Writing Challenge ~ December 2011 ~ Prompt One

WRITING CHALLENGE ~ DECEMBER 2011 ~ PROMPT ONE​

Something different for Christmas. In the style of Advent, there will be four prompts, each running for one week! I will open one comment thread for the whole of December and don’t forget to leave a comment if you enjoy something you read in any of the prompt threads this month!
So here’s prompt number one…


You can involve the prompt itself in your piece and make your link to the prompt as obvious or as subtle as you like or use it simply as inspiration for something else. You can use part of the prompt, just one aspect of the image, or use it in its entirety.

The word limit for this challenge is 1,500 words and your submission can take whatever form you desire – poetry or prose, complete story or a vignette. Erotic or not, serious or light hearted, it’s whatever you want it to be!!

Post only your submissions in this thread, constructive comments and reviews are to be posted in the appropriately named – Writing Challenge Review Thread

The deadline for this month’s challenge is Thursday 8th December 2011, with December’s second prompt ‘going live’ on Friday 9th!

Previous challenges and reviews can be found here.

Happy writing!

The Place Betwixt & Between.



It had always been her most favorite time, a place of solace, those special moments in the half light of dawn, almost womb-like warm, safe, serene. The young woman's' eyes fluttered open on a new dawn and for a moment she smiled and stretched... suddenly she froze, her expression turned to one of fear, something was off-kilter in her small world!

Elisa sat up abruptly covers pulled up to her chin her wary eyes scanning the empty room in the half light.

It stood out vividly where it rested seemingly in-congruent lying there in the middle of the bare wooden flooring.

A beautiful red Christmas ball, but how, why?

Warily she glanced towards the door hidden in one wall, it was firmly closed. Reassured she carefully left the sanctuary of her small bed, back pressed flat against the white washed wall as she circled the intruder. Elisa was clad in a simple cotton shift which was the only thing she now possessed.

Why? She asked herself once more.

Finally, she stopped and allowed herself to sink down the smooth expanse of wall fingers nails digging in to the cold unfeeling surface until she was half sitting directly opposite the object of her fascination. Down on her belly she inched forward until with one outstretched slender arm she could almost touch it with a single finger…almost.

“Ohhhh.” The smallest whisper…

Small tendrils of a warm memory held her protectively in its comforting embrace for a fleeting instance. Eyes wide, frightened once more she retreated to a corner knees drawn up to her chin arms wrapped around them fingers clasped knuckle white. Elisa was confused, concentrating hard; as she desperately tried to connect somehow.

Tomorrow…

If the ornament were still there she would simply pick it up, march to the door and open it.

Elisa could clearly see herself clad in His favorite red dress her long wavy hair piled atop her head just the way He liked it leaving her slender neck bare for his touch. She was walking carefully along the hallway carrying her precious gift the beautiful red ornament He had left for her that morning. Standing on tip toe she placed it on the Christmas tree resting in the corner of their cozy living room. She could hear the fire crackling merrily in the fireplace and smell the pine of the freshly cut tree… divine, it was even snowing.

The moment he joined her by the tree she was complete and melted back against his broad expanse of chest as His arms gathered her unto Him. His warm breath lingering on the sensitive skin behind her ear as He leaned down to whisper “I adore you my pet, I shall never let you go”, sent small shivers dancing along her spine, she smiled softly her eyes fluttering closed as she drank in the unique sent of Him.


Yes, tomorrow…

Red

How easily I get cast out. Ignored. Forgotten. As if I was never their own. They think I am strong. Always the sparkling, shining, red headed bundle of energy. More like a redheaded stepchild! An unbreakable ornament. That's what they consider me to be. Like a plastic doll...correction...ball...but with the beautiful finish of glass on the outside. Shatterproof? Hardly. I feel pain as well. It's not easy being separated from your family tree. Especially when they are all celebrating outside while I lie here wondering what happened. How did I fall out? Why am I not outside having fun? Are they even aware that I exist? Do you see the pretty doll sitting in front of me? I have a feeling as if she wants to grab me and give me a hug. Empathize and understand what I am going through. Because I'm positive she is experiencing all those things that I am thinking at the moment. I know it. I've known her since she was a young, innocent, carefree little soul. A girl with hopes, dreams and ambitions. Shatterproof? I don't think so.

