Exceptional A love story -- a dialogue. See You Later, Kiddo! by jackiesmuse      Contest Winner  This story contains only dialogue as per the contest rules.

Category:  General Fiction   Posted:  October 1, 2006      Views: 833

JACKIESMUSE  IN PRINT   ABOUT JACKIESMUSE  Jackiesmuse is a published writer, playwright, and composer. She co-wrote, designed and edited a history book, which is used as a supplemental text in colleges and universities. Jackie represented the United States in Sydney, Australia, where she sang her original songs in concert at the Sydney Domain. Her songs have won recognition in song competitions, and have received radio air play. Jackie's music is also used in video presentations, and can be found in libraries throughout the USA. Her stage plays have won recognition, and have been produced across the USA. Her one act play, Gray Lady's Angel Baby was chosen by the Dramatists Guild of America for a June, 2009 staged reading. TickTock, was chosen by the Guild for a June, 2008 staged reading. Her short play,'Freedom's Last Breath', was also chosen by the Guild for a June, 2007 staged reading. Jackie's play, 'One Flew into the Cuckoo's Nest', has won contest recognition. Her ten-minute play,'Brother Can You Spare Me?' was used by a high school for its state drama competitions in 2005 and 2006, as was her short play, 'The Nest', which was entered in 2007. She directed her short play, 'Gray Lady's Angel Baby' in a university setting (ASU West) in 2001, and was chosen (Fall, 2007-Phoenix College production) as musical director for the Readers Theatre play, "Memorial" by Charles Laborde. Jackie's non-fiction has been published in various publications. Her short story, 'Time Traveling in Pink Chenille' was chosen for inclusion in a national magazine. One of Jackie's musical dramas (Rocket City!) has enjoyed productions in Illinois, Texas and Arizona, and is under consideration for a Broadway staged reading in the near future. Other books by jackiesmuse coming soon... She has won several contests. The contest submission The Beldons, Alone Again was the first place winner in the contest Flash Fiction. Madam Kuro was the first place winner in the contest Strong Character. Freedom's Last Breath was the first place winner in the contest Strong Character. Portfolio | Become A Fan "In the beginning, I never dreamed . . .  ." "I did." "You know I didn't find you appealing, when we first met." "And for me, it was love at first sight." "You weren't my type, I told myself. I told anyone who would listen." "I knew you were afraid." "But, you persisted anyway, undaunted. You saved me a seat in the cafeteria every day, day after day, even when I ignored you. Remember that?" "Sure. You were rude, but I loved you anyway." "You gave me your apple, your peach, your orange -- whatever my mouth watered for." "Someone had to nourish our relationship, kiddo -- in the beginning." "I can still see you 'walking me home' from the bus stop, staying two steps behind while I giggled with my girlfriends, ignoring you. Why did you do that?" "Just to be near you." "My first feeling of attraction for you was on the night of the Senior Prom. Did you know that?" "I could see it in your eyes." "You looked so handsome in your tuxedo." "Yes, I most certainly did." "And your skin had cleared up a bit." "Not enough for me." "Remember how we stayed up all night and talked?" "I remember the kiss." "I can still taste that first kiss. Cherry Coke." "Cherry Coke. Jinx." "I hated accordion music --" "I never knew that!" "But, I loved when you serenaded me." "Lady of Spain I adore you . . .  ." "I can still see you standing at the altar, looking so earnest as my father walked me down the aisle." "And I can see you, my blushing bride, in your long white gown. You were a vision -- my vision. You still are." "You looked so handsome in your black tuxedo, with that pink carnation in your lapel." "You took my breath away that very first night, as Niagara fell outside our hotel room. I couldn't imagine ever leaving your side . . .  ." "Uncle Sam ruined everything!" "But, honey, we both knew I had to go." "I still remember what you said to me at the dock." "See you later, kiddo!" "I knew you would come home  -- if you could.  'See you later, kiddo!' told me we would always be together, and that our love would go on forever, no matter what." "And, it has." "I so wanted you to be with me when Beth was born, but I knew that couldn't be. I prayed for your safe return as I watched her first tooth come in. And, when she took her first step, I snapped a picture and sent it to you -- so you could be part of the miracle of our child. Do you recall that one?" "Of course. Chubby little Bethie, all wide-eyed in her new adventure. I kept all the photos you sent -- tucked in my helmet. I carried your letters with me, close to my heart -- reassuring me that you and the baby were waiting for me to come home. During the darkest, most savage times, as I read those scented love notes, I could feel you there beside me, your arms around me, soothing my fears -- keeping me safe." "I know the war took your right arm --" "It took so much more than that, honey . . .  ." " -- but you made it home, and Beth and I had you back." "I was so angry. I hid that from you." "No more accordion serenades, but you could play the meanest one-handed piano this side of the Alleghenies." "You know, kiddo; you have always found a way to bring a smile to my heart." "Our little family thrived, no matter what test God sent our way." "And He sent plenty of them." "Your physical limitations never limited you. Somehow you always found a job -- found a way to support us." "I was always so frustrated that I couldn't provide more for my two girls. I wanted you to have the best of everything -- the finer things." "I so loved our life. I wouldn't have changed a thing. We worked together to keep our home fires burning. Our bungalow was cozy, never crowded." "Oh, kiddo, you are something else." "Do you remember holding our grandson for the first time?" "And, trying to give him his bottle at the same time. That didn't work too well. Where's that right hand when you really need it?" "You and Joey were inseparable. How you cried when he went off to college." "I bawled like a baby. Couldn't seem to stop myself." "I had never seen you cry before, except on our wedding day." "I never cried after I got home from the war, not once -- until that day. Caught me off guard." "It was like the floodgates opened. After that, you even cried when we watched Lassie." "It felt good to let it out -- finally." "We have to leave in two minutes." "Thanks, Beth." "Just like her mother. Always has a schedule to keep." "She's just like you. Always wants things her way." "Well, you sure can tell she's our kid." "Remember our Golden Wedding Anniversary?" "Hard to forget." "Beth and Joey surprised us with that party." "That's what I mean!" "Beth forgot you hated surprises." "Selective amnesia." "They meant well." "I know they did." "It was a really nice day with our friends and family --" "Those who were still alive, anyway." "And, then you retired --" "Got me a genuine gold watch and my 'put out to pasture' papers." "-- and we had time to be together, just the two of us." "That was the good part! I loved waking up next to you, kiddo, and being able to spend the entire day lolling around." "I'd give anything to lie there again, next to you, losing myself in your heartbeat." "Two hearts beating as one." "I know our time together was cut short. Cancer has a way of doing that -- running rough shod over the best of loves. You went fast." "I did do that." "That was good." "I don't think so." "The pain would have been too much --" "I would have withstood it, just to spend more time on Earth with you, my love." "-- for all of us to bear. God was kind." "He has His ways." "I have been sitting here, my love, watching your peaceful face -- your pain finally gone forever." "The dashing, one-armed Marine in his dress blues." "I will join you one day . . .  ." "As much as I want you with me again, for Beth and Joey's sake I hope that isn't for a very, very long time." "I have loved you so well for so long, darling. I will be forever in your debt for not giving up on our love; the love you always knew was there, right from the beginning." "And, forever after . . .  ." "I love you with all my heart." "That goes double for me. See you later, kiddo!" "See you later, my love." Contest Winner Recognized Share your own writing! - Information on our membership for writers. Author Notes For Libby and Mike... Pays one point and 2 member cents.

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