Legend Has It…

Short Story #31

“So,” Jack Payet turns around and places his hands flat on the desk. “You’re telling me that three stupid girls went into the woods in search of some legendary monster and got kidnapped?”

She nods.

“And I should report it?”

She nods again.

“Give me one good reason why.”

“Because one of the girls is the mayor’s daughter.”

“Whoop de doo!” Jack mocks. “The mayor has done nothing good for this city and want my byline in the press about his daughter? What about the other girls? Don’t they get some sympathy for being stupid, too?”

She sighs and lets this one slides. When her boss was in one of his so-call righteous mood swings, there was no reaching him. All there was left to do was let him finish his sanctimonious rant and when he was satisfied, he’ll set out to write the article he was viciously ranting about anyway.

“Didn’t Criminal Minds teach them anything?”

“Not everyone watches TV, sir.”

“That one shouldn’t go into the woods alone?”

“Technically, there were three girls an…”

“How could they be so stupid, Lois?” 

“Actually, my name is Janice.”

“Criminal Minds is like the best lesson in how not to get murder 101.”

“Again, not everyone watches TV!”

“I’m going into that woods tonight.”

“Good luck, sir.”

“And you’re coming with me.”

“Why?”

“To prove there is no such thing as the Laughing Man and the girls just wanted attention.”

Janice shakes her head. Sometimes, she didn’t get how Jack Payet was an award-winning journalist for the Los Angeles Times.

Jack grinned at the satire draft and shaking his head, discarded it to get down to the real article. He had an hour and a half to prepare for his trek into the woods, and he didn’t want to waste any more time. 

Related > Sometimes You Can’t Go Home

When I was younger, I wanted to be a journalist (thanks to Clark Kent), a lawyer, or a librarian. God has blessed me with a wonderful library career, and I am utmost grateful for this was definitely the best route for me. However, from time to time, I do enjoy writing about lawyers and journalists. I enjoyed writing Jack Payet, but with this short (it’s actually part of a series that my youngest sister is currently encouraging me to write), I wanted to work on dialogue setting.

Also, the mention of the name ‘Lois’ is a nod to Clark Kent’s partner although Payet ain’t no Kent. I included the LA Times draft “article” to give an insight into the articles that Payet would’ve truly liked to have published.

All grammatical errors are mine.

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Cry 😢

Short Story #30

The twins were so identical that it was impossible to tell them apart, but that’s where their similarities end for if Ray was the sun, Marcus was certainly the dark stormy weather.

“You make me out to be a robot,” Marcus accuses his twin as they sat in Mille Fleurs with three of their closest friends. “A robot without feelings, too.”

Ray elegantly shrugs for it was the Gallic thing to do before responding, “You’re so emotionless that when you’re chopping onions, you don’t even weep, but the poor onions do!”

Ramses found this highly amusing and the éclair that was about to be devoured was paused midway. Trishanti tried to hide her giggles behind a napkin as she stole a peek at her ex-boyfriend’s expression. Benny only shakes his head.

“I am not emotionally detached!” Marcus defends. “Just because I am not your typical stereotypical over sensitive Frenchman means that I am void of emotions. I just deal with it better than Mr. Sunshine In A Cup over there.”

“Marc, come on, we all know Ray’s the better twin.” Justin playfully inputs.

“And you call yourself a best friend.” Marcus rolls his eyes and looks at the healthy slice of tarte tatin that was placed in front of him by the waitress five minutes before the conversation took a weird turn. “I maintain that my brother is a saint, but it doesn’t make him flawless or perfect.”

Ray shrugs. “You’re right, but you’re only deflecting from the conversation. What a heartless thing to do!”

While the others laugh, Marcus scoffs, leans back and runs a hand through his auburn wavy hair. “All right, what’s the lowest you can hit me?”

Delighted, Ray stops eating for the moment and teasingly grins. “You never cried after reading Charlotte’s Web.”

Gasps simultaneously went around the table.

“I know you’re not a crier, but that’s a low blow even for you,” Trishanti accused.

“Says the ex,” Marcus sneers. “Look, the book sucked. I mean, all the other animals were going to get killed someday, so why do we care about the pig alone? Isn’t that selfish? He wasn’t even all that special. He stood under a stupid web and if a spider spun webs with words, then it makes the spider special, not the pig. THE SPIDER CAN SPELL!

“However, we all know that spiders don’t have a long lifespan so where did it get the time to be all philosophical and stuff? Wilbur is such a whiner that I couldn’t feel sorry for him. I don’t eat bacon, but if he whined one more time, I would’ve made him into bacon. He’s so dramatic, I guess he majored in theater.”

