Amy R. Anguish's Blog, page 22
September 19, 2022
Behind the Story: Quilt Shops
So let's talk shop today. And by shop, I mean quilt shops. Why? Because my story, The Missing Piece, is set in one. One based off a few others I've been to.
I don't know if you've ever been in a quilt shop or not, but if you haven't, let me tell you. They're a lot of fun. You walk in and automatically your eyes are drawn to multiple things. Because fabric is fun. Full of colors and patterns and ideas of projects yet to happen.
And as far as I can tell, women who work in quilt shops are fun, too. Because they have a passion for the art of sewing/quilting. And that's definitely something that speaks to my soul.
So, my story is set in a quilt shop called The Missing Piece. It's in an old house that was redone into a store, but still has the character of different rooms and areas for fabric to be. There's a classroom in the back corner of the house (the former master bedroom), a room set up for people who need a place to sew, cutting tables here and there, and, of course, shelves of fabric.
Did I model this after a real shop? Yes and no. Here in the town I live in, we have a quilt shop called Stitcher's Playhouse. It's also an old house remodeled into a store. As you can see in the pictures below, it has various rooms of fabric, old sewing machines on display, along with quilts and other already-sewn items. Across the front are barn quilt squares, which I also love. There's a good-sized classroom farther back in the building, but I didn't get a picture of it the day I was there because I didn't want to interrupt the class going on. And you can see all the beautiful fabrics. I love going out there and almost always come away with at least a fat quarter or two.
Where my Mom lived for several years, she had a local quilt shop called Thread Lightly. It isn't in an old house, but still has lots of fun fabric and a place to sew/learn. My mom spent quite a few hours out there when she lived in Oklahoma. Quilt shops tend to be those places where you can find a community of similar-souled friends.
So, what do you think? Want to come visit The Missing Piece? You don't have to buy any fabric. We won't even require you know how to put on a button. But it is a fun store to explore. And right now, we have lots of watermelon patterns! Just in time for the town festival.
Have you been to a quilt shop before? Do you have a favorite one? I'd love to hear about it.
We're just over a week away from the release day! Are you too excited to wait? You can actually pre-order now (just click on the picture to the left).
And be watching, because at the end of the week, we're starting a Social Media Scavenger Hunt to celebrate the launch of this story collection. One reader who participates will win a very nice Amazon gift card. More information coming Friday. ;)
I don't know if you've ever been in a quilt shop or not, but if you haven't, let me tell you. They're a lot of fun. You walk in and automatically your eyes are drawn to multiple things. Because fabric is fun. Full of colors and patterns and ideas of projects yet to happen.
And as far as I can tell, women who work in quilt shops are fun, too. Because they have a passion for the art of sewing/quilting. And that's definitely something that speaks to my soul.
So, my story is set in a quilt shop called The Missing Piece. It's in an old house that was redone into a store, but still has the character of different rooms and areas for fabric to be. There's a classroom in the back corner of the house (the former master bedroom), a room set up for people who need a place to sew, cutting tables here and there, and, of course, shelves of fabric.
Did I model this after a real shop? Yes and no. Here in the town I live in, we have a quilt shop called Stitcher's Playhouse. It's also an old house remodeled into a store. As you can see in the pictures below, it has various rooms of fabric, old sewing machines on display, along with quilts and other already-sewn items. Across the front are barn quilt squares, which I also love. There's a good-sized classroom farther back in the building, but I didn't get a picture of it the day I was there because I didn't want to interrupt the class going on. And you can see all the beautiful fabrics. I love going out there and almost always come away with at least a fat quarter or two.
Where my Mom lived for several years, she had a local quilt shop called Thread Lightly. It isn't in an old house, but still has lots of fun fabric and a place to sew/learn. My mom spent quite a few hours out there when she lived in Oklahoma. Quilt shops tend to be those places where you can find a community of similar-souled friends.
So, what do you think? Want to come visit The Missing Piece? You don't have to buy any fabric. We won't even require you know how to put on a button. But it is a fun store to explore. And right now, we have lots of watermelon patterns! Just in time for the town festival.Have you been to a quilt shop before? Do you have a favorite one? I'd love to hear about it.
