I’m throwing my hat in the ring again for the weekly Tipsy Lit Writing Challenge. The stories are all excellent, week after week. My hope is that you’ll read my story and it will earn you vote. Polls open first thing Saturday morning and remain open until Sunday morning. Please take a moment to vote; the competition has been fierce each week… real nail biters! IF you like my story, Please VOTE FOR IT HERE.
This week’s prompt was very interesting and extremely challenging: “Someone has become convinced they are a character in your latest fiction project. In story, tell us who are they and how does that belief affect their life in the ‘real’ world? (if you don’t have a latest fiction project, use a character from the book you are currently reading)”
Stories should be 1,500 words and address the prompt provided. I’m not working on a piece of fiction right now that would apply, nor am I reading anything. I emailed Wendy, who does a wonderful job of providing these weekly prompts and told her I’d like to use a song, as most songs are works of fiction. As soon as she enthusiastically gave me the OK, the song came to mind. I’m using Prince’s Raspberry Beret, released in 1985. It’s a classic, so hopefully most of you are familiar with it. If not, I’ve provided the music video a the end of this story.
Someday My Prince Will Come
The spring weather was unusually warm, and as Gigi got in her car she opened the sunroof and turned on the radio. When she merged onto the highway, Flashback 80s was playing, and Gigi felt excited. She’d waited all week for this lunch date with her best friend, Sharon. They were planning to meet down by the water and then drive along the coast after lunch. It would be a kids-and-husbands-free day, spent catching up and enjoying the great weather.
“Hold me now, warm my heart, Stay with me, let loving start, let loving start…” Gigi sang along, speeding towards the coast.
Gigi loved music from her youth. These songs took her back to a simpler, when life seemed filled with options and potential. She’d been married for twenty-two years now; her kids were nearly as old as she’d been when this song came out, but Gigi felt like a young girl again when this music was on, and she could take off in her car.
She exited the highway for the coast road and turned the volume up as The Talking Heads wailed “Burning down the house!” She pumped her hand in the air, singing louder. However, just as the restaurant came into view the classic guitar opening to Prince’s Raspberry Beret came on. Gigi felt the familiar lump in her throat and her hands became clammy.
“That’s when I saw her, Ooh, I saw her
She walked in through the out door, out door
She wore a–”
Gigi slammed the stereo button off, but it was too late. The song was in her head again, and she was furious.
As she pulled up to the restaurant, she tried to breathe deeply and get her emotions back in check, but her mood had already shifted. She glanced in the rearview mirror as she fixed her hair and applied some fresh lipstick. Just breathe, she thought.
Gigi grabbed her purse and went into the restaurant, glancing around for her friend Sharon, trying to look normal. Sitting on the deck, Sharon waved and Gigi felt a wave of relief to see her good friend. She and Sharon had been friends since they were in college; Sharon knew her better than anyone. They embraced as Gigi reached the table, and Sharon spoke first.
“Hey girl! You look great; have you lost weight?”
They laughed. The subject of weight loss had long been a joke between them, something their mothers would always focus on, and consequently something Sharon and Gigi had made their go-to greeting.
“Girlfriend, you know it!” Gigi did a playful shimmy, but her frown remained.
She sat down and took in the sparkling water and crowded beach. The smell of fried seafood filled the air, as she sipped the daiquiri Sharon had ordered, and watched a group of teenagers play Frisbee. Her thoughts darted. “Raspberry beret, The kind you find in a second-hand store–”
“Hey! Gigi! Where are you?”
Gigi turned; Sharon looked expectant.
“I’m sorry. My mind’s wandering. I heard the song just as I was pulling up; it just shakes me up, you know?”
Sharon tried to bite her tongue, but couldn’t.
“Seriously? That, again? Jesus, Gigi! It’s been nearly thirty years and you’re still stewing over that stupid song!”
Sharon’s rebuke struck home, and Gigi felt her emotions rev up again.
“I can’t help it Sharon, every time I hear that damned song–” She lowered her voice and looked around the waterfront deck. “I feel like everyone’s looking at me.”
“No one’s looking at you, it’s a song for God’s sake! Let it go.” Sharon rolled her eyes.
“That’s easy for you to say. Every time I hear it, I want to scream! Seriously.”
Gigi’s unconsciously gnarled her hands into fists. After all of these years, it still drove her nuts that even her best friend doubted her.
“Look Sharon, you just don’t get what it’s like to be the girl in that song, and feel like everyone is always imagining you that way.”
“What way? The song is nearly thirty years old– to be honest, I’m not sure anyone ever thought that.”
