Tired of waiting, I paced from the front room to the kitchen. Hurry up, Ma. What’s taking so long?
I pulled the curtain aside. Franco and Smitty raced up and down the dusty road. Anxious to join them, I gazed over my shoulder at the kitchen wall. The long arm on the cuckoo clock crept one tentative lurch at a time. I slumped into a chair again. Ma!
My baby sister, Caterina, stacked and whacked her blocks on the sloping linoleum. She jabbered baby talk, drool sliding down her chubby chin and onto her chest. I peered at the clock again. Tick. Tock. My chair creaked; I couldn’t sit still. A hint of last night’s spaghetti sauce and Ciabatta bread still hung in the air.
Urgent fists pounded on the front door. The baby’s jaw shot up. She clutched a red block in mid-air. With heart thumping and ears burning, I raced to see who it might be.
Mrs. Fournier, from across the road, shifted from foot to foot on the veranda, clasping and unclasping her reddened hands. A bleached cotton headscarf, worn in the bandana style, covered her hair as always. I didn’t know if she even had hair. Her face chalk white, she chewed on her bottom lip. “Excusez-moi…Maman, Rosalia?”
“Shopping. She’ll be home soon. What, Mrs. Fournier?”
“Téléphone—not worry, mon enfant, you only eight—où…?”
“At the P&G, I think. You want me to find her?”
“Non—Oui!” She nodded, head bobbing like a tethered balloon. “Vous allez. Rapide.” She clapped her hands like a school teacher.
“I can run fast, Mrs. Fournier. You look after Caterina?” I pointed to the baby, grabbed my sweater and ripped across the lawn. Telephone. Never good news. Where would Ma go first?
A few minutes later, my lungs burned and my side pinched. Pebbles from the gravel road attacked my bare calves. A penny loafer flew off. I staggered and pitched forward onto the sharp stones, sprang up and shoved my foot back inside. My scraped hands burned. I rounded the corner and tore up the concrete sidewalk on Godfrey Street, the main street in town.
Mrs. Kowalski and Mrs. MacDonald blocked my way. They regarded me with interest as I danced around them.
“You need to use the bathroom, dear?” Mrs. MacDonald stooped over me as far as her arthritic back would allow.
“No. I’m looking for Ma. Did you see her in the P&G maybe?”
“Yes, Rosalia, she’s there.”
“Saturday busy. Everything is okay?” Mrs. Kowalski the nosey one asked, her eyes sharp and probing as a crow’s.
“Thank you. Bye.” I rushed up the sidewalk to the end of the block, through P&G’s door and smack into Ma in line to pay. She swerved against the supporting pillar beside her. The carpetbag partially-full of groceries, swung at her side. The edge of the wooden handles collided with my hip.
“Ma, Mrs. Fournier says come home quick. She’s home with Caterina.”
“What is it, Rosalia?” My mother’s eyes, bright a moment before, faded and her face took on the washed out color of our neighbour’s kerchief.
“I don’t know. She said telephone. You think it’s about Daddy?”
“Excuse. Excuse.” Ma pushed her way to the counter and grabbed the checkout lady’s forearm. “You take, Giselle.” She heaved the cloth bag, handles clacking, to the cashier. “I come later pay. Go home now.” Customers who’d moved back to make room, patted her back and shoulders. Smitty’s mother was one of them. Lips pinched tight, she closed her eyes and nodded.
I clutched Ma’s hand; we rushed through the door. People stepped out of the way. I tugged her arm all the way home for three endless blocks, her body stiff as the Tin Man. I peeked at her face. I hoped the news wasn’t bad. “Come on Ma. We’re almost home.” Lips moving without sound, she stared straight ahead.
I dropped her hand and sprinted ahead up the stairs to open the door. Ma staggered in behind me. Mrs. Fournier grabbed her arm as soon as we crossed the threshold. The bedroom door slammed in my face. I hunched forward with my ear to the door.
End of Part 1
© 2015 All Rights Reserved Tess @ How the Cookie Crumbles
February 24, 2015 at 8:06 pm
Last sentence perfect link to Part 2
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February 24, 2015 at 8:47 pm
I hoped to end with a cliff hanger. 😀
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February 24, 2015 at 8:07 pm
And now we wait…
I don’t want to wait, more please! 🙂
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February 24, 2015 at 8:49 pm
DP, you’re such a sweetie. There was no 100-word Challenge up so I had to come up with something else at the last minute. ❤ ❤ ❤
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February 25, 2015 at 8:52 am
Ah… I wondered what motivated you, when i didn’t see the prompt. So you were just giving us a story? Well done. And much appreciated too! 😀
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February 25, 2015 at 5:48 pm
I’m a creature of habit. 😀 😀 😀 I try to stick the schedule as much as I can. 🙂
Thank you for reading and commenting, Teagan. ❤
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February 24, 2015 at 8:11 pm
Argh, you’re leaving us hanging! Well played, Tess, well played. 😉
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February 24, 2015 at 8:50 pm
😀 The whole pie :ce would be too long.
