There’s always one. Even when you fall so bone achingly in love that you’d happily tear your ribs open and carve pieces of your heart into a shrine dedicated to your true love…there’s still that one.
They got away. Left. Broke you in a way no time or superglue can ever fix. They are the ones that changed you. Forever. And they’re never coming back. That’s why no matter how much time lapses, no matter how many wrinkles you gather, it will still hurt. It failed and tore everything you knew to pieces.
Maybe it wasn’t a lover, maybe it was a job you lost, or a friend that parted ways, perhaps a parent, or aunt or maybe your first home. Whatever it was, we all have that one thing.
But isn’t there a kind of sick satisfaction in thinking about it? Like picking a scab, it hurts a bit, but its satisfying when you take the head off.
So here’s this weeks challenge:
Write about a nostalgia that hurts in less than 200 words.
This is dedicated to my friend, who hurt, but is now I’m pleased to say, smashing life again.
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Now to last weeks entries and stories about judgement.
First in Geoff with a true story
First time I see her I’m standing at the till. She sails past on her bike – pink wheels, not that I notice then. It’s her blond hair. An absolute mass.
Next I’m loading the car with paint and the same blond mountain walks past me. A back view only but the micro skirt and elongated legs are unmissable. Heels too which seem unnecessary given her height.
After that she’s unmissable. Or is that ubiquitous? Getting off the train. By the bar in the Goose and Gumption, seen through the smoke-tinged glass.
I suppose I’ve noticed her at least half a dozen times – a dazzling, statospheric presence – before I see her face. Really see the chiselled features, beak of a nose, grizzled chin. Not even a parody of masculinity.
What surprises me most? The flamboyancy? The in-your-face-ness? The courage?
It takes me too long to make up my mind because I must be gawping. He. She. I’m not sure where on the gender spectrum to place the person approaching me. But the expression on that face is unmistakable. Contempt. At the biases and prejudices my face cannot, in that moment, hide.
‘Go fuck yourself.’
Quite right.
Jane in next with this awesome little story with a twist (even if she’s cheating on her WIP, naughty!)
The bus is late. Warily, I watch the lad in the hoodie leaning in a doorway at the other side of the road. He takes a drag of his cigarette then spits on the ground. A little old lady with a stick and a big dog has to push past him to get out of her front door. She struggles with stick, key and dog to lock up.
The lad in the hoodie tosses away his cigarette. His voice raps out sharp words. The old lady quavers something and yanks on the dog’s lead. The dog reacts slowly. It’s fat. She yanks again. The dog limps, dragging a lame leg. She shouts, shrill and imperious. The stick whips up and down, and the dog screams.
The lad leaps after her and grabs the stick. The old lady shrieks abuse and people start to drift over. The lad throws the stick into the road and storms over to my bus stop.
He is young, fragile, eyes full of hurt. He stuffs his trembling hands into his pockets and watches as the old woman, still vociferating, moves off down the street. The dog turns, his eyes, like the boy’s full of misery.
Next, Hugh with this lovely little twist – jump over to his post to see the photo that inspired his story.
Juliet had watched all day as each woman went through the door that only unlocked itself on Leap Day.
Some came back smiling while others would come back through the door crying.
Now it was her turn and waiting on the other side was Glenn.
“Yes” was the word she heard when she proposed, but Juliet never came back through the door.
People waited for her and four years later there was still no sign of her.
The two women married each other. Juliet had stayed so she could rest in peace with her beloved Glenn.
Next Judy, with this CRACKING and hilarious poem with a proper lesson in it.
Tonight he’s feeling lucky
As he chats to the blonde at the bar
She really is a stunner
The best looking girl by far
Her boobs are pert and rounded
Her teeth so pearly white
With hair so long and lustrous
And a bum so firm and tight.
They leave the bar together
And end up at her place
He knows what’s about to happen
And his heart begins to race
He starts to kiss her deeply
And his hands begin to roam
It was not what he expected
When he encounters silicone!
