The other side of the coin. I should add that this is related to/an alternate view of Hanging by a Thread.
This flash fiction was written for Friday Fictioneers. Thank you to Rochelle!
PHOTO PROMPT© Sandra Crook
Hanging by a Thread II
Last night I didn’t sleep. This should be the happiest day of my life, so why was I nauseated? Ha, it’s not what you think.
I watched her enter the church. I recognized something in her face—pain. I saw its equal in Joe’s sometimes too.
“Can you get Joe back here?” I asked my sister.
“Now? It’s bad—”
“Yes, please.”
Cute, funny Joe. His brow furrowed when he saw me. “Are you okay?”
“No. Are you still in love with her?”
His evasive glance answered. “I’m sorry. You deserve more.”
I did. “I deserve someone who loves me.”
end
Sascha Darlington
This is the bride’s perspective? Hmmm. Sad. But still not liking the groom. Why is he marrying the bride if he loves someone else–and knows he loves someone else? (Kind of reminds me of Rachel and Ross from “Friends” when he married that British chirpy, Emily, and spoke Rachel’s name during his vows.) But, this certainly gets the emotions fired-up. 🙂
It may be that the groom is wishy-washy and doesn’t want to hurt anyone but then isn’t be true to himself.
I like the double viewpoint
Thanks, Neil! 🙂
Dear Sascha,
This clarifies the other story. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you, Rochelle! 🙂
Beautifully done, Sascha. I liked it.
Thank you, Sandra! 🙂
Ah yes….interesting point of view. I want to see them all five years from now and see how this rickety arrangement is going.
That would be interesting! Thanks, Anne!
I’m glad the bride gave him the chance to be honest. I’m assuming he would have gone ahead with the wedding because he didn’t want to hurt her. It would have hurt her more, in time, to realize their relationship was built on sand.
Yes, I agree with you, Linda. I think she knew he didn’t love her and probably that he wouldn’t intend to hurt her. Thanks for reading both! 🙂
Very beautiful write. The characterization is spot-on and well thought out. Great job.
Thank you, Lisa! 🙂
Better late than never?
I like the bride even more now. The groom and the other woman certainly have reasons of their own. This is a great romance story in the making. 🙂
Thanks! It’s funny because in the first story it would be easy to make the bride out to be the bad guy. In the second, she can become human to us. I find it fun to work with different perspectives.
More honesty needed all round here! I Wonder if people do actual do this – wait till the wedding day to sort out their feelings? It would make for an unforgettable day for all concerned! Great take on the prompt Sascha
Interesting question, Lynn. I wonder if second thoughts when faced with actually walking down the aisle are more prevalent or if those second thoughts would have come sooner. Maybe it’s also less likely to happen these days when couples don’t think twice about getting divorced a month after a wedding.
Thanks. 🙂
Ha! Good point about the ease of divorce. I know of several couples who’ve had huge, lavish weddings only to be divorced within a year or so. Makes you wonder if they would have backed out before if they’d had the courage. My pleasure
I really enjoyed seeing the other side. Well done, Sascha!
Thank you, Dale! 🙂