This week’s prompts are at the bottom. Feel free to seize the prompts, twist them, form them, play with them as you will. All comers are welcome. The words below are just practice for me. I had a lot of fun writing them, and you know what I always say, “Practice makes perfect.”
Here’s how to play along, if you are unsure.
It was about twenty years ago; when I got on the train and pulled loose the ponytail that I always wore to work. Running my fingers through my hair, I let it fall over my shoulders, stuffed my earbuds in place and managed the Bluetooth connection to my phone. Scrolling to the playlist, I cranked the volume up loud. I like almost all genres of music as long as it’s loud.
I know; some songs shouldn’t be loud, and I avoid them. I prefer them loud.
I leaned back in the seat and listened to a selection of the greats: Dire Straits, Gnarls Barkley, Coolio, Amy Winehouse, Oasis, The Cranberries, and Leona Lewis. I got off at Ashby like I always do, and there she was. She’s there every day, and I think she is beautiful. Roxanne, by The Police, was finishing up on my playlist. There was a brief pause in the music when I nodded and smiled at the girl. To my surprise, she began signing. I was intrigued; I didn’t know she was deaf, so I paused my soundtrack just as Clapton played the opening riff of Layla.
“Sorry,” I said, “I don’t know how to sign. I can’t understand you.”
“Oh, oh, oh my.” she stammered, “You can speak.”
“Of course, I can. Why would you think I couldn’t?”
“Well, I see you almost daily here at the station, but you never respond when I speak to you. I thought you were deaf. I thought you were cute. I thought you couldn’t hear me.” Her cheeks began to flush red. She was, by now, almost whispering, “I’ve been trying to learn ASL in order to speak with you.” By now, she was bright red.
“I’m Reginald,” I said, “and you are?”
“Nora,” she answered, she turned her eyes downward. Shyness, I supposed.
“Nora, would you consider joining me for a cup of coffee? Or tea, if you prefer? There’s a good shop around the corner called The Dancing Cup, my treat.”
“Love to,” she said.
I extended my hand, and she took it. My heart fluttered as I guided her to her feet. Then we left the station, heading out.
To this day, Nora blushes when I tell the story, just like she did that evening at the station. Look now. Look at her. See what I mean?
This week’s prompts are:
- steel wheels
- something’s in the air
- I don’t want to wake up
You can start writing whenever you want, just write, get the words down – and have fun!
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