enjoys reading as much as you do. Today our word prompt is fly. My snippet is from a vintage paranormal romance set in the 1950s. Please visit the other fabulous authors at Tuesday Tales.
Miss Sarah’s words plucked at her gut like the sharp edge of a chisel. Laura squeezed her eyes shut. If only she could blot out the world that way. Forget everything clawing at her. Chimes of little girl voices floated through from the back porch. She opened her eyes, meeting the astute assessment of the woman sitting across from her with a direct look of her own. “Yes, I want to know about Jeffrey. Keep the quarter.”
The coin disappeared into the safety of the bosom. A capable hand scooped the pile of change out of the way and rested on the table, palm up. Fingers fluttered. “Let’s see.”
Laura’s hand trembled as she gave it over to Miss Sarah.
A light squeeze reassured her. “Be peaceable now. Sparks are gonna fly right out of that head of yours if you don’t take a hold.”
She pulled in a deep breath, let it out, and focused on the flame of the kerosene lamp. It had stopped sputtering and now took on a soft waving motion in the darkened kitchen. The purple spot near the tip pulled at her, and she let herself fall into it.
“Speak now. Tell me what you want to know.”
She swallowed. It was hard to find her voice. “I—I want to know how Jeffrey is. My husband. His letter is late.”
A thumb spun lightly over her palm, and the old woman’s pronouncement came out a wispy spiderweb. “Your husband. Jeffrey. Over the water in that Korea.”
“Yes.”
“I’m having trouble finding him. He’s not in his place. He’s—ah—there’s fighting.”
A gasp escaped her parched throat. “Is he–is he…?”
Silence stretched out for what seemed like a lifetime. “Hurt, but not dead.”
Not dead. Not dead. Not dead. “Will he be all right? When will he come home to us?”
Thanks for stopping by. Please visit the other fabulous authors at Tuesday Tales.
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic in Romance
A tense moment for Laura, nicely put. I am interested in all form of divination and reading in the flame is a way I also use in my stories. I do believe in the this prophetic form if the reader is skilled.
Thank you, Carmen. I like the candles too.
I love the descriptive line “chimes of little girl voices.”
Great contrast to the tension in the story and the place you chose to end it!
I’m glad some tension came across. Thanks, Mae.
I hope he’s okay. That must be tough knowing your loved one is overseas without contact, especially in the 50’s. Nice snippet.
Oh, yes, and no cell phones or easy connection with them.
Wonderfully done!
Thank you, Vicki!
Great tease. Glad he isn’t dead.
Me too, Susanne, thanks.
Great snippet but man that was wrong leaving us hanging like that!
Heh heh, Cathy.
As always, you do such a great job with characterization and making us care. Love the snippet and the way you ended the post. Now we have hope but know there’s a rough patch ahead. Jillian
I really appreciate your kind words, Jillian.
Thought I recognized that! Still love it.
Sorry– recognized what, Suzanne?