Flash, Mini Story, Photo Prompt, Short Story

In A Fog

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Written for Sadje’s “What Do You See” #321.
Here’s where the photo prompt took me.

© Tobias Reich @ Unsplash

Russell checked his phone again –7:42. The train was late, or perhaps she’d changed her mind. Six months of emails, each one peeling back another layer until he felt he knew Abigail better than anyone else in his life.

The fog rolled thick across the platform, muffling the city’s usual roar. He’d memorized her description: auburn hair, freckles, green coat. But would she recognize the careful words he’d crafted as belonging to this ordinary man in a baggy jacket and scuffed shoes?

The train emerged from the mist like a mechanical ghost, its brakes hissing steam into the winter air. Doors opened. Passengers spilled out, a river of strangers flowing around him. Then, there it was …. her green coat. She stopped mid-platform, scanning faces with an expression he imagined was much like his own: hope wrestling with fear.

Their eyes met.

Abigail’s face broke into that smile he’d pictured a thousand times, and suddenly all those perfectly chosen words evaporated. She walked toward him, and he realized they’d need to learn an entirely new language now …. one without the safety of edits, the comfort of delete.

She stopped inches away. “Hi.”

“Hi,” he whispered.

The fog closed around them and suddenly, they were the only two people in the world.


NAR©2026
#WDYS

This is “Just The Two Of Us’ by Bill Withers

What do you see # 321- 29 December 2025

All text and graphics are copyright for Nancy Richy and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.

42 thoughts on “In A Fog”

  3. Pingback: WDYS # 321- A roundup post – Keep it alive

  8. Nice story, Nancy. If we had a subway station in my neck of the woods, it may well have looked like your photo this morning, with a refreshing 25F, feeling like 18F, and a tiny bit of overnight snow. Well, I’m sure Russell and Abigail are going to keep each other warm. 🙂

    BTW, I love that Bill Withers song. Speaking of him, have you ever listened to “Live at Carnegie Hall”? A music friend once called it his favorite live album. Prompted why what I felt sounded like a pretty bold statement, I listened to it a few years ago after he had told me. While I’m not sure it beats “At Fillmore East” or “Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out!”, I certainly agree it’s a terrific album! I can highly recommend it!

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    1. Thanks very much for a great comment, Christian. I have high hopes for Abigail and Russell.

      Bill Withers has a very appealing voice and I always liked this song. I am not familiar with his live album but now that you’ve mentioned it, I’m going to have to check it out. Thanks for the tip.

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  17. Oh, one of the most beautiful you’re written my friend … totally relatable for me; Carole and I met up on a blind date, and all of my rehearsed words flew away when our eyes met … “It was love at first sight” 💕

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    1. Dear Ivor – we are in sync once again. Bill and I met on a blind date and 58 years later, we are still together. It was definitely meant to be. I am so glad you can relate to my story. Thank you for your lovely comments; I’m touched by them. Excellent soundtracking today, my friend. ❤️

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