It is so winter right now. And it’s so cold. And all the leaves are brown and the sky is gray, as usual. And I’m sick of it.

I wanted to go with him, I really did. But one thing led to another, as usual, and I was left behind in Gray Sky Chicago. Dred went to L.A. without me, I’m sure.

Maybe I should explain.

I am the most unlucky girl in the world. I mean, ever. And it’s partially my mother’s fault and partially my father’s fault.

Long story short: I was born on Friday the Thirteenth. You may think that’s not my mother’s fault, but she was induced, so yes, she chose my birthday. Then, it was raining on Sunday when we went home from the hospital, and my father wanted to keep me dry. So even though my mom tried to stop him, he opened the umbrella inside. I’d so rather have gotten wet.

I could tell you my unlucky sob story, with all the significant and insignificant details, like how I broke my leg while sleeping when I was 8 months old, how I broke every single plate in my mother’s china just by eating on it, how my folks died in a plane crash when I was twelve (yeah, how often does that happen?), how I went to live with my Wicked Step-Aunt, how my Wicked Step-Aunt kicked me out last year, how I lived with three different friends, and how they all turned out to be losers.

But I won’t; that’s just my luck. Bad things frequently happen to me. I’ll just try to explain why I didn’t go to L.A. with Dred.

I guess I’ll start at the beginning, as usual. (more…)

True response to 3WW: Change, Dizzy, Key

We’d been awake since 4 repacking the bags and fitting them in the trunk. It was 9 a.m., and my friend had just arrived to drive us to the airport. My growing headache at the thought of the next 24 hours of travel was already starting to make me dizzy and the baby was calling for attention, but he was buckled in the car seat and we were almost ready to go.

I was impressed. We were physically ready but the flight was not going to leave for four hours yet. With one hour to drive to the airport, we were doing well. This was a change: a year earlier, pre-baby, we’d be rushing out the door at the last possible minute, arriving at the airport just barely in time to get through security.

“Okay,” I said to my husband. “Are we ready?”

He pushed the inside door lock and let the door swing shut.

“Yeah, just about.”

“Did you turn off the kitchen light?”

“I think I forgot,” he turned to re-enter the house. The door was locked. “Oops.”

He went to the trunk and started rummaging around, moving the carefully arranged duffle bags.

“Don’t worry about it,” I said a moment later, “as long as the house is locked, we’re okay. We can leave the light on. Let’s just get to the airport now.”

He kept searching in the trunk.

“I could come and turn it off for you later, if you want,” my friend offered.

“No, it’s not that,” he said, standing up again with a sheepish grin. “It’s my carry-on bag. It’s in the house with the key.”

“Do you deny it?” she asked, pinching the unknown lipstick tube between two fingers, her face red. Still he sat with an uncomfortable smile.

“How long has it been going on?” She dropped the lipstick on the dresser and walked to the closet, her slip swishing.

He didn’t respond but fiddled with his tie and tried to avoid her glare.

“I thought I could trust you when you said…” She let her sentence trail off as she pulled the black dress over her head.

The silence continued as she struggled with the zipper. Finally, he spoke: “I couldn’t help it. I would have stopped, but…”

“You couldn’t help it!” She spat the words out and stopped dressing to stare at him again. “I don’t believe that.”

His smile had disappeared. Now he looked down at his hands, which sat limply in his lap.

“I mean, what were you thinking?” She had resumed dressing and now reached for her jewelry box.

“I have this passion, honey,” he mumbled. “I felt … I had to …. Besides, you’ve been working so late…”

“Even if I’m not here, don’t I have any say in how you spend your weeknights?” She grumbled as she knelt before him. He looked up to see her slender neck, the pearl necklace he’d given her waiting to be clasped.

“I want you to trust me,” he said, clasping her hook and letting his hand graze her soft skin. “I’ll call right now. The whole thing is off.” His face looked calm, but his eyes still looked troubled.

She smiled softly and sighed, still kneeling before him. “Does it really mean that much to you?”

“Yes.” His eyes begged hers for understanding.

She sighed again and stood. “Then act in that bizarre drama.” She motioned for him to take her arm. “I just never thought I’d have a husband so obsessed with the stage.”

Last week, I practiced creating a scene and emotion in 140 characters. I did the same this week, but then I decided I needed to finish the scene. What was really happening? I had fun trying to do so.

Daily Writing Tips and Copyblogger have both posted about very short story writing lately. Copyblogger even held a contest for very short stories, limited to 140 characters. Not 140 words: 140 characters. I felt inspired after reading the entries. The winners are found here, or see all the entries and be the judge yourself at Smithereens Blog.

I unfortunately didn’t find the contest in time to enter and win, but here are my three attempts, each one exactly 140 characters.

Three Word Wednesday #88: Blurred Illegal Match

My eyes blurred when I heard sirens. Another, I groaned inside. I didn’t know the turn was illegal! Yesterday’s ticket did not need a match.

[Note: I had a hard time keeping the words in order. And then I realized I probably didn’t have to. Oh well. There you have it.]

Sunday Scribblings #113: Curve

We studied together for the exam, sharing notes and answers. Test day came and I did well: 100%. But no one would face me: I set the curve.

[Note: I hated it when teachers graded tests based on curves! When people then do well on the test, they’re socially ostracized.]

Writer’s Island: Extravaganza

One night each month, we set aside homework, turned on the music, and danced: six 19-year-olds acting like girls at a homemade extravaganza.

These were so incredibly fun to do! If you want to try, link or paste yours in the comments!