Popping the Cushy Bubble – Cake.shortandsweet Wednesday Write-in #89

~ Gina Briganti

My entry for this week’s Cake.shortandsweet prompt, Wednesday Write-in #89, is “Popping the Cushy Bubble”. The words to use this week were disown, doldrums, narrow, curse, and assemble. This is the original post:  http://cakeshortandsweet.wordpress.com/2014/04/30/wednesday-write-in-89/

His threat to disown me was the better road. I see that now. Instead, I’ve ended up witH a curse. A curse of unImaginable proportions. WhEre once I had been able to sculpt the most complicated of subjects, now I could barely assemble a Lego city with my son. Rather than settling into the doldrums that would end any happiness I could still muster, I chose to meet with Esmeralda. Esmeralda insisted in meeting in the dark, narrow rows of an odd shop that smelled of things I didn’t want to name. “What is it that you like about this place?” I asked her. Her answer made sense to me. True, no one would look for us there. No one who had a working nose, anyway. Or a curse driVing them to despEration. “Are you suRe this is what You want?” Esmeralda inquired of me in her rough, thrOaty voice. “It is. I’ve lived with this curse for three years. I waNt it gone.” I answered cErtainly. Esmeralda waved her hands around me, then asked me to drink a vile brew she held in a test tube. Before swallowing I asked her if she was certain it would work. She answered as any practitioner of her art would when their ability was questioned. By taking the tube back. “Wait.” I dared to touch her shoulder. “I’m ready.” I took the tube from her and swallowed the potion quickly. “I don’t feel a difference,” I gestured helplessly to her. “It worked, my son. It worked. When you wake, you will have all of your skill, and none of your father’s backing. It’s the price you pay for being better than him. In all ways, you are better than him. I am thankful that you have finally shed your need of him. You’ll stand taller, and prouder, on your own.” The old woman, Esmeralda, would know. It was she who had first defied my father, her former husband. It was she who now restored my life. I could have my skills, the love of my mother, and my happy family once again. Once again, life is good.

23 thoughts on “Popping the Cushy Bubble – Cake.shortandsweet Wednesday Write-in #89”

    1. Thank you for reading and commenting, Patrick. The message is a greeting, found by looking at the capitalized letters where they don’t belong.

      I’m sure MI6 could find a place for your writing talent.

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  3. Hi to you too! 🙂

    I spotted your code straight away – I like acrostics and all that jazz. Very clever indeed. I enjoyed your story, too. If I could suggest one thing: perhaps break up your block of text into paragraphs when you write? It makes life a lot easier for the reader. 🙂

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    1. Hi, Sj. Thank you for your feedback. I’ve never written a story in a block like this before. I wanted to see how it felt and how it read. Writing it was wonderful. Perhaps that experiment is over now.

      This prompt was a blast. I’ve been writing a submission for Glimmer Train that requires a lot of research, so playing with writing flow felt fantastic.

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      1. In that case, ignore my comment entirely! 🙂 I’m all for experimenting with form, and whatever makes you feel good does you good.

        Good luck with the Glimmer Train submission. I keep meaning to submit myself and I can never find the time. Fingers crossed for you!

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      2. Your feedback is wonderful. Thank you so much for your support. I’ll cross my fingers that you find the time to submit to Glimmer Train. We have until the end of the month.

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    1. I wouldn’t have guessed that based on your blog, Hannah. You come through with a warm, friendly voice. It doesn’t sound forced at all. I appreciate that you took the time to read and comment on my short short. I’m glad you liked it.

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  5. How’d I miss this?! It might take me a little bit to crack the code, but I’ll keep working on it. Loved your story!

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      1. You’re welcome. It is a neat place. Hopefully I’ll have some time to return to their prompts.

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