Wednesday, 16 January 2019

BROKEN - A 100 word story

When I looked at the photo prompt for this week's Friday Fictioneers, I started thinking about thieves robbing a house. But that was a bit obvious, so my thoughts turned to a different type of robbery.


PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson





BROKEN

She was like a drug, a perilous habit he couldn’t kick. Intoxicated, he succumbed again and again to her allure. He marvelled at her ability to offer a different experience every time. Her changeable moods were addictive, unquenchable. Her unpredictability beguiled him.
But this romance was hazardous. He must stop the affair or risk destruction.
He stared at her. She waited quietly.
'I can't do this any more,' he said.
She sighed.
'My wife knows.'
He touched her cheek and left.
Too many broken hearts. He could no longer keep papering over the cracks. It was time to make amends.




I hope you enjoyed this story and I look forward to your comments. 


If you wish to read more Friday Fictioneers stories, you can find them listed HERE


If you'd like to join in the challenge, you'll find all the information posted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields 

- her blog is listed on 'My Blog List' on the right hand side of this page.


On a final note - I always try to visit the blogs of everyone who comments on mine. If I haven't commented on yours it's either because I haven't been able to find your blog when I've clicked on your name or because you have a wordpress account that requires me to sign in first. 


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77 comments:

  1. Neil MacDonald16 January 2019 at 11:45

    A dangerous romance.

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames16 January 2019 at 13:52

      Yes, and high time he put an end to it. Thanks for commenting, Neil.

      Delete
  2. NEEL ANIL PANICKER16 January 2019 at 15:19

    I love this story. Absolutely wonderful story. Beautifully etched, Susan.

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    1. Susan A Eames16 January 2019 at 15:44

      Thank you for your lovely comments, Neel - greatly appreciated.

      Delete
  3. Dale16 January 2019 at 16:18

    So very well done, Susan. Definitely time to walk away from this destructive relationship.

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    1. Susan A Eames16 January 2019 at 16:39

      People can get themselves into trouble, can't they? Thanks for commenting, Dale.

      Delete
  4. Helen Baggott16 January 2019 at 16:58

    Oh, that's so emotionally charged.

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    1. Susan A Eames16 January 2019 at 18:29

      Thank you - I appreciate the feedback. It's not always easy to see if a story has worked.

      Delete
  5. Trent McDonald16 January 2019 at 17:25

    Nice take on the prompt - I'm sure, just like a drug, both the rush and the danger.

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    1. Susan A Eames16 January 2019 at 18:30

      Thanks, Trent. I'm glad to say this is not autobiographical!

      Delete
  6. Patsy16 January 2019 at 17:30

    Funny how often people only see sense once they've been caught out!

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    1. Susan A Eames16 January 2019 at 18:31

      Yes, I think it happens because they suddenly see what they're about to lose. Thanks for commenting, Patsy.

      Delete
  7. liz young16 January 2019 at 17:52

    Did he only end it when his wife found out, or is his attack of conscience genuine? Nice one, Susan.

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    1. Susan A Eames16 January 2019 at 18:33

      I'd say it was a combination. Once he knew he was hurting his wife, his conscience kicked in.

      Delete
  8. Iain Kelly16 January 2019 at 18:12

    It can never end well, at least this way the hurt is minimised. Nicely done.

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  9. Susan A Eames16 January 2019 at 18:34

    Let's hope so - I'm strongly against the idea of conducting affairs. It's just wrong.

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  10. Jennifer Macaire16 January 2019 at 18:49

    Thought provoking - I really liked this!!

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    1. Susan A Eames16 January 2019 at 19:16

      Thanks for the comment, Jennifer - appreciate it.

      Delete
  11. Linda16 January 2019 at 19:17

    I'm glad he's stopping. One feels for the betrayed wife. You did a great job of helping us feel the addiction that she was to him. And it also left me feeling very sorry for the woman left behind, for some strange reason. I'm not usually sympathetic with women who have affairs with married men.

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    1. Susan A Eames16 January 2019 at 19:22

      Thanks for commenting, Linda. I don't like the idea of betrayal, but wanted to explore the reasons behind why some people do it.

