Her skin is pale, her rumpled cotton vest and panties whiter than the cream sheets she lies on.
She murmurs something in her sleep and rolls over, an exquisite bare thigh arching on top of the covers.
Her hair is dark black in contrast, a short bob framing her resting face. The cold winter air makes the tiny hairs on her arms stand on end.
Outside the window the world is a white sheet too. The first snowfall of the winter has arrived.
I sit on the end of the bed and stare at her. How lucky I am to have met her. Why did she stay with me? I can’t answer. She deserves better.
But I can’t change who I am. I scoop up the winnings from the bed where we slept on them. Crisp, new dollars fresh from our good run of luck at the Craps table last night.
I’m sure I can win more, double it. Then she’ll never have the excuse to leave me. She hasn’t agreed to it. We won it together.
I take one last look at that pale, pure body and creep out the door.
The roulette wheel awaits.
Win and have it all. Lose and I lose her too.
The snow is crisp and crunchy as I walk across the motel car park. 9 a.m. The casino will open in half an hour.
I should have asked her name before I left. I should realise she was the one who brought the good luck.
Without her, I know the chances are I’ll hit my usual losing streak.
I close the car door and rub my hands together, the engine takes three tries to start.
This is a response to the #writephoto Prompt – Snowfall curated over at Sue Vincent’s Daily Echo. Click on the link to read other stories inspired by the image.
My first novel, ‘A Justified State,’ is available now
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Sounds like he is headed for trouble!
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You know he’s going to lose it all.
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For sure!
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Beautifully written but so depressing 💜
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Thank you, one of life’s losers I’m afraid.
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Yes indeed 💜
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We haven’t had our first snowfall yet, thank you for yours!
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You’re welcome 🙂
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My world went sideways for a wee bit late in 2018, I’m starting to wander the WordPress world again…I hope to read more of your work in the future!
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Thank you, hope all is better for you in 2019
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This is not going to end well.
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No, not for either of them.
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Greed makes for strange bedfellows.
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It certainly does, thanks Michele
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Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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Unusual story, written from experience?
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Thank you, no, I’m afraid my life is much more conventional that this! 🙂
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You must have a brilliant imagination…
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Thank you 😉
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I’m thinking he already lost it all, doesn’t much matter where he goes now.. Nice write Iain…
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You capture the essence of the piece – he has already lost it all several times over.
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Love how it seems as if they are in a real relationship and then the line about “should have asked her name.” Well done!
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Glad you spotted that Sascha, I thought it might have been a bit too subtle.
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Oh, I love this. A great read from start to finish, love the sense of intrigue. And the imagery, the bleak, blinding whiteness of it all. Wonderful, thank you. 🙂
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You’re very welcome, thanks Bernie. Nice to meet you and look forward to reading more on your blog too 🙂
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Nice to meet you, too. Iain…And looking forward to catching up on your blog! Would it be okay if I linked to this story at some stage? It’s a perfect example of how to write great flash fiction.
Bernie
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Feel free to link to any of my blog pieces, the more the merrier 🙂
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Great, thank you 🙂
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Human nature…We want more. – nice story.
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Thank you
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Reblogged this on Sue Vincent's Daily Echo.
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That passion for gambling never ends well…
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I don’t remember many happy endings.
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Me neither.
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