Tag: nightmares

Help: Try ‘Simple’ First (6SS)

April 30, 2026

https://girlieontheedge1.wordpress.com/2026/04/29/its-thursdays-six-sentence-story-blog-hop-69/

We’re gathered together to tell our stories, prompted by our host, Denise’s word:  HELP!  If you’re not familiar with her weekly challenge, Six-Sentence-Stories, it’s time you click her link above for info, and get started!  I promise you’ll soon be hooked!

~~🌻~~

“Come in, Judd…hope that frown’s not for me–coffee?”

Judd sat across from Richard’s desk–“Yes, on the coffee…frown is speeding ticket I got 10 minutes ago–haven’t had one since my twenties, makes me feel old.”

Richard grinned, handed Judd a steaming mug–“my preacher license only covers comforting the sick, marrying folks and counseling them when they hit a rough patch…or burying them; sorry I’m not able to fix traffic tickets.”

Laughing lightly, Judd moved on to his reason for requesting an appointment: “I had a weird nightmare–I dreamed I was experiencing the same scenario you lived, and wrote about…the strange music and knocking on the walls, and becoming deathly ill during your stay in the Birchwick Cliff victorian–the details were exactly the same as you described, but it wasn’t you–it was me…I wonder if I’m going crazy.”

Richard leaned back in his chair, steepled his fingers as he studied Judd’s face for a moment, then said, “wow–I didn’t anticipate my readers might have that response, but I can tell you’re troubled; my instinctive suggestion, since you’re a talented and successful artist, is–paint it, put it on canvas so you can see it…if that doesn’t help, you can sell it for a hefty price–Munch’s ‘Scream’ is still a favorite among collectors.”

Judd wasn’t sure if he should be grateful or embarrassed–“that’s it?…just paint it and pray for sudden wealth…Lorelei will either laugh her head off, or invite you to another lasagna dinner”; to which Richard shrugged, replied, “hey, I go for simple solutions first–it might work.”

~ Cale

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Flagged Down for Minor Offense (6SS)

April 23, 2026

https://girlieontheedge1.wordpress.com/2026/04/22/its-thursdays-six-sentence-story-blog-hop-68/

Oh good, I’m jumping up and down with excitement…another round of talented writers and their 6-Sentence Stories!!  Denise, our lovely host, always serves up intriguing prompt words…by which I mean, “oh gosh, what am I gonna do with that?”  And yet I keep showing up!  If you’re new here, click on her link above to get all the needed info–and get hooked on 6SS!! 

~👮‍♂️~

When the Birchwick-Westling Municipal cop flagged him down, Judd expected the ancient Caddy must have a taillight out–he was wrong…the young officer was writing him up for speeding.

Judd was irritable, handed his ID out the window, watched the kid’s eyebrows raise–“problem?” he asked with no inflection.

“No, I’m just surprised–this says you’re a detective, retired…what’s your hurry today, Sir?”

“I have an appointment with the pastor in Birchwick Cliff–I guess I wasn’t paying attention, my thoughts wandered…” (maybe he’d get a pass, consideration for a veteran who might have heroic stories from the old days, and commendations–but nope, no favors).

“Hey, it happens,”–the young cop was jovial, and in no rush–“so you know him, the pastor who wrote a book about Birchwick Cliff’s haunting…do you think all those things happened like he said in the book?”

Judd took a long moment’s ponder, remembering Richard’s description of the Cliff’s sole lawman who came across worse than Barney Fife when Richard first arrived: a superior attitude frosted with suspicion–and useless as boobs on a boar; he nodded, said, “Yes, the pastor is a straight arrow–he didn’t write a novel, he penned his nightmare…and two nights ago I had the identical one myself.”

~ Cale

 

Shuffle Out of Nightmare (6SS)

April 16, 2026

https://girlieontheedge1.wordpress.com/2026/04/15/its-thursdays-six-sentence-story-blog-hop-67/

Hurray, it’s time to gather for the 6SS blog-hop, a red-letter day each week for many of us!  If you’re new in town, click the link above and get all the info so that you, too, can join the group of fine writers hosted by Denise–who serves up a dynamite prompt word every Sunday.  This week it’s SHUFFLE.  Let’s go!😁

~~♥~~

Lorelei wore her worried frown–“Judd, you’re shuffling, are you feeling alright?”

Half-way to his studio he paused to kiss her–“I’m tired, you forget I’m Old…and you mercilessly wear me out.”

Relief made her grin–“was it the dancing, or the romancing afterward?”

He kissed her again–“you’re always a delightful menu…but I didn’t sleep well…just a nightmare.” 

Concern reappeared on her youthful face–“was it about the bad times”, she asked softly, stroking his arm, gazing at him with undying love embroidered by fears recalled; it had been a long while since he’d suffered recurring dreams of the 3 near-fatal incidents during his law enforcement career.

His artist’s features etched a furrowed brow with half-smile beneath–“no…I dreamed I was in that small Victorian hotel where Richard had his crazy experiences and nearly died…it was as real as he described in his book.”

~ Cale

If you’re interested in previous episodes: try typing 6SS or Six Sentence Story, or Six Sentence Stories in my Search box (but no obligation)😊