IAIN KELLY

ABSOLUTION

It was only after she had left that he remembered the Deli store had closed down last week.

‘Just popping to the Deli store,’ she had called up the stairs.

He already knew where she was going.

It was just that the lie was so barefaced this time.

He decided to head out to the bar even though it was only noon.

He would pass her on the way.

He would pretend not to see her outside the clinic, demanding the right to life.

It was her way of dealing with the guilt.

His way was to drink away his own life.


thoreau-nm
Copyright Jean L. Hayes

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.

112 responses to “ABSOLUTION”

  1. Violet Lentz Avatar

    More lives sacrificed to a single incident. Sad indeed.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Violet

      Like

  2. ceayr Avatar

    Bitter stuff, Iain, nicely done.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you CE

      Like

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  3. Rowena Avatar

    Iain, such a tragic tale of grief and loss. Well done.
    Best wishes,
    Rowena

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Rowena

      Like

  4. rochellewisoff Avatar

    Dear Iain,

    And nobody wins. How sad. Nicely written.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Yep, no winners in this one.

      Like

  5. Tannille Avatar

    The damage choices can make…

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      That’s the thing with choices, you have to live with them.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. J Hardy Carroll Avatar

    Poignant. I’ve been there.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you. Glad you managed to come out the other side.

      Like

  7. Eric Avatar

    Very powerful.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Eric

      Like

  8. Anita Avatar

    How people pretend! Reality expressed well.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Anita

      Like

  9. granonine Avatar

    There are so many layers here. I think the main feeling in this story is just a sense of desolation. Well done, Iain.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It has that feel to it. Thank you Linda

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    What a sad situation.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Afraid so, thanks Keith

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you for reading

      Like

  11. Abhijit Ray Avatar
    Abhijit Ray

    A sombre story. Both of them are suffering and in their own personal dark spaces. Nicely told.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Abhijit

      Like

  12. Dale Avatar

    Choices made not by choice, it would seem… So very sad.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
  13. aheartforafrica641064503 Avatar
    aheartforafrica641064503

    What a sad and sobering story, Iain. We see how two people deal with the same situation differently. Extremely well written story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much

      Like

  14. Psychic-Medium-Author Ronda Del Boccio Avatar

    So sad. Thanks for sharing.
    Ronda

    Like

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      You’re welcome, thanks Ronda

      Like

  15. notestowomen Avatar

    Powerful story, Iain. Very heartbreaking. Each is trying to deal with their pain in their own way. And added to her pain is the guilt of what she had done.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Liz Young Avatar

    However justified the choice, the memory never quite dies.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Not something you’re ever likely to fully recover from

      Like

  17. Susan A Eames Avatar

    Wow – that was so powerful, Iain. Loved it.

    Susan A Eames at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Very kind, thank you Susan

      Like

  18. deborahsdeliberations Avatar
    deborahsdeliberations

    Sad story, Iain and very moving. Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Deborah!

      Like

  19. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar

    Well done and sad. I don’t know the circumstances of the choice she’d made but I hope she comes to terms with her choices and that she doesn’t lose sight of the reality that other women may have choices they need to make, and should be given the space and respect to do them.
    IMO, it is always a sad choice. It is not always the wrong choice.
    Na’ama

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Very well put.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Na'ama Yehuda Avatar

        Thank you! I’d protect the right of any woman or girl to carry to term if she chooses to. I’d also protect the right of any woman or girl to make decisions about their body … It is ALWAYS a difficult position, all the more so why it requires the right to choose.
        Na’ama

        Liked by 3 people

  20. Nobbinmaug Avatar

    This was very well written and thought-provoking, Iain. That’s why our decisions should be our decisions and not mandated by anyone else. We’re the ones who have to live with the choices we make.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I agree, thank you

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Russell Avatar

    So much loss here. A well written story of grief.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Russell, and thanks for your kind review of my novel on Amazon and Goodreads – made my day 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Russell Avatar

        All I did was tell the truth and try not to give anything away in the process. I look forward to the sequel, if there is one in the works.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar

        The first words of the sequel should be typed in the next few weeks – hopefully sometime late summer it will be finished!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Russell Avatar

        Awesome! Good luck with the new book! Hopefully, one of these days I’ll join you on the marketplace.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Iain Kelly Avatar

        Look forward to it Russell 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  22. draliman Avatar

    Sad, I hope they find a way to come to terms with their (or her) decision.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I wonder if anyone can ever really come to terms with decisions as huge as this?

