So, this month I’m doing a challenge to write a micro a day, for Just-Jot-It-January. Thanks to Linda G. Hill, bloggers in the “Play Group” have proposed a one-word prompt for each day. We share our responses back to Linda’s page, and are able to read what others come up with. I’ll post my responses every few days in bundles, to respect your in-boxes. But if a prompt tickles your imagination, please click its connecting link to read more!

Jan 2:  Gobbledygook

Hard Language of Love

“What are you saying to me?” Kathryn squeezed her hands against the sides of her face, and squinted at Polly.

Polly dug her hands deep into her jean front pockets and straightened her arms. The jeans slid down her hips just a half an inch. She looked out the dusty living room window. If she left now, grabbed the duffelbag she’d packed and left in the front hall closet, this conversation would end.

“I can’t understand how you could even consider such a bad idea.” Kathryn’s hands slid down and grabbed their opposite bicep. “I absolutely do not give you my blessing.” She pressed her arms against her chest and lifted her chin.

Polly raised her eyebrows, stretched a tight smile, and shrugged. She didn’t think her aunt would understand, for all the years they’d spent together after her parents had both passed away. But she felt she’d needed to tell Kathryn she was leaving, at the very least.

“You need to sit your fanny right down and explain to me why you won’t marry Teddy. I WAS planning on giving you this house – it’s been on my side of the family for generations – when I died, but you can just forget about THAT, Missy.”

Polly sighed, took the few steps to her aunt and kissed her on the cheek, and wrapped her arms around the woman. Kathryn remained frozen. Stiff. Exactly as Polly had known she would. “Nurses Cross the Continents needs me. I’m really good at this. It’s all I ever wanted.”

“You’re needed here, with me.” Kathryn pulled away. “Stop all this gobbledygook. I’ll make us tea.”

“I’ll write you,” Polly whispered as she backed to the closet door and her waiting bag.

“I won’t write back.”

“Now who’s talking gobbledygook?” chuckled Polly, as she pulled the front door closed behind her.

© Liz Husebye Hartmann (2022)

To see others’ Jan 2 responses click the following:(https://lindaghill.com/2022/01/02/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-2nd-2022/)

Jan 1:  Resolve (SoCS…oops, acrostic instead of stream of consciousness)

New Year’s Resolution

Red eyes, roiling tum,

Erica’s feeling all the rum.

She could’ve left early, at

Olde Lang Syne,

Looked to her best interest, and toed the line, but

Virtue’s no use when the party’s at home.

Eventually she won’t have to party alone.

© Liz Husebye Hartmann (2022)