(Author’s note: Thank you, everyone, for your notes on last week’s fictioneers. It was a big undertaking, though people may not have known it. Anyhow, here’s this week’s fictioneers!)
First, I’d like to welcome a new person to the link-world of Music And Fiction. My good friend Sarah Kim does a special music blog, called My Music Canvas, where she features lots of different music from all over. She’s an incredible musical soul, and someone who is very passionate about it. And being as this blog IS called “Music and Fiction”, there had to be a good connection. So everyone should go over to My Music Canvas, and drop a little note to Sarah about the music she looks at and discusses.
Next, this last year has been a bit of a difficult one in trying to write more than just fictioneers. However, I did write a very short story. It was something I just needed to get out, and even though the wording may seem unbelievable, it really doesn’t matter. It’s something that needed to be written and posted on here. So if you have the notion, go over to my longer-fiction work called “No Promises“, and enjoy.
Now, onto a very heart-laden Friday Fictioneers (which like most of my stories are not based on true events, unless I say so. ^_-)
Sheila looked up from her journal and blinked. She didn’t register the words at first. They smacked her in the face, but it took many seconds for her to let the words absorb into her mind.
She looked at Martin, her good friend and former co-worker at her company. The expression on his spectacle-clad face was more serious than any time she had seen him. He was there with determination, his blue-grey eyes boring into hers with an intensity that she had never seen in the year and a half they worked with each other.
“You’re…interested in me.” “Yes.” “Why?”
Martin put a hand through his hair, and took in a deep breath.
“I’m interested because you have made me interested. You have displayed different properties about yourself, different characteristics that appeal to me. Your faith in Christ, and your way with working with children intrigues me. The different aspects of who you are fascinates me.”
He’s trying too hard, she thought.
“I am interested in you because I know a lot, but I don’t know enough. But I also feel like there’s a chance that if we explored this, that we may find out that we’re a lot more alike in ways. And I would like to take that chance to explore this.”
Sheila looked up through her glasses, her face not betraying the fact that she was as nervous about this as Martin likely was.
“In short, you want to go out on a date so we can get to know each other more.” “Yes. I’d like to go out on a date with you.” “No.”
Martin sat back in his chair, and blinked. He said nothing, but blinked, as though her simple one word answer was the longest book in the world. He finally drew a breath and smiled.
“Thank you.”
It was Sheila’s turn to be shocked. Thank you? What?!
“Sheila, I’ve been nervous about asking you out for nearly a year now. I have been spending so much time in trying to find the right words to ask you out, to see if you’re interested.” “And me saying no is something great for you?” “Because you were willing to say something.” “What do you mean?” “You didn’t string me along for weeks.”
Sheila blinked, and slowly nodded.
“You also gave me a firm answer. This allows me to move on, and to keep you as a good friend. Something I have only a few of. No promises that need to be kept, too.”
“Well,” she replied, taking in a breath, “I guess I should say ‘you’re welcome’. But I still don’t understand why.” “You gave me an answer. You didn’t string me along. That means a lot more to me than anything.”
Martin smiled, as he stood.
“Sheila, I’m happy. I like being friends with you. This helps by getting any romantic interests out of the way.”
Sheila looked up at him, as he was gathering his jacket and hat.
“Martin…” “Yes?” “I hate this.” “Hate what?” “That you put everything out there, and all I could say is ‘No.’.” “It’s what I wanted and needed to hear, though. Don’t hate what is true. It is freeing.”
Martin smiled, as he put on his hat.
“I mean, I am going to hurt a little bit, because I was in hope about everything. But that you told me the truth, and I can accept it while still thinking of you as a real good friend.”
Sheila raised her eyebrows.
“That tells me you’re worth more as a friend.”
He gave her a smirk, bowed, and walked down the stairs of the cafe.
Sheila was alone, the sounds of “proto-jazz” bleating across the speakers. She sat, thinking about the simple words that she said, and how they impacted her life, as well as the life of her friend.
