Image courtesy of Jellico’s Stationhouse
The late evening sun seemed to beam approval. Marie-Anne saw a large OK in the shadow of her bicycle wheel and its angular frame, projected on a whitewashed wall.
Antoine sprawled in his chair, eyes closed, legs stretched out in front of him.
He’d been magnificent, so calm as he blew the bridge, killing some of the bastards in the process and avenging her brother’s death.
“Do you want to sleep with me?”
“Because there’s a war on?” He asked, “Would you want to otherwise?”
She smiled and knew she loved him. “Because a perfect day needs a perfect close.”
Written for Friday Fictioneers – a 100 words story based on a photo prompt. Hosted by Rochelle. Read the other entries here.
Michael Wynn 
Excellent take. Love the OK made by the bikes shadow.
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Thank-you. I thought of that line from what I remembered of the photo but when I looked at it again, the bike isn’t as angular as it was in my mind thought.
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One can see it from a certain angle. 🙂
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There’s real density in the atmoshere you evoke here. One moment that extends backwards and forwards in time. Great work, Michael
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Thanks, Neil
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🙂 good write.
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Thanks.
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You developed a sense that everything was okay despite the backdrop of war. Nicely done.
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Thanks. Why can’t I comment on yours this week? I’m not good on IT but something’s stopping me being able to comment.
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Well that sucks. Thanks for making the effort.
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Interesting take on the photo prompt. A romantic interlude with war in the backdrop.
Isadora 😎
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Thanks, Isadora.
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Very romantic ending. Evokes the intensity war imposes on people’s lives.
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Thank you for your comment, I’m glad you liked it
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i guess she’s right. besides, who knows, if there’s another tomorrow?
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Exactly. I think you are likely to live for the moment much more in time of war, there is always the threat that today could be your last
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Resistance, and danger. Revenge and romance. Great writing. What’s not to love?
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Thanks, I’m glad you liked it
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One of your best.
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Thanks, Dawn
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I guess that in a war situation, when you don’t know if you’ll die the next day, you are more likely to live for the moment, including the sleeping together bit, especially when celebrating a personal victory.
Out of interest, how many resistance fighters have ever got decorated for their courage, compared to members of the military? Their bravery astounds me, whenever I hear stories of their exploits and heroism.
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Thanks, Sarah. The Resistance fascinates me, they were so brave. I’m not sure how many were decorated but they all should have been. I found the attitude of tomorrow could be your last day prevalent near the border in Israel when I went there in the early eighties. It was strange because they accepted calmly that as the way life was, any moment a missile or bomb could annihilate the Kibbutz.
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I don’t know how people accept the daily potential of their annihilation so calmly. It’s not something I could do. Perhaps they develop a philosophy of living each day as if it were their last. On the other hand, it may be accepting that there’s nothing you can do, because you have no control over those in power.
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It is hard to imagine, I just wonder if in that situation though, it changes you and you develop that resignation, philosophy call it what you like. I’ve always felt I’d be totally helpless in war situations but obviously, ordinary people like me have lived through wars and in war zones.
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There is so much story packed into 100 words. You have painted a vivid picture of romance and revenge extremely smoothly.
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Thanks Clare, trying to capture all the emotions in 100 words can be frustrating. I’m glad it worked
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Dear Michael,
In just a few words you created the mood, the scene and the story That’s what good flash fiction is all about. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle, that’s a high compliment indeed
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Ditto what everyone said. This is truly one of your best. Such contrast in the war and love in 100 words.
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Thanks Alicia, I was unsure of it until the it as post or miss out time.
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This reminded me of [For Whom the Bell Tolls] by E Hemingway, writing about the Spanish civil war,
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I haven’t read that one, Michael, now I think I will, thanks
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What a story, brilliantly written.
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Love the sweet ending. We certainly need sweet endings these days… 🙂
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Thank-you, she does seem happy.:-)
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I agree with Sarah, if there’s a war on you’d better get it while you can. It’s a good thing I didn’t know girls could be so turned on by blowing up a bridge or I might have blown up plenty when I was younger.
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You’re right, when there’s a war on today could be your last. Sounds like the bridges round your way were lucky.
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Oh, so clever. A message within a bicycle. Yeah, they better hope to it. Something tells me they have plenty of adrenaline for their perfect close.
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Thanks Amy, glad you liked it, I think they have found something.
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Tightly written piece, full of atmosphere. Well done.
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Thanks, Sandra
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