Page 30 - Voices-2021-12

GLEANINGS FROM THE GROVE

child falls ill, so off to the local Mom ’n’ Pop without falling asleep” would be my first choice

store where the two meet up once again for the to respond to that question. But then again,
first time in 6-8 years! Our heroine (so says the are we not taught that an evaluation should be
script) is horrified at how he is being treated by positive and in the manner of what comments
Mr. Grinch and offers herself as babysitter for we would hope to achieve? What then should I

the ailing one. say? I scribble a few nice comments about décor,
Cue happy music smiles all around and we acting, and happy coincidence. Okay, dodged
wait for what I know will happen—children that bullet!
will love her, she will decorate the house, bring Then on to the second section—YOU MAY

normalcy, and help them to find that spirit again WANT TO WORK ON: Oops, again I want to
while dad continues to brood and grieve
at the same time.
“Great,” you say. It is almost time

for the obligatory plot twist as the
two of them part ways due to space
encroachment challenges. Thanks to the
kids and their reminder to dear old dad

that they miss mommy, miss Christmas,
and miss his happy self and what she
brought back into the house (besides the
tree, decorations, baked cookies, and

the usual Christmas fare) that has given
them hope and joy. Dad will eventually
rediscover what they had back when they
dated and almost married until she had

to leave town for (insert reason here) and
the rest was history.
Christmas morning around the living
room, kids with tons of presents, boss

happy with project completed, and job
saved—and in she walks to the cries of joy from reiterate my ability to stay conscious for a long
all three. Music gets lively and louder as well fade time. But I say instead that the characters need
to black. . . the end. to be less wooden and predictable, or better yet

Now my fun begins. Taking my notes (and to flesh them out a wee bit more to make them
no, they are not soggy) I prepare to fill out the less window dressing and more believable. Again,
evaluation. The first section is before me—YOU no lawsuit forthcoming from Hallmark on that
EXCELLED AT: “keeping me awake for two hours comment!

30 ONE COMMUNITY