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It's the final day of our short story for this birthday week. I hope you've enjoyed the little drama between Rob and Lindsey. If you missed any of the previous days, they can be found here: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, or Day 4. And now, the conclusion of our story ...  This was English, wasn’t it? Rob stared at the directions again. Something designed for a baby to use shouldn’t be this complicated.
Which piece was A again? He scanned the various wooden parts scattered on the floor around him. There. Now, where was B? “Rob?” He froze. Lindsey wasn’t supposed to be home right now. He’d taken off this morning because he knew she would be at work. He hadn’t been trying to figure this puzzle out that long, had he?
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It's my actual birthday today and I hope you're enjoying celebrating with me this week by reading my free short story. We're on to Day 4, which means only one left after this one. If you missed the previous days, they're here: Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3.  “What’s wrong with you?”
Lindsey looked up to see her best friend standing in the door of her Sunday school classroom. “What are you talking about?” “Something’s up. Besides the new hairdo, which I love, by the way.” Heather lowered herself into one of the tiny chairs around the table. “It was time for a change.” Or two. Lindsey didn’t add that part, though. Welcome to day 3 of my annual short story. Time for more fun with Lindsey and Rob. If you missed the previous days, you can find them here: Day 1 or Day 2.  The clock was against him. When Rob planned this escapade, he hadn’t taken into account school traffic. Or a salesperson who couldn’t find his order for half an hour. Now, Rob would be cutting it close to get home and hide this box before Lindsey came in. No time at all for him to actually set the thing up.
The best laid plans weren’t laid out that well after all. He pulled into the garage and hit the door button practically before he was clear. Ten minutes to finagle the ridiculously large box out of the back of his pick-up and somehow get it into the guest room closet. Here went nothing. Ready for Day 2 of my annual short story? If you missed Day 1, you can catch up here. If you're ready to find out what happens next between Rob and Lindsey, read on.  “You just looked so shocked.”
“It’s a lot shorter than I’m used to.” That was the other thing. When she’d warned of cutting off her hair, he’d figured it would end up around her shoulders. This style didn’t even cover her neck. His fingers missed weaving through the strands normally covering her back as he held her. But he wouldn’t complain. He hadn’t married her for her hair. “You know what this means, right?” She leaned back and grinned at him, her eyes practically twinkling. It's my birthday week! That means a free short story. It's my gift to my readers to celebrate another year around the sun. This year, I've got a couple keep secrets from each other. I'll post a piece of the story every day this week through Friday, so make sure you come back all week for the next scene. All the other stories from the last five years are still on my blog under the link "Short Stories." Feel free to go back and read them. And in the meantime, here's the new one. Enjoy!  “Off.” Lindsey indicated the spot next to her chin where she wanted her hair to hit.
“You sure, Linds? That’s a big change.” Marcie fingered Lindsey’s long golden strands. “Have you ever gone that short before?” “Not since I was a little girl. My dad preferred my hair long so I never cut it off again after that one awful bob.” Lindsey tilted her head, a smile playing on her lips. “But it’s time. Let’s do this.” It's the final day of our short story for this birthday week. I hope you've enjoyed the little drama between Kevin and Stacy, along with the literary references. If you missed any of the previous days, they can be found here: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, or Day 4. And now, the conclusion of our story ...  Kevin still couldn’t believe Stacy was in the passenger seat of his car as he drove them to his favorite café. Had he really finally asked her for a date? She knew this was a date, right?
“So, did you like Little Women?” Stacy broke their silence. “I have to ask because if you didn’t, I’m not sure we can date longer than tonight.” Kevin blinked. “I’m joking!” Stacy giggled. “Well, joking or not, I did enjoy the book. I don’t think it was what I expected. But it was really fascinating.” Stacy leaned closer, her floral scent wafting his way. “Did you cry?” It's the next-to-last day of our short story. I hope you have been enjoying it. If you've missed any of the previous days, you can find them here: Day 1, Day 2, or Day 3.  Rainy days made Stacy want to just curl up and read somewhere. Preferably with a warm cup of coffee. But, instead, the day had been full of chaotic story times, lost books, and a few preschool breakdowns. She was about to the point where she wanted to join them.
It was finally closing time, but no sign of the weather letting up. She’d just have to pull the hood up on her jacket and make a run for it. If only she hadn’t had to park so far away! But the employees tried to leave closer spots for the library patrons, so she was stuck in the back corner tonight. She paused on the back doorstep, breathing in the damp air, listening to the pounding on the pavement. A wonderful night to snuggle under a blanket with a book. First, she had to get home. It's my actual birthday today and I hope you're enjoying celebrating with me this week by reading my free short story. We're on to Day 3, which means only two left after this one. If you missed the previous days, they're here: Day 1, Day 2.  Now Kevin had gone and done it. Could this be any more humiliating?
“Are you wanting to write a novel?” Stacy glanced from the book to him. “No, I—” Argh. Maybe it could get more humiliating. And why did he always forget how to talk when she was around? “Kevin.” Stacy laid a hand on his bicep. “Maybe if you tell me what you’re looking for, I could help. I know I am head of the children’s department, but I read rather widely, especially in this genre. I mean, I won’t know everything, of course—” He cut her off before she could go any farther. “I was trying to figure out how it’s done.” Ready for Day 2 of my annual short story? If you missed Day 1, you can catch up here. If you're ready to find out what happens next between Kevin and Stacy, read on.  “Is Kevin still here?” Stacy stopped by the front desk after checking the history section—his favorite spot. But there was no sign of the quiet man who had stopped by earlier and never finished telling her what he needed.
She’d been so distracted with the emergency spill Felicia had alerted her to and then to finishing up her book repair project. Kevin hadn’t crossed her mind again until she was helping a little girl find a biography in the children’s section. Which made her think about the man who could help find one in the adults’. And guilt niggled at her belly. It's my birthday week! That means a free short story. It's my gift to my readers to celebrate another year around the sun. This year, we're hanging out in a library (bet you didn't figure that out from the title). I'll post a piece of the story every day this week through Friday, so make sure you come back all week for the next scene. All the other stories from the last five years are still on my blog under the link "Short Stories." Feel free to go back and read them. And in the meantime, here's the new one. Enjoy!  Today was the day.
Kevin had been hemming and hawing about doing this for weeks now. Possibly even months. But no more. He straightened his shoulders, tugged his sweater smooth, and drew a deep breath. The worst thing she could say was no, and this waiting around not knowing was worse than that in some ways. It was time. Today, he would ask Stacy for a coffee date. He put a hand on the door marked “Children’s Library Staff,” and pushed it open. |
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