Friday Five & 500
For a Friday of Freedom and Frivolity, this duckie needs….
1) Fish Tacos
2) Candy Corn
3) Dancing
4) A secret project
5) Grilling!
And now, for Five Hundred Words of our new Story: BLUE EYES….
Thirteen years ago
“Layla, what’s that?”
“The stars!” The three year old crowed, clapping her hands. Her clear blue eyes gazed upwards, a beam of azure to her grandmother’s warm brown gaze.
“That’s right, dear. And what’s important about the stars?” Her grandmother lifted her into her lap, her warm arms shelter from the cool desert wind. Only in the Southwest could it be 50 degrees on a July night.
The three year old blinked. She was not used to adults speaking to her like a person. She was used to parroting words like, “Mama” and receiving a cookie for her troubles.
“The stars, Layla.” Her grandmother’s grip around her waist grew tighter, possessive. “What can you see in the stars?”
Layla stared as hard as she could, indigo ribbons weaving through silver confetti across a sea of black.
“I know you can see it.” Her grandmother’s whisper made her shiver. “I know you can see it, Layla.”
Present Day
Sixteen year old Layla glared at her aunt. “No.”
She heard her aunt suck back a sigh. “Layla, please. You know what it would mean to your cousins. The twins only turn 12 once.”
“I turned 12 four years ago. It’s not that exciting.” Leaning down, she placed her breakfast plate on the table. “Biscuit, eat.”
“No, Biscuit.” Her aunt swiped the plate from the dog’s quivering nose, slamming it on the counter. Layla winced as the porcelain clattered against the steel sink, automatically clamping her hands over her ears. “Are you trying to make me blind and deaf?” she demanded.
“Layla, please.” Her aunt’s heels clicked across the tile, her next words nearly drowned out by the wave of dog food into Biscuit’s plastic bowl. “Your cousins have been wanting to go camping in the desert for ages. It would mean so much to them.”
“Go ahead and go. I can stay here.” Layla waited until she heard the click of plastic against tile. As the heels clicked back to the sink, she leaned down, crumpling stolen bacon in her hand and sprinkling it on the bland kibble. “Eat, Biscuit.”
“Layla, you’re being ridiculous.” Her aunt slammed the dishwasher open, jerking out the silverware tray as Biscuit’s delighted snorts filled the air. “Show some compassion.”
“You want the blind orphan to show some compassion?” Layla’s harsh bark made Biscuit scuttle back, bumping her chair. She placed her hand on his back, forcing the fury whipping inside her to ease.
“You’re not an orphan, Layla.” Her aunt’s voice grew louder. “You’re just a brat. After all we’ve done for you. I suppose I should have let the State take you after your mother died and your grandmother…” She trailed off.
“My grandmother what?” Layla bit back the bitterness on her tongue. “Where is my father, Aunt Cornielia? If I’m not an orphan, why did he disappear when I was three? Why won’t you let me talk to my grandmother? Why doesn’t she talk to me?”
“Layla, why must you always bring this up before school starts?” Her aunt kicked the diswasher shut, cursing under her breath. “My heel!”
“That’s what happens when leather meets plastic…” Layla froze. Underneath her hand, Biscuit tensed, his food bowl forgotten. His skin quivered, his muscles twitching with anticipation.
“Layla?” Her aunt stepped closer, snapping her fingers. “Layla? Do you see something?” Her voice rose with excitement. “What do you see?”
Biscuit growled.
“Layla?” Her aunt shrieked. “What do you see? Did the therapy work?” She snapped her fingers an inch from Layla’s nose. “Layla!”
Layla rubbed Biscuit’s ears, her eyes still focused forward. “Nothing, Aunt Cornelia. It was nothing.” Wrapping Biscuit’s leash around her hand, she slid from the table. “We’ve got to go. I’ll be late to school.”
Ignoring her aunt’s shrieks trailing her down the hall, Layla rushed out the front door, her backpack swinging over her arm.
She just hated to leave her aunt alone with the man in the kitchen. Espieically when she knew her aunt couldn’t see him.
Stay tuned, Invisible Friends! A new week of whimsy awaits!
September 30th, 2011 at 1:39 am
I love candy corn, not had that in years!! the tacos look fabulous!! Have a great weekend flower xx
September 30th, 2011 at 1:39 am
I love candy corn, not had that in years!! the tacos look fabulous!! Have a great weekend flower xx
September 30th, 2011 at 2:18 am
Love your apron! Where can I get me one of those?
September 30th, 2011 at 2:38 am
Who’s the man in the kitchen?
September 30th, 2011 at 3:41 am
A new story – how lovely! And…mmm… candy corn!