She looked down at her journal, and write in some new words on the bottom.
“One word can change the course of a human’s history.”
She understood there was a price to be paid for having that serenity, and she was willing to pay it. For a while. The old ruins of the science building on campus gave it to her, and no one around to say anything.
But she didn’t want to be alone. She wanted serenity, without the loneliness.
“Excuse me. Is this ruin taken?” she heard from behind.
She whipped her head around at the male voice behind her. His eyes widened and he started to run away.
(Author’s note: Working hard on adjusting my schedule and getting rid of distractions in order to do better work. Also working on plans to put some of these stories on video, like Youtube or Vimeo. We’ll see what happens. Here’s today’s fictioneers, with a bit of The Church involved.)
(Author’s note: Hoping to have some longer stories up soon. Just need to get through the testing week next week, then there’s 4 months of nothing but classes. (Thankfully). Here’s today’s fictioneers, with a second peek from Marie Osmond!)
(Author’s note: Thanks to all the folks who have subscribed to this blog. Some exciting things may be developing soon, so stay tuned to this blog for more info. Otherwise, let’s go with this! Today’s Fictioneers!)
“The map says we need to climb this rock to get to the treasure,” Colin said.
“Are you sure? This rock doesn’t seem safe,” Hannah replied.
“Come on, if the contest didn’t think this was safe, they wouldn’t have put it in the directions.”
“Well, I’m not sure it’s safe. Take a look, it seems tipsy.”
“I’ll prove it to you that it is safe. Give me a moment.”
Colin started to climb the rock, and it started to roll over. He jumped as it rolled it’s way into a farmhouse below.
(Author’s Note: I want to drop two things for new people who are part of the world of mine, the Music and Fiction world.
The first is a good friend of mine who runs her own blog, called “Oh My Gloss“. She deals more with cosmetics, and a lot of it is from Korean companies. However, Sarah (the blogmaster) really has a lot of good advice and products. Take a quick step over, if you can, and take a look. And tell her that Music and Fiction sent you.
The second is for a great person who has been overcoming a lot of difficulties to become a real good person in the world of cosplay (costume play, aka dressing up and having fun.) Mosey on over to Precious Pearl Cosplay and Cats, on Facebook, and see a little look at what she does. She’s pretty good on things, and is responsive. She is also living out a dream as a vet assistant, hence the cats part of her page. Check it out.
Anyhow, long enough to talk…here’s today’s Fictioneers, with an old favorite song of mine from my childhood:)
Kelly Mangum looked at the two bouquets on the office table.
“I believe that’s six in two weeks.”
Frieda, her co-worker, was perplexed by this. She was the redhead with the killer bod, and she got no flowers. Kelly was a simple girl, yet kept getting bouquets galore.
“So, what’s your secret?”
Kelly smiled and directed Frieda to come closer.
“I mean what I say and say what I mean. He’s crazy for me, because I’m honest.”
Frieda blinked. Is it that simple? she thought.
“It’s that simple. Be honest, and you’ll get attention.”
(Author’s Note: This song has been sticking around in my head for the last 5 days. It’s an earworm of a song, one that I head first when I was a little guy riding my bike around my neighborhood in Minnesota. And as a bonus, the band is from my adopted hometown of Portland, Oregon. So I hope you enjoy “Harden My Heart”. )
Jane Metzger stood next to the phone, waiting. It was 45 minutes after her boyfriend, Mike, was supposed to pick her up. She picked up the phone, and slid her calling card.
*ring*
“Hello?” a relaxed voice answered.
“Mike! Where the hell are you?!”
“Wha…?” the voice panicked, shuffling in the background confirming what Jane had already knew.
Jane made a quick decision.
“Mike, you don’t need to come and pick me up. One of my friends will bring me home.”
“Uh…okay?”
“I’ll see you when I get back.”
“Okay,” Mike said, pausing, “Bye.”
Music and Fiction 