New Life's Reality - 55

For days their curiosity had built

as they walked past the pad locked door

at the top of the stairs.

All wondered what the mysterious space held.

Even their father stood staring,

bolt cutters in hand.

The home owners had been taken away

to a Japanese internment camp.

What family treasures had they left behind?
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This is a Flash Fiction Friday 55

hosted by Mr. Knowitall.

For more 55's pay him a visit -

Mr. Knowitall.
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The mysterious pad locked door was at the top of the stairs in a home my Mother's family rented in Hood River, Oregon. It was the early 1940's and anyone of Japanese descent was a potential spy, so off they went - entire families - to internment camps. Leaving behind homes, possessions and any semblance of a normal life. My mother lived in one of those lives left behind.

What the Hell Wednesday - Would you like soup with that?

While we had fun at Michigan's expense last week, this week we return to the beloved South where drinking and driving appears to be a way of life. You may remember our friend who stole a tractor for a beer run. If not, just refresh your memory with this look at a past post - Put Down the Beer and the Gun. Or if you're just too excited to review, then get on with it and check out how Grannie tries to sweet talk the police in Ocala, Florida.

Cop: Grandma in DUI offered sandwich

OCALA, Fla., Oct. 2 (UPI) -- A police officer in Florida says a grandmother tried to avoid a drunken driving arrest by offering to make him a grilled cheese sandwich.

If Elsie Wright O'Conner, 65, tried the ploy, it did not work. She was arrested Thursday night and charged with driving under the influence, the Ocala Star-Banner reports.

In his report, Marion County Deputy Calvin Batts said he responded to a call about an erratic driver and pulled O'Conner over. He said he smelled alcohol on her breath and found two Skyy vodka bottles in her Cadillac sport utility vehicle, one empty and one half-full.

O'Conner failed a field sobriety test, Batts said. At the county jail, her blood-alcohol level tested at more than three times the legal limit of 0.08.

"Come on now, I'm a grandma, can't you do something for me since I'm not that bad," Batts said O'Conner told him. "I could have brought you back to my house and made you a grilled cheese sandwich."

Wait a minute!!?! I thought vodka was the odorless alcohol. Maybe Grannie O'Conner thought so too. But at three times the legal limit for blood alcohol level, there just might be a slight smell of booze. Jeez, I'm guessing the bottles found in the vehicle weren't your airline size bottles. Which means grannie can toss 'em back with the best of 'em. Takes me back to my drinking days when a fifth was just the right sized drink. Glad I don't have to suffer that any more.

So, I digress. Don't you just love her approach?

Deputy Batts: M'am? Have you been drinking?

Grannie O': Maybe just a touch, officer. But not enough to make me forget my manners. My momma always said "If a gentleman pulls you over for crossing the center line, be sure to offer him a grilled cheese sandwich."

Now you would think being in the South the offer would be just slightly more ethnic, like cookin' up a mess 'o grits or servin' up some sweet potato pie or hush puppies or some such stereotypical Southern comfort food. But a grilled cheese sandwich???

Don't get me wrong. I love a good grilled cheese sandwich and pride myself as the world's best grilled cheese sandwich maker, but c'mon...this is the South. Let's get creative. Then again, what kind of a southern name is O'Conner. It's a wonder she didn't offer him up corned beef and cabbage.

Anyway you look at it, I am sure Deputy Batts professionally refrained from laughing, then turned and asked himself...."What the Well?"

One Shot Wednesday - The Touch

The great silent tree shudders at a tender touch

Even through thick bark built up over decades

Long, slender, graceful fingers penetrate the shield

Leaving the great tree bare to its emotions

The tree touches back

Groaning, "I'm home."

Moisture dripping from the tips of it leaves

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Follow this link for more One Shot Wednesday poems.

Sunday 160 - Too Green?

Young, green and innocent,

his whole life lay ahead of him.

Little did he know

that an evil man

with an extremely sharp knife

had other ideas about his future.

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For the original Sunday 160 post click here.
If you wish to take the challenge, here is a quick look at the rules:

1. The Sunday 160 only uses 160 characters (including spaces).
2. Keep on schedule - post Sunday.
3. Let me know you have posted via a comment on my site.
4. Visit at least one other Sunday 160.
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