We're just over a week away from the release day! Are you too excited to wait? You can actually pre-order now (just click on the picture to the left). And be watching, because at the end of the week, we're starting a Social Media Scavenger Hunt to celebrate the launch of this story collection. One reader who participates will win a very nice Amazon gift card. More information coming Friday. ;)
September 15, 2022
Behind the Story: Tommy
Tommy England moved away from Sassafras, Arkansas right after high school. When he landed a job straight out of college, he stayed in Memphis, growing in the web design business. But when his mom passed away in the Spring, his world turned over.Now, he's back to help his dad go through things ... and work with Marsha and Beth at The Missing Piece, to see if they can get the books back in order. Because his mom's notes are confusing everyone and bills are falling through the cracks.
Of course, other perks to being back in town are seeing his lifetime best friend Beth again, too. But she doesn't seem as happy about it.
In the meantime, Tommy is trying to figure out what to do about his career. Returning to Memphis holds no appeal for him, but he never considered moving back for good.
There's more at stake than his mom's quilt shop this summer. And the stakes get higher the more time he's around Beth.
What do you think? Want to follow along with Tommy's story to find out more about him?
Our novella collection releases in a few weeks, but the e-book is available for pre-order now. And, keep watching my posts, because starting on 9/23 and going to 10/4, all four authors in this collection are having a Social Media Tour and Scavenger Hunt. We'll be giving away a very nice prize of a $60 Amazon gift card. Make sure you stop back by. :-)
September 12, 2022
Behind the Story: Beth
You know I always love to introduce you to my characters before my story releases. Today, you get to know Beth a little bit.Beth grew up with her best friend Tommy playing in their mothers' quilt shop, The Missing Piece. Now that she's all grown up, she's part-owner and still spends most of her time at the store. It's perfect except for one thing. Tommy moved away after high school and didn't come back ... until this summer. Now, she's struggling with years' of hurt and isn't sure how to handle him being back in town. That isn't her only struggle of the summer, though. For the first time, Tommy's mom, Laura, isn't there to help prepare for the local Watermelon Festival, so Beth is scrambling to get everything made. It's eat, sleep, and sew watermelon for her, in addition to the normal work around the store. And helping her mom sort through the mess of paperwork left behind when Laura passed away.
So, she has no time to deal with Tommy England. But he wants their friendship back. Is it worth taking the risk to let him back into her life?
You'll have to read the story to find out. ;)
What do you think? Want to get to know Beth more?
Our novella collection releases in a few weeks, but the e-book is available for pre-order now. And, keep watching my posts, because starting on 9/23 and going to 10/4, all four authors in this collection are having a Social Media Tour and Scavenger Hunt. We'll be giving away a very nice prize of a $60 Amazon gift card. Make sure you stop back by. :-)
September 8, 2022
Love in Any Season Social Media Scavenger Hunt
The Love in Any Season Social Media Scavenger Hunt beings September 23rd! To celebrate the release of their new novella collection, Love in Any Season, the authors are hosting a fun social media scavenger hunt.Here are the details: The Scavenger hunt opens September 23, 2022 and entries must be received by 11:59pm on October 4, 2022. One winner will be drawn from correct entries and announced on our social media pages on October 5, 2022. The winner will receive a $60 Amazon gift card. The contest is open to US only.
Many of our clues are found on social media sources that aren't our own. Each author will keep a post like this one where links to new clues will be updated each day. Here are the other places where you can connect with each of the authors: Heather Greer -
Website: https://heathergreer.com
Blog: https://heathergreer.com/blog/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHeatherGreer
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Heather_Greer1 Intagram: https://www.instagram.com/1heather.greer
Sarah Anne Crouch -
Website: SarahAnneCrouch.Wordpress.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/SarahAnneCrouch
Instagram: Instagram.com/SarahAnneCrouch
Twitter: Twitter.com/SarahAnneCrouch
Amy Anguish -
Website: Abitofanguish.weebly.com
Twitter: Twitter.com/amy_r_anguish
Facebook: Facebook.com/amyanguishauthor
Regina Rudd Merrick -
Website: https://www.reginaruddmerrick.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100039953383613 Instagram:
SOCIAL MEDIA SCAVENGER HUNT LINKS (Updated with live links each day. Future dates with links already provided will not go live until the date listed.)
