Writing Exercise - and where did the time go?!

Holy doodle - how did that much time go by? Whoops. Funny how life takes over - lots of events and work and stuff! Well, glad to be back at it. I have been writing and revising so that took up most of my free time. And now that I've adopted two kittens, that has taken the rest. In a very good way. 😍

So, let's do a quick writing exercise and get those creative juices flowing. Although, plenty of people are doing NaNoWriMo, those folks most likely do not need an exercise. 

Words: Star, inn, adventure, buy

In the gift shop window of The Grand Inn, the sparkling crystal star on top of the Christmas tree winked, inviting me in on an adventure to buy it. The Grand Inn could have been named The Exclusive Inn since anyone staying there had to have gobs of money. And not just gobs, but bags loaded with gobs.

Shivering and staring brought me no closer to going in to check the price. Out of the corner of my eye, a bright red jacket approached and stood next to me.

“Beautiful tree, ain’t she?” the man said.

“Yup.” I wasn’t sure about conversing with a stranger. But it was a Christmas tree. “The star is the best part though.”

“A gift for someone?”

A sigh slipped out.

“I see,” he said.

I finally looked at him, and if he didn’t look like Santa himself. The man chuckled. I tried to break my gaze.

He shrugged one shoulder. “Why not take a look inside. Can’t hurt.”

The glittering star got my full attention again. “Maybe.” The man was gone. No red jacket appeared anywhere up and down the sidewalk. I straightened up. The door jingled as I went inside. Heat enveloped me and I shivered once more. A good shiver this time.

I chewed my lip walking right to the tree. The price tag hung down enough that I could read it. Maybe I could buy it! But how did he know?

A whiny voice made me jump. “Can I help you?”

“Yes, ma’am, I’d like to see the star please.”

She snorted. “Where are your parents?”

“At home,” I lied.

“Come back with them and you can see the star together, okay sweetie?”

The urge to kick her in the shin then run away was really strong. I glared at her and stomped out.

Deflated, I leaned against the building. A spot of red caught my eye and I glanced up. The Santa man grinned and winked. Just like the star. I smiled back, he nodded and disappeared.