graceteschwrites-blog

[graceteschwrites-blog]

Love is Murder

           Caleb glanced at the houses he passed as he drove home from his shift at the station. As he passed Miranda’s house, he could have sworn he saw the front door ajar. It was probably nothing, but honestly, what were the odds that her front door would be left open after the murder in town? Being chief of police there was no way he couldn’t go back and check on her. Cursing under his breath, he made a U-turn in the next intersection and headed back towards Miranda’s house. The last thing he needed or wanted was her mad at him for checking in on her after she refused police protection. He needed her for the investigation; she was the only witness. He parked his car on the side of the street. He hoped it was as innocent as her moving things in and out of her house.

           Soundlessly, he jogged up her lawn to her front door. He pushed the door open quietly and stepped inside. Everything looked okay. There was still an ache in his gut telling him differently. He slipped his hand to his gun when he heard banging deeper inside the house. “Miranda, are you here,��� Caleb called as he exited the living room.

           A man bolted down the hallway, through the kitchen and out the back door.

           Caleb started to chase after him but stopped in the kitchen. Miranda. They could find the guy later; he needed to find Miranda to see if she was hurt. “Miranda!” He ran down the narrow hallway. The bathroom door was shut and locked. He pounded on the door, “Miranda, it’s Caleb. Open the door.”

           “Nice try!” she shrieked.

           He needed to know if she was injured but he had to get the door open first. If she wouldn’t let him in, he’d get himself in. Caleb ground his teeth and pushed his back against the opposite wall. There was barely enough room to bring his long leg up. He kicked the door in and she screamed. In one quick glance, he saw her with a toilet plunger in one hand and hair spray in the other. He smirked at her inventive choice of weapons. She was smart; he couldn’t deny that.

           Miranda sprayed the hair spray at his face, but he quickly ducked his head, shielding his face with his arm as he charged into the room.  He grabbed her around the waist and lowered her to the ground. He straddled her legs with his knees and grabbed the can from her hand, throwing it into the hall. He growled as she swung the plunger, connecting the wooden handle with his back. The second blow broke the handle in half. Christ, he was going to have a bruise. He grabbed what was left of the plunger from Miranda’s hand and threw it into the hall as well.

           But that didn’t stop her from clawing her nails at his arms, back and face. Anywhere she could reach, she dug her nails in. Crazed, she tried scooting away, “Get off of me!”

           “It’s me. Caleb. Stop fighting me.” He chased her hands with his and finally pinned them back to cease her clawing. When he saw a few tears run down her cheeks, he let her go and retreated into the doorway.

           She was terrified. God, what had that lowlife done to her before he arrived? He was going to hunt the bastard down and strangle him with his bare hands for tormenting her.

           Miranda leaned against the porcelain tub. Her eyes focused and looked into his intense blue gaze. Breathing heavily, she asked, “Caleb?”

           “Yes.”

           “I thought…Where did he go?”

           He leaned his back against the bathroom wall. “I scared him off.” He wiped her cheeks with the pads of his thumbs. “You’re safe now.”

           She flung herself into his arms and held on tightly.

           He pulled her into his lap and rubbed her back to help soothe her tense body. “I drove by and saw your door open.” He leaned his cheek against the top of her head. “I’m glad I did. Something terrible could have happened to you.” Caleb’s heart squeezed at the thought. All of the insane possibilities kept playing through his head, making his stomach churn.

           “Thank you,” she muttered, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. “You saved my life.” Before he could blink, her lips met his. He felt her body finally relax and he held her tighter, not wanting to let go.

[graceteschwrites-blog]

I Do

           Jaqueline swung the front door open. “Thank you,” she yanked her best friend inside before she rushed to her living room. “There’s so much to do before tomorrow and Nicholas is working late. I’m freaking out.”

           Carson sat on the leather couch, examining all of the papers scattered across the wooden coffee table. “I see you have everything out,” he chuckled as he moved a few papers displaying the seating chart.

           “This isn’t funny,” she playfully punched his shoulder. “I need to finish the place cards, make sure I’m packed for tomorrow, and I still need to write my vows.”  

           Carson caught her hand and pulled her down next to him. “Breathe. I’m here now. What do you need me to do?”

           She let out a deep breath. “You know calligraphy, right?” Jaqueline picked up a finished place card and the guest list. “The cards should look like this when you’re finished.”

           “Yeah, I’ve got this.” He took the notebook from her and moved to the floor to use the coffee table.

           She watched over his muscled shoulder as he meticulously moved the pen against the thick cardstock. He rested the finished card next to the others and crossed off the name on the list.

           She picked up his finished card along with one of hers. Hell. His was better than hers. His was perfect. She set the cards down and went to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

           While she browned hamburger meat in a frying pan, she boiled the long pasta noodles on the stove top. Once everything was prepared, she pulled out a 9x9 glass baking pan. Meticulously, she layered the meat, noodles and cheeses in the pan to create the perfect lasagna. Almost done, she froze when she remembered the last time she made lasagna.

