Bits and pieces of an old one,
patched together for
The Unicorn Challenge;
this is my 250-word story.
Three years ago my darling Nina, my life-force, my soulmate, was killed in a ghastly accident while riding her bicycle to the library. Iâd offered her a lift but she declined; Nina hated my motorcycle, calling it a deathtrap.
I remember the call, the ambulance and police, the excruciatingly long ride to the hospital, the lonely wait in the eerily quiet emergency room, the surgeonâs voice .⊠his words that torment me day after day after day. My wife is dead, our all-too-short marriage erased.
I am lost, blindly wandering Gehenna. I shut myself off from everything. Well-meaning friends brought Ninaâs bicycle to the studio where she taught ballet. I heard itâs a lovely memorial but I canât bring myself to go by.
Itâs time for me to leave, escape the painful memories and the desperation. Our friends stopped calling long ago and thereâs nothing left to do. Itâs time for me to go.
I remove my wedding band and place it on the dresser next to my phone and wallet.
âWill my motorcycle start up?â I wonder âOr has it died, too?â I grab my helmet and walk to the garage. My bike stands in the corner, covered by a tarp now buried under three years of regret and bitterness. I strap on my gloves, open the garage door and climb on my bike.
It is pouring rain; I have no idea where I am going. It doesnât matter; I’ve stopped caring. Now I need to stop the heartache.
NAR©2024
250 Words
This is The Dirty Mac with âYer Bluesâ
This portfolio (including text, graphics and videos) is copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephantâs Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR © 2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
A heartbreaking story Nance, it moved me đđđđ
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Thank you so much CA. Sweet words. đ„°
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No, no, no…start the motorcycle, but ride safely, ride again, and rediscover joy!
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He won’t hear you, Liz; he’s too far gone.
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Breakin’ my heart, Girl!
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A heart touching story, Nancy! Last line is superb.
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Thank you so much, KK.
I thought I had replied to you but I was mistaken. Sorry for the delay, my friend.
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You’re welcome, Nancy, always đ
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Very well done, Nancy.
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Thanks, Chris.
I truly appreciate your comments.
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poignant, powerful and engaging… dragging the Reader towards a precipice.
nicely done!
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The point of no return.
Thanks much, Clark.
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Beautifully written, Nancy. I will never understand those who stop living, though. Can’t say I have much respect for it, either.
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Yet it happens every day. It must be abysmal to think there’s no other option. Always appreciate your thoughts, Dale. Thanks for reading; I have a lot to catch up on.
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I know it does, unfortunately. I hear ya!
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Will running away help? I planned to move away, and may still do so, but thoughts remain wherever. Time makes things easier.
Another moving and thought provoking story, Nancy.
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Thanks much, Tom; your thoughts are always appreciated.
I agree; running away won’t help which is why my MC has something more permanent in mind.
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Ah. I’d totally missed that, Nancy, sorry. I’ve just re-read it now. It’s clear, in hindsight. đ
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No worries, Tom. A re-read is just fine. What’s that expression: The obscure we see eventually. The completely obvious, it seems, takes longer.
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The completely obvious needs to be spelt out to me!
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Deep deep dark heartbreak! đ
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The worst kind, Willow.
No good will come from this. đ€
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Yes indeed đđ
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Love the line “covered by a tarp now buried under three years of regret and bitterness.”
Superb, disturbing, sad, so many emotions colliding. Well done my friend.
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Thanks so much, D. I bled this one and it was worth it.
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Most of us have known someone who has lost a loved one in a tragic way. We read in the paper or hear on radio. But we really can’t imagine the pain. Your story describes how it must feel.
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Some stories tell themselves.
This was in my head one morning when I woke up; I simply wrote it down.
Your comments are greatly appreciated, Sighs.
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Despair, bleak and hopeless, depicted with brutal clarity here (clever use of Gehenna).
Powerful piece, Nancy.
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All those days in Sunday School finally paid off!
Much appreciated comments, CE.
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Stunning evocation. Well done. “My bike stands in the corner, covered by a tarp now buried under three years of regret and bitterness.”
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Thank you, Doug. I truly appreciate your comments.
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This is the line that really hit me, too!
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Such a moving and heartfelt story
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Thank you, Sadje.
I’m pleased you thought so.
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Youâre welcome my friend đđŒ
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What a sad story, Nancy, showing a man trapped in grief.
And grief is such a mysterious journey, different for everyone.
You’ve set me thinking…
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It is that, Jenne. Grief comes in many forms and we all handle it differently. If my story has set you thinking, I’m glad; that is exactly what I hoped for.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
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Losing your loving/soulmate partner leaves you with a bottomless chasm that is impossible to fill, it’s like an unrepairable black hole in your heart …
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Spoken like a man who has been there, my dear Ivor.
I know your have and I thank you for sharing your thoughts. đ€
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Youâre welcome Nancy đ
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