Stories We Tell

A Fictional Series

---

My parents were practically flawless, but they experienced some really rough years, financially, just after I finished high school. 

My father was sick and tired of trying to climb the corporate ladder. He worked his ass off, but was always overlooked when it came time for promotions – due to his lack of a degree. 

He decided that, since I was about to embark on my own journey into higher education (or so he thought, because all I really wanted was a job), he would take time out from his career and go back to college.

My mother thought it was a grandiose idea, but she supported his decision nonetheless. Suffice it to say, they had trouble paying their mortgage let alone finding any ‘extra’ funds to help me out with practical things – like clothing.

“You have an entire wardrobe in your closet!” My father would argue. “Appreciate what you have and stop whining about what you lack.” 

I learned early on that throwing petulant hissy fits would get me nowhere, so I found ways to improvise. When Dizzy asked me to go to her Senior dance, I knew there was no way in hell that I’d be able to buy a formal dress. 

Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I imagined that the dance was a ‘come as you are’ event, and so I went as I was… penniless. If ‘come as you are’ had been a reality, there was no doubt in my mind that I would have won first prize.

So, that’s the persona I wore that evening – ‘the winner’. That’s not to say that I wasn’t cringing inside, feeling awkward and out of place in my hip-hugger bell bottoms and a crop top, but acting the part came pretty easy to me once I got the hang of it.

Martin picked us up after the dance, which was a huge surprise. I hadn’t said a word to him in years – not since the spin the bottle game – and I could feel my stomach begin to stir when I saw him. The funny thing is, he was looking at me the way that I used to look at him, like a gawky teenager. 

“Wow, Levi!” He exclaimed, “I love the outfit. You are like the coolest chick ever.”

And so it began. After all of those years, and that crazy game of spin the bottle, the two of us were finally beginning to click.

I remember him dropping me off at home like it was yesterday. He scribbled his number on a sticky note and told me to call him the next day.

I strolled up the pathway to my door with my head in the clouds. Once inside, with the door shut tightly behind me, I held the paper in the air like a trophy.

“And the winner is…” I laughed to myself, “Lavinia ‘Levi’ McGee!”

---

A Note From Me

I think the coolest thing about writing more is that I’m learning how my mind operates – it bends and flows in many different directions. I’m also beginning to understand that there is ‘fiction-fiction’ and then there’s ‘real life fiction’ – stories that can actually happen.

This story definitely falls into the real life fiction category. That being said, I can see how stories about people’s lives might get dull – even if they’re fictional. Not because the character’s lives aren’t interesting, but because they are stories we already know – to a certain degree.

I think that when you really want to escape into another world, real life fiction might not be the answer. That’s my thought anyway.

I titled this segment “winning” not only because it made sense, but because that word always makes me think of Charlie Sheen. I think that means I’m in need of some wild humor – so I may try to add more humor to my next series.

For the image, I recycled Levi – which kept it simple – and I added the target in the background because when good things happen in our lives – we often feel as though we’ve hit the mark.

Anyway, it’s after midnight, so I missed my mark, but that’s ok. I got another page of words down – so today’s mission was accomplished.

My main goal in this series was to finish each segment as if it could stand alone, without the constant ‘to be continued’ finish – and I’m happy that I’ve been able to do that so far. Everything is a lesson!

That’s about all for now. Thank you so much for reading, or viewing… I hope you enjoyed!

-Janet

Word of the Day Challenge: Petulant