No 100-word challenge up so I thought I’d see what I can post instead. At least its longer than 100 + a few words. Yes? 😮
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February 24, 2015 at 8:16 pm
more please
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February 24, 2015 at 8:16 pm
Will be waiting for part 2. This was great.
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February 24, 2015 at 8:21 pm
I enjoyed it thoroughly. I’ll be waiting for part two!
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February 24, 2015 at 8:51 pm
Thanks so much! ❤ The usual prompt wasn't up so I thought I'd post something else.
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February 24, 2015 at 8:27 pm
Well played Tess, well played.
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February 24, 2015 at 8:53 pm
Thank YOU, Val. No regular prompt so I thought I’d post something long. All at once it’s too long in my estimation. ❤ ❤
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February 24, 2015 at 9:16 pm
Not to long at all, make it a series!
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February 24, 2015 at 11:11 pm
😀 😀 Three episodes will do it for this one. Thanks, Val. ❤
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February 24, 2015 at 8:49 pm
Well done and that last paragraphs sets up a part two really well. 🙂
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February 24, 2015 at 8:56 pm
Thanks, Paulette. The break was there. I just had to choose it. With so many posts to read, I thought it too long in one piece although it’s not 3000 words or anything. ❤ ❤
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February 24, 2015 at 8:52 pm
My ear is pressed to the door too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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February 24, 2015 at 8:57 pm
Haha. Thanks, Colleen. Thanks so much. ❤
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February 24, 2015 at 10:04 pm
😀
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February 24, 2015 at 8:54 pm
You have such a beautiful way with words and now I want part 2 please. Hurry! 🙂
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February 24, 2015 at 8:59 pm
Ladybug, Ladybug, you are so sweet. Thank YOU. Next time will be when I don’t have a prompt for Tuesday again. ❤ ❤
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February 24, 2015 at 9:35 pm
Wonderful narrative drive. On target selection of character tells….page turning control of cut to the chase….leaving all with an ear to the door….well done.
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February 24, 2015 at 11:18 pm
Thanks ever so much. I believe you’ve made my day. 🙂
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February 24, 2015 at 10:01 pm
I’m waiting for the next installment.
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February 24, 2015 at 11:20 pm
Thank YOU, Rebecca. I decided to post 6 times 100 words this time. 😀
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February 24, 2015 at 10:02 pm
I’m in awe. Your writing is superb. This is the type of read I would be holding in my hand and unable to put down. I can’t wait for part 2. I want to write just like you when I grow up. 😍😍😍😍😍
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February 24, 2015 at 11:25 pm
*blush* I can only hope the writing will be the same pace to the end. Thanks so much. I’m still growing too and feel there’s lots and lots to learn. I’m still new at this, but if you’ve enjoyed my efforts, I can do a happy dance. ❤ ❤ ❤
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February 25, 2015 at 12:15 am
Tess I can not believe you will make me wait. I’m at the ve3ry edge of my seat! Brilliant writing. Bravo I say!
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February 25, 2015 at 3:28 am
Now I’m hanging out for Part 2!
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February 25, 2015 at 3:45 am
Great story…can’t wait for the next instalment!
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February 25, 2015 at 4:05 am
It has grabbed my interest!!!!!! Write more!
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February 25, 2015 at 4:08 am
I do so hope its GOOD news! Doesn’t sound like it though, does it? Perhaps Dad is coming home tomorrow, or has got a great job? I am waiting Tess…. Like all your other readers!!!! 🌹
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February 25, 2015 at 5:07 am
Excellent! Waiting (im)patiently to see what happens….:-)
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February 25, 2015 at 5:52 am
I see that you can write equally good even when it is more than 100 words.. looking forward to part 2
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February 25, 2015 at 6:18 am
Such a talent you have young Tess. You had me in your grasp from beginning to the end. Waiting for part 2. You go girl! xx
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February 25, 2015 at 7:12 am
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
There was I expecting one of Tess’s excellent 100word fiction on Wednesday … but no disappointment here.. Part one of Tailspin that will leave you on tenterhooks… wow Tess great start.
