coopsgirl
The Bees Knees
More than just the 'It girl'
Posts: 584
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Post by coopsgirl on Mar 10, 2008 14:55:31 GMT -5
On her off day, Angie was walking through the streets of town enjoying the bright sunshine and fresh air. She walked past one little shop and saw some baby clothes in the window and decided to go in. While she was looking at all the cute little baby things she got teary eyed and the saleslady asked if everything was alright. “I’m fine” Angie said wiping her eyes. “It’s just the hormones I guess” she said smiling, feeling silly that she was crying in public. “Don’t worry dear, that’s perfectly normal” the woman said. “When I was pregnant with my first child, I cried nearly everday for the first couple of months. Is this your first baby?” she asked Angie. “Yes” she replied. “That’s wonderful! I bet you and your husband can’t wait”. The smile on Angie’s face quickly faded as she explained her sad predicament. “He doesn’t know yet. He’s in the Army and has to keep his location a secret because of the type of work he does. He sends me letters but I can’t send him any.” “Well, when the war is over you’ll have a wonderful surprise for him” the kind woman said as she then left Angie to continue her shopping.
Angie got back home at the same time as Clara and they went up to Angie’s room so she could show her all the things she bought. “I didn’t get any clothes yet since I don’t know if it’ll be a boy or a girl but I got some other cute stuff” Angie said as she began emptying her bags. “Lemme see, lemme see!” Clara said just as excited as Angie. “Feel this blanket, it’s so soft” Angie said handing her a pale green blanket with pictures of different animals on it. “Oh and look at this cute rattle and this little hat” she said pulling more stuff out. “You said you didn’t buy any clothes” Clara said teasing her. “Well, it was so cute I couldn’t help myself. Besides it’s brown so it could work for a boy or girl.” “Which one would you rather have?” Clara asked. “I’d love to have a little girl.” “Me too. As soon as this war is over I wanna have dozens of babies!” Clara said falling back on the bed and giggling. “I’d be happy with just a couple” Angie said gathering all her stuff back up and putting it away.
“What are you gonna do about the big stuff like a crib and a stroller?” Clara asked now becoming serious. “If I’m still here my parents and Phillip’s parents said they would send me some money to buy the more expensive stuff. It seems weird because everybody knows about the baby but him.” “That’s typical. Men are always the last to know everything” Clara said as she and Angie both broke out laughing.
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Post by *~Mrs. Cooper ~* on Mar 27, 2008 21:10:25 GMT -5
The days drag on, endless days that seem to collide into each other; and with each passing moment Kim wonders what her life is worth, what she’s really fighting for…now that James is gone. On one rainy Saturday afternoon Kim sits across the table from Walter in silence, the way she’s been doing for the past month. “How was your day?” Walter asks sociably. “Fine.” Kim responds quietly, her eyes fixed on the untouched plate of food sitting in front of her. He nods faintly, his plan of getting her to open up to him is obviously not working. “Did you—” He begins, but immediately Kim’s short-fused temper cuts him off. “Can we just eat in silence!?” She takes a breath and lowers her voice down to a whisper, almost pleadingly. “Please?” Surprised by her reaction, Walter nods his head in agreement and sits in awkward silence. A few moments pass until Kim finally excuses herself from the table and walks up to her room. Walter exhales a deep sigh of hopeless frustration and takes another bite of his food, shaking his head disapprovingly. Later that evening, around 2 or 3 in the morning, Kim sits at her vanity and twirls James’ ring around on her finger with her thumb, lost in a daze. A faint smile plays across her lips and her eyes study its polish – still new. How strange it seems that most women who sit in her place gaze upon their rings with years of history and memories; love and laughter with countless photo albums. Through this she realizes how much was lost, what un- trodden dreams remain…un-trodden; what important words remain unsaid. Her mind reminisces through the couple weeks of bliss they both had before he was shipped out – a couple weeks of love, romance, and happiness – all wiped away with the malice and destruction of war -- a war they so vigorously signed up for: the same war they’ll grow to hate and despise now that their lives have taken such a different course from its outcome. Reality strikes like a brick wall, and with it she realizes how ridiculous