Week 10 prompt 47

47. Nature red in tooth and claw. The Law of the Jungle. Survival of the Fittest.

I step onto the peak, I've made it. This is the highest point I have ever been. It is certainly an unexpected triumph. Two weeks ago I had no idea what this might feel like. Two weeks ago, I had no idea what I was getting myself into.
***
An announcement comes over the intercom, 'Only one week until the Outing Club leaves for Big Bend!' I am sitting in homeroom and getting excited. This will be the first time I have been past Massachusetts, my first plane ride, and my first hiking trip. It is going to be great. Some of my best friends are going too, we are shopping for hiking gear after school.
***
This is the day, we are finally leaving for Big Bend! I have no idea what to expect, just that it will be so much fun to be on vacation for the first time. I envision hotel rooms and restaurants. A few hours hiking here and there. We take bus to Boston then board a plane. I am ecstatic.
***
It's our first day and we don't waste any time, tents are set up, and we are off for the hike. Our first mountain is only a few miles up. Everyone is talking about it like it will be a walk in the park, literally. I organize my pack and fill my Nalgene bottles. I think I'm ready.
***
When we return from our second day of hiking, everyone is amped up to play soccer. There is a perfect flat area not too far from camp. I am embarrassed to say no, but there is no way I could run with these blisters. I take off my shoes to see the new skin and band-aids I covered them with are at the bottom of my socks. I wonder how long it took for that to happen, 5 minutes? That's how my feet feel. I don't know how I am going to continue this for another 5 days. I am lucky I have been an athlete my whole life of I would never be physically ready for this. Hiking all day in the desert, over 100 degrees everyday, miles away from the comforts I am used to. And to think, blisters are whats holding me back. I have five days to heal these heels before our biggest hike. 16 miles.
***
Today is the day. 16 miles ahead of me. My blisters haven't healed, but I've gotten used to them there. Like dogs have been nipping at my heals to motivate me up the mountains. This is the most exhausted I have been this whole trip. Why did we save the biggest for last? But I am determined. I will make it to the top even if I have to crawl there.
A few hours into climbing, I find myself alone. But there are people just out of view ahead of, and behind me. I'm at a fork in the trail, I continue on the path I have been on. About a half hour later, I can't hear the singing that has been annoying my the whole time. The girl behind me must have fallen back. Maybe she stopped for lunch. I keep going, determined to make it to the peak.
I have been alone for too long now, I think I am lost. I must have chosen the wrong path at the fork I came to. What did I do? I am alone on a mountain and don't know which way to go. I realize the only way to go is down, that's where everyone will end up eventually. But I don't want to give up. I have come to my own fork. Turn back to find my group, or continue on to conquer this mountain on my own?
I decide to push on. This journey is a lot more difficult when you don't have support from another human being. Now it is a personal battle. I have to make it to the top. At this point, it is closer to a rock climb  than a hike. The breeze is stronger than before, I must be getting close.
***
I hear voices. Lost on a mountain for a few hours and already I'm going mad. I step up onto a plateau and see most of my classmates gathered at the top of the mountain taking pictures. This is it. I make my way over and wait my turn to climb the tallest point to have my picture taken.
I give my teacher my camera and step onto the peak, I've made it. This is the highest point I have ever been. It is certainly an unexpected triumph. Two weeks ago I had no idea what this might feel like. Two weeks ago, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. But now that I have made it, I wouldn't change a thing.

Week 10 prompt 44

44. You write a story which ends with the words, "...and then I woke up and it was only a dream." And then you wake up.

I wake up alert, and my pregnant belly gets out of bed first. This is my third pregnancy, and it feels the same as the first two. Physically it feels the same, mentally, not even close. My sister has been yearning for a child for a long time, and I feel it is my responsibility to help her.
***
Now I am in the hospital, the doctor hands me a newborn, and I immediately give it to my sister. I don't feel the same attachment to this child as I did my own. I suppose it is because I have been preparing myself for this moment. The moment when we part ways.
***
My eyes open, I'm in my bed. Instantly, my hands move to my stomach, no baby. I wake up Ron unintentionally with my movement. I keep telling him we need a new bed, he could wiggle his big toe and it would wake me up. He rolls over and says, 'Did you have the dream again?' while rubbing his tired eyes.
I answer, 'Yup, I'll never get back to sleep now.' As I lay there, trying to get back to sleep, I think about the day when my sister found out she won't be able to have children. Is this dream a glimpse of the future? Will I be as strong as the dream version of me? The only way to tell is time.

