This story is written in response to the photo prompt (below) for Friday Fictioneers, the finest flash fiction group on the web.
If you fancy joining the challenge, click here to go to host Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ blog for details.
To read other contributions, click on the Blue Froggy
© J Hardy Carroll
Infinite Circle
Childhood sweethearts. That’s what people call us.
Adam and I sat together at school, walked home together.
We even had the same friends, though nowadays Margaret works for a London marketing company and Paul manages a five-star hotel in Singapore.
Adam inherited his father’s building firm, so he couldn’t leave. I planned on going to university. But Adam said he loved me so much he couldn’t bear for me to move away.
He’s still as charming as ever. In public.
And I still smile. In public.
Childhood sweethearts. That’s what people call us.
Was there ever a time when I could have walked away?
©Siobhán McNamara
siobhanmcnamara 
Beautifully understated
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Thank you Neil
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Dear Siobhán,
Subtle, yet oh so very powerful.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle, I was aiming for subtle but there is always the fear that it is too subtle!
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She probably still could but it would be harder. She should have gone to university.
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A missed opportunity for her for sure
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I’m sure there are many who reach this point in life. Nicely expressed.
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Thank you Iain
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Subtly written. You roll up the storm clouds almost unnoticed, and catch us in a deluge of icy rain. What a bleak conclusion.
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Thank you for your considered comment Penny, that’s what I was aiming for, though you can’t be sure it works until someone else sees it!
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Trapped. Ther are such bleak undertones in your words. Excellent.
Click to read my FriFic!
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Thank you Keith
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Cleverly done and very sad too.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Why is my comment still awaiting moderation, I wonder?
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thank you for reading and for your comment Susan
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Subtle and layered. Loved the voice.
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Thank you Sandra
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I’m an optimist. If people still call them sweethearts they can’t be fighting like cats and dogs, so maybe there’s still hope to kindle a new blaze in the old fireplace.
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I have a feeling these two are too far gone, though I love your optimism!
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Woah! What a powerful ending. Absolutely loved it.
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Thank you!
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Sweethearts to all, but who knows what goes on behind closed doors? Nice one!
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Thank you, who knows indeed!
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The reader is enticed with the story not told here. Excellent as always.
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Thank you!
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Oh, please–walk away RIGHT NOW!
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I hope she will, but I fear their lives have become so entwined that she can’t see a way out
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The keeping up of appearance is the worst thing really… Big sunglasses is a clear sign… hope she can leave still
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My first draft of this story had the sunglasses. I’m glad the idea still came across
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Living a pretend life… how terribly sad.
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Very sad, and lives can become so entwined that is hard for people to even imagine life outside the relationship
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So true….
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The time is now. Nice story, I liked the way you slyly led into the truth.
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Thank you Ted
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Mixed emotions here. This is a heart breaker story Siobhan.
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It is a reality for too many people. Thanks for your comment 🙂
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Wow. That hits hard. Well done. :o)
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Thank you!
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This is so very well done. Have you been gone for awhile? Or have I just missed your posts? Thanks for the heartache of this ~ I meant that.
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Thank you! I haven’t been on Friday Fictioneers for a while, I’ve just been too busy but I always feel the tug of it on a Wednesday morning and this week I answered the call
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she could walk away if she wants to. who knows? he maybe thinking about the same thing.
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It would be for the best, if they can see it that way
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Yup, that’s how it happens. You described this chillingly well.
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Thank you Dawn
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