Too Much of A Good Thing

Author’s Note: These prompts are my attempt at working on writing fiction. I may not always follow the cards exactly, but it is me writing fiction. My first few attempts at fiction happened five years ago on Vocal Media, and on medium.com.

Stack of Needles — Cards against normality prompt: Too much can be worse than too little. Overwhelm your hero with more than she can handle.

List three things the hero needs or wants. For each, what might be the consequence of getting too much?

An actual stack of needles is no match for a strong magnet. What are ways your hero could handle a sudden deluge?

Consider jealousy. How would your hero react if other characters suddenly had their wishes fulfilled?

Writeremergency.com

"Sally, you know you are better than that! Why would you think that winning the lottery can change your best friend? Jealousy is not you!" said Jake. "Most people who win the lottery spend it quickly, and Sarah will do the same. You know Sarah loves you. She has been your best friend forever!"

You are right, Jake! I can't help it though. She bought one ticket, and she wins. I've bought 5-10 tickets each week and never win anything.

"Well, can we look at your life versus Sarah's. You have told me enough of her troubles for me to be able to let you know why she may have won the lottery, rather than you."

Okay I would like to hear this. Please tell me. "Sarah and Tom struggle in their marriage all the time, right? And our marriage is great once we got into our respective recovery programs."

Yes, but will all that money save their marriage? "It may not but they may think that it will solve their problems, and work harder on their relationship, or they may decide they can now go their separate ways, and the money will make them happy without their marriage partner."

"Honey, you know in doing your gratitude list every day just how much we have to be grateful for, right?" Well, yes, I do, but a million dollars would solve a few of our problems too! "Okay, I will give you that! But some couples have trouble with all of that money, if they are not used to having it!"

Are you saying we luck out by not winning the lottery? "I don't know about that! Maybe put the money you spend into a high yield savings? Then you won't win the million, but that weekly donation will add up, and when we retire, we can go on a trip or buy something we want. Like a sports car!"

Well, I know that is what you would want. But I want a house on the lake, to pay for a personal trainer to help me get into shape, and a chef to prepare our meals for the week!

"Okay, let's say you got all of that. Would that really make you happy? How long would the money last? Taxes are expensive for lake property. Getting and staying in shape isn't easy, and there are all kinds of personal trainers, it may take a lot of money to get just the right one."

"Besides I think you are perfect just the way you are!"

Thank you Dear one for the compliment! But you know as well as I do, that I could lose 50 pounds, and if it was muscle weight that would be okay, but it is not. I am feeling weak.

"My car is paid off, and I am continuing to put my car payment into savings so someday I will be able to buy that sports car. What might you do to try out some of those things you want, without a million dollars?"

This is your solution for your wish, and I really hope it works. How far away is that car purchase? I'm not so sure it is that easy for my wishes.

"How about having someone prepare meals for the week to help drop those extra pounds. We can try that. Although, I love your cooking, and I don't care for the idea of a stranger in my house when I want to sit around and relax in front of the television. The sports car will be a few years yet."

Can we afford to have someone prepare meals for us? They don't have to prepare them here. There are programs now where they fix, package and deliver meals I've heard. Probably cheaper than hiring a chef. I can ask around to see if any of our friends have tried that.

"We can consider saving for a cabin on a lake or across the street from a lake with a public boat landing close by, if a lake property is important to you. Our house and property are paid for, so we could sell, and use the meager sales for a downpayment, if we can keep the payment affordable?"

Okay, okay, I know this would be more saving, and more work, and would I really be happy on a strict diet, on a lake, skinny? It sounds good, but maybe it is just not for me, or for us. Our place isn't much but I love it, and I love you! Thank you for talking this all through with me.

I am calling Sarah and inviting her to lunch with me. If not today than when she has the time! See you after work! Love you!