Week 10 prompt

3. The pin pricks your skin. You feel nothing.

'It was weird for me to be with a woman in labor who wasn't in any pain. I have never experienced that. She seemed very calm and in control. She even took a nap. It was a relief to be in the room this time though. Last time, she wouldn't let me in and nobody told me what was going on. I was at the hospital from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. and I only saw her once. It was agonizing being so close to the room and not knowing what was happening. Nobody told me anything. This time was much nicer. I was able to stay with her most of her labor.'

'It was friggen weird having her mother in the room at first. Those silent moments when you don't know what the hell to say. A few times I went to get something to eat and I wasn't hungry. I just had to get out of there. My dad was in the hospital too, he had surgery the next day, so I went to visit a few times. It was way better than last time, she was relaxed and could sleep. She wasn't hellbent on no epidural. If I had to push a human out of me, I would want the drugs.'

'Everything was going well until she was fully dilated and the doctor asked her to push. Nothing happened. The baby wasn't dropping and there was nothing they could do for her. I felt so bad for her, she didn't want to have a c-section. They stopped the drugs to prep for surgery and that's when her pain started. I didn't know what to do with myself. My baby was in pain and I couldn't help. All I could do was try not to cry until they took her away. I wanted to be strong for her.'

'It was fine until about hour 21. She just laid there, her eyes were closed and her knuckles were white. She had a death grip on those railings on the side of the bed. I asked her what I could do, but she didn't say anything. I just kept telling her it would be over soon and he would be here. What the hell else could I do? My job was easy last time, just wet the cloth and put it on her forehead. I couldn't even friggen do that. She was shaking like crazy, I thought she was cold but the nurse said it was from the drugs. I thought she didn't have anymore? Jesus, look at her, it doesn't look like she's got any painkillers! I just wanted to get her the hell in the OR. Get this over with.'

'It was forever until I could see her. I actually saw the baby first. Ron walked him into the nursery and I looked through the glass. I asked Ron how long it would be until we could see her, but he didn't know so I sat in the waiting room. It felt like it did the last time, nobody could tell me anything, and I couldn't see her. The only surgery she's had was her wisdom teeth, and even that was nerve wracking.'

'I had to wait outside the OR for a few minutes before I could go in. That sucked. I didn't want to think about her in so much pain without me. The stuff I had to wear was pretty ridiculous too. When they let me in, I saw her on the table and felt like I was gonna hurl. There she was, still shaking like crazy. She kept telling the nurse she was going to throw up, I don't know if they didn't believe her or what, but she did. I had never seen her so vulnerable before, not even the last time. Last time, she was so strong it blew me away. This time just scared me. Surgery sucks. She couldn't even hold the baby when they brought him over, she was shaking so bad. She told me to go with him, but I didn't want to leave her. I couldn't fight with her though.' 

Week 10 theme

I walk into the bar without expectations. There's a seat open, so I take it and place my order. A long island. I have no idea what is in a long island, just that it is mostly booze, which is exactly what I need right now. I look towards the screens lined up behind the bar, but don't watch them. They're filled with sports events that would normally hold my interest, but tonight they're not on the agenda.
I open the bar menu but don't know if I'm actually hungry, or just bored. This 'night life' is new to me, so I'm not sure what to do with myself. I see through the mirrored wall, a man walking through the door. He is handsome, so I wait for his significant other to follow, but nobody comes. He must be meeting someone here. He walks over and asks the bartender for a grateful dead. I remember from somewhere long ago that a grateful dead is similar to a long island. Here's my chance, I have a random fact, and a smile. I think that's all I have to do right? Smile?
Throughout the evening, our conversation flows from current events, to movie preference, but never gets too personal. He is obviously hitting on me. I had forgotten what that was like. It feels nice. My body tells me to reciprocate his advances, but I play hard to get. Guys like the chase. So I've heard.
We get our bills and stay well after we've payed. I don't know what happens next, do I give him my number? Does he ask me to leave with him? At this point, there's no way I can drive, so it would be nice if he offered to give me a ride. Before I can say anything, he asks if I need a ride home. His hand touches my arm and a tingle shoots up my spine. Ahh, now I remember that feeling. We walk out of the bar towards his car and his hand takes mine. The memories rush through me, it feels exactly the same as it did before. The anticipation is driving me mad.
We pull into the drive way and I feel like a teenager again. We sit there for a good 15 minutes just making out until I suggest going inside.
We get through the door and go into the living room to my mother feeding the baby his bottle. I ask how her night was, how the kids did. They were great, she had fun. Grady fell asleep a few hours ago and Jack just woke up hungry. But it's late, and she is ready to go home for the night. I give her a hug and thank her for babysitting. When she leaves, Ron and I put the baby down together and peek in on Grady. Even though it's been only a few hours, we both missed them like crazy.
We brush our teeth, get into our pajamas, and get into bed. It has been a good night.

