The lights greet me as I step out of the car. Red greets my feet with lavish grandeur as the flashbulbs flash like over-sized Christmas lights. I pray the pins will hold and stepped proudly down the L-shaped carpet with as much dignity as I could muster. Were they looking at me? Would they get a decent shot or photograph me with my mouth open once again?
"One-Other"
by Carrie Clevenger
by Carrie Clevenger
I clench my fist around the handkerchief and paste a smile on that will remain for the rest of the evening. No matter what anyone says. No matter if the punch is flat and distasteful. No matter if I stumble on the wires snaking under the carpet. No matter
if—
The flashes hurt my eyes after a bit as we turn the corner. It feels like a funeral procession in Hell, it's gotten so hot. All my careful grooming is going to fade if we don't get inside quickly. I am wearing three-too-many layers of clothing, including a vest. The neat little red rosebud in my lapel seems to be gasping in the stifling air as we pass through the line.
We pause at the door and my daughter opens her tiny satchel to present the invitation. I nod as I am announced as her 'one-other'.
“Daddy,” she says, pulling me down to her height for a hug, “I'm so glad you could be here.”
(c) 2010 ~ Author Carrie Clevenger
Originating . . . AT THE BIJOU!
Who could say more about star-quality Carrie the clever Clevenger, than . . . well, herself, when running down long hallways to slip this nifty script into my anticipatory palms:
CARRIE: I hope this fits your 'bill'. I enjoyed writing something where nobody died! Just for you Katie-Q. Thank you for jerking my attention away from scarier things!
Carrie Clevenger is a regular feature AT THE BIJOU with shows that keep the rowdy crowds happy. (She claims they're all her friends, but we know Jeanette's been exchanging e'mail addresses already.) Her writing entices as well as the come'hither glance she constantly throws our young popcorn guy, Eddie. Disarming charm? Nope. Just Carrie ~ talent on the rise. Read more rave reviews of her own latest news as she voices her MindSpeak < right there, or listen closely, come autumnal times when she shows up in the anthology Chinese Whisperings. Though she may be Scary-Carrie to the rest of the reading world who seek her collossal play of wordplay, to me . . . she's joy of the zingers.
THANKS CARRIE!
THE ACADEMY AT THE BIJOU
KNOWS ONLY YOU
COULD TAKE
COULD TAKE
THE FIRST STEP
ON THE RED CARPET RIDE
TO OSCAR'S GREATEST NIGHT!
~ Absolutely*Kate
