MAYBE IT WAS THE RAIN

I kept the date. It was our last chance. Your last chance. If you don’t show up this time then I’ll know for sure.

Fifteen years since the High School prom. We were perfect. You wanted to be with me. Why should that have changed?

So every year, on the anniversary of that evening, I message you. Text, email, WhatsApp, Facebook, Insta. You definitely get the message.

But you never show up.

A shame the restaurant is closed, the staff have abandoned it. I can hear the storm siren as the hurricane nears.

Still no sign of you. Maybe it was the rain.

Until next year, my love.

Copyright David Stewart

Written for Friday Fictioneers 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 more stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

‘The Barra Boy’ is available now. You can find all the information for getting a copy HERE.

This Saturday is Bookshop Day in the UK and I’ve got an author event at a local shop to celebrate, where I’ll be chatting about ‘The Barra Boy’ and signing copies.

50 responses to “MAYBE IT WAS THE RAIN”

  1. A poignant and delued character. Nicely done, Iain

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Dear Iain,

    It just might be time for him to let her go. Poignant and well written. Love “meeting” you on the video. All the best on your novel.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Rochelle 🙂

      Like

  3. Someone living in fool’s paradise 😥

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Very much so. Thanks Sadje

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re welcome

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Touching one.
    Love never dies. He will be there every year. True love…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. He will, but I think of him more of a fool in love, this one.

      Like

  5. Makes me sad. But that is life. Well told.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. He should probably let that ‘love’ wash away with the storm.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Yeah, the rain. And last year it was a cancelled flight. Had to be, right? And I’m guessing the year before trouble getting a cat sitter…. Not that she ever told him these things, just his intuition. Good one.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Trent, you have him summed up perfectly.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. More than a little bit of a creepiness edge to this. Maybe the hurricane puts him out of his (and her) misery for good?
    Sorry, bit of a trigger…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You are the first to pick up on it. Most seem to have sympathy for him, but I was hinting at a darker side… Well read.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sadly, been there. 😶
        Well read cuz well-writ.

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Run girl run… there be danger on the horizon, and I am not thinking of a hurricane

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Very true Michael, thanks.

      Like

  10. I literally got goosebumps tingling my arms on that one, Iain. Truly chilling! I’m torn between thinking she needs to have a police officer meet up with him next year, but if he gets ahold of the report he’ll know where she lives. Or maybe he already does… YIPES

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Good reaction – you should be chilled! 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Hmmm. At first I felt sorry for him, but on second thoughts, maybe he’s just a crazy stalker, and she’s wise to stay away. Great little glimpse into a confused mind!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Linda, yes the sympathy would be misplaced in his case!

      Liked by 1 person

  12. I read this as being narrated from a woman’s POV, which doesn’t seem to chime with the comments…
    There is certainly an air of menace – not just the approaching hurricane, but “Your last chance,” is definitely hinting at a disastrous outcome.

    Like

    1. Thanks Penny. Glad the menace came through to you.

      Like

  13. Give up, for goodness sake – it’s a lost cause!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It is, but unfortunately he doesn’t see it that way!

      Like

  14. A part of me feels sorry for him, but I can’t help but think there’s more to this guy than you are letting on!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I wouldn’t feel too sorry for him if I was you… Thanks Keith

      Like

  15. After 15 years, probably time he took the hint. I’m intrigued by the fact he starts by saying it’s the last chance and concludes with ‘until next year’. I’m very much hoping he doesn’t go beyond an annual nudge into a more sinister path.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m afraid it could get quite sinister quite quickly! Thanks!

      Like

  16. Well done, Iain.
    I have such a love/hate relationship with stories like this. I enjoy the unrequited romance while despising the self-suffering and not letting go. It just cannot be both ways. Or can it?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It shouldn’t be, but there are definitely those who seem to feel the suffering is worth it.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. to borrow from austen, he hopes the longest when all nopes are gone.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. He will always have hope, even if only in his own head…

      Liked by 1 person

  18. A lovely study in delusion and hope.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. I think it’s time for him to let go – well written

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Even a deluge isn’t enough to wash away this dude’s delusions. Oy.
    Well penned!

    Liked by 1 person

  21. This is really good on so many levels! I’d love to read 100 words from the other person’s point of view…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That would be a great companion piece – maybe next week’s prompt will provide some inspiration!

      Like

  22. Oooo I have a feeling there’s a reason she’s avoiding him… and given his stalkerish behaviour she’s probably right too. Well written piece from his point of view

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Steer well clear, definitely!

      Like

  23. Hope springs eternal. It’s probably time to let go.

    Liked by 1 person

  24. This one probably falls in the “It’s not me, It’s you” category 😉
    Fun story.

    Liked by 1 person

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