Copyright Alicia Jamtaas
Now.
Now is the moment when two worlds diverge.
He doesn’t know it at this time, but the very act of straddling the windowledge suggests she already has one foot in his world and the other elsewhere.
Gazing into space while he talks…
restlessness in his embrace…
he will reflect on these memories later, though they’d passed unnoticed at the time.
Tonight the apartment will be empty.
He will wait. And worry.
Phoning around, he will eventually connect the awkward silences, will almost hear the shuffling feet…
and then he will be angry,
and hurt,
remembering this moment.
Only 28 days now until the first day of Spring. Be still my beating heart. Thanks to Rochelle for the time she devotes to Friday Fictioneers. Click on the link to join the weekly party.
castelsarrasin 
In retrospect it is sometimes easy to pinpoint these moments, and then wonder how we missed them at the time. Nicely done.
LikeLiked by 2 people
How wise we are, after the event. Thanks for reading, Iain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautifully observed and beautifully wrought, Sandra
LikeLike
Many thanks, Neil.
LikeLike
The store reads like art. So real. I particularly like “He doesn’t know it at this time, but the very act of straddling the windowledge suggests she already has one foot in his world and the other elsewhere.”
LikeLike
*story
LikeLike
Thanks for reading and commenting Tanille. And correcting… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Sandra,
It seems both of our heroines this week are less than heroic. As always well penned.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s so hard to say goodbye, but harder for the other if you don’t. Thanks for reading, Rochelle.
LikeLike
A sad but true reality many a times in life.
LikeLike
It never gets any easier though, does it? Thanks for reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very well written with great insight.
It’s a shame that your much anticipated Spring means the end of my Summer. Lately, it’s been a bit too hot and I prefer Autumn and Spring but I’ve had so much fun lately on the ferries on the harbour. I want this Summer to last forever.
Best wishes,
Rowena
LikeLike
Thanks for reading Rowena. Yes, I’ve lived in the southern hemisphere, and I used to love September.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree. September is beautiful!
LikeLike
What a gem of a story!
LikeLike
Many thanks !
LikeLike
Aw, your story is the mirror image of the romance in my head. All good things must come to an end though. Interesting shape to the writing – I liked the stuttering flow.
LikeLike
Thanks for reading and commenting, Jen.
LikeLike
You do know how to weave so much story in so few words.
And what? Your spring starts March 1st? How come it starts March 20th for me? 😉
LikeLike
Ah, I just divide the year into quarters. The spring quarter is March to end May, love it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like that idea. I think I’m going to have to adopt it. Even if our Marches almost always bring a good storm – that melts quickly so….
LikeLike
So many things can only be seen in retrospect. Good tidbits pieced together here to make a whole, Sandra.
LikeLike
Thanks for reading, Lisa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome.
LikeLike
A great take on the prompt Sandra,
LikeLike
Many thanks, Michael.
LikeLike
Well done…hindsight is a wonderful thing….
LikeLike
Can’t be beaten. 🙂 Thanks for reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pleasure!
LikeLike
A delightful take on the prompt. Having watched these two for about 10 minutes it was hard for me to see anything but kindness between them. Well done.
LikeLike
Thanks for a lovely photo, Alicia. There were so many angles to choose from for this one.
LikeLike
Loved the straddling the window ledge thing; clever
LikeLike
Thanks for reading and commenting.
LikeLike
The twisty turns of relationships. You make excellent points, Sandra. Nicely told.
LikeLike
Many thanks, Bill.
LikeLiked by 1 person
i feel sorry for him for ignoring the warning signs. may he learn to let go and move on.
LikeLike
Thanks for reading. I think he’ll be bitter but he will survive. We nearly always do.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like the old saying goes “Hindsight is 20/20”.
LikeLike
Yep. Never had a problem with mine. Thanks for reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The “now” that will haunt him in the future, so beautifully conceived and executed, Sandra, because so true to life.
LikeLike
Many thanks, Isadora.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lots going on here, both out in the open and under the surface. Well-crafted.
LikeLike
There nearly always is, I’ve found. Thanks for reading, Linda.
LikeLike
Very nice! The phrasing you used truly communicates this young man’s sad day and how he only put the pieces together in retrospect. I feel like this could easily be a poem, award winning that is!
LikeLike
Thanks a lot. I’ve felt my interest in poetry, this kind of poetry at least, rekindling in recent weeks.
LikeLike
Lovely analogy and metaphor. Loved the phrasing!
LikeLike
Many thanks for reading and commenting, Na’ama.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
A complex story in just 100 words. Well done, beautifully written.
LikeLike
Many thanks!
LikeLike
You are welcome 😊
LikeLike
And very sad?
LikeLike
Very, very sad. Thanks for reading.
LikeLike
Great insight in this piece 🙂
LikeLike
Yeah, you only need to get dumped once to get an insight. In time, unless you’re quick to pre-empt it, that insight gets more refined. 🙂 Only joking.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Very sad indeed.
LikeLike
If only he’d noticed. There’s no comfort in being wise after the event.
LikeLike
Those little signs are much easier to read in hindsight.
LikeLike
Well done. So sad.
LikeLike