
"Dr John" and "Thom" host a Bi-Monthly challenge at "Portrait of Words" that allows you to compose a story with some pictures they provide. I decided to have a go and if this works, may even try again.
As the Whirly~Bird hovered over the playground, it had just moments before flown over a Trailer Park. In one run down trailer sat a Lonely Woman who only lived for her cats and a couple of other things only important to her. If she had to be a Beatles song it would probably be "Eleanor Rigby".
Blanche had a rough day at the Wal~Mart, customers were coming in complaining about everything under the sun. It was not a good day and all Blanche could think of was getting home to her Lads and her Tequila. Once she was finally home, she knew she could unwind and forget about the Snarly Folks who took things out on her.
After feeding Aloysius and Ralph, Blanche sat herself down in her ratty old Bathrobe and Pink Rabbit Slippers, Lit a smoke, and found her favorite movie playing on Turner Classic Movies; "Week-End at the Waldorf". Blanche liked this film as Xavier Cugat and his Orchestra was in it. Blanche could listen to his music and not tire of it. Her favorite Xavier Cugat piece was "Perfidia". She also had a thing for Walter Pidgeon and thought he was the best thing going since "Sliced Bread".
As the movie ran along and the Tequila started to take effect, Blanche was swept away in a Euphoria of memories. She was taken back forty something years to a time in her life when on a trip to Columbia for the Winter, she met Hector and his daughter Carmen. It may have been the Tequila but Blanche was getting all warm inside thinking of Hector.
They met in a Hammock Store, Hector was buying Carmen one for their backyard. Hector was a Widower and cherished his daughter more than anything in the world. Blanche struck up a conversation and found not only did Hector remind her of her favorite Band Leader, but had the manners of Walter Pidgeon, she immediately liked Hector.
One thing Blanche discovered was Hector loved to dance and when his wife was still alive, Hector and Maria were the Toast of Cartagena. They actually won a National Competition whilst dancing to Perfidia played by Xavier Cugat and his Orchestra.
Hector drove buses for a living, and was one of the best Operators with Cartagena's local Transit System. When Blanche found out that Hector had a special run that circled Cartagena {#73}, she jumped at the chance to ride his bus. Blanche and Hector became fast friends and spend all their free time together. Blanche visualised being Hector's "Bus Wench" for the duration of her stay in Columbia.
Hector was quite the Tour Guide and felt that he had found a good friend in Blanche. They explored the places off the beaten path and Blanche got quite enchanted with the Cartagena most never got to see.
One place that Hector took Blanche to, was the Church he and Maria got Married in. Hector was beginning to come to Love Blanche and thought this trip to the Church would cement his future with her.
Blanche had feelings for Hector as well, felt that even Carmen was beginning to like her, but was a bit hesitant on following her heart as she was burned on more than one occasion.
One fellow that meant a lot to her but betrayed her was a Cad named Harold. He promised Blanche the world but only delivered Dog Patch. Blanche didn't know if Hector truly loved her, or was only confusing his Memories of Maria with his friendship with her.
Blanche told Hector she'd have to think about her feelings, and told him that for a couple of days they would have to spend the time apart. Blanche believed that if she had a couple of days away from Hector she'd know for sure if she Truly Loved him or only had a Sisterly kind of Love for him.
After a couple of days away from Hector, Blanche realised that her Mother was right. Hortense was well respected when she was alive and raised a fine daughter in Blanche. Blanche was sure that one of her Mum's favorite sayings; "Absent Makes the Heart Grow Fonder" applied here.
Blanche was off to find Hector and his #73. She had come to a decision and was eager to share it with him. Blanche decided to accept Hector's offer of Marriage and was as excited as a Giddy Schoolgirl to tell him. Blanche even came to love Carmen and knew in time that she would come to maybe not truly love her, but accept Blanche as a friend.
Blanche met up with Hector and told him that she would be his "Bus Wench" for life, and become his Wife and Step Mother to Carmen. Hector was ecstatic that Blanche was going to be his wife, and had to let her in on his Secret ~ Hector had to tell Blanche he was actually Maria before he/she had the Surgery.
Next thing the telephone is ringing, Blanche is jolted back to the moment and answers the phone. Her memories of Hector, Carmen, Cartagena and Hector's Secret would have to be for another day.
Into Paradise......................May the Angels lead you.
God Bless
"The Old Fart"
Remember - Life is God's Gift, Take Time to Give Thanks.
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