Monday, April 15, 2013

Ancestry

Write at the Merge, Week 16The song is “Tiny Dancer” from Elton John, and you can use the lyrics, the music or anything about the video that inspires you.
Trifecta: Week Seventy-Three
On to the one-word weekly challenge where we ask for a 33-333 word response to the third definition of a given word.  If you need a refresher, click here for more information on how to play.  Be sure to check that you've used the correct definition this week!

color (noun)



Anne Marie sat away from the crowd.  She settled in the shade and shadow of an old oak, well removed from the lake's sandy beach.  

Children ran amok, parents yelled warnings about swimming too soon after eating, young couples sat staring dreamily into each other's eyes.

Anne Marie's eyes were fixed a little girl with dark curls and an infectious smile.  She was accompanied by her mother and grandmother. The girl was spinning in circles on the sand as the women talked. 

A small smile bloomed on Anne Marie's lips as she followed the girl's dance.  Memories surfaced in wisps of foggy images.  Of a beautiful man with dark curls and perfect smile.  Of a young girl with flame red hair and cheeks that glowed with the color of impending motherhood.

Unbidden tears flowed down those same cheeks centuries after her world was changed.  Her young man's life ended before his daughter was born.  Her daughter stolen from her at birth.

Her daughter, seen only once from a distance all those long years ago.  She'd kept track of the bloodline, knew of all the daughters born after.  Had watched from a distance the two older women when they were but toddlers.  Had known of the birth of this one.  

This one, this tiny dancer that so resembled the child she never held.  This one, that stopped spinning to look across the space between them.

With head cocked to one side, that perfect smile lit the girl's face.  She raised one chubby hand and waved merrily at Anne Marie. 

Just as she began to lift her hand to wave in return, the women took notice, "Katie Crowe!  What were you told about strangers!" Her mother gave the girl an exasperated look.  "I've told you, Mom, she never pays attention."

Caroline Crowe followed her granddaughter's gaze, caught the eyes of the woman under the tree.  A feeling of recognition washed through her.  "She pays more attention than you know, Natalie.  More than you know." 


Anne Marie has been a recurring character in many of my stories.  Katie Crowe is part of the "novel" I've been... ahem... working on.  Somewhere along the way, they became part of a bigger story that links them together.  Most of the bits I've shared here are under the labels at the top of the blog.  Annag of Clan MacClarren/Anne Marie MacClarren and Renewal; A Tale of Katrina's Kitchen.  This is the first time I've put them in the same post.





  




27 comments:

  1. Very sad, but lovely all the same. I'd love to here more about your novel!

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  2. Or hear, as it were. Apparently I shouldn't comment past 10

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  3. I was intrigued by how show followed the bloodline for centuries. I want to know more about who Anne Marie is. Nice story!

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  4. Spooky and beautifully written. I'm also glad that someone else wrote prose. Everyone else is writing poetry and we began to wonder if we did it wrong!

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  5. This is haunting. I like these two characters together like this.

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  6. Dark curls and perfect, infectious smiles. Generations of bloodlines, and this passage:

    "This one, this tiny dancer that so resembled the child she never held. This one, that stopped spinning to look across the space between them."

    Good stuff Renee! I'd like to read more too!

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  7. This is terribly sad. ): I hope there's a day soon when they can recognize each other!

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  8. This is definitely my favorite of your stories that I've read so far, and intriguing enough that I want to go back and read the other bits. I think there was like one word missing somewhere up there, but exceptional writing. Mayhap you should ditch the *ahem* when you say novel...??

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  9. I just read your Master Class story and thought that was good. This is even better. Mysterious and sad and well-deserving of that *ahem* novel.

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  10. I adore the following of bloodlines and the innate recognition of an elder, unknown ancestor. Great job Renee!

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  11. This was very good. I try to read further every time you post. I follow on my reader.

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  12. A very sad story. I love how you developed this character and told of her losses. Very well done.

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  13. I love that they knew who she was. I love coming to read you because I know that things are never quite what they seem, you have a honed sense of the turn, so I got super excited when you set it up (perfectly) as a woman mourning the loss of universal things and then threw in the supernatural.

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  14. very interesting connection point in time with wonderfully collected details showcased in a small segment

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  15. You've got a real way with words, and a skill at painting a deep canvas with the lightest of touches. Great piece.

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  16. I love the description here. I can clearly see the beach and all the people without feeling like you've just told me about it. You've done a wonderful job.

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  17. Such a captivating set-up! It makes we wonder if there is more to come!

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  18. I love a good matriarchy. The varying degrees of recognition is an excellent touch.

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  19. Intriguing to say the least-am dying to know what the connection is!She traced the bloodline for two generations or more?Oh Renee,don't leave us hanging-I want more:-)

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  20. I liked this story very much. There was a good mystery to it and your pacing was wonderful in that you gave me hints, but not the full story until the ending.

    You realized, however, you left me lots of unresolved questions. I hope you will write the next chapter:~)

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  21. The scene was well set from the very beginning. I felt like I was right there.

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  22. Oh woooow!!!!! Such a haunting, sad story!!! Really beautifully written!


    artographja.com

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  23. All things are eventually connected, or reunited, in some way.

    Full circle. I like this story and look forward to reading more!

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  24. I want to know how Caroline knows who Anne Marie is!

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  25. Very interesting way of weaving it all together. I look forward to reading more.

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  26. I love the balance of magic and mystery with grounding in reality... And children are the best at seeing the truth of people.

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