#ThursThreads - Week 36 - Winners

Week 36 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 Alex Bowman for reading all the tales.

Entries:

• Ryan Strohman | @rastrohman
• Wakefield Mahon | @WakefieldMahon
• Robin Abess | @Angelique_Rider
• Kimberly Gould | @Kimmydonn
• Toni Wyatt | @Toni1777
• Olivia Grambo | @KelseyPotter13
• Sheilagh Lee | @SweetSheil
• Cara Michaels | @caramichaels
• Kel Heinen | @Aightball
• Cameron Lawton | @CameronLawton
• Susan Hayes | @capricia13
• Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir
• Daniel Swensen | @surlymuse
• Elaine Hillson | @tollykit
• Rebecca Grace Allen | @RGraceAllen
• Mark Ethridge | @LurchMunster
• Clare Stubbs | @ClareStubbs2
• Crystal | @NightOwlWrites
• Chessny Silth | @ChessnySilth
• Jeffrey Hollar | @Klingorengi
• Mike E Miller | @MikeEMillerBook
• Nellie Batz | @solimond
• Rebekah Postupack | @postupak

 

Winners Announcement:

Honorable Mentions

Robin Abess | @Angelique_Rider

Alex says: Another great use of imagery. Loved that it was a bit darker, adding another element to the narrative.
 

Olivia Grambo | @KelseyPotter13

Alex says: Evocative, it made me feel the awkwardness of the narrator. Nice use of emotion.

 

Siobhan Muir | @SiobhanMuir

Alex says: Strong technically. Tight writing made it flow easily. It made me want to know more. (I'm ineligible as host, but I wanted to include Alex's comments)
 

Week 36 Winner

Ryan Strohman | @rastrohman

Alex says: The imagery was great -- I felt like I was sitting on the bus as I read it. Also, it's so divergent from the expected use of the prompt, so I liked that surprise as well as the little mini-twist at the end which changed my opinion of the narrator.

 

I never stood up for her, that pregnant woman on the bus. I didn’t even think of it at the time. I was too engrossed in reading over the headlines on my iPad. I didn’t even really look up. Or at least I can keep telling myself that.

Neither did a lot of people, I guess. The guy in the suit didn’t, but that was no surprise. He was on his cell phone, talking at a volume unfit for public transportation. Unfit for public, really. The college kid with the glasses and headphones didn’t stand up either. He just stared out the window.

The mother with her two young children looked like she would have if she’d been alone. She gave a sympathetic smile. And the elderly couple did the same, although I did see the old man rise a little before his wife pulled at his arm to stay. He wouldn’t have been able to manage standing with his oxygen tank.

I should have stood up for her. I know it. Why didn’t the others? A pregnant woman, appearing at least eight months along, forced to stand the entire trip from 5th to 42nd. As I checked the straps on my prosthetics, still adjusting to using them like this, the bus rolled to a stop. The pregnant woman passed me, and I ungainly rose and followed. Only then did I see my folly.

I didn’t have legs, but I did have manners. I should have stood up for her.

Congratulations Ryan, Robin, and Olivia! 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. :)