http://www.writerq.com/mobile/Corrie/ Latest updates from Corrie Howe http://www.writerq.com/mobile/Corrie/ http://www.writerq.com/mobile/Corrie/ Mon, 13 Oct 2014 23:54:42 +0000 Faith Howe http://www.writerq.com/mobile/library/797/no-man-left-behind_part201/
Jess tapped his cane back across the movie theater parking lot toward the last direction he heard Rebecca. When the tip brushed against what he thought should be her shoe, he held his hand out to her.

She took his hand and stood up. “I’m not prepared…”

He sensed her stand seconds before her limp body toppled into his, knocking him back a step or two.

“Rebecca.” He let go of his cane vaguely recognizing the sound of it hitting the ground.
He wrapped his arms around her, sinking down with her. “Becca.”

Holding her in the cradle of his arm, he felt for her face. It was clammy. She stirred and popped up from him.

“What?” She pushed away from him. “What happened?”

“I think you fainted.”

“I got dizzy.”

He reached out to find her arm. “Why are you shaking?”

“I told you earlier that I’m cold.”

He shrugged off his jacket and wrapped it around her. “It’s not that cold out.”

“Sorry if my body disagrees.” Her teeth chattered.

His hand traveled up her arm and over her shoulder to touch her check again. “Are you sick?”

“No. I’m just hungry and cold. Maybe I got up too fast. Or my blood sugar is too low.”

“My phone is in my jacket. Give it to me.”

“What for?”

“I’m calling someone to get us.”

“No you’re not. I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine.”

“Look.” She said as she pulled away from him again. “There is a convenience store across the street. We can buy some nuts and juice. If that doesn’t help then you can call someone.”

He dragged his hand across the stubble chin before he cocked his head in the direction of car doors slamming and engines accelerating.

A dozen protests flashed through his mind. “Okay. It doesn’t seem far. But I’m holding on to you.”

“If that will make you happy.”

“Let me get up first.” He groped in front of him until he located his cane. “Give me your arm.”

He set his foot in front of hers for balance, then circling his arm around her hip, they rose slowly. He set a cautious pace across the movie theater parking lot, the quiet street and through the busier traffic around the gas pumps. She let him know when they reached the sidewalk outside the store where he assisted in setting her down on the curb.

“What do you need, Becca?”

“I’ll come with you.”

“You stay here. Tell me what you want.”

She signed. “Salted peanuts and orange juice.”

He pulled his wallet out of his back pants pocket and handed it to her. “I don’t know what I have in there.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come in?”

No he wasn't. “Just give me a ten if I have one. I can handle the rest.”

"Okay, okay." She took his wallet and pressed a bill in his hand. “Remind me to teach you how to fold your bills so you can distinguish them.”

“That would be helpful.”

Jess gripped his cane, using it to find his way down the walkway.

Rebecca called after him. “The door is to your left. It’s a pull out.”

He inhaled slowly, squaring his shoulders. The he reached out, his hand initially touching cold glass. He fumbled for the handle, gripped it and pulled.

Immediately his senses were assaulted with smells of coffee and pizza.

He startled when a high-pitched voice came from his left? “Can I help you, sir?”

He shoved back a growing sense of anxiety. He couldn’t allow his fears to take over. Something was wrong with Rebecca. He needed her. He had no ability to navigate a strange environment without her.

Before he could answer, the bell rang again. He felt the disturbance in the air as someone passed while saying, “Excuse me.”

The same high-pitched voice said, “I have a couple customers who need ringing up. Then I can help you.”

“Thanks.” Jess stepped to the side.

He jumped when something soft and fluffy grazed lower arm. Considering his state of high alert, he was surprised that he hadn't counterattacked. He really was losing everything that he once had.

“Excuse me,” said a female voice. “I wanted the box of donuts by you.”

“Sorry.” He felt some small solace that he hadn't instinctively caught her her in a choke hold.

Jess took one step to his right, wincing as something dull and hard jabbed his thigh.

A few minutes later, he held his cane in a death grip snuffing his instincts to react to the unexpected hand which came from behind him to tap his shoulders.

