Written for Sadje’s “What Do You See”.
Here’s where the image took me.
She said she’d meet him at noon. Their room, same as last time.
That was 24 hours ago. The bed hasn’t been touched since he smoothed the duvet flat with his palm …. a nervous habit, something to do with his hands while he waited.
The curtains still smell like her perfume. He hasn’t opened them fully. Hasn’t really decided what opening them would mean …. stepping back into Chicago, into the ordinary gray business of the city. Willis Tower looms over everything like it always has, keeping watch.
He pours the last of the whiskey and sits.
Outside, the wind moves through the streets the way it always does in Chicago …. without apology, without direction. Inside, the room holds its silence.
His phone stays dark.
He knows she isn’t coming.
He isn’t waiting,
He just hasn’t left yet.
NAR©2026
This is “Chicago Blues – Windy City Breakdown” by Morgan Luna
Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
A very well written story Nancy! The emotions are very palpable. Thanks for joining in.
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