Lily Lawson's Blog: Lily's log, page 6

Recovery would be slow.

Andrew insisted Gail go with him as he dove back into the lake. Practising scuba diving here was a change from the local swimming pool. He wasn’t ready for the sea.

They both saw it. Touched it.

‘We should phone someone.’ Andrew stood on the bank, divesting himself of his wet gear.

‘I have the number for the Environment agency.’ Gail took out her phone.

***

Recovery would be slow. The delicate vessel had been there years, embedded, to an extent, in the bottom of the lake.

***

The police believe it was connected to a cold case involving a drowning incident.

Skeleton Smoke Useless

‘Smoking kills, you must know that everybody knows that.’

Ruth gave her father his cigarettes.

‘Stop buying him fags then.’

John took a swig of his coffee.

‘I promised when he turned eighty that whatever he wanted he could have. I’m not going back on my word.’

‘Can’t an old man have some pleasure in life? Since I lost your mother all I ask for is a packet of fags and a can of beer, that’s not much really, is it?’

‘Dad, you didn’t lose mam, she left you because you’re impossible.’

John patted his arm.

‘It’s useless he’ll never change. Mam nagged him for fifty years to give up, he didn’t listen. He’ll be the only skeleton in the graveyard having a smoke.’

It followed me home

The thought of Jake's discovery hung around me. It followed me home.

The police came quickly after my call. They cordoned off the area. It would be days if not weeks before we knew anything for sure.

All they would say is that it was a man.

Jake and I decided it was best if we stayed away from the area while it was all going on.

Water picture prompt

MaryAnn could never tire of this view. Living here was such a privilege. A sharp contrast to the life she left behind in the city.

Jake was sniffing about as usual. He had made a lot of doggy friends to play with.

Today doggy friends were in short supply, so he had to make do with his human ones.

Jake barked.

‘What is it boy? Have I stopped too long as usual? You keen to get moving?’

Jake kept running back and forth.

‘Ok, I’m coming.’

Jake was digging frantically.

‘Let’s see.’

A human hand appeared in the hole.

MaryAnn tugged Jake back on put him on his lead.

‘I need to call the sheriff Jake, I think you’ve found a body.’

She is falling

She is falling and I can’t stop her. She swims towards the ground. Legs and arms trying to gain some direction. Gasps from below. I see people through the window covering their eyes.

The heat is intensifying. I can’t hold off much longer. I have to know if she survives. If I take my focus off her I might miss her last moment of beauty.

The fire engine sirens herald their arrival.

The crowd have large blankets. They watch her body. Moving as if in a video game. The prize is her life. Two firemen join them. The rest start the slow climb to the windows of the trapped.

I say a quick prayer. Throw my tied sheets out the window. I can see the roof a few floors down. I don my gloves. I can’t wait for rescue.

A cheer goes up from the ground. My girlfriend has been caught in the blanket. Relief floods through me.

I climb onto the ledge. Take my first steps back to her waiting arms.

Her eyes gleamed like

Her eyes gleamed like sapphires in the night sky. Her blond hair glinting in the moonlight. She wandered silently unobserved through the streets.

The people slept. The animals slumbered.

The town woke on April 22nd to bread and milk on every doorstep. The book on every doormat ‘The legend of Paxbenignitas’.

This annual occurrence lead to the town having a kindness day on April 22nd in celebration. Both continue to this day.

What if we don’t …?’

What if we don’t argue?

What if we don’t fight?

What if we don’t insist only one of us is right?

What if we don’t fall into the patterns of before?

What if we don’t go round in circles?

What if we don’t go on keeping score?

What if we see a new way forward?

What if we try and make amends?

What if we leave the past behind us?

What if we can still be friends?

What if we start living in the moment?

What if we’re grateful for each day?

What if we agree to try together?

What if things work out ok?

Clapping Field Energy

‘Come on people, get the energy up in here, lets gets jumping and clapping before we run round this field.’

Michelle and Vicki followed Ryan’s lead with less enthusiasm than the man himself.

‘Who’s idea was this again?’ Michelle stopped to refasten her laces.

‘You were the one that wanted to knock them dead on the beach.’ Vicki stretched her legs.

‘Well West Beach does have the hunkiest lifeguards in the state and this body would like to get up close and personal with one of them.’

‘And why am I here?’

‘I need a wing woman and she has to look as hot as me to ensure I get maximum attention.’

Vicki punched her friend on the arm. ‘Oh I see, so it doesn’t matter about my love life?’

‘We both know Ryan’s pining for you, he can’t take his eyes off you.’

‘He’s just doing his job.’ Vicki blushed

‘Really? I don’t see anyone else getting as much of his attention as you do.’

‘Maybe he thinks I need help.’

‘Please, you could teach this class if you got your qualifications.’ Michelle rolled her eyes.

‘I’ll think about it.’ Vicki smiled

***

Ryan did some stretches and lead the group into the field.

‘Hey how you two doing? Ready for a run?’

Michelle and Vicki lined up.

‘Aye aye captain.’ They said in unison.

‘Vicki, I wondered if you wanted a chat about getting your qualifications, they are looking for trainers here and I told them about you.’

‘Thanks Ryan that’d be great. It’s kind of you to do that.’

‘No worries, say in an hour or so? Thought we might catch the early bird special at the pub.’

‘Sure, I’ve got to eat and it’s a great menu.’

***

Michelle got into the passenger seat for the drive home.

‘A date, eh?

‘It’s just a meal and a chat.’

‘Seems date like to me.’

‘Give over, he’s just being nice.’

‘What are you going to wear?’

‘Thought I might wear that new top I bought the other day.’

‘Hmmm I see.’

‘What?’

‘You’re dressing to impress.’

‘Get out of my car so I can go home and get a shower and get ready.’

‘Let me know if Romeo makes a move.’

‘Maybe Juliet will.’

‘I knew you were interested.’

‘ok you got me, I like him, but it might really just be about my qualifications, so I’m not getting my hopes up.’

‘Call me tomorrow.’

‘I will. Now get lost.’

Michelle got out and Vicki drove home with a smile on her face and a body full of nervous energy.

A shadow of remembrance

They were assembled in the playground. Surrounded by the empty shells that once made up their town. Bits of debris fell at intervals from crumbling walls punctuating the silence.

The minister read the list of the dead.

A shadow of remembrance shaded those gathered from the sun peeking through the dust filled sky. Acrid smoke fumes left unwanted mementos in nostrils. A chain of held hands and touched shoulders each person reaching to contact the next be they family, friend, or stranger. United in grief.

picture prompt - shoes

The models walked down the catwalk turned and went back. After everyone had had their individual turn, they formed a line and numbers were called to be on the short list for the commercial.

Headshots and full body photos were given in, and the group left the building.

***

Sitting round the table narrowing down the options one of the team picked up a full body shot, and they all agreed they had found their model.

***

Lana’s phone rang.

‘We’d like to offer you the job.’

‘May I ask what swung it for me?’

‘The shoes.’

‘Ah yes, they may forget the name, they may forget the face but they never forget the shoes.’