“What’s the rush, Amanda?”
“Rush? Everybody’s doing it.”
“But that’s no reason…”
“People will talk. They’ll say I’m getting too old.”
“Well, if you’re sure…”
So she married, had kids, and I watched, waited and moved on.
We meet today in Starbucks. She’s divorced now, kids flown the nest.
“I missed you,” she says.
“I missed you too.”
“You’re famous, I read about you in the press.”
I shrug, embarrassed. “Just lucky, I guess.”
She reaches for my hand.
“Is there a chance for us, Sarah, now I know who I am…?”
I don’t think so; people would talk.
This week’s Friday Fictioneers prompt is a photo I took a few years ago on the Canal du Midi. My story is a slightly edited and clarified version of the one I wrote back then because… stop me if you’ve heard this before… many people didn’t understand it on first reading last time. 🙂 Thanks to our hostess, Rochelle, whose patience for my obscure offerings has known no bounds.
castelsarrasin 
wow! I could see it…nice moment created.
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Thank you!
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Poignant and true. Some opportunities come only once
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The nature of the risk changes with the year, as does the perception of it. Thanks Neil.
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I remember this one. Still good. I got it then (if I remember correctly) and I get it now.
Funny…I didn’t remember my own story!
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I couldn’t remember what I’d written for this photo, Dawn. Thanks for reading (and getting it… twice). 🙂
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What a fabulous story!!!
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Thank you!
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Very thought provoking and suitably obscure. Enjoyable.
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Thanks Graham. 🙂
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Oh the roads of life takes us down different paths… I guess that sometimes timing is never right.
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And one person’s ‘time’ quite often doesn’t coincide with another’s ‘time’. Thanks for reading Bjorn.
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Dear Sandra,
So this is what she thinks at first, but does she say it out loud after we voyeurs move on to the next link? I love how many stories can be seen beneath the facets of this gem.
May your summer be long and warm and full of happiness.
Yours,
Doug
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My summer is replete knowing that you are still alive and well. Now, I haven’t yet been to the linky page, but if I were to find you writing again … well that would be the cherry on the cake. Take care, Doug.
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I read this and I read the earlier one too – both are brilliantly and succinctly penned. Loved it.
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Dear Sandra,
People are going to talk no matter what, aren’t they? Doing the ‘right’ thing isn’t always the answer. So well done and says a lot in few words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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closing doors is often the easy way to go, but often the wrong way.
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Another great piece of writing, slightly tighter than your original, I think.
Superbly crafted, as ever, with a perfect sucker punch.
Times, people and opportunities all change, and a chance missed is a chance lost.
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This was a really tidy and clever piece. Loved the ‘reveal’ and the recurrence of the ‘people will talk’ line. Perfect.
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Nice vignette
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Sarah has become Amanda now!
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The tables have turned.
Sad reality when an opportunity passes, and that’s the risky part of life, knowing which opportunities are worth the risk.
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Nicely done. And a great lesson: “everyone’s doing it” and “people will talk” are pretty lousy reasons for going against your own heart.
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Brilliant story and the repeat was so effective.
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And I’ve just realised I didn’t credit you with the image – so sorry – rectified now x
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Great story. Sometimes to find happiness you just have to ignore the “people who talk”.
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The ending really hit the spot. I love a bit of perceived unrequited love becoming err requited.
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Very good – a lesson learned by all there. You can’t urn bakc the clock and sometimes you really don’t want to! Great story Sandra
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I love the repetition of “people will talk”. So many things go undone because they’re afraid of what people will say.
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Priceless! A very enjoyable read flowed naturally.
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Everytime I read your answers I want more. You need to stop doing this. 🙂
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Opportunities should not be passed up because of what other people might think. Well told.
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Very powerful and brilliantly executed as always Sandra. I think we’re all guilty of ruining things because of what others will think at times. As we grow older it’s easier to be independent but then often it’s too late.
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Oh – I was hoping for a happier ending. Well done though!
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Last line gave me a chuckle. Some people change and get wiserer, others don’t. Amanda isn’t a huge loss, in my book. Excellent story.
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Loved the ending. Most of us usually go with the flow, sadly.
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Hahahaha! Great last line. Like the gentleman laying his coat on the puddle for the lady to walk across, then he puts it back on himself, asks the lady to supper and she’s says, “Forget it, you look like a slob.”
The pace is impeccable. There’s a rhythm in the story itself, which adds to the punchline of the narrative. Story really flows.
Excellent, Sandra. Five out of five cardigans (compliments of the sheep).
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it could not have ended in any other manner, great
http://obliqview.blogspot.in/2016/07/thecremation-prompt-sandra-crook.html
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What a great capture! Great story weaving as always, Sandra. So glad you’re okay, too. I felt so much better after reading your note. x
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Good story, Sandra. Thanks again for the great picture. I thought I remembered it was taken by you in France. Thanks for verifying that. Good writing as always. 🙂 — Suzanne
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