Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Cup and Saucer (08/28/14)
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TITLE: Miss Clary's Tea Party | Previous Challenge Entry
By Jennifer Champion
08/29/14 -
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“We’re in the kitchen. Come on in, dear.” Miss Clary yells out to me.
I closed the door behind me and hang my purse on a bronze butterfly shaped hook under a picture of Miss Clary and her daughter Gloria taken in 1949. Then, a quick peek in the hallway mirror to check my hair reveals yet another bad hair day; the humidity here is a killer on my curls. As I glance around the house on my way to the kitchen in the rear, I see no indication that anyone else is here but me and Miss Clary. My approach to the swinging door leading into the kitchen is suddenly slowed down as I hear Miss Clary speaking to someone.
“Oh, you must try jalapeno pepper jelly on your biscuit, Ann. Here’s a knife.” Miss Clary’s voice is melodic and cheerful.
“You’re welcome.” I hear Miss Clary say but did not hear anyone say thank you so I push open the door.
Miss Clary immediately looks up and smiles at me. She is the only one in the room but has her kitchen table set up beautifully with a service for four. Lace napkins rest daintily under shiny silver forks and spoons. China plates with a pink and green rose pattern are at each place along with a matching cup and saucer. In the middle of the table is a larger plate with four tiny crackers and a steaming hot pot of tea. Miss Clary pulls out the chair to her left and motions for me to sit down. Hesitantly I take a seat and put my hands in my lap. Just as I was about to speak, Miss Clary jumps in.
“I’d like to introduce you to our guest. This is Margaret. She just moved in next door and goes to University.”
I look at Miss Clary with a bewildered look on my face and smile. “Miss Clary, who are speaking with?”
The old woman smiles as she pours the tea into my cup. “Sugar? Lemon?” she asks.
I shake my head and ask the question again. “Miss Clary, who are you speaking with?”
She smiles again and places one of the tiny crackers on each of the other plates including her own but does not give me one.
“Miss Clary, are you alright? Do you want me to call your daughter?” My persistence in finding out what is happening to Miss Clary doesn’t unravel her one bit.
“I’m fine Margaret. I’m aware that you and I are the only ones here. I am not crazy although I am sure to you it seems that way.” She says then sips her tea.
“Then, please explain. Why did you call me over here? Why do you have the table set up for four people? I heard you talking to someone before I came in.”
“Margaret, do you remember yesterday when you came over to borrow some detergent and I asked you what church you went to and you said you didn’t believe in God?”
I nod. She continues, “Well, when I die, I will be in heaven because I do believe. I know that Jesus shed his blood and suffered greatly for me.” She eats the cracker and sips her tea before continuing, “Because he did that for me and I believe in him, I will be in heaven with the ones I love that have gone before me.” She motions to the other two empty chairs at the table and continues, “But, you sweet Margaret will not be with us and will be very confused and scared. I would love for you to be there but you must first believe.”
At that moment Miss Clary drops her cup to the floor and collapses on the table. I check her pulse and there is none. She is dead. I freak out and get up quickly to go to the phone. As I dial 911, I look at Miss Clary’s lifeless body. There is a sudden glow around her and I see her spirit and two angels ascending into the air.
I drop the phone and to my knees. It is this day that I believe all thanks to Miss Clary’s tea party.
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I take it the other two settings were for the angels. :)
Some may consider the ending to be too "neat and tidy" or a "magic ending" where there's not enough lead up to the ending. I might suggest that there had been more encounters between the MC and Miss Clara before the MC's conversion, to make it a bit more believable. Sure, seeing two angels is dramatic, but in a situation like that, someone could also brush it off as "seeing things" due to the stress. I'd just have liked to have seen that the MC has more encounters with God than just this one, as I feel it would make the ending even stronger.
Despite my critique, I really did like this,and I liked that here other guests were angels.