As Guilie Castrillo-Oriard tells us:
Love... Even the word sounds like a sigh. But is it a sigh of contentment—or of regret? If you've found it, the world shines in colors vivid. If you've lost it, life fades into grays and shadows. There's nothing quite as intense as falling in love. Or as the feeling of loss when it ends.
Join us!
BROKEN HEART
Elizabeth Fisher.
Your girl?
No.
Can you introduce us?
Can't; she's dead.
When did she die?
Two days ago, the same day I finished the painting. Now her parents want it for her funeral.
So young, such a shame. What killed her?
A broken heart.
Don't be so melodramatic. Truly, what killed her?
I told you, she died of a broken heart.
How?
Years ago, her fiancé, Jake, went off to war. She waited, kept her eye on the horizon for his return, but instead, she received a telegram.
The message of death?
No, the telegram claimed - he was missing behind enemy lines, presumed dead.
And?
Lizzy was certain he was alive. . She knew he would come home. Never doubted. Even hired detectives to find him after the war ended.
But she was wrong?
No. She was right. He'd survived.
I don't understand. She must’ve been over the moon. Oh, I see. He came back injured – a different man?
No, he came back a healthy man. Well, mostly. He was concussed and suffered memory loss. A young woman and her family rescued him; they hid him and healed him. After the war ended, he had nowhere to return to so he stayed with them. He fell in love.
Cruel turn of events for Lizzy.
Even more so when he finally regained his memory and came home. He walked in the front door with his wife and two kids in tow.
What did he say to Lizzy?
He didn't recognize her. He remembered his family home, his mom and pop, but nothing about the war or his engagement to Lizzy. I was finishing this painting when he’d arrived. Lizzy ran to him. Her happiness brimming at his return. He looked at her with confusion. Asked if she was his sister.
What did she do?
She wilted, like a dying flower. But for Jake, she smiled – told him she was a friend of the family. Said, "Welcome home, Jake. Congratulations on your marriage and lovely family." Then she walked out the front door.
Where'd she go?
To her parents' home. She died in her sleep that night.
A broken heart.
376 Words
Oh what a sad, sad, lost love story. I love the way you used the painting to imagine a story Yolanda, and what a story. A great entry for the hop!
ReplyDeleteHi Denise,
DeleteAs soon as I heard the Valentine prompts I visited our favorite artist and found my inspiration. I'm glad you enjoy it.
Perfect way to lead into your wonderful story, Yolanda. I LOVED she wilted into a dying flower. WOW. That's a poem, dear friend. Fabulous. As always.
ReplyDeleteHi Robyn,
DeleteThanks, I could have used more description, but wanted it short and sweet. Lot's to read today. :)
That was classic in the old fashioned sense of romantic story-telling. This reminded me of those black and white films from the 30's & 40's--the kind I still love to watch on TCM. What a bummer for Lizzy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being a part of this blog hop, Yolanda. I think we're going to read some very interesting selections from all who signed up. There has been a real variety to what I've read so far.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Thanks for asking me Arlee!
DeleteI too love the B & W's of yesteryear. Great art!
The posts have been wonderful, beautiful to read the true life stories!
Such a sad story and beautifully written, too! I love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks LG, I appreciate your kind words!
Deleteyou're killing me girl! But, I love this :) <3
ReplyDeleteHi Tammy,
DeleteThanks, appreciate that!
Such a sad flash. So shattering for Lizzy. But sadness does sometimes feels more real than HEA.
ReplyDeleteHi Nila,
DeleteSometimes the unexpected is the more fun to write too.
Hi Yolanda,
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful but sad Flash Fiction. It shows the other side of love lost. Situations that are not under our control happen. We hold on only to find out that we have lost.
Great job.
Shalom,
Patricia
Hi Patricia,
DeleteThank you. I enjoyed trying something new.
Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThanks Melanie!
DeleteThat is really tragic. Powerful piece. Like that you did it as a conversation.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alex,
DeleteI like trying different styles.
I like how you were inspired by the painting. She's like Juliet, found her love and when it was gone, she couldn't go on, either.
ReplyDeleteMary at Play off the Page
Hi Mary,
DeleteSo true, sometimes it's just too hard, especially when you've tied your whole world around that one person!
Absolutely heartbreaking. I do love a good tragedy!
ReplyDeleteThanks Christine, me too!
DeleteAw, that's so sad. And such a wonderful picture to be inspired by. Thank you for co-hosting!
ReplyDeleteThanks Elsie,
DeleteI've enjoyed it. Reading all the true stories, especially. I've visited all the sites, at least those who posted today!
I love that picture. It fits together with the story perfectly.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tamara,
DeleteThe painting was my inspiration.
Aw, a sad ending. Not HEA? Great story! Touched my heart.
ReplyDeleteHi J Q,
DeleteThanks, I tire of the happy endings. Life doesn't always give us that.
Now that's a cruel ending. So sad! But what a beautiful take on the hop.
