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https://jfb57.wordpress.com/2015/02/16/100-word-challenge-for-grown-ups-week168/
This week’s prompt is …the blue was sapphire… + 100 words
THE RECEPTION
Drink in hand, I skimmed the room. Lights blazed, children squealed, and the discordant orchestra tuned up. Receptions are boring without a date.
A commotion caught my attention. Upswept copper curls bobbed through the crowd. A pale cerulean gown, delicate as angels’ breath, floated towards me. The exquisite creature peered up brows raised, her eyes—the blue was sapphire—like the gem… “Can I help you?” My voice cracked.
“Get me out of here, please?” She drifted forward. Like a puppy after a treat, I loped behind her. The night might not be a complete waste.
“Where to?”
“A drive maybe?”
“Husband problems?”
“Girlfriend.”
© 2015 All Rights Reserved Tess and How the Cookie Crumbles
February 17, 2015 at 6:07 pm
Love it.
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February 17, 2015 at 8:39 pm
Thank YOU, John. Pleased you like it. ❤
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February 17, 2015 at 6:10 pm
I am left most intrigued Tess. the description ‘Upswept copper curls bobbed’ paints a beautiful image. Your eloquent way with words once again shining brightly here.
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February 17, 2015 at 8:41 pm
Sue, thank you, but you’re way too generous. I do paint pictures with words because my grand kids stole my crayons. *{~_~}* ❤ ❤
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February 17, 2015 at 10:34 pm
You make me smile Tess!
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February 18, 2015 at 7:41 am
Glad I do some good, Sue. 😀 😀 😀
You make me smile too.
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February 17, 2015 at 6:41 pm
Girlfriend….one has to wonder, hers or someone elses? Lots going on here. As usual Tess, you leave us wanting more of the story. Great job!
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February 17, 2015 at 6:51 pm
ooo – Kanzen – that’s an angle I hadn’t considered … someone else’s girlfriend! 🙂
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February 17, 2015 at 8:46 pm
May—be and May——be not. *grins*
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February 17, 2015 at 8:45 pm
I’d never written this particular twist and have no idea what led me there. Felt so natural, and she’s so exquisite…
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February 17, 2015 at 6:54 pm
I love your stories Tess. You always take us somewhere unexpected. Like Sue, I was taken with the upswept copper curls bobbing through the crowd 🙂
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February 17, 2015 at 8:47 pm
I wonder if you’ll have another idea from my last comment? I can hope. This is new territory for me.
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February 17, 2015 at 8:23 pm
Vision comes through clearly with your words. And sadly I’m left sitting here staring at a picture, wondering what the rest of the story is. sigh.
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February 17, 2015 at 8:55 pm
Can you envision how many disappointments there will be?
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February 18, 2015 at 9:22 pm
Oh yes…..
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February 18, 2015 at 9:31 pm
Have you noticed the new headings in the new REPLY (to comments)?
Sometimes I get mixed up where I left off and then respond to a comment and realize I already have… Grr. Now we can filter them. ❤
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February 19, 2015 at 6:02 am
I have not even clicked on the new site since someone gave me the link to the old notification way of doing it Tess. If they take this away I think I will stop blogging. It’s getting to be too much stress!
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February 19, 2015 at 7:43 am
I hate change as well. Sigh.
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February 20, 2015 at 5:38 am
I wouldn’t mind the change so much, if it was beneficial or made sense. But they took something that worked FANTASTIC and created a nightmare to replace it with. I’m not sure I see the point of that? Now, THAT change, I don’t care for at all. 😀
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February 17, 2015 at 8:26 pm
I am completely confused. Love the images. Have no idea what’s going on. What a great start!
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February 17, 2015 at 8:57 pm
Nobody is as he or she seems. Two huge disappointments await. Her GIRLfriend is the problem throughout. ??
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February 17, 2015 at 8:58 pm
I wasn’t planning on being mysterious. It always seems clear to me; not necessarily to the reader. Must get back to the drawing-board. Right now my teeth hurt.
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February 18, 2015 at 6:12 am
I got it, Tess. You were clear. You just went to an unexpected place, and went around the curve on two wheels. Don’t worry — everyone will catch up. 🙂
> I applaud your sense of writing adventure.
I’m a big chicken for the most part — always sticking with “Write what you know.” So there are a lot of “points of view” from which i don’t feel knowledgeable enough to write. I don’t even like to write from a (typical) male POV, (and i’ve been inside enough male minds to be familiar) though sometimes i have to in short segments, if the story demands.
Well done! ⭐ Hugs.
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February 18, 2015 at 8:12 am
Teagan, I so appreciate your friendship and support. ❤ The truth is I never have a plan. The endings happen on their own. This one was a huge surprise and I giggled myself silly. 😀 😀 😀
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February 18, 2015 at 10:02 pm
You are like an engineer. At least when I worked with engineers, I got their thinking. 😀
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February 17, 2015 at 9:05 pm
Oh, thank you, Tess! I burst out laughing at that last sentence. Thank you!
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February 18, 2015 at 7:34 am
😀 😀 😀
I’ve never gone there before. It just happened.
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February 17, 2015 at 9:16 pm
“Like a puppy after a treat” – oh I love that line. It’s a really good one, Tess.
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February 18, 2015 at 7:35 am
Thank YOU, Paulette. Boys will be boys. 🙂
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February 17, 2015 at 9:22 pm
Wonderful!
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February 18, 2015 at 7:36 am
Thank YOU, Cee. ❤ ❤
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February 17, 2015 at 9:55 pm
Killing me, Tess that was sublime in its perfection.
