Monday, December 18, 2017

WEP - THE END IS THE BEGINNING OR IS THE BEGINNING THE END?


Dawn inserted the last invitation into the envelope and sighed. “Just weeks away, can you believe it? Charles will have a full month of leave before his next deployment. Our wedding and honeymoon will be heavenly.”

            “I’m sure it will be dear. You’ve been very patient, both of you. Your father, and I are very proud of you.”

            “It’s been difficult, but we’ve both wanted to fulfill our obligations. Working at the Pentagon has been a great honor, and Charles has spent three years in Afghanistan. Now he’ll join me in Washington, and we’ll complete our military careers together.”

            “I’m amazed that you’ve both stuck to your goals so stringently, but it’s why we’re so proud of you.”

            Thanks, Mom. This wedding proves that.”

            “Your dad thought it was the least we could do. You’ll need your money to furnish that new house.”

            “Has Charles told you where you’ll be going on your honeymoon?”

            “No, he’s got it all arranged though. Charles said I won’t know until we land. A private jet and all first class. The one thing I’m sure of is that I’ll need a bikini.”

~~**~~**~~

The minister started the ceremony with Isaiah 32:

“Each will be like a hiding place from the wind, a covert from the tempest, like streams of water in a dry place, like the shade of a great rock in a weary land. Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness abide in the fruitful field. The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness, and trust forever. My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. Please be seated.”

“The bride and groom have written their own vows. Dawn, please share with us your words for Charles.”

Nervously Dawn cleared her throat, smiled at Charles, and their eyes locked. “Charles, you are my life, my love, my hero. I promise to cherish, honor and always be ready for a new adventure.  I pledge to hold your hand through life, to never interrupt your football games, and to always seek your guidance for the important decisions. I am blessed with your love, your friendship, and vow my devotion, forever and always.”

She smiled through her tears when she saw his eyes fill with moisture and delicately wiped the escaping drops as they rolled down his cheek.

“Now it’s your turn, Charles,” The minister said.

“You are the most blessed thing that has ever happened to me. I cherish you, your honesty, your strength and especially your smile. I promise that laughter will always outweigh the tears. I vow a shared future, of fulfilled dreams, diminishing obstacles, and a balanced life of love, family, and personal satisfaction. You are my hero, and I will love you until the end of time.”

They exchanged rings, and the priest pronounced them husband and wife. At the reception, their first dance as man and wife held so much meaning as it was their first real moment together since his arrival was last minute and just hours before the start of the wedding. Dawn finally relaxed in his arms, and they clung together in silence. Swaying to the music, appreciating each other, and looking forward to their future together.

~~**~~**~~

Spending Christmas and their honeymoon on the beach in Hawaii was everything Dawn had ever dreamed of, and as they soaked up the sun, she noticed their glasses were empty. Rock, Paper, Scissors decided who would refresh their drinks. Charles won again, but after declaring himself the winner, he kissed his wife and told her. “Relax, Mrs. Collins. It will always be my pleasure to serve you.”

Charles had only been gone minutes when the air raid sirens went off. Thinking it was just another drill Dawn remained in her seat but searched the sky. Hearing shouts of "it's not a drill! I can see it. Look!" She jumped to her feet and sprinted toward the bar and her husband. 
During those same moments, Charles dropped the drinks he'd just purchased. He witnessed the missile hurtling toward them and raced back to Dawn. They met in an embrace just seconds before their world ended.

~~**~~**~~

*****

750 words
Yolanda Renée © 2017

*****
My apologies to those looking for a happy ending, I honestly meant for my story to be light and uplifting when I first started. I began writing it while at the dealership waiting for the oil change on my car. The television station on in the waiting room was set to CNN, and a story about Hawaii reinstating regular Nuclear Attack Warning Siren tests caught my eye and sadly changed my story.







37 comments:

Pat Garcia said...

You have done a wonderful job of pointing out how one incident in time can change your life forever. Maybe, it is time we recognised that life and love are not basic elements we earned nor are they elements that are due to us, but they are gifts that are very fragile and can be gone in the twinkling of an eye.
Very well done, my dear.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a successful crossover into 2018.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat Garcia

The Happy Whisk said...

Sometimes, the endings have a way of writing themselves no matter what the writer started out wanting to do. Happy Christmas and here's to 2018.

Pat Hatt said...

haha you? A happy ending? Never. Scary as it is a possibility indeed. Have everything perfect and then in one moment all is lost for so many. Great turn at the end indeed.

cleemckenzie said...

Just once, Yolanda. Happily ever after. No? Too much to ask? Okay. Well, I enjoyed your story and the devastating end, just so you know. :-)

Have a wonderful holiday. See you in 2018

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Wow! We'll, at least that had a good time together before meeting their demise.

Denise Covey said...

