After The Gala...A Short Story

 Weekly Writing Prompt, Anniversary Edition

 The Weekly Writing Prompt turns one-year old this week and to celebrate, the same picture is being used for this week as it was 52 weeks ago. Anyone wanting to participate in the writing prompt can do so. Just follow these simple rules:

1) Use the photo and the 5 words provided in your story

2) Keep your word count 500 words or less.

3) You have until Tuesday to link up your post.

4) Link up with your blog hostess (Nicole, Carrie, Tena or Leanne) when you’re done via the inLinkz on their pages.

5) Have fun, don’t stress, let those creative juices flow.

This weeks five words are:

Ham

Spike

Parity

Girders

Sale

Enjoy!

After The Gala 

"Elizabeth, darling," Lawrence said as his wife entered the room exhausted from the evening's activities. "I need to discuss an issue with you."

"Oh, Lawrence...can it wait until morning? My head is pounding."

"I apologize, but I feel this cannot wait. I shan't take long."

"Very well," she said as she sank into the Chesterfield sofa.

"Thank you," he said as he sat into the sofa's accompanying chair. "I hate to bring this up, but it's about Harry."

"You mean, 'Harry the Ham?' I've heard quit enough from him for one night."

Lawrence stood and began pacing. Elizabeth knew when her husband began pacing, his mind was at war with itself. She hoped the the conversation would not cause the pain in her head to spike more than it currently was.

"Please, dear...just tell me what it is that's troubling you," she said after Lawrence failed to speak.

"You're right," he said under his breath. "I should have waited until morning."

"Lawrence, please," Elizabeth whispered as she hung her head in her hands trying to alleviate her suffering. The diamond necklace gently swung between the satin gloves that covered her arms as she waited for him to speak.

"Yes, well then. I heard at tonight's gala that Harry has decided to accept the major general's charter and move to India. He will head up the 12th Calvary of the Bengal Regiment. It seems the King wants parity amongst the calvary commanders and as it turns out, Harry has impeccable qualifications for the job."

Elizabeth listened in silence, her chest drawing and expelling air the only movement in her body.

"I don't need to tell you the ramifications of this latest development. It means Waltham Cross could very quickly come up for sale. It means we may be banished from our own estate. It means..." Lawrence could not bring himself to say the worst of it.

"It means we won't need to have the girders in the south wing repaired," she said without withdrawing her hands from the sides of her head.

Word Count: 344