PHOTO PROMPT © Jan Wayne Fields
My Sister’s Husband
I watched their meticulous attempts at reconciliation, knowing at the same time they would fail. As what they had crumbled under the weight of dense, irreducible icons of betrayal and unforgiveness, each turned in click-heel, simultaneous conclusion and walked in opposite directions.
I stood nearby, in love with him forever, warm-hearted; ready, waiting to become more to him than a part of the scenery.
The End.
Rochelle is the gracious host of Friday Fictioneers.
You may wonder what my story has to do with the photo. I looked at it and made a list of every object then made a list of the symbolism of each object.
Tao Talk 
Good one Li.
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Thank you, Sadje!
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A pleasure!
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A complicated family situation for sure!
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Nice use of the prompt. I hope she does come out of the background…
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Thank you, Trent, even though it would make things more complicated, I hope she does also.
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Nice story Li! You weave a good tale! <3
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Thank you, Carol Anne :)
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Yikes – what a situation. How will her sister ever be able to forgive her? Thought provoking take on the photo prompt.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thank you for reading and commenting, Susan. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.
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I’m sure this happens more often than we might expect. (K)
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Wow! Talk about complicated and so very human … Like others in the comments, I hope she finds a way out or her shadows into light and hopefully into happiness, wherever and whomever she can find it with. I do often wonder, in situations like this, about the elusive power of ‘forbidden promise’ that keeps some form of mirage and honeymoon naivete over the love of the one who is pining for the person they cannot have.
In her case? Who knows …
Well done, you!
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Na’ama I really appreciate your comments on the story. Any time it involves two (or more) humans it is going to be messy every which way. I often wonder why it has to be that way… Thank you.
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My pleasure to comment!
As for human beings – we’re communicative, complex, social animals. I can’t speak for how complex actual life might be for other intelligent mammals, but when it comes for humans, we sure make the most of the social complexity aspect … ;)
As for messy … I don’t mind messy (most of the time), for it also allows for the and/and of joy and tenderness, compassion and curiosity, anger and love, intimacy and vulnerability, and so many more, to arrive in their myriad salad combinations …
We’re super interesting, we humans are. What on earth would we tell stories about, otherwise … ;)
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Na’ama I love your comments. You made me think about how mixed media does everything in its power to generate fear and anxiety in the population, while at the same time offering “chemical fixes” for them. We have got to get out of the mindset of avoiding discomfort at all costs. Like you said, messy allows for the full range of emotions in a human experience. Thanks again :)
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:) Yay!
And … yes, the media is both an informer and a distorter, whether it does the latter deliberately or due to the human bias of those who report and the human bias of those who listen/watch/read the reports … People have always been most driven by high emotions, be it compassion/connection/curiosity/empathy or hate/fear/xenophobia/greed/jealousy. It is up to us to recognize what drives us at any given moment, and whether we respond from our baser-selves or higher-selves, to the best of our ability …
Discomfort is part of living and part of growth and is almost always part of healing. Kind of just part of the human experience, eh?
:)
Na’ama
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:)
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:)
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Wow, that was some take. Lateral, and intense. Hope she can have her ‘happily ever after’ without crushing her sister’s happiness (whatever is left of it).
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Thank you for reading and your thoughtful comment, Anurag, same here.
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Dear Lisa,
Love your use of the prompt. Quite the triangle going on there. Hopefully her brother-in-law has the same feelings for her. I don’t foresee her having much of a relationship with her sister. Good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, I echo your sentiments and glad you enjoyed the story.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Family dynamics can be very difficult, especially when the heart rules the head. An excellent and refreshingly different use of the prompt
My story – Gail’s Gazebo!
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Thank you so much for reading and commenting, Keith. Yes they can, especially in a situation like this.
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A good story and well written, Jade. That would lead to a situation I wouldn’t want to be in for anything. Her sister might never speak to her again. Then the other family members would probably take sides. It would be a real mess. It makes a good story though. :) — Suzanne
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Yes, mess makes for good fiction. At this point she is background shadow, and things work out the way that’s best for all, which may be impossible…
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What a fantastic take on the prompt, Lisa.
To be on the sidelines, waiting, hoping… And at the same time wondering, are you wasting your time?
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Yes, Dale, for sure. Thank you very much for reading and commenting.
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great use of metaphor to tell a story. well done.
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Thank you, Plaridel :)
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Very clever, but I think it’s out of the BBQ into the fire.
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LOL! Great comment, Di, and I agree, even though part of me wishes for her happiness. But the husband is on the rebound and not ready for any new relationship for quite awhile. If she takes it slow, there might be a chance…
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I’m thinking how the sister would react…. could be hostility all round, or acceptance if they bide their time. Maybe he doesn’t know though……..
Loads of possibilities!
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This could make for an awkward family Christmas :-)
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Uh-huh.
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Oh wow, that can be a complicated situation!
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Very. So many ways it could go. From the sounds of it he doesn’t even know she exists right now. Maybe it will stay that way…
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Complex situation. And very believable.
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Thank you, Sandra.
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A powerful piece, that will speech to many
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Thanks Mike!
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Ah… We went to the same place… almost. I hope it plays out better for your lead than mine.
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Thanks for reading and commenting. Me too.
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You wanted to be with someone, whom your sister could not reconcile with! What did your sister say? A crumbled relationship is an interesting analogy to an uprooted tent.
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It’s a fictional story, but I would imagine the sister would say you don’t know what he’s really like, don’t put yourself through that hell like I did. Thank you for the comment about the tent. Actually the grill is what sparked the story, as I saw her as that grill watching the tent collapse.
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I hope he “sees” her now and her admiration is not just a fantasy. Her relationship with her sister will probably be irrevocably damaged. Great writing!
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Thank you for the thoughtful comments, Brenda.
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Oh, well done. The description of the failure of their marriage was nicely done
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Thank you, Laurie.
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Boy, I sure hope she does get the chance to get closer! This really could happen! Nicely written!
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Nan, thank you for reading and for your comment. You never know….
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I can feel the sibling’s pain and emotions come through very well. Very well portrayed.
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Thank you, Lisa, glad you enjoyed it.
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Intriguing story – makes me wonder what is happening before and after the scene you describe.
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Thank you for reading and your comment.
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it’s good that she’s not the cause of the breakup. It’s amazing to love someone that much and be able and willing to wait.
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Thank you Linda for your comment and appreciate your perspective on the story.
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