At first it was spite that drove her. But soon she began to enjoy her times at the gym. She’d listen to all manner of podcasts and music. She noticed her appetite decreased. It was easy, almost natural, to pass on all the high-kilojoule sugary things in favour of fresh fruits and vegetables.
One Saturday evening, nearly a year later, as the waitress was showing them to their table, Katie stopped halfway through the restaurant. “Mark!” she exclaimed. He stood, his facial expression metamorphosing as he recognised her.
“Katie! You . . . you look . . .”
She’d planned what she’d say. Your loss, buddy! Or Eat your heart out! Instead she gave him a sincere smile. “Thanks, Mark.’ She turned and followed the waitress.
At the end of the meal she read the fortune in her cookie: “You will love again the stranger who was your self.”
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At dVerse, Kim from Writing in North Norfolk, asks us to write a Flash Fiction story in 144 words that includes the following line from ‘Love After Love’, a poem by Derek Walcott: ‘You will love again the stranger who was your self’.
I am a woman of many words, so this was difficult for me, BUT lots of fun! Why not try your hand at Flash Fiction?
kim881
Aug 21, 2019 @ 09:34:20
Oh, nicely done! You’ve captured Kate and Mark’s history perfectly in 144 words!
little learner
Aug 21, 2019 @ 19:23:07
Thank you, Kim! And thank you for the great prompt!
kim881
Aug 21, 2019 @ 19:38:54
You’re more than welcome!
Björn Rudberg (brudberg)
Aug 21, 2019 @ 21:11:45
Have you ever read “The Life and Loves of a She-Devil”…? I can see a bit of how Kate could have been. Love the grace she shows in the end…
rothpoetry
Aug 29, 2019 @ 03:38:18
I like your take on this one.
little learner
Aug 29, 2019 @ 07:04:35
Thanks. 😊
joyroses13
Sep 03, 2019 @ 05:25:21
Great job! Hope you do it more! 😉
little learner
Sep 03, 2019 @ 05:47:50
😊 Thank you. Life’s a bit chaotic right now, so we’ll see. ♥️
joyroses13
Sep 03, 2019 @ 05:49:09
You are welcome and understand about chaos! Prayers! ❤
little learner
Sep 03, 2019 @ 05:49:34
♥️
rothpoetry
Sep 14, 2019 @ 00:40:04
Great story! Well done!