Friday, April 8, 2011

Searching for Closure, A Saturday Centus

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Jenny Matlock

Well I’m afraid it’s another late effort this week Saturday Centus fans!  I really wanted to participate on Saturday but academia smacked me upside the head with a couple of term papers instead, and since I pay for school and SC is free, I went with that.

So before it’s too late and my streak or SC’s comes to a grinding halt, I thought I better try to whip one out before I start my next paper.  So much to do, so little time!  Of course who would know that better than our mentor and spiritual advisor on this quest for publication bliss, Ms. Jenny Matlock from her famed blog, “off  on my tangent.”

Maybe next time Jenny can write my professor a note excusing me from the assignment.  What do you say Jenny?   You could explain that writing dissertations was hampering my creative writing abilities and creating unrest in the Centusian community. 

You could explain to my professor that unless Tom was permitted to write his SC on Saturday where it would get read by more people, that he could expect to be the unfortunate recipient of dozens of extremely well-written but very short letters of protest from Tom’s fellow Centusians.

While I wait for that to happen, here is my week 48 Saturday Centus just squeaking in under the proverbial wire like my dear baby girl did last week.  This week’s prompt is “Exit 181, 1/2 mile ahead...”  Please click on the SC button for all the rules and for a list of the stories written by people who, unlike me, tend to post their short stories on time.

I have entitled this week’s piece:

Searching for Closure

Sunshine danced through the trees as the van trundled down the road.  The bright hues of the autumn leaves brought back so many memories.  Six years had passed and yet his recollection of that night was just as vivid as if it were yesterday.  His pulse raced with excitement as they grew closer.  The road sign read “Exit 181, ½ mile ahead.”  He let out a little chuckle and smiled.

“Up there by that old oak tree!  Stop over there!” 

The van stopped.  He jumped out and ran toward a log some 30 yards away.

“Right here,” he gloated.  “This is where I buried her body.” 


Jenny Matlock

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When did wild poodles ever roam the earth?

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14 comments:

  1. Better late than never Tom! I still haven't posted mine, real life can sometimes throw some major curve balls. Loved this, the idyllic start and then BAM! Nice job. Let me know your prof's e-mail address, and I'll start those excuses coming :) Kat

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  2. Whoa! Creepy! You got me with that one! My skin is crawling because I am going along with this guy in anticipation of something I thought was wonderful and exciting. I didn't know I was sharing excitementit with a killer. Creepy! But excellent!~Ames

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  3. Whoa! I didn't see that one coming!

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  4. Very well written ! Taking a walk on the darkside, after setting up a happy, upbeat beginning...I love it !!!

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  5. As funny as you are. I'm kinda glad I didn't date you.
    ;-)

    Nice work, as usual - even if late (don't forget that time is relative).

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  6. **runs away screaming**

    Nice job,Tom!

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  7. I like it! Just think..... there may be people out there REALLY thinking those thoughts!

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  8. Real life does have a way of interfering. How's that adorable little puppy dog doing? I think I need to see a recent picture!

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  9. You always set the stage so well for that final blow. What a blow it was!
    Nice job, Tom, even (and especially) if this was autobiographical.
    xoRobyn

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  10. heehee on Robyn's comment.

    Great job, Tom, as usual.

    =)

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  11. Um, should I be calling 911 about now?

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  12. Oh, I'm taken completely by surprise! Well done!

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  13. Tom,

    You had me going there for a minute. It is amazing how much suspense and surprise you packed into one small story. I love the concrete images of the sunshine and leaves - not to mention the incredible twist! Great stuff!

    Namaste..........cj

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  14. Another perfect little writing gem. Listen, I have a whole bunch of baseball bats in the garage...there might be close to two dozen. We could round up an SC posse and do some serious convincing of the people that are messing with your writing schedule.

    I'm totally willing to do it, Tom. I think you are everybodies favorite SC'er!

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