Gigi felt her face flush.
“Don’t get mad at me Gigi, really. I’m just trying to be honest here. Just because you knew Prince before he was Prince– or whatever the hell he calls himself these days, doesn’t mean he’s singing about you. And who cares; it’s just a song!”
“It’s not just a song! It totally messed my life up when it came out, and it’s followed me ever since. People think I’m easy because of that song; they think I just whore around in barns and dress in stupid hats. I only wore that damned beret once, and for the record, it was new, not ‘second-hand, and it was blue, not raspberry!”
Gigi glanced around the restaurant nervously, aware that people could hear her raising her voice. She self-consciously pushed her hair behind her ear and tried to lower her voice again, afraid that others would recognize her.
“Look, I hardly knew the guy and he writes this song about us having sex in a barn, and me dressing like a slut… ‘And when it was warm, she didn’t wear much more–’ I mean what the hell is that suppose to mean? How the hell does wearing shorts and t-shirt in summer, make me easy?”
“Gigi, calm down. I get that this really bothers you, but I think it’s been long enough that you should be able to let it go now.” Sharon picked up a fry and tried to bring some humor back to the situation. “Who is Prince anyway? I mean what kind of name is that? And he’s nearly sixty now! No one remembers that he grew up in Minnesota, or who he dated then? You can’t let this bother you every time that song comes on the radio, forever! It hardly plays anymore!”
“Sharon, you just don’t get it. I was a seventeen year old girl, just doing my own thing– I mean, who hasn’t walked in through an out door once in their life? Is that song worthy? Really? And I never did anything in a barn with him, except clean out Mr. McGee’s cow stalls. We both hated it; the smell was horrible!”
Gigi took another sip of her drink and watched her friend, aware that Sharon was trying to be supportive, but didn’t really believe her.
“Look, I know everyone thinks I screwed Prince in a barn, with rain on the roof, but I’m telling you the truth: we did not have sex. Sure, I accepted a ride from him, once! He had that beat up VW, not that slick motorcycle in the video! I didn’t want to walk, but I didn’t think he’d make that into a song for God’s sake!”
“Gigi, you’re getting so upset. It’s just a song!
“It’s not just a song, Sharon; stop saying that! That song has followed me for most of my life. I can’t even wear a hat without worrying about someone saying something. I can tell that people think I’m actually not ‘too bright.’ And I not only wasn’t his first, I didn’t do anything with him!”
Sharon rolled her eyes.
“I’m serious! When I’m out and that song comes on, I know people expect me to be the girl in the song, and I’m just a wife and mother! I don’t wear a raspberry beret; I never have. That stupid song makes people think I’m someone I’m not.”
The waitress approached the table, clearly wary of the conversation that had spilled beyond the table.
“Is everything ok, here? Can I get you ladies anything else?”
“No; thanks. We’ll just take the check.” Sharon jumped in before Gigi could order another daiquiri, and get any more emotional about the whole thing.
Sharon loved Gigi. They’d been friends forever. Sharon was Gigi’s oldest daughter’s Godmother, and had introduced Gigi to her husband Mark. She’d heard the Raspberry Beret story a million times; it had gotten old in 1989. This paranoia that Prince had fallen in love with her and written an entire son about her had been the prevailing issue in Gigi’s life for far too long, but Sharon had long accepted that there was no convincing Gigi that it was in her head. The best approach was avoidance: change the subject, avoid the radio. Why Gigi preferred listening to Flashback 80s would always be a mystery to Sharon. It always led to misery. Her Prince was always be waiting in the next song.
“Come on girlfriend. Let’s forget about this for a while and hit the road. The skies getting a little gray; let’s take that drive before the weather changes.”
They both got in Gigi’s car, and as they pulled out of the parking lot, Sharon fiddled with the radio controls and settled on a song by The Cure.
“Show me, show me, show me, how you do that trick, the one that makes me scream she said, The one that makes me laugh she said, She threw her arms around my neck.”
As the coastal breeze came through the open sunroof, they both sang with abandon. Sharon glanced at Gigi– her face happy again. Sharon had to admit, something about the clouds and her mixed.
TALES FROM THE MOTHERLAND 
I love your sense of humor, Dawn! Please write more back stories of songs. And just concern yourself with the 80s 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks nmark and welcome to Tales From the Motherland! I’m really glad you liked this story. It was a challenge, but fun. If you like it enough, I hope you’ll stop back tomorrow and give me your vote. The competition gets pretty tight, and I am grateful for every kind comment and vote. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment; it is much appreciated! 😀
LikeLike
Ha! Great setup and story!
