Home > Fiction > FF – Yes and No

FF – Yes and No

Here is my story for Friday Fictioneers, hosted by Rochelle. She also provided this week’s photo.

“That little holder for the condiments. I remember when we got that.”

“Yes.”

“We bought it in that little gift shop. On our honeymoon.”

“Yes.”

“What a time we had!”

“Yes.”

“Our kids had some fun out in the garden.”

“Yes.”

“Off at university now, the pair of them.”

“Yes.”

“Studying hard. And partying hard too, I expect!”

“Yes.”

“Aaaah… we had some good times. Great times. Wouldn’t you say?”

“Yes.”

“So… what say we give it another try? The two of us? A fresh start.”

“…”

“…?”

“No.”

  1. October 21, 2020 at 7:21 pm

    Well starting over isn’t for everyone

    Like

  2. October 21, 2020 at 7:22 pm

    Aw.. Too bad. All those yeses sounded so willing. 🙂

    Like

  3. October 21, 2020 at 7:29 pm

    Heh. Monosyllabic replies and still he gets his hopes up!

    Like

  4. October 21, 2020 at 7:29 pm

    That’s not a proper condiment set. Where’s the HP and tomato sauce?

    Like

    • Lyn
      October 22, 2020 at 12:55 am

      A condiment set isn’t complete without Brown Sauce … or vinegar for the chips 😀

      Liked by 2 people

      • October 23, 2020 at 5:56 am

        Malt?? 😕

        Like

        • Lyn
          October 23, 2020 at 9:47 pm

          LOL should I reply “Whiskey?” Malt, white or Balsamic…it depends on your taste. 😀

          Like

          • October 24, 2020 at 1:56 am

            My preference is malt – vinegar. I carry a few little Plastipaks of it in the car, in case I find a place with fries, but no malt…. Vinegar 😉 😳

            Liked by 1 person

    • October 22, 2020 at 1:25 pm

      He didn’t keep it stocked. Now he’s getting dumped.

      Like

  5. bearmkwa
    October 21, 2020 at 7:31 pm

    Ouch! That bit hard. Great write.

    Like

  6. October 21, 2020 at 8:12 pm

    Ha… I think that there was something that went wrong… no way you do it again,

    Like

    • October 22, 2020 at 1:28 pm

      No, that’s just asking for the same sorry result.

      Like

  7. October 21, 2020 at 8:44 pm

    Dear Ali,

    That no might be the most honest response in the conversation. Perhaps deeper communication is in order here.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Like

    • October 22, 2020 at 1:31 pm

      Dear Rochelle,
      The lack of meaningful conversation up to this point may have been the problem, perhaps.
      Ali

      Like

  8. October 21, 2020 at 9:19 pm

    Now that’s laconic and decisive

    Like

  9. October 21, 2020 at 9:27 pm

    There has to be something MAJORLY afoot… Enjoyed.

    Like

  10. October 21, 2020 at 9:31 pm

    I’m glad they were listening carefully to that last question – could’ve have ended in disaster if not paying attention!

    Like

    • October 22, 2020 at 1:40 pm

      Ha, yes! How many parents and partners have been caught out like that, I wonder? 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Lyn
    October 22, 2020 at 12:56 am

    Well that was different for you Ali … almost normal. Excellent take on the photo prompt though. 😀

    Like

    • October 22, 2020 at 1:43 pm

      Thanks! If you like, just after I ran out of words she took that sharp little stick out of the condiment set and…

      Liked by 1 person

  12. October 22, 2020 at 3:34 am

    In those answers, I sense the problem with the marriage. —- Suzanne

    Like

  13. October 22, 2020 at 7:17 am

    lol She certainly didn’t cave to nostalgia!

    Like

    • October 22, 2020 at 1:44 pm

      Been there, done that, time to move on I reckon.

      Like

  14. October 22, 2020 at 9:55 am

    If he purchases another one of those spiffy condiment holders, I’ll bet he can find someone who will say “Yes!”….

    Like

    • October 22, 2020 at 1:44 pm

      Yeah, a real chick magnet, those things…

      Like

  15. October 22, 2020 at 6:59 pm

    The one-sided conversation says it all. It will take more than a new holder for the condiments to get conversation flowing again with these two now that the chicks have flown the nest.

    Like

  16. October 22, 2020 at 7:52 pm

    No! Well yes some times memories are spoilt if you try to relive them.

    Like

  17. October 22, 2020 at 10:30 pm

    All those yesses, with no embellishment or agreement, made me uncomfortable. I wasn’t surprised by the question at the end, or the “no.” Too bad.

    Like

    • October 23, 2020 at 2:47 pm

      No, it sounded like she was just waiting for him to finally come to the point so she could shut him down.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. October 23, 2020 at 6:15 am

    nice try, but she didn’t buy it. some wounds never heal.

    Like

  19. October 23, 2020 at 10:00 am

    You captured the mood beautifully through great dialogue! Such a clever take on the photo prompt.

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

    Like

    • October 23, 2020 at 2:53 pm

      Thanks! I’m glad you liked it 🙂

      Like

  20. October 23, 2020 at 12:13 pm

    All going well until a fall at the last hurdle!

    Here’s mine!

    Like

    • October 23, 2020 at 2:55 pm

      Yeah, he foolishly thought he was onto a winner. Read the room, dude!

      Liked by 1 person

  21. October 23, 2020 at 4:58 pm

    Guess he’s been a “yes” man, long enough…

    Like

    • October 24, 2020 at 4:55 am

      Sometimes you just gotta say “no” 🙂

      Like

  22. October 26, 2020 at 4:21 am

    He should gave asked earlier before he used up all his yeses.

    Like

  23. October 26, 2020 at 8:33 am

    The one-sided dialogue says it all. Excellent!

    Like

  24. October 27, 2020 at 12:41 pm

    Hahaha closed for business. At least she was listening.

    Like

    • October 28, 2020 at 6:11 am

      He was probably hoping she’d lost interest and would blurt a “yes” right at the end 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  25. October 28, 2020 at 1:59 am

    Memories of one doing all of the talking is probably coming back to the other one like a bad case of poison ivy. Great formatting of the dialogue, Ali.

    Like

    • October 28, 2020 at 6:12 am

      Yes, an ongoing communication problem seems to be at the heart of this. I’m glad you liked it!

      Liked by 1 person

  26. October 28, 2020 at 2:56 pm

    Really friendly.

    Like

  27. October 28, 2020 at 2:57 pm

    At least (s)he tried.

    Like

    • October 29, 2020 at 3:35 pm

      I reckon it’s the chap, and yes, he did!

      Like

  28. October 29, 2020 at 2:37 am

    You could tell that something was up from the “yes” answers. Poor guy.

    Like

    • October 29, 2020 at 3:56 pm

      Yes, I don’t think communication was the strong suit in that marriage.

      Like

  29. November 1, 2020 at 8:42 pm

    Time to move on. He can keep the holder.

    Like

  30. KIPTPAIBE
    July 15, 2021 at 12:33 am
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