Before I begin with today's challenge... I have to take care of a little business.... Today is my sister, Gina's birthday... so...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GINA!!!
LOVE YA, SIS!!!
LOVE YA, SIS!!!
(You'll see why, in a moment, I did that with my story blog. *winks*)
Now... onto the United Friends Challenge... And yep... I'm the one that set it today! :)
Ladyharley's Challenge
In your favorite type of format (story, poetry, haiku, etc), please compose a piece (of any length) using the character name: Gina Bean. (She would be the main character... doesn't have to be the only one... but can be if you'd like.)
Note:
Today is my sister's birthday. When I requested this challenge, I was going to ask her what she would want me to write about. (Since she's been my biggest supporter, so far, of my work.) Anyway, I changed my mind & came up with a different plan... As a "surprise" for her... My challenge is going to be in dedication to her... in a way. It's simple this time.
(In case you're wondering, Gina Bean was her nickname growing up.)
(Except for the nickname, all other names were changed for... you know!)
So, here's my story... Keep in mind this is fictional!
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED... COPYRIGHT 2009 ~ LADY HARLEY
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED... COPYRIGHT 2009 ~ LADY HARLEYGina Bean's 1st day of school
"Long long time ago, in a land far far..."
"No, Mommy, I don't want a story, I'm not tired!"
The mom gently places the fairy tale book on her lap & leans over to her sweet child & softly speaks, "Now Gina Bean, you need to go to bed, tomorrow is a big day for you."
"But I don't want to go to school Mommy!" cried the little girl. "I want to stay home with you like we always does."
"That's like we always do, & see, you need to go to school so you can learn how to speak properly. Besides, you'll get to make new friends."
"But I don't want to make new friends. I want to stay here wiff you!"
The mother sits straight up in her chair and speaks firmly now. "I will continue your story, as long as you stop this whining. Otherwise you can just go to sleep. Either way, you will be going to school tomorrow, so there is not point in trying to argue with me about it."
"Mommy?"
"Yes dear?"
"Why?"
"Why, what, dear?"
"Why do I needs to go to school?"
"School is a place where you learn new and exciting things about life, and the world we live in."
"Can't you learn me all that I need to know?"
"The word would be teach, and no, darling, I cannot. See, tomorrow is a big day for me as well. I'll be learning something new too."
"Can I go wiff you?"
"No honey," she says trying to hide her giggle.
"Sweetie, it's a job, for big people. Your job is to learn, and that is why you are going to school tomorrow."
She looks at her daughter's confused and frightened face, then leans into her again & whispers; "Tell you what sweetie, give it one week and if you absolutely hate it, I will find a way for me to be your teacher."
A big smile comes across the little one's face. She thinks by the end of the week she will be with her mom forever!
"It's time for you to go to sleep now, Gina Bean."
"Will you read me the story, Mommy?"
"Only if you promise to close your eyes as I read it."
She nods her head & closes her eyes as her mom opens the book and starts again. "Long long time ago, in a land far far away......"
A few minutes later Gina was fast asleep, and the exasperated mother quietly walks out of the room.
"You know, dear, you have to stop calling her Gina Bean," says her husband as she crawls into her own bed. "Did you know, she thinks that's her real name?"
"No, I didn't. I will have a talk with her tomorrow over breakfast," she replies as she yawns. "She sure wears me out. Please pray, dear, that she has a good day. I made a deal with her that if her week is awful I would find a way to be her teacher."
Shaking his head, "Oh you didn't?"
"I know, I almost gave the surprise away. I don't think she caught on though."
The next morning Gina wakes up to the smell of her favorite breakfast. She runs into the kitchen & gives her mom a big hug.
"What's that for sweetie?"
"I love you! Thank you for making Cocoa Wheat's."
"You're welcome. Now sit down and eat, I need to talk with you."
As Gina gobbles up her nice hot bowl of cereal, she looks at her mom with question.
"Honey, you do know that Gina Bean is just my nick name for you, right?"
"Yeah, I know. My name is Gina Bean."
"No, Sweetie, it's Regina Riley. Gina Bean is just what I call you."
"Oh, just like Daddy's name is Carl Riley and you are Mommy Riley?"
Her mom laughs, "Yes, your dad's name is Carl Riley, but my name is Crystal Riley."
She looks at her mom for a moment and then asks, "Then, Mommy, why do you call me Gina Bean?"
