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 illuminating photo by © Roger Bultot certainly lit up my morning.
And a little light bulb of an idea popped up.
To be sadly extinguished, almost immediately.
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on the picture, below.
© Roger Bultot
Click here to hear me read this 52-second story:
The Window
I love living here.
I decide to pay her a surprise visit, just to say hello.
It is only a 30-minute walk to her house, and the views of the Med, shimmering in the moonlight, are magical.
I let myself in the side gate, and smile.
She is listening to the same music when she is alone as when we are together.
Then I see the car in the driveway.
I recognise it.
It is not possible, is it?
I look through the uncurtained window and know the truth.
I don’t love living here that much.
Time to move on.
Awww…I feel for his broken heart.
Nah, well deserved, never there, totally untrustworthy, you know the type.
I feel bad for him but he seems a bit cut and dried in his readiness to move on. Anyway good for him in his maturity … I think.
You think he should have stolen the car?
oh dear, I knew when I heard the music it wouldn’t be good. At least he decided to move, not remove any of her body parts 🙂
Laughing again, some of you ladies expect too much violence and bloodshed!
I can be subtle, too.
Although I didn’t mention the home invasion and other atrocities committed on the way home.
of course you can be subtle…I fully expected the body parts to be disposed of subtly….
Light turned to darkness, stars turned into black holes, sad!
Well, a bit upset, yes, but…
What? Where’s the body?
I’m thinking she’s not such a prize after all.
She is if you get there early enough!
That’s why I call before I show up.
As usual, you set it up easy-peazy and knocks the reader out with a sucker punch.
Good story.
Thanks, Em, I will try to learn from your wisdom.
Nicely turned at the end. Sad indeed
Thank you, Michael.
Unrequited love is the worst kind of love. Such a shame for him. On the plus side, he didn’t kill either of them. Unless of course they were the ones from this week’s “The Path” story.
Yeah, well, life happens!
No, different characters, they survived
Did you get my email?
I just checked and there it is. WIll reply now
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Poor guy. I’ve got to admit I half expected her to end up dead. Good writing, C.E. 🙂 — Suzanne
Laughing.
Oh Suzanne, you know me too well!
I wonder what’s better: living unhappily with the truth or being happily deceived. I know what I would chose… Great writing, there’s always that bite in your soundbites.
I wonder…
So what would you choose, ignorance is bliss, or folly to be wise?
Thank you, even in 100 words I try to give my stories some teeth.
I would always want the truth for anything that goes beyond a fantasy.
Ha, he’s a stalker, stalkers her at her house and when she finally has a real person with her (not him hiding) he’s upset. Hope he leaves, leaving her in peace.
Amanda, how cynical of you!
But I love your alternative interpretation.
It fits if you think about it 😉 lol.
Best to pull the shades I always say.
Is that really what you always say, Tracey?
Doc, I have a sore throat.
Best to pull the shades…
What are you talking about? It was talking hiding illicit activity. (actually I’ve never said it but that’s beside the point). ha ha ha
If, as they say, laughter is the best medicine, then you are a great physician!
Yes, love can go from something to nothing in an instant. Well done!
Thank you, you are so right.
Oh how sad!
Just life
Things can change in the blink of an eye can they?
Sometimes they can and do.
how swift love changes and we can suddenly live without…
Randy
Sometimes we have little choice…
Yes, but as your piece indicates, we do adapt and move on, rather than sit on a pity pot.
No?
powerfully moving piece ..and the music was perfect addition 😉
You heard music?
Wow, I am much better than I thought!
LOL Sorry, I meant to say the “Use” of music was a perfect addition. It brought an atmospheric feel to the poem. (see how one word can change everything) 🙁
Just teasing, Morgan, actually delighted that the story touched you so much.
Crying game moment?
Movie or song?
The moral? Never, ever go home when you’re not expected – there’ll be something you’d rather not see. Great tale, C, though truly melancholic. Super stuff
Thank you, Lynn, life can throw up the occasional unpleasant surprise.
Very, very true 🙂 My pleasure, C
So sad, you tugged at my heart strings. 🙂
Happy to hear it reached you, Michael
Oh, that one hurt. Nice job. You always get us at the end.
I do try!
How very sad. It brought a lump to my throat. Expertly crafted. 🙂
Sorry about that.
And thank you.
I think that leaving is the best option… I wonder if it meant loosing a friend as well as his love.
Well spotted, Bjorn.
Double betrayal.
Awwww poor fellow.
Indeed!
Well, at least he knows when to walk away. Very sad, but nicely done.
Yes, indeed, there was a clue on the other side of the window!
Thank you.
Love the dreamy pace you set, though I knew there would be something to break it. Poor fella, having his bubble burst like that.
That’s what bubbles are for.
Lovely.
Thank you.
Dear CE,
Such a bittersweet story. It went for the heart and hit its target. <3
Shalom,
Rochelle
Sometimes bad things happen to people, whether they are good or bad.
Hugs for your poor heart.
Another nasty twist at the end, just when I was relaxing into a nice image of a sunny stroll through the Med! Excellent stuff.
Yep, life and stuff by C E Ayr!
A twisted fairy tale for adults
If you like…