CLUE #1 - September 23 - (live link to be added)
CLUE #2 - September 24 - (live link to be added)
CLUE #3 - September 26 - https://heathergreer.com/2022/09/26/main-character-monday-interview-beth-norton/
CLUE #4 - September 26 - (live link to be added)
CLUE #5 - September 26 - (live link to be added)
CLUE #6 - September 27- (live link to be added)
CLUE #7 - September 28 - (live link to be added)
CLUE #8 - September 29 - (live link to be added)
CLUE #9 - September 30 - (live link to be added)
CLUE #10 - October 1 - (live link to be added)
CLUE #11 - October 1 - (live link to be added)
CLUE #12 - October 3 - (live link to be added)
CLUE #13 - October 3 - (live link to be added)
CLUE #14 - October 4 - (live link to be added)
CLUE #15 - October 5 - (live link to be added)
READY TO SUBMIT YOUR ANSWER? USE THIS LINK: https://forms.gle/JepDrB1Ron7jRwcq7
Behind the Story: Summer
Have you ever played in a Weeping Willow? Yes, it's a tree. No, they're not usually for climbing. But when my family lived in Mississippi, a friend had a big willow in her front yard and the branches hung all the way to the ground. We could brush them aside and crawl under there and it was like a great big green canopy all around us. Just perfect for imaginations.I didn't see many willows when we lived in Texas, but back in middle Tennessee, there are quite a few in the area. And every time I pass one, I'm tempted to crawl under.
What does all this have to do with summer?
Have you seen a willow tree in the winter? They're not very pretty. Bare branches that hang all helter skelter. The Spring is okay, but they aren't as full. And fall, all the leaves are shedding. But summer ... they're perfect.
Summer also brings lightning bugs, picnic weather (though it can be a bit warm for that), all sorts of yummy foods and fruits (even watermelon), and so many more fun things. And when I started thinking about which season would work best for my novella, Summer fit.
So, as you read The Missing Piece, my novella in the Love in Any Season collection, get ready for some sweltering heat along with some sweet moments under a willow tree. And even a few lightning bugs mixed in with the mosquitoes.
Do you have a favorite season? Which is yours and why?
Our novella collection releases in a month, but the e-book is available for pre-order now. And, keep watching my posts, because starting on 9/23 and going to 10/4, all four authors in this collection are having a Social Media Tour and Scavenger Hunt. We'll be giving away a very nice prize of a $60 Amazon gift card. Make sure you stop back by. :-)
September 5, 2022
Author Interview: Toni Shiloh
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. One of the biggest blessings of being an author is getting to know other authors. For the last few years, I've been a part of the group Inspy Romance and been able to get to know quite a few of the other authors there, too. One of them is Toni Shiloh, and ... well, she's pretty amazing. So, today, I wanted to let you get to know her, too. Keep reading to find out more about Toni and her newest release (which I'm so excited about!). And make sure you read all the way to the bottom for a fun giveaway opportunity!Congratulations on your book releasing next week. I'm very excited about it because I read the first one earlier this year and am looking forward to going back to Ọlọrọ Ilé. What was the hardest part of creating the island and all of its history and culture? What was your favorite part?
Thanks so much for having me! Creating Ọlọrọ Ilé was definitely fun for me. I think the hardest part of creating the history and culture was deciding what fit other colonized countries as well as fit the culture I was creating. I've never thought of myself as particularly political or even a history buff, so I felt a little out of depth in this area. But fortunately, there are so many books and articles on the topic. My favorite part was delving into part of Nigerian culture and what makes it it. 🙂
I know the heroine in this book is a fashionista. How did you pick her career? What was the most interesting thing you discovered in doing research for her?
I thought being in the arts and being creative fit Iris's personality the best. She's bubbly and joyful and I could just imagine her as a child playing dress up with dozens of dolls and creating her own fashion show. The most interesting thing I discovered was their sales process. When they're in winter season, they're already a couple of season ahead. It made sense and made me realize why you can buy swimsuits in the winter/springtime before the season has even hit. That is interesting!