She was the one who brought me into this home. I was her favorite one. She adores Christmas. And all things pertaining to Yuletide. It is her favorite season of the year. It aches for me to see her sitting here all alone during this wonderful holiday. She should be outside. Who do you think decorated that pretty tree over there? Well, you can't see it at the moment, being in another room and all, but believe me, it's gorgeous! Smothered with festive lights, garlands, and all my friends, brothers and sisters, cousins, uncles, aunts...yes, those would be the ornaments. Keep up, will ya? This is difficult as it is. Ok, so where was I? Oh right, I was about to tell you folks how I came into this house several years ago when a beautiful little princess picked me up from a basket where I might have otherwise rotted for months, and planted me onto her Christmas tree, year after year, until one day I just dropped and rolled over into loneliness. And now here I am on this wooden floor. The only good thing about it is that she is right here with me. Faithful as always. She always held everyone together, taking adult responsibilities ever since that tender age when a girl should not have any worries in her life other than what nail polish she is going to use tomorrow on her toes, whether the pink dress would go with the shoes she bought yesterday, or whether the blue eyed guy she has had a crush on like forever would ever ask her out on a date.

I whisper to her. She can't hear me. Take me away from this place, I say. Let's go celebrate and make our own fond memories somewhere else. She still can't hear me. I wish she could. But in my heart, I know that she is aware of my condition. And her condition. I've already broken free. Not because I wanted to, but because I was forced to. Maybe it's time she did too.

My first attempt at something like this... Enjoy.

It was never Ambers favorite time of year. She put up the tree out of habit and she knew that it was something that he loved his favorite time of year. After getting all of the boxes out she placed them in the same spot where James always set up the tree every year. This year was different harder than ever. She wanted to just forget Christmas all together. To sleep through it would be a blessing but not the answer.*

After a few days of painful deliberation she decided to put up the Christmas tree. Something to remember him anything was a help it had been a few hard months since he passed away. In the nightgown James bought her she stood there in the morning light putting the pieces of the artificial tree in place. The whole time she fought back the tears. Knowing that this was something they both did together every year together. Something she took for granted *just one small thing in a list of many. *Amber shaped the branches thinking to herself is she could have one Christmas wish would be to have him here with her.*

The tree took shape after what seemed to be an eternity. Stepping back checking and double checking for wholes. James always wanted a real tree she remembered but she could not have one due to her allergies. She knew James settled for this tree for her but he loved her. His childhood sweetheart he did so much for her and enjoyed every moment. It was at that moment when the tree looked perfect she bursted out into tears. Weeping as the tears cascaded down her cheeks. Amber took a second stepping back wiping her tear stained eyes. Calming herself *down she took several deep breaths closing her eyes. Thinking of him she said to herself. " I can do this... James would want it this way. " her bare feet padded over the hardwood floors as she strung out the lights. Wrapping them around the tree from top to bottom just like he did. But she always I insisted that he went bottom to top. He never listened and done the tree his way. She never gave it any thought how she was stringing up the lights. Just as he would and she did not like.*

Amber got out the ornaments placing them all over the tree. Like she did every year same spots almost as if each branch was marked. James always made fun of her for using the same old ornaments. Wanting her to go buy new ones but she liked her old ones that was given to her by her mother. But this year she decided to not put up a few of her old ones. A pack of four red balls that James bought last year. He loved then but she thought they made the tree look tacky and they never seen a branch but remained in the box. Placing the hooks on them she placed the four in empty spots on the tree. She sat down on the floor staring at the tree. She broke down starting to cry all of the good memories of James flooding her mind and how she was alone this year for christmas. *

As her eyes full of tears gazed at the tree. She watched one of the red balls fall from the very top where she placed it. She watched it almost like slow motion as it fell down the 6 foot tree. Then seconds before it hit the ground and shattered it stopped and gently was placed on the ground. Amber looked at the ball as she felt familiar arms wrapping around her she closed her eyes and smiled as she leaned against the wall. His voice filled the air cutting through the silence. " My dear Amber, I will always be with you.. I love you." feeling his arms then a kiss on her cheek she smiled. " I miss you James and love you. " she said in a low fragile voice. " Always here... Always watching" the voice said. Then as fast as it happened it was gone. No more arms around her but she felt him all around her. She smiled as she looked at the ball resting on the floor. Slowly she stood up placing it back on the tree as it was before. Secretly hoping for it to fall so she could feel his arms around her once more.*

Crimson, Carmine, Rouge.

