Shattered
January 23, 2012
“You bought her what?
He flinches as the words ricochet around the entrance hall. This went in an ugly direction fast, he thinks.
“All her friends have them,” he calls through to the kitchen. He waits for the reply, but instead there is the familiar toxic silence punctuated by tinkling glasses. He takes a deep breath.
“I said-“
“I HEARD what you SAID.”
Very ugly, very fast.
He walks into the kitchen and instinctively ducks to avoid the thrown wine glass.
“YOU NEVER LISTEN!” she cries.
He stares at the shattered glass. This can go on no longer, he thinks.
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This week’s prompt is in bold. Click the badge above to read other entries in the 100 Word Challenge for Grown Ups.
23 Comments
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It fascinates me how unpredictably your mind waltzes off with a prompt. Hope this is entirely fictional.
Every time I read a 100 word challenge I think I must give it a go, I suspect it’s really rather tricky.
Caroline – give it a go. It’s fun and we’re all a really friendly bunch.
I love the way the title reflects the actual item and the relationship. Of course I need to know what it was that was purchased but then that would be telling!!
Wow – so much emotion in such a short piece. And it leaves me wanting to know so much more: of course I want to know what the item was, but more than that I want to know if it was really something so outrageous it was worth her getting so worked up over, or whether she’s so volatile she would have reacted this way no matter what he bought. Great writing!
Aha, but is it just about the unsuitable present or is it about their dodgy relationship? Methinks the latter is the more important aspect.
This reminded me of “The woman who walks into doors” although role reversed.
Gave me the chills; very effective short piece.
I love how quickly you have set up a scene and told a complete story. I want to know more and wonder what she really asked for. Brilliant writing as usual.
A great story.
I could feel the tension and was dying to know just what it was he bought her.
Oh heck! That’s all a bit real and emotive. Good post, I can visualise the bloke staring down at his feet.
This is incredible. I want more.
Definitely left me wanting to know more! For example, did the tinkling glasses imply an alcohol problem “that can go on no longer”… or did this line refer to a complete relationship breakdown? When’s the sequel?
Good piece of writing – It goes on expanding in your head. I like the way you don’t find out what he bought! Well done!
Powerful writing. Scarily powerful.
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You really captured a lot of emotion in so few words. And you also make me wonder exactly what it was…
Really liked this, you can really empathise with them both(might just be my inner psycho coming out tho :-/) you feel for him not sure he can do right here. BTW I think all of your 100WCGU’s are brilliant!
Tense, emotional, dramatic, full of suspense! I want to know what he bought, why she’s so upset and what happens to their relationship.
What I like about this piece is that you can read whatever you want into it. A big story in a few words. You are so very clever!
Ohmy, very tense. Is he going to walk out! Kill her and put her body under the patio?
Not sounding good in that household! Well written. The emotions ring out . . .
What an excellent piece of writing. I don’t fancy living in that household.
Never knew someone could fit in so much of emotion in 100 words! good job