(100-word flash fiction x 2)
“Wake up! Wake up!” heard William. It sounded like the cuckoo clock back home he had engineered, just to tease Mary. It was machine-gun fire.
When a bomb had exploded in their trench, they had scattered like disturbed, scurrying ants. Wounded, bloodied and dizzy, he had tumbled into another trench.
Something nebulous seemed eager to claim him. Was it Sleep? Or Memories? Floating in was the London bus he had met Mary on. Followed by the beat-up jalopy proclaiming ‘Just Married’.
A shadow fell across the Memories and a gun barrel took its place.
“Wake up! Wake up!” it said.
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“Wake up! Wake up!” chimed the cuckoo clock.
Mary was startled awake from her afternoon nap. She stood up suddenly and moved towards the clock that William, the appliance-tinkerer, had engineered.
Inside her, the baby kicked in protest.
“Settle down, ‘lil one.” She cooed, patting her bump. “The war will be over any day and Daddy should soon be home.” She picked up the telegram, which proclaimed, bold with hope, “COMING HOME FOR THE BIRTH”
“I’m home!” announced the doorbell.
She ran to the door, but it was just the postman with another telegram. It said, “WILLIAM, KILLED IN ACTION”
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I wrote the second story first but felt William’s story had to be told too. Hope everyone’s well and keeping safe and away from the Virus. Thanks Rochelle for bringing us together every week 😊
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Just Joyfulness 
Dear Joy,
Sometimes a story needs to be seen from both sides. So sad on both ends. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
A few years ago one of the other FF’rs and I collaborated where we each told two sides of the same story. His was 65 words long which gave me extra. 😉 I reran it four years ago on one page. https://rochellewisoff.com/2016/06/22/24-june-2016/
Events rush towards each other to make a concussion
A sad story, that many will relate to. But a great piece of writing, which I enjoyed reading
The two sides of the story work well together, adding to and complimenting one another. Nice idea.
Two tales, one tragic ending. Well done Joy
Such a sad story that was true for so many. Well told.
You highlight that psychic connection between bonded individuals well here. I’m sure your story is more truth than fiction (in a cosmic sense.) Well done!
This is so sad… and I do like the dream state of William with the Cuckoo clock connecting the worlds apart.
Like the way you convey the dream-like state. Lovely piece.
Wow, what a beautifully engineered tale, fantastic to hear both sides, ultimately tragic and i suspect rather a common occurrence.
Both are incredibly sad, and so believable. Good job, Joy.
what a poignant story. i felt the sadness.
I like the way you showed both sides. A strong story.
You pulled the emotion from my soul. The first story was sad, but the second was heartbreaking. Well composed, both.
I am so glad you gave us both sides, Joy and I’m with Bill. The first was sad but the second broke my heart. Beautifully done.
Very tragic. Given the first story, I don’t think you even need the final sentence in the second story!
Sadly this happened to so many.
End of the story is heartbreaking. Nice take
A double heartache.
There are always two sides to a story. Very well done, sadly I’ve known this happen in real life.
Sad story, well told.
I really like the two-sided story approach. Very nicely done.