This post is part of the Tuesday Writing Essential character development exercise located here.
Dear Launa,
I hate to type and ain’t good at writing letters but I wanted to send you a note. I keep seeing you walking when I’m on the way home from taking my kid to softball practice. You probably don’t like to get in cars with strangers but I hate to see you walking like that and wish you would let me give you a ride. I ain’t saying I could drive you around every day or anything but I don’t mind picking you up when I’m passing by and I see you there. You can ask my kids’ teachers about me if you want and they’ll tell you I’m trustworthy and certified to help out at the school. And I haven’t had any wrecks or got any tickets since I started having kids. Give me a call if you want or just watch for me in the blue van with three big dents in the passenger side. (I wasn’t even in the van when that happened.)
Sabrina Thompson 448-9933
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Dear Omega,
I ain’t too good at writing letters especially to strangers I don’t know but I want to tell you I’m not what you think. I heard what you said about me and just wanted to let you know I ain’t flirted or slept with none of their husbands, no matter what you’ve heard. I don’t know why some women act like that, blaming other women because they’re husbands are pigs. Shoot. It ain’t my fault their husbands act like that and I don’t even understand why because half of those women look better than I do. Anyways, I just wanted to tell you I’m really nice and I would like to be your friend. I ain’t never met anybody like you before and if you want, I can be just your friend and not your sister’s since you hate her.
You can give me a call if you want.
Sabrina Thompson 448-9933
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Dear Madison,
I ain’t too good at writing letters so I’m just going to say a little. When I dropped my kid off at dance class the other day I saw you standing on the corner holding your shoes and looking sad. I wanted to stop but I know I wouldn’t get in the car with a stranger and figured you wouldn’t either. If that happens to you again and you see a big blue van with a bunch of dents in the side (I didn’t do it – long story) I promise I’m safe if you want to let me give you a ride.
Sabrina Thompson 449-9933
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Dear Adam,
I ain’t too good at writing letters and I don’t even know you so I just want to let you know calamine lotion might stop the itching on your hand. It works on my kids.
Sabrina Thompson
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Comments: 31
Thank you for the advice, and I am flattered that you would think of me. I am not much of a writer either.
As it happens I have tried calamine lotion in the past. It does help for a little while. Unfortunately the scar runs a little too deep for any lasting relief. But like I say, thank you for the advice, and for noticing.
Wishing you a nice day,
Adam.
I'm no stranger to "I'll be your friend and not your sister's." I know how that game plays. Honestly, I believe you'd get on better with her than me anyway. She knows why men act "that way" and I know why women hate her.
It's not necessarily about "pretty." Persephone, the ultra pierced and tattooed fire eater who tours with us, is never without male companionship (and compensation) because she's willing to put up with guys who are "that way." Her sister, Demetria, who is just as decorated with ink and metal, has a sweet husband. They have a side business doing software testing. The three of us often play Scrabble or card games when we're traveling on the bus.
It's all about attitude. It's all about vibes. If you're not what you appear to be, you need to figure out why people perceive you "that way."
Omega
Thank you so much for your kind offer. Most days I really enjoy walking, but I wouldn't turn down a ride when it's cold or rainy. Where exactly are you seeing me? I have a couple jobs I walk to and I'm not sure when you're seeing me. I’ll have to watch for you.
I doubt I would have considered you dangerous with a van full of children. I consider it very unlikely that anyone would do me harm in front of their children. I would think you'd be more worried about taking me into your van with your children. However, I'd like to assure you that I'm no ax-murderer, either. Janice at Crazy Mocha can attest to my sanity and lack of sharp implements.
Thanks again,
Launa
Barb wants to know where Launa was when she got the letter. Maybe Barb is getting too much into details. :)
I think you people are freaking me out with all this third person perspective...
\wanders off, drooling
I think you are a complete idiot for publishing your phone number on a website.
Not that you give a... whatever... what I think.
Love,
Jenny
Let me try to understand this - the one who is always not quite connected to the dead nor the living, is actually freaking out with third person? You're freaking me out! lol
With Sabrina's exes + her abilities at fundraisers + her love for her daughters + her moxy, I can't imagine her not being with them at that camp!
Then again, take heart with that. I know my character is simplistic as one can get. Still, he has been accepted as part of the cast. My rating is even above a 9 - really surprising (given my lack of high-class writing abilities AND my inability to keep my fingers away from controversy. lol) Pressure is only there if you insist it is there. We're having a party! Grab your lamp shade and come on in! The water is fine! Worse comes to worse, Tee can have last place. He has the family gene - we all win everything anyway - scores be damned. lol
And you are correct - no one is keeping score because this is supposed to be a fun experience. When I manage to get caught up, I am going to assign Editor's Choice Awards to submissions that demonstrate the purpose behind the challenges.
This was very interesting, I figured she didn't give her phone number to Adam, because he is a man, and she "isn't that way"
off to read more, this is great Sandy!!!!!