it is to live in a fairytale land that ignores the pain so many other women are facing as well. She looks down at the ring and hesitates as she begins to remove it; wrestling with the fear of forgetting him or becoming one of those women who can’t get a grip on reality. She opens the top of her vanity drawer and removes the ring from her wedding finger; quickly placing it on top of her journal. As she closes the drawer she takes a deep sigh, fighting back the floodgate of tears. The steps creak as she slowly makes her way down to the kitchen for a cup of warm tea. The light shining through the kitchen stops her dead in her tracks. I can’t talk to him…not right now. She turns around to walk back upstairs but she knows she owes him an apology for this afternoon. She slowly makes her way down the stairs and, while standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame, she watches Walter read the newspaper. “Oh,” he looks up, startled, placing the newspaper down.“hey, can’t sleep?” She forces a smile and shakes her head, not making eye contact. “No, I’m exhausted – I just can’t fall asleep.” “Would you like some tea?” He gets up and turns on the faucet, preparing the water on the stove. She nods her head, “Sure.” She takes a seat at the table and sighs deeply. “Walter, I’m sorry for the way I treated you this morning…” His silence is enough to prove that he was quite surprised by it, but he smiles kindly and shrugs it off. Kim fidgets with the table cloth in her fingers and smiles faintly. “You’ve been very kind in letting me stay here and all I do is yell at you.” She chuckles, “I really am sorry.” “I know you don’t mean it, Kim. I understand what you’re going through.” He heats up the stove and begins to boil the water. Kim fixes her eyes upon the ground and bites her tongue; it’s the most common used sympathy comment: “I understand.” She knows he means well, and his heart is in the right place, but everytime he utters those words, the way he makes it sound as if he truly does ‘understand’ her pain; it makes her skin crawl.
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coopsgirl
The Bees Knees
More than just the 'It girl'
Posts: 584
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Post by coopsgirl on Mar 31, 2008 12:48:09 GMT -5
Many of the soldiers Phillip was stationed with had young children and the little bit of down time they had was usually spent playing cards and talking about their families. “Do you and your wife wanna have kids Phillip?” a soldier asked him while they were playing poker one evening. “Sure. We haven’t really talked about it or anything but I imagine we will one day.” That night before Phillip went to bed he couldn’t stop thinking about the possibility of having children so he decided to write Angie a letter about it.
Hi Sweetheart,
Some of the guys were talking about their families today and it got me thinking how wonderful it will be when we have kids. When we do, I hope they’ll be just like you. You’re gonna make such a good mom and I can’t wait until we’re back home and can be a real family. I can just picture us taking our kids to the little park on McElmore Street and pushing them on the swings and helping them climb the slides.
I hope you are doing okay and I try not to worry about you but I can’t help it. I know you worry about me too, but my job now is pretty safe. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to tell you how much I really love you. If it wasn’t for you, I probably wouldn’t still be here and I just want you to know that I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make you happy and be the best husband and father I can be.
I love you, Phillip
Phillip wiped his eyes that were tearing up as he sealed the envelope and dropped it in their makeshift mailbox. He didn’t want to tell Angie about the soldiers that had been killed when they were moving from their last post by stray mortar fire. He knew it would only worry her and he already felt bad enough that she was alone in a strange country waiting for him. He prayed that he would make it back to her and that it wouldn’t take too long.
Angie read Phillip’s letter and felt a great sense of relief knowing that he was excited to be a father one day. She could see a place on the letter were the ink was smeared and she knew it was from a teardrop. She held the letter close to her heart and closed her eyes. She could see his smiling face and it made her feel warm and flushed all over.
Suddenly, a sick feeling came over her and she rushed to the bathroom just making it to the toilet in time. The morning sickness (which she was having in the morning, afternoon, and evening) was getting worse. She sat on the floor next to the toilet and cried. She was alone and afraid and just wanted to go home.
