One Last Toast
source edited by me.
This is an entry to @jayna's micro-fiction contest with the prompt word of "wine". Here is the link to the post if you'd like to join in on the fun. The limit is 250 words, so enter if you dare!
The glass rolled from her limp hand and toppled to the hardwood floor. Shards of crystal scattered as the wine edged outward in a spreading purple stain.
“Marsha, my God, are you all right? Honey?” Greg rushed from the gleaming kitchen into the den and raised Marsha’s lolling head from her lap.
No response.
He dialed 911 with shaky fingers then resumed rubbing her hands. He pleaded with her to open her eyes, to wake up, to talk to him.
No response.
Sirens in the distance grew closer. Red lights flickered through the front window as paramedics rushed to to the door. They worked over her, started CPR, administered the paddles once, twice, three times.
No response.
Greg wailed in anguish as Marsha was rolled away on a gurney, no longer his picture perfect wife, now just a shell covered with a sheet.
He looked around the immaculate home, not a speck of dust, not a bit of clutter, everything in its place. He wandered into the dining room, the table perfectly set with service for one. The best china and glassware, the good silver, a crisply folded linen napkin. His overwhelmed mind finally took notice of the elegant white card sitting in the middle of the dinner plate.
I cannot live under this pressure. I tried my best to please you. Why have you always demanded perfection from me?
Greg stared at the note in a grief stricken stupor.
He had no response.
If you enjoy writing short fiction stories (less than 1,000 words) I'd love to have you join me on Narrative. Here's a link directly to my niche Flash Fiction:
Get in on the ground floor and see what it's all about. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me in the comments.
[credit@EdibleCthulhu]
This post was shared in the Curation Collective Discord community for curators, and upvoted and resteemed by the @c-squared community account after manual review.
@c-squared runs a community witness. Please consider using one of your witness votes on us here
Thank you @ c-squared! Your curation is much appreciated!
Oh my goodness! I did not see that one coming....you pulled me right in! Well done @blueeyes8960
Thanks @birdsinparadise! That was the intent, though I usually don't go so "dark".
I’m using Partiko to make friends and have fun on the Steem blockchain. You should as well! Here’s my invite link: https://partiko.app/referral/shaya6677, you will get 3000 Partiko Points for sign up bonus, and you can exchange them into Steem token!
Posted using Partiko Android
That took a sharp turn...
Talk, people, it's more useful than you thought.
This was definitely the end of her story. It's always sad when people take the most drastic measures to get out of situation they don't want to be in.
We are SO proud to have you as a member of our
FANTABULOUS Power House Creatives family!
uvoted and/or resteemed!
❤ MWAH!!! ❤
#powerhousecreatives
Posted using Partiko Android
Thank you my lovely Power House Creatives!
Love the story, and especially the turn at the end. I am always amazed at how some people can convey such a great and complete story in a micro fiction. I struggle to hit a 500 word limit in most things I write (haven't done it yet actually lol).
It's taken awhile to be able to tell a story in 250 words. I used to have to start out with 500 words and work like the devil to pare it down. It gets easier though the more I try to think "concise" and "action" rather than a lot of wordy description (which I tend to lean toward!)
Surprising.
That's the idea. :) Who wants to read something they know how it will end? I don't always take such a dark turn though.
Hi blueeyes8960,
Visit curiesteem.com or join the Curie Discord community to learn more.
Thank you @curie! Always appreciated to have your curation!
Why don't people try talking first? Even therapy...before some FTS response...
I am imagining Marsha under the rule of a dictator husband who demanded perfection and probably meted out punishment for not getting it. You don't really see that part of him in this very short end of her story. But one would hope there would be other options.
Hi, @blueeyes8960!
You just got a 0.89% upvote from SteemPlus!
To get higher upvotes, earn more SteemPlus Points (SPP). On your Steemit wallet, check your SPP balance and click on "How to earn SPP?" to find out all the ways to earn.
If you're not using SteemPlus yet, please check our last posts in here to see the many ways in which SteemPlus can improve your Steem experience on Steemit and Busy.