Tobacco breath said, “Can you hand me a Toffee bar?”

“Sorry.” Heart racing, Jess held up his cane which would mark him as blind. “Let me move.”

He stepped backwards. His ankle twisted against an unanticipated obstacle, which gasped in pain.

“Sorry.” Jess tensed under the hands which steadied him.

How many more times would he have to say that in the next few minutes? How much more incapable and out-of-place would he feel before he could accomplish a simple task and flee back to safety and comfort of Rebecca?

The owner of the hands which still gripped him said, “Let me help you, man.”

Jess nodded. “Yes. Thanks.”

Then he held out the wadded ten dollar bill in his sweaty palm. Once he said what he needed, Jess stumbled back through the convenience store door and waited outside until his rescuer hung a plastic bag on his wrist and pressed bills and coins into his palm.

Fixing a fake smile on his face, he returned to where he’d left Rebecca. He handed her the bag, stuffed the money into his back pocket and sat down next to her.

“How did it go?” she asked.

She sounded almost as tired and overwhelmed as he felt.

He rubbed his face in both hands expelling a breath.

“That good, huh?” Her chuckle was weak.

“Not a place I’ll frequent again anytime soon.” He dropped his hands and turned toward her. “I was a kid the last time I felt that incompetent and in everybody’s way.”

He heard the sound of plastic shifting underneath her response. “I see more retail experiences in your future.”

“I see more time on Dr. Shah’s coach.”

She lean into him and rested her head on his shoulder.

When a short time passed, she said. “Thanks. I’m already feeling less shaky.”

She seemed to need to draw some strength from him. Strength sapped further from his latest sightless experience. Strength expended by being around her and not being able to have her.

And because of his faltering reserves, he couldn’t prevent himself from awkwardly draping his arm around her shoulder and turning his face to murmur in her hair, “Don’t scare me like that again.”

She pulled away from him too quickly. “I’m ready to head home.”]]> http://www.writerq.com/mobile/library/797/no-man-left-behind_part201/ Sat, 11 Oct 2014 15:38:11 +0000 Corrie Howe http://www.writerq.com/mobile/Corrie/ http://www.writerq.com/mobile/Corrie/ Fri, 10 Oct 2014 20:57:05 +0000 Preston Ford http://www.writerq.com/mobile/Corrie/ http://www.writerq.com/mobile/Corrie/ Fri, 10 Oct 2014 12:28:29 +0000 Don A. Campbell http://www.writerq.com/mobile/library/715/rx-cover-letter/
I am Martha Diggles, a twenty-five year resident of Calvert County. I've raised seven children, now ranging in age from 18 to 35 years old.

Until recently, the last three years I had been a staff writer and editor for the Calvert Independent. I learned about Parents Raising Awareness for Substance Abuse when I covered the first community forum to raise prescription drug abuse. It was an eye opening experience for me. Especially when I discovered that two of my children were prescribed some of the prescriptions abused.

The following year substance abuse became very personal to me. First, we learned our neighbor’s child had been abusing illegal drugs. They were the type of family everyone wouldn’t consider having this kind of difficulty. Next, we learned that our own son had been dabbling in the same drugs. Even more shocking was to find out that our neighbors and the parents of our son’s friends had caught a group a boys using marijuana a year prior. No one told us. And we failed to recognize all the signs. In hindsight the signs were there, but our son had reasonable explanations for most of his changes in behavior.

All these boys shared common characteristics, similar to ones mentioned in each of the public awareness forums. They were star athletes, honor roll students, active in community service, respected by adult and peers and college-bound.

Although, I’m not sure what the responsibilities and expectations of the members of the Board of Directors, I know I bring to the table my experiences as a parent, a former reporter, and a member of the community. I’ve made many contacts across the county from my involvement in PTAs, business networking groups, interviewing people, volunteering and applying my facilitating and training skills.

Although a number of other community boards have invited me to join them over the years, the only board I’ve have interest in serving is yours.

Thank you for your consideration of my application to your board.]]> http://www.writerq.com/mobile/library/715/rx-cover-letter/ Fri, 26 Sep 2014 19:06:04 +0000 Corrie Howe