Our Mantra
The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Jennifer Pendergast
Please be considerate and try to keep your story to 100 words. Thank you.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 100
VANISHING ACT
I raise my head and glare at my reflection. Tears make trails through the foaming skin cleanser.
Tomorrow I’ll walk down the aisle to my faithful Pavel.
I rinse my face and blot it dry.
Time heals all wounds they say.
Pavel’s diamond sparkles next to the pinky ring Enan gave me two years ago. I slip it off and read the engraving. “ILY Forever.”
“Forever didn’t last long, did it, Enan?”
Poof!
Now you see him, now you don’t.
The bastard.
Dropping Enan’s ring down the drain I bleed afresh.
I wish I could hate him, but I don’t.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Time wounds all heels. It may not seem exciting, but living well is still the best revenge. 🙂
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Dear Archon,
I’ve heard both expressions. 😉 Hope for truth of the first and am pretty sure of the truth of the second. Thank you.
Salom,
Rochelle
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I’ve never heard the first expression. Very apt!
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Thanks for stopping by, Louise.
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Some lost loves last a lifetime, but with someone as unworthy as Enan I have hopes that Pavel will become the one and only love of her life over time. A bit heartbreaking but also a bit hopeful, your story. 🙂
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Dear Gabi,
I think she’s on the right track. 😉 Enan’s most definitely unworthy. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Best thing she could have done.
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Dear Jane,
I agree. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It is such a relief, that moment when we can finally move on. Beautifully written, Rochelle.
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Dear Loré,
The trouble with some of those people we give place to in our hearts, never completely leave. I have high hopes for her. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The eternal attraction of a bastard! Ncely told, Rochelle
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Dear Neil,
What is it about those bastards that make them so damned irresistible? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ahhh, a classic love tale. Very nicely told! I had a moment of shock from the p-word and thought this was going in an entirely different direction! Maybe you don’t use the p-word like some do over here…
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Dear Jessie,
Now I’m curious about the p-word. It seems that there are varying definitions of certain words and phrases. I just meant it as a puff as in smoke through a keyhole.
Thank you for your lovely comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS Looked it up. Nope that’s certainly not how I meant it. 😉
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Enjoyed!
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Thanks!
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Reblogged this on All About Writing and more.
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Thank you for the reblog, Henrietta. 😀
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I’m just so very glad she got rid of the last reminder. Not like he was worth it anyway. It sounds like Enan was a first love… and those are the hardest, aren’t they?
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Dear Dale,
No doubt he wasn’t worth the reminder. Now if she can evict him from her heart and mind. Hopefully Pavel will be man enough to help with that house cleaning. First love is the hardest to lose. Thank you for coming and stopping to read and comment. 😀
Shalom,
rochelle
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Being a romantic at heart, I have faith in Pavel…
I know I’ll never forget mine…
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I actually married mine. Unless you count Freddy in the second grade. 😉
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No. Can’t count Freddy… then again… 😉
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He actually married a classmate and had a houseful of kids.
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There ya go!!
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Nothing lasts forever and time heals all- these are two things I learned in my short span of time on earth. Wonderful story, as always. 🙂
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Dear Tamal,
It’s true that nothing lasts forever. However, while it’s said that time heals all wounds, it’s my experience that time merely lessens the ache. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You just destroyed what little peace I had accumulated 😦 I’m just a kid. Don’t tell me Spoilers about Life.
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Sorry. Perhaps your experiences will be different. 😉 There are wounds time does heal…but not always. (I’m only a kid at heart. 😉 )
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Oh, ok 🙂
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The story is great, the comments hilarious.
I don’t think Enan is all bad, just got some commitment issues.
And have you seen his new woman?
Wow!
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Dear CE,
Half the fun of this challenge is the comment section, isn’t it?
Commitment issues is a nice way of putting it.
What woman?
