Cedrick Fellows (Character Study)

Cedrick Fellows (Character Study)
Word Count: 659
GYWO Stop Challenge

Cedrick pulled out a pocket watch and checked the time. If he didn’t hurry he would be late for the meeting with the buyers for the manor house. It was the least of his worries at the moment.

He looked at the farmer standing next to him and sighed. “We are going to have to sell some of them. I’m afraid the estate is in a state of decline due to my uncle’s mismanagement.”

“Yes my lord. I will sell some of the boars. They will replenish their numbers soon enough.” The farmer walked off to start the process of separating some of the pigs. 

Cedrick walked over to his car and got in. “One task handled a dozen more to do”, he thought to himself.

As he drove down the road with the wind whipping through his short brown hair, he stated to think of the life he once expected as the heir of Lord Wilding. His blue eyes narrowed at the unfairness of the reality he was facing instead.

At the manor house a tall slim brunette stood waiting impatiently. The short brown haired man checking his watch beside her was the estate agent.

“He does know the meeting is today?” The lady asked.

“Yes my lady. He does. I rang him this morning to remind him.” The man sighed. “I’m sure he will be here momentarily.”

Just then Cedrick turned up the drive and stopped the car in front of them. He got out and smiled.

“Hello there I’m Lord Wickson.”

“I know who you are.” The lady held out her hand. “Lady Violet Bellmore.”

“My lord, if I could be allowed to get on.” The man glanced at the lady.

:Yes thank you, Martin.” Cedrick turned to the lady. “I think we danced together at Lord Gainsville’s birthday party once.”

Cedrick smiled as he remembered a thirteen year old girl at her first party. He also remembered having a crush on her at the time.

“Lord Gainsville was my grandmother’s cousin.” Lady Violet looked him up and down. “Ced Fellows? I didn’t know you were in line to inherit.”

“Yes. I was the cousin.” Cedrick took a breath. “I still can’t believe we lost them all in that train crash.  I used to play here as a child and now I have to sell it off.”

Lady Violet looked at the house. “Maybe not. I have an idea if you will hear me out.”

“Of course.” Cedrick was curious. “Why don’t you come inside and we can have a cup of tea?”

“Thank you.” Lady Violet took his arm and they went inside.

An hour later Cedrick was sitting with a shocked look on his face. He had no idea how to respond to her suggestion.

“Well don’t look like you’re going to the gallows. It was just a thought.” Lady violet put down her cup. “If you aren’t interested I could still buy the place.”

Cedrick shook himself back to reality. “Let’s do it. It will solve more than just one problem for me and I assume a few for you as well.”

“Most definitely.” Lady Violet smiled. “I was growing so weary of parties and long lines of dull suitors. You’re handsome enough and you seem bright. I think we would have a lot of fun.”

Cedrick chuckled. “How soon should we do it?”

“Today, if we could but as soon as possible. Lady Violet sighed. “My grandmother has another party next week all lined up for me. We could go together and make the announcement there.”

Cedrick stood up and pulled her to her feet. “We should kiss on it.”

Lady Violet nodded. She presented her cheek for him to kiss.

Cedrick turned her chin and planted a slow lingering kiss on her lips.

Lady Violet took a step back when it was over. “Oh you are definitely going to be fun, aren’t you?”

Cedrick chuckled. “I plan on keeping you entertained.”

Shelley Hastings (Character Study)

Shelley Hastings (Character Study)
Word Count: 341
GYWO Stop Challenge

The bleach blonde aooeared to be looking at the fashion magazine but she was actually watching the tall dark man by the front desk.

Shelley checked the photo she had hidden in her magazine. She had the right man but he didn’t seem to be up to anything unusual.

She closed her magazine and walked closer to the front desk to see if she can hear what he was up to instead.

“Here is your key card, Mr. Sullivan. I see your wife is also on the reservation.” The clerk said. “When will your wife be arriving?”

“She is on her way. She was delayed at her meeting.” Mr. Sullivan smiled at the clerk. “She will come straight up to the room.”

“Very good sir. Enjoy your stay.” The clerk waved over a bell hop. “Room 1255”.

“This way, sir.” The bellhop led the way to the elevator with the man’s suitcases.

Shelley went around the corner and took the freight elevator to the twelfth floor. She rounded the corner and got into position just as the elevator from the lobby opened.

The bell hop took the man to a suite and opened the door. Enjoy your stay here sir.

The man tipped him and went inside.

Shelley waited. She knew her client wasn’t coming so the wife had to either be an escort or a mistress.

A half an hour later, her patience was rewarded. A tall red head knocked on the door of 1255. She was dressed in a suit and heels.

