The Smell of Defeat

 

The Smell of Defeat

Prompt Tangy

Paul/Cass (Silver & Gold)

WC 350

 

As soon as Paul walked into the apartment and smelled the tangy citrus cleaner, he knew she was going to be in a bad mood. When Cass was angry or upset, she cleaned.

He ran through the last twenty-four hours in his brain to figure out if he was the cause. Nope. Not him. He braced himself for her mood.

“Silver? Where are you?” Paul called out hoping he was wrong.

“Bathroom!” Her voice was tight.

Paul leaned on the open door frame and watched her scrub the floor. “Gonna tell me what's up?”

“Why do you think something is up?” Cass looked up and glared at him.

“The lemony fresh smell.” Paul raised an eyebrow. “You're angry. Spill.”

“Hoover got the curator position I applied for. He's only been there two months and I'm way more experienced than he is. Dubland wanted a man for his collection. Sexist pig!”

Paul reached down and pulled her off the floor. He pulled the rubber gloves off her hands one at a time. “I think that's enough for a while.”

Cass looked down at the floor. “Paul I'm not done. I missed a spot over there.”

“Yes. You are done.” Paul was firm. He threw the rubber gloves on the floor. “You need to quit that damn job. It does nothing but upset you. When was the last time you picked up a brush?”

“I don't know. Last week... maybe.” Cass sighed. “I've been focused on getting that curator job. I haven't done much else.”

“That settles it we are ordering a pizza and you and I are going to paint tonight.” Paul kissed her. He rubbed his nose at the strong tangy smell of the lemon cleaner. “First, you need a shower. You smell like a giant lemon vomited on you.”

“That's sexy, Gold. Very sexy.” Cass rolled her eyes.

“You'll thank me later.” He kissed her cheek and left the bathroom. “Get in the shower! I'll order the pizza and set up the easel.”

“Paul….I love you….” Cass called out.

Paul sighed. “I know. I love you too.”

Sugar!

 

Sugar!

Prompt Hairy

Cedric/Violet (Wylding Manor)

WC 339

 

Cedric looked at the small hairy creature at his feet. “Violet what is it supposed to be?”

“It's a dog silly.” Violet giggled.

“Are you sure?” Cedric squinted at the little thing. “Where did it come from?”

“My aunt sent her over. She said he belonged to a friend of hers that passed away. The family didn't want it so Aunt sent it to us.”

Cedric frowned. “Is it house trained? We just put in new carpets; you know.”

“Yes, and it is well behaved.” Violet smiled at him.

“That is yet to be seen.” Cedric reached down to rub its head and it snapped at him. “Violet!”

“She needs to get used to you.” Violet scooped the dog up in her arms. “Don’t you Sugar.”

“Please tell me that is not its name.” Cedrick rubbed his hand. “Because there is nothing sweet about that thing.”

“Ced… don't be like that.” Violet cuddled the dog. “Sugar will grow on you.”

“More like shed on me.” Cedric sighed. “I don't want it sleeping in the bed with us.”

Violet winked. “Of course not, silly. We don't want to traumatize the poor little thing. Not with the things we get up to in our bedroom.”

Cedric leaned over to kiss her, but the dog barked at him. He sighed. “Violet, maybe we should put Sugar in the barn. Just for tonight.”

“Fine but she doesn't like being alone.” Violet kissed the creatures head.

“Neither do I. Especially not at night.” Cedric gave her a wink.

“Oh!” Violet blushed. “How absolutely naughty!”

“You might want to put it in the barn now.” Cedric wiggled his eyebrows. “I’m feeling the need for a lie down with my wife.”

Violet sighed. “I'll have one of the footman take her out to the barn.” Violet left the room.

Cedric chuckled. “It should fit right in with the sheep. Dog! My arse! That’s a mop with teeth.” He picked up the post and started to go through it as he waited for Violet to come back.

Schmoozing Gone Wrong

 

Schmoozing Gone Wrong

Prompt Jealous

Paul/Cass (Silver & Gold)

WC 394

 

Cass stormed through the front door and pulled off her stilettos and turn to face Paul as he came in and closed the door.

