TUESDAY TALES - STARK

Welcome to Tuesday Tales! This week's word prompt is "stark". We return to the story of Buddy Carruthers, Wide Receiver for the Connecticut Kings and Emmy Meacham, known today as "Emerald" They meet for the first time in college. Be sure to return to read the awesome works by the other Tuesday Tales writers, HERE.

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Buddy liked to take an early morning swim before football practice.In college, he’d sneak out to a local pond at six, shed his clothes and quietly lower himself, stark naked, into the cool water. 

While his buddies were sleeping off the alcohol from the night before, Buddy was doing his “fish exercises” as he called the Australian Crawl. 

The campus was sleeping when Buddy cut through the water with a smooth, expert stroke. A few strains from a guitar stopped him short. He glanced at the small dock and spotted a young woman sitting against a tree, strumming. 

She played the folk song, “500 Miles” and sang softly, keeping her gaze on the strings. When she was done, his voice broke the quiet.
“Nice. Where’d you learn to play?”
His gaze swept over her T-shirt, skirt and bare leg. Nice body.
She looked up. “Lessons. I’m a music major.”
“I’m an education major.”
Her soft brown eyes drew his attention.
She made a derisive snort. “Figures.
You’re a jock, right?”
“Football.”
She put the instrument aside and stood up.
“Don’t leave. Play some more.”
“Why?”
“I like it.” He started to climb the ladder, but stopped when he remembered he was naked. “Can you throw me my clothes?”
She did and turned around. Buddy scrambled up the ladder and dressed in a flash.
“I’m Buddy Carruthers.” He put out his hand.
“Emmy Meacham.” But she didn’t offer hers.
“One of those snobs? Too good for an athlete?” His eyes narrowed and his jaw stiffened.
Her gaze dropped. “I didn’t mean that. It’s just that athletes are out for one thing.”
“Oh?” He cocked an eyebrow. “You don’t even know me and you think I only want to sleep with you?”
“Don’t you?” She stare back at him.
“What man wouldn’t?”
“I thought so.” She turned, but Buddy grabbed her by the elbow.
“Hey. Wait a minute. Doesn’t mean I don’t want to get to know you.”
“I’m working to pay for school. I don’t have time for heartbreaking romeos.”
“I’d never break your heart.”
“Yeah? Wanna bet?” She placed her hands on her hips.
“Give me a chance.”

“Why should I?” Her lips puckered up into a pout that he found irresistible.
Buddy kissed her quickly, then would her arm through his.
“Tell me your life story over breakfast.” He steered them toward the student union.

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A WALK THROUGH CENTRAL PARK WITH ME

Welcome, thanks for coming. Here are some of my latest photos of Central Park. It's stunning this time of year and I'm so happy to share it with you. Let me leash up Homer to walk with us and enjoy the colorful scenery.

Another turret of The Museum of Natural History

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 PICTURE PROMPT WEEK!

 

Welcome! It's picture prompt week this week. That means only 300 words, too. Don't forget to visit the rest of the talented Tuesday Tales authors, scroll down for the link. 

Giselle wrapped her fingers around the large mug of hot chocolate and stared into the fire. The Will Benson she had loved didn't exist anymore. Mesmerized by the dancing flames, her mind drifted back to five years ago, and lazy summer Saturdays spent with him. 

   The old house they believed was haunted when they were kids had become a place to hang out, to hide from prying, adult eyes. Giselle and Will would slip on bathing suits, go for a swim, then dry off in the house. Sometimes they made love there. She smiled as she remembered losing her virginity to Will in the old house when she was seventeen. 

    He had been so sweet, careful and sensitive to her feelings. He never pushed her. But her natural desire for him urged her along, trusting her most precious possession to him. 

    She tried not to be shy, but didn't quite succeed. He turned his back as she got undressed, then tossed her his shirt.

    "Are you sure you want to do this? You don't have to. You'll still be my girl."

    "Will."

    "I don't want you to have regrets."

    She had shut him up with a kiss and rest was history. 

    What had happened to destroy that wonderful young man and put this angry soul in his place? Giselle wanted to be the key that unlocked the door to the Will Benson she loved.