Thank you for dropping in.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sounds like Enan was a stupid lad, he gave away something special. Now look at his new woman, she will bleed him dry,
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Dear Michael,
I hope she does bleed him dry. 😉 Nothing wise about Enan. At any rate this lady has found a good man in Pavel. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Some wounds time doesn’t touch. I read this and remembered my beloved first husband, Phil. I did wear the ring he gave me on my wedding day to my current Hubby, but on the other hand and with his permission. Such a loving man to understand that I still loved Phil, and always would. It’s been 34 yrs, and if I close my eyes, I can still see Phil, still smell his smell, still hear his distinctive laughter. Oh, God above as my witness I still love him.
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Dear Jelli,
While your comments validate my story, my heart goes out to you. Hugs, my friend. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Not being able to hate infers forgiveness. Lots of positive gestures towards betterment in that story, Rochelle. And ‘ILY’? Besides being a cheapskate, Enan’s inability to even commission the word ‘love’ to be engraved probably didn’t bode well anyway.
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Dear David,
Glad you saw the positives in this story. In fact you saw some things I didn’t. Love it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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If only love and hate could be made to order. And since I am asking for the impossible, if it was possible to completely do away with hate…a deep layered thought provoking story Rochelle.
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Dear Dahlia,
It’s hard not to hate someone who’s just dropped out of sight. Her emotions are mixed and that might make her relationship with Pavel challenging. Hopefully he’s more of a man than Enan. Thank you for your insightful comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nothing like heartbreak to make you appreciate someone who is faithful. It sounds like she is moving on and going to a better situation, but I know why she has to mourn that old hope before she takes that last step. Nicely written, Rochelle!
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Dear Joy,
It’s hard to evict someone from your heart, isn’t it? Even though they’ve already vacated the premises, leaving no forwarding address. Thank you for your kind and insightful comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s a very good way of putting it, Rochelle!
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Great story and comments. Expanding my thoughts to the future, Karma happens. Enan found someone else, who became miserable and spent his life thinking about what might have been, while never truly finding happiness. Grin….
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Works for me 😉 Enan didn’t deserve her.
Thanks, M’luv.
Rochelle
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As usual, you’ve packed a great deal of emotional content into a tiny march of words. Well done.
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Dear James,
I couldn’t ask for a lovelier compliment. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love the opening with the narrator glaring at her reflection – perhaps more angry at herself for not being able to let go than she is a Enan for his vanishing act.
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Dear Siobhán,
That’s exactly the feeling I was going for. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She made the right choice. No need to turn back, no reason to hate.
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Dear Bridget,
It’s hard to let go when I person just drops out of one’s life. She’s moving forward but still holds onto some feelings for Enan. But you’re right. No reason to hate.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Not being able to hate is a good thing… It’s more painful in the moment, but hating is making the pain last… It’s like picking at scabs.
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Dear Björn,
I hadn’t looked at hate like that. Good analogy. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Choosing to move on with her life will be the best decision she made, I think. Lovely story, Rochelle.
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Dear Jade,
I think she’s making the right decision. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Enan hopefully lives with the regret of letting her go. I wonder if she will find happiness with Pavel though, if her heart still has a place for Enan? Life, complicated, isn’t it? Nice story Rochelle.
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Dear Iain,
One can only hope that Enan realizes what a jerk he is, but the fact is that people like Enan are so self-absorbed they often neither realize it nor care. At any rate, I’m pleased you like my story. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I hope the scars from her past won’t keep her from living and loving Pavel.
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Dear Rommy,
I hope so, too. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your writing made this story seem so real. Sad but lovely.
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Dear Lindy,
Thank you for your sweet comment/compliment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Some loves are best lost. And if her feelings are any prove, Enan’s is one of those. I just feel terrible for her, having to deal with those terrible emotions right before getting married.
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Dear Magaly,
One of the greatest compliments a writer can receive is when the reader is so into the characters and the story that they seem to forget it’s fiction. 😉 Enan is best lost but it may take her years to completely let him go. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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His loss, I’d say. Well, I always used to say that. A lovely story of someone who’s putting the past behind her and determined to move on. I hope she makes it.
