Sunday Photo Fiction is a weekly challenge presented by Susan Spaulding, who has taken over this great weekly prompt from my old friend Al Forbes.
This week’s photo, by an anonymous contributor, takes me back several years to this highly fictionalised account of my last visit to Seattle, a great city.
The idea here is to write a short story (200 word max) inspired by what you see in the picture (below).
Click on this link to enter your tale, and see what others have written.
© Sunday Photo Fiction
Click here to hear the author read the tale:
Seattle
She strides away from the Greyhound Station.
Her eyes are turned up to the high elegant buildings, but her mind is turned inwards.
Her long legs take her swiftly down Stewart Street, towards Pike Place Market.
A voice interrupts her thoughts.
Any change, miss?
She looks at the homeless man sitting on the sidewalk, and bursts into tears.
*
The weekend is fun, her partner interesting, even attractive.
But she has no intention of making it any more than it is, a break from her hard-working routine.
He lives far away, and he is just not that special.
They stroll the waterfront along Alaskan Way, visit the Bill Gates-sponsored Sculpture Park.
The Space Needle is, of course, the focal point of the trip.
The views from the top are breathtaking, especially west across the Puget Sound to the Olympic Mountains.
He, to her amusement, is more excited that it featured in an Elvis movie.
But, with the hilarious Underground Tour and the fabulous Fish Market, it has been a success.
*
When he leaves for the bus which heads south through Snoqualmie Pass, she feels no more than a slight pang.
Or so she thought.
So why the unexpected tears?
Sound Bite Fiction 
Mysterious and thought-provoking.
LikeLike
I didn’t get why she felt intensely emotional about the homeless man’s question.
Has she been seeking stability lately, but then gives up for the lack of trust or confidence? Which implies “no change” with her.
People pass by the homeless man. People pass by the woman. And no one heeds! So both are in the same boat.
Forgive me fo being this clueless 🙂
LikeLike
Perhaps she is more emotionally invested in the weekend’s romantic partner than she has realised, and the interruption to her thoughts is the catalyst that triggers the outburst.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, that makes sense 🙂 Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Do you think the homeless man was actually the same guy whom she had just said goodbye to? Hmmmmm….
LikeLike
Actually no, but full marks for a very original thought!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am also wondering. Does she has feelings she has not yet discovered? Or like the homeless man she also lacks a cover over her head in the form of a boy friend / husband?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting perspective, sir, and one I had not considered. Thank you for sharing your insight.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s easy not to appreciate something until it’s gone. I had this casual affair once….ah well!
LikeLike
Too much information, Keith!
LikeLiked by 1 person
True!
LikeLike
Excellent story!
LikeLike
Thank you, glad you enjoyed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe she realized how alone she really is? Very nice write.
LikeLike
Interesting thought from a lady’s viewpoint. Thank you, Violet.
LikeLike
A holiday romance that could have been so much more. Probably best this way, in your hands it would only have ended in one of them killing the other after a few years…
LikeLiked by 3 people
C’mon Iain, I don’t always kill ’em all!
LikeLiked by 1 person