Welcome to the fifth week of the Spring Writing Challenge!
You all did so well with your stories last week! There were so many interesting and unique ways you interpreted the prompt. It’s now the fifth week, so it’s time to do it again! Will your story have fairies? Time travel? Ghosts?! Whatever you decide, we can’t wait to see what you come up with.
So, without further ado, here’s your next prompt!
Week Five Prompt – The Sentence Prompt
Write a story that includes the following sentence:
Needless to say, this wasn’t the first time…
Wait…what’s a sentence prompt?
A sentence prompt is a prompt that uses a particular sentence. It doesn’t matter where your story takes place, who’s in it, or what’s said. The only thing that matters is that your story must include the sentence, “Needless to say, this wasn’t the first time.”
Before you start writing, we have some important rules for you to follow.
Writing Rules
1. Please keep the content of the stories you post to a PG rating. Please avoid real curse words. Violence/fighting should be limited and purposeful. Please do not include any spice.
2. Your story must be 1,000 words or less, and must contain the prompt to be counted for the challenge. You’re not required to post it in order to “win” the challenge, but if you want it to count for your team, your story must be posted by Sunday at 11:59 PM ET, and you must include your team name.
Remember to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and post your story as an “answer” to this question, not a “comment”. 🙂 You’re all doing such a great job! I’m so proud of all the stories you’ve posted.
Happy Writing!
Team A
I AM & Bethany
Bethany picked up the phone. Who could she call? She crumpled on the leather couch, anxiety rose like bile in her throat. On the living room desk stood a little stack of notifications. All of them price increases for services she needed. Price increases made Bethany nervous. They pushed a panic button triggering a scarcity mindset. Her rapid breathing made her feel dizzy. Who could she talk to about this? Bethany began scrolling through friends on her phone. Not all of them would understand. She punched Lisa’s icon. Then Supna’s. Then Alejandria’s. All of them went to voice mail.
“You’ve got to be kidding!” she squeaked, whipping her phone to the other end of the couch. It bounced on a pillow then landed on the floor with a sharp crash. She leapt up to check it. A long thin line split the screen from one corner to the middle. Cracked. Great. Bethany began scrolling again.
Do you trust Me?
Bethany stopped. She recognized that still, small voice. The one that said things that took her off guard.
“Yes, I trust you,” she answered aloud. “It’s just that…” What was she going to say? Was she going to justify herself? She set the phone down on the coffee table.
It’s just that what?
There was no point in lying about it. He could hear her thoughts. He knew everything. He always had.
“It’s just that seeing how much everything went up freaks me out a little.”
A little?
“Okay, they freak me out a lot. I know how much is in the bank and how much my paychecks are.”
And you wonder how you’re going to cover it?
“Exactly.”
Do you think price increases surprise me?
“No, I guess not.”
How did you find the apartment you’re living in now?
“You led me to it.”
Have you always had enough to cover rent?
“Yes.”
And utilities? And everything else you needed—food, clothes, and a nice car?
“Yes.”
I see.
Bethany remembered how inexpensive her old apartment was. And how dangerous the neighborhood had become. She also remembered balking at paying double that price for an even smaller space, but in a much nicer neighborhood. She’d heard His voice then too. Do you trust me? Needless to say, it wasn’t the first time. The question had been a recurring theme in Bethany’s life. These increases and unplanned expenses always made her stomach drop and her breath catch.
What is it going to take for you to trust me?
“I don’t know—a full bank account?” she yelled.
So you trust money more than me?
“No, no, no… Do I? Oh my gosh, is that what I’m saying?” Bethany put her head in her hands. She remembered driving her old, hand-me-down car— twenty years old. No one broke was driving cars that old anymore. Out of left field, a wealthy friend in her Torah group offered her their nine-year-old car. New to her, and absolutely pristine.
You didn’t even know your old car was about to drop its whole engine, but I did.
“I remember.” She sat up. “The supports rusted through a few months after the buyer had it. I wasn’t even looking for a newer car then. I still think You held it all together when it belonged to me.”
I do have some amazing powers.
“Why can’t I focus on Your Goodness?” Bethany pushed her fingers through her hair. “My old car had a lot going wrong. Like the front tire going flat.”
And didn’t I provide someone at exactly the right time to help you change it?
“You did. A guy named Chris who just ‘happened’ by. Then there was that radiator incident blowing steam while driving.”
And didn’t I send a man with a jug of water running out to your car?
“Before I even parked at the back of the gas station. He knew exactly what to do. I knew that was You.”
And he even gave you a cheap repair tip if your radiator was leaking.
“He did. Black pepper. I can’t believe that worked,” Bethany chuckled. “Why did those things happen? Why didn’t You just prevent them?”
If I prevent them, how do you know I’m doing something for you? You didn’t know me very well then, and I showed you I can be trusted by bringing you what you need just when you need it.
Bethany nodded slowly, letting that sink in.
So what do you think is too hard for me?
“You’re the Great I Am, nothing.”
Do you think because I don’t move on your timetable that I’m not moving on your behalf?
“Well, the Evil One wants me to believe that.”
When you aren’t partnering with me in faith, you are partnering with him in doubt.
“Ouch. I never thought of it like that.”
Can you point to any incident where I failed you?
“Sometimes it feels like you’re taking too long.”