(Despite the music.) 😉
LikeLike
Thanks Guapo! What? Not a Prince fan? I hope that doesn’t mean I lost your vote? I thought it was the perfect song for this prompt. 😉 Thanks so much for taking the time to read and comment. I appreciate it!
LikeLike
It was a really great story!
I saw Prince once. He played a great show. Would have been even better if he stopped telling us how great he was and just played.
LikeLike
He’s not exactly famous for his tact, or his humility. 😉 But hell, he’s Prince. (You know, that’s his real name).
LikeLike
I guess I’m too old to have ever been a Prince fan. I have never listened to one of his songs from start to finish. Heck, were it not for my younger nephew, I would never have heard Queen, ZZ Top or Arrowsmith. I still liked your story a lot, though. – Mike
LikeLike
It was a risk…. hoping that most readers would know Prince and his work. Alas… I hope I’ll win some votes tomorrow! Thanks for reading, Mike. I always appreciate your honest and supportive feedback. 😉
LikeLike
Haha – when I was a teenager, I had a raspberry beret and a purple one. Then the song came out and I could never wear them again (but of course I did because why should a song keep me from wearing what I like?). I like Gigi’s neurotic side and Sharon is a saint for knowing how to deal with it.
LikeLike
I imagine you were not alone Wendy! Funny how a song can influence so many things. 😉 Thanks for your thoughtful comment… that’s how I hoped readers would see Gigi and Sharon.
LikeLike
Oh my God, it’s like every song I love from the good old days is making an appearance here! I just want to get up and dance around the house!
LikeLike
I had a feeling you might feel that way. I really appreciate you taking the time to stop by and read; I would have loved to have seen your take on this prompt! Dance on dear. Dance on. 😉
LikeLike
I had a feeling you’d feel that that! Really appreciate you taking the time to stop by and comment; though I would have loved to have seen your take on this prompt! Dance on dear, dance on. These are my favorites too. 😉
LikeLike
Oh my God, it’s like every song I love from back then shows up in your story!
I want to get up and dance around my house now!
LikeLike
Do it! Dance around your house… I did, while I was writing, for real. I mean, I had to research this story. 😉 Thanks for stopping by; much appreciated!
LikeLike
Fascinating! 🙂 I just shared something on Facebook about how being loved by a writer (even briefly, I suppose 🙂 ) means you’ll never die– there’s a certain charm to the gift of immortality, and a certain scare to it, too. Loved this!
LikeLike
Thanks Rara… I definitely think there’s an element of immortality to being part of a writer’s world, in story. The creepy part is only if you let that go too much to your head… I think. 😉 I hope you’ll come back tomorrow and vote. I could use the support! It’s been a nail biter week after week! Either way, I really appreciate the feedback and encouragement. 😀
LikeLike
That’s true. People always ask me if I’m charmed when Dave writes about me– and of course it’s nice, but he writes about everyone, and he often mixes up pieces of them together. I think that’s normal for most writers. When I hear songs like this, I often think that the girl in question is probably 20 different girls and guys and random acquaintances, shaped into a single person. At least, it’s possible.
I’m always such a late voter, it takes awhile to read all the entries– but it’s a fun when it’s close, and I always vote! 🙂
LikeLike
It’s great to have you in the polling pond, Rara!
I know that when (not if, she said with conviction) my first novel comes out, lots of people will think the characters are my husband and others I know, but they’re not. Composites, yes, but single muse… no.
Thanks for taking the time to read and vote; its really appreciated!
LikeLike
Great song and I too wore a beret in the 80’s so it could have been about me, yes? Except I never met Prince… Love your take on the prompt.
LikeLike
Thanks so much! I often thought: anyone wearing a beret at that time, must have cringed… or grinned… each time that song came on! thanks for taking the time to read; I’m so glad you liked it. 😀
LikeLike
Very nifty interpretation, and very nicely written. Good job
LikeLike
Thanks Duncan. I appreciate your time.
LikeLike
Fair play. It’s very nifty. I do like that word. It’s so versatile.
🙂
LikeLike
Good story Dawn. I’m too old to have been a Prince fan, but I admit that the man is talented. I admire talent and hard work.
LikeLike
I’m really glad you liked it… even if you’re not a Prince fan! I did think about whether this would push some readers out; the references would be too vague? I hope I earn your vote this week; I could really use it! Thanks again for reading and sharing your thoughts; much appreciated!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on ugiridharaprasad.
LikeLike
Pingback: Tipsy Lit, Prompt: Someday My Prince Will Come… | ugiridharaprasad
Pingback: Polling Prompted: Flipping the Story | Tipsy Lit
ha! this was definitely a fun read 🙂 wonderful job, Dawn. good luck this week!
