Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Q = Quelled the Queasiness


Those pesky emotions when people you love have died is striking Allyson Moore again in this excerpt from "Folds in Life and Death" by Cherie Reich.

Q is for Quelled the Queasiness

Peterson paused at an elevator and pushed the button. The doors slid open, and he placed his hand against the side to keep them from closing. “The children are two floors down, ma’am.”

“Down?” She entered the elevator.

“Yes, ma’am.” Peterson stepped inside and scanned a card. “They constructed this building to withstand a nuclear explosion. Several key government officials will remain here until the threat level lowers.”

The elevator went down, and her stomach flipped. Was the new President here? She looked toward the lieutenant. “Has someone informed the children that their parents… you know?”

She couldn’t say were dead without crying again.

“No, ma’am.” He focused straight ahead. “We thought a family member should be here.”

“Okay.” How could she break the news? Her stomach flopped again, and several deep breaths quelled the queasiness.

***

Every comment gives you a chance to win one of ten copies of Parallels: Felix Was Here.

Click here for the other blogs participating in the A-Z Challenge.

16 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thank you! Q was a hard one, but I lucked out having a couple Q words to use. :)

      Delete
  2. I can't imagine telling someone their parents have died. Talk about queasiness.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I think it'd be so hard to do. Then again, it's not too easy telling anyone someone has died that you/they cared about.

      Delete
  3. That was very clever of you. I am only too familiar with quelling queasiness!

    @Kathleen01930
    Meet My Imaginary Friends
    #AtoZchallenge

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great example. I'd be trying not to puke. Not very elegant.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Joylene! I'm glad I used some Q words there. Otherwise, it'd be hard to find something with a Q pertaining to my story. :)

      Delete
  5. Such an emotional scene. Well done!
    Excellent story!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I loved this story!
    Creative use of the letter Q.
    Writer In Transit

    ReplyDelete
  7. I enjoy Cherie's writing. Great Q post.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Not easy being in her shoes! Brilliantly done Q!

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are most appreciated!