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. 


77 comments:

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

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

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

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

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

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  4. Oh, that's so emotionally charged.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  10. Thought provoking - I really liked this!!

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    1. Thanks for the comment, Jennifer - appreciate it.

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

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

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

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  14. Replies
    1. Thank you, Sascha - appreciate your comment! :)

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

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

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

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

    Piyali (WordPress)

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

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

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    1. Only time will tell. Thanks for commenting, Alistair.

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    1. Thank you, Violet - appreciate your comment. :)

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

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    1. Sometimes things need to get taken to the wire.

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  21. 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. 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. :)

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

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  23. 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. Yes, it was high time he stopped messing around.

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

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

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

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  27. Yeah. High time he makes amends. Nice take!

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

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    2. 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.

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

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    1. Thank you, Laurie - appreciate your feedback.

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

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

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    1. Thanks for the feedback, Anshu - appreciate it.

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  31. 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

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

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

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

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

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  35. 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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    1. Thanks for the feedback, Magarisa - appreciate it!

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

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

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  37. If only duct tape could fix a broken heart.

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

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

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

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

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

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Many thanks for commenting. I appreciate your feedback.