Tuesday Tales: From a Picture

Good morning. Welcome to the first Tuesday tale in April.Each week, a group of authors share a scne from a work in progress. Usually we work from a word prompt.  As is our custom, once a month we have a picture prompt instead, and when we do, the scenes are no more than 300 words long. This is from one of my current mnauscripts–Wedding Bell Blues.

Here’s the picture I chose, and here’s your scene.

MJ nodded and, with all the dignity she could muster, walked toward the beautiful antique wood and iron doors that looked as if they belonged on one of those sailing ships from the seventeenth century, captained by a dashing pirate like the one pictured on the poster in the lobby, instead of in this place that was quickly becoming the vacation from hell. She needed a drink, a very strong drink. As she moved forward, the gaze of those she passed bored into her, and the temporary calm. Her hand trembling, she pushed the door open praying she wouldn’t fall apart just yet.

Inside the lounge, couples sat enjoying drinks, some alone, some with others. Over at the bar itself, only three of the six stools were occupied. A man sat at the far end next to Lindsay and Noel.

Exhaling, she smiled and headed toward her friends. Maybe she could convince them to let her sleep on their couch. She’d gladly pay the full cost of their vacation to spare herself a night in the lobby. Thinking things looked less bleak, she hurried over to the bar and stopped suddenly when the man on the last stool stood. The oxygen in the room vanished once more, and the panic she’d managed to stave off in the reception area flooded her.

No. This can’t be happening. Why me, God, why me?

The man stared at her, confusion and surprise etched on his face.

“Paul,” she whispered, amazed that she could even make a sound. “Fancy meeting you here.”

“Do you know one another?” Lindsay asked, but MJ was too shocked to answer her. She just nodded.

“Yeah, we’re old friends,” Paul said.

Not everyone chose the same doors. Please drop by and visit all of this week’s  Tuesday Tales.