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Post by *~Mrs. Cooper ~* on Apr 18, 2008 17:27:48 GMT -5
“There’s nothing that can be done about it now, Kim; you know that.” Walter says softly, calming her apprehensions. “Besides, all your things are already here; and you’re contented, I assume…” “Well, yeah,” Kim replies, “but I still don’t think it’s right that I stay here. People are starting to talk; they think we’re…” Her voice trails off and she fiddles with the fringe on the couch, obviously feeling uncomfortable. “That we’re a couple?” Walter raises a brow subtly, smirking. Kim exhales deeply and nods her head reluctantly. “What would be the harm in that?” Walter whispers, inching himself closer to Kim’s side of the couch. Kim goes to defend her reasoning’s, but she begins to realize her list of excuses have diminished greatly over the past few weeks. “I’m just not rea--” But before she can finish, Walter leans in for a gentle kiss. He presses his lips against hers; initially she’s apprehensive and resists his approach, but she closes her eyes and slowly finds herself easing into it when the memories of James come flooding back. Desperately she clings onto Walter, a sudden impulse, almost a fear, to grip onto the moment and never let go; the mood is perfect and romantic, but as Walter slowly pulls away and her eyes open to find his gaze, she freezes; everything seems wrong, everything is wrong. Walter leans back and observes the look on her face; a stare of fear, guilt, and self-condemnation. “What’s wrong?” Kim slowly fixes her eyes upon Walter and reviews the last 2 minutes, 2 minutes that James would no doubt be furious about if he had witnessed it. A blanket of shame and embarrassment fills her face, she quickly dismisses herself from the room, and retreats back upstairs. Walter sits back heavily and slumps down into the couch; he throws his hands over his face and takes a deep sigh of frustration.
At a street corner café, the following afternoon, Kim sits pensively at a tucked-away booth near the side window and stares blankly, watching the world beyond the glass. More and more she has found herself forgetting the intimate details of the weeks spent with James: the smell of his cologne; the color of his eyes, even the sound of his laugh. What was his favorite color? What kind of job did he have back in the states? Did he have any brothers or sisters? At the time these details seemed insignificant – silly even, but these very same unanswered details disturb her, making her feel as if she didn’t really know him at all. The memories she carries of him seem to comfort her in a way she never thought possible, but even now, those, too, seem to be fading quickly, as if a masked thief was ripping them forcefully from her grasp. “Hiya hon,” a voice says chipperly. Kim looks up, it takes her a moment to switch gears but she smiles halfheartedly at a familiar face from work. “Oh, hi Patti.” “Mind if I sit down?” Patti asks. Kim hesitates before finally nodding, “Sure.” Patti scoots herself into the booth and sets her purse down on the seat. “Haven’t seen you around lately…” “I’ve uhh…” Kim’s voice begins to trails off; she chokes back a couple tears and her brow knits together as she takes a breath. “Is everything all right?” Patti lays her hand sympathetically upon Kim’s arm. Kim's only answers are the tears streaming down her cheeks. “Oh Kim,” Patti whispers empathetically. She moves herself from the booth and sits next to Kim. “I miss him so much, you know?” She pauses to take a deep breath, “I don’t even remember if I told him I loved him before he left.” She glances at Patti, as if she were embarrassed, “Isn’t that awful?” “No…” Patti answers softly, “no, it’s not awful at all. All that matters is that he knew you loved him; whether or not you said it one night doesn’t matter. The sparkle in his eyes proved that he loved you, and if a guy looks that happy, it’s only because he knows you love him, too.” Kim takes a moment to absorb Patti’s encouraging words; a faint smile plays across her lips. “Thanks, Pat; I really appreciate it.” Patti gives Kim a friendly hug, but somewhere deep down inside, Kim can’t escape the feeling of guilt that’s been layering up over the past couple weeks; she wouldn’t dare tell Patti about the kiss last night; not only because it was an embarrassing mistake, but because she enjoyed that mistake.