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Dear Sandra,
Someday, hopefully in the not too distant future, she’ll be able to put the jerk completely behind her. I think she’s on her way. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hard to heal from that first, huge heartbreak. It’s very telling that she was still wearing that ring even on the eve of her wedding to another man. What does that mean about her an Pavel’s future together? If Enan came back into her life … ? Sad and wistful and we all know how she feels – at least those of us who’ve had our hearts broken. Lovely tale, Rochelle, as always 🙂
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Dear Lynn,
It’s hard to tie off all the loose ends in 100 words, isn’t it? Good questions. I don’t know that anyone can get through life without a heartbreak or two along the way. 😉 At any rate, they make us better writers. Thank you for your generous comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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All your points are well made. Yes, pain makes us what we are as well as happy times. Hopefully the bad helps us realise when the good comes 🙂
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Vivid and sad. Nicely done.
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Thank you, J Hardy.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Like a flash film … Riveting!
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Thank you, Dora! 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Why? Oh, why? do we give our hearts and put our trust in the Enan-types? Sad, but hopeful story Rochelle. Very nice!
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Dear Joyful,
There’s just something about those good-looking bad boy types that tend to fascinate women, isn’t there? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You can’t depend on some people and it’s good she found out and there was someone else she could depend on. Good writing as always, Rochelle. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
I think that, ultimately, she’s made the right choice. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your final line made an emotional tale all the more poignant.
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Thank you, Keith. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I hope she can finally put Enan behind her and find a good life with Pavel. Very realistic, I was there with her 🙂
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Dear Ali,
I couldn’t ask for a better comment. As writers we want our readers to feel they’re in the scene, don’t we?
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂
she could of pawned the ring!!! Maybe that would of fitted the story!
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Dear Claire,
Given Enan’s lack of character, my guess is that the ring wouldn’t have brought more than a dollar or two. I imagine dropping it down the drain was infinitely more satisfying. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Indeed
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Dear Rochelle,
ILY could stand for “I loathe you”!
I’m sure that flushing the ring down the toilet was symbolic of flushing Enan in person down the toilet — a ritual cleansing leading to forgiveness.
Give me a dependable Pavel any day, over someone of meaningless gestures and a hard heart.
This is a very emotional piece. I feel for all women who’ve been wounded by an Enan-type. And, sadly, not all of them are lucky enough to meet a Pavel to help heal their heart.
All best wishes,
Sarh
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Dear Sarah,
“I loathe you.” Hm. I hadn’t thought of that. I will keep it in mind for sure. 😉
Hopefully, in time, she’ll settle in with Pavel and realize that the Enans of this world are a waste of time and energy.
Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Poignant. Possibly we all have a corner of our hearts reserved for the one that got away.
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Dear Liz,
I’m sure we all have those little corners of our hearts still harbor those that got away. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great take on life & love! This story — and esp the comments — remind me of the little tale of the two tears trickling down the stream of time. the one tear asks the other, “who cried you?” the other says, “The girl who wanted to marry Tom Kensie. Who cried you?” “the girl that DID marry Tom Kensie.
Since the story’s told from Ily’s perspective, we sympathize with her feelings. No commenter suggests that Enan may have had serious second thoughts and wisely bowed out. So I will, being Scottish and therefore contrary. 😉
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Dear Christine,
It might have been nice if Enan had had the decency to at least say goodbye. Love the tale of two tears. Scottish = Contrary? Hm. I’ll have to remember that. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Definitely would have been. I’m sure much more could be written about these two. One could make Enan a total villain or just a coward. (I must admit I’ve ducked out of a few confrontations myself. Easier at the moment, but big BAD.)
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Ah! the queen at her very best. Tears make trails through the foaming skin cleanser. What a heartbreaking line is that. Rochelle, reading you is an indulgence that i gleefully fall for every single time.
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Dear Neel,
Your words make my head swell…(and my heart) Thank you very much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Masterfully told, Rochelle. It’s hard when you love someone to give them up, even though you know you should. Love holds onto anything
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Dear Michael,
You hit the nail squarely on the head. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This was a gut wrenching story. I feel her broken heart but worry that she has not fully let go of Enan, which does not bode well for Pavel.