“Wow, you’re going to make a great dad.” Ramses sarcastically remarked. “It’s just a children’s book. Lighten up.”

“Says you, but my children are not going to read a book with the main character running around sobbing and squealing that it doesn’t want to die. In real life, spiders die and leave their children behind. Do human children cry about that? No, they try to kill the spiders. Fight me all you like, but I rest my case.” 

Ray cracks a loving smile at his younger half. “And that’s why you’ll be a top lawyer. Don’t ever stop being you.” Two hours later, after the food was eaten and everyone caught up with one another’s life, Ray stood to help his twin with the crutches. As Ramses made a remark about forgetting Marc’s broken foot, Ray saw another opportunity to rib his brother, “I know, right, and it’s not like he cried when he was flung from the motorcycle either.”

Marcus sighed in exasperation. “Ray, you’re lucky I love you.”

“Otherwise you would’ve beaten me up with the crutches?”

“How do you…? Ray!” 

Would Marcus ever cry? Who knows? I just wanted to write some banter.

All grammatical errors are mine.

I am currently reading my way through classics and wondering if my feelings have changed hence the existence of this story. Do I feel as Marcus does about Charlotte’s Web now? I guess you’ll have to wait for the review to find out. Coming soon!

I love Marcus. But I love Ray more. He was practically the very first character I developed when I took writing seriously back then, hence the reason he’ll biasedly always have first place in my fictional heart. 

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What do you hear?

When you see clear blue skies

Listen to how sweetly a kiskadee sings

Marvel at how lilies toil and spin

Delights in a puppy chasing her tail

Struck in awe at a gorgeous  sunset

That no words can describe it from the alphabet

 

Did you hear the whispered words

on the wind through the tree boughs?

Did you listen closely?

That’s God saying “I love you.”

God’s creation serves as an inspirational driving force when it comes to writing. Lately, I’ve been scribbling down thoughts, ideas, songs, and little poems that come to mind and blessing and thanking God for them. When I was young, I filled books with poems and songs dedicated to Him and I’m happy that I can do this again. This piece was inspired by Psalm 8:3-4, verses that were etched on my heart when I first heard them.

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“I love you, too.” 💙

Very Short Story #29

“Would you be scared…” she stops, suddenly hesitating, meekly looking across the table at her coffee companion.

He implored her to go on with his ocean blue eyes. Gathering her courage, and pushing past the lump in her throat, she asks, “Would you be scared if I said that I love you?” She shut her eyes not wanting to see his reaction to her love confession. Because I do… love you, that is. Words tumbled and tossed and tangled around each other as they banged against her brain and knocked against her worried heart, but it came to a standstill when warm hands cupped hers.

The gesture gives her the courage to open her eyes, but not to still her wicked fears.

His hands returned to the large cup of java he was using to keep warm rather than to drink from it. The smile on his face was bright. It melted into pure happiness that she promised herself to move mountains if it meant framing the genuine expression on his face for all the lifetimes that they’ll spend together.

He was her moon.

“No,” he replied, blue eyes locked onto hers. “Because, I love you, too.”

All grammatical errors are mine.

*** Thanks for reading this super short. I’m slowly, but surely inching my way back to writing. 

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Six-Word Story #6: Exhausted

So exhausted, I’m brushing my face!

Oui. Ce matin, je suis fatigué!

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The Promise of a Rainbow🌈

Short Story #28

“Papa!”

“Papa, come quick!”

At the urgency in the voices of his twin toddlers, Ray immediately stopped icing the black coffee vanilla cupcakes and rushed over to them in the playpen that was positioned by the window. They were directing his gaze outside of the window with frantic pointing and worried chubby faces.

“Something wrong with the sky!” the twins echo in unison as they point out the window. “Look, Papa!”

Ray looked and smiled. “Nothing’s wrong with the sky, mes amours. It’s only a rainbow.”

The twins scrunched their adorable little faces at their ever-patient father.

Ray heartily laughs.

Marcus playfully nudged his sister-in-law. “I bet you a box of the finest Belgian chocolates that he’s going to give the babies a scientific explanation. Ça te dit?”

Diana looked at Marcus and then at her husband who was gathering the twins in his arms. “He’s going to tell them a story, but you’re on!”

“A rainbow is a multicolored arc in the sky. It’s one of creation’s most splendid masterpieces all thanks to God.” Ray explained to the babies. “See, people were very wicked and refused to obey God; it displeased Him. However, one man found grace in God’s eyes: Noah. Had it not been for him, the world probably wouldn’t have existed today.”

