Posted for RFW Challenge. This prompt is about long-term love; perhaps suffering a mid-life or 7 year itch crisis. The couple recognises it is time for a change; but how drastic does the change need to be to rekindle the relationship? Who wants the change; husband, wife, mutual? Who would suffer the most from either a break up, or from the status quo?
An Excerpt from my forthcoming eNovella Ultimate Sacrifice by Madeleine Sara:
'Often, on those difficult days Colin appears and takes me out to lunch or dinner. It’s a chance for me to feel normal again, but the guilt follows ... Colin spends a lot of time telling me how wonderful I am. He takes my hand across the table.
“You must put yourself first sometimes.”
He releases my hand with a wink and I feel a strange flutter of emotion. Sitting opposite one another at McDonald’s, Colin and I appear to all the world like a courting couple. His blue eyes stare into mine with a predatory intensity. The tears prickle behind my own, because while I am grateful for Colin’s friendship, I wish it was Ben that was sitting there opposite me instead. I look out across the soulless, functional décor of the restaurant. Other couples are laughing, smiling and chatting animatedly. Then I look back at Colin’.
(148 words)
Royalty free images courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
It's not flash fiction, but it kinda fits the theme.On a personal note I have just been offered a part-time job, starting in September, working with special needs children. I have answered and reciprocated over 100 blog post/emails today after my blog break. Phew!
I confess this ePublishing lark is rather scary, as well as being exciting. I guess I'll only know by trying.
Huge thanks to those who are already supporting my launch.
30 comments:
Congratulations on your job. My younger son has significant special needs, so I applaud you for working with children like him. We appreciate the wonderful people like you in the world!
your next job tells a lot about your personality!!!
keep up the good work
Thanks Susan and Rahul
Hi Madeleine, congratulations on your new job!
I actually think you snippet works well as a piece of flash and fits with the theme.
Congrats with your upcoming book release!
Very nice.. love the name Colin as well.. sounds fancy.
Also, congratulations on the job. Those kids need a lot of love and a lot of compassion that not too many are willing to give.. kudos to you my friend and may you be blessed.
Best always to you on your upcoming challenge! It takes a special heart to give of yourself to children who need so much.
Nicely done Maddy; loved the snippet.
And congrats on the new part time job; such a loving gesture to work with special needs kids.
Good luck with the book launch. I will post my chapter review on that date. Unlike you, I have not got around to answering all my e-mails, lol.
..........dhole
Congratulations on your new job! I work with Special Needs too. Very rewarding.
And I liked your story. Being with someone and wishing it was someone else. I think we've all been there at one time or another
Good luck with your book launch. I'll still be away when it happens.
I've worked with special needs kids. It's challenging but also rewarding.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Congrats on taking the plunge.
And congrats on your new job too!
Dear friend,
All the best with the new job. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Maddy. What a surprise to see your name on the linky. We hosts of RFW appreciate each and every participant as we know everybody has heaps of other things to do and to take time to post always makes us warm and tingly.
Your excerpt works well and it's good to get snippets of your story out there. It is a taste of the bigger picture. (You'll have to change the spelling of McDonalds though if you can edit it at this stage!)
Looking forward to hosting you for your book launch Maddy.
Congratulations on your upcoming job. What a wonderful opportunity to help children. They will be blessed to have you. You just look after yourself too, won't you? And congrats on catching up on blogs/email. Well done.
Denise
So many new things in your life and I wish you the best with all of them. Congratulations!
Hey Madeleine,
Yes, I'm here, your starstruck fan! :) My goodness, can't going to all those blogs take up a lot of time.
Sometimes it kinda' seems like an "Ultimate Sacrifice" just spending several hours being so proactive.
ePublishing can be most scary. I should know, my 'book' is being published on 'eekPublishing' :)
What a worthy and I'm sure fulfilling job that will be in September.
All the best and sunny wishes, you way, Gary
I really enjoyed your excerpt, Madeleine. And congratulations on the new job too. Wishing you all the very best with everything. x
Kiru, Crystal, Donna, Denise, Joanna. So glad you like the excerpt.
I have amended the McDonalds typo. Yes it didn't look right to me either LOL!
Susan, Heather, Maria, Andy, Gary & Ms. Starting Over. Many thanks :O)
Donna and Denise, thanks so much for supporting my book launch. I am excited at the prospect of being hosted on your blogs.
Gary Eek-Publishing ROFL! I know what you mean.
I like the cover choice you ended up with, and I wish you well! I'll be sure to retweet anything I see in the stream regarding your launch. =]
Your novella sounds great. I'm in love with novella-length at the moment, it's such a wonderful length to write and read - and your excerpt was really good.
Wonderful excerpt! Thank you for sharing. Best of luck in your new job!
Congratulations on your new job! That's fantastic. Great excerpt too. Good luck!
Congratulations on the job!
Great excerpt. There's definitely conflict there . . .
Ooh, such a teaser!
And congratulations on the job!
Hi Madeleine
Great about your job - loved the excert - will certainly be on the launch pad next week (or the writing pad - as in 'jottings from' - in my case!)
Best of luck
Congrats on your new job!!
And good luck with your launch! The novella sounds brilliant and I love the final cover.
Thanks so much Karla & Lynda for joining the launch. :O) x
Glad you enjoyed the excerpt Deniz, Golden, Christine, Candilynn, Annalissa, Milo. :O)
Congrats, Madeleine, hope you enjoy every minute of the journey.
Colin seems like a nice guy, but I can understand how the MC has stronger feelings for the other man.
Congrats on the job.
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