Flash fiction writing in twenty minutes–the perfect means to kickstart a day of carving new chapters in my novel. Thanks to The Daily Post for providing a morning prompt to write.
A Tale of Love and Loss
There is a man. He looks eighty. He is crossing the road whilst gently scolding his Pekingese for the dog’s meandering pace. She will have dinner waiting and promised to make his favourite: roast lamb with homemade mint sauce.
There is a woman. She looks young. She is navigating a sharp bend whilst swiping left and right with thumb across illuminated screen. She is seeking passionate connection on her mobile phone but most faces are a disappointment.
Ten seconds until they collide.
The woman is now kneeling, cradling the old man’s head. His legs are crumpled and his wee dog squeals. The woman is baying loudly, cursing her choices, fearing what next. This is a gut-churning scene.
Strangers amass around this pair—the crackled-faced man with slowing heart, the guilt-filled woman with broken heart. A heart-connection. Consequences of two lives making choices.
A crowd now surrounds. Some onlookers weep, some try to console. Sirens blare loudly, the alarming volume increasing as help nears. The old man is mumbling softly into the lap of the young woman, where her hands hold his head with comfort and shame.
‘Tell my wife I loved her all my life.’
An indiscernible shape approaches and wraps his jacket over her shoulders from behind. She does not see his face. Her shaking is soothed slightly by the fleece lining of his coat. Two figures sporting green jumpsuits take action swiftly, disentangling the woman from the lifeless man. They unfold him carefully onto stretcher and wheel him with dignity to the open ambulance doors.
She watches the flickering blue lights retreat down the dark road ahead as police approach.
Then hands on her shoulders. Her head tilts up, catching glimpses of a tall man’s profile beside her. He has come to remove his insulating coat from her body. When the swirling lights rhythmically cast against his cheek, she notes his kind and handsome face. Her heart jolts. She would have swiped ‘yes’ if his photo had graced her screen.
But in that moment, there is no place for love to be found. Love is lost. And so it shall be forever more.
Estella Lynch, 2017
All writing and original photographs published on my blog are copyright of Estella Lynch and can only be reprinted by my permission.
Well done, too many senseless crashes/accidents from mobile phone use … when will it stop?
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I agree. The quickest of choices people make can have such sad consequences. Thanks for reading my story.
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My pleasure! Great idea to introduce such a topical issue.
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The love lost twist doesn’t earn her forgiveness, but it highlights the depth of change this series of poor choices has made in her life — as it mirrors the life change it imposes on the woman we never see. Well done, Estrella.
It occurs to me I have been inserting an “r” in your name where none belongs. I’m not sure why. I apologize.
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See? I did it again and didn’t even catch it. I’m terrible at this game.
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I kind of like ‘Estrella’–perhaps I need to adopt that moniker!
I do love a short piece of writing with a twist, particularly a moral one. People make choices–some swift, some well-thought out–and all of them incite ripples that shape our lives, however minor.
Thanks for reading, for commenting and for finding resonance in my writing.
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You are welcome, Estella. 😉
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Hi Estella, I have nominated you for the Liebster Award. Check it out. https://www.livingvsexisting.com/the-liebster-award-2/
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How lovely! Thanks for nominating me, Cherylene. I’m working on my novel today so tomorrow I’ll hit the blog and check out your questions. Hope you are doing well in the blogosphere.
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You’re most welcome Estella! I’m good thanks for asking. You take your time and do your thing. I look forward to seeing your responses. 🙂
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