by Kate Keeley
Member since:
March 4, 2007

Bitter Comes the Sweet--100 Word Stories Week 9--Challenge

April 06, 2008 01:59 AM EDT (Updated: April 13, 2008 07:26 PM EDT)
views: 210 | rating: 10/10 (45 votes) | comments: 69

The hypnotist reviewed my chart--necessarily devoid of eights.

"Eights make my neck constrict," I said. "Sometimes I faint."

"Tell me about Alex," she said.

"We're engaged. When I learned his full name I..."

"Fainted?"

I nodded. "Yes, but why?"

"Let's find out. Close your eyes."

Lulled by her words, I drifted.

"Look down," she murmured.

Embroidered slippers had replaced my sandals.

"Is anyone with you?"

"It's Alex, but not," I said. "He's wearing hose and a crown." I smiled.

Henry VIII reached out, kissed my hand. "Your name, m'lady?"

"Anne." I touched the jewels adorning my throat. "Anne Boleyn."
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Comments: 69

Lune Wolfsong Apr 6, 2008, 2:24am EDT
Oh, wow. Fantastic take on this. Great drabble.
Shirley U Understand Me S. Apr 6, 2008, 2:38am EDT
10 for you
KC Klein Apr 6, 2008, 3:25am EDT
A fun tale, Kate.

Thanks for posting this to Short Story and More!
Susan S. Apr 6, 2008, 4:59am EDT
what a great short story
Marianne M. Apr 6, 2008, 7:07am EDT
Wonderful drabble, Kate! A very clever use of the dreaded Octophobia! Good old 'enry VIII!
Kushal Poddar Apr 6, 2008, 8:42am EDT
this is just perfect
penni d. Apr 6, 2008, 10:01am EDT
oohhh...this is Perfect for the challenge, kate!! Kudos, Woman! :)
Jim Ross Apr 6, 2008, 11:58am EDT
"Run Anne, run!"

Loved your story, Kate. You had me honed to know the source of her phobia--then nipped it with her head! Truly fine.
Miz Lynn aka/BooBoo Apr 6, 2008, 12:21pm EDT
This was GREAT!! Ohhhh my poor Anne....
Kristina B. Apr 6, 2008, 12:34pm EDT
Oooo, Kate that was great!
Linda K. Apr 6, 2008, 12:52pm EDT
I love it! So clever and it makes my thoughts linger...
Patricia F. Apr 6, 2008, 1:06pm EDT
Wow! Great, Kate. Where does that mind of yours get this stuff? Isn't it wonderful how it happens! Loved it!
Alison H. Apr 6, 2008, 1:16pm EDT
Fantastic!!! Loved it!
Parul S. Apr 6, 2008, 1:38pm EDT
FUN tastic i must say...what a take....very good drabble.
Sandy F. Apr 6, 2008, 2:16pm EDT
Perfect, perfect drabble, Kate. What a chilling, thrilling story of eight.
Kate Keeley Apr 6, 2008, 2:22pm EDT
Hi All, Thank you for your kind comments. It makes me happy to know you've enjoyed a story. This is a great group.
Tanya P. Apr 6, 2008, 3:16pm EDT
Marvelous take on the theme! Bringing forth the fears from a past life into one's current lifetime is right up my alley-of-interests, too!

Also, I've just got to add that I loved Jim Ross' comment above...."You had me honed to know the source of her phobia--then nipped it with her head!" Too clever! LOL
Marge H. Apr 6, 2008, 4:06pm EDT
Very original take on the prompt.
Stephanie B. Apr 6, 2008, 4:30pm EDT
Past life link - clever.
Susan B. Apr 6, 2008, 4:54pm EDT
Oh Kate this is beautifully done! Great dialog :)
Ann R. Apr 6, 2008, 11:43pm EDT
10 for you m'ladyship! I recently read Innocent Traitor about Lady Jane Gray...same outcome.
Great story Kate. But poor lady...hope she doesn't loss her head too!
June B. Apr 7, 2008, 7:11am EDT
As usual, another good drabble Kate.
Kay M. Apr 7, 2008, 10:40am EDT
Perfect for the challenge Kate! Anne had good reason to be afraid.
Bhawana 'Gather Proud Mom' Apr 7, 2008, 12:59pm EDT
Wow, Kate , you are inspiring .

This is so impressive and beautifully done.

Love and hugs for this
Steve B. Apr 7, 2008, 1:57pm EDT
Yes, I concur. Very short, sweet, and to the point.
Kate Keeley Apr 7, 2008, 6:55pm EDT
Hi Tinch, Good point about the extra finger. My research indicated that might be legend based on the idea that the king had the pick of the kingdom, and if Anne had extra fingers, warts, and moles, why would he be interested in her? On the other hand (no pun intended, really; )...not all of his wives were considered beautiful by the standard of the day so perhaps Henry was drawn to something more than looks in his ladies. If you have additional information, I would love to hear it. I find this era, the king, and his relationships very intriguing.
necee t. Apr 7, 2008, 7:26pm EDT
hi Kate... this is really interesting... great job...

thank you for your nice comments too...

