Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Dishes for Two

The first time she saw him, she was doing her dishes. Washing up her plate and glass.  Her knife, fork, and spoon.  Washing away the evidence of a dinner for one.

It was love at first sight, though she could not tell you why. He was simply walking down the sidewalk, one hand in the pocket of his suspendered trousers, the other hand holding a book about four inches from his spectacled face. She was finishing up her silverware, and when she’d looked up for a few seconds to escape the steam from the sink of hot, soapy water, she noticed him out her window.

And here she is again.  In her kitchen, preparing to wash her dishes.  She is waiting, too.  Waiting for a glimpse of a man with a book.  A man she loves but has never met. Feeling as though one more evening of her life is slipping away.  Tears slide down her cheeks, though they could just as well be beads of sweat from the steamy water that is slowly filling the sink.  A squirt of liquid dish soap erupts into an explosion of suds. Sends a cloud of rainbow colored bubbles high into the air.  She reaches for her dirty glass, plunges it into the waiting water, and starts to scrub it clean.

With a sudden surge of courage, she shakes the water from her hands, grabs the book she’d previously set out on her gray Formica counter, and sets in motion the plan she has been rehearsing for weeks.  She is tired of waiting for her destiny to come to her.  Today she is meeting it head on.  Walking in his direction while pretending to be engrossed in her own novel-and bracing herself for the carefully orchestrated collision that will change the course of her life.  Books will fly. Glasses will be knocked askew.  And a heart will be won.

The last rainbow colored orb of soap breaks, and she wonders how long she has been staring at her motionless hands, still immersed in the soapy water, clutching the glass.

Tomorrow, she reassures herself.  There will be more dirty dishes tomorrow.

 

I first posted this over a year ago, but it seemed very fitting for the prompt this week, plus I’ve run into a bit of writer’s block, and couldn’t come up with a single usable original thread to pursue-so please enjoy this encore.  :)

 

 

Here is this week’s prompt:

http://writeonedge.com/2013/10/write-at-the-merge-week-42/

24 comments:

  1. Oh I do hope she tries tomorrow brave in your dreams oh yes that is true for most of us. Great writing. Hug B

    ReplyDelete
  2. OH Val, I never read this so it's new to me and It's WONDERFUL and lyrical. You feel her urge for something "more" and you know that anything that is about "love" is going to have me sighing in the best possible ways.

    Anticipations, leaps...all accounted for with such beautiful words.

    ReplyDelete
  3. ...... now you have me on the edge of my seat waiting for tomorrow... :o)

    ReplyDelete
  4. The second reading is as thrilling as the first, Valerie, and I'm just head over heels in love with your work! Writer's block? That's just a part of the process of tuning in to your right side of the brain--in fact I think it's neccessary, and good! I'm waiting for your book, Valerie--your writing is delicious.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, dear Dawn. My brain is so glad to have friends like you:)

      Delete
  5. I do remember this one! I enjoyed reading it again. Sorry you are struggling with writers block.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Lisa! I'm sorry for your recent struggle, my friend! But think peace and quiet thoughts:)

      Delete
  6. Awww, I hope she does put her plan in place tomorrow! I know how it can feel to be hesitant about doing something you're nervous about. Love this piece!

    PS - And thank you for the super sweet comment on my photo post. So flattering and kind! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is so beautiful, Valerie - "The last rainbow colored orb of soap breaks, and she wonders how long she has been staring at her motionless hands, still immersed in the soapy water, clutching the glass."
    I have already read it twice, great job!

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a wonderful sense of anticipation and then, when it matters, the inability to put her plan into motion. I hope, one day, that she is washing dishes for two...

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh, I want her to walk out that door right now! Beautiful buildup there...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I want her to do that too! I appreciate your comment:)

      Delete
  10. Your posts stand so well alone, well done.
    I posted this comment on another post. And the contributing editor I mentioned is Kelly Waite who I see has posted comments on your site as well. I haven't heard back so reposting here:
    This short piece stands so well on its own. One of our contributing editors brought it to my attention. I also like: http://thewordpirate.blogspot.com/2013/10/life-blood.html
    We'd love to use both if we can make them both fit in upcoming issue of The Woven Tale Press. You can see recent issues here: http://woventalepress.com
    Hope your'e interested, would love to have you on board. You can email me at editor@thewoventalepress.com referencing these URls.
    Sandra Tyler

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sandra-thank you so much!! Email sent! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. This so good, Valerie! My heart wants to push her out that door, book in hand.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Renee!

      Maybe if we both giver her a little shove...;)

      Delete
  13. As always, a beautiful post. I love how subtle and extremely normal you make her fear and distraction seem. Nicely done!

    And I hope the block shatters soon.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Big thanks! I appreciate absolutely everything about your comment:)

    ReplyDelete