Wednesday again and time for ‘Friday Fictioneers’. A 100 words of fiction based on the weekly changing photo prompt. Jump in and have a go, but beware you’ll soon be addicted.
She rubbed the ticket between her fingers. The ink had faded, but the date, time and destination still lingered on her skin, like a tattoo seared beneath the surface. A tapered link to what could have been. What should have been.
Every year, she asked herself, “Why”?
Why she’d hid behind the clock tower.
Why she’d let him board the bus.
Why she’d watched it pull away.
Time hadn’t brought her any answers.
As her husband and daughters rounded the corner, it wasn’t so much regret, but acceptance, that put the ticket back into her pocket.
Passion fades. What’s so wrong with ordinary?
helen midgley 
This is an exquisite tale Helen. Really touched by the end. It’s not always wrong with the ordinary… but still the longing for what could have been…
Ah the old what if. Lovely.
I understand her lingering regret at what might have been, but I think she made the right choice.
Delightfully understated, with a closing line that makes the reader think. Well observed.
The problem with the ordinary is that no one likes to be second best to a ‘what if’. This is beautiful and touching.
. A tapered link to what could have been. Wow! What a gorgeous line. Nicely written tale.
WOW! Just WOW! I wonder what her back story is. And these lines, “Passion fades. What’s so wrong with ordinary?” just kill me.
Love this story. Everyone can fill in the missing information about the character and make it personal!
Brilliant Helen – Passion fades indeed. Love it.
Tracey
Helen, I really enjoyed this. I like (as Sandra said) understated and I’m happy that she made a fulfilling decision. Even if passion doesn’t fade, or at least doesn’t for some time, there are things more lasting and relationships better chosen.
janet
A very deep piece. Brilliantly told.
Not a damn thing wrong with ordinary, imho.