Calling all muses! What story does this photo tell?
I’m going to do something a little different this time and try my hand at a poem. As always, I welcome everyone to tell their story in the comments!
In Plain Sight
My little smile
Hides the ugly cry
For wounds so deep
Some you gave, others self inflicted
Is your grin concealing too?
My racing heart
Beats over the fright
Love, elation, anticipation
The rhythm is the same
What secrets thump in your chest?
I lean in close
Yet still far away
Bodies connect without souls
You see me, but I remain invisible
Is the truth of you before my eyes?
Nulli
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
very emotionally charged my friend…
Thanks, T!
Nulli, I just love this feature. Not a poetry fan. I prefer your stories, but I actually like your angst filled poem. LOL!
My muse nixed the story idea for some reason. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem though.
one to ponder about!
your little piece of poetry is nicely done and heartfelt.
Thank you, Tan.
I like stories, but for some reason scattered lines and words, strung with emotion, then hung on a plain empty canvas can indeed say more than a whole chapter.
*hugs*
I made it! hope you enjoy this part, wanted to move things a long a little bit and not have them dance around endlessly. enjoy!
Part 7 :
As days and weeks changed into months both Thomas and Jenifer ran into each other more than they ever had in prior years. A lot of the misguided assumptions were talked about and laughed away as if they never happened. They didn’t really go on a proper date but it was more running into each other and having a quick coffee or tea with a piece of pie to stretch the time.
Thomas felt as time went on that Jenifer opened up more to him and that his own fascination with her had grown way beyond the sexual lust he felt, at least that was what he called it, at first. Now he just craved being around her, hearing her voice, just looking at her made him happy. Still he was a bit unsure if his feelings would be answered.
Lately they had taken on the habit of late evening walks in the woods between their houses and as the weather grew warmer they stopped at a well hidden pond and spend some time just enjoying the peace and quiet of their surroundings.
Not wanting to jeopardize their friendship he did take the first step when summer really started. He had asked Jenifer is she’d be up for having a little picnic at the pond on Sunday afternoon. Luck was on his side and just after noon they went off on their little journey. He didn’t let Jenifer help when he spread out the blanket and displayed a lot of different plastic food containers. Not wanting the hassle of juggling his plate on his lap he’d opted for easy finger food.
He saw on Jenifer’s face he had surprised her. The sheer amazement on her face made him smile in turn.
“The blanket is set, my lady,” he made an exaggerated bow with one arm stretched out, the other held against his stomach, “If you’d care to sit down you can enjoy everything that is spread out.”
“I’d very much love to, my tummy is about to make summersaults just by looking at all these wonderful foods. You made it all yourself?” Jenifer sounded a bit surprised.
“Ah yes I did. That was my last big secret, I just love to cook! I hate cutting out the sugar but I’m foodie so I find it challenging to find ways to ease my taste buds and make them happy.”
Thomas saw her eyes drifting over the several containers, he bit back a smile as she literally started licking her lips.
“Don’t let me hold you up, tick in and enjoy. I know I’m going to.”
He waited until Jenifer sat down before taking the spot next to her.
“Wanna do this buffet style?” Jenifer asked him as she grabbed one of the containers and picked out a tiny egg roll.
“How do you mean?”
“Well we go through the different dishes one by one and then start at the beginning again. That way we don’t miss anything. If there are a few that go well together do let me know.”
“Aah I get it now. That is fine by me. As for some going together, I already grouped them so you can pick whatever you want, I’ll follow your lead.”
The hour that followed had Thomas enjoying every sound Jenifer made. She may not say it but she appeared to be hooked on food as much as him. He loved seeing the delight on her face when she tasted something new, the bliss when it was something sweet and the surprise when the flavor was something completely different then she expected it to be. The joy almost overwhelmed him, this was a perfect ‘date’ so far.
“I think I’m stuffed now.” Jenifer rubber her tummy before lying back and staring up at the sky.
“If you’re hungry we’d have to go back, we ate everything.” To proof his words he held some of the containers above her. “See all empty. Remind me prepare more next time.”
“Hey! I can’t help it that I have a healthy appetite.”
“I don’t mind at all, I like it even.”
He set about cleaning up the empty containers and put them away before he sat next to her and recollected things from the past few months. Thomas looked beside him and saw she had her eyes closed. Carefully he laid down beside her, gazing at the same sky but it didn’t captivate him as much as the tiny redhead next to him. Rolling onto his side he studies her face and noticed the few freckles on her cheeks. It was hard not to touch them, count them one by one.