He moves on swiftly upwards
And runs his hands all through her hair
But it feels all hard and bumpy
With the extensions that are there!
His ardour is now waning
As he gropes her peachy bum
And encounters control knickers
That hide a wobbly tum!
This is not what he signed up for
There must be some mistake
This perfect looking woman
Was really just all fake!
Lori Carlson in next, you can find her here and she’s written a fab story with a scary kick to it.
An Unexpected Night by Lori Carlson
Marlow wasn’t used to walking home alone. And definitely not at night. Her secretary usually accompanied her, but she had an unexpected dinner date that night. Marlow envied her secretary. She remembered when her calendar was filled with dates, but these days, she was lucky to even get a drink with a handsome stranger.
She left the office and headed down 5th Street. The City was still bustling with people even though it was after seven. She turned the corner and headed up Butte Avenue. She only lived a few blocks away and hate to spend money on a taxi if she could help it. Her mind drifted to the day’s business accounts. They’d just acquired a new account and Marlow had spent half the day reviewing the records. This account, if handled correctly, could put her on the map.
She heard the footsteps. Leather on pavement. Clip clap. Clip clap. It wasn’t that unusual for someone to be headed in her direction. If she wasn’t alone, she’d probably never even paid attention. She kept walking.
The footsteps got louder. Closer. Clip clap. Clip clap. Marlow increased her steps. Her heart skipped a few beats. She laughed at herself for feeling frightened.
Faster and faster, the sound of footsteps even closer. Marlow turned the corner and quickened her steps. She thought about taking a short cut through the park and then decided against it. She would be completely isolated in there. What if whoever was following her entered the park too?
The steps behind her turned into a slow jog. She could hear the heavy pounding on the pavement. Apprehension turned into real fear. Dare she look back? The sound intensified. Whoever was behind her was now running. Marlow heart raced. Her mouth went dry. She could feel beads of sweat forming on her forehead. She sprinted across the street to head up her block to her apartment building.
Clip clap clip clap clip clap.
The person behind her was running across the street too. She could almost feel his breath on her neck. Had she taken one too many chances in a City this big? Don’t let me die this way, she prayed. She kept running. Just a half of a block more and she would be home.
“Angie! Angie!” a voice behind her screamed.
Marlow looked ahead of her and saw a blond standing at the end of the block. She stopped, turned around and was nearly knocked down by a man running behind her.
“Oh sorry!” he apologized. “My fiancée is just there,” he pointed at the blond.
Marlow laughed nervously as she smiled at the man. He went on about his business, but Marlow couldn’t help but still feel anxious. It hadn’t been what she thought at all, but she wouldn’t feel safe until she was inside her locked apartment.
Lori Carlson says
Great stories everyone and an awesome poem, Judy! Thanks for the link-back, Sacha 🙂
Sacha Black says
Well thank you for joining in 😀
Lori Carlson says
My pleasure, Sacha 🙂
davidprosser says
You have it bang to rights Sacha. There is a certain satisfaction in thinking about it needless of the dark alleys it then makes the brain go down. This morning though your speaking about my event brought it to mind and I had to think about it again………….just as I was removing some rather large scabs from my leg. I honestly think that job does give more satisfaction if you do it carefully enough not to draw blood.
xxx Mammoth Hugs xxx
Sacha Black says
Thanks 🙂 you’re so right! and hahaha, I am a picker too! can’t help myself! i’ll end up scarred to pieces! hugs xx
Mary Smith says
Some wonderful writing. Really enjoyed reading it – a great way to start my day.
Sacha Black says
Thanks Mary 🙂 <3
jenanita01 says
I have to pass on this one, as I’m in a world of hurt at the moment and don’t want to drag up any more…
Sacha Black says
Ahh that’s ok, I understand completely <3
Norah says
Interesting challenge this week, Sacha, and lots of great responses to the last one. I see you have a new newsletter. You have been a busy girl. I wish you much success.
