Lara D. Elliott - Inspirations

Here is the last of my magazine entries that didn't get accepted. Saved it for the season. This one was written for the 100 words or less challenge. Enjoy! “What is that?” Pauline shed her coat and pointed at the green monstrosity by the front window. Dave’s face scrunched. “What? The Christmas tree?” “I mean the mangled mess of wire and green plastic. You can’t have my parents over with that sitting in the living room.” “There’s nothing wrong with my tree. I’ve had that since college. It’s a tradition to put it up after the Turkey Bowl.” Dave lovingly stroked one of the branches. Several needles fluttered to the floor. “Dummy. My dad is a Christmas tree farmer. He will be insulted and appalled.” “Oh.” The doorbell rang. Did you check out my other magazine rejections? Read them here and here .

As Lee is bartending at the club on the chilly last night of winter, he glances in the mirror over the liquor cabinet and sees behind him a beautiful girl with jet black hair and bright red lipstick which pops in contrast to her white off-the-shoulder sweater. She seems to be part of a whole group of girls, eight in all, but luckily she is not the one wearing the “bride-to-be” sash. She’s taller than the rest, a bit quieter, and absolutely the most beautiful. She’s consoling the one with the grumpy face, probably upset that she’s not the one getting married. Lee serves drinks, but keeps his eye on the girl in white. She makes her way around to everyone in the entourage, laughs with the one who has a toothy smile, rolls her eyes at the blonde with the dopey look in her eyes, dances with the one he recognizes as a nurse from his doctor’s office. She introduces the shy one to a guy, offers a tissue to the one with allergies, and steals keys from the bride who has had so ...

Having heard rumors of what happened to Rapunzel’s keeper, Elvira vows not to befall a similar end and so stows away her beautiful ward, Zerlina, in a tall tower in the middle of the sea. “One of my more brilliant ideas,” Elvira brags to the witches’ council. “Not a chance that the little darling will escape. Not only can’t she swim, but I’ve cut her hair short as a pixie’s.” Meanwhile, in a faraway kingdom, Prince Gian sets out on a quest to rescue the daughter of the great mage, Masetto. “My daughter is very beautiful,” Masetto tells Prince Gian. “I offer you her hand if you can bring her back safely. A witch has taken her across the land toward the sea.” Eager to win the hand of such a conquest, Prince Gian seeks the help of every troll, gnome, and hobbit to point him in the right direction. Soon enough, he finds his way to the edge of the sea with a view of a tall tower that stands quite a distance from the shore. The waves look too violent to swim and he has no bo...

The case still had dust on it. The old flute had been on a high shelf in the closet until June’s counselor suggested a hobby might distract her from the grief. When she saw the ad for a community band that was starting up, she knew this was the way she wanted to go. She stepped into the auditorium and saw a diverse group of musicians, every age, every size, every color. How wonderful that music could bring all these strangers together. But one man wasn’t a stranger at all. His face was all too familiar. It was a face that dwelled in her dreams as a teenager. A face now weathered but, if possible, even more handsome. Andrew’s face. June kept her distance. It didn’t work out then and it wouldn’t work out now. That ship had sailed. Music was passed out and rehearsal began. Andrew would be at the back of the group. She couldn’t see him, but every cymbal crash, every bass drum hit, she thought of him. She remembered how he used to make up the parts when he lost the music. He’d get ...

Tabitha’s fingers curled around the neck of her guitar, stretching in every direction. “I can’t do it. My fingers don’t bend that way.” Stupid guitar. “Remember your wrist." Sam reached over and delicately adjusted Tabitha’s grip. His touch sent shivers up her arm. Moments like this kept Tabitha coming back for lessons every week. With more attention to her wrist, Tabitha formed the chord with her left hand and strummed the strings with her right. A twang and a thunk emitted from her instrument. She sighed. “Don’t get frustrated. Press the strings firmer.” Sam’s voice was calming. Another attempt. This time, a few melodious tones accompanied the twang. “See? Better. Just keep practicing and your fingers will get used to that position. Your muscles will get stronger.” Sam glanced up at the clock. “Well, that’s our time.” Tabitha latched up her case. “So, I’ll see you next week?” Sam chewed his lip. His face reddened. He was kinda cute when he squirmed. But what was t...

My little brother is…different. Joshie wasn’t always the way he is. His baby pictures are just as chubby and smiley as any of us. It wasn’t until his fourth birthday that he started to wither. His muscles just stopped growing. He just kept getting skinnier and skinnier. By the time he was five, Mom and Dad were sad all the time, but Joshie kept smiling. Even when they got home from one of his doctor appointments and Mom’s eyes were all red and puffy, Joshie was ready to play. He couldn’t run anymore, but he always won Checkers and Go Fish. That summer, Mom and Dad sent me to camp and our baby brother, Sam, went to Grandma’s house. “Give Joshie a big hug because when you get back, he’ll be different.” Dad put a hand on Joshie’s shoulder and waved me over. I was confused, but Joshie gave one of his silly smiles. “It’s going to be all right,” he said. I was so excited to be home from camp that I almost forgot about Mom’s warning. She met me at the front door, an...

The air ships made their way across the sky like huge buzzards circling their prey. The Anemoi were early this year. I gripped my dagger tight, my fingers numb and my heart racing. Terrance steadied his bow, though it would do no good against the mighty fleet. No. Once the Anemoi exited their ships to claim their prisoners--that would be our chance to defend ourselves. Terrance lowered the bow for a moment to cradle my cheek. His eyes spoke love and concern. “Gaia, I want you to run. I will hold them off. Go to the far side of the island and hide in the caves. Go deep. They fear the cold earth.” “I won’t leave you.” My eyes searched his. There was stubbornness in his brow but I continued to plead. “Come with me. Let’s sneak now while they are preoccupied with anchoring. Neither of us stand a chance alone.” “Others may have already made their way to the caves. You will be safe.” “I will die anyway of a broken heart if I lose you.” He drew me close and kissed me, b...