Spattering

I knew I was already married. But somehow, all that was left of that marriage was a toddler child. Everything was arranged for me and soon, I was married to another guy I barely knew. Maybe my family knew him.

My heart was pounding at the thought of lying down with a strange man that night. My little one kept distracting me, though. She was wide awake and active, climbing on top of me and rolling beside me. I felt confused.

Little did I know that I was going to be confused even further. I received a telephone call. The voice at the other end told me that this man I married had a girlfriend. She was deeply troubled and heartbroken upon learning that he married me.

I felt so weak I reached out to the wall to steady myself. Suddenly, splotches of ink appeared on the white textured surface and started to spread gradually.

"This was all a mistake!" I thought. The next three words chilled me and confirmed that my soul is as black as the splatters almost covering the wall.

"She committed suicide."

Frantic Mom Escapes

Questions and objectives clung to her mind like the mud and dried leaves did to her shoes. She needed to get to her children as fast as was possible. Who were taking care of them while she's away? Why was she away in the first place? There's a metal footbridge ahead that she knew she needed to cross. Time was of the essence. Power walking, she got sidetracked by something off to the side. There was a stone table and on top of it lay a balding pale man with lots of black patches on his appendages. She realized with a jolt that he was decaying.

She felt like vomiting but she couldn't have that luxury now. Dashing into the warehouse, her strides became longer as she navigated the maze of huge crates. A faceless lady handed her a wrapped baby that she held tightly to her chest. She began to run and dazedly looked for the exit. With a toddler in tow.

Something metallic buzzed past her face. Was that a mosquito? To the right were several college students in lab gowns fussing over a machine. They were making something that destroys the mosquitoes. How she knew they were college students and that they were protecting people from these metallic pests were beyond her. But she's grateful that there are those who care enough for others, especially the children. That's what occupied her mind as she got nearer an opening.

Once her shoe hit the dried-leaf-strewn dirt floor outside, a wave of relief washed over her. She fell on her knees and hugged her baby to her chest.

The Unforgiven

Deeper and deeper into

The hole of guilt you're digging

Deeper and deeper into

My thoughts it's sinking

Your feelings of anger

At my wrists keep slashing

Your words of poison

Make my insides start melting

Each time my apologies neglected

Each time my spirit is dying

Like the retreating waves

Far from you my love is going

But you're like the shore

To whom the waves are returning

When you find that your cold heart

Will again begin forgiving

Until then chained to a cage of rage

When unforgiven I am being

A Peek At Kelly's Diary

Dear Diary,
You know that I have been living here in Sheetrock Hills since forever and that Manny and I have know each other even when we were still small. I have always imagined him being my prince. Now that we're all grown up and have businesses of our own, I wonder when he will notice me. I mean, really notice me, not just as a friend or a supplier. Didn't he ever wonder why I don't let him pay for the stuff he purchased? Can't he feel the overflowing sweetness dripping from my voice when I talk with him?

It is frustrating that I am doing everything I can to impress him but it doesn't motivate him to ask me out. This includes showcasing my talents at dancing, organizing and especially windsurfing, which I make sure Manny sees. And I don't think I ever failed to have what he needs for a repair or for building something. Even the tools think I am amazing!

What else do you think should I do to encourage him to court me? I really, really like him! I think the whole town is aware of that, except Manny.

I can't go after him just like that! Contrary to what you might think, I am still an old-fashioned girl at heart.

handy manny and kelly

An Almost Happy Ending

'Their relationship is going into a year, now', she suddenly realized. No matter how she discouraged Gregory, her son was still going steady with that girl. 'Argh!' She's just an average little wretch, nothing compared to her family's status. She couldn't, for the life of her imagine what made Gregory fall so deeply in love with that witch. Had she poisoned her sons's mind? It is likely! "What do I do to break them apart?"

