Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Letter full of secrets




You're fabulous.

Yes, you. I can see your eyeball twitching, your head turning as you check behind you. It's ok. It's you. You're fabulous.

And I have full authority to say that, you see, because the fabulous Jen thinks I'm fabulous. Have you met Jen? She's more than fabulous. She's creative, sweet, supportive and can make skyscrapers from rocks. She's just that good.

I can barely get my socks to match.

I know I'm supposed to pick five lucky bloggers, but in my current state of sleep-reduced delirium, I'm feeling the love for everyone.

Speaking of blogging delirium, I have a confession, my darling Invisible Friends.

I know I haven't been able to visit you all that much in the past few days, and I do apologize. I've actually been having to work at work (God forbid) and I'm in the middle of a stunning blog redesign for the Pond.

It's good. It's really good.

So I'll catch up today and tomorrow. Also, please don't be offended if I don't follow you. I put people I like on my blog list, and I have a whole word document of people to add. I plan to add you in the next day or two, so please know I like you! Just give me a few days to get caught up.

Oh, and I read a blog post about people commenting back to comments on a post. I don't comment back here because I go to your blogs to comment. I feel blogs are like a college dorm room white board. I leave comments on your board, you leave replies on mine. If I put all my comments on my board, then you don't have any on yours. And really, don't we all want a full white board on our door in life?

Right.

Anyway, here's a new Twirl! New Invisible Friends, Twirl is the story of a star-crossed ballerina named Vivi and her handsome cowboy named Wade, who have stumbled into a international ballet scandal and a old Texas legend that might possibly lead to riches!

For the previous edition, go here. To catch up in the archives, go here and here.

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Vivi and Wade couldn't drop their forks fast enough. Wade threw a few bills on the table and lead Vivi out the front door of the dancehall.

"Sheriff, we'll follow you out there!" he hollered, tipping his hat at two blue-haired old ladies toddling into the dancehall. One had a half-empty bottle of whiskey tipping out of her bright red plastic purse.

"SHH!" the sheriff hissed, glancing around. He shot a terrified look at the old ladies' backs. "Are you stupid, kid? You don't want to go bellowing around about this. Folks around here are old enough to remember."

Wade grinned as he helped Vivi into the pick up. "No offense sheriff, but I doubt they're about to grab a shovel and go digging all over the Hill Country."

The sheriff shook his head, his lips pressed into a thin line. "Boy, you don't know nothing. People have ways of getting things without doing it themselves."

Climbing into the battered county car, he fired up the rusty old engine and peeled out of the parking lot. Wade was chuckling when he swung into the front seat of the truck. His blue eyes met Vivi's and he beamed. Without a single word, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. His rough warm hand cupped her shoulder, his thumb stroking the smooth skin slowly as they kissed. Vivi felt like she was falling as she leaned forward towards him. Her mind was spinning and her heart was pounding in her ears. Energy was racing through her veins and thoughts jumbled around in her head in broken fragments.

Wade leaned back and grinned. "Have I ever told you how crazy I am about you?"

Vivi shook her head. For someone who had just been kissed, her mouth was surprisingly dry. She couldn't even find the strength to babble.

Wade just smiled and flipped on the engine. He pulled off on the old dirt road, hanging just far back enough from the sheriff.

"What'd your parents say about you meeting my Grandpa?" he asked, flipping on a country music channel. "They all right?"

Vivi shrugged. The last thing she wanted to talk about was her parents. Her chest tightened as she remembered her mother's face and her father's demands. The happiness she felt over Wade's kissed faded away. The only thing she could could think about now was the same questions and worry she had always felt.

"They didn't mind you coming out all day, after being gone so long yesterday?" Wade probed. Vivi could feel his blue eyes boring into the side of her head, watching every expression flicker across her face. She looked out the window and bit the inside of her cheek.

"It's not a big deal," she answered finally. "Don't worry about anything." It was all she could do not to scream. Didn't he understand how messy her family was? If she didn't understand them, how could he?