Paul held up his hands. “Before you throw those at me let me explain.”

“What's to explain? You were hanging on her every word.” Cass threw one of her shoes at him. “Every freaking word!”

Paul ducked as the shoe hit the door. “Silver…”

“Don't you ‘Silver’ me! I know what I saw.” Cass threw the other shoe and hit her mark that time. “Her and her boobs!”

Paul bit his lip to keep from laughing. “I sorry. I didn't realize that I upset you. Forgive me?”

“No!” Cass pulled up the hem of the evening gown she was wearing and headed for the bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

Paul picked up her shoes and put them on the sofa next to him as he sat down. There was nothing he could do but wait for Cass to calm down.

Cocktail parties were always a pain but this one was a nightmare. He and Cass had been invited to a party given by a woman who had recently bought one of Paul's paintings. It was her third one. It wasn't the first party of hers he had been to, but it was the first one that he had gone to with Cass.

Giselle Zent was an influential woman in social circles. He had only paid attention to her to keep on her good side.

Cass came out in her pajamas and sat down. “Did I hurt you?”

“No. Your aim has never been that great you know.” Paul frowned. “Cass, I was only paying attention to her to sell more paintings. If she likes your work, it sells if she doesn't then you’re on the sidewalk doing caricatures for a few bucks a pop.”

“I get that but I felt like you would rather be with her than me.” Cass pulled on her pajama top. “She's glamorous and I am a art restorer in the basement of a small museum. I can’t compete with women like that.”

“She’s not the one I love. You are.” Paul caught her hand. “I waited a long time for us to come back together. I’m not going anywhere. Got it?”

Cass nodded and threw her arms around his neck. “Yeah. I got it.”

Cherry Fell

 

Cherry Fell

Prompt Camphoric

Cedric/Violet (Wylding Manor)

WC 333

 

Cedric and Violet watched as the veterinarian removed the camphoric smelling poultice from the old grey mare's leg.

“I was afraid of that. The swelling hasn't gone done. It might be a fracture.” The vet stood up. “Her days as a mount are over, I'm afraid. Even if it heals, she’s never going to be able to handle any extra weight on it.”

“Your recommendation, doctor?” Cedric pulled Violet back against his chest. He could tell she was upset by the way she was holding her shoulders.

The veterinarian scratched his head. “Either put her down or let her out to pasture. She's past her prime in any case. If she wasn't, I'd say breed her. No riding or hauling for sure.”

“I don't want her put down. Please Ced.” Violet looked up at him with tears in her eyes. “Please.”

Cedric thought for a minute with a frown on his face. “Is she in pain?”

“I'd say so. Good wrappings and fresh poultices will help but it will take time to heal. Think about it for a day or two before you do anything, My Lord. I'll talk to the stable hand about what needs to be done for now.” He bowed his head and left them.

“You are not putting Cherry down! I won't let you!” Violet pulled away and went to stroke the mare’s neck. “I've had her forever. I knew I shouldn’t have jumped her over that fence. I hadn't jumped her in ages. I don't know what I was thinking. It was stupid and now this is all my fault.”

“Violet, she's old and maybe it's time to let her go.” Cedric reached out to her

“No!” Violet turned back to the mare and buried her face in its neck.

“You're lucky you didn't get hurt.” Cedric sighed and shook his head. “If she gets worse, I'll have no choice. I better go find the veterinarian.”

Violet let out a quiet sob.

Cedric headed to the tack room.

Saturday

 

Saturday

Prompt Lazy

Paul/Cass (Silver & Gold)

WC 304

 

Cass threw back the covers and started to get out of bed. It was Saturday but she still had a ton of things to do.

Paul reached out and grabbed her pajama top. “No!”

Cass swatted at his hand but he didn’t let go. “Paul, I have things to do.”

“No! Five more minutes of snuggle time.” Paul looked up at her with puppy dog eyes.

Cass sighed. “Fine but then I have a ton of things to do.” She pulled the blankets back over her head and snuggled up against Paul. “Mmmm warm.”

