Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Hawaiian Getaway

Campaign Time! Rachael's Third and final challenge - and it's a doozy! Details here, they are specific and crazy! It's 300 words minus title and opening =)

Hawaiian Getaway.

Some vacation.

My wife went to the spa and left me with our three whiners. At least they’re getting along, for now, and I can enjoy this tempting Kona brew that I’ve been craving since I woke up. I take my first sip of the bold, Hawaiian coffee. Ahh.

Maybe this isn’t so bad. Let Alexis relax and come back happy.

I should revel in this rarity of nothing to do. I recline in the cushioned chaise, my feet caressing the powdery sand. I close my eyes and let the cool sea breeze rustle through my shirt. The waves crash in steady rhythm and the sea gulls call,

“Daddy!”

Wait, that wasn’t sea gulls.

My eyes pop open. A shapely figure runs toward me. Am I dreaming?

I refocus and see she is carrying my seven year old.

I hop up and meet the nine year old ahead of them. “Daddy, Aiden got hit by a volleyball!” Alyssa shouts.

“I wan-tacise sorr-ai,” the young woman says in a strange accent. Aiden stares with glassy eyes at the wastopaneer of the girl as she sets him down. My 13 year old, Aaron, is transfixed with the same expression.

“It’s okay, Miss. He’ll be fine.”

“Bat I syn-batec,” she says and waves a friend over. I can’t understand a word.

“Your son was hurt?” the friend asks and checks Aiden’s eyes.

“He’s fine.” I say. Then a smell hits me. Something putrid, scrunching my nose. We all look around for it.

“Dad, what’s that smell?” It’s so bad Aaron’s attention is wrenched from the girl who has returned to the water. She walks up holding a huge fish covered in stinky seaweed and presents it to me.

“Who is this girl?”

“Dolphina. She was raised by dolphins.”

Alexis will never believe this.


I am confident I fulfilled all requirements. If you feel so inclined, you can send a vote my way (#19). This has been a great time! Thanks for reading!

42 comments:

Jess said...

Oh I love it! Wonderful idea!! Really cute too :)

(I'm entry #5)

Angela Cothran said...

Hehehe! You make me laugh Tara. Well done!

Christy Farmer said...

Well done Tara. Off to vote :-)

Jen said...

What a great idea, and you executed it beautifully!
Mine is #25.

Rhonda @Laugh Quotes said...

Great story, where do I vote?

Jennie Bennett said...

I like that! :)

Abby Fowers said...

Once again you are kicking butt! Always love to read what you write. You got my vote!

M Pax said...

I first read the title as Halloween instead of Hawaiian. lol

I enjoyed this story. Raised by dolphins, huh? Interesting.

K.T. Hanna said...

Yep, pretty sure Alexis is never going to believe it, but that's her loss ;)

Great take on the challenge.

Christine Rains said...

Ha! Love that ending. I wasn't expecting it at all. Nice use of the words too. Great job! :)

Carrie Butler said...

Hah! That last part killed me. Great work, Tara! :)

Rance said...

I did the same thing M Pax did! :) It must have been the fantastic Halloween theme on your blog. Too awesome!

This story got a good smile from me at the end of it. Dolphina! Sounds absolutely like what a child would say. ;) Is that the teacher part of you taking over?

Heather M. Gardner said...

This was funny.
Good story.
Thanks for sharing.
HMG

Sheri L. Swift, Author said...

Cute story, love Dolphina by the way! ; )

Laura said...

This was great - I really really enjoyed it - you had me completely transfixed and believing it.
Lx

kjmckendry said...

Wow dolphins! Cool! I love Kona coffee too.

Anonymous said...

Very nice. I'm amazing at how cool and different everyone's stories have been. Great job.

Lesann Berry said...

This is fun...and I could just about taste the kona.

Tara Tyler said...

Thanks, y'all! I'm having fun reading yours and all the other different ones too!

This prompt was so out there! Right up my quirky alley =)

Matthew MacNish said...

It's so cool to see these prompts and then read all the different stories people come up with. Love yours, Tara, well done!

MISH said...

Cute and quirky and true to form! Delivered in true TTT-style as per usual! You ALWAYS put a smile on my dial!
(I'm no.#47)

Anonymous said...

I like that it's unclear if he's dreaming or not. Nicely done. Mine is #56

Avery Marsh said...

Cute story! At least he's got three adorable little witnesses to back his story up. ;)

David P. King said...

The way you had the boy join in on the look is priceless. You really nailed that. Loved all the complications you threw together! :)

Maeve Frazier said...

You certainly did fulfill all the requirements and what a great job you did! Nice job!

Sarah said...

Congratulations! I'm writing this as a judge for the 3rd campaign challenge to let you know I've selected you to move on to the next round. I really enjoyed this. Good luck!

Fairview said...

cute! the kids are cute and you can feel for the dad. and Dolphina is a great way to end it!

Alyssa said...

This is really cute! Great job!

I'm entry #69 :)

Anonymous said...

At first I thought Dolphina turned into a huge fish covered in seaweed like a mermaid but dolphinaid. Entertaining story non the less.

Anonymous said...

This is a fun and cute entry. You have my vote.

Gwen Gardner said...

I have to say I cringed when he sat back and closed his eyes while his kids were on the beach! Cute ending, though - great entry! I'm #65.

Unknown said...

"feet caressing the powdery sand" I LOVE this! Nice job w/ the challenge!

Tara Tyler said...

I must say thanks again, everyone! And woot! i made it to through to the next round of judging!
Thanks!!!

Anonymous said...

Loved your story, very well written. Congrats in getting through to the next round.

mooderino said...

Hmm, I wonder what the kid was staring at when checking out her wastopaneer (I have some ideas).

Good job.

mood (now following)
Moody Writing
@mooderino

E. Arroyo said...

Finally, a mom with a day off. Nice to have dad in the picture. =) Great story.

Isis Rushdan said...

Love the variety of stories. Enjoyed yours and the bit about being raised by dolphins.

Michelle Merrill said...

Haha. I love that last line. So many things happen to me that my husband doesn't believe. Something like this would definitely get him :) Great take on the challenge!

Brinda said...

Dolphina- ha! Great job.

Unknown said...

Raised by dolphins? Cool! :)

Jes said...

This nonsense-words challenge has been the most fun of all three I think; you worked them in perfectly! Kudos!

Claire Hennessy said...

That was fun. God, wish I was on a Hawaiian beach right now!

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