FF – Endings
Here is my story for Friday Fictioneers, hosted by Rochelle. This week’s photo was contributed by C.E. Ayr.
Copyright C.E. Ayr
“That’s weird.”
“What?”
“We burned everything. All our relationship stuff. Except that picture. That picture didn’t burn.”
“Okay…”
“It’s Paris. Where we met.”
“I know.”
“Why didn’t it burn? Maybe it’s a sign.”
“A sign.”
“That we should stay together. Maybe someone’s trying to tell us something.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Maybe we could… try again?”
“No. We’re past all that. It’s over.”
“So… so. Right. Who gets the Paris picture? Do you want it?”
“No. You take it. You were always more into… Paris… than I was.”
Categories: Fiction
flash fiction, Friday Fictioneers
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draliman on life 
No hope there! Good dialogue, though.
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Yep, he needs to accept it’s over. I’m glad you like the dialogue!
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Burning everything seems rather extreme. 😀 Sounds like it’s over!
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I’m thinking she’s having trouble getting the point across 🙂
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A fool to try and cling onto this last bit of hope in their relationship!
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Especially after they’ve burned everything – time to face facts!
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Typical man!!!!
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I know, right?!
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I think it’s sad when one half of a couple wants to keep trying to make it work whilst the other doesn’t want to know. Very believable story.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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It is sad. Been there, done that! I’m glad you found it believable 🙂
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I liked the fruitless speculation about it being a sign
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Thanks, he’s clutching at fruitless straws at this point.
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Those lopsided aspects of failed relationships always hurt, no matter which side of the equation you’re on. I believe it is a sign, it’s just one is ignoring it.
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Yes, no-one comes out a winner when things just fade away. I’m glad you liked it!
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That’s a great last line. There’s always one person in any relationship who’s more into “Paris” than the other.
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Thanks, I worked a bit to get that line to come out how I heard her in my head. It is often the case that one is more into it than the other.
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i can’t blame him for trying. she looks like she’s worth it. 🙂
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He had to try, fruitless though it turned out to be.
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Great post based on the photo, Ali, but an unusual one for you. 🙂
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Thanks! Yes, no comic mayhem this week 🙂
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Cute! Haha. Why do I find it refreshing to read about love and heartbreak from you?
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Because it hardly ever happens 🙂
I’m glad you liked it!
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That was quite poignant really. Still that little glimmer of hope… but so easily dashed.
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Yes, I feel he was clutching at straws at the end.
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“into Paris”… my filthy mind took that one to a smutty place.
Good smooth writing.
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Ha ha 🙂
Thanks!
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My thoughts too, Tannille!
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Haha Great minds think a like 🤣
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Taking a page from Weird Al’s playbook, to properly end a relationship you should burn down everything that reminds you of it. Better get a bunch of matches and head to Paris…
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On my way! No, I’ll have to wait until the lockdown ends. Darn.
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Dear Ali,
This a bit of a switch for you. No aliens. No world invasions. Just a simple and rather touching conversation and a relationship that’s sadly at its end. Nicely done, sir.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I’m glad you liked my attempt at something different. I can’t do a comedy apocalypse every week 🙂
Ali
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Pah!
Any woman who isn’t into Paris isn’t worth hanging onto!
Good one, Ali
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True dat 🙂 I’m glad you liked it!
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The italics for Paris made me think it is the name of a person…
Out of the box for you, Ali! And ya done good… I really enjoyed this.
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Or maybe “this relationship”.
Yes, thought I’d mix it up a bit for a change. I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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Sort of throwing the trash out with the trash. There was a good try to repair the relationship, but the final lined sealed its end.
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Clutching at straws a little bit, but he had to try.
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It’s good to call it quits when the time comes. Kind of sad though ~ one wanting to try again, the other not. Well done.
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It’s always saddest when it’s not mutual. I’m glad you liked it!
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Oh those signs we hang on to. Truth is we see the signs we want to see, and it seems his partner knew that. Good dialogue!
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The human mind is great at seeing only what it wants to see, or expects to see. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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This relationship is finished and he needs to understand, not see signs where there are none. Nice vignette of a conversation in the ashes of a relationship.
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He’s grasping at anything, fortunately she’s not listening. I glad you liked it!
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It’s over, but there are still tears to be shed, I fear. I’m glad you stepped out of your usual genre, Ali. This was a satisfying read.
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Tears on both sides, I’m sure. I’m glad you liked it!
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I don’t know Draliman, but it seems that there’s a Paris involved, isn’t it? 😸Clean Pawkisses for a Happy Furriday. Stay Safe Healthy and Yourselfie🙏🐾😽💞
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There’s always a Paris involved, Binky! You all stay safe too 🙂
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A sad mis-match between the couple’s hopes, I feel for both of them.
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Me too, it’s never easy when the final decision has to be made.
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It’s sad for the Paris person, but hopefully they can pick up the brokenness and move forward. Partings are always traumatic. Nicely written, Ali. Take care!
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I’m sure they’ll both recover in time. I’m glad you liked it, and you take care too 🙂
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How they ever managed a romance, however short-lived, will probably be a question in their minds for a long time. Great dialogue here 🙂
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It does sound that she was never as into the whole thing as him. I’m glad you liked it 🙂
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Good job of showing the distance between them. He just doesn’t get it, she’s already gone in her mind.
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That’s a great way of putting it, I’m glad you liked it!
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Great dialogue – totally believable.
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Thanks, I’m glad you liked it! Many of us have been there on one side or the other, I’m sure.
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Many times, my doctor has said, autobiographical writings can truly help cleanse the soul. (I agree, there were no aliens, but there is something of the supernatural going on here?) Enjoyed!
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Sadly nothing supernatural, just a regular breakup 😦
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I had to return write once more- I knew I had heard of a “Paris”… He was a Marvel superhero- member of the Pantheon. Like all superheros, he had a superpower. Give up this girl… you will never compete. PARIS had the superpower of being a great listener. (I’m still way to caveman-like to want this superpower.)
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“Great listener” – no wonder he’s not had his own film. I couldn’t even find any mention of him on Google, just pages of Marvel at Disneyland Paris. The forgotten superhero…
Possibly if I switch to a foreign site like google.com it’ll have less emphasis on Paris the city and I’ll have more luck.
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One day he will probably thank her for letting him go. A sad but funny story, nice one.
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I expect he will, in time. I’m glad you liked it!
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I think that picture needs a new date with the fireplace, furnace, etc. That special friendship is deader than a doornail. That is good dialogue, Ali. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Yes, RIP both picture and relationship.
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They need an outsider to suggest cutring the picture in half. If one of them freaks out and pleads for the picture to stay intact, then… never mind.
A sad tale.
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Sounds like some sort of out-of-the-box couples counselling.
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