"Well, because before you were born your Daddy saw a picture of you when you were in my tummy and you were so tiny that Daddy said, "Look we're having a bean, instead of a little girl."
The both giggled. Crystal stood up to finish her duties in the kitchen. Then as Gina brings her emptied bowl to her and asks, "Mommy, do I have to go today?"
The mom bends down to her daughter & puts her hand under her chin, "Now, we went though this last night, remember?"
"I know, I was hoping I could talk you out of making me go."
Crystal laughs, ruffles her daughter's hair & points to Gina's room, "Go get your clothes on. Your outfit is laying on your bed."
As she is walking out of the room her dad passes her in the hall way and she looks up at him and says, "I think Mommy better tell her new boss she won't be there after this week." Before he could reply she dashed off to her room to change.
"Crystal," he says as he enters the kitchen. "Gina just said you have to tell your boss you won't be there after this week. You know she's up to something, don't you?"
"I know. I am going to make sure she knows that this deal is only valid if she gives it an honest try."
"Ok, I hope you know what you're doing!"
"I do." She grins at her husband. "You think she will be surprised?"
"I still think you should have told her that you were going to be her teacher."
Later on that morning, just before Crystal & Gina enter the classroom, she bends down & kisses her little girl and whispers, "Have a great day Gina Bean!"
"Will you go in with me, please, Mommy, please?"
"Ok." She grins, knowing that her daughter is about to get the best surprise.
As they walked in the 12 other children looked at the two of them. Gina had a big grip on her mom's hand and didn't want to let go until, one of the girls rushes up to her and give Crystal a big hug and says, "Hi Mrs. Riley, are you our teacher? Is she your daughter? Can she sit by me? Can I help you with your..."
Crystal puts her hand on the little girl's shoulder and says, "Slow down, Missy. One question at a time." She turns to Gina to see her eyes big as saucers & nods and turns back to Missy. "Yes I am your teacher. Yes, she is my daughter. Yes, she can sit by you. Will you show her to her seat, please?"
Little Missy takes Gina by the hand and walks her to the desk next to her own. As Gina sits in her seat, she watches her mom write the words: Mrs. Riley on the blackboard.
Crystal turns to the class and says, "Good Morning, Class. Welcome to your first day of school. My name is Mrs. Riley. Now you know who I am, who are you? One by one, stand up, please, tell me your name and what is your favorite food."
All the kids give their names one by one and then it's Gina's turn. Her mom watches intently and holds her breath as her little girl begins to tell her name.
"My name is Gina Bean." As some kids giggle, she corrects herself. "I mean my name is Regina Riley, you can call me Gina. Only my mommy and daddy can call me Gina Bean." She smiles and quickly takes her seat.
Letting her breath out slowly the teacher says, "Thank you Gina, but you forgot to tell us what you favorite food is."
"Oh, right! It's chocolate!" She proudly announces.
One of the boys next to her pipes up "that's not a food, that's candy."
"It is so! It's made from beans. Beans are food, so chocolate is food!"
"That's the stupidest thing I ever heard. Chocolate is not a bean. Just because your name is Gina Bean, doesn't mean everything comes from a bean!"
"Now kids. Don't argue!" Crystal raises her voice a little bit. "Tommy, chocolate is a food in it's own right. Yes, it starts off as a bean. When it's completely harvested, it becomes the delicious sweet we know as chocolate. It comes in many forms too: liquid, powder, and even a solid candy bar. Would you all like me to bring in some different types later?"
All thirteen children exclaimed "YEAH!!!"
After the day was over Gina waited for all the kids to leave before she went up to her mom. "This was the best day ever! Why did you not tell me you were going to be my teacher?"
"I wanted it to be a surprise dear."
She gives her mom a big hug and says, "Thanks, Mommy. "
They both giggle as Crystal returns the hug and says, "You're welcome, Gina Riley!"
Gina flashes her mom a big smile, "That's Gina Bean to you Mommy!"
"Only when we're not in class, ok?"
"Ok, can I call you Mommy in class?"
"Actually, you should call, Mrs. Riley in school."
Gina nods. Soon as they are out of the building, she looks up at her mom and loudly proclaims, "I love you Mommy!" Then in a softer voice she says, "See, we're out of school now!"
"That we are dear. I love you too Gina Bean!"
Click HERE for more submissions!!!