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February 18, 2015 at 7:39 am
Thank you, Val. An unexpected direction for me, but I had to. 😛 😛
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February 18, 2015 at 12:11 am
You drew me right into the scene — as always. Hugs! 🙂
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February 18, 2015 at 7:45 am
Teagan, thank you. You are such a sweetie. You make me smile. ❤ ❤ ❤
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February 18, 2015 at 1:56 am
This made me chuckle. The ending was totally unexpected. Kevin
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February 18, 2015 at 7:52 am
Thank you, Kevin. I’m pleased this gave you a chuckle. Have a wonderful day. 🙂
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February 18, 2015 at 9:36 am
You to Tess, have a wonderful day. Kevin
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February 18, 2015 at 1:58 am
Seems to me like he quickly realised he’s barking up the wrong tree!
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February 18, 2015 at 7:53 am
I’d say his jaw dropped. Yes. 😀 😀 😀
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February 18, 2015 at 3:01 am
Good one! A character you need to explore.
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February 18, 2015 at 7:57 am
I’ve never gone there before. Surprised me too. They may have an uncomfortable conversation… *{~_~}*
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February 18, 2015 at 3:35 am
Beautifully written and observed. Oh yes, appearances can be deceptive. Another one of those challenges that I hope at some point I’ll get organised to try and take part in. A great way to get the writing flowing.
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February 18, 2015 at 8:01 am
Thank YOU, Olga, for getting it. A new avenue for me. I had no idea where this would end up until it did. Couldn’t stop laughing. Didn’t know if anyone else would get it.
I agree. I love these challenges. Come on over! ❤ ❤
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February 18, 2015 at 3:36 am
I am always impressed how you can conjure up a great description and story in very least amount of words……
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February 18, 2015 at 8:02 am
You are so kind. Thank YOU. Most of the time I surprise myself. Never know where I’ll end up. Thanks for reading. 🙂
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February 18, 2015 at 4:25 am
Rather short, but in your words there are a lot of hiden moments, wich no need words. Good. regards
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February 18, 2015 at 8:05 am
Thank YOU, Rosa. I’m glad you understood the hidden story. 🙂
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February 18, 2015 at 4:35 am
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Condensing a meaningful story into 100 words is a skill that is excelled at by Tess Karlinski on her blog.. also if you are intrigued about China and its people and culture you will enjoy her weekly record of her trip there…
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February 18, 2015 at 8:08 am
Oh, wow. Sally. {blush} Thank you for your a.w.e.s.o.m.e. support and re-blog. ❤ ❤ ❤
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February 18, 2015 at 12:36 pm
my pleasure entirely. Hugs♥
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February 18, 2015 at 3:54 pm
❤ ❤ ❤
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February 18, 2015 at 7:01 am
I really like the twist at the end. Wasn’t expecting that!
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February 18, 2015 at 8:13 am
Thank you, Laura. ❤
I wasn't expecting the ending either, but it worked. Surprised the heck out of me. 😀
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February 18, 2015 at 9:26 am
Another great one.! (And that’s something I can take for granted with you )
But could you perhaps make the NEXT 100-word story a continuation of THIS one?
Your stories end just as you suck me in!
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February 18, 2015 at 10:32 am
Hmmm…girlfriend could have a few meanings, but me thinks he’s out of luck.
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February 18, 2015 at 3:41 pm
You win. You win. Yup. I had my fingers crossed readers would get. See me do the happy dance? 😀 ❤ Thank YOU.
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February 18, 2015 at 10:40 am
Another brilliant story, it takes some skill to do that in 100 words. I’m in awe ❤
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February 18, 2015 at 10:52 am
Okay… first this: ‘Upswept copper curls bobbed through the crowd…’ Then the last word. I don’t like to swear on blogs but Tess, I have to just this once… this is bloody brilliant. That’s all I’m saying… ❤ 😀 ⭐
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February 18, 2015 at 3:43 pm
Thank YOU, Sherri. Thank you. I wasn’t sure it would be understood. ❤ ❤ ❤
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February 18, 2015 at 11:46 am
Tess – You keep getting better and better. Your talent for these ever so short stories boggles my mind.
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February 18, 2015 at 3:46 pm
Thank you, Sheri. I am honored you think so. I never know how any of these will take shape. Response to this one surprises me. I wasn’t sure the last line and circumstance would be clear. Now I’m doing my happy dance. Can’t dance but doing it anyway.
😀 😀 😀
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February 18, 2015 at 12:14 pm
Lovely language and intriguing ending. I can see this as the opening of a novel.
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February 18, 2015 at 3:52 pm
😀 😀 I keep saying I’ll take these shorts and do more with them but haven’t fit that into my schedule yet. G-r-r.
Thanks so much for your kind support. ❤ ❤
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February 18, 2015 at 8:38 pm
You’re welcome. All best!
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February 18, 2015 at 9:08 pm
❤ ❤
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February 18, 2015 at 4:14 pm
It’s the perfect peak to leave the reader. Love it .!!!
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February 18, 2015 at 8:52 pm
Thanks so much. You can’t explore too deeply or far in 100 odd words. ❤ ❤
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February 19, 2015 at 3:45 am
Woo! That’s a ball breaker?!!! 😉
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February 19, 2015 at 7:40 am
Great choice of words, Willow. 😀 😀 😀
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February 20, 2015 at 5:24 pm
Love the ambiguity, Tess. Nice touch! 😉
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February 22, 2015 at 8:35 pm
This is fabulous! Visual, witty, surprise ending! One of your best, Tess!
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February 23, 2015 at 7:01 pm
Clever you Tess! Brilliant descriptions and a bit of a question left in the reader’s minds. Nice to be back and catch up on my favourite blogs. xo
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