Amboy, Indiana
Congratulations Lorna!
Lorna's Bio:
Lorna Thomas became a storyteller at the age of ten when her younger sister said, "Sissy, tell me a story." Since then, she's been frantically wrestling interesting stories and characters away from her muse and pinning them down on scraps of paper whenever she gets the chance.
She has written hundreds of poems, short stories and one novel-length manuscript, for which she is currently seeking publication. She finds inspiration by observing life around her. She especially enjoys writing humor and is provided an endless supply of story fodder through her experiences of managing a high-tech, home-based computer business on a farm surrounded by chickens and cows.
In addition to writing, she enjoys being a mom, training dogs, photography, and backpacking.
She lives on a farm in rural Indiana with her husband and two children.
Fresh Strawberries
I stood on the sidewalk outside the Omni in San Diego and hailed a cab.
The wedding invitation had evidently fallen victim to the postal service. A cryptic voicemail from Kate's mom just twenty-four hours earlier had left me scrambling to find a dress and catch a last-minute flight from Las Vegas.
As I entered the garden behind Kate's parent's house in Golden Hill, a penetrating voice demanded my attention. "Jenny Wilson! Oh, my God!"
I forced a smile and turned. "Julia!"
"You haven't changed a bit!" She chirped as she kissed the air next to my cheek.
"Neither have you."
"Look, there's Allison," she whispered conspiratorially. I followed her gaze.
"Is that... ?"
"Yes. Can you believe it?" Julia rolled her eyes.
"She hasn't changed," I remarked dryly. Throughout high school, Allison had dutifully reminded me of where I stood in the social order. Though I never completely understood my ranking, I sensed it fell somewhere below whatever life flourished beneath the algae on the school's retention pond.
"There's Devin!" Julia cooed.
"Devin Shaeffer?"
"Yes! Katie's so lucky!"
"Lucky?" Realization punched through my gut.
"I can't believe he's the lead singer with No More Bondage. He was such a geek in high school."
Yes, but he was my geek.
I felt ill as memories of the day after graduation flooded my senses. I tasted the fresh strawberries we had shared at a picnic on the beach.
He had convinced me that, together, we could create a new world. The day ended with a single question. Jen, will you marry me?
Stunned, I had awkwardly explained my need to live alone for a while. The next day, he said 'goodbye'. And here we were ten years later, with me still alone and him about to marry Kate.
I numbly sat next to Julia and watched as he scanned the crowd. Our eyes met. He smiled and my stomach knotted.
Allison appeared next to me, shattering the daydream in which Devin and I once again shared fresh strawberries. "Hello, Jen. I was afraid you wouldn't come once you heard."
"Allison, please, we're adults," I snapped, no longer caring about her social protocol.
"Of course," she replied. "I'm sure you can agree that our Katie is one lucky girl."
She quickly walked away.
"What a skank," I hissed. "What does she mean 'our' Katie? She knows nothing about Kate."
Julia's jaw dropped.
"What's wrong?" I asked, fearing she might be having a seizure.
On stage, a woman approached the microphone.
"Friends and family, welcome to the union of Kate and Allison. This is a special day in which we gather to honor... "
The voice faded as questions buzzed through my befuddled mind like flies. Kate and Allison? How? When?
I stared at my hands.
Soon, Devin's floating voice rose in song, soothing my unsettled thoughts.
When the music ended, I looked up. Kate now stood next to Allison.
I glanced at Devin. He smiled at me and I tasted strawberries.
***