Every week, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (thank you, Rochelle!) hosts a flash fiction challenge, to write a complete story, based on a photoprompt, with a beginning, middle and end, in 100 words or less. Post it on your blog, and include the Photoprompt and Inlinkz on your page. Link your story URL. Then the fun starts as you read other peoples’ stories and comment on them!
Memory’s mirror
I first met Stephen at a concert in the Albert Hall. The shocking revelation that this man was my soul-mate almost battered me to the floor. I don’t know how I hid my emotion from my husband.
Of course, the whole thing was hopeless. I had children, Stephen had children, and, in any case, we loved our spouses, we really did. There was never more than the occasional silence, or a shy smile.
Now I’m old, a widow. My children live faraway; we see each other a few times a year, no more.
I often think about Stephen – and wonder.
Autumn Leaves 
Many lifes take this trajectory and we look back and wonder what if.
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Thank you for commenting, James. You are right; we can sometimes look back and wonder what if. But hindsight, far from being 20/20 vision, is often more misleading than an image in a mirror.
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What a lovely bitter-sweet tale, Penny. I think many of us have experienced something similar
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Thank you for your very kind comment, Neil. I’m sure you’re right that many people have experienced something similar.
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Maybe they could try being together now?
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Thank you for your kind comment, Bernadette. Maybe they could try being together – but I wonder how much of the magic would be left?
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There is a mystery in the path not taken, but there is comfort in knowing the path you chose was right.
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Thank you for commenting, Oneta. As you say, there is comfort in knowing that the path chosen was right. There’s perhaps even more comfort in having truly loved your husband and your children.
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Looking back and finding those old what-ifs is what the internet is all about. I think she should see if Stephen is still out there. He may be in that same spot in his life.
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Thank you for your interesting comment, Lisa. I wonder whether the Stephen of the present day – assuming he’s alive – would have the same attraction? Memory is even more misleading than reflections in a mirror, don’t you think?
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Good ponderings, Penny. You’re very welcome.
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it maybe just wishful thinking, but who knows? nothing much to lose if she tries to reconnect.
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Thank you for your kind comment. I think if I were her, I would be very cautious about trying to reconnect. She has had a fulfilled life. Even though she doesn’t see her children very often, she does see them – and her grandchildren too. To return to the beginning, with romance, might just lead to dissatisfaction with the life she’s lived.
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well said. 🙂
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Isn’t it good to know that there is more than one person out there that we are compatible with? We could love more than one person, even if a relationship is neither wanted nor possible. It’s the not harming others you also love that gets tricky. They may or may not meet again, the memory will last. Lovely story, Penny.
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What a lovely, lovely comment, Gabi. You’re absolutely right in all your remarks. Thank you so much.
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Now I can’t help but think of the “Bridges of Madison County”! Hopefully, should she decide to look Stephen up, it’s not too late, like it was for Francesca.
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Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Dale. You are a dyed-in-the-wool romantic, and I love you for it! xx
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I am, aren’t I? No use in denying it, then? You are so lovely! xoxo
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A beautifully written bitter-sweet story, Penny. She chose the better path in loving her husband by staying true to him. There will always be those “what ifs” in life. I think almost everyone can relate. I hope you enjoy your holiday weekend!!
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Thank you for your kind comment, Brenda. Yes, I agree; she chose the better path by staying true to her husband. Indeed, she affirmed her love for him every day of their life together. Happy Christmas to you too!
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This is a time for reminiscences. Wondering what if… And then you get on with the business of life as you, or fate ordained it. Lovely nostalgic tale, Penny. Have a good Christmas.
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Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Sandra. It’s not explicit in the text (although there’s a hint) but my Main Character affirmed her love for her husband every day of their life together. He was always her first choice, despite the ‘coup de foudre’ and subsequent emotions.
Happy Christmas to you, too!
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Dear Penny,
Bittersweet and poignant. I wonder if Stephen is thinking about her. Lovely write.
Shalom and Merry Christmas,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
Thank you for such a kind comment. If Stephen is still alive, I’m sure he’ll think of her from time to time.
Shalom and a blessed Christmas,
Penny
xx
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Oh, yes, Penny. I categorize such wonderful tales under “the paradox of love.’ I think our ability to love more than one person is called polyamorous. People to reunite after years. It happens. 🙂 Loved it.
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Thank you for your appreciative comment, Bill. I’m so pleased that my story delighted you. And you’re right – people do sometimes reunite after years.
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An opportunity missed, but both chose to stay loyal to their respective families.
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Thank you for your kind comment, Ali. Yes, they both chose to stay loyal to their respective families, and it matters that it was a choice, and not simply a sense of ‘staying together for the kids,’ for example.
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Lovely poignant story. I think many of us have a memory of a ‘what if’, but the reality might have been very different from the fantasy. If she looks Stephen up on Facebook, she might be surprised at what she finds.
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Penny, I love the way we both saw a long-lost love in the picture – and your story is so skilfully written I’ve read it several times. Not because it wasn’t crystal-clear, just because it’s so poignantly beautiful.
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we often live many lives, always hopefull
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