Jekyll Island Beach 2012

Jekyll Island Beach 2012

Saturday, February 25, 2012

MADDIE, 2012

The Rogue Speaks:

Before you read my offering for Saturday Centus, let me give you a little background.  The day that Maddie turned 12, she had announced that she was now a big girl who no longer needed the comfort of the rocking chair, or her favorite doll.  She asked her dad to put them in the attic, to save them for when she had a little girl of her own.  That was before the horror of that warm spring evening, when everything in Maddie's life changed forever.  The following is the first post I wrote about Maddie, for a Saturday Centus on May 14, 2011. It takes place in 2010:

 The attic lay silent in the heat of an August sun. Beams of sunlight, shimmering with dust motes, fell across the glass of the old mirror. Maddy stood transfixed, her wide eyes staring back at her from the reflection in the mirror. The image she saw was that of the child she used to be.

Slowly, she turned and found her place in the little rocker. Sitting down with her baby doll held gently in her arms, she began to rock and sing. Then she became aware of her father, standing beside her.

"Hi, Maddy," he said. "What are you doing?"

Here is the second part of Maddie's story, which I submitted on May 21, 2011:

In the stillness of an August afternoon, Maddy sat rocking, softly singing, "Hush, little baby, don't you cry..." Her sweet voice echoed in the dusty attic.

"Where is she?" Simon asked.

"In the attic--where else?" Maren replied. “She’s there every day, now. Rocking. Rocking and singing. I should be glad, I guess. I know where she is.”

Simon, frowning slightly, climbed the stairs.

"Hi, Maddie!" he said cheerfully. "What are you doing?"

"Just practicing," came the reply.

"Practicing?" he asked.

"Yes. When I grow up, I want to be just like Mama!"

“That’s good, baby, that’s good!”

Now, here is part three of Maddie's story.  The prompt is in bold type.

Maddie, 2012

He brought Maddy's old rocker down from the attic to the porch, where he removed the dust and cobwebs, and polished it until it shone like a new penny. Then he placed it in her bedroom.

"Maddy's coming home," he thought to himself, "and I want things to look as normal as possible. She needs 'normal'."

After tidying up the bedroom, he placed her favorite doll in the chair, and added a vase of fresh flowers on her desk.  The chair dominated the small room.  He stood back and admired the vignette, satisfied that it looked as if Maddy had only been away for a day.


That's it for this week, Centusians!  I hope you found my little story interesting.  It's been a challenge trying to write this morning with a 17 pound Mulligan constantly trying to get in my lap.  He's such a baby, and needs the comfort of his mom close by all day long!!!

22 comments:

21 Wits said...

Oh no....I don't think it's possible....we have to wait....not knowing...and what if we don't get the answer next week either! I just sensed with every new word I read what doom it could be, although hoping it's like years later and she's coming home with her new baby...but no..no ...you are putting us on hold!!!!! Sitting back in my chair right now listening to your music, is there a hint there? What are we to do. I know WAIT!

Judie said...

Well, the first two posts about Maddie were written last year! So unless Jenny comes up with a prompt that will allow me to continue, you'll just have to wait!!

Susan Anderson said...

I loved the two parts before and I love the third part now.

Just lovely.

=)

Ames said...

Well I don't want to wait! I want you to finish this story. The music made me sad. I thought you were going to tell us something sad. You really need to finish more of this story dear Judie. It is a wonderful story!Perfect for the prompt too!~LYMI~Ames

Melody said...

......what happened to her?? Your story has drawn me in a demands and ending. I hope that we get the rest of the story soon!

Great job! And thanks for coming by and visiting me at my blog earlier today :)

♥Melody
MerrieMelody.blogspot.com

Melody said...

(should be "demands AN ending", sorry)

THE SNEE said...

My hair is standing on end! I hope the next prompt prompts you to write more, Judie! BTW, a 17 pounder on your lap sounds oh so sweet.

Unknown said...

Very gripping! I can't wait to read future installments.

Oh, BTW, my 70 pounder would love to be in my lap but it's not going to happen. She'll just have to suffice laying at my feet!

noexcuses said...

Very intriguing, but what I took away was something sad is about to happen. Regardless, you are an awesome writer, just as you are with your pieces of art. It's always a treat to visit you, Judie!

Cher Duncombe said...

Judie, I think you could easily turn this into a screenplay and all of us would await the film to be made! Full of intrigue, it begs for more of your writing.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

Over all this time, you've pulled the story together so tightly into a sweet, tender piece that leaves me wondering and a bit sad. It's perfect, Judie. Very touching.

love and chocolate,
xoRobyn

Tammy said...

This is torture to have to wait. Please do finish this! You're killing us!

Jo said...

Judie, wow ... i am totally hooked ... your writing just keeps getting better and better!!! I am hoping the next instalment comes soon! Please stop by my blog today if you get a chance, it's an audition post and i need all of the support i can get ... thanks!!!

Judee said...

Judie, these little scenarios have gotten me so very curious, it's almost like torture! What has happened? How have things changed? I hope one day we'll get to find out.

Tess Julia said...

Wow, that was amazing! I want so much more:) I'm now following you! Thanks for stopping by my blog:)

Sarah said...

I hate you...now I have to come back and see where Maddie had been! :) You did that on purpose, didn't you?

Tina said...

I loved the description you used in the first paragraph of story one and how you ended it. I could really feel myself there in the moment.

Once Upon an Equine said...

Oh dear, what happened? What's going to happen? I hope Maddie is alright. You write beautifully. That rocking chair has a very important job. Every home should have a rocking chair like that in it.

Unknown said...

Dear Judie,

Beautifully penned post.

But I am a little worried about Maddy. Is she a real girl? Sometimes it's not always clear what is fact and fiction. She seems to be a relative.

Good choice of the rocking chair for this challenge.

Best wishes,
Anna
Marias's New Chair" for SCwk 95

Vicki/Jake said...

Doing a fast catch up...I've missed you.

Angelia Sims said...

Loved it. I am charmed by her and her rocking. I, also, LOVE the music playing...River flows in you....ahhh! So nice. Thank you!

ChrisJ said...

I think you're at your very best when leaving us hanging!