Modern, sleek cars had been rolled out along the route. At the time Jonathan travelled every morning an ancient tram still clanked and rattled along.
Accompanying him each day were the unchanging faces that shared this journey. The familiar smile and muttered greeting part of their set routine.
She appeared one grey morning. A ray of light piercing the everyday gloom. She sat opposite him. For the first few days he couldn’t making eye contact.
After a fortnight they established a nodded ‘hello’ when she took her seat.
Now Jonathan began to dream. Should he speak to her? What should he say? Was there a future for them? He resolved to talk to her the following Monday.
When she got on the tram that morning she was talking to Richard. Richard was another regular on the old tram. Richard boarded at the same stop as her.
She nodded to Jonathan as usual, then spent the rest of the journey chatting to Richard.
The next day Jonathan got an earlier tram. It was modern and sleek.
Written as part of Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers. The challenge is to write a flash fiction story in around 150 words, based on the weekly photo prompt. Thanks as always to the challenge host Priceless Joy. For more information visit HERE.
To read other stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.
Poor Jonathan. This story is touching in its understatement.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s life, Jonathan. You did right to move him on Iain
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m sure he’ll be fine, until he sees the next one!
LikeLike
So sad for Jonathan but at least he didn’t wait around and watch those two start a relationship. Hopefully, he will find a more interesting girl on the newer train! Great story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure he will, but will he make a move next time?!
LikeLike
Hopefully, he will!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww, Jonathan, you’d miss that ray of sunshine for a while, and it’s okay. Great write, Iain!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Annie 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Poor Jonathan , but maybe the 3rd train will be the charm. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’s always the next train 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Sorry Jonathan though i feel you are yet to meet the best . ” Nice story , Iain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
An optimistic outlook, nice 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
He who snoozes, loses! A wonderfully understated little drama, Iain and beautifully written. A lovely nugget of a tale
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, thank you Lynn 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh dear. I did have to a wee chuckle though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha, it strikes me that Jonathan is unlucky in life quite often.
LikeLiked by 1 person
EH , that is just some fowks’ lives… x That wis how (not why..learning lines for a play richt the noo…) this was brill xx (shoulda said wis) x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh! I feel bad for him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’ll be fine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Subtlety rules in this sweet little tale. I said sweet because i believe the next train will bring in some sweetness for Jonathan. Well written, Lian.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A nice positive thought Neel, thanks.
LikeLike
Better hunting grounds, eh?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Possibly 🙂
LikeLike
Oh so sad for Jonathan! It’s so often true: You snooze, you lose. Perhaps he’ll learn his lesson and find someone better, and talk to her sooner, on the newer tram.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel like might be the kind of guy who has gone his whole life like this and won’t ever change! Here’s hoping though.
LikeLike
I really like your snippet of reality that was portrayed here. A missed connection, definitely but how many times has something similar happened to us? I hope Jonathan finds someone willing to wait for him next time 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can never be sure when you’re sitting on the tram or train whether you should talk to a stranger or not – a difficult thing to do and do without being creepy or annoying!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe it was meant to be that they never spoke. Maybe he’ll find ‘the one’ on the other train. Maybe he won’t. Life leads you in ways we will never understand.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks NJ, I get the feeling he won’t though, he’s that kinda guy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Liked this! Poor Jonathan!
LikeLiked by 1 person
He has no luck!
LikeLike
It’s always difficult to realize that your chance of getting to know someone you have an interest in will probably never happen. Hopefully, if he sees someone else he likes, he will not wait so long to engage in a meaningful conversation and will be able to get to know the person . There are many women that have the same problem. There is always that fear of rejection. I could feel his disappointment . Great story. 😊
LikeLike
I liked this story. I can’t help but cheer for Jonathan, that the next tram will have just the right one for him. Obviously, it was not her!
Going Home
Annie at ~McGuffy’s Reader~
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’ll be pleased to know he has got so much support 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw, onto the next one for Jonathan. I think he’ll probably make his move earlier when another chance comes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope he has learned
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perhaps he’d do better on the afternoon tram…this from someone who isn’t a morning person.
Ellespeth
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe Johnathan could have waited for some more time. Maybe Richard and she we’re good friends. Hope he finds a blossoming relationship in the modern tram. A good story.
http://ideasolsi65.blogspot.in/2017/06/117th-challenge-flash-fiction-for.html?m=1
LikeLike
awww. missed opportunities, missed chances. well-written!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person