Arrgh! I forgot to link my story again! Clearly, I have an issue with this…
After more than a year of participating in Friday Fictioneers, without missing a single entry, I got lost in paradise and was unable to participate these past two weeks. Doug, it killed me to miss yours– that photo was gorgeous! I still have stories for it, twirling in my head. Fiji was just too magical, too dreamy, to do anything but be there and enjoy it. But oh how I’ve missed you all, and the wonderful stories you tell! This week, the story came to me in ten minutes. I’ll probably regret not spending more time, but it’s good to be back. Thanks to EF for gently pushing me to keep working on what’s important and real– and just below the surface.
For anyone new, Friday Fictioneers is a weekly flash fiction challenge, led by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields, who just celebrated her second anniversary as our ever-dedicated leader. Write a 100-word story (or less) in response to a photo– provided this week by Melanie Greenwood. Stories should have a beginning, middle and end. Check out further details, join in, or simply read the other stories, on Rochelle’s blog, Addicted to Purple.
As always, I welcome honest, thoughtful feedback; please leave a comment and tell me what you think.
© Melanie Greenwood
Rapprochement (94 words)
As he pulled his chair closer to hers, Jared tried to focus.
“So… What you’re saying is, you’re willing to work on this?” He watched her eyes, as she stared at something intangible to his right. “You’re willing to give this another try?”
Anna held her breath, afraid to speak. They’d both made mistakes; she was willing to move past his. After so many angry words, so many sleepless nights and tears, she wasn’t sure of anything, except–
“I still love you–”
Jared took her hand and said a silent prayer of thanks.
* * *
Make me smile; and HELP ME REACH MY GOAL: I’d love to see the Tales From the Motherland Facebook page reach 500 likes in 2014. Have you stopped by to spread some fairy dust? Follow me on Twitter, it’s where I’m forced to be brief. Most importantly, if you like a post I’ve written, hit Like and leave a comment. I love to hear what readers think. Click Follow; you’ll get each new post delivered by email, with no spam. If you see ads on this page, please let me know. They shouldn’t be there. © 2014 Please note, that all content and images on this site are copyrighted to Dawn Quyle Landau and Tales From the Motherland, unless specifically noted otherwise. If you want to share my work, please give proper credit. Plagiarism sucks.
TALES FROM THE MOTHERLAND 
Love this. It’s so hopeful.
Fiji? Damn, girl! Hopefully you’ll write about that!
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Thanks so much Samara. Right now, I guess I’m feeling… hopeful. 😉 I’ve already written one post about Fiji and there are 2 more coming. Stay tuned, and as always, thanks for taking the time to read and comment.
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Reblogged this on ugiridharaprasad.
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Pingback: Friday Fictioneers: Rapprochement | ugiridharaprasad
Beautiful story, Dawn. Welcome back! I’m glad to be reading your stories once again. (Feel free to retread those you missed any time. You’ll have readers. 🙂 )
All my best,
Marie Gail
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Thanks so much Marie Gail. I really appreciate that! I’ve been so tempted to go back and write something for Doug’s photo– it really was wonderful! But then there are so many other posts I really want/need to write now, and I hate to put too much up at once. I have a very special post that I’m putting up tomorrow, on the plight of African refugees in Israel– something my daughter is working for.
I’ve really missed my FF posse, and thanks so much for encouraging me.
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Short, sweet and fun!
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Thanks! You’re the best. xo
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Beautiful, Dawn. Love and forgiveness in a few short words. You do this so well. And I agree with Marie Gail. I’d love to read your story surrounding Doug’s photo. Just sayin’
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Thanks so much Cathy. It’s REALLY good to be back to writing. I missed it so much! That said, oh the underwater world in Fiji; that too was pretty damned wonderful!
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Dawn, Nothing wrong with taking a week or two off. I did when my daughter was coming to visit. I’m looking forward to your posts on Fiji and the other about the African refugees in Israel. This story was a great love story with a happy ending. 🙂 — Susan
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Thanks so much Suzanne! I really appreciate all the warm support. It’s good to be back!
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Missed your stories, but I am glad you enjoyed your vacation. This story is both sad and hopeful, second chances sometimes turn into third, fourth…But there is always hope.
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Indeed… several story lines ran through my head, AFTER I write this. It could go so many directions, but I felt hopeful when I wrote this. Still, I’ve certainly seen enough marriages break up, to know it doesn’t always work. Thanks for the feedback. 😀
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I did not expect to find any of your FF posts during your Fiji vacation. What a wonderful getaway for you! And now you are back. Yay!