Although she was afraid to admit it, she was terrified once he knew them, he would leave.

Wade's eyebrows crinkled together. "Vivi, did you tell them where you were coming?"

Vivi bit her cheek so hard it bled. "No," she muttered, curling towards the window.

"Why?" Wade asked. He tapped his hands against the steering wheel. "Is it me? I don't mind meeting them. I'm sure your dad would like me if he got to know me."

Vivi shook her head so hard she knocked her chin into the window. "Wade, it's not you," she promised. "My dad has been really obsessive lately. He wanted me to train all day for some dance with my teacher...he even wants me to blow off school! He's just pushing me really hard. And it's the same old arguments, the same old drama." Her voice was clipped.

Wade was silent for a few minutes, his jaw moving up and down as his eyes stared out on the road. "You just left, didn't you?"

"I stayed with Susanna last night." Vivi tried to sound positive. "It was like a girl's night or whatever."

"Listen Vivi," Wade said, taking a deep breath. "I know you've got a weird relationship with your folks, but I don't want to add to the trouble of it. Promise me you'll quit hiding from them or lying about going out. I don't want to lose seeing you."

"I'll be more open with them," Vivi said carefully. She knew she couldn't promise she'd quit lying or hiding. It was the only way to survive in her family.

"Good." Wade beamed as they pulled onto a old farm road. The truck rattled down a old gravel driveway, stopping in front of a worn house that appeared to have once been painted green. A old woman with long silver hair and deep ridges in her face scowled at them for the porch.

"Well, darling," Wade said, taking a deep breath. "Get ready for one of the weirdest afternoons of your life. I don't know much about this old historian, but I know she's different."

Vivi looked at the woman's hard black eyes and gulped. She sat frozen in the woman's gaze as Wade walked around the car, pulling the door open for her.

"Wade, is she a witch or something?" Vivi murmured under her breath. "I feel like she might cast a spell on me."

"Only if you're lucky." Vivi jumped, her head snapping up. The woman was standing a few feet from them. Her long silver hair was pulled back into a long messy braid and she wore a long black dress over scuffed black boots. A chunk of turquoise hung from a braided silver chain around her neck, and every finger was adorned with a ring.

She was the most terrifying person Vivi had ever met. Still scowling, the woman turned toward the sheriff and reached for the letter. He handed it to her, looking as uncomfortable as Vivi and Wade.

"Shall we go inside?" she growled, turning toward the old house. "The dead don't wait for just anyone, you know. We only have a short amount of time to reveal their secrets." Cackling, she threw her head back and revealed a row of rotten teeth. Vivi tried not to wince. Grabbing Wade's hand, she followed the woman toward the house.

The only thing she could think was there better be something really good in that letter.

To be continued....

Stay tuned, Invisible Friends! Tomorrow we have a new recipe and Friday a date with the Fuzzy Duck and Rubber Chicken! We've also got a whole weekend of whimsical fun! Stay tuned!


57 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Work"? What's that?

Marie Reed said...

I new blog design! That will be peachy! You must be excited!

Kathleen @ Measuring My Life said...

Congrats on the award! And great writing!

Happy Wednesday!

Dawn Parsons Smith said...

You ARE Fabulous! Congrats, Duckie! Are you sure you need a makeover? You're so cute already!

Debbie said...

I completely agree with you about comments. I like to leave yours here and you leave mine over at my place. Works well, don't you think?

Pearl said...

fabulous story from a fabulous girl!

Ronnica said...

I love the college whiteboard analogy. It's so true!

Linda said...

But you ARE fabulous, Duckie!

Anonymous said...

I love your new design! You are a fun presence in the blogosphere :)

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Aww, right! Thanks! We love ya so no worries.

I'm glad you mentioned about commenting back to comments. I feel guilty about not doing so on my blog but if I did I wouldn't get to visit & comment on everyone else's. There is only so much "free" time in the day!
~ingrid

Spring M Fricks said...

Oh I just got caught up. It's so good. I can't wait for the next one.

