Short Story

Afternoons With Tom

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Written for The Unicorn Challenge where we are
asked to get creative in 250 words or less using
the photo below as inspiration. This is my story.

© Ayr/Gray

They sat on the bench, content in their silence and companionship, watching a game of boules in progress between her husband and a man he met at the square.

Every so often something in the game would make them laugh or groan, giving them the opportunity to exchange the briefest of comments without arousing suspicion.

“I like your new hat.”

“You look lovely in the sunshine.”

“I’ve missed you, Tom.”

She was glad for the game…..not just for herself but for her husband; he’d been more melancholy than usual after losing his arm in the accident. He was clearly enjoying himself today.

This stolen time was precious to her, a chance to enjoy a few lovely moments with Tom. She dreamed of these warm afternoons in the square.

The sun was directly overhead now; the sweater she had tied around her neck was too warm and as she strained to remove it, Tom reached behind to lend a hand. When she turned in his direction, her face was flushed from the heat and his touch.

“You’re parched” he said quietly. Then, in a louder voice, called out, “Gents, care for a lemon ice?” but they just brushed him off. Tom walked to the food truck, returning with two ices…..one for her, one for him. They sat quietly watching the game, their fingers innocently touching between them on the bench.

At home later that afternoon, her husband went on and on about his new friend and she hoped for more boules.

NAR©2024
250 Words

This is “En Roulant Ma Boule” (“Rolling My Ball”) by Hannes Wader

The Unicorn Challenge-20/12/24

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

27 thoughts on “Afternoons With Tom”

  2. I love this, Nancy. While she is thinking of another man, it was written in such a sweet way that we don’t feel bad for any of the characters. All is in quiet contentment. Quite the skill du hast, meine freundin.

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  7. Who knew all that was hiding in this picture, Nancy.
    An excellent portrayal of what goes on ‘behind the scenes’ in life.
    And a delicate capturing of a secret moment between two people.

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  11. Cleverly built tale of love and betrayal, Nancy.

    With very few words, you say a great deal about the poor husband, a man struggling with a life-shattering experience.

    PS I was completely thrown by the fact that the song is in German!

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