PHOTO PROMPT Sarah Potter
She stood at the sink, looking out the window, dreaming of better times and beautiful things long since gone away. The thought of him with that harlot made her skin crawl. How could he have been so heartless? She so blind?
Her chin dipped toward the forgotten dishes piled in the cool water. A tear traced a path to the edge of her nose, where it clung for a moment before plunging into the basin.
She steadied her trembling shoulders and returned her gaze outside, dreaming of better times and beautiful things long since gone away.
—
No horror today, only the sadness of a fictional woman. This one is actually a few words shy of 100 due to a last minute edit that I think makes it flow better. I usually strive to hit 100 words exactly, but I’ll make an exception this time.
Written for Friday Fictioneers.
Click here for stories from the other Fictioneers.
Adam Ickes 
June 7th, 2017 at 9:16 AM
A good scene. I was expecting a really evil little revenge act, but somehow this is just perfect the way it is. BTW… I did your exact 100 today… a very rare thing for me.
June 7th, 2017 at 12:18 PM
Thanks.I’m glad you liked it.
June 7th, 2017 at 10:02 AM
I love the circular nature of this – the repeated line showing that her thoughts just go round and round.
June 7th, 2017 at 12:19 PM
Thanks, Claire. Glad you enjoyed it.
June 7th, 2017 at 10:04 AM
Like Claire, I liked the circular nature… it gives it a great flow… 100 words are not always needed, are they?
June 7th, 2017 at 12:20 PM
True, 100 words aren’t always needed, but I’m a little OCD about it most of the time, for better or worse.
June 7th, 2017 at 12:51 PM
So am I!!
June 7th, 2017 at 6:19 PM
Beautifully written piece.
June 8th, 2017 at 6:52 AM
Thank you.
June 7th, 2017 at 11:40 PM
I can’t believe no bloodlust. C’mon, kill somebody! Or kill two people next week at least. Well done story anyway.
June 8th, 2017 at 6:53 AM
Just because I didn’t write about it doesn’t mean it isn’t there, or at least that it won’t be there eventually. For now she’s just trying to get over the shock of it all.
June 8th, 2017 at 4:11 AM
Poor woman, the anguish of betrayal. Beautifully written, despite the lack of a revenge killing 🙂
June 8th, 2017 at 6:54 AM
The revenge killing may happen yet. She hasn’t had enough time to process what’s happened. She’ll eventually understand what must be done. Maybe.
June 8th, 2017 at 5:05 AM
If all she ever did was wash dishes, no wonder he left. Sounds like she needs to find her glad rags and get back out there again.
I’m being a bit tongue in cheek here, but she does sound like she needs a circuit breaker.
It’s interesting I would say that too, because I’m not the “keep calm and carry on” type, although I never used to stay single for very long. Been a long time since I’ve had to think about that!
This was beautifully and poignantly written. Well done.
xx Rowena
June 8th, 2017 at 6:56 AM
Yeah, she totally deserved it. Always daydreaming when she should be getting stuff done. What is wrong with her? haha
I’m glad you enjoyed it.
June 8th, 2017 at 10:07 PM
Obviously, a poet!
June 8th, 2017 at 6:47 AM
Very well written, Adam. It’s her party, and she can cry if she wants to.
June 8th, 2017 at 6:57 AM
Thanks, Russell. And that song is going to be stuck in my head all day now!
June 8th, 2017 at 7:48 AM
And the ear worms continue. 😉
June 8th, 2017 at 7:48 AM
Dear Adam,
I loved the image of the tear. I could almost feel one tickling my nose. Brevity is the soul of wit and less is sometimes more. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
June 9th, 2017 at 7:12 PM
Thanks, Rochelle. Glad you enjoyed it.
June 8th, 2017 at 11:43 AM
Nice story Adam, melancholy but beautiful 🙂
June 9th, 2017 at 7:12 PM
Thanks!
June 8th, 2017 at 12:31 PM
I love the tear hanging then dropping into the water. That really says so much.
June 9th, 2017 at 7:13 PM
Thanks, Alicia.
June 8th, 2017 at 7:05 PM
So did he not do the dishes before leaving? No wonder she cried.
On a more serious note, beautifully written.
June 9th, 2017 at 7:14 PM
He’s a monster, right? How dare he leave her with a pile of dirty dishes in the sink! The nerve!
June 8th, 2017 at 9:14 PM
The sadness and betrayal are tangible. Good job.
June 9th, 2017 at 7:15 PM
Thanks.
June 9th, 2017 at 11:28 PM
Teee-riffic, Adam! Nice to see you doing something different. You really succeeded, too.
Five out of five chrysanthemums.
June 10th, 2017 at 9:32 AM
Many thanks. I honestly wasn’t sure about this one, but it seems to have been well received.
June 11th, 2017 at 8:16 AM
You did it great, Adam. Keep thinking outside the box. Sure, writers have a specialty (as do artists, composers, etc.) but they do and should always concentrate on one thing — writers write! Yes. 🙂
June 10th, 2017 at 3:35 AM
Terrific one
June 10th, 2017 at 9:30 AM
Thanks. Glad you liked it.
June 12th, 2017 at 2:08 AM
Great descriptions here, you’ve captured the scene perfectly and the repetition focuses the reader on her thoughts, state of mind. Nicely done
June 13th, 2017 at 9:53 AM
I was waiting for her to look outside at a hidden grave or something. Good writing though, Adam. 🙂 — Suzanne