The Bitterness of Winter – Friday Fictioneers

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New Year, New Me, and all that nonsense! I’m back with another Friday Fictioneers entry. The challenge is to write a 100-word story in response to a weekly photo prompt chosen by our host Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Follow the link to her blog for more information. Thank you to all who take the time to read, like, or comment.

Apologies for my tardiness in responding to comments in 2018. They were all appreciated, some more than you know. I aim to improve on my reciprocity this year.

2019 01 19

PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

The Bitterness of Winter

It was the cast iron radiator that did it. Or was it the bitterness of winter? Caught between those two opposing extremes, the single pane of glass stood little chance.

I noted that the resulting cracks formed the outline of a woman.

“Well it doesn’t look like me,” Mum said. “It must be some other woman.”

She looked at Dad. He looked away.

“Fetch some tape,” he said. “We’ll patch it up for now.”

The seasons changed but the cold remained. I don’t know why they stayed together. A thing doesn’t have to shatter for it to be completely broken.

14 responses to “The Bitterness of Winter – Friday Fictioneers”

  1. neilmacdon Avatar

    I loved “A thing doesn’t have to shatter for it to be completely broken”

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thank you Neil! I have to admit, I was pretty pleased with that line myself!

      Like

  2. Violet Lentz Avatar

    Very nicely done. and I do agree with Neil on that line. Perfection.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thank you Violet. Very kind!

      Like

  3. amiewrites74 Avatar

    That last line is gold. Nicely written.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks Amie!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Margaret Avatar

    I love your light touch in this story. So much tension and discord is revealed without labouring the point. Masterful.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thank you so much Margaret.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. michaelwynnauthor Avatar

    Nice little cautionary tale, better to replace before the whole thing shatters

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Thanks Michael. Agreed. Some things just can’t be repaired!

      Liked by 1 person

  6. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Thom,

    I loved “the seasons changed but the cold remained.” Well done.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thom Carswell Avatar
      Thom Carswell

      Dear Rochelle,

      It certainly seems as though the atmosphere is going to remain frosty in that household!

      Thanks for your comment.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Alicia Jamtaas Avatar

    This is a fascinating take on the prompt. The outline of a woman, Dad fixing it with tape, the indication of an affair, all done in glass. Kudos

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Thom Carswell Avatar
    Thom Carswell

    Thanks Alicia!

    Like

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