PHOTO PROMPT – Copyright – Jan Wayne Fields
He set the table, as he did every Sunday, and stared out the window. He knew they wouldn’t come. They never did, not anymore. Still, he watched and waited, a sort of penance for what he’d done—a way to say sorry without actually saying the word again. He’d said it too many times. That word had lost its meaning.
He mentally replayed that night from so long ago. He wasn’t ready to let go of his regret—not yet, not ever. His wife and daughter were gone because of his mistake. He should have never been behind the wheel.
—
Written for Friday Fictioneers.
January 15th, 2015 at 6:29 AM
That bitter kernal of reality. I feel sad now :(
January 15th, 2015 at 7:04 AM
A moment of folly creates an eternity of regret.
January 15th, 2015 at 7:08 AM
Sad story with a good twist at the end, Adam. Great use of the prompt. Well done once again. :) — Suzanne
January 15th, 2015 at 8:11 AM
Good twist at the end, I wasn’t imagining them dead. Your title says it all.
January 15th, 2015 at 9:19 AM
Powerful! Great description of regret and sorrow.
January 15th, 2015 at 11:48 AM
Seems quite a few people have seen a similar thread in this prompt. It’s really quite uncanny.
January 15th, 2015 at 12:56 PM
Sad little narration. Your prose is written in a very solid way.
January 15th, 2015 at 1:28 PM
There is a definite theme with the photo prompt this week. Not a bad thing at all ,just shows the powerful emotions the images brings to mind.
January 15th, 2015 at 10:10 PM
As difficult as it is, he needs to move on. Live with the pain and regret, but move on Why am I saying this as if he were real and reading this?? :-) Good story, Adam.
janet
January 16th, 2015 at 2:11 AM
Very well done sad story with a twist at the end. Thanks for bumming me the hell out!
January 16th, 2015 at 10:11 AM
Depressing. (And a good job of it).
But drunk drivers are rarely the heroes of the tale, are they?
January 16th, 2015 at 11:45 AM
great take, no matter how tragic…
January 16th, 2015 at 5:57 PM
Terribly sad. Whatever he did wrong, even assuming he had, he’s certainly paying a price. Nicely put.
January 17th, 2015 at 3:21 AM
I can’t imagine how one could overcome regret and guilt in such circumstances. You’ve shown his grief really convincingly.
January 17th, 2015 at 7:48 AM
I clicked “like” but I really wanted a button that read ” sad” or “tragic” or “upsetting”
Good , sad, tale.
Randy
January 18th, 2015 at 11:28 AM
Such a sad tale but very well done! Good job as usual! Nan :)
January 19th, 2015 at 6:50 AM
Very sad and well told. His loss and guilt come across really clearly.
January 19th, 2015 at 5:36 PM
This picture brought out many wonderfully told, sad stories. Count yours among them.
January 21st, 2015 at 9:48 PM
Doing penance without hope of forgiveness. Well done.
January 24th, 2015 at 12:51 PM
Haunting, Adam– works so well with this prompt.