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
The Old Lady & The Little Red Miata
“There’s a cop right there!” Jolene points at the cars across from us. She looks at me from the passenger seat, tugging on her seat belt and pressing back against her headrest.
“It’s fine, it’s fine,” I stutter, restarting the car. Palming the small wooden ball on the shifter, I pump the clutch and rev the engine a couple times. Yes, I’m in first gear now.
“It’s fine! Don’t worry.” We watch the light turn red from the middle of the intersection. Finally, my new-to-me, red Miata sports car bucks forward and zips through the light.
Sure enough, the cruiser quickly pulls out, flashing its lights with one loud squawk of the siren. I scan my mirrors, carefully pull over on Five Points Road, and look at Jolene as I turn off the car.
Her eyebrows are raised, exaggerated smirk on her face. “What the heck?” She fidgets and slightly shakes her head at me. Knowing what I’ve just learned about her past, Jolene must be scared right now. The police probably make her very nervous.
“It’s fine,” I tell her, “It’s fine.”
The officer stands outside my window, and I rummage in my handbag for my wallet. Pulling out my driver’s license, sheepish grin on my face. Raising my shoulders and smiling, “ So sorry, officer.”
“What happened back there?” his voice is neutral–thank goodness.
“I ran a red light.”
“Why’d you run a red light?” he stoops down and looks in the car, then right a Jolene. She tilts her head forward and stares right back at him.
“Well, my foot slipped. And I popped the clutch. I just got this car–I’m still learning it’s quirks. To avoid an accident, I had no choice, I had to go, I couldn’t back up…” my voice trails. “Do you want my registration? My insurance card? “
“Yes, ma’am, registration and proof of insurance if you have it,”
“We’ll be late,” Jolene whispers and I and whisper back, “it’s okay, it’s fine, “opening the glove box in front of her to retrieve the documents.
I pass the papers to the officer and smile.
“Be right back,” he states and heads back to his cruiser.
“Try not to worry, Jolene,” I pat her knee gently. “This must be scary for you. Do you have any warrants out for your arrest?” I use my soothing caring tone, trying to comfort her.
“A warrant?! What?! No! I’ve never once even been pulled over!” Oops, guess I was wrong about that. Or, was I.
“I’m not worried,” Jolene chuckles, “and I’m surprised, Blythe, you don’t seem too nervous yourself. I’m impressed. My grandmother would be freaking out right now.”
“okay, okay, I’m old, but I’m not that old.” Looking in the rear-view mirror, I fix my chunky streak of silver strands behind my ear, and fluff up the dark crown of my hair with my fingers. I do not look like an aged grandmother of a grown up woman. Maybe I should put on some lipstick. I dig around in the console hoping for lip gloss or lip stick but find only a fat, pink tube of mascara.
The officer is back at my window. I smile as sweetly as possible, looking up at his face shaded from the sun by the brim of his cap.
“Ma’am, I’m issuing you a ticket today for running a red light. This offense is now considered a felony charge. Because you’ve had three previous traffic violations in a two-month period, and this is now your fourth violation. Sign here, and printed on the back is your court date. Since this is now a felony charge, you must appear that day or a warrant will be placed for your arrest. If you don’t appear in court that day you will be a fugitive of the law. Is that understood?” His voice is so forceful, he’s trying to bully me.
“Felony?” Jolene’s mouth is wide open at this point, her eyes wide. “Did he say a felony?”
“It’s okay. It’s fine,” I mutter scribbling my name on the pink paper. “Thank you, officer. Thank you for keeping us all safe and doing such a fine job. I promise I will keep my court date. Am I free to go?”
“Yes. Try to drive safely, ma’am, have a good day.”
I restart the car, pump the clutch and put it in first again.
“What the heck?” Jolene laughs, her voice raised. “Am I even safe in this vehicle?” now she’s really laughing in disbelief. “Four tickets in 60 days?! “
“Oh, don’t worry, Jolene. Needless to say, this isn’t the first time I’ve sweet-talked my way out of a police altercation.
My little red Miata revs and bucks and off we go.
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….