This is such a fun series and a little different from a lot of what you've written before. Do you prefer this princess fiction or do you think you'll probably go back to "regular" people after this series ends?
Good question! I love them both so if anything, I may alternate. 🙂
Good news indeed!
As an Arkansas girl, I'm seriously excited about you writing some stories set in one of my home states. What made you decide to pick it and can you tell us a little about the town you're creating there?
I love traveling but my pocketbook can't keep up with my need to see new places. So I armchair travel and pick a new state/country each time I write. I knew the idea of the series and what I wanted to happen so it was a matter of picking a state I thought would fit that. Arkansas came up after talking to a friend from there and the rest was history.
What's up next? Any exciting news?
I'm working on revisions for my next Bethany House release coming in 2023. The Love Script will be the first book in the Love in the Spotlight series. I can't wait to introduce you to the characters.
Sounds good!
What is your least favorite part of the writing process?
Revisions, lol. My editor at Bethany House is great but I always feel so unnerved trying to decide how to make it better and the best way to go about incorporating their suggested changes. Once I get into the groove, it gets better, but definitely not my favorite part of writing.
I think most authors would agree with that!
Which one(s) of your characters are most like you as a real person?
Very good question. I'm not sure I've really created a character most like me. I've given maybe a tiny portion of myself in all of them, but no one is quite like me. 🙂
Love that answer! And, last but not least, please tell us one thing about yourself that very few poeple know.
Hmm, I feel like everyone knows everything already, lol. But I'd say one thing very few readers know is I get motion sickness in the car (no reading for me), on a plane (can't even watch flying in movies), but not on a boat (yes, I'm weird).
Thanks for having me again!
That doesn't sound fun at all! I can't imagine not being able to read in a car, and I have a seven-year-old who would agree. So sad! Thanks for joining us today and letting us having some sneak peeks into your writing life.
Readers, Toni has agreed to give away a paperback to one person (US only) who leaves a comment here today. I'll draw a winner later this week so be sure to stop by and say "hi."
Fashion aficionado Iris Blakely moved her whole life to the African island of Ọlọrọ Ilé when her best friend, Brielle, became queen. With dreams of starting a fashion business to help citizens in impoverished areas, Iris is determined to make her ambitions a reality. But when she discovers that the traitorous, yet handsome Ekon Diallo will be her business consultant, the battle between her desires and reality begins.Sentenced to community service for his crimes against Ọlọrọ Ilé, Ekon Diallo lost everything after one bad decision: his princely title, material possessions, friends, and the respect of his countrymen. The only thing he has left is the income earned by working for his father’s company, Diallo Enterprises, and his knack for business.
To pay for his actions against his country, he must work alongside the charismatic Iris Blakely, the best friend of the woman he helped betray. But as Iris and Ekon strive to get her business off the ground, can Iris keep her heart intact from a partner she doesn’t completely trust, or will her dreams of happily ever crash and burn? Toni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and multi-published Christian contemporary romance author of In Search of a Prince (2022). Her novel Grace Restored was a 2019 HOLT Medallion finalist, and Risking Love was a 2020 Selah Award finalist. As a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Toni loves connecting with readers and authors alike via social media and at tonishiloh.com.
September 1, 2022
Behind the Story: Watermelon
Want to know a secret?I don't like watermelon.
Okay, so maybe it's not a secret, but it does come in to play in my new novella releasing September 27. Because my character Beth doesn't like it, either.
So, why set my story in a little town during Watermelon Festival time?
Good quesiton.
I'm not sure I have a great answer. Ha!
But let's just say when I was trying to come up with a small town festival in Arkansas in summer, I knew several towns around there had watermelon festivals and it sounded like fun. Also, did you know you could make like forty-million different things from watermelon? Smoothies, salads, sorbet, slushes, pickles, and so much more. Definitely put me in a fair/festival vibe.
And, considering all the cute items that can be sewn up to look like watermelon, that worked even better. Because Beth works at The Missing Piece, a local quilt shop, and is getting ready for their booth. Bowl cozy anyone? How about a cute little girl dress? Or a table runner?
