My Response:
The blanket beneath me was scratchy and did nothing to stop me from feeling the rocks that were poking out of the ground, but I didn’t complain. It was the church’s annual picnic, and I couldn’t have been more excited.
I had spent the last week locked in my room thanks to my father who overreacted when he saw me talking to the Johnson boy. As if he would ever consider me. I’m not beauty to be seeking favours from.
Now, though, I had been allowed out and I would get to see Elena once more.
She walked through the park slowly, a blanket folded over her arm, and a basket in her hand. Her black hair curled where it hung to her waist, covering the pale green dress she wore that cinched at her tiny waist with a deep green ribbon. Beneath her matching bonnet, though, her pale blue eyes were distant.
What could she be thinking about? Now, at the picnic?
“Elena!” I called, waving my hand in the air so she would see me sitting there on the ground.
She smiled as she caught sight of me and made her way over. The distance in her eyes didn’t disappear, though.
“Hi,” She said as she spread out her blanket next to mine and sat down. “Good turn out this year.”
I nodded absently, “Yes. It usually is. The picnic is one of the few times the entire town comes out.”
Elena didn’t look interested in what I was telling her, though. Her eyes were scanning the crowd, searching for something. Or, perhaps, someone.
“Are you alright?” I asked, concerned.
Her blue eyes slid over to me, “Of course, why wouldn’t I?”
“I don’t know. You look strange. As if something has happened.”
She shook her head, though she averted her gaze, going back to scanning the park. “No. Nothing. I am not as interesting as you seem to think.”
I wasn’t so certain of that. Elena had moved to town only a few months before. Her past seemed a mystery that none could solve. She hadn’t even confided in me, her best friend. Every time the subject came up, she would quickly change the subject. I would find out, though. Perhaps one day when she felt ready to open up about it.
“Well, you’re certainly more interesting than the pastor and his wife,” I gestured to the older couple sitting only a few feet away. Chairs had been brought out for them, and they were sitting there staring at the crowd, waiting for someone to come talk to them. That was the way it always was.
Unfortunately, my joke didn’t seem to be funny to Elena, who only gave me a small smile.
I was just about to ask what was wrong again, when a shadow fell across us, and Elena jumped and whirled around.
“Hello,” A deep voice sounded, and I turned to see Matthew standing behind us.
Matthew had grown up here in town. He’d always been popular with the ladies, who would laugh and whisper behind their fans as he walked by. I had never seen the appeal. Certainly he was good looking with his soft blond hair and deep brown eyes. He was even well built, rather than most of the men in town who were starting to go soft around the middle, but he had always seemed rather self absorbed.
Across from me Elena had gone pale, and I couldn’t help but wonder if she was like the other girls. If she was in love with him too.
“Matthew,” Elena said softly, “How are you today?”
He smiled down at her as he crouched down, “Why, I’m good thank you. I received good news last night, and I intend to celebrate today.
“You received nothing last night,” Elena said sharply before I had a chance to respond. I stared at her in wonder as colour creeped up her cheeks. “I would ask you to leave.”
Matthew just chuckled under his breath. “A feisty one. I like that. We will be well matched when we are wed.”
Wed? My eyes widened, and my mouth dropped open.
Elena didn’t even look in my direction. She stood, forcing him to do the same. Tears had gathered in her eyes, and her hands were knotted by her sides in fists. “We will never be wed. Of that I can promise you.”
“Come now, Elena. After last night…”
Her hand came out and slapped him across the cheek. The sound echoed through the park, and suddenly everyone was looking in our direction.
“You will never speak of last night again. Ever. Do not presume anything, Matthew. You and I will never be wed. That is the last time I will speak of it!” She cried, before she turned and ran off.
Matthew just laughed, rubbing a hand over his cheek, which had gained a hand print. “I’m going to enjoy having her as a wife and making her pay for that.”
My eyes widened in horror as I watched him walk away, then stood to take off after my friend.
As always I would love to hear what you thought of my response. And if you would like to also do the assignment, I would love to see what you come up with. Post it in the comments section below.
All exercises are taken from The 3 A.M. Epiphany by Brian Kiteley
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