Writing with Detail- Funeral Feels

     The chiming of the church bells pounds in my head as my family and I walk through the doors. The smell of flowers quickly surrounds me as if I am being wrapped in a blanket of overwhelming scents. I can hear stories of my grandpa flowing from families and friends. "He was a good man" is constantly being thrown around within conversations. As we sat in our seats, the chestnut brown bench is smooth and strong. It is not only holding my weight, but supporting every emotion that is about to pour out of me. The ceremony begins. As soon as I see my dad and three uncles carrying in my grandpa's casket I am no longer able to contain myself. My vision blurs and tears rapidly fill my eyes. Without any hesitation they start running down my cheeks and the salty liquid approaches my lips. It has come time for my family to step up to the casket to see my grandpa one last time. He looks as good as ever. The suit he wears is nicely pressed and it looks as if there is almost a slight smile upon his face. This is my final goodbye.

Cliches and Dialogue

     George looked up from shoeing the horse to see the outline of Curley's wife in the doorway of the barn. They were alone.
   
     "What're you doin' in here? It's six in the mornin'. Shouldn't you be held up with Curley somewhere?" George snarled.
    
     "I just came to find a snack. An apple a day keeps the doctor away, right?" Curley's wife replied sarcastically.
    
     "Well there ain't any apples in here! You of all people should know that by now. Now scat, I got stuff to do."
    
     "Now I don't get it, I would bend over backwards to help you fella's on the ranch but ya'll seem to hate my guts. What did I ever do to you?"

     George hesitated and turned away. "You didn't do anythin'," he said softly, "now just leave me alone alright?"
    
     "Yer cute as a button, did anyone ever tell you that?" Curley's wife said seductively. "Yer much cuter than Curley ever was."

     "I don't know what yer tryin' to do here but I'm not so sure I like it. 'Spose Curley comes looking for you. He'll be madder than a wet hen if he finds you in here talkin' to me."

    Curley's wife began to scream. "Forget Curley. I'm sick of him always tellin' me what I can and can't do!" She shrank into the corner and began to cry. "It's always his way or the highway. There ain't ever an in between."

     George moved closer to her and sat down. "I'll tell you what. If he walks in, I'll take the fall for you bein' in here. I'll say I asked you to help me with the horse or somthin' like that."

     "Can I ask you somethin' George?" Curley's wife began, "Why havn't you taken a swing at Curley yet. I mean, he attacked for best friend for god's sake! Why don't you hurt him? And on the topic of yer so called best friend, why do you keep puttin' up with him? He seems like a pain in the butt to travel with."

     "Two wrongs don't make a right. Plus, I'd say Lennie did a pretty good job at givin' him a taste of his own medicine. And Lennie, well he's a weird guy. He sure does get on my nerves but I don't think I could live without him."

     Curley's wife began to get up. "You know George, I'm glad I got to talk to you. Oh and just thought I'd let you know, a little bird told me that you're almost as popular as Slim. Congrats." She moved closer, kissed George softly, and walked out.

     "Well what do you know," George murmured happily to himself, "sometimes the early bird really does get the worm."

    

I Have A Dream

     I have a dream that one day my cat will not scratch every person that walks through our door. I have a dream that our guests won't hide in fear when they see him coming near. I have a dream that one day he will let strangers pet him without getting attacked. Part of his anger might come from the fact that he has had a cone on his head for the past year, but he has been this way for much longer than that.

     He used to be playful. He used to be friendly. He used to chase the laser pointer no matter who was controlling it. Well not anymore. Now all he does is sleep. Now all he does is curl up on the couch and growl at strangers who walk by. Now he won't chase the laser pointer, but instead, he will stare bitterly at who ever is controlling it.

     Don't get me wrong. He is a very lovable cat. There are still some times when he will cuddle up with his family and be peaceful. There are still some times when he will chase a bouncy ball down the hall and try as hard as he can to bring it back. There are still some times when he will roll around on his back begging us for attention.

     Unfortunately, visitors fail to see this side of him. They see him as hateful and vicious. They see him as burden in our house. They see him as an unpleasant cat to be around. Even though others have a negative perspective towards him, I love him and wouldn't give him up for anything.