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coopsgirl
The Bees Knees
More than just the 'It girl'
Posts: 584
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Post by coopsgirl on Apr 21, 2008 10:15:10 GMT -5
It had been weeks since Angie received the last letter from Phillip and everyday she worried more and more about him. Clara tried to comfort her by telling her that it was normal for the mail to be slow and she shouldn’t worry. However, Clara was also concerned about George who she hadn’t heard from lately either. When they got back home after work and checked the mail, Clara went to her room to read her letters. As she was going through them she found a telegram from the War Department. Her fingers were trembling so much she was barely able to open it.
A few minutes later there was a knock at Angie’s door and she opened it to see Clara holding the telegram with tears running down her face. “What’s wrong? George is okay isn’t he?” Angie asked as Clara walked in and sat down. “He’s alive, but he had to have his left leg amputated below the knee” she said wiping the tears from her cheeks. “Oh Clara” Angie said as she hugged her friend and began to cry a little herself. “He’s been discharged and he’s being sent home next week” she said smiling a little, happy that at least he was alive and they could go home now. “If I can pull myself together”, she said laughing, “I’m gonna go down to the depot and get my ticket. I’m gonna try to leave tomorrow if I can.” “That’s wonderful! I’m so happy for you.” “Thanks. I kinda feel bad leaving you here alone though. Will you be okay?” “Don’t you worry about me for one second. You need to be with your husband, he’s gonna need your help.” Angie said trying to put on a brave face.
The next morning before work Angie went down to the train station to see Clara off. Once the train was gone from sight, a sinking feeling settled in the pit of her stomach. It really hit her that now she was all alone.
For a few days it was just Angie working in the bakery until they were able to hire a replacement. She was glad when the new woman started because it was hard to keep up with it all by herself. Her joy was short lived however as the new woman was quite cantankerous and always in a foul mood. A few days after Mrs. Flaunce had begun working at the bakery, Angie had just about made up her mind that she would go back home. She was miserable and alone and missed her family very much. As she checked her mail after work that day, she found three letters from Phillip. As she sat on her bed reading them, she changed her mind and decided to stay in Switzerland. She knew it would be best for her and the baby to go home, but she felt if she did it would be like she was deserting him, and she just couldn’t do that.
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Post by *~Mrs. Cooper ~* on May 2, 2008 21:45:00 GMT -5
In the days following, Kim avoids any run-ins with Walter; not of fear that she may have to refuse him and hurt his feelings, but because of fear she may not be able to refuse him if the subject should arise. Early one brisk November morning, as Kim sits on the front porch swing, sipping her coffee, she takes in the cool autumn breeze, letting her mind drift, like a sailboat, across a sea of memories…and a few new hopes for the future. She can’t help but wonder what her life will be like after the war is over, and how differently her plans have changed in contrast to just a month ago when she couldn’t even stomach the thought of another man holding her in his arms. Still, it’s hard for her to imagine being with a man other than James, but maybe this is her time, maybe it was always meant to be…or maybe her loneliness had been too much, and the closeness she felt with Walter brought back those precious memories of James. No matter what the reason, she knew in her heart that she couldn’t mourn James forever, and her life needed to start again; this was her chance, or so she wanted to believe. “Good morning…” Kim looks up to find Walter standing tall beside her, dressed handsomely in his silk robe and cotton slippers. “Hello,” Kim looks up and smiles genuinely, for the first time in months. “Sleep well?” Walter nods agreeably as he takes a seat beside her and inhales the refreshing aroma of freshly fallen leaves. “Yes, and you?” Kim nods as well and smiles faintly, “Yes, I was a bit cold last night; since Winter is just around the corner, I had to sleep with two blankets last night.” Walter slightly tilts his head back to laugh. Kim chuckles softly and watches Walter subtly, her eyes perched above her coffee cup. She’s grown comfortable with Walter; whether or not that’s a good thing doesn’t seem to concern her at the moment; strangely, she feels relaxed…almost happy. “Would you like to go for a walk with me today?” Walter inquires, breaking the short bit of silence between them. Kim pauses for a second, then replies with a gentle smile, “I’d love to.”
