Today image prompt is spring. It is a little tricky to find, but see if you can. I skipped over the story a bit. Melody has been cleaning Roy's room in preparation for Levi to use it.

Excerpt
Grabbing hold of the aluminum frame of the commode chair she tugged trying to break it clear of space she had involuntarily wedged it in. “You have to fit you stupid chair. How did you get in here in the first place?” 

The agency delivered the equipment. At the time, she made a point of taking Roy out for a walk. It had been her experience that people grew melancholy seeing the reminders of their slipping health.

Still, it was a heavy chair, she gave it a heavy tug. “Damn chair.”

Levi said close to her ear. “Maybe I could help?”

His voice so close surprised her.  Her grip on the chair loosened  sending her backwards into his body. They both fell to the floor with a solid thump. Melody pretended not to hear his muttered curse. Seriously, could it get any worse? For a second, she rested against his masculine body, enjoying the solid feel, even the scent of sun warmed male. Remembering her location, she scrambled to her hand and knees, and sprang up to her feet.

Levi lay sprawled on the floor with a menacing frown.  Charmer took the opportunity to lick his face since the man he idolized was at his level. “Could you get the dog away from me?”

She clapped her hands together with no effect. Well, that worked for some dogs, but apparently not this one. “Charmer, no, no.”

The dog stopped enough to look at her questioningly, before returning to bestowing sloppy canine kisses.

Levi pushed up to his elbows removing his face from Charmer’s administrations. “I see you have the dog on a real tight leash.”

His remark stung a little bit, even if it was true. Just when she was trying to like Levi a bit and think better of him, he had to go make some crack like that.  

Today's prompt is nudge. We left off with Levi comparing men who prefer to date petite women as being unsure of their masculinity.

“Good analogy. “ Oliver agreed, gesturing to the paper with his pen. “Let’s finish this so I can get home to my loving spouse. You,” he nudged Levi’s shoulder before continuing, “can get your car and gear to move in.”

Move in. At least, she was sitting down. A man who needed a small dainty woman was a man not sure of his own masculinity. Yes, that sounded like her date. No doubt, the man would marry a diminutive woman who would run him ragged. The thought made her smile.

“I am certainly glad to see you’re no longer opposed to Levi moving in.” The words startled her. She wasn’t opposed to Levi moving in?  Her smile had been taken for acceptance. Oh well, it could be worse. If she got out more, she might meet someone who was secure in his masculinity. Her first challenge would be to figure out how to do that.

The chairs scratching across the linoleum brought her out of her reverie.  Standing, Oliver pushed the papers across to her. “If you’re good with the guidelines, sign here.”

Taking the proffered pin, she signed the paper. She handed the pen to Levi wondering if he’d balk, but he didn’t. He signed right under her signature.

“Okay, children. I’ll have Amalee type this up when she comes in Monday. For now, this is the temporary agreement.  I can make a copy for you at the office and Levi can bring it with him when he returns.” Oliver capped his pen, securing it in his shirt pocket. He gathered up the papers and put them back into his case.

The three of them walked to the door together. She watched them head to the sedan. Oliver had his hands in his pockets, whistling while he walked. Levi kept his back ramrod straight and tried to use his cane as little as possible to prove he didn’t need it.  When they both turned to open the car doors, she waved as if bidding old friends goodbye.

“I’ll be back around six.” Levi’s voice carried easily.  The man was probably used to yelling over gunfire.

Not knowing how to reply to that, she waved and tried to stretch her lips into a smile. He’d be back at six. Only a few more hours before her life changed again. The only thing certain about her life was nothing ever remained the same.

Today's prompt is end. See if you can find it  and figure out what all the Barbie Dolls  are about?


What did he say? Did she hear him right? Her fingers gently touched her face as she suspected her mouth was open. His words made no sense. They certainly didn’t jive with her last date’s comments.

“This gets more interesting by the minute.” Oliver commented, while watching the two of them avidly.

“I’m not sure what to say. The last date I went on the man commented I was too large to be attractive. I assumed other men thought likewise.” Melody gripped the counter behind her back in case another verbal volley hit her, knocking her off her set of accepted beliefs.

Levi’s grey eyes warmed as he smiled. “Melody, you probably don’t get out much.”

