Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: GENTLE (10/21/21)
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TITLE: The Heart Speaks | Previous Challenge Entry
By Philippa Geaney
10/27/21 -
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He spoke as though it was an afterthought, a throwaway.
And it was, though neither of us knew it at the time.
We’d met to celebrate - three years of dating. Alister and I. The perfect pair. Our law colleagues took our future marriage as a given – and Alister did too.
But I had not said yes.
In my spirit, a red light was flashing.
The following day, I phoned my mother about the lowered headcount at our table as I negotiated the heavy traffic around the airport. Then I turned to Alister.
“Darling, I should’ve picked you up earlier.”
“Stop fretting. Don’t waste time parking. Just drop me off out front.”
“Then, will you give your parent’s my gift ?”
“Not enough room.” Allister frowned, impatient. He pocketed his phone and pointed, “there; pull in there.”
It was all too surreal waving goodbye as he disappeared behind a row of glistening Christmas trees. Was he, too, a fairy-tale?
My heart ached, wanting him to turn and wave. I’ve committed all my ways to the Lord; He’ll direct this relationship.
Maybe I’m too precious. But why have I begun doubting my appearance, work, and everything since I started dating Alister?
I pulled out into the traffic and headed home. Bing crooned about snow falling and people calling for sleigh rides as I covered kilometre after kilometre of tarmac that would fry an egg.
Santa always wore boardshorts in Australia.
It was a rowdy and prolonged reunion with parents, siblings, and their offspring when I pulled up outside our two-story home, making it a long time before I finally climbed the stairs and fell into bed.
I woke late on Christmas Eve to a Scripture and a lingering taste of honey. Your right hand has held me up; Your gentleness has made me great.
The Lord was telling me something. But what?
An hour later, Mum knocked and walked right in. “I’ve brought you a cupper Love.”
I grinned, sat up, puffing my pillows, “Happy Christmas Eve, Ma. What are our plans?”
“Breakfast is self-help; then last-minute shopping, a swim follows. The next-door Williams family arrives for egg nog and fruit mince tarts at four. I’d love you to be here Addie because Michael is joining them – do you remember Michael? Your playmate. He’s still a …."
Ma threw her hands apart – “a gentle soul. He always affirmed you, Addie.”
Was that a hint?
I rescued the cup from her hands. Gentle maybe, but we’d ridden wild stick horses, and together we’d served rough justice to many imaginary bad guys as children.
When Mum left, I crossed to the window. Years ago, Michael’s window faced mine.
Memories flooded back. At age five, we were inseparable. At ten, we messaged each other with notes fixed on our windows; secret messages, read using spyglasses.
I’ve got the measles, or Happy Birthday or Meet at creek.
At fifteen, we ignored each other; at seventeen, a note was back in his window.
Will you be my partner at the school formal?
I wrote, Yes.
And now, at twenty-seven, I was staring across at a figure holding a child. I had no binoculars, but I knew who it was, so I waved and wondered about the child.
Later, when I phoned Alister, he didn’t answer; I left a message and was surprised at how little I cared.
Mum called me at four. “Addie, our guests are here. Do you remember everyone? And Michael?”
“Hello again, Addie,” his voice was gentle. I’d forgotten that.
“Addie’s a lawyer now, Michael,” Mum chimed in.
“Ah, that adds another dimension to our old gun-slinging games, Addie.”
“You remember?”
“You’re tough to forget.”
I laughed. “Bossy?”
“No … creative.”
We both laughed.
“I waved to you this morning from my window upstairs. Do you have a child?”
“I have a nephew. By the way, I left a note. Have you read it?’
“No. Should I run up there now? ”
“Not at all? But sometime today would be nice. For now, please stay and talk.”
After the guests left, I hurried to the window.
WILL YOU HAVE DINNER WITH ME TONIGHT?
In my spirit, a green light glowed, and I posted a reply before our neighbours opened their front door.
YES.
Scriptures: Prov 3:5
Ps. 119:103
Word Count: 750 plus Scripture references.
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Maybe I’m too precious. But why have I begun doubting my appearance, work, and everything since I started dating Alister? It is pregnant with meaning. Also... again remove the passive from Begun doubting to more active verb.
Super lovely story and very enjoyable read!
Quite captivating! The content, diction, grammar and style... are excellent. Well-done!
Keep writing.
I'd love to see how Adina and Alister, or Michael and Adina have turned out.
Good work!