IAIN KELLY

SHATTERED

That was it after twenty-five years.

A note on the table when he got home from work, the suitcases gone, an empty wardrobe.

He re-read: ‘can’t carry on like this… your temper… mood swings… deserve better… fighting… better for us both.’

He felt the anger building. He crumpled the note in a clenched fist.

The crystal bowl on the table stared at him, their fifteenth anniversary gift.

He lashed out, sending it flying over the edge.

It hit the ground with a dull thud. It didn’t shatter or break, it just sat there.

He slumped futilely on the chair, alone.


bowl-and-leaves
Copyright Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

103 responses to “SHATTERED”

  1. shivamt25 Avatar

    The bowl didn’t break but something did. Powerful tale!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Exactly, thank you.

      Like

  2. neilmacdon Avatar

    The sense of powerlessness is palpable

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Neil, for once he is not the one in control.

      Like

  3. Annie Avatar

    So many feelings in such a short story. Brilliant write, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much Annie

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Annie Avatar

        You’re most welcome!

        Liked by 1 person

  4. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain

    So much emotion. And the throwing of the bowl is a clue as to why she might’ve left. Well done.

    Shalom

    Rochelle

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Precisely, thank you Rochelle

      Like

  5. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    The bowl was trying to tell him something. Not sure what though!

    Click to read my FriFic tale

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Even the bowl has had enough of him.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. pennygadd51 Avatar

    I love the irony of the bowl not shattering despite the shattered marriage. You really punch that home by telling us it’s an anniversary gift. Excellent!

    Like

  7. Em Avatar

    You did a great job portraying both his and her emotions. Lovely piece Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much Em

      Liked by 1 person

  8. granonine Avatar

    Scary guy. And yeah, leaded crystal doesn’t shatter as easily as the human heart. Good one.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much

      Liked by 1 person

  9. jillyfunnell Avatar

    His frustration comes through clearly. The anniversary bowl is a lovely subtle touch.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Jilly

      Like

  10. James Avatar

    Well, that’s the end of that.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Some things do just end with a full stop.

      Like

  11. pensitivity101 Avatar

    Maybe it didn’t break because it wasn’t glass? A subtle hint that all was not what it appeared to be.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Made of stronger stuff perhaps? Thanks DI

      Liked by 1 person

  12. yarnspinnerr Avatar

    Breaking of glass is a bad portend. The dispute is likely to resolve. Great take.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Interesting reading, thank you

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Bettina Avatar

    Liking the emotion in this short tale. Anger causes a lot of hurt and breakages.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Mike Avatar

    Great write Iain.
    Marriages are often easier to break than crystal glass bowls.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      And more difficult to mend, thanks Mike

      Like

  15. ceayr Avatar

    Grim tale, well told, as always.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you CE

      Like

  16. Clare Hempstead Avatar

    What a great piece of writing. You have shown both side’s emotions perfectly.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Clare

      Like

  17. Lynn Love Avatar

    The bowl was more robust than their relationship. Sad but with a real truth to it. Nicely done Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      1. Lynn Love Avatar

        My pleasure

        Liked by 1 person

  18. robbiesinspiration Avatar

    This is a very good piece, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much Robbie

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Alicia Jamtaas Avatar

    You showed so many emotions and the passage of time very succinctly. The letter, I assume chopped to show only the high points, worked well. Kudos.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Alicia, chopped also to fit the word count 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Alicia Jamtaas Avatar

        And the word count, but it also made it a bit harsh, informative and blunt. Just as it should have been.

        Liked by 1 person

  20. kirstwrites Avatar

    I love the little detail of how the bowl is a 15th anniversary gift but they’ve been married for 25 years – conveys a whole decade of misery!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, indeed it does.

      Like

  21. Björn Rudberg (brudberg) Avatar

    Not even his temper can swing anymore… I think he has fallen to the bottom.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He certainly has, and perhaps rightly so.

      Like

  22. J. E. Kennedy Avatar

    Great story Iain. I really loved that the bowl didn’t break. A metaphor perhaps for the unexpected consequences of his actions.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Exactly, not the first thing his anger has failed to break…

      Liked by 1 person

  23. Alice Audrey Avatar

    What a nice, strong bowl. Too bad he didn’t reconsider his temper sooner.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Indeed Alice, thanks for reading.

