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Marital bliss
“Something’s been off with you. I can’t put my finger on it, but I feel like you’re slipping away. Remember how happy you were when Stephen was born?”
“I remember,” Lou smiled, “but what would really make me happy, Tom, is getting out of the house, doing what I love.”
“What’s that?” He seemed genuinely surprised, as if it hadn’t occurred to him that his wife could have other interests besides the family and their home.
Lou looked in pain, shocked by his reaction. “I want. I want more time to write.”
“Oh, that silly nonsense.” Tom seemed relieved.
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This flash fiction is in response to Charli Mills’ Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction Challenge.
September 16, 2015 prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a love story. Explore what feeds love. It can be romantic or platonic. It can be devoted or damaged. It can be recovering or enduring. Focus on characters or setting, weaving a 99-word love story.
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Ouch, sounds all too familiar!
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That’s a great way to sum up what’s wrong with that marriage in so few words.
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Thanks, Eric.
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Hmmm, I bet my husband thinks that at times, even if he doesn’t say it 🙂
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As long as he doesn’t say it.
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He doesn’t need to 🙂 I’m too oversensitive.
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Excellent “love” story. I think a lot of people in relationships think this, even if they don’t say it.
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Oops. I stepped in Gulara’s comment. *sigh* I should really read all comments before I respond…
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Thinking it something else entirely. The danger is in making the other person feel like their passion (and in turn they) has been belittled.
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We marry to become “one” only to realize that we are not half people but whole. And each in the relationship often has something outside to complete that sense of wholeness…like writing. It’s so dificult when a partner doesn’t understand. Great flash!
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Thank you. Yes, I think sometimes people believe that another person is all that is needed for happiness when often the opposite is true. Love isn’t about completing each other – we do that for ourselves.
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No that’s a response I understand. Funny how the things that are important to us can seem insignificant to others, even our significant others!
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Hopefully significant others try to understand, even if it seems like a silly thing to be passionate about.
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He should take her seriously. Encouraging the other to do what makes them happy will only add to the general happiness of the couple 🙂
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