PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Like lightning hits water, memories of you leave me tranquil as death.
“How are you doing?”
Somewhere between just fine and falling to pieces. Waiting in line, another childless cat lady with a coupon: buy one, get one free.
I’ve loved more, lost more than most people ever had. I sometimes say (and mean) “I wish I never met you.” Not so deep down, I regret nothing. Worth it. Every emotion that breaks and runs up onto ever-crumbling sand.
We must live in shallow waters, indeed, if “how you are doing” is always as simple as “fine.”
***
This my 100-word story for Friday Fictioneers, hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields, and I’m now posting on Thursday which is a day before Friday, so this feels like progress and not at the tail end like last week! Also really tired and probably only semi-cogent, but tomorrow I’ll have even less time than tonight. I definitely meant to write a happier story than the one that my fingers typed out. The maudlin tone is definitely me being half-awake.
Hope everyone has a great weekend and stays cool and safe!
Anne Higa 
Pride tends to hide the truth of our true state in life. We are all fine, some are not really. Your story captures these feelings.
How often do we tend to feel like that? Though every night has a morning. Happy weekend!
Breathtakingly good. This packs such a punch in so few truthful poison-tipped words
Shallow waters indeed, but your story is anything but. I’m left with questions, but the emotions are well-wrought and my questions don’t take away from the clarity, if that makes any sense! The childless cat lady brings up a whole different type of emotion just now.
Hope you feel more awake soon but if tiredness makes you write like this, it’s not all bad!
What a beautifully written post, Anne. So much could be said instead of “fine”…
Love and loss often go together, it seems. Beautifully portrayed here.
Dear Anne,
When I was in treatment we were constantly reminded that “fine” is NOT a feeling. 😉 Well written story that packs a punch.
Shalom,
Rochelle
I read the end part twice and glad I did. We seem to be conditioned to pass pleasantries as grease for the social gears and fine is the pat response. It gets to a place where internal feelings aren’t even considered anymore, we just carry on like zombies. Thank you for your thought-provoking story, Anne.
Just the other day, when someone asked me “How are you” and I glibly replied “Fine, thanks” I had to stop, apologize, and admit that I was struggling. I didn’t bore her with the details. No one enjoys that kind of organ recital. But she did promise to pray for me, and thanked me for being honest with her.
How hard was that? Truth? Very hard.
Your story is beautifully written. Thank you.