Scenario:Gray, shaggy hair awkwardly hangs over a furrowed, cheerful face. Shuttered gray eyes, set graciously within their sockets, watch energetically over the town they've sought solace in for so long.
Soft skin seductively compliments her hair and and leaves a pleasant memory of her former lovers.
The is the face of Julie Barnfield, a true stargazer among humans. She stands tall above others, despite her subtle frame.
There's something fascinating about her, perhaps it's her tenderness or perhaps it's simply her reputation. But nonetheless, people tend to try to get her to marry their off-spring, while spreading stories about her.
Create my version of this story
Gray, shaggy hair awkwardly hangs over a furrowed, cheerful face. Shuttered gray eyes, set graciously within their sockets, watch energetically over the town they've sought solace in for so long.
Soft skin seductively compliments her hair and and leaves a pleasant memory of her former lovers.
The is the face of Julie Barnfield, a true stargazer among humans. She stands tall above others, despite her subtle frame.
There's something fascinating about her, perhaps it's her tenderness or perhaps it's simply her reputation. But nonetheless, people tend to try to get her to marry their off-spring, while spreading stories about her.
Julie Barnfield
She is a renowned beauty and a widow. She is kind, resilient, and independent. Julie sought solace in the town of Greenfield after losing her husband in World War II. Her beauty captivates the locals, and they try to win her over with marriage proposals for their sons. Despite the town's welcoming nature, Julie longs for her old life and friends. She struggles with loneliness and the weight of her past, but remains hopeful for the future.
Arthur
He is a young man working as a mechanic in Greenfield. He is curious, ambitious, and sincere. Arthur is fascinated by Julie's beauty and kind heart. He tries to approach her by fixing her car, hoping to earn her trust. His genuine demeanor sets him apart from the other suitors, and Julie begins to see him as a potential friend. Arthur's intentions are pure as he aims to help Julie, despite his youth and inexperience in life’s complexities.
Henry
He is the local doctor in Greenfield, treating Julie for her sinus infections. He is gentle, perceptive, and considerate. As a single man, Henry shows genuine care for Julie's health and wellbeing beyond just providing medical treatment. He respects her independence and wishes she had a support system. Though not romantically interested in Julie, he values their friendship and wants the best for her, even if it means encouraging her to find someone special.
It was a queer thing about Julie Barnfield, the fact that she was so very beautiful.
Her hair was gray, shaggy and cut in an invariable style which had been fashionable for two years.
Her face was furrowed, cheerful and fifty, with the skin as soft as kid gloves.
Her eyes were gray too, like the sea on a dull day, and they watched everything with an alertness which was almost furtive.
They were set in their sockets with a quiet graciousness, and they were her one real beauty.
When she walked down the street of Greenfield, the little town on the coast where she had come to live after her husband’s death, every man who saw her smiled after her.
The shopkeepers beamed at her warmly whenever she went into their shops, and the young men tried to catch her eye.
Mrs. Hawkins at the grocer’s even went so far as to give her an extra large pat of butter whenever she bought her weekly ration.
All the mothers in Greenfield tried to marry their sons to Julie Barnfield.
They told their off-spring at great length about her wonderful past, how she had been a famous beauty in her youth, how she had mixed with dukes and earls and captains of the Guards.
Walking down the cobblestone street toward the butcher shop, I noticed three young men standing outside Thompson’s Hardware.
They were barely older than boys, dressed in their work clothes, taking their morning cigarette break.
As I approached, they straightened their postures and removed their caps.
The tallest one, Tommy Wilson, gave me a hopeful wave.
His mother had cornered me at church last Sunday, talking endlessly about his promotion at the bank.
I returned their greetings with a practiced smile, one I had perfected over months of such encounters.
I paused at the corner of Market Street, checking my shopping list as if I hadn’t already memorized it.
The sound of footsteps echoed on the cobblestones behind me.
Tommy was following me.
The butcher shop was just ahead, its red-and-white striped awning flapping gently in the autumn breeze.
Through the window, I could see Mr. Peters wrapping meat in brown paper for Mrs. Collins.
Tommy cleared his throat behind me, probably gathering the courage to speak.
I adjusted my shawl and gripped my basket tighter, remembering how his mother had cornered me after Sunday service to mention his promotion again.
I turn slowly to face him, my smile still in place.
Tommy shifts from foot to foot on the cobblestones, the smell of his cigarette lingering in the air.
It mixes with the scent of fresh meat wafting from the butcher shop.
His work shirt is crisp, clearly pressed by his mother for this occasion.
I watch as he struggles to meet my eyes, his hands fidgeting with his tie clip—a new addition since his promotion.
The street bustles around us, and I notice Mrs. Collins emerging from the butcher shop.
She slows her pace, no doubt eager to witness our interaction.
Tommy opens his mouth, closes it, and then manages to squeak out "Miss Barnfield," before his courage fails him completely.
I nod politely, turn back to the butcher shop, and leave him standing there with his unspoken words.
I hurry into the shop, my face flushing as I realize what Tommy must have noticed.
While Mr. Peters wraps my order, I discreetly reach behind my back and feel the telltale elastic of my undergarments peeking above the waistband of my skirt.
The morning rush to dress after oversleeping had led to this mortifying oversight.
I adjust my blouse to cover the exposed straps, remembering Tommy’s nervous stammering with fresh understanding.
Through the shop window, I see him still standing outside, now talking with Mrs. Collins.
She glances at me and whispers something to him.
Inside the shop, I watch Mr. Peters wrap my meat order in brown paper.
He glances up occasionally, his eyes flicking to the window where Tommy and Mrs. Collins still stand with their heads close together.
I pay for my purchase, my cheeks burning again as I wonder if Mr. Peters had also noticed the exposed undergarments.
He hands me my package with a smile that seems overly cheerful.
Taking a deep breath, I push open the shop door.
The bell above it jingles, causing Tommy and Mrs. Collins to look up.
Mrs. Collins quickly excuses herself, leaving Tommy shifting awkwardly on his feet.