      Delete
  12. Rochelle Wisoff-Fields16 January 2019 at 20:33

    Dear Susan,

    Dangerous and unpredictable can be so enticing. For his sake, I hope it's not to late to mend the broken relationship with his wife. Well written.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames16 January 2019 at 21:46

      Thanks, Rochelle. Time will tell, at least he's taken the right steps.

      Delete
  13. Alicia L Jamtaas16 January 2019 at 23:52

    Marvelous take on the prompt. The feeling of addiction, the fear of the wife finding out, the break. Well done.

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    1. Susan A Eames17 January 2019 at 10:26

      Thank you, Alicia. I was trying to understand why people have affairs - and guessing that it might feel like an addiction.

      Delete
  14. Sascha Darlington17 January 2019 at 05:39

    Beautifully written, Susan!

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    1. Susan A Eames17 January 2019 at 10:27

      Thank you, Sascha - appreciate your comment! :)

      Delete
  15. Abhijit Ray17 January 2019 at 07:33

    Time to make amends and choose. No, duct tape does not fix broken relationships.

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  16. Varadharajan17 January 2019 at 09:43

    A serene, mature end to an inflammable romance. Well done, Susan.

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    1. Susan A Eames17 January 2019 at 10:28

      Thanks, Varadharajan. It's always best to end things gently!

      Delete
  17. going through introspection17 January 2019 at 09:54

    Good, he realised how destructive and hurtful his actions were. Nice story

    Piyali (WordPress)

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    1. Susan A Eames17 January 2019 at 10:29

      Yes, he was wrong to get involved, but right to stop it. Thanks for the comment, Piyali.

      Delete
  18. draliman17 January 2019 at 13:04

    The allure of danger, of getting caught... I wonder if he really got out in time?

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames17 January 2019 at 14:14

      Only time will tell. Thanks for commenting, Alistair.

      Delete
  19. Violet Lentz17 January 2019 at 13:28

    Very well told.

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    1. Susan A Eames17 January 2019 at 14:14

      Thank you, Violet - appreciate your comment. :)

      Delete
  20. Gah Learner17 January 2019 at 13:35

    Great story, but too bad that he only ended it after his wife found out.

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    1. Susan A Eames17 January 2019 at 14:15

      Sometimes things need to get taken to the wire.

      Delete
  21. Keith's Ramblings17 January 2019 at 14:24

    At least if he's not forgiven he has someone to turn back to.

    Click to read my FriFic tale!

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    1. Susan A Eames17 January 2019 at 14:27

      Hmm, but will she now knows that he considers his wife/marriage more important than her? You know what they say about a woman scorned. :)

      Delete
  22. Sandra Crook17 January 2019 at 15:42

    Second thoughts. With a little more consideration the first time...

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  23. The Silver Fox17 January 2019 at 15:49

    There are many more things that are addictive than what we usually think of as such, like drugs, alcohol, gambling, etc. No matter what his mixed feelings were about breaking things off, it seems like it was long past due.

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    1. Susan A Eames17 January 2019 at 16:52

      Yes, it was high time he stopped messing around.

      Delete
  24. Brenda Cox17 January 2019 at 16:46

    I wrote something earlier...I'm not sure where it went (haha). Great piece of storytelling from his addiction to his remorse. Hopefully, it'll stick and he'll return to his wife.

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    1. Susan A Eames17 January 2019 at 16:53

      I think he's learnt his lesson - only time will tell. Thanks for commenting, Brenda. (No idea why your first attempt to comment failed.)

      Delete
  25. plaridel17 January 2019 at 19:47

    i can only hope that it's not too late to make amends.

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  26. Susan A Eames17 January 2019 at 21:39

    He's made the right decision - now he just has to follow through. Thanks for the comment, Plaridel.

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  27. Na'ama Yehuda17 January 2019 at 21:48

    Yeah. High time he makes amends. Nice take!

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames18 January 2019 at 09:36

      Yes, he's finally decided to do the right thing. Thanks for commenting.

      Delete
    2. Susan A Eames18 January 2019 at 17:01

      p.s. And sorry for not commenting on your entertaining story, but your blog requires me to sign into my wordpress account. I don't have a wordpress account! If you change your settings I will happily leave comments on your stories.