Ashley tilts her head sideways to look at her father. “Vraiment?”

“Vraiment,” Ray clarifies. “After Noah followed God’s instructions in building an ark, a great flood came and cleansed the earth removing evil-minded mankind. After Noah and family left the ark, a multi-colored curved bow appeared in the sky symbolizing God’s covenant He made with Noah as He promised to never destroy the world in such a way again.

“It’s a beautiful promise. How many colors do you see?”

As Ray occupied the babies, Diana turns to a smiling Marcus. “I know you got lost in the story, but you owe me a box of the finest Belgian chocolate known to man.”

The smile quickly morphed into a sourish scowl. “Ray, couldn’t you have given the babies a scientific explanation and leave it at that?” Marcus picks up one of his twin’s signature cupcake and starts walking away. “Now I owe your wife chocolates! Chocolates, Ray! C’est ouf!”

Ray’s infectious laughter fill the room causing his wife to join in.

French terms used:

* mes amours – my loves

* Ça te dit – up for it?

* vraiment – really

* C’est ouf – it’s crazy

All grammatical errors are mine.

Inspired scripture: 

Three places to study the meaning of a rainbow or what some of the colors may symbolize are found in Genesis, Ezekiel, and Revelation.

On another note, I’ll be sharing more stories, trains of thoughts, ideas, really short stories, etc. in the near future. I may post a lot of stories on Tuesdays. Most, if not all of the stories are Biblically-based and I want to start incorporating French in many of them.

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Busboys!

Short Story #27

“Joyeux Anniversaire! Joyeux…”

Marcus scoffs as his and Ray’s friends – Benny, Justin, Ramses, and Hasan – cheerily sang birthday greetings to them. “Come on, guys, do you want the whole of Montmartre to know it’s our birthday?” 

“Aw, Marc, don’t be grouchy!” Ray positively beams. “We only turn eighteen once!” 

“Don’t encourage them!”

“We still love you, Marc!” Benny and Ramses chortled as the little party walked to the top of the district with Moulin de la Galette in sight.

“Eew! No! Love me less!”

The guys heartily laughed as they came to a stop in front of Le Petit Eiffel its blue and white facade beckoning potential patrons in. The twins had a reserved table for six two months ago and they were looking forward to spending the evening in good company. However, when they walked inside the Belle Époque inspired restaurant, the maître d was near tears and looked as if he was ready to quit.

The little party paused to take in the scene. One busboy was clearing a table of five, two waiters were trying not to crash into each other as they sped to the kitchen with orders and many patrons were complaining about poor service from such a fine establishment!

The maître d sighs. “It’s been like this for the past two hours. Monsieur Deschamps has broken his leg and left his nephew in charge, but Gregorie has not been nice to the staff and they had it to here and some of them quit earlier even the head chef.” 

“What can we do to help?” the twins asked in unison. 

The man was bewildered. “Are you joking? It’s your birthday! Your table is reserved and…”

“We want to help in any which way we can.” Ray was adamant. “La carte, s’il vous plaît.” He scanned the menu and grins. “I can cook everything except the frog legs,” he said making a face. “I’ll cook, Ramses can help, Marc and Benny can bus the tables and Justin and Hasan can be wait staff.”

Marcus frowns. “Why can’t I help you cook?”

“You’ll eat the dishes before they reach the tables.” Ray was already making a beeline for the kitchen. “All right, men, let’s go to work!”

***

Le Petit Eiffel had to turn away some patrons after word spread about the da Díxon twins busing tables. When the doors closed at midnight, everyone was exhausted. Marcus sat next to his twin munching on a pack of Lays he found abandoned in the kitchen cupboards. Justin, Benny, and Ramses were on the phones to their parents while Hasan hummed under his breath to an old Egyptian tune.

“Some birthday this turned out to be, huh?”

Ray smiles at Ramses. “At the end of the day, our expensive cologne and fancy clothes mean nothing. Tonight brought me immense joy and when I look back at the year I’ve had, I don’t think any memory will top this night. Being selfless as Jesus is my main priority and I love to serve whenever I can.”

Marcus nods in agreement and runs a hand through his wavy red hair just as Guy the maître d’ and the skeletal staff of the restaurant wheeled a cake on a trolley into the sitting area.

“Joyeux Anniversaire, jumeaux!” Guy happily exclaimed as everyone gathered around the cake. “Marcus, Ray, and friends, we thank you tremendously for your help tonight, especially on such a special occasion. May the good Lord continue to bless you.”

