Saturday, June 19, 2010

Saturday Centus - a little voice

I'm participating in Saturday Centus again this week. This is such a fun way to stretch your creative muscles! I was really hesitant to join, but after a few weeks of reading all the great short stories I decided to give it a whirl. Although now it's become a bit of an obsession :)

Such a simple, yet brilliant premise. Jenny graciously hosts each week, and Mr. Jenny provides us with a writing prompt. The challenge is to write a story of 100 words or less (not including the prompt). No photos, just the pictures that you conjure up with your writing! Fun, huh?

This is my contribution for this week. The prompt is in bold font.




The day started with such promise. A trip to the old home place, seeing where Daddy grew up, the places that shaped him. Sky that heartbreaking blue that only a southern summer can give. Trees draped with Spanish moss like the veils of devout women at Mass. Whirring cicadas, those mad jazz percussionists of summer.

It was Fathers Day, 1984, when I heard that voice in the hallway... followed it down old cellar stairs that screeched like jays protecting a nest. Darkness hiding rotten wood, which gave way, pitching me to the cool dirt floor. Raising my head, I came face to face with a story that Daddy never intended me to know.

35 comments:

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Girl, you are GOOD at this! I mean REALLY good!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Susan Anderson said...

I'm on the edge of my seat here...!

=)

Kim Lehnhoff said...

Oh, a family skeleton in the closet, uh, I mean basement?

Great start to a story! Love the description of the moss.

cj Schlottman said...

You have my attention! I do love a mystery.

Bookie said...

Southern Gothic, good stuff!
I love the veil going to Mass...in a piece of fiction, I once called the Moss Spanish Lace going to Mass. We think alike!

mrs. c said...

Sounds like one of the novels I listen to on CD in my car! I love those spooky kind of stories!

Viki said...

You are so good with the descriptive words to tell your story. I can just feel what it's like to be there. Good job.

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

I'm waiting for more.. great job..
hugs ~lynne~

The Muse said...

I am breathing deeply and sighing.
Applause and well done...

What a delightful way to come back to your blog after all this time, dear Kat.

You have given me a moment of bliss!

Jo said...

oh this is very very well done ...

prashant said...

I love those spooky kind of stories!
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Cheryl said...

Hey Kathy, add another one and finish this thing. I.need.more.

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

True writing majesty this week, Kathy! I was showered by your glorious descriptions - from the heartbreaking blue sky through the cellar stairs that screeched.

Heaven!

Shellbelle said...

Oh my gosh, I want to read more! What a cliffhanger you've left us with today. You really must turn this into a short story Kat and when you do, you really must share it with us!

Pretty please with cherries on top.

Vicki/Jake said...

Ya, what a great start and breath holding end....
Takes the imagination so many places!

xinex said...

OMG, I want more! What a great mystery and you're keeping us in suspense. I wish you would be allowed more than 100 words...Christine

Kathysue said...

Wow Kat you have the touch, the writer touch. You are an amazing writer this sounds like the start of a great book, I want to read more with just the little bit you wrote,now that is what I call good writing!!

jeff campbell said...

This is good:-) Somehow I now have this image of a cicada jazz trio in my head...pretty funny image...thanks...peace and blessings

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Katy this would make an excellant beginning to a mystery novel! You got talent my dear...start writing more..love it!

jfb57 said...

Hanging on a cliff here!!! Great writing!

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

Beautiful story! The ending is intriguing and raise curiosity.

Tina said...

Brilliant. Love your descriptions "percussionists of summer", WOW. Great line.

Christy said...

Your descriptions are amazing. I NEED to know how this ends. Please!

Tgoette said...

Loved this, so intense and suspenseful! Like a teaser to a really good movie. Great job!

Diana Ferguson said...

Good job! Thank you for your prayers.

Bonnie said...

Ok, what happened? What was the story buried so long ago? Ee gads!

Kat, loved the video of your daughter. I enjoyed listening to her music.

Hope you are having a great week!

Bonnie

Amy said...

Ummm....what could it be? Very intriging!

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

OK, so when will this be continued???!!! Linda

Unknown said...

OK, your readers want more! Wow I am really impressed, I was right there with you on that little journey you just took us on, now we need more, maybe another snipet every couple of days???
Thanks so much for stopping by, I promise to fill you in on the "details"of my reunion next week, in the meantime, get writing! Sue

Unknown said...

OK, your readers want more! Wow I am really impressed, I was right there with you on that little journey you just took us on, now we need more, maybe another snipet every couple of days???
Thanks so much for stopping by, I promise to fill you in on the "details"of my reunion next week, in the meantime, get writing! Sue

DesignTies said...

Oooh, so mysterious!! Are you going to continue the story with each week's prompt, or is it a totally different story each week??

This is such a fun idea -- I'm going to have to give it a shot one of these Saturdays :-)

I'm a bit schizophrenic too when it comes to the gardens I posted -- I love the contemporary ones AND the traditional English ones!!

Kelly

The Muse said...

Having such a grand time chatting and bantering with you on FB :)
Hope you are too (wink)

Jenny said...

WHAT????? NO! NO! Where is the sequel.

I need to know more.

You really twisted this prompt around and stood it on its head!

I was all sucked into the nostalgia and the feeling moony for the old days and BAM!

You are amazing.

Thanks for linking!

PS. I would be happy to reopen the linky if you want to tell us the next 100 words!

Andrea said...

Great story! I love watermelon, we are going to try some watermelon margaritas this weekend with our new margarita machine! I guess if you were in need of something, your dad was the one to ask?? :)

Green Monkey said...

ewwwww.....THAT is GOOD!!! makes ya beg for more :)