      Delete
  28. Laurie17 January 2019 at 23:50

    Susan, this was beautifully done. Such a light touch yet the gravity of the decision hits hard. Well done.

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    1. Susan A Eames18 January 2019 at 09:37

      Thank you, Laurie - appreciate your feedback.

      Delete
  29. Michael Wynn18 January 2019 at 10:21

    He's being very logical and sensible about it all, let's hope he can keep on the straight and narrow, drugs have a horrible way of pulling people back to them

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    1. Susan A Eames18 January 2019 at 12:20

      Time will tell, Michael. Thanks for commenting. :)

      Delete
  30. Anshu Bhojnagarwala19 January 2019 at 05:50

    Glad he could kick out the addiction. Lovely description of his feelings, Susan.

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames19 January 2019 at 09:47

      Thanks for the feedback, Anshu - appreciate it.

      Delete
  31. kalpana solsi19 January 2019 at 08:33

    The addictive romance has to stop. It is indeed time to make amends and sooner the better. very well written.

    https://ideasolsi65.blogspot.com/2019/01/door.html

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Susan A Eames19 January 2019 at 09:48

      If an addiction is hurting the addict or the people around him or her, it has to be stopped. Thanks for commenting, Kalpana.

      Delete
  32. KISLAYA GOPAL20 January 2019 at 05:52

    You have woven a great tale, given the photo prompt!
    I hope he doesn't fall into another such addiction, now that he has ended the first one...habits die hard

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames20 January 2019 at 15:43

      Yes, hopefully he'll learn by his mistake. Thanks for commenting, Kislaya.

      Delete
  33. Subroto20 January 2019 at 13:28

    And then it's the wife's turn to realize that broken glass needs to be discarded.

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  34. amiewrites20 January 2019 at 18:13

    The danger and allure are addicting to so many. But I wonder if the wife will be willing to forgive or if she will walk away.

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    1. Susan A Eames20 January 2019 at 23:03

      I suspect they have already had the discussion, hence why he is giving up his mistress. Thanks for commenting. :)

      Delete
  35. magarisa20 January 2019 at 18:25

    Good for him for walking away from the destructive relationship. Though addicted, part of him is still clear-headed enough to make the best decision for himself and his marriage.
    Well written!

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    Replies
    1. Susan A Eames20 January 2019 at 23:03

      Thanks for the feedback, Magarisa - appreciate it!

      Delete
  36. brudberg20 January 2019 at 20:48

    I wonder if he can repair what he's broken... maybe, maybe not.... but trying he should

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    1. Susan A Eames20 January 2019 at 23:03

      Yes, he won't know unless he tries. Thanks for the comment. :)

      Delete
  37. Fatima Fakier21 January 2019 at 08:29

    If only duct tape could fix a broken heart.

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    1. Susan A Eames21 January 2019 at 09:39

      Sadly, time is the only solution. Thanks for the comment, Fatima.

      Delete
  38. Gardenlover21 January 2019 at 18:01

    I'm sure this plays out daily around the globe. Well done, Susan.
    Rusell Gayer

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  39. Susan A Eames21 January 2019 at 21:40

    Sadly you might be right, Russell - thanks for commenting.

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  40. Lynn Love22 January 2019 at 13:26

    Obsessions are always unhealthy and hurtful for all concerned. He's damaging everyone involved, including his unknowing partner. I wonder, though if he'll be able to stay away ... Nicely told tale, Susan

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    1. Susan A Eames22 January 2019 at 15:02

      Yes, he's got to stay strong and do the right thing. Thanks for commenting, Lynn.

      Delete
  41. Dawn22 January 2019 at 16:33

    The tenderness he displayed by the touch of her cheek made me wish she had kicked him in the balls.
    Sorry...that was just my first reaction. :)

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    1. Susan A Eames22 January 2019 at 16:43

      Ha ha - well she was unpredictable, so maybe she tried to as he left! Or maybe his wife did when he got home!

      Delete

Many thanks for commenting. I appreciate your feedback.

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