Triple shot of Milk Chocolate, Marshmellow & Coconut!
Story: Jinxed! (?)
Piece: What a Cow!
By Jillian Stephens
Prompts: Milk Chocolate #3 Resolve/Marshmellow #4 A Prank/Coconut#25 Would you like fries with that?
Word Count: 427
Rating: PG
Summary: Jessica is on a diet and encounters some obstacles
Notes: Story Summary/ Main Characters/ Index/ Prompt Lists
“Jasmine?”
I turned and smiled at my boss’s girlfriend, Suzanne. “Jessica," I replied.
“Where should I put these?” she asked, holding a tray of pastries, which was a surpised. She'd never brought anything in for the office before. She didn’t even work there.
I thought since your stuck at the office on a Saturday, all of you would like a little treat,” she said as if addressing a two-year-old.
“I’m on a diet, so, the rest of them can enjoy,” I said.
“Is that so? Oh-I’m so sorry I forgot you did mention that, didn’t you? I made sure to go to your favorite little pastry shop downstairs too. Too bad,” she said with a shrug. "Shall I put this in the back?" she asked.
"Sure," I said.
It was just about lunch time, so I followed Suzanne to the back, where our office kitchen area was set up, to get the grilled chicken salad I made last night from the fridge. I was conserving my lunchtime for a nice walk, so I figured I'd eat while working at my desk.
I opened the refrigerator and was greeted by an electronic “MOOO!” I looked down to see a little plastic black and white cow looking up at me.
“Oh-that’s just my little joke,” Suzanne said from behind me. “I totally forgot I placed that there.”
I turned to see her slouched against the wall with her arms folded and a smug look on her face.
“Just like you forgot I was on a diet, right?" I said with a smile, keeping my tone light. "Funny! He's so adorable,” I said, as I took my salad out of the fridge.
Just then, My boss, Chris came up beside Suzanne and put his arm around her. "What are you two up to?" he asked.
"Jessica just found the little cow we put in the fridge."
Chris laughed. "Yeah, Sue's idea. She said you were on a diet. Nothing wrong with a little incentive."
I smiled, this time my grin was tense. He really did think I could use a diet! "Sure. Well, it's very cute," I said and went back to my desk, just in time to be greeted by the scent of French fries as of the graphics staff brought back lunch from everyone.
I felt like I was the center of one big cosmic joke as I sat there stabbing the lettuce and shoving it into my mouth, longing for just one French fry, but proud to say abstaining.
Story: Jinxed! (?)
Piece: About Jennifer
By Jillian Stephens
Prompts: Milk Chocolate#16 Panic/Marshmellow#2 Reunion/Coconut #24 I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get Up
Word Count: 541
Rating: PG-13
Summary: This piece is supposed to have occured a year or so before my current timeline.
Notes: Story Summary/ Main Characters/ Index/ Prompt Lists
My sister wasn’t taking my calls. I hadn’t spoken to her in a couple of months.
We had parted on not-so-good terms the last time we spoke. We had a horrible fight about where her life was headed. I knew she was using drugs, namely cocaine, more frequently. I could sense it in her and when I confronted her, she admitted it. I didn’t particularly care for the guy she was living with either, Danny. It seemed her drug use and isolation increased since she’d been involved with him.
I was beginning to get nervous. During my meditations I reached out to “tune” into her and send her healing energy.
The only problem with magick is that whatever energy you send out must work in accordance with nature and, unfortunately, my sister’s nature is to be self-destructive.
Then, the nightmares began. I could feel her weakening physically and she was in emotional distress. I had nightmare after nightmare about her being stalked by a black shadow that was draining her and in our family it couldn’t be certain whether or not to take this vision literally or figuratively.
During one of my meditations my “inner voice” advised me to let go and that she’d come to me.
One night, while sitting on my couch, I felt her near and her “signature” was very weak.
My heart leapt into my throat as I heard her voice over the intercom and I buzzed her in.
