This month's ELWW Assignment -- an Acrostic

I have never attempted to write a short story as an Acrostic -- the idea being that each line of dialogue must begin with the next letter in the alphabet and the story ends with the last line starting with "Z".

I won't pretend my assignment submission is that great a story.

But I am not pretending when I say I had all kinds of fun writing this story.   It may be something you would like to try sometime yourself.

Acrostic (ELWW Assignment for March class)

Love Finds a Way

“A baby needs coddling and I’m not a baby,” she shouted over the din of the TV set which always had the volume screaming at its highest level.

“Be reasonable, Mom.”  I picked up the shawl from the floor where her anger had tossed it and tried once more to wrap it around her tiny shoulders.

“Catherine, if I wanted to wear that shawl I would put it on myself so leave me be!” She pulled at the crocheted cover until she succeeded in landing it on the floor again.

Arthritic knees creaked as I bent to pick up the shawl.  Where is that girl?  If she doesn’t arrive soon I will be late for work.  To my mother I said, “Do you always need to be so stubborn?”

“Ever wonder what stubborn looks like?  For Pete’s sake take a good look in the mirror!”  With that Mom scrunched down into the bed, her head barely above the blanket.

With a long drawn-out sigh I looked first at my watch, then at my mother and then back at my watch. “Gwen is late this morning, Mom, and if she doesn’t get here soon I’ll be late for work.”

“Hell’s poppin’, Catherine!  I told you I’m not a baby and I can look after myself!” With that she threw the blanket back and proceeded to dangle her thin legs over the bedside.

“Just stop that right now, Mom.  Keeping warm is doctor’s orders.  Let me help you get back into bed.”  I looked at my little mother lying helpless in her bed, covers tucked up under her chin and I just wanted to cry.  “Most likely six months tops,” the doctor had said.

“Never mind waiting for Gwen because I don’t need no Red Cross worker in my house anyway.”  Again she sat up in bed, raised her right arm and wagging her finger at me she shouted, “Out!”

“Please, Mom, if you are determined to sit up in bed then let me put this shawl around your shoulders,” I begged. This time she acquiesced with no argument.

“Quickly now, be on your way, Catherine or you really will be late this morning.”

“Red Cross workers are always reliable, Mom.  Something must have happened to Gwen this morning.”

“Telephone still works in this house even if I don’t,” she says and I can’t help but laugh. “Unbelievable, Mom!” I exclaimed wondering why I hadn’t thought of picking up the phone.  Just as I lifted the receiver I heard the knock on the door. Gwen had arrived.

“Very good morning, ladies.”  Then to my mother, “Where would you like your breakfast this morning, dear?”

“X marks the spot,” Mom answered with a big smile on her face.

“You want breakfast in bed then so it shall be,” Gwen laughed as she turned the volume down on the TV and made her way out to the kitchen. 

“Zealous is how I would describe you, Gwen,” I said just before I closed the door but jealous was how I was feeling because, no matter how hard I’ve tried to please, I’ve never been able to put a smile on my mother’s face.  For Gwen that’s an easy thing to do. I feel somewhat reassured hoping I still have six months to bridge the long-standing gap between us. I pray that love will find a way.