Friday Fictioneers is a weekly Flash Fiction challenge that features writers from all over the world. Use the photo prompt to write a 100-word story and join this group of Kool Kats, led by our talented and generous leader Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. Check out her blog Addicted Purple, to read more stories, learn more, or join in. The photo this week was sent in by Dee Lovering. I always appreciate honest, constructive feedback. Tell me what you think; please leave a comment.
Dance With Me In Barcelona
Dreamy guitar drifts across the square. You take my hand and pull me to my feet. I ignore the bystanders; they don’t understand. We have always danced without concern for who might judge– in the market, our favorite restaurant, and here in our city.
Twenty years of marriage: four wonderful kids, all grown now, and so many memories. This place, where we spent our honeymoon, is the perfect place to dance.
I ignore those who stare. With hearts forever heavy, we buried you six months ago. Today I will dance with you one last time, my love; let them stare.
(100 words)
* * *
Make me smile; HELP ME REACH MY GOAL: I’d love to see the Tales From the Motherland Facebook page reach 700 likes in 2015. Have you stopped by to spread some fairy dust? Follow me on Twitter, it’s where I’mforced 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. Honest, positive or constructive feedback is always welcome. 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. ©2015 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.
Damn… that hurt. I seriously wasn’t expecting that last paragraph. Really well done – emotive stuff.
KT
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks KT! I”m getting back to fiction here; glad you liked it! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful and heartbreaking, Dawn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll take that feedback and run with it; thanks Carrie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Unexpected ending, nice. Viva Bar-the-lona!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh how I love to say Barthelona! 😉 Thanks for taking the time, Susan. xox
LikeLike
Sadness naturally accompanies death. However, I experienced the joy of the dance in your story. I don’t know if that was meant to be the focus of this piece, but that is how it came out for me. Perhaps in part it is because the memories of Barcelona are still so fresh in my memory, and it is a joyful, almost magical place. In any case, your descriptions are illustrative, and the ending was an unexpected surprise. – Mike
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did want the dance to be joyful, and sweet… loss is that way. There is the beauty in the memories, and then the acceptance of loss. Thanks for your feedback, Mike; it is always appreciated!
LikeLike
This was lovely–one of my favorite and a perfect example of what flash fiction is supposed to be. Not to mention that the love story/dance happens in one of my favorite cities. Don’t you just love Barcelona?
Sorry I haven’t been around in awhile. Got way to many plates spinning in the air. Glad to see you’re still here and doing well. Cheers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Eleanor! I appreciate you stopping by when you can. I’m glad you liked this one… though I have to admit: I haven’t been to Barcelona… yet. 😉
LikeLike
You MUST go. You will fall in love with it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful.
LikeLike
Thanks so much, Louise.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Love as though you’ve never been hurt; dance as though no one is looking.”
Lovely writing Dawn.
LikeLike
Thanks Mick. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
LikeLike
Great twist at the end, Dawn. I could feel the emotion. You gave it just enough backstory for us to understand. Well done as always. — Suzanne
LikeLike
Thanks Suzanne. Back in the saddle this week. 😉
LikeLike
A balanced mix of sadness and joy. Well done.
LikeLike
Thanks Sandra… that’s life, right? Hope your travels are going smoothly?
LikeLike
So how did you know that the photo is from Barcelona if you haven’t been there, Dawn? Because it is Barcelona. The last time we were there, we stayed very close to where this photo was taken. Great story.
LikeLike
I saw it when I hovered over it, in the original email. I originally thought of Italy… then changed mandolin to guitar. 😉 Alas, it’s on my Bucket List! Thanks Cathy.
LikeLike
A well done story on grief and celebrating love.
LikeLike
Thanks so much.
LikeLike
And there you go again; setting such a lovely scene, sucking me right in. And then wham! Right in the solar plexus. Painfully beautiful.
LikeLike
Thanks Susan. I’m not actually a big one for twists, but sometimes it just works that way. This story came to me complete… I just had to type it out. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ouch! So many feelings wrapped up in this story. Well done, my dear.
LikeLike
Thanks Alicia; much appreciated!
LikeLike
i got mixed emotions reading this. heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time.
LikeLike
Good, then I did my job, Plaridel. Thanks! 😉
LikeLike
Beautifully written, Dawn. I can just see her swirling, eyes closed, dancing with the memory of her lover.
LikeLike
Love that you can visualize it, Russell. Thanks for taking the time.
LikeLike
Beautiful, Dawn. Dancing with the memories she will hold in her heart forever. Nicely done!
LikeLike
Thanks Amy. Yes, sometimes we are left doing that. As you know, memories can be so powerful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Dawn, Beautiful dance with words. Lovely order! Very moving and she will remember this dance forever! Nan
LikeLike
Thanks Nan. I’m sure she will. 🙂
LikeLike
I liked it, too.
Randy
LikeLike
Well thank you… too, Randy. 😉
LikeLike
I’m smiling with a little ache in my heart. I think that the ones who leave us would want us to carry on, as your character clearly did.
Tracey
LikeLike
Thanks Tracey. I think that in most cases, that is absolutely true. WE owe it to those we love to live fully.
LikeLike
What a bittersweet feeling at the end… I think dancing is the only way to cope in the end,
LikeLike
Music is my medicine, my comfort, my muse… and dancing, goes hand in hand with music. 😉
LikeLike
You may be interested in this if you know it not ( I’d tend to think you do ) :
Sting singing Cueca Solo about the Chilean artillerists that protested their
abducted and often killed husbands by the Pinochet dictator by dancing …
alone.
Great one, Tay.
LikeLike
Thanks Taygibay… a gorgeous song, that I’ve loved for many, many years. It was a great anthem against the oppression of the of Pinochet dictatorship… Welcome to Tales From the Motherland. I appreciate you stopping to read and comment.
LikeLike
You did your job with me too, I went right from smiling to swallowing hard. Very beatifully written.
LikeLike
Thanks so much. I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment.
LikeLike
Dear Dawn,
My Spanish teacher in college was from Barthelona. it drove her nuts that I’d picked up and Argentinian accent from a high school foreign exchange student. I know it has nothing to do with your beautifully touching story but I had to throw it in for fun.
As a dancer, the last thing I would want in the event of my death is for my loved ones to stop dancing. Poignant and heartbreaking with an undercurrent of joy for a life well lived.
Shalom.
Rochelle
LikeLike
Thanks Rochelle! I agree, I would want those I love to dance… and sing. 😉
I had a Spanish teacher from Ethpania, and Barthelona… so, I have always loved the “th.” Shabbat shalom!
LikeLike
Home. Run. Period.
LikeLike
Thanks. So. Much! xo
LikeLike
It’s my week to be running behind schedule, Dawn, but I’m so glad I stopped by for a read. Stunning story, so well told. Kudos.
All my best,
Marie Gail
LikeLike
Thanks so much MG. I totally understand; you’ve got lots on your plate! I’m just glad you came by. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It hit so close to my heart, having danced 40 years, but now gone for 18 months. I love your way with words , thank you
LikeLike
I’m so very sorry for your loss, Amy. I’m honored that my story touched you. Thanks so much for stopping by Tales From the Motherland; I appreciate you taking the time.
LikeLike
Dawn, I love reading your blogs!
LikeLike
Thanks Pam… love the tech therapy!
LikeLike