18 comments

Drama

Dear God, thank you for being my Father in Heaven. Thank you for all the things you give me every day so that I can live well. Thank you for letting me talk to you. And I'm really really sorry for letting you down, yet again. Thank you for giving me the chance to start again every time I go wrong. So please help me to do better starting from right now. Thank you for listening and I know you will help me if I listen to you. So please help me to listen hard and to know how to do what you want me to, so that between us and everyone else who knows you, that we can help make the world much better for everyone and all of your creation. Amen.”

She gets up from her knees and goes to make a cup of tea. In the kitchen she glances at a poster on the wall by the kettle, which has a pastoral scene overlaid with verses from the Bible that remind her each day of how to live a better life walking with God.

Returning to the lounge, she rubs the head of her lovely dog, Sam. He's been a faithful friend over the years, too. He licks her hand and wags his tail, thumping it on the floor heavily.

He lays at her feet while she lays back on the sofa, idly pointing the remote at the TV and browsing the offerings. She sees that there is a new series just starting, so, settling for that, she sips and watches.

It's not a bad programme, entertainment wise, and she is soon caught up in the characters shown. But loud motorbikes outside drown out some dialogue and she sticks two fingers towards the window, swearing. Immediately she is remorseful and feeling dirty for having used language that should be beneath her. Old habits and nuisance neighbours are not conducive to good Christianity. But, she thinks perhaps it is otherwise. Lots of things that she has read or heard swirl into her head, about Good Samaritans who give help to anyone in need, even if they are sworn enemies, and about forgiving people over and over. So could the motorcyclists be some sort of opportunity, perhaps? She also remembers the seemingly contradictive story of Jesus overturning tables in the temple when people were misusing it. So how does that tie in?

She can't make sense of it enough to know if these examples can help her to know what to do, when. When is it alright to be angry, or who has the right to be angry? And then how does someone react differently than two finger salutes and swearing? And anyway, it doesn't seem as if these yobbos will ever ask her forgiveness, so how can she give it?

She decides yet again that forgiveness is something that she should have ready, but that people can't receive it from her without owning that they need it. But she is sure that she is wrong to react so obscenely.

Whatever – it is time to take old Sam out for his walk around the park. He bounces around her feet as she fetches his lead and slips it onto his collar. They leave the house and walk to the park, where she is always grateful for the fresh air and all the natural surroundings.

Tunes fill her head as she hears the birds in the trees. She especially enjoys the songs of the blackbirds as they are so melodic and she sings back at them, smiling. She's reminded of a song and she sings it, letting it infuse her with its sentiment until for her nothing exists except for the joyfulness of being. She watches Sam chasing squirrels and pigeons, racing around with thundering paws. For him too, only happiness exists right now.

She sees another person across the park, heading towards them, and they also have a dog with them, so she calls Sam back to her before he can get into trouble with his enthusiasm for making friends, which is not always reciprocated.

But it's too late – he has seen the other dog and dashed across the park, barking joyfully.

And the owner scoops up his own dog and starts yelling at Sam crossly.

She runs to remedy the situation and is horrified to see the guy kicking at Sam, who is standing whimpering wanting to play with the little dog being held up high.

Sam dodges the kicks, but is confused. He knows he has been a good dog, not jumping up, so what is going on? Why is he being abused?

She slips the lead onto Sam's collar, pulls him away, and swears at the man, raging with frustration and crying too. She bends to Sam, soothing him and checking for injuries.

The man swears back at her that she should keep her mongrel under control. She stands, sticks two fingers up at him and walks Sam away smartly, while the man yells after her that she is a fucking moron. She is shaking, really upset that she has failed yet again to control her temper. She really should have apologised to the man. But then again, he should not have attacked Sam. Poor dog. But he seems to be his jolly self, wagging tail and pulling after pigeons again already. She is glad for him, but the songs have gone from her head and she wants to erase the incident.

I'm sorry God, I'm so sorry. Oh God I don't know what to do. I just know I let you down again.”

She takes Sam back to the house, is too agitated to even make a cup of tea, sits with her head in her hands, distraught. Shaking herself out of the self-pity, she decides to be constructive and do some baking. Just something really easy. So mixes up a pack of bread mix then leaves it to prove and goes back to the TV, which now has an interesting documentary on about penguins.