Crimson, carmine, rouge. Battered, tattered, bruised. Fallen, but not broken. Defiant, even in this moment. The spirit, both of the holiday and the woman, will not be destroyed, will not be denied, will not be deprived of the joy that she is due. Weakened, withered, frail. Bitter, angry, betrayal. Discarded, but not forgotten. Durable, despite the strain. The spirit, both of the season and the woman, will not be defeated, will not be destructed, will not be defiled by the darkness that surrounds. She will no longer be abused.

Crimson, carmine, rouge. Secrets, wishes, truths. Thought, but never spoken. Craved, every waking moment. The spirit, both of the holiday and the woman, will now by freed, will now be full, will now by fed to bursting with the joy that she is due. Strengthened, steadied, sane. Happy, hearty, and not pained. Found and not forsaken. Nourished now by love's domain. The spirit, both of the season and the woman, will now be cherished, will now be cradled, will now by contented by the light that gathers 'round. She will no longer be abused.

The ornament is lifted by her fragile hands, now nestled in a set both tender and strong. With gentleness they work in concert to place this piece where it belongs. And once it is, the scene is complete; with this new memory consolidated the woman can move on.

(I'm gonna post anyway, but I'm not sure how I feel about this one...critiques are definitely welcome)

This was not my original thought for this piece...but it fits...better. And since this is my first ever attempt at one of these, please let me know what you think.

Christmas Eve Mourning

Monica sat on the floor, dark head bent to rest upon her knee.

In her mind, silence.

It had been a year, today. One long, cold, bitterly lonely year. She didn't want to move. She didn't want to celebrate. She didn't want to think or plan or pretend or eat. She only wanted to sit here~in the dark half light of early morning and cry. That wasn't acceptable. That could not happen. Her child needed her joyful. Her family wanted her sane, safe, focused.

It was Christmas Eve, after all.

Why did it matter? Her joy was buried, six feet deep. Her life mate was gone, far too soon, way before his time. For a country she no longer loved. In a war that she had never wanted him to fight. He died doing something that others should have done. He died, a hero. And that was supposed to make it better? That was supposed to keep her warm at night? Doubtful. Even worse? No one else GOT it.

She was all alone. Cold. Always so very cold. Nothing, no one, to keep her warm. Nothing to bring her joy. No pleasure, no hope, no...nothing. Only an empty bed, an empty heart, an empty life. Alone. Always...

"Mommy, look what I found for you!"

Baby talk. Amanda always lapsed into baby talk whenever she was excited. Only six years old but smart, in the way of children everywhere when it came to easing distress. Smart when it came to keeping her mother focused on something else, anything else. So very smart, so very much like her father. A light.

Tear filled hazel eyes latched onto the red ball that rolled unevenly across the worn wooden floor of the den. It stopped spinning, rolling, and landed with half an inscription plainly visible. Monica filled in the rest of the words and gave a slow smile at the memories.

Eight years ago, to the day, he had given that ornament to her. The inscription in delicate white script had simply stated~ "Together, Forever." How had she forgotten? Had her heart been so broken, her mind so filled with hurt and longing, that she had given up? Where had her daughter even found it? She raised her head, eyes latching onto the lovely red globe before searching out the pretty little girl who had brought the small gift, like a benediction.

"See mommy? Daddy told me where it was. In a dream. He said it was VERY important that you see it...so I got it. Can we hang it up? Together?"

Tears overflowed. Of course he had told their little one. He was a man of his word...and if he had said together forever, then that was exactly what he had meant. Monica wiped the tears away, her hands trembling. Her voice was a husky, almost broken, alto~but the words were the first real sentences she had spoken since the beginning of December.

"Sure baby. Let mommy get dressed. We can hang it up."

There was an excited giggle and then silence...a long, waiting, silence. Finally, Monica shifted, knelt, stared, stood. Whispered into the early morning light~

"Alright, love. I will get it together. I love you."