A Lesson in Contentment - Part 3

Hello Friday Fiction Fans,

It's cloudy this morning and damp. It rained off and on all day yesterday. I think the sun is supposed to appear later today which would be very nice. We've had a lot of cool cloudy days. I think our weather has the hiccups. First it's sunny and warm, then it gets cold and rains, then it's really warm, then it's cold. It just can't decide if it should be spring or summer or winter. The Tulips have bloomed, the Irises are blooming in some yards, and it looks like it should be later in the year. We even get the joys of elm seeds early. :P

Anyway, enough about weather. Since I ended up working in the nursery again (third time in a row), I didn't write anything that day. But I have been working on "Dylan's Story." It's coming along. Though I've about reached a part that I really don't know what happens. Prayers would be appreciated.

Speaking of writing, this year marks a first. I decided to join Camp NaNo for April. My goal right now is to write 20,000 words. It could be interesting since I also have two weddings, a wedding reception, a wedding rehearsal, an election, my birthday, a party on here (stay tuned for more details), and the AWANA closing program at church. Not to mention other things that just come up. Hopefully I'll be able to reach my goal.

Here's the next part of this story. Enjoy!

A Lesson in Contentment

Part 3

    “Wow, you two are good,” Sharon’s praise was genuine.
    “Only because of practice,” Lottie laughed. “If you’d skated as much as we have, you’d be good too.”
    “I think I’ll go outside for a little while, Lottie,” Kelsey said as Lottie dropped down onto the bench beside her. “I’m getting a headache.”
    A worried frown crossed Lottie’s face. “Do you want to go home?”
    Though she really did, Kelsey shook her head and began unlacing her skates. “I’ll just get some quiet and fresh air. Have fun and don’t worry about me.”
    Lottie nodded. “But Kels, if you do want to go home, I don’t mind. I’ve been skating a lot and have had fun already. I won’t mind leaving.”
    Kelsey smiled. “Thanks, Lot, but I think I’ll be fine after some quiet.” She stood up and slipped her feet into her shoes leaving her skates next to Lottie’s shoes. Walking to the door, she skirted several kids she didn’t know, thankful that no one had said anything to her. Her feet felt strange, almost as though they no longer belonged to her. “They always do after I’ve skated,” she murmured, pushing open the door and blinking in the bright sunshine.
    Quiet. Blessed quietness settled over her as the door shut behind her. Only the noise of an occasional car driving past disturbed the lazy summer afternoon. Sitting down in the green grass, Kelsey leaned her head against the brick of the skating rink and shut her eyes. The pounding in her head dulled to a low but persistent ache. At least that was more manageable than the throbbing had been.
    Childish laughter made her open her eyes, and a smile brightened her face. Across the street a family was entering the drugstore, the children excited and eager, the parents laughing at some remark made no doubt by one of their children.
    “I wonder who they are,” she thought, her eyes resting on the door that had shut after the family. “I think I would like them.”
    From her shady spot she let her eyes roam around, and for some time she watched a busy little bird across the street.
    “Kels!”
    So busy had her thoughts been, that she started. “Zoe? What are you doing out here?”
    “I came to find you. I saw you leave, but you didn’t come back in. Are you all right?”
    “Yes, I’m fine. It was just too crowded and noisy inside.” She shrugged. “I’m all right, really. You can go back to your party. I’m not running away.” She smiled.
    Instead of leaving, Zoe sat down beside her. “It does get rather noisy with everyone talking at once and music playing. You probably wish you had gone to visit your elderly friends at the home instead of coming here.”
    “No, I’m glad I came. I know Lottie is having a wonderful time, and we’ll have stories to tell the other girls at home when we get back.”
    “But what about you?”
    Kelsey looked surprised. “What about me?”
    “You aren’t having fun.”
    Pushing back a red curl from her face, Kelsey laughed. “How do you know?” Then without waiting for a reply, she went on, “I just watched a family go into the drugstore laughing together over something. I think they are getting ice cream, and I was imagining what flavor they would each choose. And do you see that bird up there on the flag pole?” She pointed. “Well, he’s been snatching bugs and things from the sidewalk and going to a little hole in the awning over the barber shop and coming back with an empty beak. I think he has a family in there. Who says I’m not having fun?”
    Zoe didn’t look convinced. “It doesn’t sound like a very fun way to spend your afternoon.”
    “I haven’t been sitting here all afternoon.”
    “Don’t you want something to eat? Or drink?”
    Kelsey shook her head. “I already had a coke and I’m not hungry. If I get tired of sitting out here, I’ll come in. Don’t worry about me, Zoe.”
    Reluctantly Zoe stood back up. “I don’t feel right about just leaving you,” she admitted, “but–”
    A light laugh interrupted her. “If you lived in a house with seven other girls, you might enjoy some quiet time alone too. Now go on before they all come looking for you.” It hadn’t escaped Kelsey’s notice that Zoe was the life of the party.
    “All right.”

    The afternoon shadows were lengthening and still Kelsey sat outside. No one else had come to bother her, and she found herself growing sleepy just sitting there. The family had left the drugstore and only a few other people had been seen on the sidewalks. It seemed that most folks had either left for summer vacation, or were too busy getting ready to leave, to come get ice cream or a haircut.
    “I wonder what time it is,” Kelsey wondered at last, squinting toward the western sky. “I would have thought the party would be over by now.” She gave a little sigh. In spite of the things she had told Zoe, she did feel a little left out, but the thought of returning only made her head ache again. It was so crowded and noisy!
    At that moment her attention was drawn to a slightly stooped figure trotting down the sidewalk in a green dress. Her hair was white and she carried a lavender purse in one hand.
    Kelsey stood up. “Why, that looks like Mrs. Stuebanks from the home. I wonder what she is doing so far? I thought most of the residents weren’t allowed out alone. Oh, I wonder if she wandered off! Should I go to her, or call the home first?”

What would you do? Call the home or talk to Mrs. S. first?

Have you ever felt the need to just get outside at a party?

Have you ever done Camp NaNo?