ReplyDeleteHi Crystal, I'm wondering if my frame of mind influenced the ending. My next story, also for Valentine's Day is just as dark. Hmm, maybe I need an attitude adjustment. :)
DeleteA tragic tale indeed, love lost can sure bring a permanent end.
ReplyDeleteHi Pat, It sure can! I've read numerous tales of death from a broken heart. The most touching are the older folks who die within hours of the other. Hubby and I swear that'll be us!
DeleteYou know I love this story. It's just as great reading it the second time around. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Chrys,
DeleteYour beta read meant a lot!
You know I love this story. It's just as great reading it the second time around. :)
ReplyDeleteHmmmm ... I can't see doing this myself. There's a time to disengage and move on and this lady should have found the courage to move in another direction a long time ago.
ReplyDeleteHi Stephen, sometimes it's easier said than done!
DeleteA tragic tale woven around a breathtaking painting. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks Samantha,
DeleteI was truly inspired today, though, by all the true stories shared. Wonderful!
Aw, girl, you're killing me. What a heartbreaking story, but you told it beautifully.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan,
DeleteAnd I did it without monsters and gore. :)
A beautifully tragic story of love both lost and found. Kudos to you for the telling of it.
ReplyDeleteThank you farawayeyes,
DeleteThe painting inspired it!
I enjoyed this perfect depiction of such a compelling image, well done! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks diedre,
DeleteIt's a beautiful picture and very inspiring.
Great job! Loved your use of the painting to create and enhance your story.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lee,
DeleteThe picture was my inspiration. When I saw it I began asking questions and this was the answer.
What did Hemingway write? "When two love, it never ends well." Great evocative story.
ReplyDeleteHi Roland,
DeleteThanks, I believe it!
Awww that's sooo sad. But awesome story! Thanks for visiting my blog! Are you also from Washington State?
ReplyDeleteThanks, JoJo,
DeleteI lived there for 17 years, and hubby and I've discussed retiring there. We loved it!
That's so sad. She even loved him enough not to put the burden on him. :(
ReplyDeleteHi Elizabeth, he was alive, and happy - what more could she ask?
DeleteAww! That's so sad, even though she likely did the right thing in not explaining who she was to him.
ReplyDeleteHi Cherie, I agree, it would've gained her nothing.
DeleteSo sad and lovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you Megan!
DeleteSad but really good story. Sometimes the bad ones are the ones that stay with you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan, she'd put so much faith in him, and he failed her, through no fault of his.
DeleteBeautifully written! And great imagery with the painting! A sad love story for sure. Dying of a broken heart...I guess it is possible, isn't it? Love is so powerful and the heart so fragile.
ReplyDeleteReally nice story.
Michele at Angels Bark
I've read of it happening. When a person losses all hope yes, I think it is.
DeleteThanks, Michele!
How DEVASTATINGLY SAD.... It's no wonder she died of a broken heart. Not to be remembered at all!
ReplyDeleteNicely written Renee~ I like the straightforwardness of this piece...Although the character's attitude is somewhat matter of fact, it packs a punch ....
That is heartbreaking!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful though and just the right length.
To her parents' home.
ReplyDeleteShe died in her sleep that night.
A broken heart.
A true lady gave her heart only once and when betrayed her system just could not take it. Great story Yolanda, so tragic!
Hank
Yolanda, I love the voice in this tale. It unfolded in such a beautiful manner...yet so sad.
ReplyDeleteThe painting is also lovely!
Oh, so sad.
ReplyDeletePoor Lizzy. What a touching story of love found and lost.
ReplyDeleteWow. The ending reminds me a bit of the ending of the original Little Mermaid. Very nice and sad.
ReplyDeleteOMGosh, poor Lizzy. And talk about picture perfect, the picture fits to a T.
ReplyDeleteHi human, Yolanda,
ReplyDeleteSuch a thoughtful, painful story. The imagery enhances the sad ambience.
My human, Gary, would have got involved but his story of love departed, or maybe never was, nearly destroyed him.
Pawsitive wishes and doggy kisses,
Penny xx
Ouch. Punching people in the feels with that story!
ReplyDeleteNow that was a beautiful story. So well rendered too.
ReplyDeleteAwe that's so sad! :-(
ReplyDeleteOh that was heartbreaking, but incredibly good! Well done! XXOO
ReplyDeleteSorry I'm so late getting here. My employment schedule has me working 12.5 hour days every Monday through Wednesday (37.5 hours in 3 days), which leaves me no time for anything until Thursdays, when I begin my 4-days "off" from work.
ReplyDeleteA well-told flash fiction story. Lizzy's luck reminds me of mine.
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
How very, very sad. I love the understated grief here. The telling, too... the dialogue, the third-party 'hearsay' format... It all contributes to establish a distance from the drama that manages, somehow, to make it so much more poignant than if we'd received it from Lizzy herself. Great job, Yolanda!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for co-hosting the Lost & Found hop with us! It's been an honor, and a pleasure, to be part of the team with you :)
Guilie @ Quiet Laughter