I get that a lot. But do you mean when there was a time lag between your jobs? Of course that’s what she thought. He knew everything. You had enough in the bank to carry you for several months, didn’t you?
“It was my reserve, and I didn’t want to burn through it all—”
Why?
“Because it was my safety net and—” Bethany stopped, her eyes wide with revelation. “Oh my gosh, I think money is my protection!” She sagged into the couch.
We’ve been doing this for eighteen years.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize this mindset was so deeply ingrained. Can you forgive me?”
Always.
“After I lost my job, what were you trying to show me?”
The wealth of time. There are all kinds of wealth. Your health, for example.
“I’m sorry I missed that,” Bethany hung her head. “Can you make all those lessons you’ve shown me soak into my bones?”
Yes.
“Great! I’m trusting you’ll provide enough for increases, and…” she looked up. “that you’re powerful enough to heal my phone screen.”
Team Herbert
Thank you! I think we can all find ourselves in this.
Beautiful story! Very relatable!
Thanks for sharing your work this week. I got a laugh out of that final line.. “heal my phone.”
This really spoke to my current life situation.
TEAM A
SUSAN BY ADELAIDE RIGGS
Near the local dirt road in a lush field, there was an abundant variety of grasses, wild flowers, and small creatures. All who dwelled here lived their lives with simplicity and gratitude. This included Susan, a beautiful flower whose color reminded everyone of a ripe summer lemon (but she was not quite so sour).
One morning, Susan was in the clearing enjoying a soft breeze when suddenly the air rapidly changed direction. Fragile as she was, Susan fell on her face, unable to get up. Panicking, she tried calling for help but the ground muffled her voice. Susan was helpless.
Just a minute later, a tiny, round old woman wearing a bright red cloak with black polka dots came into the clearing. It was Mrs. Dotty! She noticed the girl laying on the ground.
“Oh my!” exclaimed Mrs. Dotty as she hurried over to Susan. “What ever happened to you, dear?”
“I fell and ca-can’t move,” replied Susan quietly. “Could you he-help me?” Then she began to cry.
“Yes, yes of course! Be patient my dear. I’ll go as fast as I’m able to the house of Dr. Chippy.” And with that, Mrs. Dotty turned and quickly scuttled away, her red cloak fluttering behind her.
Susan was alone again, and very anxious. She wondered if she would never rise to see the blue sky again. Despite these thoughts, she tried to focus on her respiration. After what felt like months, she heard a pitter-patter, and out from the tall grass appeared Dr. Chippy with little Mrs. Dotty riding on his back.
“There she is, Doctor!” said Mrs. Dotty, pointing with one hand while the other five hung on tight. Needless to say, this wasn’t the first time he had been summoned, however this was the first time he had dealt with little old woman riding on his back.
“I see, I see! Please do not yell, you’re already near enough to my ear!” replied the doctor. Dr. Chippy was tall, dapper, orderly man, with a decent amount of good humor. They approached Susan.
“Hello?” asked the girl.
“Hello! So sorry about your condition. I’m Dr. Chippy, and we will help you get up.” These words made Susan feel better.
“Pardon, but where is the other one?” inquired Mrs. Dotty.
“Well, Perk should have been behind us. Excuse me for a second.” The doctor filled his cheeks and gave a couple sharp whistles.
In a moment, a boy appeared next to them. He looked rather lofty, and had a smirk on his round face. Mrs. Dotty jumped up and landed in a ball, her arms and legs tucked in.
“Perk!” said the doctor sternly as his son began to laugh. “This is a serious matter. I did not ask you to come along to play games!” Susan thought it was quite funny, but would have enjoyed it more if it weren’t for the condition she was in.
“Ok, let’s get to it,” said the motivated doctor. “Madam, you fetch some water from the brook and grab some witch hazel on your way back. Perk, you’ll need to climb onto my shoulders so we can lift this poor girl up.” Immediately Mrs. Dotty flew down the hill to complete her orders.
Just as Perk was about to climb upon his father’s back, Dr. Chippy noticed a break in Susan’s back. “Oh my, we will need some long grass to bind that wound. Got it, Perk?” “Sure, dad!”
Overhearing the doctor’s concern, Susan’s nerves were on the rise. “A-am I going to be OK?”
“I believe you’re going to be just fine,” consoled the doctor.
Perk made quick work of gathering some long grass and wasted no time in hopping up onto his father’s shoulders. They worked together to lift Susan up off the ground and stand her upright, Dr. Chippy encouraging Susan throughout the process.
Mrs. Dotty arrived not a moment too soon with the water and witch hazel, the latter of which was applied to Susan’s fracture.
In a jiffy Dr. Chippy had bound her wound with the green bandage and all was well.
“Oh, thank you all! I feel so much better, except it feels like my eye might be bruised,” said Susan.
“Well miss,” Dr. Chippy responded, “it does look pretty dark.”
“Black, I’d say,” added Mrs. Dotty.
Dr. Chippy applied the witch hazel to Susan’s bruise, but it did not seem to work.
“I’m sorry, but there is not much else I can do. What’s your name, miss?”
“Susan.”
“Susan,” Dr. Chippy looked her in the face. “Your black eye is beautiful.”
“Black eyed Susan.” said Mrs. Dotty….