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Monday, June 17, 2013

TUESDAY TALES PICTURE PROMPT - THE BIG LIE

Welcome to my Tuesday Tales picture prompt story this week. We'll be delving into THE BIG LIE again for this one.
 THE BIG LIE – PICTURE PROMPT


Dale Carruthers strolled down Main Street in Willow Falls, carrying a cup of coffee. Taking a break from running her stepmother's  coffee shop, she peeked in the window of Purdy’s antique store. Junk store is more like it. She made a face as her gaze jumped from one dusty object to another.
“Find anything you like?” A female voice said.
Dale turned to see her brand-new friend Sylvia standing there, wheeling her oxygen tank behind her.
“Let me help you.” Dale took the sickly woman by the elbow and walked her back to the shop. She prepared her friend’s favorite coffee, then joined her.  Sylvia was a regular customer. Despite her failing health, she was still an intelligent woman with a quick wit. Dale looked forward to her visits.
“How long can you stay?”
“Tommy’ll be by to pick me up in an hour. That’s about all for today.”
“Have you lived here long?”
“A year or so. Tommy grew up here."
"Tommy? Maybe I know him?"
"Oh, his name isn’t really Tommy. That’s my nickname for him. His last name's Thomas.”
Dale became rigid. Her smile dissolved into a thin line. “Thomas?”
“Right. Clifford Thomas. Some call him Cliff. Do you know him?"
Dale didn’t hear anything after Cliff Thomas’ name. She dropped her coffee mug, which shattered on the floor, spraying her legs with warm coffee. 
"Oh my goodness, are you all right?” Sylvia put her hand on Dale's arm as she sat frozen.
“My, we’d better clean this up,” Sylvia said.
Dale stood up, as stiff as a robot. “I’ll get this.” She retrieved a rag from behind the counter.
“Did you know Cliff?” Sylvia persisted.
Dale nodded, kneeling on the floor. "A little." Her pulse kicked up. Know him? I was in love with him.



14 comments:

S.E said...

Like the ending, I guess this will be another book in the future.

SherryGLoag said...

You certainly know how to pack an emotional punch, don't you? Love this.

Iris B said...

Love the ending!

V.L. Locey said...

Well talk about an emotional ending! Well done.

Lindsay said...

Love the ending. Looks like love's in the air, or is it anger?

Sarah Cass said...

Oh, another installment from The Big Lie? Goodness, gracious I need more of this one...and Hack and Rory and this one and...argh. lol.

Seriously, I want to know more about Dale and Cliff...

Tai Vicari said...

Wow, this is great. I'm very interested if Dale is going to stick around for Cliff when he comes to get Sylvia.

Jillian said...

Well done! I love it. AND I can see the whole thing- great descriptions.

Karen Cino said...

You blew me away with the ending, Jean. I wand to read more about these characters.

Trisha Faye said...

Great scene! Perfect with this photo prompt.

Anonymous said...

Oh dear... Names from the past.. Think we can guess where this is going.. I love your style Jean..xx

Rosalind Smith-Nazilli said...

Love your style Jean - Names from the past..

I once heard a voice from the past in a pub.. Didn't drop my drink tho..

Look forward to more of this..x

Tricia said...

This is an awesome excerpt! I love Dale's emotion when she hears Cliff's name. The descriptions are incredible. I can't wait to read more!

Davee Jones said...

sounds like Dale still may be...great TT Jean.