Xena - A to Z Blogging Challenge

Blogging from A to Z Challenge
April 2015
This month I will be participating in the “Blogging from A-Z Challenge”

What is it?

I will be Blogging everyday beginning on April First with a topic themed on something with the letterA, then on April second another topic with the letter B as the theme, and so on until I finish on April thirtieth with the theme based on the letter Z.   The theme of the day is the letter scheduled for that day.

My theme will be short fictional (well mostly fictional) stories about women.  Each woman’s name will begin with the appropriate letter of the alphabet for that day.
All of the women will have the common life experience of a loss of some type.
I invite you, Dear reader, to comment on how you interpret the loss.

Xena

The auction was scheduled to start at 9:00 a.m.  Xena arrived at the hall at 7:00 that morning to preview the items and save herself a front row seat. 
The aisles were lined with tables and shelves filled with old things.   Things from dad’s now empty house, grandma’s attic, or aunt Sophie’s jewelry box.  Old things that Susie or John didn’t want and quite frankly couldn’t understand why Dad, Grandma or aunt Sophie ever collected such things. 
But, Xena loved old things.  She shopped at thrift shops and second hand stores for her clothing. 
She was drawn to the 1960s era.  She wore long flowing skirts, peasant blouses and a braided band around her forehead. 
She was especially obsessed with one old thing in particular. One that she had been pursuing for the last ten years.  It was the one she needed to complete her most valued old thing collection. 
The first time she saw It was at Sam’s “Every Other Friday Night” auction.
The craftsmanship was exquisite, displaying the finest of detail.  It sparkled under the spotlight. 
“This is one of a kind, folks,” claimed Sam.  “You’ll never see another one like it,” he added. 
And he started the bidding off at $25.00
Xena was an auction novice back then.  When Sam asked for $35.00, Xena tentatively held up her paddle.  She was quickly outbid, though.  
The bidding was lively.   When she turned around she saw that that several other lovers of old things were competing against her. 
She didn’t win her treasure that day and has been on a quest ever since.
Over the years, Xena has established good relationships with a lot of other auction regulars.  
Except, that is, for Zelda.  You might say that she and Zelda were auction arch enemies.
And anyway, as the saying goes, “There are no friends at an auction when the bidding begins.” 
Xena could hardly believe her eyes when she saw It advertised on the “Now and Again’s” web site. 
She was one of the first to arrive that morning and she was sure hoping that Zelda wouldn’t show up. 
Xena perused the items which were going to be auctioned off.   She strolled up and down each aisle pretending to be interested in this or that old thing.   
She was there for the prize, though.  And she intended to get It, no matter what the cost. 
She knew that Bob, the auctioneer probably would have It up front.  Maybe even under lock and key.  Certainly he would have someone guarding It, that was for sure. 
She nonchalantly made her way through the growing crowd.
And there It was.   As glorious as she remembered.  
At 9:00 Bob made the announcement for everyone to take their seats.  
“The auction is about to start,” he called out. 
As everyone got seated, Xena scanned the audience looking for Zelda.  She was relieved to see that she wasn’t in the room.
After three hours of waiting, It finally was going to be the next item up for bidding. 
When Bob held It up, Xena could barely breath.  Her pulse raced and her heart began to thump. 
Bob started the bidding at $50.00.  Xena held back, not wanting to show her hand. 
At $150, Bob called, “Going once, going twice…
Xena, called out, “Here, $160!”
Her opponent hesitated, then said, “I’ll go $170!”
Xena and her opponent went back and forth for several more times and finally Xena’s opponent dropped out at $200. 
Xena relaxed, she knew It was going to be hers at last.
Once again Bob called “Going once, twice…
Then a voice from the back of the room called out “three hundred dollars!”
Xena didn’t even have to turn around, she recognized Zelda’s voice.