Sacha Black says
Thanks Norah, wishing you success with your readilearn too 🙂 <3
Norah says
Thank you.
Sacha Black says
<3
esthernewton says
I love that prompt. I have one for it. Wish I had time for it…we’ll see. Anyway brilliant writing again 🙂
Sacha Black says
oooh, I hope you find a spare minute to two then 🙂 <3
Jane Dougherty says
Sorry about going over the word limit. I might have another go when I’ve finished bawling my head off.
https://janedougherty.wordpress.com/2016/03/02/flash-fiction-a-few-words-to-lost-parents/
Sacha Black says
Don’t be silly. A) it’s an honour you even participate, B) hello *waves* biggest rule breaker going over here and C) I didn’t have a c but I thought it sounded better if I did.
Ps. I am smashing my head against my editing today. *gaaaaaaaah*
Jane Dougherty says
I didn’t like to bring up b) but you do have a point there 🙂
I’m waiting to get my edits back. I sprained my back yesterday sorting papers (don’t laugh) and the pain killers are softening my brain. If I’m not careful I’m going to make a right bollix of this.
Sacha Black says
lol, b) is one of those things we all know, and don’t mention! :p hahahahah. oh god, I hope your back gets better, nothing worse, sending you some love and speedy healing.
Jane Dougherty says
Thanks! I stuffed myself with painkillers last night and managed to sleep intermittently as long as I lay there like a sentry in a horizontal sentry box. I HATE sleeping like a corpse.
TanGental says
This may no be easy…
Sacha Black says
That’s because you found the love of your life when you were basically still in nappies!
TanGental says
true…
I’ll try.
Sacha Black says
Well I’ve never seen you baulk at a challenge yet.
TanGental says
Nope, already scheduled… Just sorting out pictures.
Sacha Black says
ooh squeal a whole post!
TanGental says
Coming soon. Just need to find a slot!
Judy Martin says
Oooh , this week’s prompt should be good Sacha. There were some brilliant stories this week, Lori’s almost had me looking over my shoulder, spine trembling!
Sacha Black says
Thanks Judy, it came from my friend, so I can’t take credit! ?
D. Wallace Peach says
Excellent stories and poem. These weekly inspirations are marvelous, Sacha 🙂
Sacha Black says
Hehe thank you 🙂 I really ought to start participating again, just got my head buried in editing. Sigh.
D. Wallace Peach says
I know. If I did all the challenges and inspirations on the great blogs out here, I’d never have time to write. Blah. Discipline and choices are so hard.
Sacha Black says
Haha tell me about it! I’d be writing a book a week of them!
Allie P. says
Judy’s was hilarious and I’ve totally been in the situation Lori describes before (although I maintain better safe than sorry). I’m not going to participate this week as I fear I may have cut myself too deeply on another recent trip down memory late. Darn thorns. I need to hire a better gardener for those pathways.
Sacha Black says
Ahh, I totally understand, I think thats the case for a few people. lol to the gardener! <3
ladyleemanila says
thanks Sacha for the prompt 🙂
https://ladyleemanila.wordpress.com/2016/03/04/writespiration-82-nostalgia-that-hurts/
Sacha Black says
Thanks for joining in, your poems fantastic, but so emotional, I loved it. 🙂
jademwong says
Finally joined your Writerspiration event! Combined it with another prompt, hope that’s okay! I could’ve sworn I pinged back to your site, Sacha but alas…it doesn’t seem to have worked. So here’s a link to the post ~>
https://jademwong.wordpress.com/2016/03/07/flash-fiction-day-21/
Thanks for the inspiration, Sacha! 😉
Sacha Black says
The Ping backs worked, I just hadn’t approved them, yay thank you for joining in, I will go check out your entry, thanks so much. 😀
jademwong says
Woohoo, glad that the pingbacks worked! Thank YOU for hosting this inspiring event 😉
Sacha Black says
<3 you're more than welcome