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 key word is gray. My snippet is from a vintage paranormal romance set in the 1950s. Please visit the other fabulous authors at Tuesday Tales.
With a deep belly sigh, the old woman squeezed Laura’s hand before releasing it. “That’s all. Spirit done for now.”
“B-but—“
“Your man’s alive. Be thankful for that.”
“I am, of course.” She flexed her fingers to alleviate the tingling sensation left over from the spirit contact or whatever it was flowing through the seer.
“Shake it.”
Laura jumped at the abrupt command. “What?”
“Like this.” Miss Sarah’s hand flapped wildly in the air. “Gets the spookies off.”
Laura half-heartedly followed suit. She bit her bottom lip. “So, there was no other information about Jeffrey? How badly he’s hurt? When he’s coming home?”
A gray tabby leapt onto the table, staring with alert pale eyes. “Scat!” Miss Sarah brushed it off. “Not directly.”
“What do you mean?”
“That all spirit showed me, but I get the feeling you will learn something more in the next few days. Try to keep peaceable about it. Spirit has a hand in the goings on and will let you know if you need to come back out here for another go round. Meantime, you’ll see something on your own. Pay attention.”
Clueless at that pronouncement, Laura pushed back her chair and rose. She didn’t have a smidgen of what her granny called the sight. “Thank you.”
The old woman nodded, heaving herself up with a mighty groan. “These old bones ain’t what they used to be.”
When Laura reached the front porch, the pungent scent of pond lilies permeated the air. Old Ben reappeared to escort her back to the car. “Careful on the road out. Deer are prancing about this time of night. Swamp’s not safe for the living or dead.”
For the living or dead. On the winding road words flashed in her mind, like a pulsing neon sign. Not dead. Not dead. Not dead. She gripped the wheel to keep from veering off into the bog. A leaden ball still lay in her stomach. Was she losing her hold on reality? She didn’t feel the elation she expected. “Oh Jeffrey, are you really alive?”
I hope you enjoyed my take on gray. Thanks for stopping by. Please visit the other fabulous authors at Tuesday Tales.
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic in Romance
As always, very visual, Flossie. I was able to see everything unfold smoothly. Love that photo, too. Reminds me of the gray cat I had. He was always jumping in the middle of everything too 🙂
Reminds me of a gray cat I once had as well, little mischief.
I love this story. It made me giggle and then near the end made my skin crawl. Nice creepiness.
Bravo! Great job. Totally sucked in to this one!
I;m with all the above comments, including the gray tabby! Awesome!
Thanks, Carmen!
He’s got to be alive!! Such suspense. I love it.
I hope so too. Thanks, Jean.
Well done, Flossie!
Thank you, Vicki!