Friday Fictioneers is hosted by the wonderful Rochelle, the undisputed master of what I call Sound Bite Fiction.
She sets the weekly challenge, and the standard.
Today’s spectacular photo is by John, sorry Jan Wayne Fields, the suave spouse of our mighty leader.
I rerun the story I wrote 3 years ago, which found its way into my best selling book of short stories, Medville Matters, available here on this blog!
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on the picture, below.
Copyright Jan Wayne Fields
Arrival
It is more than six months since they last saw each other, a holiday romance that neither expected to last.
And yet they kept in touch all this time.
She saw her youngest through school, worked long hours, saved every penny she could.
He left Scotland, moved to the south of France, is happy in the sunshine.
He is wondering why he agreed to her visit, but she seemed so keen.
He sees her emerge through the Arrivals gate, dragging her suitcase.
His heart leaps.
She is stunning!
She sees him smiling and waving and thinks ‘Why am I here?’
I remember this story. I enjoyed it again.
I am totally impressed, Dawn, because I didn’t!
We are too often our hardest critics!
Humorous story, C.E. I take it they hadn’t sent up-to-date photos. I think I’d want to know more, like a chat on the computer or iPad before I struggled there with a heavy bag. Of course, this way made a better story. Good writing as usual. 😀 — Suzanne
I am amazed that all you ladies find this heartbreak amusing!
But let me just say this, Suzanne, of course they have been in touch, and it is just over 6 months, so it is not that they have changed dramatically.
The story is about the difference between imagination and reality.
And I only had 100 words, dear lady, I write in mortal dread of facing the ire of our hostess in the event of an overrun.
This made me chuckle. I love the last line, too. Sometimes our expectations get the best of us.
I am amazed at all you ladies laughing at heartache!
If you read my alter ego’s Saturday poem you will be in stitches, I am sure!
https://anelephantcant.me/2016/07/23/je-taime/
How heartbreaking! And a little funny. Coupled with the picture especially, I’m reminded of An Affair to Remember…except that has a very different ending.
Ah, Emily, you are a heartless lady!
I hope you enjoyed it regardless.
I wonder how they’ll manage this. Tricky. Terrific story – great closing line.
Life goes on, Margaret.
Glad you enjoyed, and thank you for saying so.
I love the way their memories have them thinking along certain lines which are turned on their heads when reality arrives. Nicely done.
Isn’t that the way of thigs, Mick?
And thank you.
The timing is just always wrong in this relationship. Been there, done that!! And perhaps so have you? Sounds a bit autobiographical 😀😀😀
I agree with other commenters that the spoken version is lovely.
Thank you, Jan, I try to make everything sound a bit autobiographical!
And I am very happy you enjoy the reading.
Ah, holiday romances and memories. Almost like time travel, only at my time there was no social media to keep up the illusion. I love that last line, it could open into a really funny (or gritty) longer piece.
Thank you, happy you enjoyed and that it sparked some memories.
Maybe she thought she could take up where they left off.
He was ready having lived his dream.
She wasn’t. She was just starting to!
A lot of truth in what you say, perhaps.
Very often people are not in the same place at the same time.
Wow that last line. It’s sad she doesn’t return his feelings anymore, despite saving all that money to see him. Perhaps, she is just unsure and spending time with him, will feel those feelings again anew. I have a question for you CE. How do you record your voice and put it on WordPress? It’s something I want to try some I wondering about which application or tool you used. Thanks CE. Hugs
Yep, life is like an unripe olive.
Hard on the teeth and tough to swallow.
Will email guide, okay?
Lol. Email is of course fine CE 🙂
I hate when that happens but I liked the telling of it.
Tracey
Laughing, Tracey, you make it sound like a weekly occurrence in your life!
Actually never. I’ve been bound by my heart to the same boy for three decades.
Maybe they should have just stayed pen pals (or blog buddies). Neither one seems real sure where to go from here.
I like hearing you read it too. It adds another dimension to the story..
Holiday romances, Russell, remember when you were young and foolish?
Glad you like the reading, but ‘another dimension’ makes it sound like the Twilight Zone.
All together now – ‘doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo …’
For second chances, perhaps? 🙂 Maybe they can find out over Duck à l’orange 😀
Perhaps, but I don’t think he knows the French for that
The flip side of life exposed in 100 words.
As Mr Bowie says ‘Turn and face the strange Ch-ch-changes’
Awkward!
A tad!
Oh, C, how heartbreaking that they don’t feel the same way! And he’s so excited, so thrilled to see her lovely face. The tragedy of unrequited love.
Beautifully written and gut wrenching in a good way. Lovely work 🙂
Thank you, Lynn, for another kind and thoughtful comment.
Happy you enjoyed.
My pleasure C. A great read as always 🙂
Oh lovely.
The change in expectations is palpable.
That’s the way it crumbles cookiewise!
Oh I cannot remember reading this before… but it’s a great story, and your reading is awesome.
You are very kind, Bjorn, I am happy you enjoyed it so much.
Oh the irony of it all. It sounds a bit like ‘send in the clowns’…. losing his timing so late in his career. Good one.
Yeah, thanks for that somewhat cynical view, Sandra!
Perhaps the south of France will work its magic. 🙂
Yes, perhaps she will fall for the guy who sells ice cream on the beach!
Ah poor guy. It seems the memories were different from the reality for both of them!
Life happens.
It’s always about perception and perspective isn’t it?
Good story, of course. Otherwise it wouldn’t be in the book 😉
Did I mention that the book, Medville Matters, is available for purchase right here on this blog?
This is such a great story and rings so true. Nothing is ever quite as you imagine it. And love to hear you reading. I pinched the idea this week (and oddly – your name).
Thank you, Claire, perhaps there is a grain of reality in there somewhere.
Glad you have enjoyed the readings enough to try it yourself.
And I am happy to see my name connected, even tenuously, to writing of such quality as yours.
You’re a marvelous reader. Nice piece
Thank you, sir, that is very kind of you.
Oh my, it is never as we remember it. Excellent!
Sadly, often it is not.
Thank you.
Dear CE,
Lovely he said, she said story. I wonder where it will go next? I love hearing you read.
Shalom,
Rochelle
That is a much longer piece, m’lady.
Glad you enjoyed.
And I do private readings…
Sounds like she thinks the bloom is off the rose with this guy.
Nice story, C.E. Be well.
Sometimes love just doesn’t work out, hmm?
Thanks, Kent.
I love leaping hearts and stunning! Great tale! Well worth a rerun!
We have all felt that way, I hope.
Even Graham.
Yes. Wonderful memories !
I remember reading this the first time. 🙂
Yes, I remember you said it was rubbish!
That does not sound possible. Nothing you write is rubbish.
Grin.
I did paraphrase slightly.
Yes, slightly. 🙂