      Like

  24. CV Grehan Avatar

    The bowl nailed it, Iain. Well done!

    Like

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Like

  25. lisarey1990 Avatar

    Very powerful.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  26. Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist Avatar

    What a powerful story Iain. I like the way you emphasised how he was shattered by not shattering the bowl.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Irene

      Liked by 1 person

  27. Dale Avatar

    Took her long enough, I’m thinking… And it the bowl not breaking sure is a funny sign…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  28. subroto Avatar

    So much anger, it all explains why she left. The bowl did not shatter but the marriage did. Nice one.

    Liked by 1 person

  29. draliman Avatar

    The bowl not breaking makes this even more powerful. Nice one!

    Liked by 1 person

  30. kasturi Avatar

    What a powerful imagery! Within such few words the range of emotions play out so well. Well done, Iain. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  31. Akshata Ram Avatar

    That was quite different from your usual stuff Ian. He deserved it. Loved this one

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much Aks

      Liked by 1 person

  32. syncwithdeep Avatar
    syncwithdeep

    I am bowled with the ending! amazing

    Liked by 1 person

  33. Vivian Zems Avatar

    A lovely snapshot of love’s graveyard accepting another casualty!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Vivian, what a nice expression 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  34. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Ha! The bowl remained unbroken. Brilliant

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Laurie 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  35. plaridel Avatar

    his rage was understandable. that the crystal bowl didn’t shatter seemed to offer a glimpse of hope of reconciliation.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Possibly, thank you 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  36. Norma Avatar

    May be that’s why she’s gone. He’ll never change, will he? I think, even the bowl knows that. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      No, he won’t. Thanks Norma

      Like

  37. Anna Rymer Avatar

    Great story Iain…so very real. I love that the bowl didn’t shatter!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  38. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar

    You pack so much into one hundred words. Well-written as always. The emotion was palpable. The bowl not shattering might be a sign. Reconciliation? =)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Or futility? Depends how he takes it I guess. Thanks Brenda

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Luke Smith Avatar

        I really felt the futility of it.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar

        Thanks Luke

        Like

  39. liz young Avatar

    Poor chap – even that didn’t work out as he planned!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Nope, he’s at a low point.

      Like

  40. Cheney Meaghan Avatar

    Poor guy. He never had a chance of shattering a bowl like that, though. They weigh a ton, it would drop like a bowling ball, haha!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      🙂 Thanks Cheney

      Liked by 1 person

  41. James McEwan Avatar

    Ah, the only solid thing in their relationship was the crystal bowl, perhaps he’ll realise the omen. Perhaps not. You’ve raised a difficult subject in a focused few words, not easy.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you James, I like your interpretation of the bowl.

      Liked by 1 person

  42. Dahlia Avatar

    A perfectly captured moment – very nicely done Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Dahlia

      Liked by 1 person

  43. Russell Gayer Avatar

    Perhaps he should take up bowling. But I guess he’d just throw a gutter ball.
    I feel sorry for both of them. Fifteen years is a good chunk of your life to have invested in a relationship just to let it go. He needs to go to anger management call, big time.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      He certainly does. Thanks Russell.

      Like

  44. Donna B. McNicol Avatar

    Felt his emotions…great job!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Donna

      Like

  45. Inside the Mind of Isadora Avatar

    His temper may have been what pushed her out the door. Sad …. a highly emotional story on the photo prompt. Loved it ….
    Isadora 😎

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Isadora 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  46. Dawn M. Miller Avatar

    Good story, full of emotion.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Dawn

      Liked by 1 person

  47. Sarah Ann Avatar
    Sarah Ann

    That is one strong bowl, and must have dealt him another blow in its non-shattering – even it is against him..

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      When you’ve hit rock bottom there’s nowhere lower to go.

      Like

  48. thedarknetizen Avatar

    This was so well put, Ian!
    Filled with emotions!

    Liked by 1 person

  49. Jan Vanek Avatar

    Shattered is the perfect title for this story–especially since it seems all but the bowl were left that way. I really liked that the bowl didn’t break. It made your story all the more powerful and even made me feel some sympathy for the man.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Jan, very kind.

      Like

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