Lola's Adventures: Pork By RedGoddess

Lola revels in the chaos before work. There is a level of traffic that's cosmopolitan, and the usual early birds are all in the streets. The toothless man who empties out the burned cigarettes from the public astray, every few seconds, he lets out a disturbing laugh and mumbles "who's fault is it, anyway?" 
An older Black woman, head wrapped in a colorful scarf, sweeping the front of the university theater. She always stares towards the marquee as if thinking, "What if?"
Lola walks by the pan handler sitting on a rusty bus bench, tapping both hands on her starved thighs, humming to herself. Lola smiles and hands her a crumpled dollar bill.
In the distance, Lola can smell the tiny shops, she sometimes stops by the meat market to buy pork for her grandmother to make a spicy stew. She can taste the stew in her mind.
As she approaches the hotel, she notices Tom, a proud grandfather of twins doing his morning stretches before his daughter drops off the kids. There are runners, cyclists, dog walkers, parents waiting for school buses and restless children chasing pigeons. She peers inside her favorite wine cellar with a fat golden cat in the display window. Lola inhales the sweet smell of fresh bread and coffee brewing from the hotel kitchen. On a day like this, she's exactly where she belongs.

The Adventures of Lola: Tomatoes by RedGoddess

It's been a while since I share a new story. I've been compiling the Lola stories for publication and of course writing and reading new tales. Thanks to all participants at the Seated Scribes for their suggestions. If you like the Lola series, leave me a comment below.  Do you have a favorite story? Would love to hear your feedback:) 





A lot of celebrities have fallen for the GYOP (Grow Your Own Produce) marketing hype. Even the First Lady has jumped on the eating fresh bandwagon. She holds fruit and veggie parties on the White House lawn for the children. She then shares her bountiful crops with dignitaries and other V.I.P. guests. For entertainment, she performs the hula hoop without breaking a sweat. Ah yes, save the children, Lola whispers to herself. You have to admire a well-liked mother, wife, public health advocate who finds time to grow her own tomatoes.

Five blocks from the white house, the local news station reported that an unemployed mother was arrested for stealing a loaf of bread at the Farmers' Market. A fight ensued and many commented on how this type of crime really hinders the positive message the First Lady is promoting. The tearful woman later confessed to the booking officer at the county jail that she lost her food stamps at the shelter and needed to feed her family. I guess when it comes to feeding the hungry, not everyone can eat from the land.

The Adventures of Lola in 100 words: Play by RedGoddess

All work and no play has taken a toll on Lola's life. Her eyes are tired and sad.  There was a time she assumed fun was overrated, but now...she's throwing caution to the wind. She invited her lover to her new place for a surprise indoor picnic, filled with mystery games, and tantalizing exotic foods. First, she blindfolds him the moment he walks through the door. They hug for what seems like hours before she leads him on the bed for a sensual massage. She has no plans to take it beyond touch, good food and conversation tonight. His smell fulfills her in ways beyond any sexual satisfaction. By the third glass of wine, they were half naked and sharing secrets. Suddenly he became serious, "truth or dare?" he asks. Truth, she whispers playfully. Why are you afraid to be mine?

The Adventures of Lola: Storm by RedGoddess

There are three topics hotel guests talk about obsessively: weather, food and relationships. Many won't even plan their day without the weather report. Lola finds meteorologists to be overzealous promoters using scare tactics for ratings.  How the hell is a snow storm breaking news when there are multiple wars waging globally?  Lola knows to keep her political opinions to herself. Besides, her role is to please and serve with a smile. Being a smart mouth has dire consequences she's not willing to pay. Instead, she complements guests on their clothes, hairstyles and jewelry. Blending in, as an outsider, is the key to weather unpredictable life storms.

The Adventures of Lola: Vacation by RedGoddess

The Lola series continues with a new story for your reading pleasure. Even a workaholic like Lola can appreciate the benefits of a vacation. Well, few things are simple for her.  Let's see what's she's dealing with at the hotel.

Vacation by RedGoddess

When the economy went downhill, a lot of people settled for "staycations." With more Americans unemployed and losing their homes, spending money on vacations was not on the priority list. Lola can only afford to dream about a getaway, and while she gets the gist of "staycations" she realizes without vacations, hotels wouldn't need workers like her.  Lola foregoes any time off and markets rooms for profit to the working poor to stay at the hotel.
Her manager will still take her 2 weeks paid vacation like clockwork, while Lola will convince people to spend money they shouldn't. Consumption remains the core of the American Dream.

The Adventures of Lola 100 Word Stories: Bird by RedGoddess

Bird by RedGoddess

Monday is the worst working day! Lola is back to the daily grind at the hotel. Holiday festivities and romantic getaways with her lover are replaced by sore feet and demanding guests. She misses waking up to bird songs and sweet air instead of city traffic. It's time to reinvent herself, focus on paying down debts and aim her sights on a promotion. Work she can handle like a trained magician. But its not management, unless you are paid appropriately. No matter how hard she works, she knows it won't protect her from disappointments. But she needs more from life.

The Adventures of Lola 100 Word Stories: Mustard by RedGoddess

Lola loves buttery soul food. She will never understand how women subject themselves to diets. She sure as hell isn't substituting mustard for mayo.  She has enough dos and donts in life. She tries to keep her curves in place, but if there is some chocolate, she ain't holding back. Her admirer has picked up on that and knows just the right food to cook for her.  Even when he's away, he spoils her with desserts and other delicacies that are irresistible.  Yeah, rich buttery food, mayo over mustard and with every bite she likes him more for loving her as she is...

The Adventures of Lola in 100 words: Night Shift

Check out the latest Lola story. There is surprising twist as Lola does her first night shift at the hotel. She discovers it takes more than caffeine to cope with the insanity of her guests. Let me know what you think in the comment section:)

Executive hotels require all kind of crazy hours for their year round guests. Lola’s first overnight shift, she figured strong coffee would carry her, however, after leaving the front desk for a bathroom break she returned to find Mrs. Phillips standing naked in the lobby. She was smoking prescription marijuana, and screaming, "Thank God you're here! I heard gunshots from the suite next door." Lola smiled and assured the elderly woman she was safe, fed her snack food, and put her to bed.  At dawn, Lola smoked one of Mrs. Phillips on the hotel roof and called it even.