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 prompt from Writer’s Island: Unexpected

My family at a restaurant: a rarity. A waiter bribed me with a lollipop. My response was unexpected: I cried for a red one.

(Again, a story in 140 characters, including spaces)

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!

I shift my son from my left hip to my right, and he whines and squirms for escape. The diaper bag over my shoulder slips to my elbow and I stop to reposition it.

My husband stops beside me, reaching for the bag, his wheeled bag toppling.

“You got it?”

I nod but hand him the diaper bag, again repositioning the eight-month-old rock squirming in my arms.

My son smiles and reaches for his daddy, but I pull him close to me. We walk. Up the escalator and we’ll be there, here, done, finished, back again, finally returned.