Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Write in the ADVENTURE genre (05/24/07)
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TITLE: Leap of Faith | Previous Challenge Entry
By Julie Arduini
05/30/07 -
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I was met by a pair of rolling eyes. My grandson felt at nineteen he had the corner on wisdom and knowledge because he was taking Psychology and Philosophy at our hometown community college.
“Your college experience was different. You were probably more naïve than me.”
It was my turn to roll my eyes. My younger grandson, Justin, smirked.
“Hey grandma, can you tell me again the story about how Jesus landed in your life?”
At fifteen Justin carried more wisdom than both his brother and naïve grandmother. I nodded, and Justin took a seat at the breakfast island next to me. Jeff had his Philosophy book open in the living room, but I knew he was listening. His book was upside down.
“For me college was a social experiment. My grades were marginal and I had no vision outside my weekend plans. It was the near the end of my sophomore year and I was at the college library studying Humanities. My book was open but my mind was closed. Suddenly…”
(Many decades ago at the college library cubicle…)
‘Come with me if you want to live.’
I peered at the note again. The crisp white paper fell on my book. I casually glanced around. There were no other cubicles around, and the second level appeared empty. I first recognized the line from that Terminator movie my ex boyfriend Chad loved. He quoted that line often, even to girls while dating me. This note seemed more profound than Chad’s shallow intentions.
I rose out of my seat, making my way up the spiral staircase. I was three fourths up when a guy I recognized from frat parties headed downstairs and looked straight at me.
“Aren’t you Ken’s girl?”
I nodded negatively, my auburn curls bouncing. Ken was so last semester.
“Whatever. I’m supposed to give you this. See ya.”
Another crisp note was thrust in my lavender moistured hand.
‘Go Ahead. Make my day.’
My dad used to spout that movie line when I was a kid. Sudden Impact with Clint Eastwood. I recalled him saying it the week before when I brought John home for the weekend. Dad wasn’t impressed with John’s one syllable answers or squinty eyes.
When I got in John’s car to head back to school dad warned me not to approach life so carelessly. I giggled and rolled my eyes.
Was it dad writing these notes? Ken? Chad? John? Dan? Mark? Scott? A stranger? My gut told me to keep heading upstairs. I didn’t see anyone that struck me as a movie line writer. I walked down the hall when I nearly tripped over a couple embracing, a common fixture in our upper library. I uttered an apology and started to walk away when the girl reached for my wrist.
“Here. I’m supposed to give this to you.”
I shot her an inquisitive look but she was already back to business. In my hand was a third note.
‘Take the leap of faith. Room 207.’
I made methodical steps to Room 207. I heard happy voices. There were shouts between the sharing and laughter. The door flew open.
“Joanne, come in, we’ve been expecting you.”
I was face to face with my roommate, Michelle. Behind her were thirty eyes staring at me. In Michelle’s hand was a Bible.
“You wrote these? To me? Why?”
“That last one was classic even if you didn’t know Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. So much symbolism in that one…”
“Why?”
“Take a leap of faith Joanne. You’ve had five men come and go and I know whatever is going on between you and John isn’t real. There’s so much more to life than that, even to college. This is our Leap of Faith Bible Study. All you have to do is cross this threshold and we’ll show you how to get off the dead end road you’re on…”
(Back at the breakfast nook)
“Grandma, if you hadn’t taken the leap of faith…”
Justin wiped a tear. Jeff put his book down.
“Grandma can you help me take a leap of faith?”
I responded with a smile and quote from Taxi Driver.
“You talkin’ to me?”
*Quotes from www.afi.com and www.imdb.com
*Loosely based on John 4:16-17, NIV
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But I'm somewhat confused. If this is the grandmother talking, and she has a 19-yr old grandson, the timing doesn't work for me. The movies quoted were from the 70's, weren't they? If she was in college in the 70's, how could she now have a grandson in college? Have I missed something?
This was fun to read.
"My book was open but my mind was closed."
Two of my favorite lines!
I didn't catch the timing issue. Those are just some of the things we have to be cognizant of when we write.
I loved reading this. With college-aged kids of my own, I enjoyed how your grandma interacted with her grandkids.
Many blessings,
Cheri