"Maybe I can help.", piped in a voice from behind her. She looked and saw a black, smoke-like silhouette in the shape of Ursula the sea witch. "Wh-who are you?", Mildred nervously asked. She was afraid that Death would come and fetch her so soon, without her making the life of that girl a living hell. The floating something moved towards her. "I am the Spirit of I-hate-almost-happy-endings.": It turned around once and continued,"If my calculations are correct, he would propose very soon. I can see that he loves Sonja and is very happy with her." Mildred snorted, "He was tricked, hoodwinked!"

"You don't have proof, now do you?"

"Err... Not yet."

"Because of me, you will, in front of Gregory's eyes."

She felt so blessed to have him. If only his mom could like her even a bit. Well, only the Lord can change a person's heart and mind. Aunt Mildred will soon see that Gregory and she were great together, she will take care of him, make him happy for life. One hand holding the ribbon around the box of the cake, another hand in Gregory's, him beaming at her as they ascended the steps towards the mansion. She could tell that today, Aunt Mildred might change her perspective.

Gregory nudged Sonja and she carefully handed his mom the cake. "It's your favorite, Aunt Mildred, mango cream." She took the box without a word and untied the ribbon. "Rosalie!!!", she bellowed, "Get the knife, plates and forks for the cake!" There was a scurrying sound and Sonja craned her neck to look at the helper at the same time she heard a loud bang. She looked around while Aunt Mildred screamed blasphemies and her gaze fell on the face of Gregory's mom covered with icing and bits of cake. "Gregory! Son! Look what she did to me. Ahhh!"

His mom never was their cause for an argument until today. Sonja sighed. Her defensive trail of thoughts was soon silenced by overwhelming sadness. She glanced at her tear-soaked pillow. Gregory will know the truth. He has to.

Gregory inspected the box. As if the secret will come out of it, Mildred snatched it away from his son's grasp. "Sonja did it on purpose. Admit it! She hates me, son." "Of course she doesn't, mom. She's kind-hearted and sweet. There must be something wrong with the cake itself. How could she have put something explosive in it when I accompanied her in buying the cake? She was even the one who thought of bringing home something for you."

"Then that's her ulterior motive, to sabotage the cake."

"Why do you keep thinking of the worst in people?", Gregory sighed. "Sorry to be harsh but, has it ever occurred to you that that is the reason why dad left?" Mildred bit her lip.

Sonja was vindicated, God answered her prayer. Gregory stuck by his decision to love and trust her. Even though at present, there's an obstacle in their relationship, together they will overcome that.

The Spirit of I-hate-almost-happy-endings screamed and dissipated through the ceiling. Mildred did nothing but watch in open-mouthed astonishment.

Inspired by: My very good friend's life event and an episode of Courage the Cowardly Dog

What Happened?

It was a nice night for a leisurely walk, but he wouldn't even hold her hand. She could hear another piece of her heart breaking off. Sure, they had a delicious dinner of pizza and pasta, but they didn't talk much. He doesn't even want to maintain eye contact with her.

After a shower she couldn't really enjoy, she curled up on the arm chair beside their king-sized bed, her pen poised above her journal. She watched his childlike face and listened to him snore softly, while about to encode an entry about him. 

"I don't know what happened. What did I do wrong? I have tried to be a good wife, fulfilling all my duties. What was lacking? Why is he treating me this way? What has caused this alienation? And from my own husband! Less than a year of being married to each other, and this is what happens. Where is the honeymoon phase they were talking about? I don't understand anymore... If this is what it's like to be married, I shouldn't have said 'yes' to him. What..."

Her vision started to blur and she realized that big, fat drops of tears were rolling down her cheeks onto her journal. Her chest was aching due to crying in silence. She felt that she had to get away from this place, from his side... Her hand flew to her mouth. OMG. Was she thinking of legal separation? No! That's wrong. Or not? What if he has another woman? What shall she do?

Opening her underwear drawer, she placed her journal beneath the articles of clothing. She couldn't sleep, she wondered what was next in her life... What she could do now is to trust God and keep praying that He will touch her husband's heart.