The person who met me in the hallway was the ghost of my sister. She was skinnier than ever and her complexion was ashen. She stared at me with sunken eyes and it heart my heart to see her this way.
Both our eyes began to tear.
“I’m sorry, Jessica,” she said.
I ran up to her and gave her a hug. “Come inside.”
As soon as we were inside, she began to spew her frustration.
“I just can’t live there anymore. I can't do this anymore.,” she said, as she paced my living room floor. “It seems like I’ve fallen into the abyss and I can’t get out!”
“Sit down and I’ll make some tea and we can talk,” I said softly, as I went into the kitchen.
“Are you still using?” I called.
“Not for the last few days,” she said. “I can’t eat or sleep.”
I had noticed the bags under her eyes, carrying countless hours without rest.
“Don’t feel hopeless, Jen. You can get past this. You’re strong enough.”
“I’m better than this life. I know that.”
“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.”
“I need to get away from Danny, too, he doesn’t help.”
“No, he definitely doesn’t.”
“I’m not sure I can stay sober. Why can’t I stay sober?” she said.
I walked over to her and put my arm around her. “You can stay here if you want. Take it one step at a time. Do you feel like you need to go to a rehab?”
“No - no rehab,” she said, shaking her head frantically.
“Fine, no rehab.” I had faith I could help my sister through this.
Story: Jinxed! (?)
Piece: What the ...!?
By Jillian Stephens
Prompts: Milk Chocolate #17 Optimism/Marshmellow#2 Rocking a Baby/Coconut #13 Am not
Word Count: 442
Rating: PG-13 (LOTS of Drug references)
Summary: This piece is supposed to have occured a year or so before my current timeline before the above piece.
Notes: Story Summary/ Main Characters/ Index/ Prompt Lists
“Jennifer has a problem with cocaine,” I said to Mom and Dad. We were sitting in the living room after I dropped by for supper one Saturday night.
“What?” Mom said with a scowl.
Dad smiled. “We Reillys …and McLaughlin’s like to party. I’m sure it’s no big deal!” he said.
“Yeah usually with coke, booze and whatever else we all can get our hands on,” Mom said with a smile. “You always exaggerate, Jess. You wouldn’t know a drug addict if one came up behind you to grab your purse since you’re usually in La-La Land all the time. You’re so milk and cookies how can you judge who’s a drug addict and who isn’t?”
"I'm not in La-La Land and I do know what drug addiction is -- she admitted it to me herself -- she has a problem."
“Even if she’s hitting it a little more, it’ll iron itself out,” Dad said with a shrug and a smile as he proceeded to sing the chorus of “White Lines.”
"I'm not exaggerating."
I didn’t think they would be angry but I didn’t expect this reaction. My parents have always been a bit distant but I at least anticipated some concern.
“You’re sister isn’t a child anymore, Jess. You need to let her alone and have a life and quite wiping her fucking nose for her. If we all just let her be, she’ll quit being a fuck-up.”
Wrong. Mom, on so many levels. Maybe your attitude is why Jen is, as you put it, a fuck-up. I didn’t voice those words but held them in.
"I'm not wrong here, Mom," I said, utterly flabbergasted.
“The both of you need to grow up and have your own lives, don’t you think, Jess?” Mom asked, her tone condescending and sarcastic. “It's why the two of you behave the way you do.”
That made me angry.
“Me? What about you two - your daughter’s an addict and you just don’t care.”
“Oh, please, Jess, knock it off,” Mom said.
“Hey, Ginger, don’t be so hard!” Dad said to mom with a smile. “Your Mom is so weird sometimes.”
Mom shot Dad a wide-eyed look as he came to put his arm around her. “She’s a tough lady,” he said in a low town of mock-gruffness.
I let out a heavy sigh.
“Hey, Pumpkin - no worries!” Dad said, pointing at me before breaking into his rendition of “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” To top it all off, he began to dance around the room.