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February 25, 2015 at 7:26 am
Thanks so m.u.c.h., Sally.
No regular prompt popped up this week; I had to think of something else. 😀 ❤
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February 25, 2015 at 7:56 am
This was great! I raced through it, right along with Rosalia. Great cliffhanger…
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February 25, 2015 at 8:01 am
I’m tickled you’ve enjoyed this. Thanks so much for your kind and generous comment. ❤ ❤
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February 25, 2015 at 8:09 am
Don’t make us wait too long for part 2!
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February 25, 2015 at 8:49 am
Applesauce! Tess, this is fantastic! Vivid, intense… Huge hugs! ❤
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February 25, 2015 at 9:32 am
Wow! I’m hooked. When’s the next installment?
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February 25, 2015 at 5:53 pm
Well…this w.a.s. a filler. I thought I’d wait till same place next week. See if the prompt comes up. 😮
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February 25, 2015 at 10:35 am
You can’t do that, Tess! That is so unfair-what the heck was the phone call about??
Darn.
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February 25, 2015 at 6:02 pm
Sorry, Jacqui. The regular prompt wasn’t up and I decided to fill the spot with another story 6X l.o.n.g.e.r., but long enough for at least another post.
I could have entered the whole thing but I know what I’m like: too many blogs to read and I can’t read all the long ones. Know what I mean? 😮 ❤
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February 25, 2015 at 11:57 am
More more Tess give us more!! ❤
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February 25, 2015 at 6:16 pm
I WILL. All in good time. I didn’t want to wear anyone out with a LONG post.
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February 25, 2015 at 6:44 pm
Hummmm!!
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February 25, 2015 at 6:48 pm
Same time next week?
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February 26, 2015 at 4:56 am
Most definitely!!!!! 🙂
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February 25, 2015 at 12:37 pm
Looking forward to reading part 2!
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February 25, 2015 at 6:18 pm
Thank YOU, Loretta. Thanks so much. You this is in place of the missing prompt, right?
BTW, will you add a Subscribe or follow button to your blog? Maybe you haven’t found it yet…
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February 26, 2015 at 9:20 am
I think it’s there in the widgits somewhere. I’m still trying to figure out what each one does.
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February 26, 2015 at 2:08 pm
I’ve been doing this for 3+ years and still don’t know much because I haven’t had time to play. Sigh.
On Thu, Feb 26, 2015 at 9:20 AM, How the Cookie Crumbles wrote:
>
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February 25, 2015 at 1:25 pm
Exciting! I’ll be waiting for the second part!
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February 25, 2015 at 6:20 pm
I’m excited you’re looking forward to the next part. Thank YOU for your interest. ❤ Can you see my wide smile? 😀
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February 25, 2015 at 8:29 pm
I can! 🙂
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February 25, 2015 at 8:29 pm
❤ ❤ ❤
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February 25, 2015 at 3:17 pm
Oh my goodness I wish I hadn’t read this until part two comes, when are you posting it? I can’t bear it hurry up please!
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February 25, 2015 at 6:27 pm
I had a tentative plan for same time next week. The regular prompt wasn’t up so I thought I’d better fill the space. You know I try to keep my post around 500 or so words. So many blogs to read; who has the time to read reams and reams on individual posts?
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February 25, 2015 at 5:43 pm
I like you wove period details — penny loafer, etc. — throughout this piece. Thank you for sharing it with me, Tess.
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February 25, 2015 at 6:40 pm
Thank YOU for reading Leanne, and your kind comment. ❤
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February 25, 2015 at 6:19 pm
At last, you give us more than 100 words and there is more to come. Hooray!!!!
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February 25, 2015 at 6:41 pm
Hahahahaha. Righto. 🙂
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February 25, 2015 at 9:40 pm
Wow Tess, I could have sworn this was the beginning to a new book you may have started writing! Perhaps it should be? You have many potential books you could write from your flash fiction cliff hangers you leave us with. xo 🙂
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February 26, 2015 at 4:10 pm
I thought this was the beginning of a chapter for a book Tess…and now, reading other comments I see you wrote a story instead of your usual 100 word challenge and I like it…very much! Can’t wait for part two…
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February 27, 2015 at 5:33 pm
I love it. I like that your characters are emigrants. It adds so much to the story.
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February 27, 2015 at 8:49 pm
Interesting post – look forward to part 2! Nice suspenseful end!
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Pingback: Tailspin (Part 2) | How the Cookie Crumbles
March 5, 2015 at 10:23 am
I read part two first but part one is just as riveting.
Lenora
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