ONLY IN SEPTEMBER
Cynthia Flowers
When Jacqueline follows her trusty Labrador Bailey down a hidden path to the beach, she's unaware that her vacation plans on a small island off the New England coast has already taken her life in a new direction. Running into an unassuming local beach comber stirs new thoughts, desires, and a self-determination she never knew she possessed. Jacqueline will need to trust her instincts and make the most of what fate has in store if she wants the future that, until now, she has only dared to dream of.
1. Describe yourself in three words.
Personable, Persistent, Positive
I see Chloe Sevigny who is probably best known for playing Chelsea O’Bannon in the Netflix series Bloodline and C.Z. Guest on Feud: Capote vs. The Swans. Also would consider Sharon Horgan (without the Irish accent) who is the creator and lead protagonist in Bad Sisters.
It’s a tie between the 1942 classic Casablanca, where the two lead characters—Rick Blaine, played by Humphrey Bogart, and Ilsa Lund, played by Ingrid Bergman—serendipitously meet again after falling in love in German-occupied Paris. The other is the 1995 film The Bridges of Madison County, in which Robert Kincaid, played by Clint Eastwood, is unable to locate the covered bridge he’s been assigned to photograph in rural Madison County, Iowa. He pulls into the driveway of a nearby farmhouse to ask for directions from Francesca Johnson—played by Meryl Streep—who would become the love of his life. Both films feature several love scenes, some of a deeply emotional and spiritual nature, and others more passionate.
That’s a tough one, but I’d have to give the edge to my sense of smell. If I can still see and hear, I’d feel engaged with the world and able to remain active without assistance—unlike if I lost my sight or hearing. Although my appetite would likely suffer, I’d have to rely on muscle memory of how food used to smell to maintain my appetite and continue enjoying the things I used to love to eat.
I stole a few pieces of 5-cent candy from the local candy and soda fountain shop. I’m dating myself with that price for loose candy—but what the heck. I felt awful afterward and went back to pay for them. I guess parochial grade school did some good after all.
Neither apply to me but I like briefs on a man, if he can pull it off and for special occasions, a tastefully patterned boxer isn’t bad, either
Both
Jammies in the winter and very skimpy in the summer
Both are sexy but the perfect one for me is just enough hair
Now for that Excerpt:
With the sun barely over the horizon, Jacqueline awoke to Bailey licking her face and the best morning smell ever. Michael had the coffee pot simmering over the fire pit.
Jacqueline wasn’t ready to give up the warmth of her sleeping bag, so she managed to sit up while still inside it.
“Looks like you’re in a cocoon. Did you sleep well?” he asked.
“Surprisingly, yes. I was snug as a bug,” she said with a yawn.
“Well, one of the other reasons for camping out is to see the first rays of the sunrise, so let’s get you up so you don’t miss it.” He helped Jacqueline to her feet while she was still inside the sleeping bag. To remain steady, Michael had to hold her. She was all right with that.
I hope this sunrise viewing lasts a while.
Consumed by the beauty of the moment, Jacqueline felt a swelling from inside that took her nearly to the brink of tears as she looked out at the bright yellow rays that made the ocean glisten.
“We have a few clouds, which is a good thing,” he said. “It helps make the sunrise a bit more dramatic.”
“I bet you’ve seen lots of these,” Jacqueline replied while trying to compose herself.
“Yes, but I never get tired of it. It’s like seeing it for the first time every time,” he shared.
They both grew silent and took in the beauty of the early morning sky, and the warm connection of being so physically close to one another.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
About the Author:
Cynthia Flowers, a recently retired advertising professional, now grant writer, resides with her husband and four-year old Labrador named Eddie, at their “sanctuary” in Upstate New York, Although previously published, this is Cynthia's first book of fiction. Early on in grade school, Cynthia looked forward to creative writing class and enjoyed reading her stories aloud to her eager classmates.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Only-September-Cynthia-Flowers-ebook/dp/B0DWT79L6N/ref=sr_1_1
