You’ve Been Served

Aside ~ November 22, 2017November 22, 2017 ~ Beyond the Skinny Branches ~ Leave a comment

“Mercy me!” she exclaimed to no one in particular as she almost dropped the full tray of assorted cookies she had just painstakingly arranged and was about to take out to serve to members of the Ladies of the Lake Tea Group.

Looking down to see what had created the slip that had almost been her undoing, she eyed a small pool of what appeared to be milk on the linoleum floor – evidence of what could surely be deemed criminal carelessness, as just moments before, against her better judgement, she had succumbed to pressure from Myrna to allow her to serve the coffee, a mistake that reinforced her privately held poor opinion of Myrna’s character.

She took it upon herself to rearrange the cookies and the more arduous task of rearranging her expression from one of annoyance to one of the pleasant politeness she was known for, and with an almost imperceptible sigh, she headed out to return to the girls.

Inspired by The Daily Post Daily Word Prompt: mercy

On Point

Aside ~ November 19, 2017 ~ Beyond the Skinny Branches ~ Leave a comment

“I’m glad I am particular,” she said to no one in particular, giving herself one final look over in the mirror before going downstairs to join the others.

With a firm nod of approval at her reflection, she reached for her gloves, congratulating herself for having decided against wearing the new emerald green peacock and lace evening gown.

With a self-satisfied smile just barely gracing her lips, she set her face into its most attractive arrangement and started for the door and another successful evening.

Inspired by The Daily Post Daily Word Post: particular

Coffee Break

Aside ~ November 16, 2017 ~ Beyond the Skinny Branches ~ Leave a comment

With the tiniest of wry little smiles, she thought to herself, “I have a rather droll sense of humor, don’t I?”

Anyone who might have been looking her way would have thought to themselves, “Now that is an intriguing woman,” but sadly, no one was looking her way at just that moment.

And just like that, her face returned to its usual arrangement, a bespoke blend of earnest effort and fatigue, as she went to top off table eleven’s coffee cups.

Inspired by The Daily Post Daily Word prompt: droll

Estate Wagon Dreams

Aside ~ November 15, 2017November 15, 2017 ~ Beyond the Skinny Branches ~ Leave a comment

Francine was beyond tired. The kids were being brats in the back seat and she had more important things on her mind than who was putting buggers on who’s arm.

Just one more errand to do, and then she could drive back home, get the kids started on their homework, and head back to the bedroom to have some alone time. She had a new mystery she was dying to start, and she just wanted to lay there, read, and finish the half-eaten jumbo candy cane pole hidden in the bedside table drawer.

Just as she was about to make a left into the library parking lot, some car from the next lane over pulled in front of her. She jammed on the brakes, which sent the kids flying into the back of the front seat and her heart into a flip-flop. After the shock wore off, she rolled down her car window, and honked the horn, yelling after the car, “Freak!!”

Hearing the shrillness of her own voice, she was surprised that that was what had come out of her mouth, but it was the worst thing she could think of to say in front of the kids. She looked back to see if they were OK, only to find that they were actually more than OK. They were cracking up over it all.

As she rolled the window back up, she quickly decided that they could forego the library for today. She gunned the gas, heading straight home to that bed and that candy as soon as humanly possible.

Inspired by The Daily Post Daily Word Prompt: honk

Edible Art

Aside ~ October 30, 2017 ~ Beyond the Skinny Branches ~ 1 Comment

“I insist,” she said to no one in particular as she slathered an additional layer of Fluff onto the graham cracker in preparation for the slab of Hershey’s that would soon complete her masterpiece.

“There. It is done.”

And within seconds, it was.

Inspired by the Daily Post Daily Word Prompt: fluff

Whiskey & Bitters

Aside ~ October 11, 2017 ~ Beyond the Skinny Branches ~ 1 Comment

“The only exceptional thing about you is that you are throughly unexceptional!” And with that, and the throaty laugh that accompanied it, Alexandra Haversmith made it clear that a second date was not a possibility.

She returned her full attention to the remainder of the Manhattan that she had been drinking as if it was life’s blood itself, and glanced about to be sure that she had been overheard by all surrounding parties.

One’s reputation, after all, was all.

Inspired by The Daily Post Daily Word Prompt: exceptional

Pump Talk

Aside ~ October 6, 2017 ~ Beyond the Skinny Branches ~ 3 Comments

“Way to go, Genius!” he said to no one in particular as he realized that the gas he’d been pumping was spurting out onto his hand and dribbling down his pant’s leg.

He released the handle and hurriedly put it back in its cradle, and then shook his hand and leg simultaneously while shaking his head in reprimand for having caught himself daydreaming again.

“Well, that’s what you get Old Boy,” he said with a gentler tone, again to no one in particular. As was often the case in such situations, he was abrasive with himself at first, turning compassionate after a bit, as he knew that he’d always been a daydreamer and probably always would be a daydreamer.

No sense berating a skunk for its stripe, he thought, pleased that he’d found such a fitting analogy. “Let’s get a move on then,” he said with a bit of pep. And as he pulled away from the station, a tune found his lips and he started to whistle.

Inspired by The Daily Post Daily Word Prompt: genius

Veiled Intent

Aside ~ October 5, 2017October 5, 2017 ~ Beyond the Skinny Branches ~ Leave a comment

She was always fashionably late, and was certainly not going to change stripes this late in the game.

They could all just await her presence. After all, wasn’t this supposed to be her big day?

She poured another sherry, and returned to the debate of veil or no veil. It felt as if her entire future happiness was dependent on this decision.

Her mother felt the veil was gaudy. The seamstress who had created it was understandably biased in its favor.The dresser had an opinion but no one asked it of her.

She gazed at her reflection, and contemplated herself from her own superior taste. The veil felt right, but some adjustment to the angle was needed.

She set her face back into its public expression and unlocked the boudoir door, ready at last to enter into her future.

Inspired by The Daily Post Daily Word Prompt: fashionable