#ThursThreads - Week 35 - Winners

Week 35 of #ThursThreads had some great tales! Thanks to all who entered this week. I'm honored to see all of you and read your stories. And it was great to have our returning regulars. Great thanks also goes to judge Kris Norris for reading all the tales.

Entries:

• Toni Wyatt | @Toni1777
• Elaine Hillson | @tollykit
• Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
• Robin Abess | @Angelique_Rider 
• Cameron Lawton | @CameronLawton
• Wakefield Mahon | @WakefieldMahon
• Ryan Strohman | @rastrohman
• Jeffrey Hollar | @Klingorengi
• Kel Heinen | @Aightball
• Rebekah Postupack | @postupak 
• David A Ludwig | @DavidALudwig
• Mark Ethridge | @LurchMunster
• @LupusAnthropos
• Jalisa Blackman | @J_M_Blackman

Kris says: First let me thank Siobhan for bestowing the incredible and might I add nearly impossible honor of being this week’s judge. I had a fabulous time reading through all the entries. I have to say…what a talented group of writers. I think Siobhan picked the hardest week for me to judge. I’ll admit outright—this was a tough decision. So many of the stories grabbed me from the get-go, I had to read each of the selections more than a few times to finally choose a winner. But, alas, a winner there must be so…
 

Winners Announcement:

Honorable Mentions

David A Ludwig | @DavidALudwig

Kris says: I loved the premise of this story, especially the idea of the two most dreaded four letter words. I can easily relate to those words...sad, but true. And let's face it...I can't imagine that there's anyone reading this that hasn't shoved a foot in their mouth. Though my favourite line was how "I read her expression to be F*** you, so naturally I stayed"...brilliant! I'm not usually a fan of first person, but David pulled it off with style and flare. Good first person makes me forget I'm reading it and David, you succeeded. I'll admit...it was a tough choice between this story and this week's winner...I was on the fence for a long time, so I tip my hat to you David. Great job.
 

Mark Ethridge | @LurchMunster

Kris says: A touching story about survivor guilt and how it haunts one every step of the way. Mysoulstears did a great job of immersing me into the heart of the story. I felt as if I was standing there, watching the coffin lower with the other onlookers. And I liked the description of the umbrellas looking more alive...like her.

 

Jalisa Blackman | @J_M_Blackman

Kris says: Zombies...and one of them is the very teacher she's been crushing on... I love it! Great premise and great descriptions. I particularly enjoyed the bit about how his lips would touch her in a way far less daydream-ish....fabulous. Nothing quite so endearing as a good fantasy shot to hell. 

Week 35 Winner

Jeffrey Hollar | @Klingorengi

Kris says: (insert a exuberant clapping of hands and a chorus of angels singing from the heavens above). This is a brilliant gem about the failings of an old man...or at least what he sees as his failings. Having witnessed a violent rape, ten years later he's still haunted by the fact he didn't do anything to help the girl. Or perhaps he's just haunted by the fact he didn't accept the ride so he didn't have to witness it...crap shoot here and it could go either way...What I loved most about this story was how the dialogue and style stayed true to the character, giving a clear picture of what the man must have been like. I sometimes find dialect to be cumbersome, but Jeffrey kept it flowing. Excellent job Jeffrey!

 

Rail Yard Regrets

Now, “Why didn’t I take up my friends on the ride home?” you might ask. Simple answer. Ain’t easy getting’ on in years and sure as hell ain’t easy when the damned State decides you ought not to drive no more. So, call it jest plain ole stubborn pride. Besides, weren’t that long a walk if’fn ya cut ‘crost the rail yards and that were how I went.

Didn’t see ‘em till were damned near too late. She were a pretty little thing, pale as a snowflake. Well she was down on that cold, hard ground and the two of ‘em was havin’ they way with her somethin’ fierce.

I musta kicked me a can or somethin’, cause they stopped of a sudden. She seen me first and, in her eyes, were a look damned near broke my heart. Pleadin’…beggin’…don’t rightly know, to this day, what to call it. They seen me, too, and weren’t nothin’ but harm, plain and simple, on they minds.

Well, I may not git around like I used to, but I knew me them rail yards good an’ I run fer all I was worth till I lost them fools. Now, I read in the papers ‘bout them findin’ her body and 'bout not findin’ nobody to blame fer it. That were ten years gone by now. I never stood up fer her. Weren’t no hero or nothin’ to do me a fool thing like that. But anybody offer now? I’ll takes me a ride.

Congratulations Jeff (you made it!), David, Mark, and Jalisa! Claim your badges and display them with pride. You certainly earned it! :)

Pass on the great news on Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, shiny mirrors, Morse Code, and signal flags. Check out all the stories here. Next week I'll be out of town at Authors After Dark in New Orleans so #ThursThreads will be postponed until August 16th 2012 and I hope to see you all back then. :)