    The creak of the rusty hinges alerted her. She shifted under the blanket. Will crouched down. He combed her hair back from her face with his fingers. She palmed his cheek.TU

    "Are you real?"

    His smile was dazzling. "I will be if you convince me you're not leaving."

    When a log let out a loud crack, she awoke with a start. She was alone.

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TUESDAY TALES - FLOWER

Welcome! Thanks for stopping by. This week the word prompt is "flower". We return to the First & Ten series and Buddy Carruthers story. We meet up with Emmy, his old college girlfriend again.

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“Time to get up.”

She rolled over, waving Shady away. “Not yet.”

“Now. We’ve got to get to Houston today.”

“No.”

He pulled the covers off her and threw them on the floor. “Dammit, I said now!”

She frowned and forced herself to sit up. “I was having the best dream.”

“Yeah? Dreamin’ about fuckin’ the next Grammy winner?”

“My dreams aren’t raunchy like yours.” She slid her legs over the side and pushed to her feet.

“Get dressed. Pack. We’ve gotta leave.”

“Good thing you’re not a doctor. Your bedside manner stinks,” she said.

“I’m better in bed than next to it.”

That’s what you think.

In an hour, Emmy was sitting by the window of her comfortable tour bus as it rolled out of New Orleans and headed west. She had a concert in Houston, the next day, then two more in Texas as she sang her way to California.

She leaned back in a plush chair by the window and daydreamed. Wish I could get that dream back. Damn Shady.

She’d been dreaming about a house. Funny, but she couldn’t wait to get away from her father and step-mother and their little house in Oak Bend. 

This was a recurring dream about her own farmhouse, with a big garden. There were lots of flowers: orange, bright pink, and white, in her dream. She’d be sitting on the front porch. The curious part was that when the door opened, it wasn’t Shady who joined her. It was Buddy Carruthers, the love of her life who she’d left behind five years ago. She shifted in her seat. I wonder how

Buddy’s doing. Is he still playing football? 

 Shady interrupted her thoughts.

“The Connecticut Kings want you to sing the national anthem. Should I toss this?”

“Tell them I will. And set a date.”

Emmy, known as Emerald, smiled. Time to put this dream to rest.

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TUESDAY TALES - PICTURE PROMPT WEEK

Welcome! Thank you for coming.We have a picture prompt this week. I love those and the challenge of writing only 300 words. Here's another installment from my football series, First & Ten. We're visiting with Coach Bass and Jo Parker today. Thanks for coming. Click on the link below to return to the fine writers participating in Tuesday Tales.
FIRST & TEN - COACH BASS
 Jo Parker smoothed the silk of her deep purple dress with dry palms. It was one week before training camp. She’d dated sexy Coach Bass a couple of times, but it never went farther than a goodnight kiss. Tonight would be different.

The bodice of her dress was tight. It dipped low and was held up precariously by spaghetti straps. Of course, she wore no bra. She patted her hair, making sure the soft, touchable tendrils of her honey- blonde hair hung down. Her heels were spiked slides, shoes she and her college roommate used to call “fuck me shoes”.
Oh, yes. Coach Bass didn’t stand a chance tonight. Jo Parker was on the prowl and what she wanted, she got.
She pushed open the door of The Savage Beast, and smiled when a blast of cold air hit her. With her nerves on edge, the air conditioning would keep her from sweating.

She sauntered up to the bar, where the Coach was waiting for her. His eyes almost popped out of his head when he saw her. She threw him a saucy smile and slipped onto a stool next to him. His gaze roamed slowly over her curves.
“What would you like?” His voice squeaked.
“Cosmo?”
He ordered, then cleared his throat. She stifled a chuckle. Seemed like her form fitting dress was making the Coach nervous and she enjoyed every minute. When her drink arrived, he toasted her.
“To a beautiful woman. You look amazing. Casey’s for dinner, okay?”
Jo nodded, then leaned over, resting her hand on his thigh, giving him a tantalizing view of her cleavage. He stared at her breasts, while gulping his beer. 
“My place for dessert?” She whispered.  
Coach Bass almost choked on his drink. 

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