Monday, February 1, 2016

LOST & FOUND: BROKEN HEART


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.

And today is the day to post your love story or a fictional flash in honor of Love – Lost or Found!

Your hosts are GuilieArleeAlexDeniseElizabeth & Me!
Join us!



      BROKEN HEART

Beautiful painting. As always your work is meticulous. Your subject...the girl. Who is she?
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

76 comments:

Denise Covey said...

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!

Robyn Campbell said...

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.

Arlee Bird said...

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.

Thanks 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

L.G. Keltner said...

Such a sad story and beautifully written, too! I love it!

Tammy Theriault said...

you're killing me girl! But, I love this :) <3

Nilanjana Bose said...

Such a sad flash. So shattering for Lizzy. But sadness does sometimes feels more real than HEA.

Pat Garcia said...

Hi Yolanda,
This 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

Unknown said...

Wonderful.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That is really tragic. Powerful piece. Like that you did it as a conversation.

Mary Aalgaard said...

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.

Mary at Play off the Page

Christine Rains said...

Absolutely heartbreaking. I do love a good tragedy!

Anonymous said...

Aw, that's so sad. And such a wonderful picture to be inspired by. Thank you for co-hosting!

Tamara Narayan said...

I love that picture. It fits together with the story perfectly.

J.Q. Rose said...

Aw, a sad ending. Not HEA? Great story! Touched my heart.

Crystal Collier said...

Now that's a cruel ending. So sad! But what a beautiful take on the hop.

Pat Hatt said...

A tragic tale indeed, love lost can sure bring a permanent end.

Chrys Fey said...

You know I love this story. It's just as great reading it the second time around. :)

Chrys Fey said...

You know I love this story. It's just as great reading it the second time around. :)

Stephen Tremp said...

Hmmmm ... 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.

Unknown said...

A tragic tale woven around a breathtaking painting. Well done!

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

Aw, girl, you're killing me. What a heartbreaking story, but you told it beautifully.

farawayeyes said...

A beautifully tragic story of love both lost and found. Kudos to you for the telling of it.

diedre Knight said...

I enjoyed this perfect depiction of such a compelling image, well done! :-)

cleemckenzie said...

Great job! Loved your use of the painting to create and enhance your story.

Roland D. Yeomans said...

What did Hemingway write? "When two love, it never ends well." Great evocative story.

JoJo said...

Awww that's sooo sad. But awesome story! Thanks for visiting my blog! Are you also from Washington State?

Elizabeth Seckman said...

That's so sad. She even loved him enough not to put the burden on him. :(

Cherie Reich said...

Aww! That's so sad, even though she likely did the right thing in not explaining who she was to him.

Unknown said...

So sad and lovely!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Sad but really good story. Sometimes the bad ones are the ones that stay with you.

Michele at Angels Bark said...

Beautifully 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.
Really nice story.

Michele at Angels Bark

Yolanda Renée said...

I've read of it happening. When a person losses all hope yes, I think it is.
Thanks, Michele!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks Susan, she'd put so much faith in him, and he failed her, through no fault of his.

Yolanda Renée said...

Thank you Megan!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi Cherie, I agree, it would've gained her nothing.

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi Elizabeth, he was alive, and happy - what more could she ask?

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks, JoJo,
I lived there for 17 years, and hubby and I've discussed retiring there. We loved it!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi Roland,
Thanks, I believe it!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks Lee,
The picture was my inspiration. When I saw it I began asking questions and this was the answer.

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks diedre,
It's a beautiful picture and very inspiring.

Yolanda Renée said...

Thank you farawayeyes,
The painting inspired it!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi Susan,
And I did it without monsters and gore. :)

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks Samantha,
I was truly inspired today, though, by all the true stories shared. Wonderful!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi Stephen, sometimes it's easier said than done!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks Chrys,
Your beta read meant a lot!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi 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!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi 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. :)

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi J Q,
Thanks, I tire of the happy endings. Life doesn't always give us that.

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks Tamara,

The painting was my inspiration.

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks Elsie,
I've enjoyed it. Reading all the true stories, especially. I've visited all the sites, at least those who posted today!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks Christine, me too!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi Mary,
So true, sometimes it's just too hard, especially when you've tied your whole world around that one person!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks Alex,
I like trying different styles.

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks Melanie!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi Patricia,
Thank you. I enjoyed trying something new.

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi Nila,
Sometimes the unexpected is the more fun to write too.

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi Tammy,
Thanks, appreciate that!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks LG, I appreciate your kind words!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks for asking me Arlee!
I too love the B & W's of yesteryear. Great art!
The posts have been wonderful, beautiful to read the true life stories!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi Robyn,
Thanks, I could have used more description, but wanted it short and sweet. Lot's to read today. :)

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi Denise,
As soon as I heard the Valentine prompts I visited our favorite artist and found my inspiration. I'm glad you enjoy it.

Michael Di Gesu said...

How DEVASTATINGLY SAD.... It's no wonder she died of a broken heart. Not to be remembered at all!

Nicely written Renee~ I like the straightforwardness of this piece...Although the character's attitude is somewhat matter of fact, it packs a punch ....

Kalpana said...

That is heartbreaking!
Beautiful though and just the right length.

kaykuala said...

To her parents' home.
She 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

Michelle Wallace said...

Yolanda, I love the voice in this tale. It unfolded in such a beautiful manner...yet so sad.
The painting is also lovely!

F. Stone said...

Oh, so sad.

Susan said...

Poor Lizzy. What a touching story of love found and lost.

LittleCely said...

Wow. The ending reminds me a bit of the ending of the original Little Mermaid. Very nice and sad.

Sandra Cox said...

OMGosh, poor Lizzy. And talk about picture perfect, the picture fits to a T.

klahanie said...

Hi human, Yolanda,

Such 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

Anonymous said...

Ouch. Punching people in the feels with that story!

dolorah said...

Now that was a beautiful story. So well rendered too.

Misha Gerrick said...

Awe that's so sad! :-(

Mina Burrows said...

Oh that was heartbreaking, but incredibly good! Well done! XXOO

Stephen T. McCarthy said...

Sorry 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.

A well-told flash fiction story. Lizzy's luck reminds me of mine.

~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'

Guilie Castillo said...

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!

Thank 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