In a dream I saw the reflection of your face, your long hair tangled on the pillow, your clothing tossed carelessly on a chair. I saw light from a street lamp falling on a bare shoulder as you slept.
Once, you told me I was your entire universe, yet somehow you slipped away, disappeared from my life as shallow footprints are erased by a rising tide. I often stand at the bedroom window now, looking out at the gray, familiar shore. I breathe in the salt-laden air, and sometimes I wonder … just for a while, do you ever remember me?
“You are still the most important person in my life.” Gerald couldn’t believe he was saying the words. Out loud. To him. After all the abuse. Then something caught his eyeline. What was that, a smudge? He’d have to ask Magda to devote extra attention to the mirrors next week.
He was listening to their favorite love song when the truck collided into him. In a surreal way, it continued playing even while he was extricated and whisked away by the paramedics. He arose from his stupor one last time and saw her beautiful face while the vital support machines slowly started to flatten until it beeped. She held his hand and tenderly kissed his cheek. Her tears spoke the words he wished to hear the most- "you are still and will always be the most important person in my life". My dear, unto death shall we part...
I’ve waited for you—the most important person in my life. You’re so close. With you, I’ll be happy; I’ll be rich; I’ll be successful, popular, and actualized. I know I’ll know you when I see you. Because you’re the me I know will come with all my breaks…someday.
Under the callous glare of the gas station floodlights, his charisma is at quarter power. His hands clutch mine, haphazardly, the heat and sweat from his palms another tell. That while his eyes are committed, here and now, their fatigue betrays them. Like the unmistakable kiss of Miss Dior on the upholstery of his passenger seat.
He brings a practiced hand to my cheek. I close my eyes and brace for impact.
“You are still the most important person in my life,” he says.
I laugh and brush his duplicitous fingers from my face.
It’s so nice to see you and read this, Meg. Wow! What a powerful and layered story, all in 100 words. I’ve missed reading your fiction. I know I saw one of yours in my inbox recently…look forward to reading it! I hope all is well.
Summer's romance ended. School started. Told her she was the most important person in my life. That's what I said drifting under stars in my boat; a loving-longing summer romance. She said she'd write. She and I went to separate colleges, miles apart. No letter’s. Maybe next summer.
I see your eyes - lock on them the moment you enter the club. At first I think you are a ghost from my past, but then I see you for you. After just one dance, we know we’ll be together forever. Forty years now, going strong.
“You are still the most important person in my life.”
“Really,” Glen asked.
“Really,” Rebecca answered. “Now I need you to come down from the ledge so that we can further discuss it.”
“We broke up. I can’t be the most important person in your life.”
Rebecca kept her focus on Glen. “Breaking up doesn't mean everything we had goes poof. It means that I value your friendship so much that putting anything in the way of that friendship is harmful. I broke us up because I cared too much and no longer wanted to see you hurt.”
“Do you mean that?”
“I am here to help you through this time you are having. Friends always help friends.”
Glen shuffled closer to where Rebecca stood. “You aren’t trying to trick me, are you?”
“Glen,” she said softly, “Have I ever tried to trick you?”
Glen blinked once. He shuffled his feet across the ledge and stepped down.
Rebecca sighed. At 80 Glen had lived a full life. Now the job was to convince this version of him that he needed more help than she could provide.
ONCE YOU WERE, 100-word fiction
In a dream I saw the reflection of your face, your long hair tangled on the pillow, your clothing tossed carelessly on a chair. I saw light from a street lamp falling on a bare shoulder as you slept.
Once, you told me I was your entire universe, yet somehow you slipped away, disappeared from my life as shallow footprints are erased by a rising tide. I often stand at the bedroom window now, looking out at the gray, familiar shore. I breathe in the salt-laden air, and sometimes I wonder … just for a while, do you ever remember me?
Both beautiful and heart wrenching at the same time. Powerful story, Sharron! Thank you for sharing with us!
Nice, bittersweet
This man will never leave your memory. I hope he's there to greet you on the other side of the veil.
A nice thought, Sue. Thank you.
Sharron, you know, from experience, what it's like to be "soulmates." That doesn't go away. Ever. Beautiful writing, from the heart.
The Fairest/ Fiction (50)
“You are still the most important person in my life.” Gerald couldn’t believe he was saying the words. Out loud. To him. After all the abuse. Then something caught his eyeline. What was that, a smudge? He’d have to ask Magda to devote extra attention to the mirrors next week.
I love it you said "To him", rather than "To himself". A subtle difference that made the ending so surprising. Excellent.
Thx couldn’t resist 😎
Love the twist! Excellent, Scott!!
