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Monday, August 3, 2015

TUESDAY TALES - WORD PROMPT "PEN"


Welcome to Tuesday Tales. The word prompt is "pen" and MAGGIE'S STORY continues. Thank you for coming. Click HERE to return to the awesome stories of Tuesday Tales.

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Maggie turned pleading eyes to John. He took a deep breath and placed his hand on the young man’s shoulder.
“Sit down, Master Penn.”
“Stop kidding around, John.”
“You know I never kid about things like this.”
The boy paled as he sank into a chair in the kitchen.
John took another breath and cleared his throat. He sniffed and blinked before he spoke.
“There is news, son. I’m afraid it isn’t good.”
“What the?” Penn rose from his chair until John’s hand eased him back down.
“There was bad weather. A storm. The plane went down before they could land on St. Thomas, somewhere between Florida and the Caribbean.”
A gasp from the boy tore at Maggie’s heart.
“I’m so sorry to say, no one survived.” His voice was barely above a whisper.
“No!”Penn leaped out of his chair. “You’re lying!” The boy swung, but John sidestepped before the fist connected with his jaw.
Penn pushed John out of the way, stopped to stare at Maggie with wild eyes, then ran to his room.
Maggie started after him, but John grabbed her arm.
“Let him go. He’s got to come to terms with this.”
“But we can help.”
“Not this time.”
The intercom from the lobby sounded. John answered.
“That’s Uncle Alfred. He’s coming up.”
A tremble seized Maggie. “He’ll take him. He’ll take Penn. We’ll lose our boy.”
John wrapped his arms around her.
“Get a grip, my girl. Get a grip. Penn will always be ours, no matter where he is.”
Alfred opened the door.
“Where’s Penn?”
“In his room,” Maggie responded, straightening her dress.
He pulled a pen from his breast pocket. “He’s got to sign some papers.”
“Please, Mr. Alfred. The boy’s upset. He needs time.”

“There’ll be plenty of time for that later. Right now, I’m taking custody.”