Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Fruit (10/10/05)
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TITLE: One for me, One for Nelly | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jillian Hill
10/13/05 -
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Hearing the bell ring as the door opened, Sandy hurried to the counter to be ready for her customer. The smile she had ready faded when she saw Walt Hampton standing patiently in the fruit aisle examining the apples. ‘Oh bother’ she thought to herself. Every day he would come in look the apples over and then he would pick two to buy. Each day he would say the same thing “One for me, one for Nelly”. Then he would wink and turn away.
Sandy promised herself each day she would not blush, but each time she failed miserably. Imagine a 70-year old woman blushing like a schoolgirl. Besides Walt was apparently a married man otherwise who was Nelly? As he walked to the counter Sandy steadied herself to meet his crystal blue eyes.
“Morning, Ms. Sandy. One for me, One for Nelly.” Walt winked at her. Sandy felt her face get hot as she hurried to give him change.
“Thank you for coming in Walt.” She mumbled as he turned away. ‘Good heavens, Lord I am too old for this nonsense. I have done well with just you for the last 50 years. I don’t need to be falling in love at my age. It is just not good for my heart, you know.’
Walt slowly walked down the street smiling. He liked Ms. Sandy. Pretty as a picture she was. If only he could think of something clever to say. “Lord, I’m lonely and I believe Ms. Sandy is a God fearing woman. Please open the door if this is the woman for me.”
On Sunday Sandy sat reverently on the fifth pew from the front waiting for the children’s program to begin. “Excuse me, may I sit next to you?” Sandy turned at the voice. Walt Hampton stood smiling at her in his Sunday finest. She scooted over to allow him room.
“I did not know you attended church here, “ she remarked.
“I attend down the street. The Newmans are my neighbors and their son Jimmy begged me to come today. So here I am.”
Sandy smiled, “Nelly did not come with you today?”
Walt chuckled and shook his head. “No. She normally does not attend church with me.”
“Has it always been that way?” Sandy questioned.
“Yes, I believe me and everyone else would remember if she came to church.” He started laughing.
Sandy was embarrassed “I am not sure what is so funny, Mr. Hampton.”
“Nelly in church.” Tears rolled down his face as he laughed harder. People turned to look at him. Sandy turned red all over.
“Really, Mr. Hampton you are a grown man.” Trying to compose himself Walt grabbed her hand.
“My dear Ms. Sandy I do believe it is time for you to meet Nelly.”
After the service Sandy stood in front of the pasture watching an old brown and white cow eat the apple Walt had insisted they stop and get. “This is Nelly?”
Walt grinned. “Yes ma’am. As you can see she would be memorable in church on Sunday.”
Sandy realized how silly her questions sounded earlier. She started chuckling at the thought of Nelly in church. Soon they were both laughing so hard they were holding their sides. Gaining her composure Sandy looked at Walt and tossed him an apple. “One for me, one for you, and one for Nelly.”
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Love, Deb (Challenge Coordinator)
I'm just preparing the winning entries for the latest FaithWriters' book and have just reached this delightful story. It really is a treat.
I do need a couple of things from you though.
First of all, I need a three to four sentence biography note, written in the third person. If you aren't sure what to say, it might be worth having a look at FaithWriters' Magazine (www.faithwritersmagazine.com) and check out any of the author bio notes at the end of the articles. It might help.
Once you've done that, just send an email to me at [email protected]. I also need to send the edited version through to you - so will send it by reply. There is a little point of view problem with this story that needed to be fixed, and I want you to see what I mean before it goes ahead. It's basically the fact that we are in Sally's head for most of the story, but skipped briefly into Walt's mind about a third of the way through. So if you could send that email through to me, I'll explain more.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Love, Deb (Challenge Coordinator)