Yes, I know…I’ve been missing for a couple of days again. I said I wouldn’t do that, and I did. *sigh*

Sunday was just so exhausting. By the time we finished in the Dealer’s Room, packed all the books back into the car and had dinner, I just couldn’t face writing a whole post…or even a paragraph. I did finish the rest of Once Upon a Time. Can’t WAIT for the new season to start. And the submissions queue is empty for the first time in months. Plus, I think I might have placed another story…so that was a good thing.

Monday, by the time I drove home, all I wanted to do was crash…and that’s pretty much all I did. I was in bed before 10.

Today, I decided to take completely off to recover. I rode in with Newell, had lunch at one of my favorite restaurants — The County Line, and then went to see Rock of Ages in IMAX. I’ve heard good and bad things about the film, but I adored it. I hope to post a full review on the RieWriter site later…maybe tomorrow.

In fact, it inspired me so much I decided to share this little story I wrote a while back. It was a self-challenge piece. Each line in the dialog is a lyric from a song. Some are more obscure than others…like the line from a song in Passionella which I did in High School. (That’s where my cleaning lady picture comes from. I sang the song that link takes you to.)

Anyway, here is the story:

Every Rose Has Its Thorn

“Hey! Don’t come around here no more!” The old man shook his balled fist at the ragged urchin in tattered tunic and patched leggings.

“Catch me if you can!” teased Connor, dancing away from the irate merchant. He tossed the apple he’d swiped into the air and caught it.

Alone again, naturally, the boy thought, sighing as he strolled down a dimly lit alleyway between two seedy tenements. He took a bite of the apple.

“Hello.” An equally bedraggled girl stepped out of the shadows, her eyes fixed hungrily on the apple. She pointed a shaking finger at the fruit. “You’ve got something I need.”

Connor frowned, taking a step backward as he cradled the stolen prize to his side. “Who are you?”

“I am my own worst enemy,” she answered with a rueful grimace.

“Won’t you tell me your name?”

“You see, I’ve already waited too long, and all my hope is through.” She made a grab for the apple and Connor sidestepped the rush. Tears welled up in her eyes. “Prospects look dismal, how can I go on?”

“A curious tale,” he murmured, sympathy swelling within him. “Our troubles are all the same.”

“You shut your mouth!” She lunged again, and Connor let her snatch the apple from his hand. She ate it as if she had not seen food in days.

“Consider yourself at home.” He smiled, draping an arm around her shoulders. “We don’t want to have no fuss.”

She looked up at him, eyes shining with tears. “Every rose has its thorn.”

Connor shrugged. “I’ve got the touch.” And he led his Rose home.