So I did the challenge. However good, bad or indifferent the piece turned out writing wise, to me it was a great exercise. It was nice to just be writing. Something New. Something Fresh! And trying to get the words in where they made sense . . . it was plain fun.

Hope you enjoy . . . and whenever you get stumped, grab yourself a list of words–as obscure or weird as possible–and sit and create–you never know where it will take you!

Enjoy ~

“Porter?” He was nowhere around. Sophie scanned the shelves in the tiny apartment. She’d never seen so much…crap decorated with cereal brands and whatnot.  

“A Lucky Charms cookie jar.” She ran her finger over the ceramic clover. A set of Cheerios bowls sat next to a bust of the dude on the oatmeal box.

 

“I like clusters myself.” 

“Eh, never been a big fan of nuts.”  

“Jeez, don’t sneak up on me like.” Sophie swatted at Porter, but he ducked away. “I never took you for a … marshmallow man.” 

“What can I say. My mom started collecting them when I was a kid. She got the first piece—” he held up a Tony the Tiger coffee mug, “—at her wedding reception.” 

“What dumbass gave her that?” 

“My dad.” 

“Oh.” Heat crawled up her neck. 

“They liked it.” He shrugged. “Hungry? There’s a Denny’s up the street, we can grab a quick bite.” 

“Whatever.” The pair walked out the front door and headed for the staircase. “Where are you supposed to meet this…source?” 

Porter mumbled. 

“Pardon?” 

“The

Texas Giant.” 

“On a roller coaster?” Sophie fought back a laugh. She’d almost expected something more clichéd like a dark alley or a Laundromat. “That’s kinda lame. But who am I to judge,” she added quickly when Porter narrowed his eyes. 

“So what do you collect?” 

“What makes you think I collect anything? Do I look like a collector? I guess collectors don’t really look like anything. I’d never have pegged you for a collector.” 

“You’re a girl. Don’t all girls collect something? Look at my mom. My sister collects…” 

“You have a sister? You never told me.” 

“You never asked.” 

Sophie rolled her eyes. “Older? Younger?” 

Porter mumbled again.  

Sophie grabbed his arm and stopped him. “Stop mumbling. Every time I ask you a question, all you can do is mumble. Is it too much to ask that just answer a damn question. Sheesh, men.” 

“Twin. She’s my twin.” 

“No shit?” 

“No shit.” 

“Wow, that is so cool. I bet you two had so much fun growing up. I always wanted a brother or a sister, I can’t imagine having a twin.” 

“Did I tell you what she collects?” Porter’s mouth contorted from a tight line to a smug smile. 

“What?” 

“Sex paintings.” 

Sophie tripped down the bottom step. Porter’s smile widened as he grabbed her elbow to steady her. “You heard me right. She has one with missionary style, that’s over the sofa. The spooning and the one against the wall are in the den. But the best one, the doggie style, it’s over the dining room table.” 

Sophie stood with her mouth hanging open. If she wasn’t mistake, she heard him mumble again, “That shut you up.”