Trifecta Challenge: Week 65

February 18, 2013 by UndercoverL | 35 Comments

Today is a two-fer over here in Undercover world.  Lucky readers!  

Another week, another Trifecta Writing Challenge.  Our challenge word this week is exhaust.  We must use the third definition of this word in a piece that runs between 33 and 333 words.

3a) to consider or discuss (a subject) thoroughly or completely

3b) to try out the whole number of <exhausted all the possibilities>

This challenge was difficult because I am not sure whether we are allowed to switch the tense of the verb we are using.  It would have been easier to use past-tense or to slap an -ing on the end of it.  Alas, I did not want to get myself DQ’d, so here it is:

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Lawsuit

“Steve, you need to get on the phone to Sheila right away!”  Sam’s hands were shaking as she held her cell phone to her ear.

“What is the problem, Sam?”  Steve sounded preoccupied.  “I thought you two had worked through all of this.”

“I thought we had, too.  But clearly we haven’t.  I have done everything I can, Steve.  She will not stop.  Can you please talk to her?”

“You know she is impossible to talk to.  I can’t spend a minute of my day on such a trivial problem.  Sam, stop acting like this.”

“Steve, do you know what she did?”

“More texts?”

“No, Steve.”

“More emails?”

“No, Steve.  She is suing me.  I just got served with a civil law suit.  They are seeking one-point-five-million in damages!”

“She won’t do that.  Damn it, Sam!  I cannot do this again.  How many times must we talk about this?  I have to get back to work.”

Sam could feel a flush roll up her neck into her cheeks.  She felt betrayed by Steve.  He was her husband, not Sheila’s; yet every time there was an altercation between Sheila and Sam, she felt like she was standing alone.  Where did his loyalty lie, anyway?  She loved him, but she didn’t want to continue to wonder if he really was on her side.

“Steve, you cannot dismiss this.  You need to talk to her.  Get her to stop this harassment.  I have tried to exhaust all of my resources in ending this conflict.  I have done nothing to her, Steve.  You must stand by me and tell her to end this fight.”

“Sam, she won’t listen to me…” Steve began, but Sam cut him off.

“Of course she will, Steve.  Sheila does everything you tell her to.  I think she is incapable of making decisions without you.  The claim states that the divorce between you two was never finalized.  She insists you’re still married.  I can’t fix this alone.  Please help.  I need you,” Sam pleaded.

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This is another installment in a larger work.  For more of the story see:

The First Drop: Week 58

Common Interests: Week 59

Identity Lost: Week 60

The Outflow: Week 61

Changing Subjects: Week 62

Dialogue: Week 53

Clouded Memories: Week 63

Playing Victim:  Week 64

Hyperbole: Week 55