Marjie said...

There will be something good in that letter. We know Duckie will deliver!

And in my paper today was the announcement that Bear can have his peanut butter puppy cake, if his mommy makes it from peanut butter in a jar, since those are not being recalled. Lucky Bear!

AmberW said...

You are simply divine!!!
I love your posts:) And what a way with words!
Thank you so much for stopping in on my blog :)

~~louise~~ said...

You always manage to drop a nugget of intrigue whether it be in new design, comments or your fanciful stores. LOVE it!

Congrats and don't work too hard:)

Heatherlyn said...

I hope your new design includes lots of pink. :)

Kristina P. said...

I'm really excited to see the new blog design! How fun!

Pam said...

Oh Duckie, you are fabulous. Another great installment - what will the letter say?

In regards to Ben and baking. I just made a fantastic gingerbread cake last night. It's low fat and low calories. It was so moist and tasty. Do you guys like gingerbread? E-mail me and I'll send you the recipe if it sounds good to you. I won't be posting it for a few days.

Anonymous said...

I've not been reading blogs as much the past several days too...been out most of the day most days. :}

Congrats on the award!! Hope work's been fun and not stressful.

Thanks for the next installment of Vivi and Wade. :)

Reeni said...

I can't wait to hear more. I hope they find the money and Vivi can go away to college... and marry Wade!!! I do the same thing, comment back on my commenters blogs instead of on my own blog. Who said something? Were they mean? I'll send Kitchen Cat to take care of them!

KeKe said...

Hello my dear, I've awarded you with a blog. Please stop by my blog to pick it up!!

Kelly

tavolini said...

LOL, I miss the college dorm white boards!

I'm excited to see the new layout :)

3 Bay B Chicks said...

A new blog design? Absolutely cannot wait to see it! And another edition of Twirl to tide me over? Thank you! I leave you blog today with a great, big smile on my face.

-Francesca

PS: I am still hopeful that the re-design will be accompanied by what I am now referring to as your "wedding story."

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

Congrats on your award. You know I believe you deserve them all.

I can't wait to see the new Pond design!

Another gripping installament of my fav...Twirl.

Get some sleep...that's an order! ;-)

growingupartists said...

Boy, you sure do have alot of awards. Not that I'm jealous, or anything...

Michelle said...

Congrats on your award! Cannot wait to see your new blog design. You know, I can never makeup my mind but I really do want something more permanent. *sigh* So when are Vivi and Wade going to get married? :)

Spring M Fricks said...

Previewing...yes....because I learned from the best my dear friend who is the QUEEN of previews. LOL!

Spring M Fricks said...

BTW, I can't wait to see the new blog layout!

Maria said...

Yahoo for your award!! I am excited to see the new layout!

Cathy said...

"I feel blogs are like a college dorm room white board. I leave comments on your board, you leave replies on mine."

LOVE that analogy.

LOVE the latest Vivi & Wade installment.

Can't wait to see your new blog design!

And congrats on your award!

Jane said...

Well first off i hope that Bitty and Bear do get their peanut butter cake/treat for their birthday. (Its Em's Birthday in 4 days time.) A blog makeover! your present one is so cute, but perhaps the new one will be better. I am still dying to know what happens to Viv and Wade but i wonder if a whole lot of trouble is just about to hit them, seems that the storm clouds are building! Jane x

tiarastantrums said...

Congrats!

And I'm so with you and the white board!!

Michelle said...

I'm with you about the white board! I receive all of my comments via email and I love being able to respond via email to witty comments.

If they don't use email I just come back and reply!

Jessica said...

Yes, I've thought about an etsy shop, but I think that will be a next winter adventure. Your words though brought a smile to my face and really, really meant a lot to me.

Paula said...

Congrats on your award! And thank you for the next installment of Twirl. I love all the multi-plot lines, and get such a kick out of the characters' dialog. Great action with the car peeling out, and that was some kiss, too! The witchy woman better tell us what's in the letter!!! I might wuffle if I don't find out!

