Image courtesy of Kent Bonham
‘Because I straighten your boots when you sling them on the mat?’ She was crying.
‘It’s not just that. You’re endlessly plumping cushions. Making the bed as soon as I get up to make tea. You live your life by hospital corners and I can’t live like that.’
I didn’t look back once as I left.
Now, I throw open the door of my cold bedsit which doesn’t feel like home and kick off my boots. I hesitate. Bend down and place them neatly together. I sink down on the sofa. I don’t have any cushions. But I don’t have her.
Hurrah – this week I finished my structural edits. I was stunned & delighted The Surrogate reached the top 40 in the UK Amazon chart on preorders 3 months prior to publication. Thank you! You can read my ’15 stages you go through with a structural edit’ post here. I’ve also had an emotional week with a big change you can read about here.
‘Wonky Boots & Crumpled Sheets’ was written for Friday Fictioneers. A 100 word weekly story challenge inspired by a photo prompt. Join in over at host Rochelle’s blog here. (For all my US friends who might not understand the connection the first thing I noticed was the car boot which I think you call a trunk over there?)
fabricating fiction 
Go, you! 😉👍
Lovely. And congrats with your book 🙂
Thanks very much.
Ooh, that’s alovely little nugget that. A detail so heartbreaking, so truthful. All those things that drive you crazy make up what it is to have a relationship, something real and solid and yours. Lose it all at your peril.
Wonderful stuuf Louise
Thanks Lynn – the grass is never greener…
Very, very true 🙂
Well observed, Louise, and congratulations
Thanks Neil.
It’s a fine line between tidy and annoying! He seems happier though 🙂 (no skydive this week, too windy! Rescheduled for a later date!)
It is a bit windy!
Silly man didn’t know what was good for him! I’m sure they could have made it work if he’d tried a bit harder! Nicely written and engaging, Louise.
Thanks Penny. We don’t know what we’ve got until it’s gone…
looking back, it’s amazing that this sort of irritations can be smoothened by time and allow your butt to sit on it comfortably.
Absolutely 😃
Things that are cute but a little annoying in the beginning become such huge issues when the rest is not so fabulous…
And then… it wasn’t so bad after all, was it?
Congrats!! Looking forward to reading it!
Thanks Dale. Looking back it was never that bad.
I see people read it as a husband leaving his wife. I read it as a young person leaving home. I particularly like the way the piece opens with the response to an unasked question. That’s very effective. Congratulations on your success too.
Really interesting take Sandra. Love different interpretations.
This is so sweet and sad. Really lovely story.
Thanks so much.
Those little annoyances you think you can’t live with until they’re gone… nicely done!
Thank you!
Dear Louise,
Congrats on the Surrogate. As for connection to the prompt, I never worry. The photo’s there, the story’s good. Meets my ‘requirements’. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks very much Rochelle.
I know too many people like that, Louise, therefore the info is accurate. 😀
All the best on the book! More pre-orders, please! 🙂
Is loneliness a better thing than being subjected to a person with OCD? Maybe. Maybe not.
Really good question. Tough one but better to be alone I think.
Ahhh … we all have our traits when we get married or live with someone. It’s the strength of getting passed them that helps keep people together. I’m sure there’s some missing going in. Nicely written, Louise. Grabd the bar with two hands. It looks like you’re on the ride of your life. ENJOY …. CONGRATULATIONS !!!! Bravo …
Isadora 😎
Thanks Isadora. We all have our little quirks!
Indeed : )
Better off out of it. I’d never cope with that level of abuse, which is what it amounts to. 🙂
Abuse by soft furnishings…
Nice story, even though it’s not only your US friends who needed the explanation!
Ah! Well hope it’s clear now Liz.
Well done, Louise. You show just enough details for us to presume that perhaps he’s not as happy as he thought he would be without her.
Congrats on your book news.
Thanks very much Sascha.
You learn to take the bad with the good. He’ll do better next time.
I think so.