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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of "Don't Cut off Your Nose to Spite Your Face" (without using the actual phrase or litera (02/14/08)
Erma Jane Beck, dressed in a blue wrinkle-free cotton shirt-dress, looked at the clock. It was 1:30 pm on a Saturday afternoon in March. The weather outside her kitchen window showed an uncommonly warm pre-spring day. Perfect for a wedding. She tightened her lips. It didn’t matter. She had all ready made a stand a year ago. Erma Jane was a woman of her word.

Today it was a struggle to find strength or comfort standing on her word n the day of daughter’s wedding. Months ago words of anger, concern, and perhaps a touch of jealousy were hurled at Stacey and boy friend Jon. Crossing her arms and stomping the floor. They would not get married! They were to end this foolish now. Certain of complete compliance, Erma Jane felt good, heady and powerful. She was not ever going to be in favor of her one and only daughter marrying a common farmer. What she didn’t expect was an uncommon love.

Erma Jane looked at the table where a flower vase sat. She moved it an inch to the left. Eyeing it, she moved it a smidgen more to the left. Out loud she prayed, “Lord, please show my daughter the error of her decision. Amen.” She clasped her hands to her forehead in an attempt to block the painful memories of that day.


Stacy cried, pleading to her mother to understand. John tried to explain how he would always care and love Erma’s daughter. But nothing pierced the tall, stony wall Erma Jane erected around her final decision. Her word was law in her house; always had been, and always will. If they wanted to continue this foolishness then she would have nothing to do with it. Stacy pleaded with her mother to reconsider, to see their side of things. There was nothing they could say that day to change Erma Jane’s mind.

And Erma Jane prayed daily, “Please Lord, change Stacy’s mind. Open her eyes to how wrong this marriage will be. “


Erma Jane, back in her kitchen, began to brew some coffee. Looking at a mirror that hung on a wall, Erma quickly fixed a section of her hair a tiny bit out of place and checked the wrinkle count on her face. Avoiding looking in her own eyes, she got a cup for her coffee. Pain returned to her head, the memories were back. Erma Jane prayed silently, ‘please Lord, please answer my prayer...change their minds. Amen.’


Phone calls were never returned to Stacy. It was through the ladies at church Erma Jane heard about the wedding shower. It was at Bingo she heard in hushed tones that Stacy had picked out a gorgeous wedding dress. Pain pierced Erma Jane’s heart, but the wall remained firm. Even the Pastor of the church spent time with her trying to sway her. After each ‘encounter’ about the wedding and Stacy, Erma Jane went to God with her own special prayer,


Standing at the kitchen window with her coffee, Erma Jane prayed one more time, out loud in a demanding tone. “Lord, why haven’t you answered my prayers? She’s going through with it. You were to stop it!” She looked out at her garden and the beautiful brick wall that surrounded the yard. Nice straight lines with precise corners of ninety degrees, a true masterpiece. Her wall, sturdy, ridged, made to keep things in and keep things out.

Again, silence.

And then, her answer came to her in the vision of her stony brick wall. Groaning as the truth pierced her, Erma Jane put her hands on the windowpane, her head touching the glass. She was the barrier.

“Oh what have I done?” she wailed savagely from her heart, her cry filled the house. The stony brick walls growing tighter, closer forcing Erma Jane to her knees. She offered a cry to heaven. “Oh Lord, I’ve been so vain and selfish. I am so wrong, so very, very wrong. I need to tell them I am so sorry. I am missing my baby’s wedding,” she sobbed loudly.

Sensing someone beside her, a hand was placed on her shoulder. Looking up Erma Jane thought an angel in white stood beside her. Blinking away tears, arms wrapped around her bringing her to her feet.

“Please, come to my wedding, Mom,” said Stacy.

Silently somewhere, bricks were falling.
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This article has been read 694 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Shirley McClay
02/22/08
Awesome story! I loved the ending.
Jan Ackerson
02/23/08
Very good, and I really love the brick metaphor throughout. Very well done.
Holly Westefeld
02/23/08
Nice take on the topic, and a good story line. I'm glad she came to her senses in time.
The only thing that could make a good story even better, is more careful personal or buddy editing. If you have not already spotted these and would like specifics, you will find contact information in my profile, as I do not have the PM service.
Marilyn Schnepp 
02/23/08
Tears fell from my eyes as I read about the bricks falling from Emma's wall. A wonderful and enlightening story which was an enjoyable read. My only suggestion is to Edit BEFORE submitting...as there were a few little boo-boo's. Otherwise, nicely done!
Joanne Sher 
02/23/08
Wonderful descriptions and imagery. This tore at my heartstrings.

I caught some typos and such at the top, but nothing a touch more polish won't fix.

A poignant story. Thank you for sharing it.
Mary Hackett
02/25/08
You have a very good piece here. Erma is very convincing and the theme of the stone wall throughout reflects her heart perfectly. I was drawn in from the beginning, but did get distracted by the typos, especially near the beginning. With a little more polishing, this will be an even better read!
c clemons
02/25/08
With a little more work, this will absolutely shine. Keep writing.
Tim Pickl
02/26/08
Your story kept me reading in suspense all the way to the end--and I cried with them. Excellent writing!
Joshua Janoski
02/29/08
I loved the comparison of the woman's inner brick wall with the actual physical wall in her yard. I also loved the ending. Congratulations on placing 2nd this week!