 Rhibear ~ Madam Solo ~ Dark Brooding Girl ~ Accio Jedi ~ Gryffinclaw ~ Just a doll
1. Carols
Setting: the home of Norman Carton; Edinburgh, Scotland; Christmas 2109
(199 words)
It was a quiet Christmas Eve. Father and daughter sat on the couch. The fire roared, and a Christmas comedy played in the background. Normandie wasn’t paying attention. She only had it on in case it cheered her dad up.
Christmas was hard for him. He never talked about it, but she knew. She saw it in his eyes. The wedding ring he still wore gleamed in the firelight as she squeezed his hand.
“Dad-” A knock at the door interrupted Normandie.
Father and daughter looked at each other, confused. “Who could that be?”
“We wish you a Merry Christmas…” The singing grew louder as they approached the door. Several people dressed in Victorian costumes stood outside.
Normandie giggled, applauding wildly as the song ended. “Lovely song - and I love your outfits! Don’t you, Dad?”
“Yes, very Dickensian.”
Normandie looked at Norman with a twinkle in her eye, the telltale sign she was up to something. “Mind if we join you?” she asked the lead caroler.
“What? No-” Norman protested, but Normandie already grabbed his hand. She looked at him with puppy dog eyes. He could never resist those eyes!
“Jingle bells…” Two more voices joined the next song.
__________________ Old voices I had thought long since dead whisper of another life I might have led
If I could take that second chance, If I could make my life anew, If only dreams came true... |