FICTION IN A FLASH CHALLENGE WEEK #22 – Secrets
This is Weekly “Fiction in a Flash Challenge” Week #22. Each week Suzanne Burke will be featuring an image and inviting us to write a Flash Fiction or Non-Fiction piece inspired by that image in any format and genre of your choosing. Maximum word count: 750 words.
Here is the week #22 Image Prompt.
Secrets
“Here, Liam, this is mother’s journal. Let’s collect all her personal items before the lady comes to clean the house,” Marcus said.
“I wonder what went on in mother’s mind.”
“Let’s read her last entry.”
September 17, 1969
You said you loved me. I moved in with you. I waited and waited for us to get married. You said it was love that mattered. I believed you.
We had two darling children, two cheerful and curious boys. You were proud of them. I thought you could settle down for a family and a committed life. You said it was love that mattered. I believed you.
Our boys grew into intelligent teenagers. They were outstanding students. The teacher complimented us for being responsible parents. I thought you were a proud father and family man. I mentioned about making the marriage legal. You said it was love that mattered.
I didn’t feel the love you claimed to have in our relationship. I wanted to be free from the agony, yet it’s too late. The boys needed a father for a few more years.
Our sons graduated from college. They supported themselves with scholarships and part-time jobs. We soon will have an empty nest. I asked for your commitment.
“I’m married,” you said. “It was an arranged marriage in China. The WWII separated us. I thought she was dead. I went to Hong Kong when the war was over. You and I met. It was love. Nothing confirmed her death, so I couldn’t make our relationship legal. Five years later, she went to Hong Kong and found me. It was my obligation to see her.”
You said I was your only love. I demanded your choice. You were still indecisive and said you had an obligation to her. I asked you to pack up and never come back again, and you just walked out.
I told our sons because they needed to know why their father didn’t come home.
“She told us, and it shocked me. Father seemed to be so nice to us for all those years.”
“There’s one more entry. Let’s read on.”
Words came from your wife as you passed away. So… you told her about me and your sons. I sent Liam and Marcus to the funeral service. They told me there were two children with your wife, one was seven years and the other was five years younger than Liam according to the eulogy.
Liar! Liar! Liar!
“Mother had a chest pain after this entry. We took her to the hospital and her heart shut down.”
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Fiction in a Flash Challenge Week #22 – Secrets
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The Showers of Blessings 
What a sad story, Miriam. These double lives exist and the deceit never ends well. A wonderful response to the prompt. ❤
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A few of these stories came to my attention over the years. They were heartbreaking. Thank you for reading, Diana! ❤
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My pleasure. 😀
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A well-written story Miriam, it brought tears to my eyes. Dying from a broken heart, so sad.
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Thank you, Carla. I understand that medically, people can die from a broken heart. As for my dad, he was active physically and mentally. After he paralyzed from a stroke, couldn’t read, write, and speak. After eight months in the hospital, I think he willed himself to end his misery. I was sad, but he couldn’t stand that kind of life.
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You hear so often when one spouse dies, the other follows shortly after. That is a powerful feeling.
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I’ve heard of it when life has nothing else to look forward to. We kind of talk about that. If my husband goes first, I’ll go live with my daughter or live a block from her. 😍💖
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I am so blessed to have both my kids, my grandkids and my siblings all close, They all gave me so much support when I lost my husband.
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Loved the “meme” photo, Miriam
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Thank you, Michael. It tells many stories.
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Oh, my.
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😔😔
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A broken heart never to be mended… Tears in my eyes–Well done, Miriam!
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So many broken hearts, broken people around us. Thank you for reading, Bette!
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This is so engaging, deeply touching and sad. Beautifully written.
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I’ve heard lots of sad stories. Thank you for reading.
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A heartbreaking situation beautifully portrayed here. I love this one, Miriam. Thanks so much for the contribution. I have just shared it on my site.
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Thank you for sharing, Soooz. Yeah, not every story has happily ever after.
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Wow, what an ending! Great take on the photo prompt, Miriam. Very well done.
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Thank you, Mae. Situations like this happened. Thank you for reading.
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A tragedy all round. Well told.
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Arranged marriage and polygamy were common before the war and this could have happened. Thank you for reading, Peter.
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That’s quite a story, Miriam. Some secrets are better not told.
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You’re right, secrets could break the heart. Thank you, Norah.
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You are welcome, Miriam. Great story.
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💖😊
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Journals or diaries carry so many secrets, don’t they? This is a poignant story, Miriam. You’ve captured the tragedy of secrets powerfully and left us with the hope embodied in the boys. Well done! ❤
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I hope the boys would forgive and move on with their lives, Gwen. Thank you for reading. ❤
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Beautiful piece, Miriam.
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Thank you, Jill!
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How sad to have been betrayed like that, Miriam. Well told.
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Arranged marriage and polygamy were a heartbreaking phenomenon. Thank you for reading, Denise.
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So very sad, Miriam. A beautifully written and heart wrenching piece.
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It could have happened by in those days, Robbie.
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A tragedy of the worst kind, Miriam! Great response to the prompt.
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It could have happened, Jan! Thank you for reading.
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Oh, what a tragic story. The poor woman.
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She must have been an old fashion woman! Thank you for reading, Liz!
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You’re welcome, Miriam!
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❤ 🙂
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Great choice for this prompt. A journal entry allows the writer to switch narrative voices and for readers to smoothly move from past to present in the same scene, with a sense of nostalgia.
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I appreciated your reading and comment, Lily! Thank you for liking this approach!
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