Posts Tagged ‘red writing hood’

The prompt, “Water gives life.” or “Water takes it away.”

I blew the 600 word count.

It is what it is.

Forgive me.

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The sun glinted off the crystal clear blue water. It blinded her deep chocolate eyes. She quickly lowered the large plastic mask onto her face, covered her eyes and nose, its suction tight against her tawny skin. One of the black rubber fins rubbed against her toe with every kick of her foot, the friction uncomfortable.

She placed the snorkel in her mouth, took a few practiced breaths and placed her face into the water, it slapped at her ears, muffled chatter and laughter, her breaths loud and raspy in her head, a perfect seal. Teams of fish, silvery bright, darted through coral of different shades and textures. Stunning. She lifted her face from the water, popped the snorkel out of her mouth to speak.

“Isn’t this fabulous?” Her vision blurred from the dive mask, but his light gray swim shirt buzzed dark brown hair and the bright red sunburn of his forehead gave Deklan away.

“Did you see that baby shark?” He pointed excitedly over near the rock face of the island, sheer and dark, next to the buoyed lines that marked the perimeter of the snorkel site.

“I’m going to go look. I told you snorkeling was going to be amazing here.”

She placed the black rubber into her mouth, trying to block out the taste of chewed tires and swam over to try and find the shark. She couldn’t see it, so many brilliantly colored fish, but no shark. She popped to the surface to tread water, took the tube out of her mouth to breathe the fresh air. Her feet strained against the fins, her arms felt heavy and tired already.

“I’m tired, going to head back to the boat.” She called to him.

“Already?”

“You know I don’t swim that well!”

Snorkel in mouth, she plunged under the surface, one last look at the fish as she made her way towards the side of the boat. She kicked her legs together, as if she were a mermaid and smiled inwardly. She remembered doing the same when she was a young girl in her grandparent’s pool during the summer.

She climbed aboard the ship, the metal ladder made more difficult as the unforgiving fins slapped against each rung. A sun-kissed Maui native grabbed her hand to help her up.

“Thanks.” Her radiant smile caused him to smile back.

“Done already?” He asked, his tone playful.

“I don’t swim very well and this fin is killing my toe!” She pointed at her left foot and grimaced, more for show, though it did hurt.

“I can get you a different pair of fins and we have plenty of noodles if you want one.”

She flip-flopped over to an open seat and took off the fins to reveal an angry red cut edged in white wrinkled skin, rubbed raw on the small toe next to her big one.

“Ouch, that hurts. Let me get you a band-aid.” His abs perfection, he went to get the first-aid kit.

“Thanks.” She looked down at her perfect cleavage and smiled. Thankful she wore the scarlet swimsuit. It suited the boobs. It didn’t hurt to look sexy.

He brought over a new set of fins and antiseptic. It burned as he placed it on the jagged cut before he covered it with the band-aid.

“We’re leaving here soon and going over to see if we can find some sea turtles. The water is choppier there, you should bring a noodle if you go out.”

“Thanks for the tip and the band-aid.” She winked at him.

“No problem.” He smiled back and then left her on the side of the ship, against the railing. She watched the others in the group make their way back to the boat and the fish dart around underneath the water as the sun beat down upon her shoulders.

“Hey beautiful!” Deklan’s arms wrapped around her from behind, his wet swim shirt cooled her baked skin.

“Did you enjoy yourself?” The boat picked up speed, away from Molokini in the direction of darker waters.

“I’ve never seen anything like this, it’s truly amazing.” He kissed the nape of her neck and they watched the plush green island on the horizon become closer, the water sprayed white as it boat cut through it.

“I might sit this one out.” She stifled a yawn.

“Are you sure you want to miss the turtles?” He frowned slightly.

She sighed as the boat came to a stop and dropped anchor at the new location.

“No, I don’t want to miss it.” She put the new fins on, her toe still tender beneath the rubber and grabbed her dive mask and snorkel as the crew warned the group about the choppier water.

Deklan got in first as one of the crew tried to hand her a noodle to float on. She declined with the knowledge that she wouldn’t be in the water for long and made the awkward climb down the ladder and into the salty sea.

