Sunday Photo Fiction is a weekly challenge presented by my old friend Al Forbes.
The idea is to write a short story (200 word max) inspired by what you see in his picture (below).
This week’s photo reminds me of an ancient and fairly dire movie, featuring a pop singer who was never quite my taste.
Click on this link to enter your tale, and to see what others have written.
Copyright Al Forbes
The Smile
I see her coming up the path towards the front door.
My heart lifts as she smiles at me through the window.
I have loved her, and her smile, for over 40 years.
It is the sort of smile that lights up a room, makes everyone feel better.
I remember when she moved in next door as a teenager.
Love at first sight.
I remember our first date, a forgettable film at the local cinema.
I remember her in her wedding dress, the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.
And I remember her returning home from the hospital, holding wee Emily in her arms.
How she always refused to move away because her mother needed her.
And then, afterwards, because here was home.
Hi, CE, her smile is still radiant, can you keep an eye on Em’s youngest for an hour, please?
I have to go fetch that husband of mine from the golf.
Sound Bite Fiction 
Wonderful heartbreaking story. So sad to see your love from afar. Forty years is a lifetime of torture, yet, a time to at least be somewhat a part of her life.
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Ah, you had me going the whole time. Didn’t see that twist at the end. Surely a sign of a well written piece. I too have felt the sting of unrequited love. Nicely done.
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‘We’re all going on a ….’ nice one!
‘If only….’ a very short story
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So glad I am not the only one that doesn’t find that singer to their taste. I think he should retire completely and sell the rights to all the music then burn it all. lol
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Less said about him the better, I think, Al.
But your pic took me right there, in spite of myself!
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It does take us places we don’t want to go sometimes. On occasion kicking and screaming .
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Rather than end on a sour note, let’s remember something great, from his Shadows:
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The shadows were awesome. Kon Tiki, Deer Hunter, Apache. Three of my favourites.
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Very well told love story, with much sadness too. He isn’t her husband; I believe he wishes he was.
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Absolutely right, Mandibelle, he just loves her from afar.
Well, next door!
Lovely to see you here, as always.
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A bittersweet love story.
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Yep, 40 years of longing, more bitter than sweet.
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Aw. Now you’ve upset Graham. Nice story 🙂
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Oh, he is always complaining about something, just ignore him.
Glad you liked the story, at least.
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Cliff Richard did not even enter my head until I read your comment… Thank you for now getting that song stuck in my head!
Anyway, the story itself was very good 🙂 bittersweet is the way I like stories to be.
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Sincere apologies for that, but you cannot be nearly old enough for such garbage!
Glad you liked story.
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I have parents, LOL!
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Great piece! What’s the name of the movie? I’m curious. 🙂
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Summer holiday 🙂
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Thanks!
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Looking for a job here, Angie?
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You had me singing it!LOL!
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Thanks, Jenn.
The movie was a fairly typical piece of dross to showcase the alleged talents of the then golden boy of British Pop Music, Cliff Richard.
Least said the better.
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So he was the Bieber of his time, lol…
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There are so many shades of love in your stories!
Just when I think you are setting up the tragic end of a love story, you turn me around to look at an ongoing unrequited love with a “Say what?” followed by a reread! I like the way you do that! Well done.
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Merci, Em.
See above – ‘where nothing is quite what it seems’.
That’s a clue!
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Dear CE,
A bittersweet story written well. I felt my own heart sink at the end.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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As Billy Shakespeare says, Life is a bowl of ice cream, but without the cream.
Sorry about your sunken heart.
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