Friday, April 13, 2012

L is for Lessons Learned (Flash Fiction Friday - 4/13/12)

Today's flash fiction is brought to you by the letter... L (and Carrie Underwood)!

She’d made a lot of mistakes. She knew that. And even when she was clinging (desperately, hopelessly, horribly) to the notion that most of the mistakes were his, she knew she held some blame too. And maybe her blame was worse. Deep down, she’d always known that someday he was going to screw up and hurt her. But he never would have expected it of her.

The fall off a pedestal hurt more when she was that high off the ground.

Their last screaming match had ended with both of them crying. “I can’t do this anymore!” she’d tried to shout, though it only came out as a whisper.

“I can be better,” he’d pleaded.

But she’d shook her head, tentative at first, then harder and more certain than ever before. “You say that every time. And then you make me feel like shit all over again.” Her nose had burned from the tears, and she’d had to swallow a knot in her throat before she could continue. “I don’t want to feel like shit anymore.”

“Just give me another chance.”

She’d hesitated, and maybe he’d known he’d won then. But he hadn’t smile, not even when she’d said, “One more chance.” She’d held up one finger and shook it. “One more. Then never again.”

He would do it again, she knew. And again, she’d cry. Again, a small part of her would break. Again, she’d find a way to hate herself.

Maybe next time she’d learn her lesson.

I sort-of-kind-of thought of the theme for this one while I was listening to a Carrie Underwood song on the way home from work. "Lessons Learned" is one of the most inspirational songs to me (it's not nearly as dark as this flash fic). It's all about learning from your mistakes and keeping your life moving even if you have some regrets. Take a listen if you've got some time:

Happy Friday the 13th!

8 comments:

  1. I actually hadn't heard this song. It is really inspirational. And that's a powerful piece of flash fiction as well. I am in awe at your talent my dear :)

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    1. *blush* Aw, THANK YOU! That kind of made my day. :-)

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  2. Hello, Tobi! Your flash fiction piece is wonderful. Song lyrics can be inspirational pieces for fiction. One of my favorite writing exercises is to choose the first song I hear from a playlist on my iPod and write a ff piece or short story!

    Have a great weekend and happy A to Z!!

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    1. That sounds like a really cool writing exercise. I do it unintentionally sometimes (like with this, or another short story I'm writing), but I think I'll try it more deliberately at some point. Thank you so much!

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  3. Ouch--that's a painful read. Very insightful and powerful, though. I'll be back to check out more of your flash fiction throughout April--and beyond!

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  4. Great piece - very true to life, cycles are hard to break, even (or especially) destructive ones. Nice song too!

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