I thought I knew him but, in retrospect, I’m not sure what I thought I knew.
We’d slotted comfortably together like a jigsaw, albeit with some pieces now slightly worn at the edges – no longer the perfect fit, perhaps. Sufficient though for the world to see the whole picture… more or less.
Of course, now that the tabloids, Twitterati and keyboard warriors have had their day, it’s clear the image on the lid didn’t even begin to resemble the contents.
And whoever it was I’d known… well, he slipped out the door years ago, shattering it as he left.
The days are getting infinitesimally longer, yay! Bought my first daffodils yesterday, and though the Beast from the East is being threatened on an almost daily basis, the bluebells, crocus and tulips in my garden are throwing caution to the winds! Thanks once again to Rochelle for leading the Friday Fictioneers out towards the longer days.
castelsarrasin 
I love – and recognise – ‘slightly worn at the edges’.
As deftly created as ever.
I read, and try to learn.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for reading, CE. Our mutual friend RW-F has recently got me hooked onto on-line jig-saw puzzles, so she’s to blame for the analogy this week. Better than Angry Birds though…
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love this, Sandra. It’s so clever, with so many threads leading outwards
LikeLike
Thanks, Neil. Glad you liked it.
LikeLike
He left leaving a shattered door and sad heart behind…
I am sure she still misses him.
LikeLike
Well, the person she thought he was. Thanks for reading Anita.
LikeLike
Dear Sandra,
This one stings. Twitterati? I love that. So many of them these days are getting caught with their pants down, aren’t they? So well done. Your muse is at the top of her game today.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 2 people
Indeed they are. Many a noble career has ended this way. And the muse is being much more co-operative than usual at the start of this year. Let’s hope she hangs around for a while.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Pingback: Claire Fuller | TALES FROM THE MOTHERLAND
Great ending on this. I was thinking about Marcia Brady never again washing the hand that Davy Jones shook and wondering if the narrator left the smashed door as a memento mori.
LikeLike
Thanks for reading. 🙂
LikeLike
Beautifully done, Sandra.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
LikeLike
Thanks, Susan.
LikeLike
This was so well crafted, Sandra. I am in awe of your ability to create such fabulous stories out of broken pieces.
LikeLike
Terrific photo, Dale. I see you’re not telling how it happened… 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sandra. Son + birthday gathering + booze + playful wrestling = ummm, Mom, something is broken
Grand total = Furious and heart-broken Mom
LikeLike
This was beautifully crafted, as the others too have mentioned. I am a huge fan of writing, especially your ability to weave subtleties where one thought none existed. Simply outstanding, Sandra.
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Neel. I appreciate your comments.
LikeLike
Sandra, I really loved this reflective piece and there are so many great phrases throughout. My favourites were : “We’d slotted comfortably together like a jigsaw, albeit with some pieces now slightly worn at the edges” and the last line.
I have been having some similar reflections in a post I wrote today about visiting the village of Bangalow, just inland from Byron Bay in Northern NSW. I’ve been going there at least once a year for almost 20 years and yet I saw it in a new light this time and picked up on more of its historical details, probably due to my blog writing. I questioned that sense of place and how well we know even where we live: https://beyondtheflow.wordpress.com/2019/01/16/byron-bay-continued-walking-through-bangalows-past/
Best wishes,
Rowena
LikeLike
Thanks for reading and commenting, Rowena. I enjoyed your piece.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really excellent in depicting the duplicity of others, and the effects of finally discovering the non-attractive side of it.
LikeLike
Thanks, Stu.
LikeLike
Twitterati and keyboard warriors. Wonderful. In real English, a “twit” is a silly person, having to common sense and being worth very little. I think it applies.
LikeLike
I think this is a dangerous phenomenon, but we’re stuck with it now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Clever analogy, Sandra, and a neat representation of what happens in many relationships. Worn at the edges – no longer fit. Yes.
LikeLike
Thanks, Liz.
LikeLike
I’m loving the different takes on this photo – kudos!
LikeLike
I think you’ll enjoy participating in Friday Fictioneers, Jennifer.
