Curtis and Carol ... Update: Big Picture
. https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50167142311_7a59455592_k.jpg Curtis Stevens Update When we left off with Curtis, he and Susan had just failed the 112 Day Challenge. More importantly ......
Forum Discussion
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Winds of Change
Every once in a while, in that great jigsaw puzzle of life …
One has to stop and wonder exactly how hard the pieces might be trying to put themselves together.
On more than one occasion during the week, going about her regular routines,
Carol Anne found herself with her hands busy in the dirt
and her mind wandering all over the place.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50240757098_f9b33a6457_k.jpg
It kind of seemed as though the fertilizer was working just as well
on the seeds Adele had so skillfully planted in her head,
as it was on the plants in her garden.
She tried to push some thoughts out, but they kept creeping back in.
Some things in her life were just undeniable.
Business was doing fine, she was settled and quite comfortable …
And regardless of what she may tell anyone else, being too busy was not necessarily a problem.
Fact is … She was a bit more comfortable with an old adage she had heard somewhere …
and that suited her lifestyle choices precisely as needed up to that point.
“If it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it!”
Problem is … She just couldn’t avoid the idea that it may be time
she started thinking about opening another chapter in the book of Carol Anne Ballis.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50241400701_c4fd1874b9_k.jpg
Then on the other side of town … There’s Curtis.
The book tour was over and Sherman had headed back to wherever he came from for the time being.
Suddenly … Curtis had been grappling with a demon trying to sneak back in.
Oh. it wasn’t anything in particular, that would be too easy ...
It was everything ... The Hurricane.
The turmoil he had lived in for so many years had conditioned him.
And every time he would get close to sitting down anywhere too long …
The road would start calling him … The hobo’s life in a nutshell.
Still there was something different this time … A piece was missing.
He was in the hot tub behind his place when it struck him like a lightning bolt.
”I Have Everything … And Nothing … At the Same Time!”.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50240758863_d07137fa8c_k.jpg
Well friends … Seems as though the winds of fate had a mind of their own …
And a sweet breeze was blowing through Meadow Beach, one fine Sunday morning,
when two folks were about to have a chance encounter that could change both of their lives forever.
Carol was feverishly trying to calculate the chances she could avoid the oncoming encounter
with a nice smile, wave, and just keep on running.
when a voice in her head brought some calm to her steps …
”Choke up Girl …
This is happening sooner or later, one way or another ...
Just grab the steering wheel.”
At the same time … Curtis just happened to remember the one single piece of advice
his miserable excuse for a mother ever gave him that was worth anything …
”Son … When it comes to women,
pay attention, ask the right question, then keep your mouth shut and let them talk …
They’ll tell you what they want … And it’s better you don’t try and guess.”
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50241617747_3442b1ceb9_k.jpg
Carol
”Hey, you’re Curtis Stevens … The writer, aren’t you?
I have to say I have really enjoyed your books over the last year.
Also, your latest book is still on top of the Best Seller’s list.
That kind of makes you the man of the hour doesn’t it?”
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50240762293_34ed864d88_k.jpg
Curtis
”Well I don’t know about the man of the hour part, but I am Curtis.
Anyway, since I know just about everyone else in Hidden Springs,
that means there’s a good chance you are Nick’s friend from University.
Carol … Carol Anne, right?”
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50241406266_381e6c38fb_k.jpg
Carol
”That’s me … Carol Anne Ballis … Pleased to meet you.
I have no idea what Nicholas has told you about me,
But at least half of it is probably true.”
The two of them both take a moment to chuckle,
thinking about Nicholas.
Carol Continued
”I hope you don’t mind me saying …
But it doesn’t really seem to me that you are quite like some of the people around here say you are.
You’re actually kind of charming and not what I expected.”
Curtis tried to hold back laughter
”I don’t know … Give me a few minutes and I’ll probably change your mind on that.”
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50240764473_ea46663750_k.jpg
For the second time in as many minutes, Carol’s mouth started moving
before her head even understood where she was going.
Friends … Those winds of fate seem to be hitting gale force.
Carol
”About those minutes … How about you cook me dinner?
This evening … My place … Casual and nothing fancy.
No strings attached …
And I’m sure I’ll hate you by the time it’s over.”
And for the second time, they both got to chuckling.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50240763858_b84fddf266_k.jpg
Curtis took a moment to make sure he knew where he was going.
Curtis
”If I figure it correctly, you have that cute house on the left heading out towards the base …
Before you get to the Chesterfield Place … Great view, Nice car.
It’s the only house that I don’t know who lives there,
and you’re the only person I hadn’t met until today.”
Carol
”That’s me … Six o’clock
And I look forward to it”
Curtis stood there for a moment watching Carol as she started heading off …
Wondering if he completely understood what had just transpired,
and was grinning ear to ear.
Carol Anne made it about 20 yards away, before she turned around,
walked backwards, smiled at the look on Curtis’ face
And hollered back at him …
Carol
“Oh, and hey … Bring the truck, not the bike.”