Week 9 Prompts. 40. The best part of this story is the part I can't tell...

She makes her way over to the hill. She feels this uncontrollable desire to sit directly in front of the stage, but can't explain it. Normally a very self-conscious person, she doesn't care about the crowds of people all around. When she finds the perfect spot, she lays her jacket down to sit on. It is a cold October day but she doesn't feel it which is strange because she can feel everything. 
***
She moves to the music without effort. She can feel it in her bones, it doesn't just permeate her ears, but her entire body. The notes flow through her so organically, she isn't thinking about anything else. She has never heard this song before, but it feels like she has. She can anticipate the next riff before it even happens. Her hands weave in and out at exactly the right moments. Her body sways as she lets the music overcome her.
***
What seems like minutes must be hours as the sun falls and the moon rises. The man in front of her dances in an impossible way. She thinks to herself, 'How can he move like that?' It is unnatural. She can't bare to look at him, yet can't look away. It seems as if he is going in fast and slow motion at the same time. She decides it must be time to find the tent and lay down and does so, but she doesn't sleep. Lights flash through all sides of the vinyl tent and they fascinate her. She hears the tent zipper but doesn't look away from the zooming neon lights.

Week 9 prompt: 39. I came, I saw, I conquered.

I feel as though a rubber band snapped inside me. It didn't hurt, it's just never happened before. It must be another weird thing my body is doing to me now. I don't open my eyes. Then my leg gets warm. In a second I realize, it's not only warm, but wet. I jump up as fast as my body will let me and run into the bathroom. I'm glad my mother helped me clean or I would never have made it without falling. I can't see a thing. I squint my blurry eyes at the bathroom clock. 6:15. I sit down on the toilet because it seems natural, but nothing happens. Maybe I was mistaken. I stand to return to the bedroom, it must have been a false alarm. Then it's like a flood on my bathroom floor. No warning, just water everywhere. I hop into the shower and stand there for a while. This is really happening. When the water finally goes cold, I get out and start packing. I don't wake him. He deserves a few more hours of peaceful sleep.
***
I am unexpectedly happy. I keep thinking, I can handle this. So far everything is perfect, and I have this overwhelming feeling that it will remain that way. My body is strong.
***
Shit, shit, shit. I can't handle this. Everything is wrong. Nothing is going as planned. And soon it will be over. I should be elated that it will be over, but I'm not. Can't I just hit the rewind button and go back to yesterday? It was like waiting for Christmas morning as a four year old. The wonderful feeling of anticipation. I want that feeling back.
***
I should be sleeping but I'm too hopped up. Ron sleeps next to me, he's never had a problem getting his 8 hours, not matter what's going on. I don't want to leave this place. Everything here is about us. People are ready to wait on us hand and foot, all I have to do is press the little button. I want to stay here forever.
***
I place him on the bed and feel like it's all over. Everything I have been waiting for is over. I lay next to him and close my eyes. When I wake up, he is crying for me and I realize, this is just the beginning.

Week 9 prompt: 42. A list of random things about me

1) I eat in bed every night
2) I'm an artist, though I feel like everyone else is too
3) I don't know how to knit
4) I hate vacuuming
5) I name every car I own. Currently I have Candace and Ruby.
6) I find it hard to talk about anything but my children
7) I don't like bananas, but eat them anyway because they're good for me
8) I'm not a good swimmer
9) I will say no to anyone who asks to dance with me with one exception, my two year old
10) I hold my nose when I sneeze
11) I don't like to be the center of attention
12) I have seen the movie Hook over 500 times, by choice
13) I used to have a large half dollar collection until I got desperate one day
14) I cut my own hair
15) I have a insane passion for french fries
16) I love algebra
17) My parents are divorced
18) I can drive a stick
19) I love making lists
20) I am fascinated by extreme couponers
21) I am a groupie for The Blast Addicts (their drummer's dreamy)
22) I lost four close friends in high school to separate car accidents and other tragedies
23) I don't like mustaches, except Magnum P.I.'s
24) I love getting the mail
25) I miss my dog, Rikkah
26) I found out I was pregnant the day before my 21st birthday
27) I like cookie dough better than cookies
28) My favorite number is 28
29) I'm really good at puzzles
30) Sometimes I wear colored contacts