Quick Writing Challenge Winners!- Week Three

Sorry about the delay!  Both my tots were sick from Thursday through last night when both temps broke!  My my son just went back to school today and I resurfaced from duties that shall remain nameless to find I had already passed Monday!  Sorry!!!

 As Sarah said previous weeks, it was hard to find a winner because all the submissions were wonderful!  I enjoyed reading them all.  But, since there can only be three (to simplify things and to make it more of a challenge...), so I will lay it out for you here.

So, here's the format - Name, submission, the reason I liked it. 

In no special order, the three submissions that stood out for me the most were:

1.) Rebecca Goings

"It's the least I can do, Nate." Marybeth placed a thick slice of yellow cake on the table in front of the handsome Texas Ranger.

"It was nothin' ma'am," he drawled, taking a bite. "Any man woulda done the same. Wasn't about to leave a pretty little thing like you on the side of the road after bein' thrown by her horse."

Marybeth blushed hotly at the memory of his hands as he'd examined her body shortly thereafter, making sure nothing was broken. After all the tears she'd cried when her husband left, Marybeth never thought she'd feel this way about a man again. Nate's blue eyes twinkled at her as he finished his cake. His mouth lifted into an alluring grin as the silence stretched on.

"I…I just don't know how to ride very well, is all," she said past the lump in her throat.

"Need some lessons, sugar?" Nate stood and winked. His tone made her wonder if he was still talking about horses.

"I…I…"

Nate dusted off his hat and plopped it on her head. "Return it. Tomorrow night, eight p.m. You know the Goldrush Inn?"

"Y-yes."

His smile stopped her heart. "I'll be there."

 I liked the historical illusion, and I the gentleman Nate.  I also liked the previously jilted Marybeth, poor thing, becuase she seemed sweet and deserving of a gentleman.  One of the things I found most special about this submission is that Rebecca is showing us the first bud of their knowing each other that could bloom into a beautiful rose of a relationship.  Good job!

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 2.) sheila h

Yellow cake! White icing! Sarah was adamant about this part of her birthday. Balloons, party favors, presents...she liked , but the cake ....THE CAKE! Candles lit and lights turned down , the cake was magical . It sparkled. It riveted her and whatever secret it held for her would never be known as Sarah lacked the ability to speak.
Down's Syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy, had left her with a poor communication system. She got by utilizing emotions and facial expressions. A new speech class didn't seem to help as she continued to croak sounds.

The Cake was covered in extra candles ,lit and glowing. Sarah beamed as it was placed before her. In the hush that followed the birthday song and right before Sarah blew out the candles a tiny voice ,clear but wavering said 'Tank Ah UU Tank Vree-one' That was the first time she had spoken. The night when Sarah turned thirteen she had given her parents and all those present the greatest gift. Hope that Sarah would someday talk . An explosion of cheers mixed with tears and the sweet taste of yellow cake with white icing marked the first birthday of "Speaking" Sarah.

I liked this one because it puts you in the perspective of the girl who is suffering from DS and CP.  The beauty of the piece is that Sheila shows us that this girl is really no different than anyone else.  She has the same thought patterns and wishes as everyone else.  Her issue is simply that she can only "say" them with her facial expressions.  Her joy comes from working through her challenges with passion and showing those she loves that she trusts them to be happy with what she can give.  I cried.
 

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 3.) Gigi K.

Laurie sat on the edge of her bed. She'd already put on her bra, stockings, and slip. She was waiting for her mother to come back and help her finish getting dressed. It was her wedding day. She'd dreamed of this day but was thinking of her grandmother. When she was little, together they would sit for hours and plan her wedding. Laurie had found Mark, a wonderful man, and he'd gotten to meet her grandmother. The only thing to spoil this day was that Granny Beck had passed away two months ago.

Laurie's bedroom door opened and her mother walked in. She was carrying a box and a piece of yellow cake with chocolate frosting. Her mom smiled and said, "I have two things for you. I made you your favorite cake just like Granny Beck would have done. Here's a piece." Laurie took the cake, smiled back, and said, "What's the other thing?" Her mom handed her the box. "Open it." Laurie opened the box and saw the most exquisite pearls she'd ever seen. "Mom!" Her mom smiled but started to cry. "They were your grandmother's. She would have wanted you to have them." "Mom, thank you!"

Okay, apparently I was in the mood to cry last week, because I swear this one made me cry too.  I have lost my grandmother, my mom, my sister and my daughter and I have to say I really appreciated the sentiment of this story very much.  The giving of the pearls were a symbol of both her mother and her grandmother.  The whole "something borrowed, blue and new" tradition is both dripping in superstition and silliness, but it's one that I truly hope never ends.   - She loved her grandmother very much and can't seem to bring herself to move forward and finish getting ready for her wedding.  You get this sweet feeling that Laurie will be fine now as she begins a healthy pattern of grief.  We know she will pass those pearls that meant so much to her to her own daughter should she have one in the future.  *Sigh.*

Great job with all the submissions this week, people!  Thanks for taking the time to play!