The Plan

It’s been 43 days since Mama told me about my promised marriage, and since the news of my betrothal (I hate that word) everyone avoids me.  I see Mary Jane, but she waves and rushes away.  She used to be my best friend.  Sure, Derek tried to make nice, but he doesn’t count for much.  Mama gave me a tongue lashing after I stomped on his foot last week.  She didn’t care that I did it ‘cause he placed his hand too far up my thigh.  I smile.  The scolding was so worth it. 

I’m at the edge of the cornfield, the stalks towering above my 5 foot 2 frame.  Harvest begins next month and Mama’s worried about cutworms.  I sure hope I don’t find any.  I check the ears on the first plant.  No holes.  I skip a few plants and check again.  I don’t know how long I’ve been at it when I hear leaves rustling behind me.

“Shhh…”  Jeremy says, holding his index finger to his lips.

I let out a nervous laugh ‘cause I think Jeremy is cute and I don’t want to show it.  He’s the only one who’s talked to me since the “news.”

“I can’t stay long.  I overheard the elders talking to my dad last night.  They want to get rid of me because I’m almost marrying age and I haven’t proven myself worthy of a wife.”

Jeremy is different.  His family joined us seven years ago.  “Can I go with you?”  My words tumble out before I can stop them.  I’m wild with excitement at the thought of freedom.

He shakes his head and sighs.  “Derek won’t let me get away with that, Ellie.”

I hear leaves rustle nearby.  We both look behind him but see nothing.

He whispers, “Okay.  Next full moon.  Meet me here at ten.”

Jeremy disappears into the next row of stalks and I resume bug hunting.  I can still feel the sensation of his breath on my ear.

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This is the third part of Ellie’s story.  I don’t know exactly where it’s going, so we’ll see where the Trifecta prompts take us 🙂  If you didn’t catch the first two parts, you can read them here and here.

The prompt is to use the following word in a story or poem using between 33 and 333 words (mine is 332):

WILD (adj) –  (1): not subject to restraint or regulation : uncontrolled; also : unruly; (2) : emotionally overcome <wild with grief>; also : passionately eager or enthusiastic.

If you want to submit your own story, check out the Trifecta site for complete instructions!