I see through your lies, that gilded façade you show to the world. You wish to conceal the emptiness you feel by your cheerful smile and plans for joyful times when your lover returns.
Being the object of pity would be more than you could bear, so you convince yourself of his undying love; that he did not wed the heiress he met in Saint-Tropez.
What will it take to mend your broken heart and shattered dreams? Gaze through the splintered wound and there will be me, waiting here for you to see.
*
I wrote this very short piece of flash fiction in response to the photo below that my daughter Louise had taken at the meadow she visits and photographs throughout the year. It may seem a strange story from a picture of an old bench, but it was the idea of it being broken/damaged that made me think, and I could see how the idea could well apply to a person – human emotions being what they are.
Featured Image: Photo by Ismael Sanchez from Pexels
Millie Thom 
Only a few words but packed with emotion. Interesting how a few words can tell a whole story!
Thank you, Ineke. I like to write a few very short pieces now and then and it was good to find a prompt that actually inspired me! I’ve only recently started writing my next book, so time is limited, unfortunately.
Also good to hear about the next book. Are you just researching or already writing it?
I have started writing it, Ineke, but I’m spending so much time on my blog and Twitter lately, that it’s slow going at the moment. It’s another historical fiction, but nothing to do with Vikings or King Alfred this time. It’s set in early 17th century England a few years before the Civil War of 1642-49. I’ve been fascinated with this period, and the events going on at this time, since I was teaching it some years ago. I really need to buckle down and get stuck in, but having only recently come back to my blog, I don’t want to go awol again! I’m afraid that if I joined in some of the writing challenges, my book would just get shelved for a while. I hope you are still writing, too, though I know you have several creative interests. Not to mention, you have your lovely little grandchildren to keep you busy. Keep safe and well, my friend.
Good to hear about you coming back to your blog but also about the book. I’m still writing my daily life for my writing group. During lock down I did a twenty one day Children’s picture book course. Enjoyed it so much that I’m writing children’s stories for age 3-5 because they don’t need all the difficult words and sentences as in adult writing. Eng is still hard to use. I want to write in Afrikaans now. Keep well and we’ll chat again.
Nicely done, Millie. Thanks for sharing.
Many thanks, Jill. It was an interesting photo and I suppose I could find a few different stories from it. I wrote this one earlier this year and I thought it was time to post it.
The broken bench is striking — evocative — and holds a world of stories. That is perhaps the reason why picture prompts can be so inspiring. Having said that, it needs a good eye to find one that speaks to you. Clearly, this photo did it for you. Short and on point, this is flash fiction at its best. Thanks, Millie
I’m glad you like the photo, too, Hanne, and I’m positive that you could write at least one story from it. I really enjoyed the challenge I set myself to write one in under one hundred words, although I may well write a longer story from this same photo soon – if i find the time!
I do, and I might use it if that’s all right. I don’t think I’ve written anything under a hundred words yet, but it is a challenge I might take up some time. And that brings us to the constant issue in a writer’s life — finding the time.
I’ll look forward to reading your story, Hanne, if you decide to write one. But beware, writing flash fiction is totally addictive – the reason why the third book in my Sons of Kings series took far too long to be written. I know that if I join in with a flash fiction challenge again, my new book will take years to finish. Lol. There just aren’t enough hours in the day for all the things writers need to do. But it’s all fun, isn’t it?
Millie, I am aware of the danger of being addicted to Flash Fiction writing. Time must be stretched to its limits, don’t you think? I used to post stories on Scribblers FreeForums, but sadly, it seems to have gone to sleep. That’s why I’m seeking new challenges. Oh, and writing is always fun.
An evocative story alongside a lovely picture. For some reason I quite like photos of benches, buildings etc in a state of disrepair and abandoned.
Thank you for the nice comment, Draliman. Lou’s photo made a good prompt. I agree, ruined buildings like castles, old mills – or whatever – are so much more interesting and atmospheric than those in a pristine state. They leave so much to the imagination, not to mention that they’re great for photographers.
Emotional wounds do seem to weep at the strangest remembrances.
I like your style! If you’d ever consider submitting some of your work for publication, Dixie State University has an online literary journal and is currently open for submissions. You can check us out at R7Review.com. The deadline to submit this year is November 6th.
https://r7review.submittable.com/submit
We also accept photography, audio recordings, visual art, book reviews, fiction, multimedia, nonfiction, etc.
I’m happy to answer questions if you have any, but the Submittable page has the details.
Thank you, Rachel. I’ll look into this. I have several flash fiction pieces that haven’t even been published on my blog yet. I mention that because many publishing sites don’t accept material that has been published elsewhere, even on blogs. I imagine the submission guidelines will clarify that.