The months drift along more easily and quicker than before as Kim and Walter grow more comfortable and open with each other. There’s still quite a bit of guilt that lingers, but she’s slowly training herself to put it the past behind her and move on. Early one Friday evening, somewhere close to 5pm, Kim and Patty enjoy a piece of pie at the café after work, laughing up the rumors that have been storing up all week. After the gabfest, both girls sit contented with the juicy bits of gossip that satisfied their flapping ears. Patty inhales sharply, as if to say something, but sits back into the booth and exhales deeply. Kim chuckles to herself and lays her elbows on the table, leaning in. “Okay, what’s up? What’s on your mind?” Patty hesitates briefly, then lets loose. “There are rumors about you and Walter…are they true?” Kim shakes her head in confusion, “Is what true?” “Are you and Walter…getting married?” Patty asks quietly, as if to conceal a secret. "‘Cause if you are, I won’t te—“ “No.” Kim chuckles, shaking her head, “He hasn’t asked me yet.” Her voice begins to fade and her gaze falls to the table in a moment of panic. “If he did ask you….what would you say?” Kim mentally pushes away the guilt and fear, lifting her eyes to Patty. “I don’t know, I’ve never really thought about marriage…” “But you have thought of a future with him? I mean, you do love him, right?” Patty asks excitedly, peppering Kim with questions in rapid-fire succession. “I don’t know.” Kim sighs deeply, somewhat perturbed by the mixture of Patty's excitement and the need to confront these questions on the spot. “Why are you so curious?” “Oh, no reason.” Patty sits back in her chair and calms herself a bit. “We were just curious. Some girls say that he’ll propose within the month; others say he’s already proposed. I guess we just wanted to get the story stra—“ “Well it’s none of their business.” Kim interrupts sharply. “Even if he has asked me, which he hasn’t, I wish they’d keep their noses to themselves. I hate when people gossip about other peop--” Immediately her voice drops and her cheeks redden with embarrassment. She takes a moment to listen to her own words. “I guess I’m guilty of the very thing I loath: gossip.” Patty smiles dimly and nods her head of the same disgrace. “Every time my mind started to wander toward marriage I’d push it aside,” Kim confesses. “Just like I have with the memories of James. Somehow it doesn’t seem possible; it’s like James is still waiting for me, ya’ know? Marriage is just so...final.” “He isn’t coming back, Kim." Patty pauses to let the words soak in. "It’s been 8 months. Walter’s a good guy and he loves you. He’s not a dashing prince who's come to sweep you off your feet, but he’ll make you a good husband.” The moment Patty uttered the words -- the exact words Kim had always relished in, and claimed for herself and James: 'a handsome price who's come to sweep his princess off her feet.' were spoken to flippantly, as if she should have been ashamed for stealing such happiness from everyone else. And the way it sounded so...past tense rose up anger and panic within her, almost as if she had backed into a prison cell and the air is quickly escaping through a small hole in the wall. “You okay Kim?” Patty asks, responding to the frightened expression on Kim’s face. Kim ignores the question and gets up from the table, grabbing her coat hurriedly. She makes her way toward the exit and disappears through the doors to return airflow back into her lungs.
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coopsgirl
The Bees Knees
More than just the 'It girl'
Posts: 584
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Post by coopsgirl on May 6, 2008 20:35:10 GMT -5
After work one evening, Angie sat in her room flipping through her baby name book again. She hated to make such a huge decision without Phillip, but she knew she had to come up with something, and soon as she was now a little over eight months pregnant. She had just put the book down in frustration when there was a knock at the door. It was a young man with a telegram for her. She gave him a tip and when he was gone Angie breathed a deep sigh of relief to see it was from Phillip, and not the War Department. She ripped into it and could hardly believe what it said.
