This little story is a three part Centus. To read parts one and two, go here first.
“All right,” she said from far off, from the future, from all the years coming up, and from the first night alone in bed."
-James Dickey, “Deliverance”
MIDNIGHT CALLER*EPILOGUE
After the sun disappeared from Drew’s coffin, and mourners began moving away, Lauren spotted a woman, walking alone.
Lauren’s heart jumped in her chest. She sent the boys with Drew’s parents, and doubled back, approaching the stranger from behind.
“I know who you are,” she said, her voice low and gritty. “How dare you come here. How dare you! Were it not for you, my boys might still have their father. Were it not for your selfish disregard for anyone else, our family could be whole, and Drew might be laughing, and playing games with his sons!”
At the sound of Lauren’s voice, the woman spun around sharply, her eyes large with shock. “We were in love!” she responded.
“LOVE?” Lauren hissed. “You think he LOVED you? Drew had an ego as big as Texas! He never loved you. You’re nothing! Trash! A whore! You’ll always be an ignorant whore!”
Jenny tried to make amends by giving us 150 words this week for our Saturday Centus, and I made use of every single one! Whittling down can be difficult, but I am a firm believer that "less is more." Remember the words of William Shakespeare--"Brevity is the soul of wit." I try to live by those words whenever I can. It really makes one think twice, sometimes, before running off at the fingers (notice that I said "sometimes").
Hope over to Jenny's, now, and read the offerings of the other Centusians. I'll race you!!
23 comments:
She must be if she left him after reporting his heart attack to the 911 dispatcher. Why would a cheater do that and then show up at his funeral. Turns my stomach. I know we shouldn't judge people on their sins, because we all live in glass houses, but after reading this story I can't get Ginrich out of my mind. Humf! Very good story Judie. And I like the picture from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.~Ames♥
Hoo boy - you got the emotion right there. That was intense!
Oooh...love the sound of that low, gritty voice!
I can't quite imagine how that would have felt... And then again maybe I can... Still, it leaves room for another epilogue, no? Forgiveness? Then they become best friends or even lesbian lovers? Oh the possibilities are endless...heehee.
This was unexpected ... i didn't think she would show up at the funeral ... and wife's reactions ... i'm with anita on this .... and can anyone truly forgive for an act of such unkindness, disregard and selfishness???
I can't speak to what other women might do, but one of my mottos is "take no prisoners." Any woman who tried to take my husband would pray to die and go to hell. Hell would be a lot better than what she would get from me. And you thought that secretly I was a NICE person.
I don't think I'd be too friendly to someone who tried to move in on my husband, either. And with him dead, the wife has no one else to take her anger out on but the "other woman," so this chick gets it with both barrels.
(And deserves it, I might add...)
=)
Lauren had no illusions about Drew's personality. She knew he thrived on flattery, and was as egotistical as they come. But she also knew just how strong his family bond was, and that he would never leave her and the boys.
The whore had left Drew to die. She was only looking out for herself, and she got from Lauren exactly what she deserved.
Why did she show up at the funeral? Stupidity. Sheer stupidity.
OMGosh,That was great Judie and airing Newt G.'s 'dirty laundry' story as inspiration just added to the realistic feel of this epilogue...very well done indeed !!!
I am with you...anyone tries to take my man will rue the day she was ever born...He wouldn't have a prayer either !
I say Bravo, first for your writing, but for her to stand up through all her pain and speak her mind....too often in life we hesitate only to keep recalling the should haves that bury us deeper! X-Cool, too that you used the photo from one of my favorite John Cusack films! I own it, the book and have gone on the Book Tour...and been inside that lovely quiet and sometimes! scary cemetery in Georgia! Great epilogue, that well could be a movie!
Karen, John Berendt is currently working on another book. It is based on New Orleans, another city that has LOTS of ghosts and fascinating cemeteries.
Judie,
__Thanks for going pop-up... now, after all, I can comment at your goos works. 'Twas that "threaded comments 'improvement'" I thank, that caused an un-foreseen glitch!
__I'll be back. _m
Hey Judie, this was powerful, dark and yet (sadly) very realistic. You did a great job.
PS I've missed you. Sorry I haven't been to Jenny's class in a while. I hope to return next week.
xoRobyn
This was an impressive end to the story...you can be in love and yet look out only for yourself, your happiness...and sometimes airing ones feeling can bring closure and the freedom to move on.
Rek, I am having difficulty making comments. Could you possibly switch to "pop-up" comments? I love your writing, and would like very much to comment, but I am being occasionally blocked!!
Hi Judie,
Tried several times last week to comment here but was blocked by Mr Blogger!
At last succeeded!
Look forward to *meeting* again for A-Thursday!
XOXO Lola:)
PS Lizzie is so cute I'm sure she has lots of male admirers!If she needs any advice from the, ahem, more mature Aunt Lola, just get her to leave a comment sometime!X
Raw and succinct, this little story packs a powerful punch - like you do. Wonderful work.
Namaste............ch
Show up at the funeral...the nerve!!!
This was greatly unexpected.
Have a blessed week sweeite!!! :o)
Very creative ~ Great to hear from you ~ Happy New Year belatedly but filled with hugs ~ namaste, Carol (Share the Creative Journey) and A Creative Harbor)
Judie said,"take no prisoners." Gotta love her!
Oooo, I loved the retort to 'the other woman! Salty and super writing, Judie.
Caught my attention....
Thanks!
Oh. Darn.
Rats!
Now I need the epilogue to the epilogue of parts one and two of the cliffhanger.
Geez, Judie.
Way to leave us all hanging.
You're amazing.
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