Welcome! We continue with my special November Women's Fiction work-in-progress, "Two of Hearts". Only 300 words allowed this week. Thanks for stopping by.
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Two hours later, she opened her eyes. If only she
could wake up and have it be yesterday. She’d tell Stan not to ride. She’d hide
the keys, puncture the tires, if she had to. She yawned, shifting around,
stretching her legs. She had to get to the hospital.
Jen stared at the bouquet
of flowers Stan had bought for her. She had given in, agreed that he could take
the bike out for a spin. The flowers had been the bribe. They lay on the
counter, wilted, limp throwing her shallow behavior back in her face. Why hadn’t
she held fast?
She flew out the door and into the first taxi she
found. When she arrived at intensive care, Stan was lying in bed with tubes
going into and coming out of all sorts of places, the same as when she had left
him. His left leg and wrist were in casts. It was Monday and the reality of
Stan’s motorcycle accident punctured her brain for a second time.
She approached the bed.
“Good morning, darling,” she whispered, leaning
over to kiss him.
He was unresponsive. Grabbing her purse, she
padded down the hall to the coffee machine. She needed another jolt of
caffeine. The coffee was terrible, but it was the only stuff available. Back by
his beside, she pulled out a comb and ran it through her long hair. One glance
in the mirror at home had told her she looked like hell. She added lipstick. It
didn’t help much, but it was all she could do. Jen needed to look good when
Stan woke up.
Staring at her handsome husband, she longed to crawl into
bed with him. If she could snuggle up under his arm, hear his deep voice, she’d
know everything was going to be okay.
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Oh dear. I hope Stan comes around. Wonderfully powerful snippet!
ReplyDeleteSuch an emotional scene. I feel her heartbreak as she looks helplessly at her husband in the hospital and wishes to turn back time. I love how you have her latching onto little touchstones, such as her lipstick.
ReplyDeleteFantastic scene. My heart goes out to her. I know how sudden accidents turn your life upside down. The image of the flowers wilted on the counter is a powerful one. I hope it isn't a sign that something else is going to die.
ReplyDeleteWonderful imagery. I could feel her pain as she looked at the flowers and when she arrived at the hospital. Great job!
ReplyDelete