China, Maine
Congratulations, Pauline!
Pauline’s Bio:
Pauline Gill is a retired English teacher who resides in Florida and vacations in Maine. She has a B.S. degree in Language Arts and a Master of Education degree. Pauline has always loved to write, but between teaching and raising a family, that desire was set aside. She now actively pursues her passion for writing, which has led to published work and contest winnings. She has published articles and stories with Triond.com and Associated Content.com. Pauline has won first and second place in online fiction contests for Write Around the Block and an Honorable Mention for flash fiction in WOW! Women on Writing’s Spring 2007 Contest.
Her love of research led to becoming an Authority writer for eHow.com and recently she accepted a position to write for Demand Studios.com.
You can visit Pauline's eHow.com profile at http://www.ehow.com/members/Hapworth.html and her blog at http://morningnoonnight.blogspot.com/.Horizontal Woman
"That has to be the ugliest coffin I've ever seen."
"You judge coffins?” Gwen examined her friend, dressed in a tailored suit black as her hair. Who comments on a coffin?
Sonja pursed her lips. "You know what I mean. She was a picky woman. I thought it would be ornate, pearl inlaid or whatever. Why so dark?"
"She was formidable—but never showy. This conversation is too weird and morbid.” Gwen glanced back as another former waitress cut through the din and signed the guest book. "Hey Sonja, there's Kim. She started when we were seniors."
Sonja tossed a look. "What a pain. She always got the good tables."
"Shh-h, I think someone's going to speak.” Gwen cupped her mouth. "Oh, that's her daughter. She looks so grief-stricken. Remember when she got fired? I wonder if they ever spoke again."
Sonja inspected her French manicure. "Doubt it. Who would be forgiving with that for a mother?"
"Sonja, how can you say that?"
"Gwen, don't give me a tone. You know how she pushed us. Remember having to practice carrying the tray? Cleaning the bathrooms? And how about the walk?"
"Oh yes. The walk.” Gwen looked down, smoothed her pencil skirt, and folded her petite hands. "She made me walk back and forth for an hour until I got my posture right. I thought I would collapse."
Sonja murmured, "Gwen, why are we here?"
Gwen sucked in the stony air and stared ahead. "We're here because it's the right thing to do. It doesn't matter that she was difficult. Does it?"
Sonja shrugged. "Look at her daughter. After all the scolding and admonishment, she's here for her mother."
"This place is packed," Gwen noted. "Why? What was it about her, Sonja?"
"She cared."
Gwen turned towards her friend. "Wow…you're right."
Sonja chuckled. "You know, I can't go into a restaurant without analyzing the waitresses. I still haven't found any as good as us."
"After the funeral, let's have lunch and catch up. How long you here?” Gwen asked.
"I'm always tied up. Maybe coffee. You know me. I work hard and expect my employees to do the same, so no time to dally."
"I know. Same with me. It's always hectic. I can't believe how slack the girls are. I keep telling them to dress appropriately, stand straight, smile at the customers. You'd think they'd know better."
Sonja poked Gwen as a thin voice rose from the pulpit.
"My mother was a proud woman."
Silence swathed the room. Gwen gazed around. Scattered, sat vertical women, donned in designer clothes and beauty-parlor hair, eyes fixed forward. They came to pay their respects to Mrs. Stoddard.
Somehow, she still held them captive, even from her silent coffin.
***