Her mask in place she swam towards him but the water was much rougher than she anticipated. Waves slapped, crested around her, the sea rolled beneath her as she struggled toward Deklan.

Her arms and legs fought against the water, to keep her afloat as she paddled like a dog towards him, exhausted after a few minutes she stopped to tread water and gain her bearings.

She was equidistant between Deklan and the boat and the more she tread, her limbs felt heavy and sluggish, the waves pushed her against her will. He was oblivious to her predicament as he searched the water for turtles, enthralled with the experience.

I’m going to drown.

She started again towards the boat and cursed herself for not heeding the advice of the sexy crewmember. She should have gotten a noodle.

Her muscles strained against the water, her breath ragged in her ears, the snorkel still in place and yet it seemed as though she made no progress at all.

She slipped under the sea, water clogged her snorkel, she held her breath as the panic settled deep inside her chest, her heart pumped in rapid succession, charged with adrenaline and fear.

She surfaced.

Spit the harsh rubber from her mouth, ripped the mask from her face and gulped in the precious air, her arms circled the water, each arc reached toward the boat as her fins pushed against the water, the cut on her toe throbbed, her muscles ached.

She slipped under again, caught by surprise.

Her eyes shut tight against the water. It filled her nose. Her mouth shut tight too late, swallowed salt water, choked on it, the bubbles escaped to freedom at the surface.

A freedom she had lost.

Our hands intertwined, my large ivory dress, with scarlet trim barely allowing me in the seat as the band started playing. A crumpled damp tissue clenched in my fist, I dabbed my eyes for the hundredth time as I tried to keep the mascara in place. My heart was swollen, still overwhelmed by Brian’s declaration of love. I had cried in front of all of our family and friends, something I never ever would have voluntarily done. Tears were for the shower, when you were alone and the cascading water could drown out the sobs and wash them away down the drain never to be mentioned again. I had been caught off guard, not by the speech, I knew it was planned, what I did not know was the words that would come from deep within his heart, exposed for all to hear, intimate and crafted with care. Never spoken at our first wedding, generic and thrown together within a couple of weeks, filled with regret and sadness. This time, five years later, meaning so much more than our first vows ever would. Our faith came through with every word. God was the center of our marriage now and forever more, the renewal of our vows a testament to what He had done in our lives.  It was important to us, that our girls and our family and friends know our hearts and see the declaration of our souls back to Him, and our love to one another.

You stood before creation

Eternity within Your hand

You spoke the earth into motion

My soul now to stand

You stood before my failure

Carried the Cross for my shame

My sin weighed upon Your shoulders

My soul now to stand

I sang, whisper soft, letting the words wash over me, through me. They penetrated my heart, the events of the day settling in, growing outward in the form of a smile. My hand enclosed in Brian’s, sweaty and familiar.

So what can I say

What can I do

But offer this heart O God

Completely to You

So I'll walk upon salvation

Your Spirit alive in me

This life to declare Your promise

My soul now to stand

So what can I say

What can I do

But offer this heart O God

Completely to You

So I'll stand

With arms high and heart abandoned

In awe of the One who gave it all

I bolted out of my chair, eyes, scrunched shut, the tears streamed. My voice came out loud and strong from deep inside. Our hands no longer clasped, now outstretched upwards toward the heavens. I swayed, cradled by the music, the love I had for Him. He had given me the great gift of Brian I love this man and our two girls Precious beyond belief. I was absolutely in love, filled to the brim with emotions, they churned inside yet with peace and understanding. Thankfulness.

So I'll stand

My soul Lord to You surrendered

All I am is Yours

Everyone, everything melted completely away.

Just me.

Just Him.

I believe.

Immense joy swelled within my heart.

So what can I say

What can I do

But offer this heart O God

Completely to You

This post was written for the prompt over at The Red Dress Club.

I could never have imagined the pain searing through my abdomen as that first contraction hit.

