Tuesday Tales and a Twist on Fate
Ahoy Fellow Fathomers! I celebrate the first Tuesday Tales in June with a brand new WIP! This week I take you to an installment in a brand new sweet romantic YA read, Twister Fate. This week the word prompt is "train":
The bustle of school children out for the day
created a lively atmosphere. Each class
grade manned a booth at the fair to raise money for their senior class trip. A dunk
tank sat in a corner area, where the elementary principal awaited on the
precarious perch for someone with impeccable aim. Ring toss, darts, and even a
kissing booth boasted lines of kids and adults alike.
He was quiet, definitely unusual for
such a normally happy junior high kid. Days rarely got better than that one, as
the school administration excused classes for students to attend the fair. She attempted to bring a smile. “Knock knock…”
Prologue
September, 1993
The smell of roasted corn, barbeque, and kettle corn filled
the air. A clear blue sky provided the
perfect backdrop for the small county fair in rural Oklahoma.
Scarlett Johnson and Ricky Roberts walked hand in hand
checking out the winning exhibits of farm animals.
He hesitated, his hand growing sweaty. “Uh…who’s there?”
“Banana,” she replied.
“Banana who?”
“Knock knock…”
“Who’s there?” Irritation filling his voice.
“Banana.”
“Banana who?”
“Knock knock…” She started giggling.
“Aww, shucks, I know that dumb joke.” He dropped her hand
and wiped his sweaty palm on his jeans.
“But, it’s the last time, please?” She batted her eyelashes,
trying valiantly to conjure a smile.
“Who’s there?” He asked sullenly.
“Orange.”
“Orange who?”
“Orange you glad I didn’t say banana again?” She broke into
laughter.
“Dang it, Scarlett, that jokes’ as old as we are.”
“What’s in your craw, Ricky Roberts? I swear it’s getting
old trying to make you smile. I can go hand out with my friends if you’re gonna
be difficult.” Scarlett tossed her head such that her pigtail braids flipped.
“Look, I’m sorry, okay? I just, I need
to tell you something and I don’t know how to say it.”
‘We’ve been best friends since
Kindergarten, I figured you’d know how to talk to me by now. Ain’t I your girl?”
“Yea, Scarlett, and that’s what
makes it harder.” Ricky looked up with tears bubbling in his eyes.
“Oh, shoot, Ricky, what’s the
matter? Did your dog die? You know I love that dog like my own.” Impulsive
concern flooded her girlish face. “He’s been sick, but, I thought you said he
was getting better.”
“He did, I mean, he is getting
better, no he didn’t die. Honestly, it’s worse than that and up until last
night, I didn’t think anything could be worse than that.”
“Please tell me, you know you’ve
got me so worried now.”
“I’m moving away, Scarlett.” Tears
flowed freely now down his boyish adolescent cheeks.
“What? No!” Impulsive tears sprang
from her own eyes. “Your farm is here, you’ve been here forever, what do you
mean you’re moving away?”
“My momma and daddy, they’re
getting a divorce. Momma is taking the train somewhere north, and me and my
brother and sisters gotta go with her.”
“Did you tell them you love me,
that you can’t leave me?”
“They won’t listen to me, they
think what we have is silly puppy love anyhow. They don’t care I’m serious
about marrying you.”
“You better come back for me,
Ricky Roberts, you better make me that promise right now.” Scarlett slumped
into a heap onto some scattered straw outside a horse pen.
“I promise, Scarlett, I cross my
heart and hope to die promise. I’ll love you forever.”
"Now that you've read my contribution to TT, please visit my creative friends over at our main blog, Tuesday Tales for their take on the word, "train".
Comments
Hoping, that Ricky will come back for her. His emotions so well written!