“I'll get a maid.” Paul mumbled. He shifted onto his side. “An ugly maid who scrubs everything twice and three times on Wednesday.”

“What?” Cass frowned. She thought she heard him, but she wanted to make sure. “What are you mumbling about?”

“A maid. I'll get a maid. You don't need to do anything but this ever again.” Paul pulled her closer against his chest. He tucked her head under his chin. “Snuggle every day and paint. No cleaning. no work. no worries. just us alone in bed under the covers.”

“Sounds like a wonderful dream but you know i can't be a lazy head like you. I have to do everything myself to make sure it’s done right.” Cass sighed deeply. She relaxed and closed her eyes. “Although it would be nice. Very nice.”

“See?” Paul kissed the top of her head. “I convinced you.”

“No but keep trying. I love it when you try.” Cass yawned and patted his chest. “Maybe ten minutes.”

“Yeah.” Paul smiled. He was serious about the maid, but he would talk to her more later when she was awake.

Two hours later, Cass opened an eye and glanced at the clock. It was well past noon. She sighed and went back to sleep.

The Many-Petaled Peonies

 

 

The Many-Petaled Peonies

Emma/Aaron

Word Count 662

 

Written for GYWO April Challenge Titles

Emma watched as the coffin lowered into the ground. She tossed a peony like the ones in her bridal bouquet on top. The petals scattered as it hit the wood.

She remembered how their friends and family had thrown petals on them as they came out of the church after saying their vows. She closed her eyes and turned her back.

She couldn't bear to think of Aaron in the cold dark ground. She would never forget the look on his face when he realized he was dying. She wiped a tear from her cheek.

She looked around at the faces standing in the churchyard. Aarons death was a shock to everyone in the village. Murder hadn't touched them here, only war. Death was something that happened in their sleep when they were old. That was the way it was supposed to come…. Not like this. Never like this.

They were all in tears, but she couldn't feel anything. Emma felt like she was sleepwalking through the worst days of her life. She wanted to wake up and be in his arms, but it was just a false hope.

She should be on her honeymoon instead she was burying her husband. She put a hand over her belly. But she still had his child. She had cashed in the tickets and she would use the money to leave this place.

How could she stay? There was only pain for her here. She didn't want to raise their child in the village where its father was murdered. That was the one thing she was certain of.

“Emma, we're going to the house now. Ride with us.” Aarons mother interrupted her thoughts.

Emma nodded. She couldn't speak the words that she should to make his mother understand what had happened, so she said nothing. Emma let herself be led to an old black sedan.

Emma would endure the kind words and sympathy for a while longer then she would get into her already packed car and disappear forever. She wasn't sure of where she would end up and she didn’t care as long as it wasn’t here.

When the last cup of coffee was drunk, and the people were all gone Emma went to her car. Aaron’s mother followed her out carrying a large basket.

“I wish you would stay. You are all I have left of him.” The old woman wiped her face with a lace edged handkerchief.

“I'm sorry. I can't stay here. There are too many memories. I'll let you know when I settle down.” Emma knew that was a lie. She had no intention of telling this woman where she was going, at least not for a while.

“He loved you so much.” Aaron's mother smiled through her tears.

“And he was killed for it. I have to find a way to accept that.” Emma looked at the keys in her hand.

“Don't blame yourself. No one knew what Judd was planning. We all thought he had left town for good. No one expected…”

 

“That he would burst into our wedding reception and shoot Aaron?” Emma interrupted. “No one expected that, but it still happened because I rejected Judd and loved Aaron.” 

She gave Emma a sympathetic look. “I put some sandwiches and fruit in this. Just something to keep you going.” She held out the basket.

Emma took it. “Thanks. I have to go. Thank you for everything and for Aaron.”

“You always have family here.” She hugged Emma then turned and rushed back into the house.

Emma opened the car door and got behind the wheel. She sat the basket on the floor on the passenger side. She started the car and drove off. She drove until she was exhausted, sleeping in a cheap motel. It was the first of many on her journey.

Emma had a plan. She would go to the city and get lost in the crowd. She would raise their child and never look back.