           Nicholas had agreed to come over that night but instead he called an hour after he was supposed to show, telling her that he had to work late. She had called Carson and as soon as he heard the emotion in her voice he invited himself over. After they had shared an upbeat dinner, they had moved to the sofa with a bottle of wine. It hadn’t been the smartest idea. Because as he held her during the scary scenes in the movie they watched, she had caught feelings. Feelings that the girlfriend of Carson’s best friend shouldn’t be feeling. She kept her feelings to herself, hoping they’d go away, and she thought they had.

           Shaking her head, she quickly added another layer of cheese on top of everything and shoved it into the hot oven.

           She rushed back into the living room and picked up a notebook where she had been scribbling ideas down for her vows. So far, she had a whole lot of nothing. Vows should flow out easily, but the fact that she doesn’t have anything makes her think that her feelings for Carson hadn’t completely gone away. It had been two years; she had hoped her little crush had gone away by now. Tomorrow she was set to marry Nicholas. She needed to get over Carson. But there she sat, with a pen against paper for almost an hour, and nothing to show for it.

           When Carson finished with the remaining names, he picked his head up and stretched. “Is something burning?”

           “Oh God! My lasagna,” she jumped up and bolted towards her tiny kitchen. She slipped her hands in oven mitts before opening the oven. “No,” she moaned as she plopped the charred pasta on the stove top. With a steak knife, she poked at the hard, hockey-puck-like top.

           Carson leaned against the counter. “Is everything okay in here?”

           “I might have burned dinner,” Jaqueline replied impishly. She faced him and noticed his lips twitch as humor danced in his eyes. “It’s not funny.”

           “I didn’t laugh. Did I?” he gave her a smile. “I’ll order food. I know what you like.”

           “Thanks,” she nodded. She left the room as Carson ordered over the phone. Entering her bedroom, she went straight to the dress hanging in her closet. She unzipped the bag and stroked the soft lace. She shouldn’t be having doubts; she’d been with Nicholas for three years now. He was every girl’s dream man, but she still couldn’t shake her feelings for Carson. Why did she have to like her best friend too?

           She zipped up her dress when she heard footsteps behind her. She gave Carson a smile before picking up two different earrings and held one of each to her ears. Deciding to go with the diamond studs, she slipped them into her ears and pictured her veil on top of her head.

           “I knew those would look good on you,” Carson muttered under his breath.

           She spun around to face him. Did she hear him right? “What are you talking about? Nicholas got these for my birthday two years ago.”

           The doorbell chimed and Carson quickly retreated from her bedroom to answer the door.

           Jaqueline entered the living room as he paid for their food.

           He took the pizza to the kitchen counter and began setting out paper plates. “Come eat before it gets cold,” he called as he ripped the top off of the open box.

           Without a word, she sat on a bar stool. He took the seat next to her as he placed a bottle of beer in front of her. “Thank you,” she said before taking a sip.

           “You’re welcome.”

           Setting her bottle down, she turned to Carson, “Tell me the truth.”

           He turned his head towards her.

           “Did you buy these earrings for Nicholas to give to me?”

           Carson grabbed his beer, taking a swig. He set the bottle down before answering, “Yes.” He gently slid his hand from her elbow down to her hand, grasping it. “Nicholas had called me in a panic that day. He had forgotten to get you a present and had asked me to pick up something nice.” He paused when he saw her eyes fill with tears. “I know I shouldn’t have gone along with it, but I wanted your birthday to be special.”

           Jaqueline’s chin quivered as she whispered, “That wasn’t the only time you covered for him was it?”

           “No.”

           “Why would you go along with this for so long?”

           “Nicholas is my best friend, but he’s not the man you think he is. You deserve better.” He paused, not seeming to want to continue, but he did. “After the first few times, I refused to help him, but then you called me crying because he hadn’t shown up for dates or had forgotten your anniversary. So, I continued to go along with it, because I didn’t want to see you get hurt…even though I just hurt you anyway. God. I feel like such an ass. I’m so sorry Jaqueline.”

           “So the dates, the flowers, the jewelry, and the romantic notes, they were all from you?”

           Carson caressed her cheek. “You don’t know how much its killed me to watch him reap the benefits for everything that I had done. I’m sorry that I deceived you for so long and I should have told you sooner; but you seemed happy with Nicholas. At the end of the day, that’s what I want, to see you happy.”

           Jaqueline’s head was spinning. So she wasn’t completely nuts for having feelings for Carson. Considering, if what he said was true, she had basically been dating him anyway. As soon as Carson left, she was calling Nicholas at work to hear his side of the story. Gah! He was always at work. He probably was having Carson do everything for him. He always seemed to care more about his work than her. They could be out to dinner and he’d still be going on and on about his work.

           “I’m sorry. Maybe I shouldn’t have told you,” Carson whispered as he stood. “I should go.”

           “Thank you for telling me. I’m kind of glad you did,” she nodded.

           Carson gave a slight nod before giving her a hesitant kiss on the cheek.

           Even their usual way to say goodbye seemed different. Everything had changed and she had yet to decide if it was for better or worse.

               Restlessly pacing inside the church dressing room, Jaqueline tugged on her robe’s satin belt. Sleep had eluded her the night before. After her late night phone call with Nicholas, where he had denied everything, she still wasn’t completely sure what to think. But, her gut was leading her toward one man more so over the other.

