Each year I take a prompt from the stack of previous prompts and I break out a basic outline for the story. I then take fifteen minutes each day to work on the story and create a very rough first draft. It lets me break out a story I might otherwise not have time for and it actually has taught me a lot about the way I write. This year’s story involves Gwen as she tries to find her place in this world. And so, the story continues…
Day 135: It was an odd thought that stayed with her.
It was an odd thought that stayed with her. She shifted it to the back of her mind as she finished preparations for the evening. As she looked at herself in the mirror, taking a final once over her hair, makeup and dress, she realized that this was not such a far cry from what she chose for the dance. The dress was of a similar color although a different style. Attention was paid to every aspect of her preparation.
‘It’s like a do over,’ she thought as she picked up her purse and joined her grandparents.
Sebastian was again their driver for the night and this time he whisked them through the brightly lit streets of the darkening city. Evening was newly arrived and not every place had its lights on for the night so the world beyond the glass looked like it was part of some shadow world.
‘It could be anywhere,’ she thought as she looked at the streetscape sliding by. The shadows lent weight to her feeling of a do over and she was both slightly surprised and relieved when they pulled up to a building she had never seen before.
They exited the car and walked up the pathway to the door. Gwen walked a little behind her grandparents as her grandfather escorted her grandmother on his arm. To Gwen they looked almost as though they stepped out of an old movie. They looked glamorous and elegant, and she half expected someone like Cary Grant to meet them as they approached the doorway.
He wasn’t there.
Instead, they were greeted by a man checking invitations. George gave their names and all three of them were whisked through security. Once through they walked down a corridor where a carpet had been laid over tilework for the night. There were gold posts with velvet ropes on either side. Gwen thought it was a classy way to keep people moving on a set path.
Beyond the path she could see that there were art installations and large men in black suits fitted with walkie talkies meandering at the edge of sight to also encourage people to stay on the designated pathway. No one else seemed to look past the pathway so Gwen thought she was the only one tempted to explore. She reigned in her curiosity.
They entered the main space and joined the crowd. Waiters with trays circulated. Some held canapes and others held beverages. Most of the glasses she could see were champagne glasses. Gwen had champagne before but wasn’t entirely certain she wanted to drink tonight.
Margaret leaned down and whispered. “The tall glasses on the end are for those who aren’t drinking.”
Gwen nodded, feeling relieved. When the champagne flutes passed each of her gran parents took one. She took the non-alcoholic option when the waiter passed by. As she did, she spotted one of the people from her art class. He was looking at her as though she sprouted a second head.
Ten til Midnight 