In an effort to shame myself into finishing and polishing the story I worked on during NaNo, here’s another excerpt from WORSE THAN HIS BARK.
WORSE THAN HIS BARK – excerpt
by Marian Allen
Mrs. Maplewhite stopped to chat, the glitter from her real jewels catching the early afternoon sun and making Parma wince. On her silver-blue hair, she wore a blue pillbox hat with a net veil scrunched up around it. Two dead minks bit each others’ butts in what Mrs. Maplewhite called a mink stole and draped over her meaty shoulders.
“What beautiful work you do! It was a blessing to the town when you two bought the place.” The Maplewhites were among the Original Settlers, but Parma knew for a fact that Mrs. Mapelwhite’s beautiful long red nails were fake and she did her own gardening. Parma liked her for it.
“It’s a great little town. We’re proud to be here.”
“No trouble fetching our exciting guest?”
“No, ma’am. He brought his cousin and a dog.”
“Oh.” Mrs. Maplewhite cast a doubtful glance at the front door. “Well, I’m sure she’s very nice, once you get to know her.”
“Who is?”
“His unattractive cousin.”
“He’s not so bad. And he’s a he.”
“Who is?”
Parma started to feel like half of a comedy team. She traced the thread of the conversation – if you could call it that – back to where it had gone off-track.
“Delaware Worthington brought his cousin, who is a man, and he also brought a dog. A woof-woof dog. Only it doesn’t woof, it chirps.”
“It’s a bird dog?” Mrs. Maplewhite cracked herself up.
Parma granted her a lopsided smile. “It’s a little bitty beagle. It bites.”
“Oh, dear! Thank you for warning me.” She settled the dead minks like a gunfighter loosening his pistols in their holsters. “Are you coming to tea?”
Parma lifted her gloved hands. “No, ma’am.”
Mrs. Maplewhite hauled herself up the front steps, her thick ankles looking swollen and painful today, and let herself in.
~*~
A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: Describe an elderly woman without stereotyping her.
MA
jane
December 9, 2013 at 10:08amLike the old bird. (How’s that for a cliche?)
Clearly, you are having fun with this story.
Good!
Marian Allen
December 9, 2013 at 11:32amI like her, too, but not TOO much. I’m looking forward to slapping this baby into shape. 🙂