Wakes up three hours later with backache from being curled on the cramped sofa with one leg hanging downwards and her head pounding from being lolled unsupported. She shifts her position, easing out the discomfort. Sam rouses at her feet and nuzzles her hand, licking a kiss. The TV is showing Songs of Praise. She feels that this is a God-incidence. And even more so when someone speaks about the story of the son who badly lets down his father and crawls back in shame, hoping that he will be allowed to do some work for him in return for food. The story unfolds showing the father really happy for the return of his son, since he hadn't even known if he was alive. The father just wants the best for his son, never mind the past. He gives him every chance to start again and throws a huge party to celebrate the son's return.

She is so overwhelmed with the reminder of how much God loves her and of what he has done to enable her to start again every time she messes up in any way.

She feels newly calmed and prays.

Thank you God. Oh, I don't know what will happen next. But I do know that whatever comes, you will be there helping me to get through it, and helping me to start again every time that I need to, and that you always love me, because I am your child and that can never change.”

She feels clean and ready to start again.

Sam is asleep, his head on her feet. His paws twitch, as if he is dreaming about squirrels and pigeons. She gently nudges him and goes to put the kettle on and get him his dinner.

On the wall, the Biblical poster reminds her again of how to carry on living the best she can, with her friends to help her and she is content. Sam wagging beside her, she places his bowl on the floor for him and watches him, smiling, then begins to sing while the tea brews.

The bread baking in the oven later in the evening makes her wonder if there is anyone she can share it with. Perhaps she can invite the motorcyclists in for tea? Um no, that's silly. But maybe she can walk Sam into town with home-made sandwiches for the homeless person who is sure to be there.

She decides to make a casserole too.

The next day she has made a new friend. His name is Dave and he is very grateful for the hot chicken and vegetables and calls her a diamond and an angel. He holds out a morsel of chicken for Sam, who takes it then licks the gravy from Dave's fingers.

They chat until Dave finishes eating, then Dave gets out a guitar from his huge backpack and begins to strum and sing. She joins in and they sing together. “I see trees of green, red roses too...”

It's a wonderful world.

August 12, 2020 23:22

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18 comments

Charles Stucker
19:12 Aug 17, 2020

So, this is something for a Christian market as the only tension is between the protagonist and their own faith. I have to presume Dave is a homeless person and she was fortunate enough to find one who is not an alcoholic, addict, or mental patient. Or grifter, since most of the "will work for food" and "unemployed vet" signs are professional beggars. For Christian market, starting with a lengthy prayer might be fine, but I was immediately put off. It sounds more like something people say at a holiday get-together than anything else. Cer...

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Pamela Saunders
21:50 Aug 17, 2020

Hi Charles - thank you for the advice on "that" particular sentence. I agree "that" was sloppy writing. I probably did rush as only having a week to write from the prompt is hard to find time to do it as well as I would like to. I was aware that beginning with a prayer could be offputting but took the chance - and you admit you were put off - but you still read it! So it didn't put you right off :) Who knows why Dave is homeless? I don't think that it matters so much as seeing the response. It would be rather prejudicial to only be pre...

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Charles Stucker
21:54 Aug 17, 2020

If she ran into an alcoholic, drug addict or mental patient she would likely end up mugged or ignored, not thanked for food. As for everything else- I reciprocate when I get useful feedback.

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Pamela Saunders
22:10 Aug 17, 2020

Hi again Charles, wow that was a quick response. Without wanting to argue, I wonder how many alcoholics, drug addicts or mental patients you personally know, or have come across, and in what context? I have known many over the years and know some now, some are friends. None of them have ever mugged or ignored me. They are just people with their own problems. They like having friends, same as anyone else. I have never had one person not thank me when I have helped them. Some I have never seen again, some I have known for years. I have s...

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Thom With An H
17:46 Aug 17, 2020

When I was a child my parents wouldn't let me have a dog so when I joined the Army and got married one of the first things I did was get a Lab Chow mix and we named him Sam. He was the sweetest dog ever and as I read your story I got a little choked up thinking about him. Isn't that why we write? We have a story to tell but once we release it into the world it becomes a story to read and the story may mean something totally different than what we expected. Overall I really enjoyed the story as a whole but more than anything I thank you f...