She started giggling as she turned back around, picked up pace and headed home.
Curtis
”Thanks Mom!”
To Be Continued …
.
Winds of Change
Every once in a while, in that great jigsaw puzzle of life …
One has to stop and wonder exactly how hard the pieces might be trying to put themselves together.
On more than one occasion during the week, going about her regular routines,
Carol Anne found herself with her hands busy in the dirt
and her mind wandering all over the place.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50240757098_f9b33a6457_k.jpg
It kind of seemed as though the fertilizer was working just as well
on the seeds Adele had so skillfully planted in her head,
as it was on the plants in her garden.
She tried to push some thoughts out, but they kept creeping back in.
Some things in her life were just undeniable.
Business was doing fine, she was settled and quite comfortable …
And regardless of what she may tell anyone else, being too busy was not necessarily a problem.
Fact is … She was a bit more comfortable with an old adage she had heard somewhere …
and that suited her lifestyle choices precisely as needed up to that point.
“If it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it!”
Problem is … She just couldn’t avoid the idea that it may be time
she started thinking about opening another chapter in the book of Carol Anne Ballis.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50241400701_c4fd1874b9_k.jpg
Then on the other side of town … There’s Curtis.
The book tour was over and Sherman had headed back to wherever he came from for the time being.
Suddenly … Curtis had been grappling with a demon trying to sneak back in.
Oh. it wasn’t anything in particular, that would be too easy ...
It was everything ... The Hurricane.
The turmoil he had lived in for so many years had conditioned him.
And every time he would get close to sitting down anywhere too long …
The road would start calling him … The hobo’s life in a nutshell.
Still there was something different this time … A piece was missing.
He was in the hot tub behind his place when it struck him like a lightning bolt.
”I Have Everything … And Nothing … At the Same Time!”.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50240758863_d07137fa8c_k.jpg
Well friends … Seems as though the winds of fate had a mind of their own …
And a sweet breeze was blowing through Meadow Beach, one fine Sunday morning,
when two folks were about to have a chance encounter that could change both of their lives forever.
Carol was feverishly trying to calculate the chances she could avoid the oncoming encounter
with a nice smile, wave, and just keep on running.
when a voice in her head brought some calm to her steps …
”Choke up Girl …
This is happening sooner or later, one way or another ...
Just grab the steering wheel.”
At the same time … Curtis just happened to remember the one single piece of advice
his miserable excuse for a mother ever gave him that was worth anything …
”Son … When it comes to women,
pay attention, ask the right question, then keep your mouth shut and let them talk …
They’ll tell you what they want … And it’s better you don’t try and guess.”
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50241617747_3442b1ceb9_k.jpg
Carol
”Hey, you’re Curtis Stevens … The writer, aren’t you?
I have to say I have really enjoyed your books over the last year.
Also, your latest book is still on top of the Best Seller’s list.
That kind of makes you the man of the hour doesn’t it?”
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50240762293_34ed864d88_k.jpg
Curtis
”Well I don’t know about the man of the hour part, but I am Curtis.
Anyway, since I know just about everyone else in Hidden Springs,
that means there’s a good chance you are Nick’s friend from University.
Carol … Carol Anne, right?”
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50241406266_381e6c38fb_k.jpg
Carol
”That’s me … Carol Anne Ballis … Pleased to meet you.
I have no idea what Nicholas has told you about me,
But at least half of it is probably true.”
The two of them both take a moment to chuckle,
thinking about Nicholas.
Carol Continued
”I hope you don’t mind me saying …
But it doesn’t really seem to me that you are quite like some of the people around here say you are.
You’re actually kind of charming and not what I expected.”
Curtis tried to hold back laughter
”I don’t know … Give me a few minutes and I’ll probably change your mind on that.”
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50240764473_ea46663750_k.jpg
For the second time in as many minutes, Carol’s mouth started moving
before her head even understood where she was going.
Friends … Those winds of fate seem to be hitting gale force.
Carol
”About those minutes … How about you cook me dinner?
This evening … My place … Casual and nothing fancy.
No strings attached …
And I’m sure I’ll hate you by the time it’s over.”
And for the second time, they both got to chuckling.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50240763858_b84fddf266_k.jpg
Curtis took a moment to make sure he knew where he was going.
Curtis
”If I figure it correctly, you have that cute house on the left heading out towards the base …
Before you get to the Chesterfield Place … Great view, Nice car.
It’s the only house that I don’t know who lives there,
and you’re the only person I hadn’t met until today.”
Carol
”That’s me … Six o’clock
And I look forward to it”
Curtis stood there for a moment watching Carol as she started heading off …
Wondering if he completely understood what had just transpired,
and was grinning ear to ear.
Carol Anne made it about 20 yards away, before she turned around,
walked backwards, smiled at the look on Curtis’ face
And hollered back at him …
Carol
“Oh, and hey … Bring the truck, not the bike.”
She started giggling as she turned back around, picked up pace and headed home.
Curtis
”Thanks Mom!”
To Be Continued …
.