I imagine you have dozens of stories locked in your imagination, and these FF vignettes are released when an image triggers them. Like all of your FF posts, you let your words paint the picture that triggers my imagination to fill in the story before and after the brief glimpse you have provided. I couldn’t do it without you.
If all goes according to plan, Florence and I will be moving to Bellingham by the end of November. I hope to see you one of these days. – Mike
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OH MY! Moving to the Ham?? I’m so excited! Why? What caused this abrupt change? I thought you guys were very happy in your new home? Talk about a flood of questions! Yes, of course, we will have lots of time to catch up in person! How fun– when blog friendships take off and we get to connect in the “real world.”
As for your feedback, Mike, thank you, thank you! You are so generous and kind in your comments. It’s much appreciated!
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Florence wrote a post about why Olympia did not hold its appeal for us. If you are interested, here is the link – http://wp.me/p42kVd-qO. There is more to the story, of course. Did you know Bellingham ranks as one of the top cities in the U.S. in which to retire? That suits us both. Plus, I will be able to spend more time with my grandsons. – Mike
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Actually, we read that long before we moved here… top 15 places to retire. We decided to get a jump on that. 😉 I’ll check out Florence’s post. Personally I loved Olympia, but then I think Bellingham is spectacular!
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Dear Dawn,
Second sentence, “your willing” should be “you’re”.
With that out of the way I’ll say that you’ve written it all, beginning, middle, end and back story in 94 words. And the title is perfect.
Glad you have you back. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much Rochelle! I’m embarrassed that I missed that…. not ideal to do it in ten minutes. 😉 But thanks for the positive feedback; makes me smile!
It’s goood to be back!
xo D
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No biggie, Dawn. Of all the mistakes I make in writing, this one tops the list. One time Doug nailed me on it. However I read his comment on my phone when I got to work. I couldn’t correct it and stewed over it all day long. 😉
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Such hope! How often have we wished for this very answer knowing that there’s still work to be done.
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For sure! It’s fiction, right? 😉
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Welcome back Dawn. I hope you had an amazing time! And a very lovely story to start back with – nice to have some FF cheer.
Claire
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Thanks Claire. I did have an amazing time. I’m glad you enjoyed my story. 🙂
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I wondered what had happened to you. Nice to have you back, and picking up the threads with a love story.
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Thanks Sandra… I guess all that romantic beach time rubbed off. 😉
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Sometimes in our life we all need to say a silent prayer of thanks and acceptance.
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Indeed! Thanks for stopping by Subroto.
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What a tough situation. Sometimes you just have to forgive.
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It’s not always possible, but I think many of us don’t do it enough. Thanks for taking the time, Carrie; it’s much appreciated.
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I like your Anna. She’s saying the right words. I promise I didn’t read your story before writing mine, but I think we’ve got a parallel universe thing happening.
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Welcome to TFTM, Anna and thanks for taking the time to read and comment. I’ll check out yours– the parallel universe happens a lot around here! 😉 I never read any stories before I write mine, but I often forget to link mine up!
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Dear Dawn, WELCOME HOME! We missed you and your writing! Wow, Fiji? You lucky people that get to travel the world, I love to hear about your adventures! Great story and romantic. I hope they get everything worked out. Nan 🙂
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THANKS SO MUCH, Nan! It’s so good to be back. As always, I appreciate your kind feedback. 😀
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Hopefully, love will see them through. Life is all about second chances. I’ve been admiring your photos from Fiji! Hey, you have the best excuse of all to take a break. Look, it’s all still here when you got back! I hope you had a great trip! And no injuries.
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No injuries, GREAT time, and yes, it’s good to be back, Amy; thanks! I agree, second chances are too few and far between, and so important. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.
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Lovely story of hope and romance. Ahhh 🙂
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Thanks, Dawn; your feedback is much appreciated. 😉
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A romantic story makes a lovely change from some ot the others! Strangelt, I also used the name Jared in a story this week!
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Thanks! I haven’t gotten to read as many as usual– terrible cold, jet lagged and trying to catch up from being away for 2+ weeks. I’ll check out your Jared, and thanks so much for checking out mine. 😉
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I was expecting a twist at the end, Dawn. Like maybe she would try liver & onions one more time–just for Jared. Now, that’s true love. 🙂
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Oh true, true, Russell, the things we do for love… liver and onions and all. 😉 (ok, maybe not liver and onions)
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