13 December 2025, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2950: do me a favor

Photo by the author, Deeann D. Mathews

Capt. R.E. Ludlow Sr. took a deep breath, went into the room he used for business in the house he was renting in Tinyville, and then came back out.

“I cannot remember being so nervous since my second wedding,” he said to his second wife, Mrs. Thalia Ludlow, “and I recognize now what it is: I don't know if I am ready for this level of life we are about to enter.”

“Well,” she said as she stood close to him, “the second marriage is coming out well, so … .”

“Yeah,” he said as they embraced and kissed.

Sitting on the captain's desk were two documents for his review. The first had come by registered mail, and the second had been hand-delivered from two doors away … the first was the paperwork to sell the former Ludlow Winery to Tarquin Ludlow IV, and the second was to sell the Ludlow Bubbly to its workers, financed up front Mr. Thomas Stepforth Sr.

When all that was worked out, there would be enough for five families to fund their inheritance to at least two generations … and Capt. Ludlow had seven grandchildren and an adopted cousin he had adopted. All eight would be set for life, when these deals were done.

The paperwork needed to be reviewed by all the co-owners of the Ludlow Bubbly; nothing was going to happen that day. But the whole thought the day was at hand had Capt. Ludlow's nerves on edge.

“I understand how to be a good military leader,” he said. “I'm learning how to be a present, caring, and deeply involved husband, father, and grandfather. But rich? That's a new frontier.”

“High-class problems,” Mrs. Ludlow purred, “literally.”

“It's the responsibility,” he said. “Getting what I have prayed and asked for, for these kids – I wish I had prayed more that I be made worthy and ready to receive it!”

“Well, we can start now,” Mrs. Ludlow said. “Does this have to be signed off today?”

“No – Major Dubois has to look at it as the company lawyer, and all the other partners have gotten their copies and need time to look it through.”

“OK, so, do me a favor,” Mrs. Ludlow said.

“Your wish, my command,” Capt. Ludlow said.

“Immerse yourself for the rest of the day in why we are doing all we are doing.”

So, Capt. Ludlow went and put the documents away, and then came back and enjoyed the day with his grandchildren and their friends … and then later, he went back and looked at the documents and found that his nervousness had gone.

“They are just tools for us to keep doing what we are doing without distraction,” he said afterward as he joined his wife in their bedroom. “Thank you, Thalia. Like Lil' Robert would say here, 'we got this!'”

Mrs. Ludlow chuckled at her husband's imitation of their baby grandson, just two octaves lower.

“Do you believe it?” she said to him.

“I believe it was a father who needed the Lord to do something for his son and said, 'Lord, I believe – help thou my unbelief.'”

“That will work!” she said.