A shortened story …

Keith's Ramblings

…for Sadje’s What Do You See? prompt.

My first draft was boringly long, so here is an abridged version (pun intended!)

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rose-clipart-transparent-background-21Look, someone’s left some roses. She loved roses.

She was never one to drink much, so when she left the bar late that night I thought perhaps I should follow her to make sure she was safe. But instead, I stood and watched as she walked towards the bridge. 

I somehow knew what she was about to do and I felt this was one decision she should make for herself. I didn’t try to stop her. After all, her life had been one spell of misery after another; endless years of being told what and what not to do.

They never found her. They assumed she was swept downriver and into the ocean.

rose-clipart-transparent-background-21

Okay, that was the official line. Want the truth?

On that life-changing night, she did indeed stand on the bridge. She climbed onto the railing as a bus approached,  filled with witnesses. Then she jumped. 

I was waiting below in a little boat positioned as close as I could to where she would fall into the fast-flowing river.

I’m not going to tell you where she is now. After all,  she was supposed to have taken her own life. Suffice it to say, she has a new life and a new identity.

But you didn’t hear it from me.

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Image Credit; Mohamed Almari @ Pexels

25 thoughts on “A shortened story …”

  1. Christine Goodnough Dec 5, 2022 / 14:50

    What an intriguing twist to this tale! Bravo for that splendid rescue. Despair, though it can be intense, may only be temporary; with the right help one can go on to live a happy life. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Keith's Ramblings Dec 5, 2022 / 16:49

      Indeed Christine, at least now she won’t need to fear being sought and found.

      Like

      Reply
      • Christine Goodnough Dec 5, 2022 / 17:57

        True. She won’t have any ID, cash or credit card, though. Starting from scratch.
        By the way, I checked with WP as to why I have to log in every time I comment on your blog and they say it’s the way you have your settings — or your blog configured. Which doesn’t explain why I have to log into my own at times. Oh well. 😦

        Like

  2. Sadje Dec 5, 2022 / 14:51

    I love the twist in this tale. It was a far better option than the first one. Thanks for joining in.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. Suzette Benjamin Dec 5, 2022 / 16:15

    Wow! Quite the story!! Unusual and well told. I’ve never read anything like this. Quite unique, Keith. Bravo!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. ~just a thought Dec 5, 2022 / 19:48

    This is a wonderful story!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  11. Pingback: WDYS # 163 -A Roundup post – Keep it alive

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