Short Story

The Heartbreak: The Continuing Story of Harvey and Fiona

Nancy's Notes đŸ–ŠïžđŸŽ¶

This is my 3rd story about Harvey and Fiona.
For a look back at earlier installments, click here.

While Harvey slept during the day Fiona cleaned, shopped and cooked. She wanted a vacuum cleaner but Harvey said it was too expensive and the noise would keep him awake so she settled for a carpet sweeper. Their only chance to be together was at breakfast and dinner time – and of course for coffee and dessert when Fiona served Harvey his favorite apple pie. Fiona loved baking and it was all worth it to see the way Harvey’s face lit up every time she made another pie.

Fiona suggested a few times that it would be nice if Harvey worked during the day so they could be like a normal couple and spend more time together but her words fell on deaf ears.

She also longed for a baby. Each time she thought she was pregnant it turned out to be a false alarm. Fiona saw a doctor who wasn’t very sympathetic; he shrugged his shoulders, gave her ambiguous explanations and performed a couple of routine tests. He told her it was just one of those things; not all couples could get pregnant. When Fiona finally got up the nerve to mention to Harvey what the doctor told her, he laughed and said it wasn’t his fault she couldn’t get pregnant; “Just ask that sweet little Frenchie I knocked up during the war” was his mean-spirited reply.

Fiona felt like she’d been kicked in the gut. When she cried that she needed something other than chores to fill her lonely days, Harvey yelled to “go get a job and start earnin’ ya keep around here! Who needs another mouth to feed anyways?” Fiona was reeling; how could he say such hurtful things? Heartbroken, she eventually gave up on having a baby and found a job as a presser in a shirt factory. The work was exhausting and she still had to clean the apartment and cook for Harvey … and bake.

What happened to the guy she married? Harvey was constantly annoyed about something or other and drank more now than usual. He got mean when he drank and Fiona bore the brunt of his anger. When he demanded sex every night before going to work, she kept her mouth shut but she was silently screaming. This was no way to exist, like a piece of property and not a person. She’d lie awake at night remembering her mother’s warning words: “Jesus, Mary and Joseph! Can’t you see he’s no good for you? I don’t trust him, Fina girl!” The only thing in her God-forsaken life that she truly enjoyed was baking and she did it all for Harvey.

Fiona would fantasize about how lovely it would be to have her own little bake shop; she’d make lots of delicious cakes and pies for her large following of loyal customers – not just for her selfish husband. She knew she could do it if she only had the chance.

To be continued. For a look back at earlier installments, click here.

NAR©2024

This is “Here Comes The Heartache” by Fair Warning

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.

35 thoughts on “The Heartbreak: The Continuing Story of Harvey and Fiona”

  2. Pingback: When Push Comes To Shove: The Continuing Story of Harvey and Fiona – The Elephant's Trunk

  8. I just had a quick catch up – I was sunning myself in Italy when you posted your seconda parte!

    If anyone deserves a cake shop and a fresh start it’s her. Hopefully she’ll achieve it in time, but that’s up to you!

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  9. I knew it was not going to end well.

    Fiona, get the hell outta Dodge. Even if it means temporarily going back to your parents (though I would understand 100% if she didn’t coz I wouldn’t either). No matter what, this will NEVER work so time to cut her losses and call this a learning experience.

    And hope to hell Harvey will just let her go, of course.

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    1. Going back to her parents is not in her future. She would be almost as miserable with them as she is with Harvey.

      I can’t end it yet, certainly not like this! But a leopard doesn’t change it’s spots and Fiona is still holding out hope.

      What to do. What to do.

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      1. I totally understand. I moved into my own place with just a bed, a washer, a dryer and an Ikea bookshelf! My friend leant me chairs, her mother sold me a table and bureaus and my sister gave me her old TV.

        Well. Let us hope she doesn’t hold out until she gets a bruise.

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        1. I lived at home until I got married. 😳 My mother was a PITA but dad was good and I got a free room and meals plus laundry service and TV. I’d be an idiot to leave! 😂

          Writing about women being abused is not my thing so I won’t be going in that direction. It serves no good.

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          1. I moved out at 21. After 2-3 years with the guy, I knew it was a mistake, so I started buying stuff so I would have something when I left! 😉
            What is a PITA?

            Good. Looking forward to what you come up with.

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