Photo courtesy of Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Sun slices through the kitchen window and tiny rainbows hover inside lemon-scented soap-suds. I slosh water over the pans – there aren’t many – I’m still not used to cooking for one.
The tyre swings from the apple tree. Jack hung it there when the girls were small. There’s the roses we planted when our first cat, Smoky, was run over.
Tears plop into the washing-up bowl and I wipe my nose on my sleeve.
In the flower bed, under the daffodils, lies Jack. Such a cliché burying him in the garden; such a cliché catching him in bed with his secretary.
At least the flowers are blooming.
Written for Friday Fictioneers. A 100 word story inspired by a photo prompt. Read the other entries here.
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Dear Louise,
This one had me crying and then laughing out loud. It seems you and Ceayr were on the same wave-length this week and both did it well.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle. I haven’t read the others yet but look forward to it.
Hey, mine is an adultery-free blog!
Just murder and violence then!
Well that took a quick turn. Sweet then suddenly sour. Nice surprise ending.
Thanks very much Joseph.
🙂
You know it’s good when suddenly you realise you’re laughing, crying, angry etc without warning. I read this and spontaneously burst out laughing. Wicked sense of humour, great piece.
And all in 100 words…. Thanks, much appreciated.
You know it’s good when you catch yourself laughing, crying, angry etc without warning. I suddenly burst out laughing. Wicked sense of humour, great piece.
Nice twist. I started out sad.
Thanks Dan.
OK a lot of spouses ending up dead today.
Relationships seem to present a perfect dish for disaster.
Great story.
Thanks for reading.
I loved the title Memory Garden. That truly strikes a chord. Apparently for Jack, it is a note of disharmony.
It is. Thanks.
Such a cliché, but such a perfect ending! 😀
Thanks Nortina!
Lovely ending and clever repetition of cliche. The sap.
Thanks Patrick.
Funny how the photo brought up the same (very good!) idea for you and another writer this week – sounds like Jack got his just deserts!
A tad extreme I think. Thanks for reading.
At one point I used to write about the murderous woman a lot… the touch about the flowers really works for me… Have you read the stories about John and Leigh Sabine in the press?
Thanks Bjorn. I never read the press or watch the news. It’s far scarier than anything I could ever write.
Excellent piece, Louise, loved it, clichés and all!
Thanks very much Ceayr.
Unexpected twist, very nice. Well, one cliche deserves another matching one, I suppose, ha ha!
It does indeed! Thanks Joy.
Nice alliteration in the first paragraph, soft and soothing, then comes the dagger. Fun read.
Thanks very much.
I like it, Louise.
Well the good for nothing proved at least to be good for the roses. I loved the way it turned at the end. 🙂
Yes. Perhaps she should plant some marrows on him!
I didn’t see that coming! Lovely writing.
Thanks Claire.
Not a big fan of characters (usually female) murdering troublesome partners in FF stories. Mainly because after a couple of years I think I’ve probably seen and read most variations on the theme….lol. However, I always like your writing and I still enjoyed the lead up. See you next week.
Thanks Paul. It’s just a bit of fun.
Wow! Powerful indeed. I love it!
Thanks very much Barbara.
My pleasure. Looking forward to reading more.
Lovely story! Clichés all……?
Thanks Andrew.
That took a nicely dark twist! I wonder if there’s room in the garden for the secretary too?
Might pep up the pear tree!
Great story. I hope that is not the secretary in the oven.
Ω
Thanks Allan. That’s a whole other story…
Allegedly. Another alleged story…
Ω
Love the twist ending. Like some others, I’m also wondering where the secretary is!
Thanks Jan. Maybe she’s in the chest freezer in the garage!
the title fits the story very well. but clever you, i didn’t expect the twist at the end.
Neither did I 🙂 thanks.
Poetic justice. Nice descriptives. Nice writing all around.
Lily
Thanks Lily.
Surprise ending. I thought it spoke of love dying naturally. Serves him right, the cad!
Thanks very much.
I walked right into that punch at the end. I was thinking, “Louise is doing a sentimental, lost love piece. How nice.” And then bam! I love a surprise and you’re the best at that game.
Tracey
Thanks so much Tracey. It was a sentimental piece but then I thought nah.
Nah ha ha
This story is such a cliche – but written so well that is sound far from one. Nicely done.
Thanks (I think)! 🙂
A wicked twist. I loved it! Men and their secretaries! I’m glad my husband thinks he can do his work quicker than a secretary and doesn’t want to employ one. Not that I’d have the energy to dig a hole that big!
Me neither – It’s far too much effort! Thanks for reading Sarah.
Great writing, Louise! I hope the daffodils are a sign of good things to come.
Very good things when she cashes in his life insurance!
This is probably wrong but you made me LOL
🙂
Oh Louise, THAT is a surprise attack! Such bubonic sweetness; melancholy memories, and a wicked women to think them! Nicely executed (so to speak).
Thanks so much Dawn.
This is very well crafted. I loved the tears in the build up, and especially “still not used to cooking for one”. The cliche line was a nice one, and then a great twist at the end. One of the best FriFics this week.
Thanks so much – really appreciate your comments.
Wow, Louise. She buried him in the yard with the cat. I bet she didn’t cry as much for him as for the cat. Stupid of him to act that way right in their home. I guess he found that out a bit late. I wonder if his secretary is buried out there too. Well done. 😀 — Suzanne
Thanks Suzanne. I bet she feels sadder for the cat too.
🙂 — Suzanne
Great set up and surprise outcome- I like how the tone changes as the story progresses. Love the ending.
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment Margaret.