They AWOKE early on the RANCH, per usual. But this was not a usual day. I could hear them STAMP down the stairs. I was in the kitchen and had made breakfast. Again: per usual. I looked up and decided to hold back my usual greeting. We looked at each other. “Do you feel ready for this, Ginny? Frank?” As expected, Ginny simply looked away. Frank frowned, thinking perhaps if he didn’t answer, then time itself would stand still. “Breakfast is on the table, coffee’s made,” I spoke into the silence. Frank grunted, walked over to the gun rack and stared. I knew what he was thinking. “Sarah slept all night in the STALL with him.” Ginny’s face changed from its usual STAID, prim expression to something harder, more stone-like. I sighed, “look, give her a few more minutes and yourself a second to have some coffee. It won’t change anything, but your daughter will remember that you gave them some
more time.” Without a word, they turned and moved to the table. My own shoulders slumped a little, and then, per usual I started to bustle about and serve breakfast, grateful for a little more ‘per usual’ on this very unusual day.

Georg’ann

Our GROUP stood back respectfully averting our eyes, WHILE Miss Ann changed her blouse. The STAIN was too prominent for such a STAID woman to continue wearing for the remainder of the afternoon. Luckily Joanna always wore layers and had a shirt to spare.

Heather