After last call — drunk, buzzed— but she wanted to keep dancing. Swirling and swaying in the center of the floor …
Others were exiting and going to the curb to wait for an uber.
She looked up at the disco ball. As if looking up into the sun and she saw, looking down at her thru the mirrored glass a laughing skull …she was under a spell. She tried to stop dancing, but nothing worked.
Her skin went numb as her soul lifted out of her body to join the others … taking her place in a tile of the mirrored skull.
Also...once I'm done with this draft and ready to pitch again--the next 30 or 60 days, I've got a story that is VERY different for me that I want to give a go. More of a short story/novella. Seeing you post these short stories has helped give me confidence to very quickly write this next story--to have fun with it--before I get to perfectionistic or "precious." So thank you! !
Ooooh this gave me happy chills for you. I feel creativity coming off you in waves. I am really happy to hear that you’re reconnecting with the joy of writing!
I'm very late since the next one is posted already but in my defence, my subscription for Microsoft ran out and they gave me a hassle with renewing.
Postponed Dreams
Kenzie pulls her car to the side of the highway as a police car flies by, breathing a sigh of relief the sirens aren’t for her. She’s not quite sure how she would explain her friend in the passenger’s seat to the officer. She could make a joke and hope for the best, she could lie and say it’s a present, she could tell the truth and tell him she’d bedazzled the mask she’d worn during her radiation treatments. It’s weird, she knows, but it had felt right.
She has her plan, the same plan that had kept her going through her treatments. Her parents aren’t a fan of her solo road trip, but after months and months of them, family and friends, doctors and nurses, all hovering over her every move, she really just wants to be alone. She has her list of places to visit, some popular tourist places with a lot of underrated gems, at least according to the internet; she has a tank full of gas and a car that just recently passed inspection; her cell phone fully charged; her wallet with her ID, credit and debit cards. This trip will cost a lot but that’s a problem for a later day.
She’s open to her plans changing. She’s actually hoping they change. She wants to arrive in some of the small towns, talk to the locals, and get guided to their favourite spots if they’re willing to share with her. She wants those little hole-in-the-wall cafes no one but locals know, has many months of not being able to eat her favourite foods to make up for, wants to try new foods in her travels.
Right now, she’s on the road to one of her cousin’s place. She had tried to plan her trip to stay with as many friends and family along the way to save money. After so many days in a hospital bed, one night on some couches will be a breeze. As much as she does want her alone time, she has to be practical about her money. Plus, these are people who will report back to her parents that when she tells them she’s doing well, she means it.
This trip is special to her, more than anyone knows. After high school, she’d wanted to take time before college to travel but her parents had talked her into postponing those plans. After graduation, she’d begun working and never really slowed down until she became sick. It’s part of the reason she’s refused to allow her parents to talk her out of it this time. She might leave her jeweled mask in the car though, just in case people think it’s weird.
Your story was wonderful. In fact, I was intimidated to even try to write something. But how often do I get the chance to write about a disco skull? (hee hee):
Sixty-five dollars! That’s all? Why I was a disco king! Back in the day my friend and I topped the Billboard charts. If you knew my history, I’d be selling for a fortune!
There we were, it was 1976, my best friend, Disco Duck, and I were at a party movin’ to the disco beat. The next thing we knew , we were an American cultural sensation. It’s not well known, but the original lyrics were Disco Skull, but I was cool with my best buddy. Duck, getting all the attention.
I’ve lost touch with everybody from the old days, what with being stuck on this shelf and all. It’s okay, I’ve got my memories to tide me over. But sixty-five dollars! C’mon now! Let’s dance!
After last call — drunk, buzzed— but she wanted to keep dancing. Swirling and swaying in the center of the floor …
Others were exiting and going to the curb to wait for an uber.
She looked up at the disco ball. As if looking up into the sun and she saw, looking down at her thru the mirrored glass a laughing skull …she was under a spell. She tried to stop dancing, but nothing worked.
Her skin went numb as her soul lifted out of her body to join the others … taking her place in a tile of the mirrored skull.
I ADORED this story. It was pure perfection and it made me very happy. 💜💜💜
Oh my goodness, THANK YOU, Diana!!
Also...once I'm done with this draft and ready to pitch again--the next 30 or 60 days, I've got a story that is VERY different for me that I want to give a go. More of a short story/novella. Seeing you post these short stories has helped give me confidence to very quickly write this next story--to have fun with it--before I get to perfectionistic or "precious." So thank you! !
Ooooh this gave me happy chills for you. I feel creativity coming off you in waves. I am really happy to hear that you’re reconnecting with the joy of writing!
I'm very late since the next one is posted already but in my defence, my subscription for Microsoft ran out and they gave me a hassle with renewing.
Postponed Dreams
Kenzie pulls her car to the side of the highway as a police car flies by, breathing a sigh of relief the sirens aren’t for her. She’s not quite sure how she would explain her friend in the passenger’s seat to the officer. She could make a joke and hope for the best, she could lie and say it’s a present, she could tell the truth and tell him she’d bedazzled the mask she’d worn during her radiation treatments. It’s weird, she knows, but it had felt right.
She has her plan, the same plan that had kept her going through her treatments. Her parents aren’t a fan of her solo road trip, but after months and months of them, family and friends, doctors and nurses, all hovering over her every move, she really just wants to be alone. She has her list of places to visit, some popular tourist places with a lot of underrated gems, at least according to the internet; she has a tank full of gas and a car that just recently passed inspection; her cell phone fully charged; her wallet with her ID, credit and debit cards. This trip will cost a lot but that’s a problem for a later day.
She’s open to her plans changing. She’s actually hoping they change. She wants to arrive in some of the small towns, talk to the locals, and get guided to their favourite spots if they’re willing to share with her. She wants those little hole-in-the-wall cafes no one but locals know, has many months of not being able to eat her favourite foods to make up for, wants to try new foods in her travels.
Right now, she’s on the road to one of her cousin’s place. She had tried to plan her trip to stay with as many friends and family along the way to save money. After so many days in a hospital bed, one night on some couches will be a breeze. As much as she does want her alone time, she has to be practical about her money. Plus, these are people who will report back to her parents that when she tells them she’s doing well, she means it.
This trip is special to her, more than anyone knows. After high school, she’d wanted to take time before college to travel but her parents had talked her into postponing those plans. After graduation, she’d begun working and never really slowed down until she became sick. It’s part of the reason she’s refused to allow her parents to talk her out of it this time. She might leave her jeweled mask in the car though, just in case people think it’s weird.
Never late, and always wonderful! 💛💛💛
Your story was wonderful. In fact, I was intimidated to even try to write something. But how often do I get the chance to write about a disco skull? (hee hee):
Sixty-five dollars! That’s all? Why I was a disco king! Back in the day my friend and I topped the Billboard charts. If you knew my history, I’d be selling for a fortune!
There we were, it was 1976, my best friend, Disco Duck, and I were at a party movin’ to the disco beat. The next thing we knew , we were an American cultural sensation. It’s not well known, but the original lyrics were Disco Skull, but I was cool with my best buddy. Duck, getting all the attention.
I’ve lost touch with everybody from the old days, what with being stuck on this shelf and all. It’s okay, I’ve got my memories to tide me over. But sixty-five dollars! C’mon now! Let’s dance!
Disco Dan danced more than the night away...
Ooh, I have the biggest grin after reading your little story! Thank you!
aww THANK YOU!!
Thanks for hr book recommendation. Sounds cute and I’ve gotten on the library list for it.
You’re very welcome! Hope you enjoy it, Mira!