Today’s post is a monthly writing challenge. If you’re new here, this is how it works: participating bloggers picked 4 – 6 words or short phrases for someone else to craft into a post. All words must be used at least once. All of the posts will be unique as each writer has received their own set of words. That’s the challenge, here’s a fun twist; no one who’s participating knows who got their words and in what direction the recipient will take them. Until now.
At
the end of this post you’ll find links to the other blogs featuring
this challenge. Check them all out, see what words they got and how they
used them.
I'm using: policeman ~ incorrigible ~ delight ~ reckless ~ stop
They were submitted by Diane of On the Border.
They were submitted by Diane of On the Border.
I'm laughing as I'm reading these assigned words. Why? Because of who assigned them.
Diane uses her words each month to treat us to the latest chapter in her fictional story about the multiple mishaps of her protagonist, Sally. I look at the words that she sent in and all I can think of is that these would be perfect words for a Sally story.
But since I didn't assign her words back to her (wouldn't that have been a fun surprise), I'm going to let them inspired me to write you a little piece of fiction myself today. A short story not about mishaps, but about . . . well, you'll see . . .
"Make an arrest," the policeman thought wearily to himself, "that's what you've been trained to do." Lashing out, fighting, was impulsive, reckless, someone could have been hurt. You just cannot lose your shit like that and have there be no consequences.
He'd been well trained, and schooled on the streets, about how giving a pass to an unchecked temper is often a precursor to escalation. The long term ramifications can be bold, even incorrigible behavior, something worse that would have to be dealt with. Yes, even at the exhausting end of an 8 hour shift, the responsibility to put a stop to it now is his. It's a commitment he made, one he takes seriously.
But the truth is, it's late, and de-escalation of this kind of unruly behavior takes time, patience, even explanation. Right now, nothing would please him more than to have the option to forget what he just witnessed. Then he wouldn't have to put off for another minute making his way to that delightful Cranberry Apple Walnut Pie his wife baked today. He could hear it calling his name.
Cranberry Apple Walnut Pie
But he's on scene, and unfortunately, without back up, he's the only one on scene tonight. So, this latest incident is officially his to deal with.
Damn!
"Although," he thought, leaving the den and heading for the kitchen, "despite all of my training, perhaps an arrest would be a bit excessive. "They do say it's best to just ignore these tantrums. She is, after all, not even 3 yet."
Well, that . . . and pie . . .
Here are links to all the other Use Your Words posts:
1 TBSP flour
4 apples of your choice, cored, peeled, and sliced into about 16 slices each
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 TBSP flour
1 can (1 oz) whole berry cranberry sauce
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
3/4 stick butter, cubed
3/4 cup flour
1/3 cup brown sugar
Directions:
*Place a large piece of tin foil in the oven and preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
*Spread 1 TBSP flour over the pie crust. Flip the crust over, into a deep dish pie pan so the flour is on the bottom. Fit the crust into the bottom and up the sides of the pan. Crimp the top between two fingers, all the way around.
*Place the apple slices into a bowl with 3/4 cup brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Mix to coat evenly. Remove about 16 apple slices and arrange in the pie crust. Remove another 10 slices and set aside.
*Cut the remaining apple slices in half (chunks), add 2 TBSP flour, the can of cranberry sauce, and the walnuts. Mix well and pour evenly into the pie crust over the bottom layer of apples.
*Place the cubed butter in a bowl. Cut in 3/4 cup of flour and 1/3 cup brown sugar and, using the tines of a fork, mash together until it forms a crumble. Sprinkle over the pie, then arrange the reserved apple slices on top.
*Place the pie on the tin foil in the preheated oven. Bake for 55 minutes. Cool to room temperature before slicing.
Hahahahaaa, surprising end!
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking, a nice piece of Cranberry Apple Walnut Pie would definitely justify to turning a blind eye to this individual displaying their unchecked temper.
Question though: what parent gets off parenting after an 8 hour shift? I must have missed signing up for this...
I should have explained that better. What I had in mind is his wife had been gone for that amount of time and would be home soon to join in the parenting responsibilities. Or, I suppose, you could take it that he'd gotten off his shift, came home to relieve the babysitter, and ened up with an overtired child.
DeleteBwahahahaha! I was definitely NOT expecting that! Arrest is the only answer. And pie.
ReplyDeleteAs long as there's pie.
DeleteOh, those days of working and then coming home (with my spouse in the midst of his shift) to hours of a two year old. I should have thought of pie.
ReplyDeletePie helps. Pie always helps.
DeleteYour pie looks marvelous! I just wish it was cranberry season-the temperature here is flirting with record-setting (summer-like) highs.
ReplyDeleteWe cooled off for a while, but we're back to being hot again too.
DeleteMaybe if he warms up the pie, puts a huge dollop of vanilla ice cream on top, and offers her a bite, he could calm the situation faster. You never know.
ReplyDeleteFun story!
That, my friend, is genius.
DeleteI've never had a pie with those ingredients but dang if this doesn't sound good.
ReplyDeleteWe enjoyed it, hope you try it.
DeleteGlad that you were able to make that Pie. I made brownies this week and everyone in the house was blown away...baking makes me happy, wish I could do it more.
ReplyDeleteBaking makes me happy too.
DeleteI don't have to courage to bake like you do. Somedays I enjoy it others not so much, but this looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteHope you try this one, but only if you're in the mood to bake, baking is best when it's fun.
Delete