In case you didn’t see it on Twitter and didn’t see it on Facebook and didn’t hear me shouting it from the top of Mt. Fuji, I wanted to let you know that I won first place in the Write On February Challenge with my story “Waiting for Spring.” You can read my story and check out their site here. I hope you like it! 
You can also listen to my audio recording of “Waiting for Spring” and the full text follows …
“Waiting for Spring” by P.J. Kaiser
The sound of his voice breaks the silence of the living room. “I’m sorry, Middy.” She starts to turn her head away from the window but then turns back. She doesn’t want him to see her eyes – swollen and red from crying. She sits on the cushions in the bay window holding the sheer curtain back with one hand and gazing into the backyard littered with the detritus of autumn.
She hears him taking off his coat and walking across the living room. His disembodied voice hovers behind her. He says again, “I’m sorry, Middy. I don’t know what else to say.”
“There’s nothing more to say. You have broken my heart for the last time. Now, go. And never call me Middy again.”
“Look, Middy – er – Midge – I feel terrible for what I did. I didn’t mean for it to happen. It’s just one of those things.”
She keeps her eyes focused out the window. Tears begin their trek down her cheeks again but she keeps her voice steady. “But it did happen. And I found out about it in this morning’s paper. At least you had the sense to keep the others out of the papers. Now I’m not only betrayed but I’m humiliated. It’s time for you to go. I packed a bag for you. It’s there by the door.”
“She didn’t mean anything to me.” Midge hears his voice begin to crack. “I can’t believe I screwed things up so badly. I love you and I can’t bear the thought of losing you.”
She brushes away her tears, turns to glare at him and picks up the phone lying next to her. “If you are not out of this house in the next sixty seconds I am calling 9-1-1.” She turns back to the window and hears his retreating footsteps, the click of the handle of his suitcase, the creak of the door to the garage, the vibration of the automatic garage door through the wall, the humming of the car engine and the vibration of the garage door closing. Then silence.
Her eyes focus again on the yard. She thinks about her heart and realizes that it’s not broken. It’s like the leaves – crinkled and disintegrated and shattered beyond recognition. She wonders how long it will be until spring comes.
Congratulations. I left you a comment over on the writeononline site.
Wonderful — Congratulations! Good on you, PJ!
Best,
Donna
Well done PJ! Fantastic writing as usual.
Simon.
Congrats, PJ!
Congrats again, PJ! Great job!
[...] “Waiting for Spring” and you can check out the full text and audio recording by going here. Stumble! for [...]
Great story all around, PJ… I had a “Mad Men” feel to it
I love the reading… Altho, I gotta say that I don’t think I dig Audioboo
Anthony – Oh, interesting – “Mad Men” … maybe you’ve just got it on the brain since the new season is just starting
Is it the recording quality you don’t care for with audioboo? It’s definitely bare bones, no question about that. Perfect for us amateurs 
Thanks for having a listen!
Oh, the emotion was so real in this! I can totally see why it won. Just great.
Pamila – I’m so glad you enjoyed it, and that you felt the emotion
Thanks for stopping by!
“It’s just one of those things.” Urgh! Such sadness in this whole thing, and his… well, his stupidity.
Congratulations, PJ. You deserved to win.
Jen – Indeed, it seems she may be better off without him. Thanks for the comment!
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Congratulations on winning! You deserve it. The story (text and audio) are both wonderful. I enjoyed hearing you read it.
Thanks so much, Ganymeder! I’m so glad you enjoyed the story
Gordon MacPherson ( http://www.5amthinking.wordpress.com/) commented: “Very much enjoyed listening to you reading your work as I read along. Great idea!”
PJ replied: “Thanks, Gordon – Your comment accidentally got tagged to the wrong post, so i’ve copied it over here. Thanks for stopping by and i’m glad you enjoyed it!
”