It still amazed him how their friendship had grown from that one fated night he ended up on her doorstep. Was it fate? He didn’t know and though the reason why he ended up there wasn’t the best, he was glad it meant ‘the’ breakthrough. The lingering hate he always felt there was between them disappeared like snow in the sun. Instead Jenifer opened up, became a friend and secretly he hoped she’d become more. Maybe today would be the first step into that direction.
Suddenly Jenifer surprised him as she rolled on her side and cuddled close, clearly asleep and clearly in need of contact. Barely breathing he enclosed his arm around her and with a bit of wriggling was able to let her use his other arm as pillow.
She felt right in his arms, her body heat travelling through his clothes, meeting his own rising heat. He could feel her breasts pressing into his chest. His mind travelled and him struggle not to just ravish her on the spot. Enjoying the feel of her curves, he knew his thoughts shouldn’t travel that way, maybe soon but not yet. Trying to be a gentleman and wanting his thoughts to get in line again he started counting sheep. It didn’t take long before the sheep overtook his mind and he drifted off.
An hour or so later Thomas felt something moving against him. Struggling to open his eyes he saw it was Jenifer waking up as well. Their eyes met and gone was the forest around them. His hold on her grew stronger and he couldn’t help but smile as she molded her body against his even more.
“It seems we both needed a little siesta.”
“It looks like it. I had a nice pillow.” Jenifer had a cute, and at the same time shy, smile.
Thomas caved this time and gently stroked her cheek, soaking up the beautiful smile gracing her face.
“Glad I was of some use to you.”
“I could think of a few more.”
He raised one brow questionably. “And what would those be?”
“Something I’ve wanted to do for quite a while but I was never sure if it was the time for. I belief now it is time.”
Thomas was curious and hopeful, Jenifer suddenly looked a bit nervous.
“Hey, it’s ok. Whatever it is, just take your time. I’m not going anywhere.”
“I hope you’re not. I really do. There is something I have to show you but I need you to trust me. I need for you to keep an open mind now.”
“Jenifer?” he couldn’t help the puzzled look traveling over his features.
Jenifer sat up, placed her hands on his should and whispered something in his ears. He couldn’t quite make anything of it, it sure wasn’t English but he also didn’t know what language it was in.
” Elen sila lumen omentilmo, melamin.” (A star shall shine on the hour of our meeting, my love.)
“Trust me,” she continued as she stood and walked towards the pond.
Thomas was unsure of what was going on, did he do something wrong? He was clueless as he kept watching Jenifer walk away from him. Her hair had gotten loose and it was the first time he saw how long it really was. It looked like fire traveling down her spine, covering her heart shaped bottom and going just past her knees.
His jaw dropped at what she did next.
(What will happen now? Nulli i challenge you *grins*)
Challenge me? Don’t make me find the world’s most obscure photo!
Of course you end it right here when we’re all dying to see the reveal. You little temptress!
Oh yeah, I did have a habit of doing that, didn’t I?
“Earl! Earl!” Shania yelled. “You made it! This weekend will be awesome.” She continued s she hugged her long-lost brother.
No one thought he’d come home. But she had faith. Years had passed and it was tme to let the anger go. Many had encouraged her not to call him, but she ignored thme completely. The truth is she missed her big brother.
She understood why he went away. In all honesty, he really had no choice. But the person that made him leave was old now, old and powerless. They were all grown, not children like they were ten years ago.
“Momma will be so glad to see you, Earl. She has changed so much. She’s nothing like how she used to be.” Shania assured him.
“We’ll see, sis.” he replied..
“Many people thought he was made to leave by his then stepfatrher because he was abusive towards his Mom. That was the farthest from the truth. His Mom was the abuser. His stepdad, Joe, did everything he could to stop her.
Earl remembered the first time she slapped him, he was three. He finched at the memory. And he recalled the last time ten years ago, when she threatened to shoot him. He stood paralysed staring at a hunting rifle trained between his eyes.
Nothing but pure hate blared from the eyes of his mother. Crying, Joe begged her to stop. “Why?” the man cried. “Why did she treat her son this way?”
Joe loved her, and unless it was something to do with Earl, she was relatively happy. Most would think that she hated her son. She didn’t. Usually after a beating, She’s cry for hours hating what she’d done to him.
Joe managed to get the gun from her, and he held her as she cried and screamed at Earl to get out of her sight. Earl did. He didn’t have anything but the clothes he wore. But he knew he really had to go this time. He’d managed to save a little over a hundred dollars, but he knew how to hustle.