      Liked by 1 person

  23. theministryofshrawleywalks Avatar

    What a choice to have to make, not good for anyone involved. Gritty stuff Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Indeed, and not one with an easy answer for anyone either. Thank you

      Like

  24. Sandra Avatar

    There are some decisions which can’t be unmade, nor can they be put behind you. It sounds like there may be more than one such here.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Sandra

      Like

  25. joyroses13 Avatar

    Tragic story and a timely message right now. Powerfully done!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much

      Like

      1. joyroses13 Avatar

        You are very welcome!

        Liked by 1 person

  26. 4963andypop Avatar

    Instead of coming together in their grief and apparent regret, they seek distraction. I dont see this as a longterm strategy.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I wonder if either of them thinks much beyond making it through the day.

      Liked by 1 person

  27. inthequiet122 Avatar

    May they be reconciled in their mutual brokenness.

    Liked by 1 person

  28. pennygadd51 Avatar

    You’ve written about a big, serious subject, highlighting the pain that can be left after a difficult choice. You’ve structured the story very well. The rather exclamatory style, with many short sentences, allows you to show different facets of the troubled couple. In particular you highlight how their pain leads to blatant falsehoods in their marriage. The title, “Absolution” is excellent, pointing to the solution that both your characters need.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much Penny, so very kind. It is a difficult and complex topic to tackle, especially in 100 words. So pleased you think it worked well.

      Like

  29. Alice Audrey Avatar

    It says a lot that she has to sneak off to protest.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      There is a lot between the lines here.

      Like

  30. plaridel Avatar

    it seems people deal with issues differently. still, the guilt doesn’t go away.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I don’t think it ever will

      Liked by 1 person

  31. Russell Gayer Avatar

    Interesting how they each had their own way of dealing with the issue. Well done, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Russell

      Like

  32. Jennie Avatar

    So sad, and well written.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Jennie

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jennie Avatar

        You’re welcome, Iain.

        Liked by 1 person

  33. Jelli Avatar
    Jelli

    And, neither sees that the way through the pain is a ‘together’ thing. Great writing!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Jelli

      Liked by 1 person

  34. Shirley McCann Avatar

    So sad. I’d be drinking too.

    Liked by 1 person

  35. Woman walking Max Avatar

    I really like the understated way you tell the story, about two tragic lives. Makes it powerful. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you so much

      Like

  36. Laurie Bell Avatar

    Oh gosh. This one has a bite in it. Very subtle and well layered here Iain

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Laurie, always appreciated 🙂

      Like

  37. lisarey1990 Avatar

    This is very tragic and layered. I think there’s a book in it. Great job.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Lisa

      Liked by 1 person

  38. The Writer's Village Avatar

    Wow. Nice spin. I felt the the different emotional responses to the unspoken issue that they’re each coping with – without you’re spelling it out.

    Randy

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Randy, much appreciated

      Like

  39. subroto Avatar

    Society often burdens people with guilt over what should be a personal decision. The title says it all. Nice one.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you, and I agree

      Like

  40. Jo- Creative PTSD Gal Avatar

    How sad and beautifully written. Great job!

    Liked by 1 person

  41. Lynn Love Avatar

    There’s a twisted history here and you capture it very well, Iain. Something makes me think, there’s a chasm between these two that might never be bridged. Very well done

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I think never bridged, never discussed, and they will carry on like this sadly for a long time… Thanks Lynn

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Lynn Love Avatar

        My pleasure

        Like

  42. Kelley Farrell Avatar

    There’s a bitter history between the lines here. Very well done Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Kelley

      Liked by 1 person

  43. gahlearner Avatar
    gahlearner

    A difficult and sad story. I’m not sure the choice was hers alone. Apart from that, what Na’ama said. Great writing.

    Liked by 1 person

  44. Ennle Madresan Avatar
    Ennle Madresan

    Oh my, hard-hitting. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

  45. Margaret Avatar

    You’ve captured their tragedy perfectly, with subtlety and empathy.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Margaret

      Like

  46. Dawn M. Miller Avatar

    Such a shame. Maybe if they could just talk, if not to each other, to someone.
    Good story about guilt. It does make people do all kinds of things.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thank you Dawn

      Liked by 1 person

  47. Bernadette Braganza Avatar
    Bernadette Braganza

    Such a tragic tale 😦

    Liked by 1 person

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.