Work In Progress Wednesday

Okay, so far we have Six Sentence Sunday and Two Paragraph Tuesday. I've decided to share something from my work in progress, so I'm calling this Work in Progress Wednesday.


“My gracious, Meghan Shelby is that you?” Aunt Lizzie grabbed Meghan’s hands and spun her around. “Let me look at you, child. I heard you were coming back.”

Meghan smiled. Aunt Lizzie would never change. Still sounded the same, the same nasally voice, as if she had a clothespin on her nose. Still looked the same, too. Same slight build, same gray hair pulled into a bun on top of her head. Even the same wrinkles on her tanned face. Meghan stopped in front of the old woman. “Yep, it’s me, Aunt Lizzie. How are you?”

“Gracious me, look at you, all grown up and all. Pretty young thing too. You look just like your mother”

Heat burned Meghan’s face, and she looked away. She hated when people complimented her. Didn’t like attention drawn to her. “I’d like a room for a couple of nights if you have one available.” That’s it change the subject, why people made over her she’d never know. Nothing extraordinary about her looks. Plenty of prettier girls out there than her. Probably had something to do with her red hair. Although she couldn’t see what difference that made. Okay so it was a tad redder than some she’d seen, but still.

“Sure do.” Aunt Lizzie took a key from a hook on the wall. “Number four, top of the stairs. Bath’s down the hall. You won’t have to share it since you’re the only one staying here. Come to settle the estate?”

“Thanks.” Meghan ignored the question, took the key, signed the guest register and handed Aunt Lizzie her credit card.

“Dinner’s at six like always. Unless you have other plans.” Aunt Lizzie ran the credit card and pushed the receipt toward Meghan to sign.

“Actually, I don’t. I’ll see you then.” Meghan signed the receipt, picked up her luggage and headed toward the stairs. “Oh, do you have a newspaper I can buy?”

Aunt Lizzie picked up the newspaper from behind the desk. “No charge, I read it already.”

“Thanks.” Meghan smiled and went upstairs. May as well check the classified right away. The sooner she found a job the better.

She set her bags on the luggage rack and looked around the spacious room. Nothing much different here either. Same antique furniture, same faded pink wallpaper. Unpacking could wait, finding a job held top priority. Meghan sighed and opened the paper to the classified. One ad caught her eye immediately. School Secretary – no experience necessary – good head for figures. Must love children. Apply in person – Monday 9:00 A.M to 4:00 P.M. 149 Gilmore Street Room 24. See Mr. Duncan.

Hmm, sounded like something she might like. She loved kids, was a whiz at math. Probably would have taught math if she hadn’t dropped out of college. Too bad circumstances hadn’t allowed her to finish. Not that Meghan regretted it; she’d do the same thing all over again.

Meghan circled the ad and looked at the rest. Nothing else appealed to her. Waitress, factory worker, dental receptionist, nope not for her. Though what she expected in a small town was beyond her. She’d be lucky to get any kind of job. She hadn’t really thought this out. Once letter came from Mr. Blake last month, informing her Aunt Beth had passed away and left her the family home, well there wasn’t any reason not to come back. Part of her always wanted to. All she needed was an excuse.

Meghan looked at her watch and hurried out to her car. Still time to apply.

Who knew maybe she’d run into Patrick along the way. Yeah, like that was going to happen. What was wrong with her lately? She hadn’t thought about Patrick for years. At least not until that letter came.