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 1
Quiet Resolution
The restaurant was bustling with waiters taking orders, plates thunking onto tables, glasses clinking, and the murmur of quiet conversation. The atmosphere was soothing, but his fingers were drumming on the table, and his toes were tapping.
I hate to be left to wait!
Needless to say, this wasn’t the first time Henry had been left sitting long after Stephanie was supposed to arrive for dinner. Would she have a new excuse this time? She could be creative with stories that sounded logical and made her look good. She deflected anger like a pro.
Why do I choose to put up with this? She was beautiful, wealthy, and the perfect hostess for the events his career demanded he attend and host. Her positives seemed to outweigh her negatives, but still, he needed to think carefully before making any big decisions.
He knew the moment she arrived. The room grew quieter, and heads turned, prompting him to turn and look toward the maître d’s station. He noticed her choreographed pause, giving her adoring audience a moment to admire her. Women critiqued her ensemble; men admired her generous curves.
The moment passed, and she glided toward Henry with her arms outstretched and a polished smile.
“Darling, how are you?” came breathlessly from her ruby-red lips. “What a divine choice for dinner.”
She air-kissed him, careful not to smudge her lipstick, then glided toward her seat. Henry smoothly arose, stood behind her chair, and graciously helped her be seated.
She glanced over her shoulder with a breathtaking smile.
Stephanie commands a room and focuses all attention on her. She is impossible to ignore and would be such a valuable asset to continue my meteoric rise in the business. But, still, is this what I want?
“I had such a wonderful day! The fundraiser luncheon went well, and many influential people were there. I’m sure my photo will be in the society pages. It was important to be seen supporting the proper issues,” she gushed.
“I’m glad your day went well,” he said with a smile. “Have you thought more about my question? I think communication is key to a bright future. If we want to build a life together, we need to be in step on the major issues.”
Stephanie’s eyes darted away and back again. “I’m not ready to discuss those details about our future. It is a big decision, and I don’t know how I feel. I enjoy the parties, travel, fundraising, and doing what I want. Why can’t we just have fun?”
“I want to get married and start a family. You know that is important to me.” He waited calmly for her response.
“Babies change your body,” she said, her voice rising with frustration. “I enjoy being healthy, beautiful, and having attention when I enter a room. You’re only young once!”
“It can be a challenge to be older parents, Stephanie. My parents waited, and they hardly had the energy to spend time with me. They’d gotten used to their lives without children and didn’t know how to adapt. I don’t want that for my children.”
“I… I don’t know… I might not be ready for a while. I do want to marry you, but being a mother isn’t something I’m ready for any time soon.”
She looked up through lowered lashes, trying to see what his response would be. She wanted to be confident that this wouldn’t be a deal-breaker. He was an influential, powerful man, and she wanted a part of the future he was building.
Henry watched her flick her eyes away, and he could guess the truth. She didn’t want to say it, that she didn’t ever want children to interrupt her extravagant lifestyle.
Henry let out a sigh.
“Well, let’s enjoy our dinner. No need to waste or make a scene. Order anything you want. We’ll choose another day to let others know that our association is coming to an end.”
He wasn’t angry. He was just tired of waiting, tired of pretending that charm and polish were enough. He wanted a partner and a mother for his future children.
“What! That’s it! It’s over?” she stuttered.
Henry saw the shock flicker across her face. To his knowledge, no one had ever broken up with Stephanie – until now.
Stephanie drew a deep breath to calm herself.
“Fine. But let’s agree that I’m the one who ended it; I’ve decided to go in a different direction.”
“I’m okay with that. My reputation and yours will be protected, and we will both move on to find our future track. No need for a scandal.” Calm and deliberately, he picked up his menu. “Shall we order?”
She was a bit taken aback, but proceeded to order her favorite, and most expensive, items on the menu.
He raised an eyebrow but made no dissent.
Amazing how life can change with a nod, a menu, and a calm conversation. Outwardly, a couple enjoyed a delightful dinner. Inwardly, they were miles apart and already moving on.
Man, I felt bad for this man and so annoyed at the woman! Great job drawing readers into the storyline and characters.
Because of your story I made up another one, but the conflict is in a different place. For example, she tells him with great excitement that she has chosen to follow Buddha, and he reveals to her that he already loves Jesus. 🙂 She says that if their teachers had lived at the same time they could have been friends, but he does not agree and they argue. Finally, she say that if their teachers cannot be friends, then their own friendship has no chance either. He agrees 🙂
Eliza June, I am glad you enjoyed my story!
Plamen Marinov, I am thrilled to have inspired you to write a story with a different twist!
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….