Challenge Me Monday!

It's time for Challenge Me Monday! Please leave one challenge word for me to add to a current WIP. I will write 1k (1,000) words and post them next Monday. You have until January 23, 8pm EST to leave a word. I will randomly choose the winner. 

Handkerchief

Part two of Challenge Me Monday!

Handkerchief was the word chosen by Xara X. Xanakas. 

"Dad!” cried Ragean.

 I ran as fast as my wobbly legs could carry me. She buried her head in my chest and wept hysterically. I tried to make out the jumbled mess of words she tried to form, it was pointless. I wanted to console her by telling her Drew would be okay, I just couldn’t bring myself to lie. The cautionary words of Judd Callahan pierced my brain again. I couldn't bring myself to utter those same words to my daughter. She needed her father to be strong right now.

On the drive over, I begged, bargained, and pleaded with God to save Drew. Drew had his whole life before him, it just seems so wrong to have his life cut short. How does a parent ever imagine their life without their child? I couldn’t picture my life without Drew in it. We might not have the most solid relationship, as long as he was alive, I could handle anything else.

Raegan finally started to calm down. I untangled her from my chest, “Where’s your mom?” I asked.

Her brown eyes swam in tears, “She went to ask the nurses if they had any news.” As if saying the world brought the situation back to life, she burst out in tears. I guided her to the hard plastic waiting room chairs. The smell of hospital cleanliness was strong. The off white walls seemed to close in around us.

“Raegan, honey, do you think you can tell me what happened?” I asked quietly.

I watched as she squared her shoulders, almost like she was mentally and physically pulling herself back together, “Drew and Jessie were going out to celebrate their signing with a group of friends." I put my hand on her leg to stop her.

“Who was in the car?” I was so distraught; I never once thought to ask about possible passengers in the car. My heart began to leap in my throat. So many lives could be changed tonight. The possibility was sickening.

“Jessie and Drew were riding together. The other guys were meeting them there. One of the baseball players, Mike Duvall lives out on Payson Farms. His parents were throwing a bomb fire for the senior players,” she said getting off track.

“So Jessie and Drew were driving to the farm?” I asked trying to steer the conversation.

“Yeah, Jessie was driving,” she whispered. I put my hand on her leg in comfort and waited for her to continue. “We don’t know for sure what happened, but Jess ran off the road and hit a tree. Jessie was wearing his seat belt and had to be cut from the car. Drew wasn’t wearing his seat belt and was thrown from the car.”

“Why the hell wasn’t he wearing his seat belt?” I asked. I could hear the anger in my own voice. I was the one who taught the kids to drive. Rule number one: The car does not move unless everyone has on their seat belt.

“I don’t know, dad.”

“We’ll just have to ask him when he gets out of surgery,” I said.

I sat back with my arm around Raegan. She had stopped crying, I think we both needed the added comfort. I stared at the boob-tube, not really caring what was on. The mindless infomercial brought relief.

Raegan jumped to her feet when Christine entered the waiting room. “Did you find out anything?” she asked.

Christine stared at me. Her blue eyes were piercing with pain. I got up and walked to her without speaking. She was once my wife, we knew one another. I tried not to be hurt when she flinched as I hugged her. After a while, she balled my shirt in her hands. “We can’t lose him,” she cried softly.

“We won’t,” I said. Please God, don’t let me be wrong I prayed.

When she had her emotions somewhat under control, she stepped back taking Raegan in her arms. 

“The nurse said the surgeon would be out soon to talk to us.”

I crossed my arms, rubbing my hands up and down trying to push away the goose bumps dancing on my cool bared arms.

I tried not to be hurt by the fact that I was just finding out that my only son had signed his letter of intent. Later, I could deal with that later. Right now, I just wanted to hold on the good memories I had with Drew.

I could easily close my eyes and picture his first day of t-ball practice. He stood in the outfield, his brown glove and hat two sizes too. Unlike the other children around him, Drew paid close attention to what the coach had to say. Every move, every detail did not go unnoticed by him.

On our way home, we stopped to get ice cream, where Drew announced that he would one day be a famous baseball player. Just like that, he was hooked.