LikeLike
For me jigsaw season is Christmas, but I have never seen an online one. Did she (or he) modify her opinion of him because of what she read? The sources she referred to seem dubious to say the least. I hope they were not the cause of her relationship schism, but either way another quality offering from you Sandra. I hope you are enjoying this thoroughly pleasant Dorset Winter as much as I am.here in Christchurch. 🙂
LikeLike
I’m totally hooked now, I’m afraid. Whenever someone else is ‘outed’ for serial misconduct, I always think of the poor wife/partner who has to deal not only with the fact of the misconduct, but the surrounding publicity. And I’m loving winter in Dorset, though being so close to the coast I’m not getting the wintry photo shoots I’m used to. Still, I’ll live with that! 🙂
LikeLike
It’s good he’s out of her life. Hopefully, her shattered pieces will mend. A beautifully written poignant story, as always!
LikeLike
Thanks for reading, Brenda.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The jigsaw symbolism is expertly drawn. Well done as always Sandra.
LikeLike
Thanks, Iain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great imagery Sandra, I am jealous.
LikeLike
I’ve been impressed at recent developments in your own style, Michael. Thanks for reading.
LikeLike
You bring the imagery off the page so well in this. Perfectly crafted.
LikeLike
Thanks, Carol.
LikeLike
So much to love here, as always. Love Twitterati! Excellent!
LikeLike
Thanks, Sascha. Glad you liked it.
LikeLike
Another brilliant one, Sandra. Very clever and original. Loved it.
LikeLike
Thank you! My muse has put in an appearance and I can only hope it hangs around for a while.
LikeLike
You told us so much in just a few well-crafted sentencces – another lesson in word economy!
LikeLike
Many thanks, Keith.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Leaving shards of many kinds.
LikeLike
Indeed. Thanks for reading, Violet.
LikeLike
Very nice take on the shattered door. I’m going to have to remember the “image on the lid” quote. And I loved “Twitterati” 🙂
LikeLike
I thought everyone knew that term. 🙂 Thanks for reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Keyboard warriers is what cracked me up. The story sounds oddly familiar with all the revelations about people we thought we knew. Wonderful writing, as always.
LikeLike
Thank you! I had in mind some of the poor wives of these people we, like they, thought we knew.
LikeLiked by 1 person
relationships aren’t immune to wear and tear like a car. without regular maintenance, they stop working right if at all.
LikeLike
Very true.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the flavor of this spicy little tale.
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice take and very well done. Yes, sometimes things are worn around the edges … sometimes there’s more that is hidden and remains unseen … (and shatters as it leaves) … Well done!
LikeLike
Many thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a regretful look in the rearview mirror. Like the plays a glass and mirrors. Hope she does not remain shattered.
LikeLike
I’m sure all these women find the resilience to rebuild their lives. Thanks for reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So obscure and yet I can somehow relate.
LikeLike
Glad it worked for you, Dawn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’s nothing I can add to the beautiful comments that already have been posted in response to an extremely well-crafted story. I am honing my writing and I am grateful to be able to interact with talented writers such as yourself. There’s a great deal for me to learn from wordsmiths like you.
LikeLike
You’re very kind, Piyali. And you’re doing just fine from what I’ve read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Your comment made my day 🙂
LikeLike
The violence of the door shattering shows is other side and confirms she’s best off without him. People are so adept at hiding certain traits but their guard always drops over time
LikeLike
So true.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Slightly worn at the edges……. I remember playing the jigsaw puzzles with my kid years ago .
He left shattering the glass door and the door to her heart. Seems she hasn’t yet replaced the splintered pane.
https://ideasolsi65.blogspot.com/2019/01/door.html
LikeLike
I think she’ll survive – thanks for reading.
LikeLike
That’s what happens to most relationships after a certain no of years.. It frays and slips through our fingers.. Good description Sandra
LikeLike
If we don’t keep honing them, I’m afraid they do. Thanks for reading.
LikeLike
the undercurrents always leave a pain
LikeLike
And he won’t be back to fix it.I like how you compare relationships with jigsaw pieces.
LikeLike
Good one. I particularly like the ending – ‘whoever it was i’d known’ – chilling.
LikeLike
A well-crafted, poignant tale. The metaphor of the jigsaw puzzle is very effective.
LikeLike
Alas this happens way to often…. love the title and I could see Bergman there in your tale.
LikeLike
Masterful storytelling, Sandra! Do we ever really know someone? Beautifully reflective piece on how we keep up the outward pretence, when in reality it no longer exists.
LikeLike
Damn those tabloid. I wonder what the picture on the packaging would be for me?
LikeLike
Loving the metaphors of a shattered life, of a destroyed relationships, with hardly anything left to recognise. Nicely done, Sandra
LikeLike
P.S I genuinely wrote my story and picked the title before reading yours – we were both inspired by that same phrase. Sorry!
LikeLike