Nikki sank wearily onto her sofa the following evening and propped her feet on the scarred coffee table in front of her. “Just shoot me now, and put me out of my misery,” she muttered.Her two small sons stood dejectedly in front of her. “We’re sorry, Mama. We didn’t mean to do it,” Teddy apologized.
When you had two lively boys in the family you expected things to happen, but after a hard day at work this mess had almost undone her. The family Christmas tree lay on its side on the floor, and the water in the reservoir of the tree stand had soaked the few colorful packages nestled under the tree. “Be careful where you step,” she tiredly warned the boys. “Most of the ornaments are broken, and you’ll get glass in your feet.”
As if dealing with this catastrophe didn’t give her enough to do, she heard someone knock loudly on the front door of the trailer. With an enormous sigh, Nikki dragged herself from the sofa. Why now?
She didn’t want company tonight. “You kids sit right here on the sofa. Don’t you even think of moving.”She jerked the door open, and her jaw dropped. A surprise visit from Rudolph or maybe a Christmas elf wouldn’t have surprised her any more. “You! You’ve got a nerve coming here after you ruined my
things. Who gave you this address? What do you want?”
How could things get worse? I'd love to read on. Nice excerpt.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Sheila.
ReplyDeleteVery nice sample, thank you for sharing with us this week!
ReplyDeleteTerrific scene. I could feel her fatigue and frustration. Very realistic, and a good cliff-hanger too!
ReplyDeleteI remember the days of "lively"
ReplyDeletechildren! But her fatigue doesn't deter her from giving the intruder what for! Great scene and sample!
Lisa Beth, Jenna, and Sandy Ruth, thanks so much for stopping by. I appreciate your feedback.
ReplyDeleteElaine, you brought back my feelings of frustration and exhaustion exactly. I remember the day my lively kids knocked over a free-standing bookshelf. Horrors! I had to open the door and flee outside to save their lives. I'm glad Nikki has interesting things ahead of her when she opens her door.
ReplyDeleteLove the excerpt. The ending line is a great hook
ReplyDeleteThanks Marsha and Lindsay for coming by. I appreciate your feedback.
ReplyDeleteGreat sample, Elaine! I could feel her frustration. She's got a mess to clean up, and the presents are probably ruined. Now company. And not just any company - the last person she would want to see. Ha Ha, I love it! :-)
ReplyDeleteNice sample. I loved the descriptions and the ending.
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by CarrieAnne and Gwendolyn. I appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteTantalising sample. I so feel for her despondancy and dejection.
ReplyDeleteso who's the company?
ReplyDeleteOh, I can't wait to find out who the newcomer is, and what he/she did to ruin things! I think every mom can relate to her frustration.
ReplyDelete