It was the sound of Christine digging through her purse, which brought me out of memory lane. "I know I have a bag of tissues or a handkerchief in here somewhere," she said.

When the doctor walked into the waiting room, we all jumped up at once. Every hope and prayer said in the past two hours came down to this moment. Whatever this doctor had to say, I knew it would change my family's life.

"Mr. and Mrs. Dunn?" he asked. Nodding, neither Christine nor I corrected him. He didn't need to know we were divorced.

"I'm Dr. Woodall. Your son has been in my care since he arrived. Drew came to us with sever blood loss. In order to stop the bleeding, we had to remove your son's legs."

Remove your son's legs. Those words bounced around my brain like a ping pong being smacked back and forth.

I could see Dr. Woodall's mouth still moving, but nothing was penetrating my brain. "Is he going to live?" I yelled, mostly trying to clear my mind.

"He's no longer losing blood, which was our main concern. He still has several obstacles to overcome. Everything will be touch and go from here on out."

Please feel free to leave next week's challenge words at the end of either Challenge Me Monday posts. I will combined words from both post if necessary. 

Poltergeist

Last week, I started a new blog theme event on Monday's called, Challenge Me Mondays. Where anyone can leave a word to help me with a current WIP. After randomly selecting a winner, I would have a week to write 1k using the wining word. 

Two words were left last week. Instead of picking one word, I chose to keep them both. So up first we have Poltergeist, left by Casey Cox...because she is evil;)

I chose my father/son story, currently titled Running on Empty. I have to warn you, I cut the sex scene because if I left it in, then you, the reader would be lost on what takes place in the next chapter, which happens to my the next CMM word winner. Sorry:)

"Ashland Park Community Trust Bank, This is Adam Dunn, how may I help you?" 

"Oh, I can think of several ways you can help me today, Mr. Dunn."

"Is that right, sir? Please do tell. I'm all ears."

"It's not your ears I want Mr. Dunn." 

Haden's laughter made me want to pack up and head home early. Glancing at the clock, I wanted to groan at the slow moving hands. "I'll be leaving here in about an hour and then you can have any part of my body you wish."

"Promise?" he said nearly purring.

"Absolutely."

"Actually, I just wanted to remind you that tonight's your Friday, so please don't forget dinner. I'm starved!"

"Haden, I haven't forgotten. I always look forward to date night. I'll pick up Chinese food on the way home."

"I can't wait to see you, drive safe."

"I always do," I said hanging up.

As an ER nurse, Haden's job doesn't always allow him to leave in time for dinner every night. Unlike other couples, our weekly date nights are spent at home. We take turns bringing home take out, as the other picks out a Netflix film and we snuggle in for the evening. 

I don't know if Haden has any clue how much I looked forward to our Friday's. After my divorce, I swore, I would never again be in a relationship where I couldn't be my true self. Christine, on a best day, allowed me a few minutes just holding her in arms before she would think of something else that needed her attention more. I needed the comfort, but I also think our relationship needed it more. It wasn't the main reason our marriage ended, but for me it ranked high on our failure list. 

It wasn't as if our choice of film set the mood. Case in point, tonight's flick was 1982's classic, Poltergeist. Just spending time together meant everything to me.

I rushed to power down my computer and cram my belonging in my briefcase. Anyone wanting a loan could wait until Monday morning. 

When I pulled into our driveway, I grabbed our square boxes of bliss and jetted for the door. Leaving behind my briefcase and cell, since work and phone were banned on date nights. 

Hearing pots and pans clang around the kitchen, I headed to find Haden. When I finally laid eyes on him, I stopped mid step. My heart began to gallop like a race horse and my mouth watered. Haden was bent over in search of something with his amazing bare ass sticking in the air. 

"That," I started, "is one hell of a welcome home greeting."

Whipping around grasping his chest Haden let out a loud screech. Again for the second time within seconds, my mind was wiped completely of its thought. Haden wasn't entirely naked. Instead, he stood in our kitchen wearing only a black apron with, 'My Meat is Hand Rubbed' in red lettering. 

The take out bag slipped from my fingers, making a loud thud. 

"I wanted to make dessert," he said weakly. 

