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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: POUND (07/15/21)
10 Jenny Nails

I began to glimpse the lovely patina buried by a hundred years of soot and old stain, this time we found mahogany seasoned by countless spills and the elbow grease of a long line of hardworking bar maids. Our woodworkers guild was restoring the old bar to house a collection of memorabilia from the brewery near the river.
Sam reached over the bench for a caliper, stumbled and dropped two dove-tailed drawer sides.
“Now missy, you shouldn't get in a fella's way like that.”
“Well fella, you shouldn't be falling for a younger woman!”
The banter volleyed back and forth as five guild members sanded, and chiseled with weathered hands trained by decades of labor. Wayne reached over my head and untangled the cord to my sander just before it pulled an open bottle of glue off the workbench. Playfully thumping my head he muttered something about always needing to keep an eye on the young'uns.
“Harold, you best be careful with that saw, you can't afford to lose another finger.”.
Holding up a right hand missing half a thumb and the index finger he began to recite his favorite quip; “ Now Jenny I got more skill,” All the rest of us joined in unison, “ in the 3-1/2 fingers I got left than most people ever had in a whole handful!”.
Grimacing with chagrin Harold grumbled, “m
Maybe I said that a time or two, but you all know it's true!”
“That's the only reason I hang around with you geezers. Somebody has to pick your brains before you're six feet under.".
“At the rate you learn you old biddy, you better hope we all live another fifty years!”.
“Well if you stay above ground long enough to teach me I'll make your coffins.”.
Settling back into the hum of sanders and planers I returned to the door frame. This guild was the perfect answer to number three on my bucket list.
#3. Learn carpentry and build things like Mr. Newcombe could.
Cecil Newcombe wore striped overalls with lots of pockets and a sling to hang his hammer on. Hired by my unhandy father to repair our old house Mr. Newcombe always had time for a curious six year old helper.
I pulled an antique square nail from the door frame and remembered Mr. Newcombe and his '10 Jenny nails'.
“Well, little Jenny if you are going to sit there and watch me everyday I best make you my assistant".
Far too bashful to say anything I really hoped my enthusiastic nod would befit a real carpenter's assistant.
“You have to learn about 10 penny nails and 10 Jenny nails. Think you can do that?”.
Nodding again I stood up to show him how eager and ready I was. Fascinated by how his tape
measure whizzed in and out of it's little case and his wood turned into walls like puzzles turned into pictures, I wanted to learn it all.
“ This here box is a pound of 10 penny nails. The bigger the number the longer the nail.”.
57 years later I remembered all he taught me. For weeks I forgot my dolls and tea parties as a love for all things wood was planted deep in my creative core. Soon my shyness was all but forgotten.
“Mr. Newcombe”, I asked.
“Yes little Jenny?”.
“You didn't tell me what a 10 Jenny nail is.”
“This shiny new nail right here is a 10 Jenny nail. You are going to earn the right to pound one of these into that new wall all by yourself.".
I could hardly believe my ears. I would do anything to earn that privilege.
“All you have to do is pick up 10 of these old square nails and throw them in that bucket. For every ten you get to pound in another nail. Do we have a deal?”.
Did we ever! I collected all those old nails and I still suspect that Mr Newcombe 'dropped' a few extra to give me more practice. If only he could see me now. I would tell him about my wood work and how I teach Sunday school children to build.
“Hey are you daydreaming over there?” Sam broke into my reverie.
Looking up at Sam I added one last thought to what I would say to Mr. Newcombe. “I still learn a lot from old guys in overalls.”.
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This article has been read 334 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Sue Botte 
07/22/21
I loved it! and right on topic. Before final submission, space your paragraphs. Well done and keep writing.
Art Fahy 
07/26/21
Thank you for your entry. The excitement and faith of a little child can not be matched. The little girl would not accept defeat. With a minimum description of Mr. Newcombe you painted a vivid picture of him in my mind.

You were on topic.
Paragraph spacing is needed.
Keep writing!
Bea Edwards 
07/26/21
I thoroughly enjoyed your narrative.

As Sue mentioned, space the paragraphs is crucial and punctuation is within quotations. Not before and after.

Also you wrote- m
Maybe I said that a time or two, but you all know it's true!”

Did you mean humm or mmm and the maybe would not ne capitalized.

Excellent entry. You expressed the story well!
Arlene Baker
07/29/21
This story is highly creative! Totally enjoyable. My little input is the hook is rather weighty. A quick tweak would pull the reader into the story even quicker. I would leave out, or place elsewhere, the sentence about "57 years later", in that it interrupts the flow where it now stands. Great writing. Thanks for putting a smile on my face!