to – Facts, Fictions & Fantasies

Esther Chilton’s writing prompt this week is Tests.

When I read Esther’s prompt word, “tests,” I was reminded of a recurring dream I used to have. I was in college and I was taking a required course. The subject matter of the course was of little interest to me and the professor who taught the course was a snoozer. In the recurring dream, I quit attending the class and I only skimmed the course text book. And then it came time to take the final exam, which I needed to pass in order to graduate.

I remember how I felt in that dream and so, to respond to the prompt word, I wrote the following about those feelings as I was taking the test.

The room is silent, yet my mind screams with questions. A clock on the wall ticks louder than it should, each second a reminder how quickly precious time is slipping by.

Multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, essay questions, it doesn’t matter. Every question seems unfamiliar. Answers elude me like that proverbial ghost in the attic.

My palms sweat as I grip the number two pencil like a lifeline. Thoughts race, collide, dissolve, while clarity is lost in a pea-soup fog. I look around, hoping someone else feels the same storm, but everyone else seems to have all of the answers.

My stomach churns from nerves, not hunger. My confidence slips away with every blank answer. It’s not just a test, it’s a measure of much more than knowledge. It’s a measure of me.

When it’s over, relief doesn’t come, just that empty feeling of failure.

Image credit: clipartix.com.

Are you going to propose to Cindy anytime soon?” Ben’s mother asked him. “I think you two make such a lovely couple.”

“You know what?” said Ben, “I think so, too, Mom.”

“So when are you going to pop the question?” Ben’s mother asked.

“I was thinking two weeks from now, right before we leave for the Alaskan cruise,” Ben said. “What do you think? You don’t think that’s too soon, do you?”

“I think that’s perfect timing, Ben,” she responded. “I’m sure Cindy will be thrilled.”

“But don’t say anything to anyone,” Ben said. “Only the two of us know and I want to surprise Cindy.”

“Oh Ben, I’m so happy for the two of you,” his mother said as she hugged her son. “And don’t worry about me telling anyone before then. I can keep a secret too, you know.”

Written for Linda G. Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt, where Linda wants us to use too, to, and/or two in our post. Photo credit: Africa Studio — stock.adobe.com