Devouring the distance between us quickly, our mouths found one another in a rough tangle of passion. At first, I wondered if I was being too rough. The pleading sounds and the strong grip on my shoulders, pulling me closer, made my head swim. It was the green light I needed to continue. He soon slowed our kiss, making it more sensual. When we finally pulled away we were both panting. Haden's eyes were the brightest blue I had ever seen. Love, joy, and contentment shined back at me. 

"Don't you dare stop," he said, resting his head in the crook of my neck.

I lifted him off the ground, his legs easily wrapping around my waist. Haden's eyebrows lifting as he pondered my next move. His eyes never left my own as I carried him to our room. 

<<Sex Scene>>

"No one has ever carried me to bed before," Haden said around a mouthful of reheated fried rice.

"Next time we will have to remember to turn off the stove before getting carried away."

"For sex like that, I would burn dessert every night," he chuckled. 

I glanced at the burn pan in the sink and winced. There wasn't enough S.O.S. pads in the world to bring that thing back to life. "We'll need to take stock in Tupperware," I laughed.

As Haden finished his meal, I started to clean up before loading the movie. A loud knock on the door startled us both.

"I'll get it." Haden said, getting to his feet. "Thank goodness we decided to put clothes on."

I could tell by the deep voice, that our visitor was male, but couldn't hear what was being said. 

"Did you tell them we don't want any?" I asked without looking up.

"Adam," Haden said softly, as if he was in pain grabbed my attention. 

Haden had come back to the kitchen followed closely by Officer Judd Callahan. Judd and I had gone to high school together long before he joined the police force.

"Hey Callahan, if you are here about the vandalism charges, we won't be pressing any charges. It seems my son is still a little ticked off about his father's new path in life."

"Adam, I'm not here about the charges. I tried calling, but your phone kept going over to voice mail."

"Honey, it's Drew," Haden said quietly.

What was Drew? I studied Haden and Callahan's worried faces before it finally registered. Drew was hurt.

"Is he?" I couldn't bring myself to ask the question. There was no way my son was dead. I would know. Wouldn't I?

"Why don't you sit down," Haden said, guiding me to the dining room chairs.

"What happened?" I finally mumbled.

"About an hour ago a call came in to dispatch. The woman said she could see the taillights from the road, but that the car had traveled at least twenty yards into the field.  She didn't realize how bad the accident was until she walked out to the car." Callahan stopped his story and knelt down in front of me, eye level.

"I'm going to be honest with you here, Adam. In the twenty years I've been a police officer, I have never seen anything like this before. I think you should prepare yourself for the worst case scenario here."

One Word

Today starts the first Challenge Me Monday. Please leave one word you would like me to use in a WIP this week. I will randomly select a winner at 8pm EST. I will post the 1k words next Monday. Thank you guys!

Summer

New Resolution

For the new year, I didn't want to get swept in the type of a New Year's Resolution. However, in my writing world, I need the extra push! You see, I have been sitting on a WIP (Work In Progress) for WAY to long!! It has been sitting at 57K. Why you ask? Simple. I'm afraid to finish it. It may seem silly but I am. 

What could an author be afraid of a almost completed manuscript? The WIP in question needs a lot of editing. There are holes that need to be patched. Thoughts needing to be completed. The short of it, it's a rough draft. 

I recently was told that all rough drafts suck. I thought for sure this person was just pulling my leg, trying to make me feel better about my writing. Talking with other authors, I have come to realize that not only do rough drafts suck, but every author who has ever dreamed of being published questions their talent. 

So this year, my New Year's Resolution is to stop being afraid of the 'What If' and start writing. My goal is to submit three stories for publication this year. I want to stop standing in my own way of my dreams coming true:)

Starting this Monday, (Jan 7)  I will start a new blog theme titled, Challenge Me Mondays. The rules of CMM are simple. I want fans, other authors, or the causal passerby to post a word for me to use in my WIP for that week. You post the word on Monday, I toss all the words thrown at me in a hat, and pick that word as my challenge word. I will have until the following week to post 1k written with the winning challenge word. 

I already participate in a weekly writing challenge with some friends, but this will be an extra challenge to help push me to write. I hope you all will pitch in and help me:) I look forward to hearing from each of you on Monday! 

Did anyone else make any New Year's Resolutions? Please feel free to share;)