Am getting a few days leave and will be with you tomorrow. Train gets in at noon to Lille Station. Love, Phillip
Angie sat down on her bed and began giggling like a schoolgirl. It just didn’t seem real that tomorrow after so many months, she would finally see him again. She went to her little closet and stood there for quite a while trying to decide what dress she would wear. Maternity clothes aren’t exactly the prettiest in the world, but she eventually settled on a dark green dress that looked nice with her deep auburn hair. In her excitement she had nearly forgotten about her job. The past few months had been hard on her as Mrs. Flaunce was a bitter old spinster and hadn’t yet had even one kind word for Angie, or anyone else for that matter. She couldn’t bear to be at that place with Phillip here so she called her boss to ask for a few days off. With her supervisor knowing her due date was nearing and that she would miss work once the baby came, she politely let Angie go. “That’s okay” she said to herself after hanging up the phone. “I’ve got some money saved up and if I get in too bad a fix I’ll just have to go back home.” Nothing could dampen her happy mood and she lay down to try and get some sleep.
The next day Angie got ready and stood in front of the mirror. She frowned a little wishing she had something prettier to wear for Phillip. The dress was alright but her shoes were just plain black flats and she also had a simple black hat that was more for warmth than fashion during these cold winter months. She put on her long grey wool coat and took one more look in the mirror. She smiled this time though knowing that he would still think she was beautiful even in a potato sack.
Phillip stood by the door inside the compartment and took a few deep breaths trying to calm himself down as they neared the station. Since he couldn’t receive letters from Angie, he wasn’t even sure she would still be here. He stepped off the train and scanned the crowd looking for his wife. After a couple of minutes passed he was beginning to think maybe she wasn’t there and then he spotted her standing on a bench waving her arms in the air and yelling his name. A big smile replaced his worried expression as he pushed through the sea of people moving every which way. As soon as he got to her, he dropped his duffel bag, put his arms around her tightly and kissed her. Both of them were speechless as they stood together holding each other as tight as they could, feeling like they were the only two people in the world.
“What was that?” Phillip asked as he pulled away from Angie, his eyes wide. “That was our baby kicking” she said smiling as she took his hands in hers. “Our baby?” he said stunned. Angie took his hand and placed it on her stomach so he could feel it again. When the baby kicked once more, Phillip let out a little chuckle and took Angie’s face in his hands and kissed her again very sweetly. “It’s cold out here, you need to get inside where it’s warm” he said picking up his bag and putting his other arm around her as they walked to the taxi stand to catch a cab.
It was a short ride to the boarding house and once they got inside, Phillip was extra sweet to her. “Here, let me” he said as he helped her get her coat off. “I don’t know how you did it, but you’re even prettier than I remembered”. “Oh Phillip, my ankles are swollen and I feel as big as a house.” “Well, you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen” he said sincerely as they sat down on the bed. “Are you doing okay, I mean is everything like it’s supposed to be?” he asked. “Yeah, everything’s fine. You’re happy about this aren’t you?” she said with a touch of nervousness in her voice. Phillip put his arms around her and pulled her close . “I don’t think I’ve ever felt this happy about anything else. Well, except maybe when I got my first car, or that time I caught that record setting catfish out of Mills pond” he said as they both laughed. “Of course I’m happy” he said seriously as he gently kissed her forehead.
“Hey, you feel a little thin” she said concerned. “I give you a nice compliment and all you can say to me is I’m too thin” he said acting like he was upset. “Come on, my wonderful, handsome husband. Let’s go get some lunch!”
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Post by *~Mrs. Cooper ~* on May 23, 2008 19:29:36 GMT -5
I'm sorry it's taking so long. I don't know if Theresa told you but I lost the USB input that held my story; it's lost, so until I find it I won't be able to update
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coopsgirl
The Bees Knees
More than just the 'It girl'
Posts: 584
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Post by coopsgirl on May 24, 2008 21:37:23 GMT -5
That stinks . I hope you find it.
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Post by *~Mrs. Cooper ~* on Aug 15, 2009 19:12:33 GMT -5
Tossing and turning for what seems like ages, Kim sits up and exhales a deep sigh of frustration. "Yet another sleepless night..." she scoffs to herself. She gets up and walks to her vanity and removes a pad of paper and a pencil from within the drawers. She begins writing...
