Wednesday's Words on a Friday

 

The original Words for Wednesday was begun by Delores and eventually taken over by a moveable feast of participants when Delores had computer troubles. Sadly, Delores has now closed her blog forever due to other problems.

The aim of the words is to encourage us to write. A story, a poem, whatever comes to mind.

If you are posting an entry on your own blog, please let us know so we can come along to read it and add a few encouraging words.

This month the words/prompts are supplied by Hilary Melton-Butcher and can be found here

This week's words/prompts are: 

1.purposeful  2.solar  3.hog  4.trail  5.discouraging 

and/or: 

1.chute  2.punt  3.oval  4.records  5.patient 

and just for a surprise, extra words: 

1.hinders  2.origin  3. camping  4.wrinkle  5.sprout. 

Here is my story:

Red gunned his hog through the carpark, then slowed and eased into his usual spot. His purposeful stride as he walked towards the doors caught the eyes of a group of teenage girls who giggled when he smiled at them. The trail had been dusty after a hot dry summer and he was in the mood for a long cold beer. He had a momentarily discouraging drop in mood when he saw the pub was almost empty, none of his friends had arrived yet, he decided a few minutes to collect his thoughts wouldn’t be such a bad thing.

“How’s things Trev?” he said, “any word from the rest of the crew?” “Not yet Red,” said Trevor, sliding a cold beer across the bar. Red took a long sip and sighed with pleasure. “That hits the spot just right,” he said with a grin. “They can’t be too far away, unless something’s happened to hold them up. John did say the dipping chute needed repair, maybe they’re still pushing the sheep through a few at a time.”

“Could be,” said Trevor, “and don’t forget Gary isn’t coming until later. He’s down at the school oval teaching the boys the old style football, with the punt kick and hand balling.” “I did forget that,” said Red. “Why is he doing it? He must have said but I probably wasn’t listening.” “There’s been a match arranged with the really old players, to play against the new young lads, they want to be recognised in some sort of records book, going to be part of a larger book about the origins of Aussie Rules Football.”

“Riiiight,” drawled Red. “I remember now. I hope the youngsters remember not to tackle too hard, the old fellas have brittle bones by now I guess.” “That sort of thing does hinder the game a bit,” said Trevor, “but John’s aware of the differences and will make sure everything goes okay.”

“I hear motors,” said Red, walking to the door and looking out. The giggling girls were still there and seemed to be waiting for someone, with a couple of them looking at watches. A cloud of dust appeared and soon a half dozen motorbikes came off the road into the carpark. Two of the riders had passengers, younger boys who ran over to greet the girls.

Red stepped out to say hello, shaking hands and slapping backs, asking who the boys were. “New recruits at the farm,” said Harvey, “come from the city to get ‘straightened out’ I heard. Boss says they’ve been in a bit of trouble and it was this or a few weeks in jail. They chose the work.” “They know those girls then?” asked Red. “Sure do,” said Shaun, “the girls are in the same spot, and chose to work in the kitchens and laundries at the various camping sites around here.”

“They’re allowed to meet up and have a bit of fun under supervision,” said Will. “We are the supervision,” he said to Red. “Well that puts a wrinkle in my plans,” said Red. “I was going to ask if you’d all come back to my patch and measure up for those solar panels Chrissy wants. I’ll just give her a call and let her know she’ll have to be patient a bit longer.” Bob and Rory nodded, “We understand she probably won’t want a bunch of noisy young lawbreakers around with that new baby. How is the little sprout anyway? Crawling yet?”

Brian hooted a laugh at that. “You’ve got to be kidding mate, kid must be only three weeks old! They don’t crawl that early.”