Glitter Graphics

Thank You Glitter Graphics
David S. Apr 8, 2008, 2:53am EDT
You are the drabble master! This one is so nice. It is simple, but suggests rather than declaims. It is wondrous what you can do with 100 words.
William Dotani Apr 8, 2008, 4:56pm EDT
A freaky past life regression. Great story, but I'm a bit confused. Should I call you Kate or Anne?
Marie J. R. Apr 8, 2008, 5:02pm EDT
I like this,,,thank you,,,
Sheila Deeth Apr 8, 2008, 6:39pm EDT
Excellent take on the prompt. This was a fine drabble.
Jeff R. Apr 9, 2008, 1:18am EDT
Wonderful, drew me right in.
Lisa J Apr 9, 2008, 9:34pm EDT
Wow. Immediate suspense, wonderful ending.

What a great way to use 100 words!
Alison Pearce Apr 9, 2008, 10:25pm EDT
Very clever take on the prompt
Sheila Deeth Apr 10, 2008, 12:17am EDT
I'm wandering back through some eights. Definitely a neat take on the prompt. Very English.
sheila h. Apr 10, 2008, 12:21am EDT
great short Kate! interesting post from Tinch about the sixth finger..was Anne a Maine Coon cat? LOL..
thanks for the history lesson!
lynn a. Apr 10, 2008, 9:57am EDT
Good one. I do like this drabble. Wonder will she decide not to marry her Alex.
Lyn Owen Apr 10, 2008, 1:56pm EDT
Yikes
Becky Powell Apr 10, 2008, 6:19pm EDT
Wow! This was so much fun to read. You really pulled me in and then bowled me over with the ending. Just imagine the dread of finding out you'd been married to Henry VIII. What an amazing thing that you created with only 100 words. Wicked word work, Kate.
Jim Ross Apr 11, 2008, 4:06pm EDT
I got that tickling sensation in my neck for the second time, Kate. I loved reading your story again.
Charli Mills Apr 11, 2008, 8:59pm EDT
This one certainly issues multiple chills! There is something so simple yet enthralling about how the sandals become slippers that makes the transition so slick, so integrated. Excellent!
Anita R. Apr 11, 2008, 9:53pm EDT
Wonderful Kate, absolutely wonderful!!!
Lynn R. Apr 11, 2008, 11:55pm EDT
WOW, WOW, WOW, I am speechless. This is remarkable and gave me goosebumps. How in the world did you do all of that in 100 words? AMAZING!!!
Doug M. Apr 12, 2008, 1:31pm EDT
Kate,

I enjoyed your story very much. Frankly, I haven't been much interested in reading the 100 word articles, but this makes me want to catch up.
Sujata (funnily 'Suji' ) S. Apr 13, 2008, 2:49am EDT
lingering tikkle taling the trail 8 to drabble for word 100 to rhyme !!!
Kay M. Apr 13, 2008, 11:44am EDT
Congratulations Kate!
penni d. Apr 13, 2008, 12:20pm EDT
Congrats to a fav writer, kate..:)
Marianne M. Apr 13, 2008, 12:22pm EDT
Congratulations on your THIRD PLACE win, Kate!
Lune Wolfsong Apr 13, 2008, 12:53pm EDT
Congrats, Kate!
Anita R. Apr 13, 2008, 1:00pm EDT
Congratulations, Kate, you certainly deserve it with this well thought out and well-written drabble!
Susan B. Apr 13, 2008, 1:02pm EDT
Congrats Kate!
lynn a. Apr 13, 2008, 1:58pm EDT
Congratulations on your win for this intriguing story. I'm still hoping she decided not to marry Alex.
Stephanie B. Apr 13, 2008, 3:20pm EDT
Congratulations! I always thought this was an intriguing entry.

Anne Boleyn was a very interesting person (one of those weird topics of research for me). My understanding is that the "extra finger" could have just been a hand malformity if it were even that. She had a tremendous amount of self-respect that her daughter, although exposed to her for only a short time, seems to have inherited.
Alison Pearce Apr 13, 2008, 5:30pm EDT
Congrats Kate!
Kate Keeley Apr 13, 2008, 7:31pm EDT
Thank you all for your wonderful comments. I'll have to go check out Bridey... I have heard of her but don't know the story.

This is a fun, talented group. It's a pleasure to participate.
elizabeth e. Apr 13, 2008, 8:12pm EDT
I loved it. Throughout my life I have been facinated with that era in history and have read everything I could get my hands on. Good drabble.
Marge H. Apr 13, 2008, 8:42pm EDT
Congratulations Kate!
Mary Beth Magee Apr 14, 2008, 12:52pm EDT
Outstanding, Kate. Excellent drabble.
Ruthe M. Apr 14, 2008, 8:56pm EDT
A truly genius tale, Kate! Congratulations!
Becky Powell Apr 14, 2008, 9:28pm EDT
Kate, congratulations! This was a great story, and I loved the history references. That was quite clever. Great job.
Sheila Deeth Apr 14, 2008, 11:24pm EDT
Congratulations!
Shelbia C. Sep 9, 2008, 5:30am EDT
This was great

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