The News...A Short Story

The Weekly Writing Challenge!

I skipped last week's challenge, but I'm back and I like these two pictures--maybe it's because I like Coca Cola and I like cupcakes. I'm sure that has something to do with it.

And, as always, if you want to participate, here are the rules:

1) Use the two photos in your story.

2) Keep your word count 500 or less.

3) You have until next Tuesday night to link up your story.

4) Use the Blue Link to add your story at Leanne's or Debb's websites. 

5) Have fun, don't stress, and let those creative juices flow!

Here goes nothing!

The News

Jill stood alone in her small kitchen while eleven of the most important women in her life sat in the next room chatting after lunch. 

"Okay, Jill," the nervous woman said to herself. "You're going to feel a lot better after it's done." She took in a deep breath and breathed it out slowly trying to calm her racing heart. "And now, the cupcakes." The twenty-five year old  newly married attorney opened a cabinet drawer where the desserts were hidden from the view of curious eyes.

She lifted each pink cake and placed it on the cute holder she picked up at Bed Bath And Beyond the week before. She thought about the trip to the store and noticed her hands were shaking.

"But what will they think?" she whispered out loud. "They're going to think I'm the biggest idiot. I know my mother-in-law's going to say I'm throwing away my career--all that schooling, down the drain."

Jill reached for the last cupcake and placed it atop the display. Just seeing it there brought a pang in her heart, a war of wants battled inside her soul for control. She almost began another round of sobbing right there in the kitchen with everyone else in the next room.

That thought--that someone could walk in at any moment forced her composure to return. No, she was stronger than that. Just take in the cupcakes, tell them what you wanted to tell them and the worst would be over--even if the worst-case scenarios that had played over and over in her mind the last two months, just having the news out there would be worth it.

"Here goes," Jill said and she picked up the display. Before she forgot, she masterfully opened the fridge with one hand and withdrew two Cokes.

"Jill, honey, let me help you with that!" Jill's best friend Trisha said as the woman brought in the cupcakes with one hand and the drinks in the other.

"Thank, Trish." Jill said and the smile on her friend's face reassured her that everything was going to be okay. "Dig in!" Jill said. The woman each took a cupcake leaving two on the stand.

"Jill, you made one too many," Jill's mom said. "And what's with the Coca Colas--I thought you were a Pepsi family." A few of the guests laughed mildly.

"No, mom. I counted correctly."

Everyone in the room stopped and looked at Jill. "These two..." Jill put the drinks on the table, picked up the two remaining desserts and placed them on a plate in front of her. "These two are for me. You see, I'm eating for two now, and these..." Jill grabbed the Cokes and turned them so the names were showing, "...are the names Jim and I are considering."

The room exploded in screams and shouts of joy.

Word Count: 479