C. N. Garraway

This Week’s Prompt Friday Challenge

Write this scene. You’re in the park reading a book. A stranger comes up to you dressed in a suit and gets on one knee and proposes. How would you write this scene?

My Response to the Prompt

Saturday, June 6, 2026
Marvelle National Park
1300 National Parkway
Marvelle, New Jersey

Diana Barrington was on her lunch break, sitting on a park bench, reading her favorite book. It was a slightly cloudy day; it made for easy reading. A soccer game was in progress across the park. From the cheers, the Marvelle Cubs were winning.  

“Go Cubs!” She raised her fist in the air, never looking up from her book.

It was calming to sit and read, listen to the game and the birds chirping, and occasionally catch a butterfly in her peripheral vision. The smell of burgers cooking on the grill, mixed with something spicy, drifted through the air. There was no doubt that Marvelle On-Wheels Food Truck was responsible for that smell. It was the best food truck in the city. The food was made with all-natural ingredients. They used plenty of herbs and spices to add flavor instead of relying on salt.

She glanced at her watch. Only fifteen minutes remained in her lunch break. She’d better start heading back to work. Before she could get back into the book, a shadow was cast over her. She lowered her book to look at a decent-looking stranger. He had light brown eyes and a kind smile. He was dressed in a navy-blue suit. He got down on one knee and held out a ring box. The rock was huge.

She came to this park almost every day, and she’d never seen him before.

“Will you marry me?” his smile grew wider.

Diana’s mouth fell open.

Before she could recover from the shock, someone yelled, “Cut!”

She looked around, and she saw people coming from behind the trees. Several of them carried cameras at their sides.

“That scene was raw. Good job, Rowan.” A much shorter man ran to give him a high five.

“Thanks.”

Diana stood quickly, her book falling onto the grass. Her face pulled into a frown, and she put her hands on her hips.

“Great, now I’m going to be late! You’d better delete that video.” She jabbed a finger into Rowan’s chest.     

Join the Conversation

What would you do in this situation? I love to see what you come up with. Leave your response in the comments.

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