The door opened and the man kissed his wife.

Shelley snapped a photo on her phone and sent it to her client. She didn’t expect the response that she got.

“That is my sister”

Shelley shook her head. “I don’t want to be at your table this thanksgiving. Damn.”

Shelley logged the call and the photo in her notebook. She went down stairs for a drink at the bar and maybe some dinner.

One more cheating husband busted. One more paycheck collected. Damn. She loved her job.

What I learned about my writing in 2017…

What I learned about my writing in 2017…

Real life can get in the way of my writing. I can procrastinate like a champ. I need structure to make words.

Let me explain….

Real life can kill the word count.
This year I had more than I bargained for in the real life department. From a hospital stay to bottle feeding kittens, there was always something that kept me from putting words on the word doc.

I need to learn to say no more often. Saying no to the pregnant cat would have been a better idea than saying okay. I was so busy with her that I didn't even think of stories to write. Alas, it was all in vain. She and her three kittens died as well as another kitten that was dropped on my lap to bottle feed.

I need to look where I'm going in real life and in writing. The path is sometimes fraught with obstacles. You never know when you might step on something or in something.

I stepped on a young copperhead snake and spent two days in the STICU. Yay me! I have a first hand account in the works. Short version is that I didn't lose my foot and bed pans suck.

Write what you know they said….. some things I would just rather not know.

Procrastination (and Netflix) is the enemy.
I found far too many things to watch on Netflix. British Drama and fantasy shows are my weakness. I also have a thing with royalty.

I really need to stop with the british drama. I think i have a thing for the accents in the UK. This disturbs and intrigues me at the same time.

Murder and crime shows are so different in the UK. They're not like ours with bullets whizzing everywhere. They make you use your brain and your words to solve crime. It's a nice thought but that’s why it's television and not real life.

I discovered The Magicians this year. It is like a train wreck not really that good but I couldn't stop watching it. It's definitely not Harry Potter or Narnia. It's really more disturbing than anything. Its truly an adult show.

I rewatch things too. It was research or that was what I told myself. I think I did a little too much research.

Fanfiction is great but I want to write more of my own stuff. I need to walk that line between original fiction and fanfiction without leaning too much one way or the other.

Location and rituals make words
I need to set up a time to write everyday. It needs to be enough time to accomplish my daily word count and maybe a little more. More is always better.

I need to have a good spot to write and everything I need in one central location. The sofa ot the soft chair in the bedroom are my favorite spots to write. I do tend to be more productive on the sofa, however.

I need to focus on what it takes to get me to write words. I may need to just make tea and sit with my cup and the pot. Snacks are good sometimes to when I do a read through to edit or continue a story.

Sometimes it's just a matter of focus. Music helps tune out the rest of the planet when i need it to. I should just put in my earbuds and write the words.

Writing is a gift not a chore.
When the stories flow it's a great feeling. If I have no story in my head to write then I feel alone and discouraged.

The stories that I hear in my head are from my muse. She is fickle and capricious as most muses are. She tells me what needs to be written and if I dont go along with her choice then I get nothing. I got a lot of nothing in 2017.

If I take all of this into consideration then I should have a great year that won't be difficult at all. Well maybe not as difficult as 2017

Infinity and Mankind

Infinity and Mankind
Word Count: 125
GYWO Snapshot Challenge)

In the scheme of things, the existence of humans is but a dot in the infinite loop of time. Time is the only thing that is infinite.

Our species will not last until the end of time. That is not a statement of doom but a fact. We evolved, rose to glory and when we fall there will still be more time.

We like to kid ourselves that we are infinite. It’s a lie to make ourselves feel powerful. What is the alternative? Tel the truth and feel powerless?

The best we can do is use our time in this infinite loop of time wisely. We must leave the best mark on the universe that we can. What does that mean?

Only time will tell…..

Angel at Christmas

Angel at Christmas
Word Count: 1162
GYWO Stop Challenge

It started as a feeling but soon became her reality. She could feel the hope in the air so close to Christmas.  

Angel Mackenzie flattened herself against the brick wall of the alley behind a dumpster. She could still hear the footsteps getting closer. She closed her eyes and held her breath just in case the person who belonged to those footsteps wanted to find her.

“Hello there. I saw you come in here. This isn’t a very safe place for a woman to be walking.” A man’s voice calmly stated.

Angel opened one eye and looked at the old man standing in front of her. “Who the hell are you?”

The old man laughed. “I am Father Bernard from Our Lady of Angels. Who are you?”

“I’m Angel.” Angel relaxed a little but she was still on guard. “Ironic, huh?”

