SUMMERHOUSE - a story in under 100 words

SUMMERHOUSE

The summerhouse was our place, where we drank wine and made love to the sound of wavelets lapping the lake shore.

It was there where, one glorious sun-dappled afternoon, we made our vows, and sprinkled rose petals on the water to thank the gods for our good fortune.

But the gods of love are fickle creatures, who waft a curtain of rosy gossamer over their victims’ eyes. Love couldn’t survive the chill wind of reality, and now those dreams are frozen under a blanket of lies and broken promises.

......................................................................................

The building in Dale Rogerson's photo is clearly intended for summer use - you'd get a very cold bottom on those seats, though the view would be glorious. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers on her blog  https://rochellewisoff.com/ from where you can follow the frog link to read other stories prompted by the photo.

STILL LIFE - a story in 100 words

STILL  LIFE

The books, vase and shoes had adorned Helen’s desk for so long that they became known as ‘the still life’.

Even after her husband William died, as unobtrusively as he had lived, she met any suggestion to move them with an obstinacy that intrigued her children while also exasperating them, so after Helen’s own funeral they demolished the pile with almost indecent haste.

Pressed inside every indented section of the book Lily discovered a faded rose, Henry tipped a champagne cork from each shoe, and hidden inside the vase Georgina found a bundle of love-letters, all signed, ‘Eternally yours, George.’

.............................................................................

All that weight had to be crushing a secret, didn't it? Thanks to Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers on her blog  https://rochellewisoff.com/ and to Magaly Guerrero for her photograph of the lovely flamenco shoes.

If you enjoyed that story, check out a slightly longer one, also written to a visual prompt, and published on Friday on this site -  http://visualverse.org/submissions/minotaur/

HOPE - a story in 100 words

After a hectic week celebrating two birthdays - my husband's and my daughter's - here I am again with a story prompted by a photo on -

http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/

HOPE

Molly eased herself into the chair, careful not to move it from the dents in the carpet. Her feet only just reached the floor.

She spread her fingers over the keys, imagining younger, sinewy hands, closed her eyes and air-played a song.

 Painful tears dripped onto her blouse.

The door opened, but it was only Paul.

“You’re always in here – I’m getting rid of this stuff.”

“Don’t you dare!”

“It’s been two years.”

“He’ll come home.”

Paul flicked the cymbal as he left.

The sound vibrated through Molly’s soul before soaring out into the world - a message of love and hope.