Hi Renee! Love it, even though it's so tragic and realistic, I was glad they died together. So, the end? Or the beginning? Now we're all educated in how a nuclear blast death would feel. Just ask those poor people in Hiroshima and Nagasaki!
Nuclear blasts aside, have a happy Christmas at the beach and I hope 2018 shapes up far better than your 2017!

Denise :-)

Deborah Drucker said...

At least they managed to embrace before the bomb exploded. Hope this never happens! We have had enough disasters lately. Wishing you peaceful and happy holidays!

Olga Godim said...

Oh, it is so sad! A nuclear bomb in Hawaii? On honeymoon. They should've stayed home.

Elephant's Child said...

There is happiness, despite the tragedy. Would either of them have wanted to go on without the other? And they met their end together, as they started their new life...
And how I hope this is fiction and not a foretelling.
And on a different note, how nice to hear that someone else (of the real writer persuasion) has their story dictate its direction.

Liz Leighton said...

A very powerful story. Everyone likes happy endings but sometimes the story calls for something different.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Actually, they are together at the end, which still makes it a happy ending in a w ay.

Adura Ojo said...

Wow...love the swift change in mood, Yolanda. Going with one's imagination on the spur of the moment is great for a writer's creativity, never mind the sad ending. Sadly, life is like that at times.

Keith's Ramblings said...

A skilful change of direction whch neither I, your characters or even you saw coming when you set off!

Click to read my WEP story!

dolorah said...

I think you are a little reversed here: the beginning is the end, lol.

This was sweet and sad. So beautiful that they sought each other out in their last moments. What an epic love.

Sally said...

Oh! At least they were together. Great writing.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Yolanda - we just never know do we ... and I do hope my last sight will not be a nuclear bomb tearing towards me ... but wonderful to read how strong they both were, determined to do right for each other and then ... wham - the sky explodes and takes them to where ... we (on this planet) shall never know ...

Great story ... the end and their beginning ... have a very peaceful and I hope happy Christmas time and here's to a better, easier, fun filled 2018 = cheers for now - Hilary

D.G. Hudson said...

I like that a story like this brings in real elements of the time period, but not that such a thing would happen. We never know how much time we have with our loved ones, so we should always cherish the moments we do have. I also like that you changed your story with a little twist and creating a story much more interesting. . .'

Yolanda Renée said...

Thank you, Pat:
Life is fragile. I wonder when we'll learn that?
Happy Holidays!

Yolanda Renée said...

So true, Ivy:
I really wanted to do something different, but alas . . .
Happy Holidays!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Pat:
One of these days I'll surprise you all! ;)
Happy Holidays!

Yolanda Renée said...

Sorry, Lee:
I just go where the muse leads, and sometimes not too happily! LOL
Happy Holidays!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Alex:
Me too!
Happy Holidays!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks to you, Denise!
Truly, appreciated the information. Although, not the reading or reality of it!
Happy Holidays!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Deborah:
The world seems to be headed for disaster. Maybe that's the only way to a new beginning. I hope not, but . . .
Happy Holidays!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Olga:
Regardless, they would have been in it till the end. Whatever that is for all of us! :)
Happy Holidays!

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi, Sue:
So true, it happens every time. :) It's why I love writing!
Happy Holidays!

Yolanda Renée said...

So true, Liz:
It is what the muse dictates.
Happy Holidays!

Yolanda Renée said...

It does, thank you, Tyrean!

Happy Holidays!

Yolanda Renée said...

So true, Adura!
I go where led when the muse speaks.
Happy Holidays!

Yolanda Renée said...

That's true, Keith:
Thanks for joining us this month.
Happy Holidays!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks, Donna:
It truly was.

Happy Holidays!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks, Sally:
I really loved your story! Love a Happy Ending!
Happy Holidays!

Yolanda Renée said...

Cheers to you, Hilary:

Wishing you all the best this New Year!

Yolanda Renée said...

Thanks, D.G.:
I like writing to the moment. Sadly the times do bring the unhappiness to mind more than the happy. Hoping things are different in 2018!

desk49 said...

They saw the light
From above
And knows it was
Man made

Death will fill
This world
Upon all mankind
Radiation now rains

From the beginning
To the end
Man is the only
One to blame

Nilanjana Bose said...

Hi Yolanda, and my apologies for being so late. To me, it didn't feel like an unhappy ending exactly - real unhappiness would have been if one of them had survived and had to go on without the other. A love story that doesn't end in separation is a happy one.

As usual the twist in the end is done to a turn :) Perfect! and flipped with such a delicate hand - your writing is always a treat to read, no matter how tragic the ending. I loved what you did with the prompt there.

Wishing you all the best for a happy and tranquil 2018, may all troubles end with 2017.


L.G. Keltner said...

Yikes! This story sure highlights how unpredictable events are and how any moment might be our last. At least they died while having a good time.

Well done!