Want to come celebrate all things watermelon with me? I hope you will!
My story, The Missing Piece, is the second in this lovely collection, Love in Any Season. Every story has a different season in a different small town with a festival going on. I think you're going to love it.
So, what about you? Do you love watermelon? Hate it? Indifferent?
Our novella collection releases in a month, but the e-book is available for pre-order now. And, keep watching my posts, because starting on 9/23 and going to 10/4, all four authors in this collection are having a Social Media Tour and Scavenger Hunt. We'll be giving away a very nice prize of a $60 Amazon gift card. Make sure you stop back by. :-)
August 26, 2022
Short Story--Her Turn to Party--Day 5
Thanks so much for joining us this week. This is the final part of my birthday gift to you, a fun short story. I hope you loved it, or that it at least made your week a bit brighter.
If you need to catch up, the first day is here, Tuesday is here, Wednesday is here, and Thursday is here. Enjoy the end!
“And isn’t this year a big one?” Kathy lifted a brow.
Ginny narrowed her eyes. “I suppose you could say that.”
“The big 4-0.” Pete walked to the front door and opened it.
“What are you doing?” Ginny stepped that way, but froze as more friends piled into their house. Friends who weren’t simply parents of her son’s friends.
Balloons and flowers came in with several of them. As well as another cake, this one decorated for her.
Ginny’s mouth hung open. She had literally given up on a party or anything else for her birthday other than the card Pete had handed her that morning. And here was her wildest dream come true.
“You did this?” She turned to her husband as he stepped next to her.
“With a lot of help.”
“But you hate parties.”
“But you don’t.”
“You listened.” She leaned in and pressed a kiss to his lips.
“I listen more than you think.” Pete smirked. “The last week when you thought I was ignoring you, I was actually texting your friends to finish planning all the details.”
Ginny giggled. “I can’t believe the kids didn’t give you away.”
“I didn’t tell Carter.” Pete pulled Michelle into a side-hug. “And this one was really the driving force behind it.”
Her pity party fizzled with a bit of remorse for letting it go on so long. All those assumptions about what today would bring popped faster than the balloons would later. And she’d let it all eat at her for weeks with no reason whatsoever.
And ruin her ability to really enjoy celebrating Carter, too.
She swallowed a bite of the humble pie, hoping it would leave room for some of that cake—peanut butter chocolate was her favorite.
“Well, I appreciate you both.” She faced everyone else. “And all the others who helped, too!”
A cheer went up before they burst into “Happy birthday.”
Carter rushed in the back door and froze, his mouth a wide O. “Mom, are all these people here for my party?”
“No, hon. They’re here for my party.”
“Does that mean my party is over?” Carter slumped a little into himself.
“Doesn’t look like it.” Ginny gestured to his friends.
Carter glanced around and a grin took over his face. “Cool! Maybe sharing a party isn’t so bad after all. Best birthday ever!”
Ginny pulled her son into a big hug. “Agreed.”
So, what did you think? Did it end how you expected? Has anything like this ever happened to you?
Wishing you could give me something for my birthday? You can, and it only takes a few minutes. Reviews are the best gift you can give an author, so if you haven't already left a review for one of my books, go drop a few lines on amazon, goodreads, bookbub or anywhere else you find them to let others know what you thought.
And thanks to all who have already blessed me that way. I'm glad I could share this week leading up to my birthday with you!
If you need to catch up, the first day is here, Tuesday is here, Wednesday is here, and Thursday is here. Enjoy the end!
“And isn’t this year a big one?” Kathy lifted a brow.Ginny narrowed her eyes. “I suppose you could say that.”
“The big 4-0.” Pete walked to the front door and opened it.
“What are you doing?” Ginny stepped that way, but froze as more friends piled into their house. Friends who weren’t simply parents of her son’s friends.
Balloons and flowers came in with several of them. As well as another cake, this one decorated for her.
Ginny’s mouth hung open. She had literally given up on a party or anything else for her birthday other than the card Pete had handed her that morning. And here was her wildest dream come true.
“You did this?” She turned to her husband as he stepped next to her.
“With a lot of help.”
