Take a number and wait until you're called.
Published on March 23, 2008 By dynamaso In Writing

He said he’d wait. He still remembered the conversation as if it were yesterday.

“I’ll be waiting for you.”

“Really? You’ll wait for me even after I do what I have to do?”

“Yes, of course I will. I love you.”

“I know you do but love might not be enough to get us past this.”

“Of course it will. So long as we have each other, the world could stand still and we’ll still be fine.”

“Oh, I’m so glad you’re the way you are.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m so glad you see the positive in everything. I don’t know if I could do it if you were any other way.” She had leant across the front seat and kissed him on the lips. He still remembered how soft her lips were, how sweet she smelt, the fine, silk touch of her hair, the gentle heat of her finger tips.

His inner nature had never diluted over the years, had never been beaten by the cynicism that often travels with age and is mistaken for wisdom, nor trampled by years of disappointment and sadness as is so often the case. His whole life had evolved into waiting and hoping.

He could hear a car approaching. He stood and walked across the room, pulled back the blind and looked out the window. He did this at least a half dozen times a day still, even after all these years. Everytime, he felt a rush just before he looked out, wondering if she would be there.

The car came over the horizon and down the hill towards his house. It slowed as it neared and indicated to turn left. He let the blind slip from his fingers, turned and went back to his chair. Slow tears slid down his face as he sat to wait some more.

 


Comments (Page 1)
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on Mar 23, 2008

Romantic and sad. I could just see the old man getting up to wait. Beautiful.

on Mar 24, 2008

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Beautiful.

on Mar 24, 2008
Very Sad. But a great story.
on Mar 24, 2008

Kelly,

Thanks for providing the inspiration.  This came to me in a bit of a rush but I really like it.  So much so, I think I'm going to expand on it.  I will let you see the results.

SanCho,

Thanks, mate.  I enjoyed your haiku, incidentally.

on Mar 24, 2008
SanCho,

Thanks, mate. I enjoyed your haiku, incidentally.


Thanks, man. I'm thinking I may have to do a series of haiku about the picture, rather than just the one.
on Mar 24, 2008

Nice!  My story awaits....the brain is still tinkering!

on Mar 24, 2008
Very nice Maso. It left me curious to know what she had to do.
on Mar 24, 2008

Sad Maso.  But deep down I think every woman wants to believe every man she's ever kissed still is secretly in love with her. 

on Mar 24, 2008

Doc,

a great story

Thanks mate.

 

on Mar 24, 2008

Sancho,

a series of haiku about the picture

That would be cool. 

I recently read about Steve Earl, he of 'Copperhead Road' etc., who, after giving up a significant drug habit, kept himself occupied by writing a haiku a day for a year.  He recently published the results. 

I thought I might attempt a similar exercise one day (not the drug habit mind you).  Haiku are cool

on Mar 24, 2008

Serenity,

...the brain is still tinkering

Mine never stops tinkering, even after I've posted a story.  As I said earlier, this particular piece has really struck a chord with me and I've got some good ideas about expanding it into a larger piece.

Looking forward to reading yours.

Roy

Very nice Maso. It left me curious to know what she had to do

Yes, I thought it might leave a few curious.  I think not having that detail makes the story even more intriguing.  It leaves the reader to imagine all sorts of different scenarios.

Tova,

Sad Maso. But deep down I think every woman wants to believe every man she's ever kissed still is secretly in love with her.

Hmm, interesting.  I think there is a great story in that idea, although I'm not sure if this is where my story was going.  Still, you've given me food for thought.

on Mar 24, 2008

Simply beautiful, mate.

I think not having that detail makes the story even more intriguing.  It leaves the reader to imagine all sorts of different scenarios.

I think that what makes your story so great. The reader can use their own imagination.

Haiku are cool

I agree. We should have a weekly JUWC haiku challenge.

 

on Mar 24, 2008

Chris,

Simply beautiful, mate

Thanks a lot.  As for your comment about the reader using their imagination, well for me, some of my favourite short stories do exactly this. 

a weekly JUWC haiku challenge

Excellent idea...  Do you want to start it off?

on Mar 25, 2008

Excellent idea...  Do you want to start it off?

I should, shouldn't I?  I just got to think of something.

If you got an idea you can start it first.

on Mar 25, 2008
this particular piece has really struck a chord with me and I've got some good ideas about expanding it into a larger piece.


I look forward to that one.
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