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Dear Cindy,
I suppose time will tell. I love how much is being read into this flash. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Sabrina Duncan,
I especially enjoyed C.E.’s comment. Enan apparently likes to play the entire course and not just the same fairway over and over, but I hear he has a really short putter. Love can be a many splintered thing.
Best regards,
Charlie
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Dear Charlie,
it’s possible you’ve scored a hole in one with that comment. I don’t know if Enan’s putter is short but I’m reasonably certain if he ever develops a brain tumor it will be in the nether region. Four!
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
What becomes of the broken hearted? They bleed afresh and carry on, it seems. I love the way you built the scene, all sudsy and sad. Another question is what has become of your posts in my WP reader? Gone but not forgotten, much like your Enan, three weeks in a row I’ve made my way here via someone else’s post.
From the scenic route,
Honie
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Dear Wanderer,
I can’t answer for your WP reader, I’m afraid. Perhaps the WP gods decided to hide my face?
As for Enan, the world is full of them. They’re best gone and forgotten, but those of drawn to the bad boys never seem to learn. Thank you for finding your way here. It wouldn’t be the same without you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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All roads lead to you, Rochelle.
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Oh my gosh. The heartbreak is so palpable. Very told Rochelle. Forever is barely a heartbeat
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Dear Laurie,
I guess we’re not promised forever when it comes to some relationships. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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she should have sold the ring at ebay. 🙂
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Dear Plaridel,
I’m afraid the ring probably wasn’t worth the effort. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
Hasta la vista, baby. YUP … that isn’t exactly how she would put it and I’ve never said that to anyone but it does sound like something one would want to say in that moment. Maybe, an alter ego. Ahhhh … amor, a veces es muy doloroso. Ecsrito tan bueno, mi amiga.
Gracias por ser la que nos empuja para escrbir tantas maravillas. ❤️
YAY … I’m posting early. HA … that will be short lived. It does feel great.
Abrazos y carino,
Isadora 😍😎
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Querida Isadora,
Oh those bad boys. We’re drawn to them, aren’t we? I suppose flushing his ring down the drain was what she needed to put the past behind her. Hopefully, she will leave Enan with his ring and move on with Pavel.
Gracias para tu amistad y palabras amables.
Shalom y abrazos,
Rochelle
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Sounds like recovery from old wounds is not far off. Very intense, and with lots of feels. You really packed it in, Rochelle. Bravo.
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Dear Brainrants,
Thank you for such a wonderful and comprehensive comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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At least there is a Pavel. Imagine if there was only ever Enans.
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Dear Alice,
Unfortunately, the Enans are the most enticing, aren’t they?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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From washing skin to black widow? 100 power words Rochelle. Enjoyed it.
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Thank you, Goroboy. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I think Enan is always going to be searching for something he will never find. I hope she learns to love and appreciate Pavel. He seems a much more attentive chap!
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Dear Clare,
I have high hopes for Pavel. Enan was a self-absorbed piece of work, wasn’t he? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh the wealth of meaning and emotions on that bit: I bleed afresh!
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Thank you for your comments, Sabina. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I know by own experience, time does heal all wounds, but in the moment it always sounds empty.
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Dear Cecilia,
We can only hope…yes, it’s an empty place. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, they say. She can always sell it if things don’t turn out well – which is likely. Oh dear!
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Dear Patrick,
I’ve hopes that Pavel’s the one for her. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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hate never comes easily, sometimes
http://obliqview.blogspot.in/2017/03/tyranny-of-watch-wake-up-said-watch.html
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Dear Arora,
Hate, like respect, is earned.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I always feel for the Pavel’s in life. Second fiddle gets old after awhile.
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Dear Joseph,
That’s a different take on the story and, unfortunately, true. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Having walked in her shoes I am cheering for her!
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Thank you, Dawn. I’m cheering for you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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❤
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I love the ending line, that dichotomy between how we know we should be feelings but can’t – the long journey between the head and the heart!
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Dear Rebecca,
It is a long journey indeed. I tend to be a bundle of conflicting emotions myself. 😉 Glad you liked my story and took the time to say so. Welcome to our global community. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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