“No lie there” she readily agreed because it was familiar ground. Her knees felt a little less shaky than before. How could she ease into her chair, making it look natural? Standing against the counter made her feel as if she were on display. The voices of the children coming back from the lake sent Charmer into a series of half-hearted barks. It was enough of a distraction for her to sit down and fold her hands in her lap.

“This date of yours, was he a little on the small side?”

The question had her trying to remember. He hadn’t been overly tall. A little on the scrawny side, not wide across the shoulders and chest like Levi was. “I think so. He never noticed my new outfit, my hair or how hard I worked on my makeup, just that I was too big.”

Oliver put his age spotted hand over hers. “It hurts me to hear you talk like this. You remind me so much of my wife when she was young. Let me tell you, she’s the prettiest thing I ever set eyes on. She still is.”

The sweet man made her eyes glisten.  She didn’t necessarily believe his words, but still it was nice to see a man still deeply in love with his wife after all these years.

“I know the type.” Levi nodded his head, as if hearing a conversation only he was privy to.

Charmer nudged her leg. Her fingers scratched his head, not quite familiar with what he might want, not knowing the dog well enough to know his non-verbal cues. Instead, she asked, “What type is that?”

 Crossing his arms, Levi looked in her direction, then back at Oliver. “Men who are unsure of their masculinity like small dainty women. In the end, they don’t really know how to be a man. As far as masculinity, all they have is superior size and different plumbing. A doll-like woman makes them feel like a man, but it doesn’t make him one. More like a boy playing with his sister’s Barbies.”

Last time, we left off with the lawyer writing guidelines how the two of them could share the house. He was up to the part about how they would handle dates. Today's prompt is pale. See if you can find it.

“No worries about me. I won’t be entertaining friends or dates.”  It sounded pitiful even to her ears.  After her last failed date, the idea of dating didn’t appeal. Everyone she met in the hospice field already had friends to occupy them. Currently Mary and Charmer were the extent of her social life.

“Same here,” Levi added. “If I should run into some old friends, then we could meet in a restaurant, or someplace else.”

Oliver looked at his cup, then up at Melody with a smile. Taking a hint, she stood to get the coffee pot.

“Nevertheless, we should have guidelines. No other person will be permitted to move into the house during the year.” He wrote swiftly and murmured his thanks as she filled his cup.

“This doesn’t mean you can’t have guests, but you need to contain them to the private areas as not to discomfit the other inhabitant. You cannot allow a person to stay two nights in a row, which would imply a form of co-inhabitation.”

Still not a problem on her part, the few men friends she’d had didn’t stay the entire night. Truthfully, it wasn’t love and could barely be called a relationship. “Not happening.”

Levi’s fingers were on a cookie, but stilled with her words. “Are you telling me what I can do? Maybe I might meet a woman who might take pity on me?”

“Seriously, you’re starting that crap again? With that attitude, you’ll meet up with someone who will treat you like a charity case. Plenty women would value you without two strong legs. I was talking about myself Mr. I-Jump-to-Conclusions. There won’t be any overnight dates in my case.”  Her skin paled at her impulsive words. It would be wonderful if they moved on to something else, like paying the utilities.

Chewing on a cookie, he appeared to consider her words. “You’re not one of those prudes who doesn’t believe in sex before marriage and all that?”

Her esophagus squeezed shut with his casual comment, which made it hard to breathe for a few seconds. She closed her eyes and mentally counted. A trick she had taught herself to ease her nerves. Counting always worked for her. Counting her steps or the ceiling tiles in the gynecologist’s office, just as long as she had something to count.  Her pinkie grazed the burner pad as he replaced the carafe. “Ouch.”   The man not only had her stumbling around the place, but burning herself with all his raw masculinity.

“Ouch, what kind of answer is that?” Levi leaned back in his chair and locked his hands behind his head.  The man looked as if he were enjoying her embarrassment. 

Exhaling deeply, she decided to put things on the table. There was no reason to have this silly cat and mouse game going on. “Ouch is what you say when you burn yourself.”

“It’s not what I’d say.” The man smirked at her.

“Yes, I know. Let’s make it plain. You don’t have to worry about me dragging home men to keep in my bedroom. I’m well aware that I’m not attractive to men.”

The clatter of the chair legs hitting the floor confirmed her suspicion he’d been leaning back on two legs. ‘What the hell are you talking about? Most men would give their eyeteeth for a woman like you. You’re tall, curvy, and have the most gorgeous hair. It’s obvious you give back as much as you get. What’s not to like?”