"Dear James,
I'm not writing this letter, secretly hoping that you'll miraculously come back to life and receive it somehow. I'm simply writing in hopes to alleviate some of my silent depression and try to move on. People are tired of listening about my heartache, tired of being sympathetic. I walk into a room and they treat me differently-- avoiding me, like I have some disease or something. I don't ask for pity, and I don't want to receive any either. I just want things to be normal again; I just want to be happy. I won't lie to you...or myself, and say that I don't miss you. Because I do, darling. Every day. But I have to continue living...here on earth, with what I do have left. I'm not ungrateful for what Walter has done for me. I just wish...."
I just wish....
She crumples up the letter and angrily throws it across the room. "I just what? I just wish you wouldn't have died and left me here all alone!?" She says with her teeth clenched. She buries her head in her hands and sobs. The pain is so deep, the hurt so real; but for some reason, the tears feel good. Like a floodgate of anger is being released. She cries for what seems like hours, releasing all that's been pent up and facing reality once and for all. Not thinking selfishly anymore, but clearly. Dealing with life's injustices and coming to terms with what's now set before her. Later, after the tears are wept away and the headache begins to throb at her temples, Kim throws on her slippers and quietly makes her way downstairs to the kitchen for some tea when she hears the faucet running. She smiles faintly and opens the fridge door, throwing a comment in Walter's direction. "Can't sleep either?" Walter chuckles and shakes his head "no" then continues with the dishes. Kim grabs a gallon of milk from the fridge, pours some into a cup and heats it up on the stove. While stirring, she feels riveted. Staring at Walter out of the corner of her eye, busy at the sink, it's as if she has seen this before; or would see it again. She can't pull away. Then it hits her, with an alarming chill. She pictures herself growing old with him, working with him in the kitchen, in the yard, on the car. The view is stark and clear. This wasn't a vision; it's more of an impression, some foreknowledge, an absolute assurance. She knows that if she merely said the word, told him she was available and would marry him, the deed would be done. They would have a family of their own. Walter turns toward her and immediately she shakes herself from her reverie. What had that been all about? Did she love Walter? Could she? Should she learn to?
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coopsgirl
The Bees Knees
More than just the 'It girl'
Posts: 584
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Post by coopsgirl on Aug 17, 2009 10:49:03 GMT -5
Great update, this is so much fun! There was a nice Italian restaurant a couple of blocks from the boarding house so Angie and Phillip decided to have lunch there. They asked for one of the curved booths so they could sit close together and after the waiter took their order, Phillip reached over to hold her hand. “I missed you so much” she said with a smile. “I missed you too. I wasn’t sure if you’d still be here or not; I’m glad you were.” “I told you I wouldn’t go home without you. Oh, don’t let me forget, I’ve got some letters for you from your parents. Since they couldn’t get them to you, they’ve been sending them to me.” “Do they know about all this?” he asked. “Yeah, they’re thrilled and can’t wait for us to get home, my parents too. They’re so sweet; they’ve all been sending me as much money as they could spare.” “Have you been getting by okay? I know my pay isn’t much.” “I had a job at a bakery for a while and with everything else, I’ve been alright. Are you okay?” “Yeah, I miss flying but my job now is a lot safer.” After lunch they went back to Angie’s room and she gave Phillip the letters from his family. As he read them, she laid down on the bed and took a nap. When he was done, he quietly laid down beside her. Angie woke up and he smiled at her, then she cuddled up closer to him and he put his arm around her and they soon fell asleep. A couple of hours later the baby’s kicking woke her up. “Phillip, Phillip” she said as she gently shook his shoulder trying to wake him. He’d always been a sound sleeper so she had to keep shaking him and finally he awoke. “Is it time? Is it time?” he said excitedly as he jumped up. “No, come here” she said and he sat back down on the bed. She sat up beside him and took his hand and put it where the baby was kicking. When it stopped a few minutes later he put his arms around her waist and rested his head on her stomach. “You’re gonna be the most loved little baby in the whole world” he said softly. Angie ran her fingers through his hair and then bent down to rest her cheek against his head. They hadn’t seen each other for eight months, but now it seemed like they hadn’t been apart at all.
