Written for RDP, where drkottaway asks us
to get creative with the word ‘incipient’.
Thanks, Doc! Here’s my take.
McClain stood at the edge of the college quad, watching clusters of students laugh over inside jokes she didn’t yet understand. Three weeks in, and she still felt like an imposter playing grown-up.
Her roommate strode past with effortless confidence, stopping to hug someone, making plans for later. How did everyone else seem to know the rules already?
But then Professor Pugliese’s words from yesterday surfaced: “Every expert was once a beginner who refused to die.”
McClain took a breath and with determination walked toward the study group she’d been invited to join. It was incipient, this new courage, this fledgling self she was becoming.
Her hand trembled slightly as she pulled open the library door.
NAR©2025
This is “True Colors” by Cyndi Lauper
All text and graphics are copyright for Nancy Richy and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
That is the perfect song to go with this story! It always makes me tear up!
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Thanks so much, CA. It’s a great song and Cyndi Lauper is so special.
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We’ve all been there. Nice story.
Lovely song, but I can’t hear it these days without being reminded of this:
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Funny stuff. The guy on the left doesn’t look amused. 😆
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He’s very good, isn’t he. I think that was Mark Wahlberg – probably feeling a bit upstaged!
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I can relate–terrifying!
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Ain’t that the truth!? Fortunately, I’m an extrovert and I don’t let too many situations like that bother me. I have a feeling you can relate to that as well.
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I knew you were an extrovert! 😂 I am an introvert, but damn, I have gotten feisty!!
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An extroverted introvert! I love that. Keep them guessing, Lois!
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It’s like walking into your 1st meeting with the well-established writers’ group, eh?
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Oh God! Don’t remind me. 😆
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Great use of the word:)
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Thanks, Sarah. I’m not too proud to admit I had to look it up to refresh my memory. The older I get the more I forget.
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