He went to his baby sister’s room, and watched her sleep. Shania was beautiful, and he prayed that as long as Joe was there she’d be safe from their mother.
He didn’t now how long he stood and watched her. but the time had come. He couldn’t stay here. Kissing his sister goodbye, he headed out the back door.
Joe was sitting at the table in the dark kitchen, unashanmed tears pouring down his cheeks. He knew Earl was leaving. She left him no choice. He should have done more, called the police, threatened to take both kids and leave her, but he couldn’t do that to her.
Despite the way she was, she loved her oldest child. It was just somedays, when she forgot her self, she lashed out, and he was often the recipient.
The truth of it was, she hit Joe too. Just never in front of others. No, his beatings were done weh he lay in bed and couldn’t get away. Part of him hated her, but part of him loved her. All of him feared her.
Joe stopped Earl before he walked out for the last and final time. “Earl, I’m sorry. I keep trying to talk her down, but she shuts off and won’t listen. I know you’re gone, but please call and let me know you’re still living at least.”
“Joe, don’t let her hurt Shania. Call the police if you have too, but protect my baby sister, alright.” Earl pleaded.
“I will. Here, this is all I have. She won’t give me money, and I had this hidden. It’s only a few hundred, but it’ll help you at least eat.” Joe whispered.
Earl looked at him, and that’s when he saw his face. The bruises were there for all to see. He understood.
“Joe we should report her. She’ll kill you and then where will Shania be?” Earl asked, knowing that you didn’t call the police. That’s what other’s did. Here you took care of your own. Momma loved Shania, and she wouldn’t hurt her. Although Joe couldnt walk, he’d be there for his daughter.
“Earl? What’s wrong?” Shania asked concerned, “Why are you crying?”
“Nothing, sis, just memorires.” he ansewered. So, I see you’re all grown up. What have you beennup to?”
“Well, not much. I joined the debate team. That’s about it.” she explained.
She knew he left home when she was a a baby, but her Dad talked about him often, and when he would call her Dad lit up. He let her speak to him once she was older. Dad made her promise to never tell Momma that Earl called.
But last year Momma found out, and she attacked Daddy. Shania called the police. Momma was taken to jail. Dad didn’t press charges, but the judge ordered Momma to be evaluated. The doctors said she had a mental disorder.
She’s been on medication for a while. One day she asked to see Earl. Dad said he couldn’t call, but Shania wanted her brother to come home. She found him on facebook.
She called, and at first he refused, but Shania was determined to get her family back together.She talked him into coming home.
They arrived at the home he’d walked away from. Joe was sitting on the porch, waiting anxiously. Shania left him with her dad and ran to get their mom. Earl walked over and embraced his stepfather. Joe wept, softly and welcomed him back home. Earl offered words of comfort and reassurance to him. He never really blamed Joe.
Then he heard to door slam. He looked up and there stood his Mother. “Earl, I’m sorry.’ she whispered. “I’m so sorry. The things I did… Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?” she pleaded.
Earl looked at his mother, and realized, that he didin’t hate her. He understood. You see, when his mother was twelve, she was raped by her brother. HE raped her repeatedly until he finally got her pregnant at the age of thirteen. Her parents protected him, and forced her to hide the pregannacy. She gave birth to a little by that looked just like the brother that hurt her.
Often being told the rape was her fault, and being berated for cauusing the favorite son to have to go away, his mother took her baby and ran, one night when she was seventeen.
It was hard, but they survived. Then she met Joe and he let them move in with him. The bigger Earl grew the more he looked like his father. Something happened and his mother became even more viiolent toward him.
He knew he had to leave, but now it was time to face the past.
“Momma,” Earl whispered, “I know. I understand. I love you, Momma.” As he hugged her and she stared into his eyes, hope blooming that at last her son had come home and she could work to earn his forgiveness.
Lots of emotion in this piece, Iread!
I found the poem super lovely and very poignant. Kudos to you, Nulli. My poetry is usually trite and contrived or (shock! surprise!) dark and gloomy.
I’m also going to pass on this Musing. Though I know exactly who this couple reminds me of, I’m just not in the right frame of mind to write the story. Too deep into WIP to try to yank out of it
Thank you for the compliment! I know what you mean about pulling yourself out of a WIP. This poem was inspired by one of the characters in my current WIP. I didn’t realize it until after I’d posted it. Seems my muse is seeing through that lens for the moment.
I’m a bit slow on the uptake, but what is WIP?
It stands for Work in Progress.