“But you hate parties.”
“But you don’t.”
“You listened.” She leaned in and pressed a kiss to his lips.
“I listen more than you think.” Pete smirked. “The last week when you thought I was ignoring you, I was actually texting your friends to finish planning all the details.”
Ginny giggled. “I can’t believe the kids didn’t give you away.”
“I didn’t tell Carter.” Pete pulled Michelle into a side-hug. “And this one was really the driving force behind it.”
Her pity party fizzled with a bit of remorse for letting it go on so long. All those assumptions about what today would bring popped faster than the balloons would later. And she’d let it all eat at her for weeks with no reason whatsoever.
And ruin her ability to really enjoy celebrating Carter, too.
She swallowed a bite of the humble pie, hoping it would leave room for some of that cake—peanut butter chocolate was her favorite.
“Well, I appreciate you both.” She faced everyone else. “And all the others who helped, too!”
A cheer went up before they burst into “Happy birthday.”
Carter rushed in the back door and froze, his mouth a wide O. “Mom, are all these people here for my party?”
“No, hon. They’re here for my party.”
“Does that mean my party is over?” Carter slumped a little into himself.
“Doesn’t look like it.” Ginny gestured to his friends.
Carter glanced around and a grin took over his face. “Cool! Maybe sharing a party isn’t so bad after all. Best birthday ever!”
Ginny pulled her son into a big hug. “Agreed.”
So, what did you think? Did it end how you expected? Has anything like this ever happened to you?
Wishing you could give me something for my birthday? You can, and it only takes a few minutes. Reviews are the best gift you can give an author, so if you haven't already left a review for one of my books, go drop a few lines on amazon, goodreads, bookbub or anywhere else you find them to let others know what you thought.
And thanks to all who have already blessed me that way. I'm glad I could share this week leading up to my birthday with you!
August 25, 2022
Short Story--Her Turn to Party--Day 4
Thanks so much for joining us this week to read my birthday gift to you, a short story. If you need to catch up, the first day is here, Tuesday is here, and yesterday is here. Have fun! 
“Whoa, Mom! This is amazing!” Carter spun in a circle in the middle of the dining room.
The night before, Pete had hung the banner while Ginny placed all her candy Lego bricks on the store-bought cake. Honestly? It didn’t look that bad. Maybe even better than not bad, considering the boy’s reaction.
Balloons and streamers hung in other corners. Ginny had printed out a game online where the kids could challenge each other to build different structures or vehicles. And Michelle had helped her make a pinata that looked like a big Lego brick. It was enough to make any almost-seven-year-old boy happy.
Still, it would’ve been nice if the first words out of his mouth to her this morning were, “Happy Birthday.”
Just a single recognition. Was that too much to ask?
***
“Why don’t you guys go outside and play with those?” Ginny pointed to the cans of silly string one of Carter’s friends thought would make a great gift, then to the back door.
The mess would be all over the yard, but it would disintegrate … eventually. Or they’d just have colorful string mixed through the grass for a while. Either way, she didn’t care. It wasn’t in her house.
“Boys, huh?” Kathy, a friend and fellow mom, gathered up leftover cake and half-filled cups, disposing of the mess.
“It’s a lot of energy out there, for sure.” Ginny watched through the back window for a minute. Glancing over her shoulder, she spied several dads standing around in the living room. “Pete, you want to go supervise?”
“Huh?” He glanced over.
“The boys. Why don’t you guys go supervise?” Ginny motioned toward the backyard.
“Oh, uh …” He glanced at his watch.
“They’re fine, Ginny. Your yard is fenced in.” Kathy touched her shoulder. “And I have most of the mess cleaned up.”
“Right, but—”
“It’s fine, Ginny. Besides, it’s your birthday.” Kathy winked.
Ginny blinked. What was that about?
“That’s right. It is your birthday today, isn’t it?” Regina, another friend sidled over.
“Ye-es.” What did that have to do with anything? Today was about Carter—not her.
“You’re such a great Mom to host a party for your son on your own birthday.”
But was she? Sure, she’d planned this whole thing. But she hadn’t been happy about it.
