Pink Dress and an Axe

Writing Club #2

Jan 14, 2014

Writing Prompt:
Tell this story:  Photo of a woman’s torso in a pink dress holding an axe as large as her torso itself.

We got this one and it took me a few moments to have an idea where to go with it.

“I took it away from him.”  Claire mopped her dripping forehead with the silk handkerchief.  “He can’t have it any more.”  She looked quite proud of herself.

Frank just stared back at her in disbelief.  He likely looked like a ghost-all the blood drained from his face.  He gave a shudder.  There in front of him Claire stood casually in her frosted pink cocktail dress with the biggest axe he’d ever seen in her carefully manicured hands.  “Where’s Cal?”  He tried not to let on he was thinking the worst inside.

“Oh him, I left him over behind the grandstand.  He had no business taking it from me.” Her bright red lips swirled into a smile.  “What are you worried about?  The medic’s tending to him right now.  He's going to live,” she laughed.

Frank’s eyes darted to the sharpened edge.  Was that blood, or maybe it was just his imagination.   A nervous “You're sure?" escaped his lips.  Frank was imaging the worst.  Surely Claire wouldn’t kill her own brother for a trophy.  
His promise to Trish that he would get Cal to the wedding on time was ringing in his ears.  Frank wondered what he was ever thinking when he said he’d be best man?  Probably how hot Claire would look in that short pink dress.  That’s why he hadn’t told Claire the Dryden Lumberjack competition was the same day as her brother’s wedding.  How the blink had she found out?  He never understood her fascination with all this backwoods stuff.  Crazy Calhoun family and their beloved axes and plaid flannel.  

Claire swung the big blade up over her shoulder and he took a big step backwards reflexively.  Hopefully he was out of arm and axe reach.  

            She frowned.  “Cal’s fine.”  Reaching for Frank with a free hand, Claire grabbed him by the wrist and yanked him along.  “I’m thirty points and two minutes ahead in total.  The title’s all mine.  Are you coming or what?”  Now she was getting anxious.  “We’re going to miss it!”

“That’s not the only thing we’re going to miss!  We’re going to be late for the ceremony,” he rebuffed.  “I better go round up Cal so Trish doesn’t get angry.”

“Cal should have told me that the championship was today.  His nuptials will have to wait.  I love me some timber.  This competition is mine!”  Claire trotted off towards the waiting crowd.  With all the fake enthusiasm he could muster, her called after her.  “Show them how it’s done honey.”  Under his breath, he muttered, "Make it quick.”  His grandma always said never come between a woman and what she loves.  Frank thought to himself, especially when she’s holding an axe.  As he headed to the medical tent, to collect Cal, he mused about how he’d never understand her fascination with chopping wood.  In some strange way the shiny pink dress and all its toile only seemed to complement Claire’s tan steel-toed boots.