Silence is Golden
"George, this is just not what I’d expected when we moved out here."
"You were the one who wanted to move here."
"I know, I know, but I hate it."
"And I love it!"
"Lord only knows why. It’s so boring!"
"It’s beautiful, and peaceful, and we don’t have to go to endless social gatherings with your so-called friends."
"Oh, so now it’s about my friends as well, is it?"
"Well, honestly Barbara, you don’t even like half of your friends. I really don’t know why we had to keep up with them."
"That’s just the way it is."
"But why?"
"It just is."
"Well, we’re best off out of it is all I can say."
"I miss them. I miss everyone. Even the boy at the paper shop. There are days go by here and you’re the only person I see."
"And why’s that so bad?"
"There’s only so much you can say to someone over dinner you’ve already spent the whole day with."
"You see, you’ve never understood the value of silence."
"What’s that supposed to mean?"
"You talk too much. You always have done. It’s no wonder you don’t like it out here."
"That’s it Fred! We’re going back. In time I’ll forgive you for that remark."
"No, Barbara. You’re going back. I’m staying here."
L. Besley
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Flash Fiction diary
This piece was inspired by an email conversation I had with my buddy Nina Croft at Writers Abroad. She lives in a very remote part of Spain and sometimes it's hard for couples to adjust to the lifestyle, regardless of how romantic and idyllic it may have sounded.
I've also stepped, rather gingerly, into the 21st century and have set up a twitter account! If you'd like to follow me, I can be found bumbling my way through this technology @laurabesley
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Flash Fiction is short enough to read whilst you're waiting for the kettle to boil. It's fairly quick to write too, but with it being so short, every word has to count.
On 4th May 2012 I decided to embark on a project: to write a piece of Flash Fiction every day. I'm hoping this will keep the creative juices flowing and ultimately help me hone my craft. Every Friday I'll be posting 'the best of the week' onto my blog for you to read. If you have anything to say (good or 'constructive'!), I'm open to comments.
Thanks, as always, for reading.
