Candles By Victoria Story Writing Contest 2nd Runner up
Written By: Lisa Adams


Late one night, unable to sleep, I decided to try to Unwind with a cup of Chai Tea and a Chocolate Chip Cookie, as the Rain pattered like Butterfly Kisses against the windows. “Another Midnight in Macon,” I sighed, as I settled down in the living room. Legs draped over my new Leather chair, I flipped on the TV to see what might be on worth keeping my late-night vigil. I roamed through the channels watching half-heartedly as I saw a couple having Sex on the Beach, an advertisement for some sort of Tropical Vacation, Louis Armstrong singing “Hello Dolly” in an old classic, and a woman in a Sunflower colored apron extolling the virtues of Sweet Potato Pie, a bottle of Nutmeg firmly clutched in one hand. I yawned at the usual Harvest of uninteresting fare.

Reaching for my tea, I accidentally flipped to another channel. One of the home shopping ones… “Monkey Juice!” I exclaimed, quickly reaching to punch the button on the remote. Before I could switch to another station, a Very Sexy, Very Irresistible male voice drifted into my living room. I looked up at the TV screen, only to see a large Amish Quilt being sold at a “one-time only, amazingly low price.” I stared at the screen, willing the cameraman to cut back to the owner of the Black Velvet voice that kept promising a quilt “as soft as Sweet Snow” and “as warm as a Summer Shower.” The quilt continued to monopolize the view, but that voice flowed over me like an Afternoon Breeze, beginning to Soothe the jangled nerves that had been keeping me awake.

Grabbing up the phone, I punched “1” to speed-dial my best friend, Angelina. One ring… two… and a sleepy voice growled across the line, this better be good, Jasmine… I was dreaming I was Butt Naked with a Heavenly Type pool boy and the Sweet Talk was just getting to the Tahitian Passion part.” “Hush and turn on the shopping channel,” I fussed.

“The WHAT? What's with you?” Angelina grouched, but I could hear her fumbling for the remote on the other end of the phone. “You sound like you've had one Jelly Donut too many!” In a second, I heard the faint echo of her TV and mine being in synch.

“I am IN LOVE with the owner of that voice,” I whispered, my eyes still glued to the bright colors of the quilt on the screen. “Yeah, yeah… and I have a Crush on My Handyman. Now, hang up and let me get back to my dream already.”

Suddenly, the camera angle shifted and there stood “Mr. Voice” next to the quilt. I heard Angelina take a deep breath. “Oh, Sweet Pea, you have GOT to meet that man.” I nodded at the phone, without even thinking that Angelina couldn't see me. Finally, after a drawn out silence on both ends of the line, I said, “He's no Country Bumpkin - that's for sure. He looks sweeter than Cotton Candy and Caramel Corn combined.”

We are Best Friends, but Angelina laughed at me. “Well… ain't you just the perfect little Georgia Peach at this time of the morning?” she asked in an exaggerated southern belle accent. I blushed, knowing how silly I must have sounded. “Personally, I think he's more like Fresh Baked Bread and Peanut Butter Cookies.” Another laugh, this time from me. “Dieting again, Angelina?”

“Well...,” she replied defensively, “YOU started with the food descriptions first. So, what are you going to do about that Dreamsickle?” I chuckled, Happy that I had called her. “Sit, listen and drool, I suppose. Not much chance of me ever meeting him for real, now is there?” “So… no walks down a Moonlight Path… no Tropical Bliss… no Home Sweet Home?”

I sighed as I looked at the HD-enhanced Emerald Sea green of his eyes. “Whatever, Angie! What am I going to do – cast some sort of Love Spell on him?” “Buy a quilt…”

“What?!”

“Buy… a… quilt… Hang up the phone, pick it back up and dial 1-800-555…”

“Have you been drinking those Plantation Breeze things you make?” I interrupted, half serious. “No, but I'll bring the stuff over and make us some right now if you'll call the show. I'll even bring some of your favorite Swiss Chocolate Almond ice cream.” “It's tempting, but you're a nut, Angie,” I declared, as I reluctantly flipped over to the next channel. Don Ho singing “Tiny Bubbles.” And then the next - The Weather Channel. “We're under a Storm Watch.”

“Mmm…” Angelina muttered, sleep edging back into her voice. “Chalk it up to these warm Summer Nites. They're also perfect for a little home shopping Obsession…” She giggled softly into the phone. “Good night, Angie…” I prompted, smiling.

“Sweet dreams, my Night Blooming Jasmine,” she responded with another soft giggle, “Go climb between those Clean Cotton sheets and get some sleep.” I looked back at the television. An infomercial about Stress Relief. I held the “down” arrow button on the remote until the quilt was back on my screen, and that rich, Mahogony voice once again filled my living room with warmth like Vanilla Sugar.

Picking up the phone, I dialed… 1-800-555….

The End

Written By: Lisa Adams

Winner of a $20.00 gift certificate from Candles By Victoria

Click here to read our 3rd runner up.

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