“Indeed!” The old priest chuckled. Come on then. I will walk you out of this place back to the main street. Are you on your way home? If it isn’t too far, I could walk with you. Just to make sure you are safe.”

“I don’t have a home really.” Angel pushed back her black curls. “I was just looking for a place to sleep.”

“We have a shelter at the church. I’m sure we can find a space for one more especially one of Our Lady’s angels.” Father Bernard held out his hand to her. “It’s better than sleeping out here in the cold.”

“Okay but I’m not that religious.” Angel took his hand. I haven’t been in a church for a long time.”

“You don’t have to be devout to seek shelter with us, my child. God loves everyone.” The old priest patted her hand. “We may be able to find you something more permeant and a job to pay for it.”

“Thank you.” Angel said quietly.

“Now, how old are you and why are you out in the cold so close to Christmas?” The old priest asked.

“I’m 18 as of yesterday. My father told me that I was a burden on the family. He threw me out with just what I could carry.” Angel held up a backpack. “It’s just some clothes. We never had much but …  I don’t know. You have probably heard it a thousand times before.” 

“Yes. I have. It never gets any easier to hear.” The priest nodded. He led her around the corner to a large gothic church. “Here we are. The shelter is in the basement.”

They walked down a set of steps to a red door. The old priest opened the door and held it as she walked through.

“Hello Father.” A middle aged woman dressed in a modern nuns habit smiled from the desk. “I see you have found a new friend.”

“Yes I have, Sister Mercy. This is Angel. I would say she needs a hot meal and a bed.

“Angel?” Sister mercy got up and looked her up and down. “We can’t have an angel on the street cold and hungry, can we? This way child. I have the perfect place for you.”

“Go on.” The old priest patted her hand. “Sister Mercy will take care of you.”

“Thank you again, Father Bernard. Angel smiled then let the nun take her into a large room filled tables and chairs.

Sister Mercy waved to a man at the counter. “Michael, could you bring our new friend a plate?”

“Yes sister.” The man turned to put food on a clean plate.

“Michael is our cook and handyman.” Sister Mercy explained.

Angel sat at a table with the nun. “I don’t want to be any trouble.”

“You aren’t any trouble. I’ll make up a room for you. Stay here and eat your supper.” Sister Mercy patted her on the shoulder.  

They’re good people. Michael sat down at the table. You can trust them. I’ve been here three years. I was on the hooch and they helped me get sober and find a job. Now I help out when I can to pay them back for all they did. 

Angel just nodded as she ate. It was a simple stew and bread but it tasted good after going without for so long.

“I’ve seen all kinds come through here. Some come back and help out when they can like me.” Michael smiled at her nearly empty plate. “Want some more?”

“I’m good.” Angel finally said as she dipped the last piece of bread in the gravy on the plate. “It was very good.”

“My Mama’s recipe.” Michael smiled. “She’s an angel now. She got to see me sober before she passed. I’m proud of that.”

Sister Mercy came back in the room. “I have a room all ready for you and I put an extra blanket on the bed.”

“Thank you.” Angel smiled at Michael. “And thank you Sister. I think I will need that extra blanket. It’s going to snow.”

Sister Mercy smiled. “Let’s hope so. I have always liked a white Christmas. This way child.”

Angel stood up and picked up her backpack. She followed the Sister to a small room with only a bed and a night table in it. There was a large cross handing over the bed.

“These rooms were part the nun’s quarters when this place was a convent. It isn’t much but it’s out of the cold and safe.” Sister Mercy looked around as they entered.

“It’s fine.” Angel put her backpack on the bed. “Thank you sister.”

“I will come to knock on the door when breakfast is served. You rest well my child.” Sister Mercy closed the door and left her alone.

“I have found what I was looking for. I’m ready to come home.” Angel stood in the middle of the room.

A bright white light filled the room and she vanished. A note and a single white feather fluttered to the bed from somewhere above.
X
The next morning Sister Mercy knocked on the door. Angel time to rise and shine! You were right it did snow last night. She waited for an answer.

When there was no answer, she opened the door and found the room empty.

"Angel?" Sister Mercy looked around. "I wonder where she went. The bed hasn’t even been slept in."

The Sister started to walk out but she saw something on the bed. On the bed, there was a large white feather and a note. She went to the bed and picked up the note and read it.

“I needed comfort and you gave it. I needed shelter and you provided it. I needed substance and I was nourished.

Blessed are those that give without expecting a return.   

I was a child of earth for one day. Now I am at Our Lady’s side once again. I leave a simple feather from my wing as proof that I was here among you. 

Angel”

Sister Mercy gasped and ran out of the room. “Father Bernard!”