After two very similar births I thought the third would be a piece of cake. Have some mild contractions, the ones you talk and laugh through, the kind where your doctor doesn’t even think you are in labor but you surprise them by being four centimeters dilated and get to stay to have a baby. You sit around until you get too uncomfortable, only then asking for the epidural. The numbness sets in rendering you free and relaxed. Then they break your water and a bit later you push a few times and the baby slides out slimy and screaming. As far as my experience had been, giving birth was easy. Heck getting my wisdom teeth out had been much worse!

I was underneath the computer desk with a screwdriver trying to install a new ethernet card. I felt a strange pop within my belly and a slight trickle of liquid leaked from me, like I had peed my pants. Again. I lifted myself up and sure enough the carpet was saturated in one spot. I asked the girls to get me a towel and to get their dad. They didn’t quite understand why I needed the towel, but I told them not to ask questions and just do as I said. I sat on it and Brian trudged up the stairs unhappy after being woken from his nap on the couch.

“What?”

“My water broke!”

“Really?”

His frown instantly changed to a surprised smile.

I was getting ready to leave, chatting on the phone to friends when about twenty minutes later the first contraction hit. I folded over, and thought I was going to die. The pain ripped through my body in a way I had never, ever, felt before. We left with the intention of taking the girls to my parents first. More intense contractions in the car made me reconsider, so my Dad met us at the hospital.

They couldn’t figure out if my water had broken. Twice I had to scoot down. A little more, just a bit more and deal with a speculum during crazy white knuckle grasping the sides of the bed, almost passing out pain. I wait for them to take their little slide under a microscope to figure out if my water did indeed break. I vacillated between venting about having to be in triage to thinking I was going to be ripped in two. I had never felt so much pain in my life and this was my third time around!

“I’m going to die, I’m going to die.”

“Jesus, help me!”

Oh wait, I’m supposed to breathe through contractions. Just remember to breathe.

“I’m dying, I’m dying.”

“Jesus help me, I’m dying!”

The midwife on duty came back to confirm I was telling the truth, my water had in fact broken. I was taken to a room where I got my epidural. Now comfortably numb except for the minor problem of the hot spot in my hip and thigh. I felt everything in that one spot. I didn’t feel like death, but it was no picnic either. Next thing I know it’s go time. A few pushes and out he came with his one little hand up by his head.

Placed upon my chest was my beautiful son. I stared deep into his unique light brown eyes. I was no longer only a mother to girls. Alexander was finally here. This precious baby boy was mine.

Then the whole world shifted.

Written for the prompt over at The Red Dress Club.

“Mom, you need to get up in the morning. Wake up and get dressed instead of sleeping.”

“Katie, I am awake.”

“Why do I always have to wear a long sleeve shirt?”

“It’s winter.”

“Brianna doesn’t have to wear a long sleeve shirt!”

“She’s wearing one.”

“That’s not fair Mom!”

“Katie, it’s freezing outside!”

“Where is my sweater? Is it in the dryer?”

“The only thing in the dryer is the couch slip covers. Is Alex awake?”

“Yes.”

“Darn it. Turn my light on please.”

“You need to buy me more sweaters for school. I don’t have any.”

“You have a closet full of sweaters, you just choose not to wear them.”

“No, I don’t.”

“Yes, you do. You have that navy one that was Addy’s. You said it’s too big, but it is just your size. You have three other sweaters!”

“That’s not true.”

“Katie, just look in your closet!”

“Those aren’t school sweaters. I want my pink one.”

“I don’t know what you did with your pink one.”

“I’m changing!”

“No Katie, you completely match. You look nice. Now stop arguing with me and stay still.”

“Ow Mom, you’re pulling my hair!”

“I’m not doing it on purpose, your hair has knots in it.”

“You’re doing it too fast! Ow!”

“You should have just left it in a pony tail, then it wouldn’t have knots!”

“No Mom! It’s your fault Mom!”

“Just stay still. Stop itching it, you’ll mess it up!”

“It’s itching me Mom!”

“It’s done. Don’t touch it. Get your shoes on, go downstairs and get breakfast.”

“I want a bagel.”

“Brianna! Come up here, I need to do your hair!”

“Katie, we don’t have time for a bagel. Get a fruit bar. Stop touching your hair!”