The twins grin at each other as the restaurant filled with the sweet traditional singing of “happy birthday”.

French terms used:

* La carte, s’il vous plaît – The menu, please.

* Joyeux Anniversaire, jumeaux – Happy birthday twins 

Inspired scripture: 

And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:27-28

All grammatical errors are mine.

I must confess that I rarely write stories now. I only write when I’m inspired by God and lately, my focus is not on writing stories so I don’t know when another one might be published on this blog. This one was meant to be longer, but hey, the shorter version works, too. 

Blessed Tuesday and…

CRFT snippet #4: Copycat!

The following banter is unedited and all grammatical errors are mine:

Ray quickly rakes his hand through his curly reddish hair, give himself the once-over in the mirror, liked what he saw, spritzed on some cologne and head out of his room humming happily. His happiness was shortlived when he met his twin in the lobby. Marcus was wearing the same navy blue cashmere peacoat and his hair was a messy curly fringe like Ray’s. 

“Marc, we’re not going out like this.” Ray gestures at their coat and identical hairstyle. 

“Why not? We always match when we go out to dine at La Petite Fleur!”

“But you’re copying me!”

“Well, you’re copying my face, Ray!”

Ray rolls his eyes. 

“Stop doing that,” Marcus lightly scolds.

Ray was confused. “Doing what?”

“Rolling your eyes. It makes us both look unattractive.”

“Oh, so you could roll your eyes now, but I can’t? Go upstairs and change this instance otherwise I’m not stepping outside with you.”

“Stop acting as if you’re my dad.”

“I am the older twin so technically, I am your father.”

“I’ll hurt you!”

“Ha!” Ray taunts. “I’ll like to see you try without hurting yourself.”

“If this is about the girl, I know you want to impress her, but there is no need to.” Marcus reasons. “Tu lui plais, ça crève les yeux.”

“I know, but I won’t have her thinking that we dressed similarly on purpose to play the identical game. Now, go change and meet me by the fountain.” 

French term used:

*Tu lui plais, ça crève les yeux – She likes you, it’s obvious. 

Related Posts > Money don’t matter tonight

Sonnets 

In my feelings

Who hurt you?

The dominant twin

I know what I said last week: that I won’t be sharing any more snippets at the moment, but I couldn’t resist sharing this banter! By the show of hands, who thought Marcus was the oldest (not you, Tammy for you already know)?

As twins grow, their personalities also grow and change, and although they may look the same, the difference between them becomes more apparent. There are many examples of the first born twin being the bossy dominating leader while the second born is submissive and would follow the older (not so with Esau & Jacob, though!). However, because identical twins’ relationship can be so complex, I don’t think their birth orders matters when it comes to who the dominant twin is.

Actual footage of Ray & Marcus when they were babies. See how submissive Marc is? 😁

Forget A Picture; Give Me A Thousand Words

Short Story #26
A crossover fanfiction

An Ethan Hunt romance.

With Wonder Woman.

The following is Part II of This Love Story Will Self-destruct in… 5. I was asked to write it, so here it is. Also, it’s really short. Please proceed:

A million thoughts flew through Diana Prince’s head.

Ethan Hunt. Dating. Holding hands. Social media acceptance. ‘I love you’. Proposal. Missions and mishaps. Saving the world. Fights. Embraces. Rings. Proclamations. ‘I do’. Kisses. Cuddles. In-laws. Talks of starting a family. Ethan’s dark hair. 

His toothpaste-commercial smile.

His smile.

HIS SMILE!

Ethan’s smile reflected the universe like a mirror. It shined so brightly, sometimes it was brighter than the sun. It could’ve probably rivaled the light of the stars by night. 

Diana shifted a little in her husband’s grip turning her hand just enough to press it flat against his chest as if she needed assurance that he was still breathing. She felt the heartbeat underneath her fingers against her palm and counted the thump thumps. The rhythm of hers didn’t match his. His heartbeat was always strong and steady; her own could never keep up. Yet, her heart always exploded into tiny heart confetti whenever she was with him.

Their love was the most powerful thing she ever felt!

But she still worried after his well-being, especially after she sees him leap from building to building and hanging onto the edge of aircrafts. And then he’ll come home to her – bruised, battered, bloody, torn! – as if nothing happened, brood for a few days, leaving her to worry after him.

“I wish I knew what you’re thinking…” Diana softly said against his heart.

Ethan hummed questioningly, raising an eyebrow. What was his wife babbling about now? He didn’t understand. 