She’d pretty much had a rotten attitude about having to share this day the whole time. And still wasn’t terribly happy about not getting her own shindig. Or more than the card Pete had handed her that morning. Maybe she’d go get a pedicure this evening when everyone was gone.
That was better than having nothing special for herself today.
And there she went again with her pity party.
One more day of story left. Can you guess what will happen?
Come back tomorrow to read "the end."
“Whoa, Mom! This is amazing!” Carter spun in a circle in the middle of the dining room.The night before, Pete had hung the banner while Ginny placed all her candy Lego bricks on the store-bought cake. Honestly? It didn’t look that bad. Maybe even better than not bad, considering the boy’s reaction.
Balloons and streamers hung in other corners. Ginny had printed out a game online where the kids could challenge each other to build different structures or vehicles. And Michelle had helped her make a pinata that looked like a big Lego brick. It was enough to make any almost-seven-year-old boy happy.
Still, it would’ve been nice if the first words out of his mouth to her this morning were, “Happy Birthday.”
Just a single recognition. Was that too much to ask?
***
“Why don’t you guys go outside and play with those?” Ginny pointed to the cans of silly string one of Carter’s friends thought would make a great gift, then to the back door.
The mess would be all over the yard, but it would disintegrate … eventually. Or they’d just have colorful string mixed through the grass for a while. Either way, she didn’t care. It wasn’t in her house.
“Boys, huh?” Kathy, a friend and fellow mom, gathered up leftover cake and half-filled cups, disposing of the mess.
“It’s a lot of energy out there, for sure.” Ginny watched through the back window for a minute. Glancing over her shoulder, she spied several dads standing around in the living room. “Pete, you want to go supervise?”
“Huh?” He glanced over.
“The boys. Why don’t you guys go supervise?” Ginny motioned toward the backyard.
“Oh, uh …” He glanced at his watch.
“They’re fine, Ginny. Your yard is fenced in.” Kathy touched her shoulder. “And I have most of the mess cleaned up.”
“Right, but—”
“It’s fine, Ginny. Besides, it’s your birthday.” Kathy winked.
Ginny blinked. What was that about?
“That’s right. It is your birthday today, isn’t it?” Regina, another friend sidled over.
“Ye-es.” What did that have to do with anything? Today was about Carter—not her.
“You’re such a great Mom to host a party for your son on your own birthday.”
But was she? Sure, she’d planned this whole thing. But she hadn’t been happy about it.
She’d pretty much had a rotten attitude about having to share this day the whole time. And still wasn’t terribly happy about not getting her own shindig. Or more than the card Pete had handed her that morning. Maybe she’d go get a pedicure this evening when everyone was gone.
That was better than having nothing special for herself today.
And there she went again with her pity party.
One more day of story left. Can you guess what will happen?
Come back tomorrow to read "the end."
August 24, 2022
Short Story--Her Turn to Party--Day 3
Thanks so much for joining us this week to read my birthday gift to you, a short story. If you need to catch up, the first day is here and yesterday is here. Have fun! 
“Hey, can you come grab that?” Ginny attempted to tie the balloon in her hands more quickly as the oven timer went off.
Pete grunted from his chair. “Yep. Give me just one minute.” His fingers flew over his phone screen, typing who-knew-what.
“Pete …” Ginny pushed the tip through the knot around her fingers, but it slipped back out again.
“Yeah. I’m coming.” He rose and started walking toward the kitchen, but slowly.
An acrid smell filled the air. No! Ginny let go of the balloon and rushed toward the oven, but she slipped on the edge of the tablecloth that draped longer on one side of the table than the other. She hit the floor, her palms slapping the linoleum.
“Ginny, you okay?” Pete leaned over her.
“Don’t stop for me! Pull the cake out!” She flapped in the direction of the oven.
He turned, jerked the door open, and a bit of smoke wafted out. Too late. He groaned as he pulled out the almost-black dessert.
“I don’t understand. We didn’t leave it in that much longer than I set the timer for.” Ginny pushed to a sitting position and rubbed her sore hands together. “How could this happen?”
“You’re sure you set the timer for the right amount?” Pete set the pan down on the stove and then fished the box out of the trash can. “What size is this?”
