Happy New Year and welcome to the new year with Tuesday Tales! This week we're writing to the word prompt "new". I have another excerpt in my continuing story, "Someone Like You." Last week, we saw Mark get choked up when he smelled a familiar perfume. Is that going to ruin his budding relationship? Read today's snippet and find out.
When you're done here, bounce on over to read the other writer's stories. Find them HERE.
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“That was Nancy’s favorite perfume,” he said, closing his eyes for a second to say a prayer that it wouldn’t cause Charlotte to flee.
“Oh my God,” she said, her hand flying to cover her mouth. After a pause, her response continued in a low, quiet voice. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”
She paled and clasped her hands together. He’d caused that and hated himself. Still, he must have honesty with Charlotte.
“I’m sorry. So sorry,” he said, reaching down to give her hand a quick squeeze.
“Look, if you’re not ready…” she started.
He pulled over to the curb and put the car in park. “Don’t say that. I’m more than ready. It’s been years. Years! Since Nancy died. You’ve brought new purpose to my life. I wake up looking forward to a new day. For the first time. I just wasn’t prepared for that.”
“Are you sure?”
He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I’ve never been
more sure of anything. Charlotte, you’re bringing love back into my life.”
She blushed. “Good. I feel the same.”
“Then let’s just be happy.”
“Agreed.”
He cupped her chin and turned her face toward him. “I
can’t promise there won’t be other flashbacks like that. I hope not, but you
never know.”
“I understand. It’s okay,” she said, gripping his
forearm.
“I hope you mean that.”
“I do.”
Mark brushed her lips with his before making eye contact and tossing her a quick grin. Then, he put the car in gear, took a breath and eased the car back in traffic. He refused to dwell on how tenuous new love could be. Relief at having dodged a bullet swept through him. Yes, that was this time, but what would happen next time?
That's all for this week. Thanks for stopping by. Please leave a comment. Comments make my day!
The sense of smell is the strongest ones for memories I think. Maybe because we use it less frequently. We see things all the time to the point where we become blase about them, but then you smell something like perfume or aftershave and there it is. My granddaughter who is away at school took one of my husbands old shirts with her because 'it smells like Grandpa." Beautiful scene and very well done.
ReplyDeleteYou are telling a beautiful story. I admire how they are both trying to make allowances for the other and allow small setbacks as natural. The Chanel memory shows how powerfully stamped we are with our loves.
ReplyDeleteI love the understanding between them. I also love his words to her when he professes there is love in his life again. I can wait to see where this goes. Great job!
ReplyDeleteThis was such a touching - and true to life - scene. Yes, new love is fun and wonderful. But relationships following the death of a spouse still carry a lot of 'back story' with them, which can, if not treated right affect the new loves.
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