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This weeks prompt on Sunday Scribblings is just one word - composed
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Nothing could have prepared Sharon for the death of Michael. Two years ago he just disappeared. He left no note and took none of his possessions. He vanished.
They found his car, the police that was. It was burned out. Nothing was found inside. No remains. Nothing.
Searches were carried out. Local searches. International searches. Leads were followed up. His life was unravelled in the hope of finding a clue. Any clue.
All that’s left of Michael now is a file in a box on a shelf in the police headquarters. Michael’s life is summed up in three words on the cover. Missing presumed dead.
This morning she stood at the head of her staircase. Statuesque. All in black. Assembled friends and family cast their sympathetic eyes upwards as Sharon slowly descended. Step by step. So Serene. So composed.
Today was the day they all bid farewell to Michael. Today she mingled, glass in hand, floating from guest to guest accepting words of comfort, exchanging memories and dismissing trite platitudes.
This afternoon she found herself all alone. Just the echoes remained.
She shook off her shoes, cast aside her widow’s raiment’s and laughed. Oh how she laughed. For today had been a farewell from her too. Soon a taxi will arrive and take her to the airport. This time tomorrow Sharon and Michael will be reunited, and their new life begin.
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oooh interesting Keith... did they do it for his life insurance? remember that movie Double indemnity? another great story!
ReplyDeleteNicely done - but you've gone and told us all now :-)
ReplyDeleteVery intreguing. It is my first time to your blog and I like your style a lot. I must get back into really caring and really writing about the prompts for Sunday Scribblings and Writer's Island. Thank you for inspiring me.
ReplyDeleteOh Keith had me feeling very sorry and sad for this poor widow. Wow great post and great ending you little devil you.
ReplyDeleteI love how you weaved this word in... gorgeous and clever.
ReplyDeleteIf this is about life insurance, as it has been suggested, then she'd better wait for the check before hastily reuniting with Michael :)
ReplyDeleteVery enjoyable!
This piece is like a fantasy. Wouldn't we all like to just leave the lives we have and start new with lots of money? Well done!
ReplyDeleteexcellent!!! never saw it coming... oh i do love a good twist!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou squeezed out the sympathy well till the final slap. It hurts!
ReplyDeleteGemma
What a wonderful story Kieth. I think we have all thought about wiping the slate clean at one time or another. ;)
ReplyDeleteThe reader is really left wondering what their circumstances were...which is what makes this a great story! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI think my "Etta" could have done something like this. Evil unlikely wonky woman. There must be more than one!
ReplyDeleteb
Indeed, I liked this story. Cleverly told and twisty as can be!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great image and a great word: Statuesque. Nicely told.
ReplyDeleteI really like the surprise ending! Clever! And well-written.
ReplyDeleteThat's a surprise ending. Why did they do this? Alexander McCallSmith had a similar tale spun in one of his books on the Scotland series. Very interesting and well written.
ReplyDeleteclever...
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