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Post by *~Mrs. Cooper ~* on Aug 20, 2009 17:54:16 GMT -5
Awwwwww... Great update! I've missed this
A few days later, Kim sits on her front porch swing, swaying forward and backward, while watching the rain drops fall from the ominous clouds above; her mind incessantly wandering in a million different directions. The past couple weeks have been strange, to say the least. The life she had with James seems like just a dream and the oddest part....she's noticed things about Walter that she never noticed before -- little things, intimate details that otherwise would go unnoticed. How he combed his hair to the side, covering his elongated forehead (or so he always fussed about), and wore a different color tie to work every day of the week. How he liked his pancakes, how he asked about her day above all else. Was she falling for him? Probably faster than she knew. Was she scared? Undoubtedly so; but she knew her heart was ready. Ready for what? Simply: happiness. Walter approaches her from the sidewalk, after coming home from work, and takes a seat next to her on the porch swing. Silently, he watches the rain beside her. Minutes pass until Kim breaks the silence. "I'll never forget him, Walter." She continues to stare off into the distance, gazing at nothing in particular, but trying to piece together the rest of her life in hopes she'll make the right decision. She fixes her eyes on him and searches his eyes. Walter nods, his shoulders slowly slump forward in disappointment, knowing she never would. "But..." His eyes lift slightly. For some reason the tone in her voice invokes hope. She exhales a deep, heavy sigh, then releases the internalized words. "I can't live in a dream world where I expect to see him again someday. And...over the past couple weeks, I've realized that James is no longer a vision in my future, and my happiness can't be found through him anymore..." Walter shifts his position and turns toward Kim. "Listen Kim, I understand what you're going through; the pain you feel inside. I -- I'm not asking anything from you anymore; I'm ready to wait...forever, if need be. I won't ask you to marry me -- " Kim nods and places her hand gently upon Walter's arm, "I know; but I'm ready if you do..." Walter throws a confused look toward Kim; her words melting through him like butter. The words spill out of Walter's mouth faster than he realized; maybe it's out of fear she'll change her mind if he waits just one second longer. "Will you marry me?" Kim pauses for a moment then smiles gently, "Yes, Walter. I'll marry you."
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coopsgirl
The Bees Knees
More than just the 'It girl'
Posts: 584
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Post by coopsgirl on Aug 30, 2009 13:03:45 GMT -5
Sorry it's taking me so long to respond. I've been busy at work lately and haven't had time to come up with anything. I will soon though.
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coopsgirl
The Bees Knees
More than just the 'It girl'
Posts: 584
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Post by coopsgirl on Sept 9, 2009 9:27:14 GMT -5
I really don’t have much more for my part so some of my updates might be kind of short.
“Have you picked out any names yet?” Phillip asked. “I’ve got a few but it seemed weird to decide without you.” “What have you got?” he asked with a smile. “For a boy I was thinking about John or James maybe. For a girl I was thinking Mary or Elizabeth or Clara” she said hoping he would like those choices. “I like John and Elizabeth” he replied after a couple of minutes. “You don’t like Clara?” she said in a way that let him know that was her favorite. “You like that one best?” he asked and she nodded yes. “Then it’s John or Clara” Phillip said as he gave her a kiss. “Thanks sweetie. That was my friend’s name that I told you about. I would’ve been totally alone without her and I’d like to name the baby after her if it’s a girl.” “Have you heard from her since she went back home?” “Yeah, we’ve been writing back and forth. She and George are doing fine. He’s got a prosthetic leg and he’s able to walk pretty good now with a cane.” “That’s good.” “I hope nothing like that happens to you” Angie said, her voice becoming more melancholy as she gently stroked his cheek.
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Post by *~Mrs. Cooper ~* on Sept 12, 2009 18:03:45 GMT -5
Don't worry sis, I have no idea where I'm going with my story either; the next few posts are gonna be short ones. All I know was it was gonna be a good one; ha, apparently not good enough if I can't even remember a single detail! Somehow I always knew that was on your list of baby girl names.
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Post by Miss Retro on Sept 15, 2009 20:35:16 GMT -5
KIM wow pally you're back!!! LOL I still check this site from time to time to see if anyone will post I'm glad to see you here
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