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.
And the prompt photo, which this week is provided courtesy of Ted Strutz
The idea, as always, is to write a story of around 100 words based on this picture, below.
© Ted Strutz
Click here to hear the writer read his words:
Going
Okay, I have to go now.
You know that, right?
And you have to stay here, and do the things you have to do.
I understand that.
Things have been difficult recently, difficult for both of us, but that doesn’t change how I feel.
I’m not sure if by leaving I’ll make things better, or worse.
Parting makes the heart…
Out of sight…
As much conflict there as there is here.
So I just wanted to clear the air before I go.
I think you believe me when I say I love you.
But I don’t know if you care.
Sound Bite Fiction 
Sometimes … words aren’t needed.
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Sometimes … we just know.
And we never forget.
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WOW! Your last line was impressive – whoever knows for sure what is in the others heart unless you have wonderful memories with a person!! This is a great story! Thanks!
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I’m all smiles here, Nan!
Thank you for your very kind words.
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Oh my…that hurt my heart.
Beautiful!
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Sorry, Dawn, have a hug!
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❤
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Very realistic.
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Thanks, Lisa
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The doubt and emotional sense of loss prevails throughout, a sense that life is going to change and there is a strange feeling of emptiness coming through. I liked this.
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Glad you did, James.
I think you saw most of what I was trying to say.
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Sometimes distance makes the love go strong. May be you are making the right decision. Give time to understand why there is so much argument.
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Very true, sir. And thanks for wise words of advice.
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Mmmmm! I wonder how many times we do this, not just with people we have intimate relationships with, but friends we have known for years and it just doesn’t work anymore. “Breaking up” doesn’t always need to involve lovers. Thanks for reminding me of that,
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Thanks, Alicia for your perceptive comments.
I suspect you relate to this right now…
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Another terrific story, CE. How clever of you to catch the embarrassment of such a parting, along with its very real painfulness.
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Thank you, Penny.
Sometimes it is just so awkward…
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He’s leaving but I don’t think he wants to. I get the feeling he wants her to tell him to stay. Another amazing piece!
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Thank you, Brenda, for your kind words and thoughtful comments
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A slightly awkward-sounding breakup 🙂
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Maybe more than slightly, sir!
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What a realistic, painful conversation. Well done.
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Thank you, Linda
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A story many can relate to I’m sure. Brilliant CE.
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Very kind, Keith, thank you
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Neil’s right. There should be a whole new verb for that kind of leaving. Beautifully done. I’m beginning to wonder whether you don’t have a better talent for killing off relationships than you do people.
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Praise from Caesar…
I think I’ve killed my quota of people for this century, just doing light humour now.
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How true that can be for some of us.
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It’s just life, I think, Danny
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There is so much raw emotion packed into this one sir. Bravo!
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Thank you, sir
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You have such a knack for saying a lot in short simple words. Poignant tale of the realization of how lop-sided a relationship truly is. Ouch.
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Ouch indeed!
Thank you, your comment has improved my mood enormously.
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Glad to hear it!
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That’s rough and raw and real. It’s very emotional. It reminds me of something from my life. I’m still not sure if it was right or wrong or where I went wrong.
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I suspect that there are no rights or wrongs, just life being lived.
Thanks for your comment
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Oh god, that was brilliant, I read and listened, its a different level, brilliant stuff
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Well, sir, I plan to have this comment enlarged, gold-leafed, and framed!
I am smiling like an idiot here.
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Profound. Love those last two lines… they say so much!
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Sometimes the heart just says what it feels…
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True. The heart has a voice all its own.
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Perhaps his leaving will awaken her, but I suspect he may find he ends up forgotten. Very well written CE.
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Thanks, Iain, time will tell
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Staying or going, never an easy decision. Nicely done CE
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Sometimes a man’s gotta do, Jo…
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Loved this! And man, been there, done that, in a manner of speaking.
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Thanks, Dale
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A good story with feeling and well written, C.E. As my late mother used to say, “I don’t watch TV serials as I have enough troubles of my own without watching those of others.” Don’t we all. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Your mother was a wise lady, Suzanne
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So many relationships end like this.
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So true, Colline, sadly
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Beautiful, thought provoking story.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thank you very much, Susan
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Dear CE,
A bit of a gut-wrencher fraught with conflict and emotion. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Conflict and emotions are the stuff of life, m’lady
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She cares, she has to, It’s a fine piece of writing.
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Cheers, Mike
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Strong emotions here. Torn.
Well done!
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Very true, Tannille, thank you
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There should be a verb for this type of going. You describe it beautifully
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Very kind, Neil, much appreciated
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