“Two nine inch, I thought.”
He showed her the box. She groaned again. She’d chosen the time for the bundt cake instead. Too late now. She’d have to start over or something.
A glance at the clock showed the time much later than she’d thought. She was never going to get to bed tonight. She folded her legs to her chest and laid her forehead against her knees.
“I’ve got this.” Pete laid a hand on her hair. “You finish up whatever else you were doing and I’ll run to the store.”
“Pete, no. Carter’s never had a store-bought cake in his life. I always do the recipe on Pinterest with the extra eggs and stuff to make the box mix taste like a bakery cake. Besides, the ones at the stores are so expensive.”
“Ginny, it’s already after eight. Let me do this for you. I’ll go pick up a plain sheet cake and you can decorate it however you want. It’ll still be special. And no one has to know you didn’t make it from your special recipe, okay? But you’re pushing yourself too much. Let me help.”
She lifted teary eyes to her husband. He might sometimes come across as unhelpful or oblivious to her needs, but tonight he’d gone above and beyond.
“Okay.”
“I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He pointed to the brick cutouts on the table. “Don’t hang that banner. I’ll get it when I come back.”
She could barely utter a thank you before he was out the door.
This hadn’t been how she imagined ending thirty-nine, but maybe going out on a lower note simply meant forty would start on a high one. A girl could hope, anyway. I hope Ginny can get the smell of that burnt cake out of her house before the guests arrive tomorrow. What do you think will happen next?
Come back and read Day 4 tomorrow.
“Hey, can you come grab that?” Ginny attempted to tie the balloon in her hands more quickly as the oven timer went off.Pete grunted from his chair. “Yep. Give me just one minute.” His fingers flew over his phone screen, typing who-knew-what.
“Pete …” Ginny pushed the tip through the knot around her fingers, but it slipped back out again.
“Yeah. I’m coming.” He rose and started walking toward the kitchen, but slowly.
An acrid smell filled the air. No! Ginny let go of the balloon and rushed toward the oven, but she slipped on the edge of the tablecloth that draped longer on one side of the table than the other. She hit the floor, her palms slapping the linoleum.
“Ginny, you okay?” Pete leaned over her.
“Don’t stop for me! Pull the cake out!” She flapped in the direction of the oven.
He turned, jerked the door open, and a bit of smoke wafted out. Too late. He groaned as he pulled out the almost-black dessert.
“I don’t understand. We didn’t leave it in that much longer than I set the timer for.” Ginny pushed to a sitting position and rubbed her sore hands together. “How could this happen?”
“You’re sure you set the timer for the right amount?” Pete set the pan down on the stove and then fished the box out of the trash can. “What size is this?”
“Two nine inch, I thought.”
He showed her the box. She groaned again. She’d chosen the time for the bundt cake instead. Too late now. She’d have to start over or something.
A glance at the clock showed the time much later than she’d thought. She was never going to get to bed tonight. She folded her legs to her chest and laid her forehead against her knees.
“I’ve got this.” Pete laid a hand on her hair. “You finish up whatever else you were doing and I’ll run to the store.”
“Pete, no. Carter’s never had a store-bought cake in his life. I always do the recipe on Pinterest with the extra eggs and stuff to make the box mix taste like a bakery cake. Besides, the ones at the stores are so expensive.”
“Ginny, it’s already after eight. Let me do this for you. I’ll go pick up a plain sheet cake and you can decorate it however you want. It’ll still be special. And no one has to know you didn’t make it from your special recipe, okay? But you’re pushing yourself too much. Let me help.”
She lifted teary eyes to her husband. He might sometimes come across as unhelpful or oblivious to her needs, but tonight he’d gone above and beyond.
“Okay.”
“I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He pointed to the brick cutouts on the table. “Don’t hang that banner. I’ll get it when I come back.”
She could barely utter a thank you before he was out the door.
This hadn’t been how she imagined ending thirty-nine, but maybe going out on a lower note simply meant forty would start on a high one. A girl could hope, anyway. I hope Ginny can get the smell of that burnt cake out of her house before the guests arrive tomorrow. What do you think will happen next?
Come back and read Day 4 tomorrow.