Live.Love.Eat said...

SO true on the white board. One thing that kills me is people who comment on their own blog to comments. I am trying to desperately to come by and even say hi, so don't make me come back again to even see if you replied to my comment in your own box. It's the silliest thing, it shouldn't even be an option. But hey..... you hit a sore spot with me :) Like someone said above, either I respond right to their email of they left one or I go to their blog.

Heather said...

i go to other blogs to comment back too - for the exact same reason. it just makes more sense!

i was so sad (yet not surprised) to see your confirmation that the snuggie has failed ;) what a sad, sad day for telemarketing.

don't feel bad on being behind on blogging. i feel that way all the time... sometimes i am amazed at how MUCH time i spend blogging. yikes.

excited to see the redesign!

Anonymous said...

Hey my mistake! :) I commented back to you in my comment thread and forgot to comment here, too. If you'd like to do lunch just shoot me an email at cliobabyblog at gmail dot com

We'll be here for another couple of days!

Anonymous said...

I like the direction the story is taking. Good job, sweetie. Also, don't forget to give the babies a chicken kabob for their birthday from me. I just know they think of me every time they eat one. LOL.

Kimberly @ Seriously Daisies said...

I can't wait to see your new design!!! How exciting!!!

Congrats on your fabulousness! hehehee!

And thanks for your sweet comments today. I'm slacking on the packing, but have been getting some of the cleaning outta the way! :o)

Bunny said...

Miranda this is getting so exciting!! You are so good!!

Mandy said...

Work?! *gasp*

Can't wait to see the redesign. :)

Grace said...

Congrats on the award! You are fab!

Thimbleanna said...

And besides, if you respond to comments in your comments we'll never see them, 'cause who goes back to someone's comments more than once -- who has that kind of time??? Your pups are adorable!!!

Chef E said...

Many people are doing this, how do we change it to what we want? without using the generic ones...I like the college white board, cute as your stories, and those darn cute puppies!

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

Congrats! You won the My Fruit Rollups giveaway. Please email me jerseygirlcooks@comcast.net and I will give you a code so you can go online and order your fruit rollups.

Jen Sue Wild said...

I love your stories they always leve me wanting more.

Anonymous said...

Good luck with work! I've been busy/stressing with mine, too. Why, oh, why wasn't I born into money? Life is so unfair! Hmm... And while we're at it, why wasn't I born one of those skinny girls with long legs that can eat cheeseburgers all day and not gain weight? Sigh.

The W.O.W. factor! said...

Got me sittin' on pins and needles here, Ms Duckie! Can't wait to see what the letter says!

I bet your new blog look will be pink in some way :)

Cristine said...

Congrats on your award and thanks so much for your comments on my blog! :)

Anonymous said...

I'm with you on the commenting on each other's blogs. Congrats on your awards too!

Marie Rayner said...

Oh Duckie, don't feel bad. We all do what we can when we can!!! We do our best and nobody can ask for more! I can't wait to see the new blog design and I am loving the way this story is progressing. It has me on the edge of my seat and I loved the kiss, so sweet. Wonderful my girl, just wonderful!! XXOO Love ya to pieces and pieces and pieces!

Grammy Staffy said...

Hello Duckie,
Don't fret about needed to slow down with blogging and get caught up. We all know and understand because that happens to all of us.

I am happy any time I see that you have written on my white board....a note from you always makes me smile... but understand when you can't.

I hope that Vivi and Wade will be ok.

Take care my dear and have a good day.

The Short (dis)Order Cook said...

Ohh I love witchy old women!

Anonymous said...

I liked everything in this post! Your blog always makes me giggle!

A Friendly Reader Only said...

I always appreciate you stopping by my space - and I enjoy tapping on your door and running - LOL
This time however I could not resist the smell coming from your place - that spaghetti looks so gooey I can almost taste it - and now that I am hungry I guess I better go find me some grub. Thanks for the wonderful recipe and story!! :)

Cakelaw said...

I agree - your blog is fabulous, and so is this story!

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