Happy frosty Friday everyone.We forgot to turn the heat up so today’s morning coffee is welcome not only for the caffeine it brings but it’s warmth as well. Soon it will warm up and all will be well. For now, I’m going to help warm up my fingers with the morning writing prompt. Anybody with me? Good then let’s get to it.
I might not have figured out what Edgar did exactly, but this was a fun prompt to work on dialogue, at least for me. and now I have to actually figure out what Edgar did or it will bother me. But such is life.
Friday, December 18th: “What would you do in my place?”
“What would you do in my place,” Kyle demanded.
Edgar frowned. “Not this,” he replied.
“Then what?”
Edgar remained silent. Kyle put his fists onto his hips and glared at his brother. He tapped his foot and lifted an eyebrow in study.
“What no brilliant suggestions? No alternatives that you’d care to put forward?” Kyle asked.
Edgar turned away from his brother and looked out across the field. Now it was especially pretty. The long green grass dotted with the blues, whites and yellows of the wildflowers that habitually grew there. The meadow petered out into a wood. It wasn’t a wild wood although it looked it from the road. It had been tamed by generations of pathways worn into the dirt between the great boles. Edgar knew every one of them, from the one that led him to the clearing, the one that led to the swimming hole complete with its own small waterfall and the one that if followed would eventually take you onto the rise overlooking the village.
“It’s been in the family for generations,” Edgar said. He was well aware that his voice held a hint of a whine, but he was unable to banish it.
Kyle sighed. “We aren’t selling the whole thing. Just a stretch of wood along the road. The house will still be well insulated by family land. You’ll still have all of your pretty little walks.”
“Not all of them,” Edgar said. “There is an especially sweet little meadow that…”
“That would have to be sold when we couldn’t afford to pay off our debts and had to lose the entire property,” Kyle said. His tone was firm.
“But I,” Edgar replied.
“You insured that we had no other choice,” Kyle replied. “No we sell off a small piece of land to discharge the debt before it grows any large and does even more damage and so that we don’t risk losing the whole thing.”
This time it was Edgar’s turn to sigh. “There has to be another way,” Edgar said. “It’s our land.”
“I am open to suggestions.” Kyle lifted his fists off his hips and crossed his arms over his chest.
Again Edgar had no alternatives to offer. “It wasn’t my fault,” Edgar finally said, his eyes still looking over the field. He couldn’t stand to look at his brother, knowing what he would see.
“Yes it is,” Kyle replied.
“Not entirely,” the whine was back in his voice. He could hear it. He cleared his throat in an attempt to banish it.
“Maybe not entirely, but enough,” Kyle said. “And now we have to deal with the consequences.”
“It won’t happen again,” Edgar said.
“I know,” Kyle replied. “I’ve already talked to the lawyers and insured it can’t.”
Edgar’s head snapped to his brother. Kyles face was a blank mask, but his eyes were still hard and hot with anger. “Just a minute…” Edgar began, feeling the sting of the rebuke.
“Take your walk Edgar,” Kyle said sounding tired now, despite the blazing eyes. He dropped his hands to his sides. “I’m calling to officially accept the offer. Soon your sweet meadow will belong to someone else. Enjoy it while you can.”
Kyle turned away before Edgar could think of a comment. He began walking back towards the house. Edgar thought about calling after him, but could think of nothing to say.
Ten til Midnight 