I wanted to thank everyone who commented and sent messages after my last post. It is very much appreciated. My creativity appears to have disappeared and it has been a real struggle to pull together a 100 words, but I have tried! Thanks for your support.
‘Who wants to begin?’ she asks.
I glance at you, slumped in your chair, gaze fixed on the floor. You never wanted couples therapy.
My jaw clenches. My spine straightens.
‘He forgot our anniversary again.’
The words pour out in a flood of bitterness and resentment.
‘He sounds like a terrible husband.’
Her words jar me. We are paying her to listen, not to judge.
‘He has some good points.’
‘What are they?’
And so I tell her about the little things.
And as I tell her, I remember.
And I love you.
I shift my chair towards yours and reach out my hand. Is it too late?
Written for Friday Fictioneers. A 100 word story inspired by a photo prompt. Read the other entries here.
fabricating fiction 
Dear Louise,
What a wonderful story (and therapist). I think her reflective listening technique did the trick, as did your imagining and writing of this tale. Well done.
Aloha,
Doug
Thanks Doug.
Dear Louise,
It’s so easy to focus on those daily annoyances, isn’t it? Beautifully written with a message that goes straight to the heart. Wiping my tears and telling you how much I enjoyed this.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks very much Rochelle.
Welcome back – a fine return effort, well written tale full of emotion & meaning.
Cheers
KT
Thanks.
That’s very sweet. It sounds like the therapist knew what she was doing after all 🙂
Worth every penny.
Quite a clever therapist then. Well done.
Indeed. Thanks Sandra.
Therapists are so like that. I’m always amazed how much you can portray in 100 words. Well done!
Much appreciated Helen.
This is wonderful! Great therapist. I think you captured the moment perfectly. I hope it’s not too late for them.
I think they’ll be fine. Thanks.
Welcome back! The therapist truly did her job – in a roundabout way. Well told.
Thanks Alicia.
Either she was a really crap therapist or astoundingly good! Creativity back in the bag – bravo.
Thanks Patrick. It took ages to think of something but it’s a start.
A new beginning. I’m a sucker for them.
Thanks Linda.
Excellent! I think the world needs more therapists like her. 🙂
Absolutely. Thanks.
The key is in learning to accept the other’s weaknesses as well as their strengths. Good therapist. Lovely story.
Absolutely Margaret. Thank you.
Louise, I loved this story and the way you unfolded it. Your creativity is alive and well and touching our hearts (and those of your characters, it seems.)
janet
Thanks very much Janet.
great dialogue here. the therapist knew how to push the right button.
She did indeed. Thanks.
We have chosen remarkably similar paths this week. Clearly, your creativity has not deserted you; the words are there… but buried beneath loss. Healing thoughts, sent your way.
I had to dig deep to find them! Thanks.
But dig you did, and that’s what we do after a horrible loss… one foot in front of the other, minute by minute. (says someone who has done far too much of it). Stay the course.
❤️
I have to say that were I any less the manly man ( 😉 )that I am this story would have brought a tear to my eye. Your story was a slice of something out of my life only without the happy/hopeful ending. Enough of that! I loved the way you ended this story on an upbeat and positive note and while you may think you’re struggling to put 100 words together, that wasn’t apparent in this tender story.
Thanks so much Michael. I hope you find your happily ever after.
Oh, dear…so heartbreakingly beautiful. Wonderful, wonderful story.
Thank you.