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<\/a><\/p>\nJuly 26, 2021<\/p>\n
Write a scene or story that includes a character who has a phobia. What do they fear? How does this phobia affect their life?<\/strong><\/p>\n I decided to write a scene involving two of my favorite characters from the Harmony Duprie Mysteries. Harmony and Eli. For those of you who have read the series, this scene would fall between the The Contessa’s Brooch and The Samurai’s Inro. At the end of The Contessa’s Brooch, Harmony had promised Eli that she would fly down to Florida to start working for him, and he had promised her that he’d use the company’s jet to pick her up instead of making her take a commercial flight when he figured out she has a fear of flying. The path on my maps app showed our path going straight, but Eli had flipped on his turn signal. Had he changed his mind, and we were driving to Florida? I could hope. \u201cThis isn’t our turn,\u201d I said as I put my phone in my lap and wiped my sweaty palms on my jeans. He’d told me to dress for comfort.<\/p>\n \u201cThe jetport has its own exit.\u201d A wide grin lightened his face. \u201cYou’re in for a treat.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNothing that has to do with getting on an airplane is fun.\u201d I wiggled in my padded and heated seat. \u201cThis is a nice car. I’d love to take it for a long drive with you. Like all the way to Florida.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe’ll make that happen some day, Harmony. But not this time. I have a full slate of meetings tomorrow, and you need to be there for a few of them as part of your training.\u201d He patted my knee.<\/p>\n \u201cI got myself into this fix, didn’t I? I should have never accepted the offer to work for you.\u201d It had seemed like a good idea. I had a hard time resisting when he batted his pale blue eyes at me.<\/p>\n He laughed. \u201cI’m not going to need to pull a Mr. T. intervention on you, am I?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMr. T.?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOld TV show. The tough guy on a team had a fear of flying. They had to come up with creative ways to drug him and get him on a plane to their next job almost every week.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought that soda you bought for me tasted funny. You didn’t…\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I wouldn’t. But I’m not afraid to throw you over my shoulder and carry you onto the jet if I need to.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOne time. One time you pulled that trick. And we were headed to the bedroom, not an airplane, and I wasn’t fighting.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat sounds like a challenge.\u201d He turned onto a side road. \u201cWe can test it tonight. I’ll carry you to my bed. At my house. In Florida. That’s another benefit of taking the company jet.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood selling point, but what else can you throw in to sweeten the pot?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cComfy leather chains you can stretch out in? Your pick of adult beverages, including your favorite wine? Not needing to go through TSA security or wait in line to board? Me to keep you company?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey all sound nice.\u201d I wasn’t sold, I laid my hand on my thigh and and squeezed to hide the trembling.<\/p>\n Eli pulled into a parking spot but didn’t turn off the engine. He turned to me and put his hand on my shoulder. \u201cYou never have told me why you’re afraid to fly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI never told you I was afraid to fly.\u201d<\/p>\n He moved his hand and rubbed my neck just below my bun. \u201cYou didn’t need to say the words.\u201d<\/p>\n I leaned into the massage, and the tautness in my muscles eased. His phone rang, and I missed the warmth of his touch when he answered it.<\/p>\n Eli’s side of the conversation was mostly words of acknowledgment, and I wondered who he was talking to. It wasn’t a normal business discussion. \u201cWe’ll be in the lounge when you are ready,\u201d he said. \u201cSee you soon.\u201d<\/p>\n He turned off the car. \u201cThat was Andy, my pilot. He’ll be landing soon. It’ll take a while to do paperwork, refuel, and he takes a break. We can wait in the visitors’ area.\u201d<\/p>\n Every muscle in my body tensed. \u201cI can’t do this, Eli.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOne step at a time, Harmony. We’re just going inside and get a drink and use the restroom. You don’t even have to take your luggage. Andy will handle it. Okay? That way I can hold your hand.\u201d<\/p>\n I swallowed back the lump in my throat.<\/p>\n He got out of the car, came around to the passenger’s side, opened the door, and crouched beside me. \u201cTell me what’s going on.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBlame it on my parents.\u201d The bitter words dripped from my mouth.<\/p>\n He scrunched an eyebrows. \u201cI thought they died in a mountain-climbing accident.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey did. I took them to the airport for their trip and they never came back. I don’t have a fear of flying, I have a fear of abandonment. Me abandoning everyone else. But only with airplanes. I don’t want to go somewhere and never return It’s not logical, but there it is.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd all those times I’ve left you, you’ve never said a word.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause somehow I always knew you’d be back, and it was okay.\u201d<\/p>\n Eli stood, stretched, and smiled. \u201cThere’s your answer! It’s logical. As long as we are together, we’ll both be okay. Right?\u201d<\/p>\n I mulled over the logic, looking for flaws, and didn’t find any. \u201cIt can’t be that easy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, but it’s a start. Let’s go inside.\u201d He held out his hand.<\/p>\n After undoing my seatbelt, I accepted his help to get out of the car. I stood glued to the spot, searching for courage.<\/p>\n He slipped his arm around my waist. \u201cIt’s only to the lounge. One step at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n How had I’d missed it? Eli was my courage. I leaned into him. \u201cOne step at a time. But we’re going to discuss the fact that you’re taking it for granted we’ll be sharing a bed tonight.\u201d To read what our other authors have to say about their character’s phobias, follow the links below. And, until next time, please stay safe!<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n July 26, 2021<\/p>\n Write a scene or story that includes a character who has a phobia. What do they fear? How does this phobia affect their life?<\/p>\n Rules: \r\n
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