“You always make us eat fruit bars.”

“Fine, we do have time. I’ll make you a bagel. Now go downstairs and get your shoes on.”

“Brianna, Mom said we can have bagels.”

“Mom, Katie said we can have a bagel. Is she lying?”

“I’ll make bagels but we need to hurry.”

“Yes!”

“Come here so I can get your hair done.”

“Ow.”

“Stop moving away! You’re making it harder.”

“That hurts, you brushed my ear! Ow!”

“Stop moving then! You keep pulling away and it makes it harder to get the knots out!”

“I’m not moving, you keep pulling me that way.”

“Sorry.”

“Mom, my tooth is really wiggly today.”

“Great. Okay done. Go downstairs. Did you put your lunch in your backpack?”

“Yeah.”

“What about Katie’s?”

“Yeah.”

“Good.”

“Alex come upstairs!”

“What Mom?”

“Come upstairs!”

“What Mom?”

“Alex, come upstairs.”

“Hi Mom.”

“Hi Alex. Did Daddy change your diaper?”

“No.”

“Come here. You need to get dressed. We need to go to the store to buy Mommy some medicine.”

“Go store buy medicine?”

“Yes. Just pee, no poop!”

“Just pee!”

“How about your Eagles shirt.”

“Eagles!”

“Okay, pants. Socks. I smell your stinky feet!”

“Stinky feet!”

“Wait, shoes on.”

“I do it.”

“No buddy, Mommy do it. We need to hurry. Get sisters to school. Okay all done. Go downstairs.”

“I have bagel?”

“Yes, but lets go. Come on now.”

“You’re only getting half a bagel girls.”

“I have bagel now?”

“It’s got to cook buddy.”

“I have it now Mom?”

“It needs to go in the toaster.”

“I have it now Mom?”

“Fine.”

“Girls, do you have water bottles?”

“Yeah, I’ll fill it up at school.”

“Mom, Brianna never helps me. She’s always mean to me.”

“That’s not true, she’s just saying that to get me in trouble!”

“Stop girls. Eat your bagel. We got to go. First let me pee.”

“Brianna, you’re a mean girl.”

“Stop Katie.”

“Girls! Get your coats on and get in the van!”

“I go in the van too Mom?”

“Yes Alex.

“It’s cold!”

“I know buddy.”

“Stop kicking, Katie!”

“Katie stop kicking Brianna’s seat!”

“Brianna’s being annoying!”

“Mom, I’m just sitting here!”

“I have a drink Mommy?”

“Girls stop! Geez, enough already! Alex, your cup is at home.”

“Can you put Justin Bieber on?”

“It’s not in the van Katie.”

“Taylor Swift?”

“Nope.”

“Brianna, look at this.”

“Brianna, look at this!”

“Look Bra-nah.”

“Brianna!”

“Mom, Brianna isn’t looking!”

“Brianna just look at your sister! Stop ignoring her!”

“I can’t turn around!”

“Then just say that instead of ignoring her!”

“Fine, I’m looking Katie! What!”

“Remember when. Remember when. Remember when we got these shells. From that place. That place with the water, but the water was gone. That place was fun.”

“Girls, bus! Wait, let me pull up closer.”

“Bye Mom! Bye Alex”

“Bye Mom!”

“Bye girls. Be good. Have a good day at school.”

“School bus!”

“Yep buddy.”

“I go to school?”

“Next year you can go to school! Like a big boy!”

“I go on bus?”

“No buddy, not until you’re older.”

“Okay Mommy.”

“Let’s go to the store. We got to hurry though. Emily will be here soon.”

“I play with Emily?”

“Yep.”

“I like Emily.”

“I need Starbucks.”

“What Mommy?”

“I said I need Starbucks.”

“What?”

“Never mind.”

I started writing this for another post to share a bit of the craziness of getting the kids ready in the morning. I realized I was writing so much dialogue that it was just perfect for this prompt!

-Hemingway was famous for his super sparse writing. He used almost only dialogue in many of his works. Write a piece in which you use ONLY dialogue. Then link up Friday.