September 30th, 2011 at 3:45 am
You and your partner really dance well. I always love the photos you share here, they´re full of fun and inspiring.
September 30th, 2011 at 3:54 am
Way to rock that grill!
September 30th, 2011 at 4:19 am
Candy corn is joy. Who is the man in the kitchen?! That ended too well as I’m on the edge of my seat. As for the front page, it is on the fold, the first article of the paper and I’m definitely planning on taking something with me on this plane. I don’t want to catch anything. Enjoy your Friday.
September 30th, 2011 at 5:14 am
Gah! Candy corn – I want, I want!
September 30th, 2011 at 6:13 am
Wait, is it candy corn time again? I HADN’T HEARD.
*Mad dash to the store ensues*
September 30th, 2011 at 6:33 am
i too now need some fish tacos this weekend! yum!
September 30th, 2011 at 6:37 am
Wait…you can just leave us with an invisible man in Layla’s aunt’s kitchen!! ;D Happy weekend, Duckie!
September 30th, 2011 at 6:43 am
You’re the cutest!! I am excited to be a new invisible friend, I love your whimsy!
September 30th, 2011 at 6:49 am
Invisible men too.
September 30th, 2011 at 7:11 am
MJ loves candy corn. I think they’re festive looking, but don’t care for them as food…
September 30th, 2011 at 8:13 am
love the dance! and the candy corn.
brilliant!
September 30th, 2011 at 8:15 am
Hi darling, I am doing fine, just busy with garden stuff.
Oh beautiful blue eyes, I was so happy my dream came true when I married my husband who has blue eyes
September 30th, 2011 at 8:25 am
ACK! Creepy. I like it!
September 30th, 2011 at 8:32 am
Well, if you switch the candy corn for ice cream, I’m with you daaaahling! Happy friday
*kisses* HH
September 30th, 2011 at 9:10 am
You do the grilling at your house? I’m impressed!!!
September 30th, 2011 at 9:52 am
I want to know what she sees!!!
I also want to know what the secret project is. Why must you always keep me in suspense Duckie?
Your husband can’t have the chocolate chip cookies, but I’m thinking you need the PB/banana ones!
September 30th, 2011 at 10:06 am
Love this story!!!
I am making my first candy corn purchase today. I promised Hannah a treat after school. Plus I’m walking a half marathon tomorrow and I’m bringing a little candy to help me get through it!
September 30th, 2011 at 11:00 am
Thanks for the nice post
……………
September 30th, 2011 at 12:01 pm
Therapy? What therapy? What is she seeing? I’m hooked already. Have an awesome weekend!
September 30th, 2011 at 12:59 pm
Oh, heavens, a blind girl who sees spirits or something? I do like this story, dear Duckie. And I love candy corn, too. I’m trying to keep it out of the house this year, because the meanie doctor told my dearly beloved to limit his sugar. Meanie.
September 30th, 2011 at 2:19 pm
OMG I loooooove candy corn!
Have a fabulous weekend, darling!
xoxox,
CC
P.S. Been running a bit more lately and thought of you
September 30th, 2011 at 3:37 pm
I love fish tacos and apple pie! Your blog is making me hungry lady! xo style, she wrote
September 30th, 2011 at 4:57 pm
I’m coming over to your place on a Friday for dinner!
September 30th, 2011 at 5:39 pm
Very interesting.
September 30th, 2011 at 11:13 pm
Happy weekend to you!
(My connection is incredibly slow… today 56K…)
October 1st, 2011 at 1:51 pm
Why do you do that!!!! It really makes me nuts when you leave me hanging that way. Great story. So far….
October 1st, 2011 at 5:51 pm
Scary..! I had fish tacos yesterday! I love them.
October 2nd, 2011 at 6:15 am
Happy Sunday, duckie. I can tell already this is going to be some story:) BTW, National Candy Corn Day is October 30th!
October 2nd, 2011 at 8:24 am
What is the secret project??
October 2nd, 2011 at 8:30 am
all look nice and fun you are so cute!! have a nice day dear, gloria
October 2nd, 2011 at 6:43 pm
Fish tacos make me way too happy!
October 3rd, 2011 at 7:30 am
I luv the 5 and have always wanted blue eyes….
October 3rd, 2011 at 1:21 pm
I’m sitting at work hungry and now I’m craving a fish taco. The kind with the spicy mayo like I had a couple of weeks ago. Yum.
October 4th, 2011 at 11:02 am
LOVE THIS!!! Who is the man in the kitchen?!
And I also love me some candy corn. And fish tacos.
October 5th, 2011 at 5:42 am
Candy corn…yes please!
The new story…hooray!