           “Honey,” her mom called. “It’s time to get into your dress.”

           Oh God.

           Butterflies consumed her stomach as her mom helped her into her dress. She held the strapless top in place as her mom zipped it up.

           One step closer to the wedding that she wasn’t even sure she could go through with. Could she really break up with Nicholas in front of all of their friends and family?

           Not really. She had to see Nicholas before she went through with this wedding.

           Pastor Blaine poked his head inside the door, “We’re ready to start. He looks handsome.”

           Shit. She’s too late.

           Her mother and her bridesmaids exited first before she finally left the room.

           Now she had to embarrass them both in front of everyone because there was no way that she could go through with this wedding. The closer it got, the less she wanted to be married to Nicholas. It just didn’t feel right. Not anymore.

           She loved Carson.

           Finally realizing that her crush had been much more, insured her that she was making the right decision by breaking up with Nicholas.

           As she tightly clutched her father’s arm they began down the aisle. Jaqueline looked between Nicholas and Carson. The sunlight from the stained glass windows danced on their faces. Both men were smiling at the sight of her in her flowing, lace dress. However, there was something more in Carson’s eyes. Tears. Regret. Love.

           When they reached the alter, she whispered, “Please understand.” Bemused her father kissed her cheek before taking his seat next to his wife.

           Nicholas grasped her hand in his.

           “Before we start, I need to say something,” Jaqueline spoke up before Pastor Blaine could say the opening prayer. All eyes were on her. She could see Carson’s confused, yet hopeful, face over Nicholas’s shoulder. “Nicholas, I almost broke up with you shortly after we began dating because I didn’t think you were as invested in me as I was in you. But, then I saw a change.”          

           Nicholas grinned as she saw Carson’s head fall to his chest in disbelief.

           “You finally seemed invested in us and I felt appreciated and loved. However, last night, I was informed that it had not been you behind the actions. Carson had been behind it all for the past two years and when I asked you about it, I know you lied to me. I feel it in my gut.”

           Gasps erupted throughout the church.

           “I can’t marry you. I don’t love you. I don’t think I ever truly loved you and I don’t think you ever truly loved me either,” she stated.

           Nicholas stood before her, sputtering out partial sentences. The fact that he couldn’t even get out a quick argument like he always did, told her all she needed to know. She was right. She stepped around him to stand in front of Carson.

           “Jaqueline?” Carson whispered. “What are you doing?”

           “Being with the man that I love, if he’ll have me,” she gave him a hesitant smile.

           “Damn right I will,” Carson crushed her into his arms before kissing her passionately. Without a second thought, he scooped her up and ran out of the church.

[graceteschwrites-blog]

Roles of a Lifetime

I first spotted you sitting by yourself

in a crowded coffee shop sipping tea.

Consumed in the novel you took off the shelf,

I asked for a date, hoping you’d agree.

On our first date we shared cotton candy

and rode the Ferris Wheel under the stars.

We approached your front door, my hands sweaty.

Before I could think, my lips were on yours.

Thinking of spending forever with you,

I’m talking about roles of a lifetime.

I caught my breath when you came into view.

I got to marry my love, my lifeline.

The day had come, I could no longer deny.

I actually had to say goodbye.

[graceteschwrites-blog]

My Personal Recollections of My First Kiss

    - An Imitation of “My Personal Recollections of Not Being Asked to the Prom”

First kisses in movies

are made to look magical and breath taking.

A first kiss in a magic picture show

would make your insides melt.

Mine was anything

but a fairytale.

I was fourteen.

I thought I had been ready

but instead, I wasted it on the wrong boy.

The peck made me squirm.

His lips were ridged and stiff

like they were made of stone. When he leaned

in it was like he was trying to land

a jumbo jet on the freeway.

There were no sparks or electricity.

There was no magic.

I hadn’t even felt a flutter in my stomach,

let alone have all of my insides melt.

I had lost it, smooching a toad

instead of my Prince Charming.

[graceteschwrites-blog]

Be Our Guest

The last petal balanced

warily on the stem. Soon

he would be cursed

forever.

  A pounding on the castle door

shook his future. All he wanted

was to be left alone

in his final moments of hope.

  Downstairs in the dining hall

the enchanted candlestick sung

to a petite woman. The Beast

entered; the singing ceased.

  The smile dropped

from the poor girl’s face

as the Beast bared his teeth.

  The bewitched staff

scurried and scrambled

when they realized

their master’s fate.

  A tug in his chest made his body jolt

and a low growl formed in his throat,

erupting, shaking the room.

  Hope was gone. Trying to fight

his primal instincts

didn’t matter anymore.

  He lunged towards the lady in blue.

Screeches and screams and squeals

echoed throughout the great halls.

  He chomped and chewed.

In a few short minutes, there was nothing

but silence.

  At the head of the long table,

the Beast sat. He kicked up

his paws. A belch rippled out

as he placed a toothpick in his grin.

  Little did he know, she was

his final hope to lift the curse.

                                        --Grace Tesch