WEEKEND WRITING WARRIORS #72

What a crazy time we live in. Before my last post my thoughts were filled with seeing family at a wedding in San Diego and while there poop hit the fan. W.H.O. (on Mar 12 - the day AFTER we arrived) declared COVID-19 was pandemic and we were not scheduled to fly out until Mar 16. Needless to say, we got a flight back as soon as possible, snagging the last two seats on a flight Mar 14. I'm now at the end of my two week self isolation, however hubby, as an airline pilot, had to fly to England and we are both back in self isolation for another two weeks.

To top all that off, while in England, hubby received an e-mail from Air Canada which stated that for those who qualify, an early retirement package is available - effective APRIL 1!!!!! By the time you are reading this, we will have made our decision as to whether he will take the package or not. Frankly, I want him home. I know he practices safe social distancing, etc., but I cannot guarantee the behaviour of others... Big loss in income, but his life is worth it.

My brain is whirling faster than Lydia Bennet's skirts at the Meryton Assembly.

Speaking of Meryton, this week's offering continues with Mary, book four in my Pride & Prejudice continued... series. We left off with Mary ruminating on how unloved she is with her kind eyes. I massaged my punctuation to fit with guidelines.
Papa had finally settled on her a substantial dowry. With all her siblings out from under the eaves of Longbourn he had the resources to add to the family coffers and she now had a nice tidy sum of four thousand pounds for any man willing to make an offer, and there was the rub - someone had to make an offer. 
If anyone were to catalog all her attributes, they’d wonder how she’d gone so long without one single proposal, without one single kiss. Well, there’d been one, but she didn’t count the quick peck the cobbler’s son Nigel gave her behind the church when she was fourteen as a kiss. He’d pressed his lips against hers and then tried to push his tongue into her mouth, which she’d promptly bit.
He’d never spoken to her again and frankly, she hadn’t cared. If kissing involved groping hands and tongues being shoved into one’s mouth, she didn’t wish to be kissed again, however, all her sisters seemed to like the fact their husbands kissed them, so maybe Nigel had got it all wrong. She’d never know. Mama never pushed her into the path of eligible young men and that all by itself spoke volumes. Even her own mother thought her chances were nil.
There you go.
Weekend Writing Warriors is a fun type of blog tour for readers. Other writers, like myself, join by sharing excerpts from whatever WIP (Work In Progress) they have on the go, and post eight to ten lines weekly. Rules are simple. Don't exceed the posted line limit - something I struggle with and at times will use creative (an always incorrect) punctuation to create a full scene. If you'd like to see what others have submitted, go to Weekend Writing Warriors.


P.S.: Air Hug someone you love today

15 comments:

  1. Poor Mary, having such a low opinion of herself and her chances. :-)Something tells me that her odds are about to change.

    I feel your pain, Sue--and I'm glad your self-quarantine went without incident. Two weeks ago, my boss got caught in the EU the same week President Trump declared that no Foreign Nationals could come here. He flew home a couple of days later, then did NOT self-quarantine--after Paris, London, Amsterdam, Boston. We (I and my coworkers) were all petrified for the last two weeks that he'd hauled it back from an airport or a plane with him. I still have to go to work every day. I hope you and your hubby decided to take the early retirement. I agree. Money isn't worth a life.

    Air hugs back at you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hubby DID take early retirement and so now he is home 24/7, 365/366, All Day, All Night... *grin* I'm not used to it YET, and I'm glad he's home for good!

      Delete
  2. Sounds like Nigel was a little too eager with that first kiss. I hope Mary's next kiss is more enjoyable for her.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. But of course, and the hero will make it worth her while, I'm sure.

      Delete
  3. Your snippet was filled with regret and submerged longing . . . and ditto for the tale from your own life. I'm not much of a believer in signs--hey, I write science fiction--but maybe Air Canada's offer is one. Way back when, I taught elementary school but felt I needed a change. Judi and I were thinking of moving out of province for family reasons, and to facilitate a new career for me. Then the BC government offered a year's salary to any teacher willing to quit and not teach again for three years. Bingo! That's as close to a heavenly sign as I've ever had--and my your husband's offer is, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree. Back in '94 the military offered an early retirement package, and with only two years left on his commitment, hubby took it and ran. We moved from Comox, BC to Ontario and here we are with history repeating itself. With less than one year to go, another early retirement package, which he has decided to take. All things happen for a reason.

      Delete
  4. What a delightful snippet. I have a feeling a man will show up...and soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Why yes, he will. However at ten line maximum we may not see him for another year. lol Don't worry, I'll skip the boring filler scenes and move onto juicier ones.

      Delete
  5. Yes, he's worth the cut in pay!! I'm so glad I retired when I did. Love this snippet. My heart aches for poor Mary. Where's that man to prove her assumptions wrong?

    ReplyDelete
  6. I like Mary and want to give her a hero who is worthy of her tentative hope and dreams.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh, poor baby - her thoughts of herself tug at my heartstrings. Happy to hear about hubs and the early retirement incentive!

    ReplyDelete
  8. So glad you're self-isolated. We are, too. Big decision coming up. I hope it's one you can both live with. Sending virtual hugs.

    Your snippet was cute with a hint of sadness. Loved when she bit his tongue. LOL When she finds good kisser, she's have fun.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I always enjoy your writing style so very much. Terrific snippet and I felt as if I was getting quite a peek into her actual thoughts. (I'm glad you gave her a dowry!).

    ReplyDelete

Due to the proliferation of scam artists inundating this blog with their garbage, I am forced to moderate all comments. If you are a real person, thank you. YOU are appreciated.