Becoming a Better Writer

Nice article (well, really it's a smattering of quotes someone called an article..) I came across today:

25 Insights on Becoming a Better Writer

http://99u.com/tips/7082/25-Insights-on-Becoming-a-Better-Writer 

Who better to give us advice than other writers!
I think we got #15 covered <3
25 made me laugh a little.
Enjoy!

For Jedis Only

Hey Guys!

I wrote a post that I wanted you to read, but not be available for the whole of the internet. When you feast your eyes on it, it will be clear why. It's saved in drafts. I love you guys lots. Read away. <3

-Cerasi

3 Lies

"No," I say more emphatically.  "There's no one else here."

I stand with my family.  I stand on the creaky old floorboards afraid of their frailty.  I stand afraid because there are more beneath my feet.  Five more.

The man in the grey uniform continues to scowl.  I keep the bored look on my face.  My little Adelina is scared, clinging to my wife's skirt, and I will the harsh man to leave.

But I could never say so.  Even if the double "S" was not stitched in red on his collar.  Even if his Mauser Karabiner 98 wasn't slung on his shoulder.  We would still be at war.

And I am a traitor.

The SS officer in grey finally gives another disdainful glance around my home and leaves.  I suppose he is satisfied with my answers.  He slams the door.


I can almost hear the floor below me heave a sigh of relief.  Though I know it doesn't.  The five souls below me have hardly uttered a sound since I yanked up my floor to hide them in the crawl space below.


The baker's family next door.  They are the ones that inhabit my floor.  Emmiel, the baker and father and friend.  He came to me that night of terror.  The night their reality shattered along with the wide window of their bakery.


"We need a place to hide," he pleaded.


"You need to get out," I replied.
Emmiel swallowed and glanced at his wife and three children.  They are all blonde.  His sons are twins with deep brown eyes.  It is his oldest, his only daughter who has the blue eyes the party idolizes.  But she is Jewish.  They all are.  Emmiel knows he cannot protect them all tonight.  This night of broken glass.  


I hide them. I cannot deny them this small comfort.  It is dangerous.  But these days, there is little that is not.


I close my eyes.  Remembering these events is tiring.  More so is the question they bring to mind of the future.  How will I get them out of this country? 


"Daddy?" Adelina asks, as she tugs my sleeve.


"What, my little cupcake?"
"I said," her small hands are now on her hips, mimicking the impatient stance her mother makes when I am late for supper.  "Why did that man come into our house?"


I scoop her up into my arms, unsure of how to answer my five-year-old daughter.  I don't want to lie to her.  But is telling a five-year-old the truth too dangerous?  


"He just wanted to know who lives here, sweetheart."
"Isn't he a soldier?"
"Yes."
"Then why isn't he fighting in the war?"


I smile but it is laced with heavy sadness.  This war is not just with other countries.  It is with some of our own citizens.  This war of domination and purification.  "He's a special soldier and he stays here."      These thoughts sicken me and I hope Adelina has no more questions for me.


She seems content and wriggles until I release her to the ground.  She runs to Fritz and begs him to play.  My twelve-year-old roll his eyes, but is only joking with her.  I am relieved to see his face returned to his jovial nature instead of the worried look he wore while the SS officer inspected our home.  


My wife, Cora, slips he slender arms around me from behind.
"I was so nervous," she whispers, hoping the Jews we harbor cannot hear her.  She rests her head on my back.  


"What do we do, Bernd, if they come back?"
I take a deep breath before I answer.  
"The same thing."  
I feel her sigh.  She worries.  About us.  About our children.  About what might happen.

"I will get them out," I promise.  She releases her embrace and i turn to face her.  Cora's lovely face in my hands.

"I'll get them to safety."
Cora smiles, but it's tainted with concern.

I cannot stop the next lie.
"Everything will be fine.  I'll make sure of it."