(100-word flash fictions)
Andrea sat in front of a roaring fire. It was husband-burning day. Or rather the memories of them.
From the open photo album, she pulled out a bunch of faded photos. She had never known that tearing photos to bits could be so pleasurable. “Trash!” she yelled as they flew into the flames, all past associations, consumed and reduced to ash.
By the time she finished with husband no.3, the album was bare and her spirit full.
Tears fell like first-rain on parched soil, cleansing and invigorating. Finally, unbroken again, ready to hope and trust, she danced, like a child.
***
This didn’t come out as eloquently as I had imagined it, but it will do for a midnight attempt since sleep is trying to flatten me 🙂 Interesting photo you found this week, Rochelle 🙂
PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot
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If she keeps all her husbands in one album, somehow I think there’s going to be a number 4
Maybe she’ll throw the whole empty album into the fire next 🙂 🙂 🙂
Dear Joy,
The sentiment and feeling came through loud and clear. Perhaps she shouldn’t be so trusting of husband #4…or skip him altogether. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle. Nah! I think she’s wizened up and will now go and get a dog 😀 😉
Andrea doesn’t seem to be a great judge of character, JJ, maybe she should pause and consider before her next ’till death us do part’.
I agree CE. Maybe she just wants to be free of the past and happily and blissfully single 😀
I heard some people actually do this. I think in her case history repeats.
Yes, it can be very cathartic 🙂 Women after a certain age tend not to need men 🙂
Wow! I sense there’s a huge and powerful story behind this piece of flash fiction. Dance like a child and be free!
Only husband no.1. I am quite happy with no.2 and I dance like a child anyway 🙂 But you may have a point there, I do sometimes get blindsided by PTSD from the No.1 episode. 😦
The fire, the tears, the childlike dance, all come together like mythic components of a life reborn. Well done, Joy.
Thanks Dora. That was my intent in introducing the elements – fire , rain, earth. They are all powerful agents and witnesses for transformation.
Ready to find husband no.4. Let’s hope this one is a keeper!
Let’s hope she gets a dog instead 🙂 😀 😀
I like the concept very much, Jolly. She’s making room for more than tattered memories in her world. Nicely done.
Thanks a lot Lisa 🙂
You’re welcome 🙂
Well there’s plenty of room in the album for some more. Though she might want to look at whether it’s her, or her choice in men, I guess.
Best to toss the album too into the flames. You’re right, and self-reflect.
when one’s ready to move on, there’s really no sense of keeping with extra baggage like the past
Very true!
I am calling this her purge of past mistakes so that she can start anew on HER terms. I really liked this, Joy.
Thanks Dale. Mistakes are essential for growth.
For me sadness arrives when no one knows, who is in the photos. So perhaps it is the best thing to do…tear them up
Tearing and burning absolutely works 🙂
Very cathartic thing to do. I’m with you, I think she should get a dog and stay free to dance whenever she feels like it! 🙂
I second the dog idea 🙂
I can relate to your story!
Good to hear that Elizabeth!
Her feeling came through loud and clear. She’s done with those 3.
Maybe, she’ll work on herself before she looks for #4. Nicely done, Joy.
Have a great day … Be Safe
Isadora 😎
Thanks Dora. I think she’s better off with a dog this time 😉 🙂
I don’t know much about eloquent, Joy, but good story at any time of day or night. Well done.
Thanks a lot Bill 🙂
Sounds like Andrea collects husbands like other people might buy handbags. Sad and funny, although we all need a purge in our lives occasionally.
We don’t know if they left her or she left them 🙂 But agree we all need a purge.
I hope she remembers to collect plenty of photos of husband number 4 (when she meets him) so she can get the same closure 🙂
I think she’s getting a dog this time. You know how dogs are, they are keepers 😀
Love that last line.
Takes more than tears to wash away. Good piece.