Pounding his fist to pulpit, Joel was convinced that this time the congregation heard. Why oh why did they give him blank stares when he spoke the word of the Lord? He’d practiced time and again the infliction…”and the fire rose up, the devil swirled outta the smoke, grabbed every last one into the depths of hell fire to be lost forever for not beleivin’ in the everlastin’ truth“. He always remembered to drag out the word truth too because that is what folks wanted to hear, hinged their hopes on…’the trooth’!

Weary, Joel slipped behind the curtain. He kicked himself, yet again, for having no desire to face the questions from the congregation. Tonight he wanted to walk…walk off the weight on his shoulders, breath the crisp Fall air, try to get back to the way he felt…hmmm how had he felt before now? Would tonight’s walk finally bring him the answers? Joel pushed past those overt emotions, daddy’s voice in his head…”You stand strong boy or I’ll whip ya to make sure ya knows how!”

Childhood memories made Joel digress to hate…hating those memories made it even more painful for him. When he attempted to surface-talk about his feelings to his seminary advisor, Joel could tell by the downward turn of his eyes the advisor did not understand, probably blamed Joel for being that unruly child. It wasn’t until Chloe that Joel knew he’d met the one person in the world that knew, knew his heart’s pain. She realized he was good even though he was told time and time and time again that he wasn’t! Beautiful, childlike, loving Chloe.

Tonight Joel was finding his way down to the grassy spot by the river’s bank. Mid-way down the embankment Joel swore Chloe’s cinnamon scent wafted past. It was so subtle, should he shimmy to the top, to peek, look for her flowing blonde hair? Emotionally twisted, Joel decided to move on, find his way to the grassy patch by the part of the river that trickled over tiny rocks. A place that gave him serenity from the crazy noise, the noise that always rushed through his head.

Vibrantly green, cushy soft, that patch of grass welcomed Joel to settle in. As he laid back, heading into auto mode, Joel rose his hands to heaven, tears streamed quietly over his ears. The ears that had not heard real ‘trooth’ or Chloe’s lilting voice for…months, years decades. “Lord show me the way” his arms now spasms with pleading. “What am I to do Lord?” Silence. Time ticked. Impatience set in. Joel started to rise…

“It was not your fault Joel. please believe me!” Shaken…Was that Chloe? “You have to let go of your fists, open your hands to me!” Is that you…Chloe? ”Come with me darling…forever!” Chloe? “Yes…yes, yes, Joel!”

***

Celeste and Shaun tripped upon the grassy spot along the river, the moonlight reflected ghostly figures drifting off the river rocks…a cinnamon scent hung sweetly in the air! Shaun nuzzled closer, sincerely whispered in Celeste’s ear, “You were heaven sent, I love you!” Tears welled up, slowly they dropped down the side of her face, trailed over her ears onto the patch of green! Celeste knew in her heart Shaun spoke the truth!

© 2010, Correen. All rights reserved.

Jackson plus Amber etched deep into that top beam! Flathead Bridge held memories.

A quarter mile before sailing into its curve Amber assuredly pressed her foot into the gas.

Surreal…Savior by Lights played…Jackson’s apparition stood mid-bridge…she swerved…quietly resigned!

Hissing steam…Amber dead silent. Dreams of being together forever realized…at last!

© 2010, Correen. All rights reserved.

Slipping through the crowd unnoticed Breeann took the steps two at a time.

What would she do if…frozen, mid-thought, he swaggered into the courtroom.

Seconds an eternity. Not Guilty!! Gasps resounding in her ears!

Tortuously sliding middle finger down his cheek, across his lips…her heart cracked!

Breeann’s plan for Cranston set into motion!

© 2010, Correen. All rights reserved.

Putting a spin on constructing this 55 word series, it’s moving along in reverse.

Her solemn vow…to never look back! Tears replaced with hard lines of determination.

Levi’s cabin on Old Mill Road for her dad’s souped up fishing boat sealed the deal!

Breeann already knew the bastard’s routine, she’d also perfected the timing.

Covered by darkness, decisive…slamming syringe to thigh…within seconds his body went limp!

The Series…
♥ Afflict!

© 2010, Correen. All rights reserved.

Cranston never knew what hit him! Stirring, groggy…there she stood!

That bitch! He had beaten the charges!

Struggling against restraints, hell-bent on slapping that smirk off her face!

What was that taste in his mouth? Where was the blood coming from?

After pulling his lips apart to scream, his tongue plummeted to the floor!

© 2010, Correen. All rights reserved.

Merry made it known, that fixer upper pissed her off.

Joel wanted to get it running, time and money made it next to impossible.

His lack of attention, those gnarly greased nails, eww!

Her fat butt, that dyed hair, gawd!

He cooked, she ate. Joel kept fingers crossed this sprinkling of arsenic would end it!

© 2010, Correen. All rights reserved.

Through corners of rumpled curtain sunlight sneaked in. Ian’s want for darkness momentarily quelled.

Nuzzling his nose into the steamy cup of coffee flooded his brain…her, booze, moonlight, naked! Damn!

Promises about visiting the old haunts, broken!

Betting on the parole visit Ian leaned down, dragged her limp body into the hidden closet space.

© 2010, Correen. All rights reserved.

Billie’s mind flashed white – suddenly chilled.  Remembering mama’s words, “Shush those thoughts, nothing good ever came of ‘em!”.

Pushing back panic she thought about Jake…how she missed him tonight!

Alone and tipsy, Billie tripped down the stairs…what was that searing pain?

Eyes fluttering closed, her last vision…crimson droplets on white nubuck shoes!

© 2010, Correen. All rights reserved.

Justice sneaked down his fire escape into the darkened lot. Determined!

Hidden, Gisella watched from her window. Ideal!

Absorbed in ‘his’ moment, distant steps pricked his ears. Fierce!

Would he be given away with her writing? Focus!

At one fell swoop, Justice’s knife silenced another Mr. Confident. Forever!

Gisella set pen to paper, scribbling. Instigated!

© 2010, Correen. All rights reserved.

In the  70′s hitchhiking was safe…until Ted.

Get me outta here! Misunderstood, not understanding!

Parents drummin’ their mission. Always their say…what they think.

Bye, bye. I ain’t takin’ their shit anymore. Hittin’ the road, not even two pennies to rub.

So what, it’s me, it’s the road, onto others that will love me!

Screech!

Hey you, I’m Ted…need a ride?

© 2010, Correen. All rights reserved.