Tag: First Line Friday

First Line Friday: June 18

First Line Friday

The café began to feel like her only real home. Carrie looked out at the lights as they blinked on the sign, Lou & Rachel’s Café. The pain and fear were still very real. She glanced down at the ugly scar that snaked across her left forearm and down her hand.

“Your awfully quiet tonight,” said Rachel. “You okay?” Rachel was well aware of what this day was. It had been six years to the day that her sister’s family had been in a horrific accident with Carrie being the only survivor of six in her family and two teenage boys whose car exploded upon impact.

“I am old enough now to have processed what happened and begin to heal from it. But I can still see in it my mind, hear the screaming of tires, the breaking of glass and that horrid smell of burning flesh. Will I ever be fully healed? I sometimes wish I had died as well so I don’t have these memories.”

“Emotional and psychological healing takes an infinitely longer time and in some cases you just learn to live with the memories by pushing them out of your mind. You will get better. What does your therapist say?”

“She is pleased with how well I have done so far but she knows there is still a lot more healing to do. Thank you for taking me in. I cant imagine doing this alone.”

“Have you thought any more about the community college?”

“Some. My therapist is good friends with the Dean of the College, so they understand my situation. Due to my injuries, I may never be able to play the violin again but I could teach. I just don’t know if that is enough or even a wise thing to do. Or do I really want that?”

“Well, as I am sure what others have told you is that at least you could be back in music. But I fully understand if that is not enough or if its is too hard to separate from what you wanted for your life. I will be here to support whatever you need.”

“It’s funny but the love and warmth of this little café has helped me heal better than I think anything else could have.”

“That is because of the love of this little town. They loved your family and only want the best for you. They too will support any decision you make. You have a lot of love here. Plus they are always here for my cherry pie. It is to good to be true,” she chuckled.

“You are right about that,” she chuckled herself. “I know the love of this town. I can feel it. I just got to get a direction.”

“Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. It will happen when its time. Just breathe.”

Carrie smiled at her aunt as he walked back into the kitchen. She knew the love here was strong and was so thankful for the café being her new home.

Thank to Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie for a fun prompt for Fridays. Come play along and share your creativity with us.

And as always, I remind all to be kind. Its a amazing tool to help others heal.

What now?, First Line Friday, 1/31/2020

The wind cut into his skin and grey skies pressed down on the rotting town, but at least he was home. 

The windows on the houses stared back at him with hopeless abandonment, much like how he felt as he walked down the streets hoping against hope to find one home lit showing life. He had heard stories of how his quiet little home town had been sold off to developers after he left for college but he never dreamed they would totally destroy all the cherished details that once made this town unique. Now the developers had gone belly up and left everything to just rot. His family had left when it all sold so there had been no reason for him to ever come back.

Now 15 years later, the company he was working for was looking to buy the town and develop a resort there because of the huge lake on one end of town that had been know at one time to have bass tournaments resulting in record size fish. He wondered if there were even any fish left or did they die off with the town. Supposedly old man Sorenson was still there. A hermit of a man with little trust of anyone. It was no wonder with what all he had seen over the years. And here he comes, that young whipper snapper, as Sorenson  had called before leaving to college. He remember Sorenson’s son, Jake, who had died in a car wreck. A good kid, just a little reckless. But his dad couldn’t handle his death and locked himself in the house. Now it was his job to see if he could talk with him, they needed his land as well as it sat almost center of the old town square. 

Getting back in his truck, he headed back to the center of town to see if he could even get an answer at the door. Next town over was 30 miles and he really would like to get there before it got  really dark or before the clouds unleashed their gray torment.

-Anita Neal-

As you read the stories of sadness that life can sometime drop on us, remember there are many who hide from hurt. So find was to always be kind. Kindness can open doors of light that can assist many to help walk through those doors and find life again.

kindnessdoors