LikeLike
Thanks so much KZ… I hope I can earn your vote! Last week it was a real nail biter, and I only lost by a few. EVERY vote counts, and I appreciate EVERY single one! Thanks for taking the time to read! I plan to catch up on FF this weekend! 😀
LikeLike
I LOVE THE 80’s!!! I adored all the songs and lyrics and how you set up the atmosphere for your story. I’m so torn this week as everyone did such a great job.
LikeLike
Thanks SO much Deanna. I figured I might lose some readers with the references to the Prince song, but others would get all of them… Did you get that last line? I hope I win your vote this week (no use playing hard to get here) but yes, every week it is really tough! I have found consistently great stories! Of the four weeks I’ve competed, I’ve only voted for my own story one week, and I had no regrets about that. 😉 Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts; as always, I appreciate it.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Tales from the Motherland and commented:
THE POLLS ARE OPEN! IF you love Prince, AND you enjoy this story, PLEASE VOTE FOR IT NOW! Polls are open Saturday through early Sunday. I am grateful for every vote, and appreciate your support.
LikeLike
Voted. Excellent idea to use a song as a prompt.
Some songs stick with us, become part of our identity. Enjoyed this story.
LikeLike
Thanks so much Honie! I am a music junky. So many songs become a part of me, that I should have multiple personality disorder! 😉 Thanks for reading and voting; I really appreciate it.
LikeLike
No idea how you squeezed this idea out of the prompt, but I dig it!
LikeLike
Thanks Rants. From you, an extra compliment. 😉 I didn’t have a story going, and music is my thing. So, I instantly started thinking about the people mentioned in songs. Raspberry Beret seemed like an iconic song, about a very particular “girl.” If you were that girl, you might be thrilled… or not. There’s your story! Glad you liked it. And thanks for taking the time; hope I got your vote!
LikeLike
Was that site helpful in getting published?
LikeLike
They don’t publish per say.. not books, but they publish stories. I have had one story accepted and published there, and it got a lot of hits. My numbers for reads on the challenge go way up. It is has a lot of followers and is highly visible in the writing community…You should check it out. Now, did you vote for my story Rants? Gotta know.
LikeLike
I did vote for yours. I’ll have to sign up when I have a good short story ready. Or is it a ‘prompt’ thing? This is flash fiction, right?
LikeLike
Thanks! I really appreciate it.
Not really flash fiction… 1,500 or less words and yes, a weekly Prompt. You get the prompt on Monday and have until Friday to submit your story. Voting is Saturday; winner is published on Sunday. The prompt this week was really challenging. You should give it a try.
LikeLike
I might just do that shit.
LikeLike
You should! I also really enjoy Friday Fictioneers. Flash Fiction, 100 words or less, story with a beginning/middle/ and end, based on photo prompt. No competition, but a wonderful writing challenge with supportive writing group. Really good.
LikeLike
100 or fewer words? Hmm.
LikeLike
Yep! 100 or less.. it’s a great challenge, and so much fun! The stories are really excellent, overall.
LikeLike
Dawn…so glad you tweeted about this…and I’m so glad I saw it and followed to read! You are a FANTASTIC writer…I really loved your story. I voted.:) Thanks for a walk down memory lane with Prince.
LikeLike
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Vivian! Thanks so much for taking the time to read it and vote! It’s been a real nail biter each week… every vote counts!! Thanks. 😀
LikeLike
Every song has to start somewhere. I love the idea that it’s a wisp of a moment, a chance encounter, a fancy flying in his mind that takes off and haunts her decades later. Fun, fun story Dawn.
LikeLike
Thanks so much Kate! It was a really challenging prompt! Looks like it’s going to be a tight race again too.
LikeLike
Pingback: Someday My Prince Will Come | Tipsy Lit
I loved this story, Dawn. Also, it’s a great lesson in how our minds can trip us up. Gigi is a bit of a negative narcissist, thinking every one is looking at her and judging her when, really, nobody cares! I think she needs some therapy… Going over to vote now.
LikeLike
I missed the voting but you won! Congratulations – well deserved!
LikeLike
Thanks Cathy… quite a few of my “regular” readers weren’t around yesterday, but I had a great day in voting. It was VERY close (6 votes!!) and so many great stories every week. I appreciate your support, whenever it comes. 😉
LikeLike
Yes, you’ve pegged Gigi perfectly… I imagine Sharon would pay for the therapy! 😉 Thanks for reading.
LikeLike