The final beep -
He was listening to their favorite love song when the truck collided into him. In a surreal way, it continued playing even while he was extricated and whisked away by the paramedics. He arose from his stupor one last time and saw her beautiful face while the vital support machines slowly started to flatten until it beeped. She held his hand and tenderly kissed his cheek. Her tears spoke the words he wished to hear the most- "you are still and will always be the most important person in my life". My dear, unto death shall we part...
Whew, this one left me misty-eyed. Always great to read your stories, Sunil. Thanks for sharing and stopping by!
Thanks Justin! Inspired by your writing...
Such a tender, true love story! Lovely, Sunil!
It made me tear up too! Thanks Sharon
50 word:
TITLE: Why the breaks will never come
Genre: Fiction
I’ve waited for you—the most important person in my life. You’re so close. With you, I’ll be happy; I’ll be rich; I’ll be successful, popular, and actualized. I know I’ll know you when I see you. Because you’re the me I know will come with all my breaks…someday.
Beat me to it, with an improvement going prospective, nice job.
Great minds think alike.
Show and Tell, 100-word Fiction
Under the callous glare of the gas station floodlights, his charisma is at quarter power. His hands clutch mine, haphazardly, the heat and sweat from his palms another tell. That while his eyes are committed, here and now, their fatigue betrays them. Like the unmistakable kiss of Miss Dior on the upholstery of his passenger seat.
He brings a practiced hand to my cheek. I close my eyes and brace for impact.
“You are still the most important person in my life,” he says.
I laugh and brush his duplicitous fingers from my face.
“No,” I remind him. “You are.”
It’s so nice to see you and read this, Meg. Wow! What a powerful and layered story, all in 100 words. I’ve missed reading your fiction. I know I saw one of yours in my inbox recently…look forward to reading it! I hope all is well.
Wow! This was a powerful punch, Meg! Very nicely written!!
Thank you, Sharon!
wow! Classic Oolders. So glad you are back.
🙏🏻🙂
Rivalry ( Non Fiction, 50 words)
Summer's romance ended. School started. Told her she was the most important person in my life. That's what I said drifting under stars in my boat; a loving-longing summer romance. She said she'd write. She and I went to separate colleges, miles apart. No letter’s. Maybe next summer.
Ahhh...summer love. So intoxicating, but lost in the Autumn breeze.
Destined To Be Together-Non-Fiction- 50 words
I see your eyes - lock on them the moment you enter the club. At first I think you are a ghost from my past, but then I see you for you. After just one dance, we know we’ll be together forever. Forty years now, going strong.
The best story, Kim! Congrats to you—it’s inspiring to read about everlasting love.
Thank you, Justin. We are truly blessed 💕🤗
Congratulations, Kim! Beautiful story.
So lovely, Justin. You are at your best with these sweet, touching stories -- any one can see they come from the heart.
Thank you so much, Sharron! That’s very kind of you. 🙏
Justin you pack a whole world complete with history into those 100 words.
Thank you, Scott! Right back at you with your fifty!
Loved your story, Justin. It will be tough to top or even come close. 😎
Oh thank you, Kim. I’m not so sure about that! I consider myself lucky to write in such fine company!
He says I don't love him, teasingly
I reply and say yes I do
He says No, you don't
Yes, I do
No,you don't
Yes, I do
Alright, I believe you
It's about time
(21 years).
You still are the most important person in my life.
Ditto.my darling!
Thank you , Justin !
Thank you, Sharon!
Thank you , Scott!
A sad tale, Justin. She uses him but doesn't really appreciate him. Time for him to move on.
When Thoughts Interrupt
“You are still the most important person in my life.”
“Really,” Glen asked.
“Really,” Rebecca answered. “Now I need you to come down from the ledge so that we can further discuss it.”
“We broke up. I can’t be the most important person in your life.”
Rebecca kept her focus on Glen. “Breaking up doesn't mean everything we had goes poof. It means that I value your friendship so much that putting anything in the way of that friendship is harmful. I broke us up because I cared too much and no longer wanted to see you hurt.”
“Do you mean that?”
“I am here to help you through this time you are having. Friends always help friends.”
Glen shuffled closer to where Rebecca stood. “You aren’t trying to trick me, are you?”
“Glen,” she said softly, “Have I ever tried to trick you?”
Glen blinked once. He shuffled his feet across the ledge and stepped down.
Rebecca sighed. At 80 Glen had lived a full life. Now the job was to convince this version of him that he needed more help than she could provide.
You have a wonderful talent for weaving a complete story, in just 100 words! Well done, Justin!
LOVING YOU, 100-word poem
I need you here beside me, Ben
To make my life complete
Love’s in the spaces where we’re different
And in the places where we meet
I’m more myself with you, it’s true
Than with anyone I know
You hold me tight enough to feel secure
But give me room to grow
The years can tell the story
Of how our lives have changed
But through it all, my dear, my one
Our love has stayed the same
We are the fortunate ones
For we have stayed together
While others we know have grown apart
I’ll be loving you forever