For an assignment for WCCW writers’ group meeting, I needed to write a short piece using prompts. The prompts were randomly drawn cards, one for protagonist, one for scene. My prompts were: a person who holds a grudge and a radio picks up an old radio station. I took a bit of creative license, but here’s what I came up with.
——————
He was a man with a grudge against God. For years, he rejected everything that he suspected God might have a hand in. To the point that he was spinning in circles and going nowhere.
Through the addictions and the distractions, the highs and lows, he spiraled.
One night, drowning in despair and cheap liquor, he hit rock bottom. He stormed and cursed God, challenging God to take him, accusing God of not caring for anyone.
He parked the truck, that he had no business driving, in the gravel lot near the boat ramp. Thinking he would sleep it off, he turned off the motor but turned on the radio.
What should’ve been a rock ‘n’ roll station out of Memphis was playing the a cappella chorus of “Shall We Gather at the River.”
“Well, that’s weird,” he mumbled aloud. He turned the dial to change the channel and a gravelly voice that sounded just like his late grandmother was singing “Precious Memories.“
The St. Louis channel offered a rendition of “Uncloudy Day.” Further down the dial, a wavery voice was singing “The Old Rugged Cross.“
Next, a voice much like his mother’s was telling of a mansion just over the hilltop.
One more channel and a beautiful voice was singing “Amazing Grace.” He dropped his hands into his lap, and soon found himself singing along as tears streamed down his cheeks.
—————–