“…you don’t smile much after missions and it’s a shame because I love your smile. The light just fades…”

Ah… Ethan broke into a soft smile, lifting one of Diana’s hand and pressing loving kisses to her knuckles. When her eyes met his, he admits, “I never want you to worry.”

“You don’t get to decide what I worry about; that’s not your job.” She chides. “I need to know that you’re okay.” She didn’t add that she had asked Superman to check for her husband’s heartbeat during his last dangerous mission in Kashmir when he suddenly went off the radar and she panicked until Superman begrudgingly assured her that Ethan was fine. “If you don’t want to talk about it, it’s honestly fine, but I need to know that you’re okay, Ethan. Always.”

All grammatical errors are mine.

I enjoyed exploring this side of the universes for fanfiction! It was a blast writing Ethan & Diana out of their natural setting and I’ll like to add a few more shorts to this series, but I’m not sure as yet. 

I also wanted to add Ethan’s reply at the end – which was one line – but I like it better with WW’s soft plead. 

***GIFs & images via Google Search

CRFT snippet #3: Money don’t matter tonight

The following is unedited and all grammatical errors are mine:

Rue St. Honoré. A street lined with opulent fashion boutiques that one may be forgiven if they thought they were at a fashion show. People who couldn’t afford to purchase ridiculously overpriced brands such as Hermès, Dior, Gucci, or Chloé, still stopped and stared in awe at the untouchable items showcased behind glinting glasses. Some were trying to get a glance at the da Díxon twins; they previously ducked into one of the stores and the public was trying to figure out which one. Ever since the twins were featured on the cover of Vogue Paris the French couldn’t get enough. 

“This… is very expensive,” Benny Lafayette was afraid to venture further into the store. He was overwhelmed by the pristine clothes, shiny shoes, and flashy accessories. “Why couldn’t we go somewhere else… less expensive?”

Marcus rolls his eyes. “This is my favorite store!” He was clutching a thick book on snakes in his right hand as he circled a few mannequins sporting leather clothing, impressed. “And I want you to enjoy it with me. I haven’t forgotten that I have money. Ne pars pas les mains vides.” 

“We could’ve gone to Bottega Veneta,” Ray said behind him. 

“As if I’ll ever wear something that isn’t French! It’s the reason why I chose not to walk the Paco Rabanne show with you this weekend.” 

“You’re ridiculous!”

“You’re not patriotic enough!”

Benny sighs. “Remind me again, which one of you is older?”

“Remind me, again, why you’re not shopping?” Marcus retorts at his best friend. He gained the attention of two salesmen and starts pointing. “I want every leather jacket on these mannequins, those folded shirts, these coats here, clear everything on this aisle, the jacket with the tribal embroidery, these polo shirts except the striped ones for they belong in a bonfire, all of those black jeans and the pair of black boots in the glass display.” 

Benny’s mouth would’ve hit the floor if Ray didn’t nudge him in the side with an elbow. “Relax, he goes shopping once a year and he tends to buy everything.”

“Easy for you to say, Ray. Why aren’t you buying anything?”

“Grand-père made me come with Marc although I don’t need anything.” He tilts his head discreetly at a dinner jacket he saw Benny eyeing earlier, as Marcus allowed something else to sway his attention. “You, on the other hand, should get something otherwise Marc would be insulted.”

French terms used:

*Ne pars pas les mains vides – don’t go empty-handed

* grand-père – grandfather 

Image via Google Search

Related Posts > Sonnets 

In my feelings

Different… styles?

Despite looking the same and dressing alike sometimes, some identical twins do have particular styles when it comes to fashion sense. Ray’s style is more sophisticated while his brother is a sucker for leather and black when he’s not in the school’s uniform. I would’ve liked to post the entire chapter, but then it wouldn’t be a snippet. I wanted to do something different with this shopping chapter hence the overboard shopping. 😁

On another note, NaNo would be over in 4 days and this is probably the last snippet I’ll be sharing… for now. At the beginning of the month, I discussed why I won’t be participating in NaNo, but I had an idea of what I wanted to write (CRFT) and I promised to share a few raw unedited snippets. This was completed. However, I do plan to share more snippets (I promised to share a snippet and my thoughts on ESP for a reader so there’s that), just not now. I’ve put this under the YA genre rather than Contemporary. I’m also extremely happy that people enjoyed reading about rich twins that have morals. 

Thank you for reading, leaving your comments, and even suggestions for the story. I appreciate it a lot… so do the twins. 😉