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Pamela Saunders
21:28 Aug 17, 2020

LOL Thom, oh yes the reverse psychology is quite recognisable. I am glad that the story brought back the memory of your sweet dog, Sam.

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Paul Slater
02:20 Aug 24, 2020

Hi Pamela, I am a born and breed catholic from Glasgow, altar boy, the whole nine yards. But as an adult, I have turned from my faith and found the story opening a little off-putting. However, if you pursue this type of story where the conflict exists inside the Main Character, I suggest you consider using DEEP POV instead of 3rd person. This would allow you to share the inner thoughts of the MC and build the tension between what the MC thinks and does. I spotted a little tense hoping and there are some repeats ... look for "them" twice in ...

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Pamela Saunders
18:35 Aug 24, 2020

Thank you Paul - I will take a look at what you said. I am not very up on proper writing terms, so will have to look up with this DEEP POV is. I'm guessing that it is to do with narration that is from observation so I think I can even without looking it up guess towards the way that it could show more conflict. So thank you very much for your constructive comments. And thank you for reading despite being put off a little by the opening. I hope you will have a very happy life. I know from my own past experience how some things can make you no...

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Maya Reynolds
13:33 Aug 18, 2020

Great story! I love how she doesn't let her mistakes prevent her from trying to do the right thing.

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Pamela Saunders
16:32 Aug 18, 2020

Thank you Maya - I'm glad you liked it and yes I think that is a good thing to not give up trying how ever many times you fail. It's the only chance of getting it right because not giving it another go will just never make the right thing happen. Personally, I think I have more admiration for people who have it hard but make an effort than for people who seem to not have to try, because the people who struggle achieve a greater change within themselves. I really think this is for any efforts that anyone makes in any situation, especially thi...

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Jonathan Blaauw
18:36 Aug 17, 2020

Cool story. It's got a real "feel good" vibe that's enhanced by your simple, yet powerful writing style. The structure, always important, is perfect and rounding it off with old Louis' classic is brilliant because not a person alive doesn't know the song (I don't think). It serves as a great summary of the general theme as well. I agreed with other comments about the name issue. In theory. One shoulder always name characters, especially the protag. But like most writing rules, it's not set in stone. You get away with it here because there...

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Pamela Saunders
21:53 Aug 17, 2020

Wow, thank you Jonathan. I'm pleased that it worked for you :)

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Brittany Gillen
14:33 Aug 15, 2020

Pamela - Thank you for sharing your story. You have created a world that so many Christians can relate to. Your character’s struggle to find self-control is realistic and her prayers heartfelt. I agree with Aerin that “she” could use a name. As a reader, I felt drawn to Sam the dog and sad for his mistreatment by the man. These feelings were more solid because Sam felt solid. “She” feels like an every woman. She needs her own distinct personality, name and traits so we can connect deeper with her. Keep up the good work!

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Pamela Saunders
14:55 Aug 15, 2020

Brittany, thank you so much for your very clear explanation contrasting the solidness of Sam and the more airyness of "she". On a re-read, with that in mind, it helped me to see clearly how to bear it in mind for improving future characters. I'm glad that you found the world with its dilemmas realistic.

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Brittany Gillen
18:41 Aug 15, 2020

You are welcome!

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01:25 Aug 13, 2020

This was so good! The beginning was a sudden but strong hook, at least for me. I love these character you have going on, although I think it would be better if you worked the main character’s name into the beginning somehow. Also, I adored this line: ‘His paws twitch, as if he is dreaming about squirrels and pigeons.’ I don’t know why it made me smile, but squirrels and pigeons definitely seem like something a dog would dream about! Love the ending, too. All in all, terrific job, Pamela! ~Aerin P. S. I just posted a new story; would you mi...

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Pamela Saunders
09:29 Aug 13, 2020

Thank you so much Aerin :) I noticed your page yesterday I think it was, and read the story about writing poetry but didn't comment. But I went back today and found the riddle and I think the answer is TEMPERATURE? Generally, I just browse stories, especially in the category that I entered, and pick out what looks interesting to me at a glance. So I may or may not get around to reading your latest one, but thank you for bringing it to my attention :)

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12:48 Aug 13, 2020

No problem! Ooh, my original answer was ‘stairs’, but that word toooo! Got it.

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