LITSNACK
  • Home
  • Fiction
  • Fiction 2
  • Poetry
  • Art
  • Our Philosophy
  • Submit
  • Snacking. . .
  • Links

INVESTMENT by Jan Parker

10/23/2010

11 Comments

 
Picture
I am sitting at the kitchen table.

In the center of the kitchen table is a lazy Susan.

On the lazy Susan is an arrangement of flowers from my husband, an arrangement of flowers for our anniversary.

This writing that I’m doing falls on a page that already holds the criss-cross shadows of those flowers. I don’t have on my glasses, but I can tell the shadows of those flowers fall artistically. Yes, I can easily see the dark and the light. I have no problem there.

Where I have a problem is more in the gray areas, you know, the ones that are neither light nor dark. The ones that are somewhere in between, where the light and the dark become brothers, or mothers, or lovers, or unclarified butter, or clabbered milk, or sea foam and sand, or vomit—gross, lumpy homogenized vomit.

My hand, in its long, cursive want to write, floats to the top of the second page and scoots under the shadows of the flowers my husband bought for our anniversary.

I think how he didn’t have to do this thing, this ordering of the flowers, this picking up the phone and dialing and answering and placing the order and telling the words for the card and hanging up and hoping the arrangement would be fine, just fine.

He didn’t have to invest, but he did, and as I write on down this second page, the words emerge again, out of the shadows. Bit by bit, they progress into the lighter light, where the effort becomes difficult, even after thirty years of stringent practice, to ignore the actions of my gentle and beloved husband.


Jan Parker's work, Hard Times and Happenstance won First Place Novella and gained publication in the 2009 Press 53 Open Awards Anthology.
Visit www.writerjanbparker.com to learn more.
 

11 Comments
danny johnson link
10/24/2010 01:42:36 am

Jan Parker is one of the finest writers emerging from the South these days. Her sense of place is truly outstanding, and her feel for the emotions and visions of her characters are quite unique.

Reply
Stephen link
10/24/2010 01:48:00 am

Masterfully well done!

Reply
Jan Parker link
10/24/2010 10:48:33 pm

Danny and Stephen! Thanks so much for your words! Danny your comments make me blush! Thank you. Thank you!

Reply
Beth Browne link
10/25/2010 12:15:36 pm

Marvelous piece, Jan!! I like it even better in print than I did aloud. You go girl!!

Reply
Laura Towne link
10/26/2010 01:16:23 am

Jan B. Parker's writing is only surpassed by her originality and compassion as a friend.

Reply
Zan
10/26/2010 06:53:40 am

Each time I read this piece I am pulled into the moment, as if i am there writing the story. It is what you are so skilled at doing Jan. I agree with Danny--you are the finest writer emerging from the south!

Reply
nike air max link
3/20/2012 04:42:51 pm

I wonder how you got so good. This is really a fascinating blog, lots of stuff that I can get into. One thing I just want to say is that your Blog is so perfect! Usb http://www.shopmaxs.com

Reply
Louis Vuitton Handbags link
5/20/2012 07:27:31 pm

Welcome to Louis Vuitton Monogram Multicolore Store, Everbody all that Popular Bags can provide the Good Feel.
http://www.louis-vuitton-handbags.net/

Reply
xiaofang
5/27/2012 03:54:16 pm

How to match the Roman peep toe Louboutin sandals, summer unfolds the sexy graceful foot, Let's look at our recommended Christian Louboutin Outlet style. http://www.christianlouboutinoutletstores.co.uk/ Exelent quality, realy nice light for the money.

Reply
xiaofang
5/27/2012 03:56:08 pm

Coach Outlet Online inspiration restores the old on the handbag from some funds to have the carving artistic style seal. http://www.getcoachfactoryoutletonlines.org/ Adjustable Lurex and leather trim that Coach Factory Outlet designed the standard. The contour mature clear Coach Outlet series spring returns by the careful decoration and the complicated fitting, includes the unique decorative art snap ring. http://www.coachoutletcanada2012.ca/ is hot sale Coach Outlet Canada bags with free Shipping to worldwide here.

Reply
best dissertations link
7/14/2013 09:13:22 pm

This is a wonderful article, Given so much info in it, These type of articles keeps the users interest in the website, and keep on sharing more ... good luck.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Fiction

    "Fiction gives a second chance that life denies us."
                 --Paul Theroux

    Archives

    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed


Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.