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).
Once again Al recycles a brilliant photo from a couple of years back, so I recycle my story from that time, but with a caveat.
It significantly exceeds the word limit, so I understand if you choose to skip past it.
Click on this link to enter your tale, and see what others have written.
© Al Forbes
Click here to hear the author read the tale:
Down in One
One of us has to die.
This is the conclusion we have reached.
For many reasons.
Her religious beliefs forbid divorce.
And financially that would not help our dire situation.
All of the faults in our marriage are mine.
Even I acknowledge that.
I am an awful husband.
An absent father.
She is a wonderful wife.
A perfect mother.
I am an habitual liar and a cheat.
She has never done a dishonest deed or said an unkind word in her life.
We stare at the vial of poison on the table between us.
She pours two glasses of wine.
It is a nice Côtes de Provence, but nothing too special.
It has to be me, I lie.
I have no intention of dying.
I know, she says sadly, with a half shake of her head.
She lifts the little bottle, pours its contents into her glass.
Half smiles.
I am in awe of this woman.
She is giving her life in the forlorn hope that I will take care of our children.
She raises her glass.
I lift mine in a salute.
Down in one, I ask.
I think so, she says, no time for second thoughts.
We look into each other’s eyes for the last time.
I love you, she says.
I feel an unfamiliar pang.
Conscience, perhaps?
We both drink deeply.
Her eyes grow moist.
She indicates the phial.
Water, she says.
The poison was already in your glass.
Sound Bite Fiction 
Pingback: Sunday Photo Fiction – April 29 2018 – Sunday Photo Fiction
Good one
LikeLike
Thanks, Larry
LikeLike
Oui Monsieur, quand on joue , c’est pour gagner!
N’est ce pas?
LikeLike
Des fois on joue simplement pour le plaisir de jouer.
LikeLike
And BAM! Excellent!
LikeLike
And reBam! Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Si un jour , j’ai quelqu’un a tuer , je ferai appel à ton imagination démoniaque
!
LikeLike
À ton service, madame.
Je dois gagner, non?
LikeLike
This was one smart lady.
LikeLike
Aren’t they all?
LikeLike
Somehow I knew it..smart lady..
LikeLike
I seem to be too predictable this week.
LikeLike
Smart woman! Somehow I knew she was going to do that. Well done.
LikeLike
It seems you are!
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent. I loved this ☺
LikeLike
Thanks, George
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember the image and your story – and I still find it as amazing now, as it was then, including the slightly longer length. Adds the new dimension and twist.
And yes, always a sign of a great pen and mind, when the original was and is as still well-written and relevant after the passage of time. I doff my chapeau.
LikeLike
Thank you, Pat, I am happy you enjoyed it so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank goodness my religion allows divorce, or I could have taken the same route! Excellent.
Welcome to Keith’s Ramblings!
LikeLike
Bit drastic, Keith!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whew, when she does her first dishonest deed, she starts with a big one! Although it sounds like she made the right choice.
LikeLike
She is a mother first.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😈 taht’s what it was supposed to be
LikeLike
Laughing.
Bravo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
👿
LikeLike
Wrong emote
LikeLike