Short Story

View From The Bridge

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Written in response to The Unicorn Challenge
where we are asked to be creative in 250 words or less
by using the photo you see below. This is my story.

NB. My story is another perspective prompted by C.E. Ayr’s intriguing response to this week’s Unicorn Challenge. Please check out C.E.’s story here and/or here. I hope you enjoy my version and his.

© Ayr/Gray

Contrary to popular opinion, sometimes these things really do just happen – at least that’s how it was for me.

My husband was out for the day … the monthly visit with his son from his first marriage. I never fault him this time alone; it’s good for him and it gives me the chance to spend a day in my favorite book store.

One day while on my way home, I paused to watch the swans; from the bridge I saw a man emerge from his boat. As if drawn by my presence, he glanced up at me and waved. I waved back. Then the most unexpected thing happened: he beckoned me. I went down to greet him and that was the beginning of our affair.

Now I live for my husband’s monthly visits with his son.

This month my husband’s son is backpacking with friends and there is no visit. He busies himself with tennis and darts at the pub. Desperate to meet my lover, I bailed on our tennis game, pretending to be sick, and my husband went off alone to find a partner.

The afternoon with my lover was heavenly; half-way home I turned around and returned to the boat.

How could I know my husband had paused on the bridge to watch the swans and saw me leave the boat?

How could my husband know that while he was plotting his jealous revenge, I had returned to the boat and was inside when he torched it?

NAR©2024
250 Words

The Unicorn Challenge-03/05/24

This is “Diary Of Hate” by Michael Nyman

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and is not for use by anyone without permission. NAR©2017-present.

34 thoughts on “View From The Bridge”

  2. Dude(tte)!*

    *highest of compliments in building an extending an established story. This gambit, imo, while a risky endeavor, when in a supportive environment comprised of adventuresome participants, offers way big returns for the author and Readers

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    1. Thanks, Clark!

      CE’s story called out to me and and I answered that call; it was as simple as that. Yeah, I suppose it’s a risk but I wasn’t thinking of that aspect at the time. If I did think about it, I would still have written my story exactly the same way. Some risks are worth taking.

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  4. Well, that was fun, Nancy.
    What a cool idea to go with CE’s story, add to the beginning and give the other point of view – with a twist as well.
    This writing business inspires such creativity, it’s great.

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  5. Always good to know the other side of the story, but I can’t say I understand the appeal of Portuguese Tony any better. Short, bald, chubby, questionable hygiene and a no-good bragger. Ah well, love is blind, they all say.

    You did have fun with this one, Nancy. I enjoyed your version.

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    Reply

    1. There is absolutely no accounting for taste, Margaret!

      There must have been something hidden asset under that pile of rags that made Portuguese Tony so popular. Perhaps he had good reason for all his bragging! We’ll never know now seeing as how both he and Val are crispy critters!

      Thank you, Margaret. Fun comments!

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