RomanticFridayWriters is about short short writing or flash fiction (usually 400 words), less for poems, with some romantic element. It's not Romance of the happily ever after variety, but Romantic, where it's about the story, the issue, with some romantic relationship involved. Our stories are edgy, sometimes dark, and often don't have the HEA ending! The fortnightly prompts are in hiatus while RFW participates in the A - Z Challenge. Challenges begin again on May 4 (see sidebar prompt). During April you will find stories from 50 - 200 words (in the interests of a quick read). Most of the posts will be penned by Denise Covey as she just decided overnight to do this, but other RFW members will be popping in from time to time to post their stories I hope...
So here we go! RFW Dribbles (50 words) and Drabbles (100 words) and Droubbles (200 words) and more...for your enjoyment...
It's widely agreed that most fiction (unless it's solely about animals) begins and ends with human characters: their frailties, virtues, conflicts and expectations. In our stories for the A - Z Challenge the writers attempt to more closely observe the people around us...
C is for 'Cassie'
'Cassie, you're going to live. You're going to keep on fighting. I refuse to let you go without doing everything possible.'
'Are you God?' Cassie asked, brushing away a tear.
'No, I'm your doctor. I know this new treatment has potential to help you.'
'You know no such thing,' Cassie said, her voice cold as the grave. 'It'll be just as useless as all the other prodding and poking you've been doing for the last year.'
'But Cassie, this is innovative treatment! Give it a try. Let Mark try. He's doing the best that he can.'
Cassie turned and looked to see her husband's eyes. The love he felt for her was shimmering amongst a pool of unshed tears. How brave he is, she thought in wonder. He's saving them for later.
'Maybe God's offering another chance, my darling.' He squeezed her hand, brushed away her tears which she could not stop. Did he know she wasn't crying for herself, but for him?
How could she deny him this last hope?
©DeniseCovey2012
170 words
Image - The New Yorker
170 words
Image - The New Yorker
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Denise, (L'Aussie) writes short stories, flash fiction, travel articles and newspaper profiles while working on her Great Australian Novels. She's the founder of RomanticFridayWriters. Her writing blog is L'Aussie Writing. She'd love you to visit her there for her A - Z Challenge on the theme, BLOGGERS WERE CHILDREN TOO! 
My dear Denise,
ReplyDeleteHow touching is this. My heart aches for both of them. You are really good at this. Keep it up!
BTW, I like the Kudos Award from Madeleine. Very nice gesture on her part.
Day 3: Cosmopolitan Flower
Just came back from reading Cosmopolitan Flower Andy. So beautiful. Yes, wasn't it sweet of Madeleine.
DeleteDenise
Lovely excerpt. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Clare. D.
DeleteBeautiful story, thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sherry. D.
DeleteAwww...I suppose aside from having a sick/dying child, the next worst scenario is a sick/dying spouse or partner. Emotionally wrenching.
ReplyDeleteHi Li. You could say that. Thanks for stopping by. Denise
DeleteI don't like the story :( I don't like sad stories. Happy endings only.
ReplyDeleteWell that's telling me. Today's you will like.D.
DeleteDenise...
ReplyDeleteTruly emotional on SO many levels. You managed to have so much feeling in such a short excerpt.
Thanks for giving me a heads up on this. I am glad I got to read it.
Also, thanks for the encouragement about "my" romantic writing. I wrote that post in an hour or so. Perhaps I do have a knack for it. I will try to do the next RFW challenge.
Looking forward to tomorrows post.
Hi Denise. I was here last night and wanted to leave a message but unfortunately, blogger won't let me for some reason *sigh*
ReplyDeleteThis is a very emotional, sad story. I got teary-eyed reading it. Is it part of a longer MS? It could be a good part of a love story.
Take care!
Awww, please tell me that in your head the treatment works and they live happily ever after?
ReplyDeleteThese open stories are a double-edged sword. I think to myself: She knows that she is going to die and she is hanging on for her husband's sake. OR Maybe there is hope with this new treatment.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was younger, I had a hard time accepting the possibility that my loved one's could die. But now that I have lost a few close relatives and friends, I know that there are some things that you cannot stop. The ravages of time. Loss.
I tend to write stories with happy endings. I have a harder time reading stories than end sadly. This started when my daughter was born with a heart condition. I did everything I could to help her live and she survived (thanks to a team of medical specialists). But not all parents at the children's hospital were as lucky as we were.
I felt that it was enough for me. I don't want to dwell on fictional doom and gloom, because there is enough real life doom and gloom just around the corner.
But this is just me. Your story is excellent!
Best wishes,
Anna