Backfired
Words 100
I can still hear the rush of feet, echoes of laughter, the soft whispers and warm sighs.
My vision blurs.
I loved him.
He loved me.
What went wrong?
He turns away.
“How have you been?” I call out.
“Why do you care?” His voice is harsh.
“I just do.”
“If you did, you wouldn’t have left.”
“Why didn’t you stop me?”
“You wanted to leave. Be free.”
“But you didn’t care enough to stop me?”
“Wasn’t that your grievance? That I imposed my dictates on you?”
“But…”
“That’s why I backed off, to let you do as you wanted.”
***
Written for the Friday Fictioneers – a story in 100 words or less. Thanks to Rochelle for hosting the irresistible challenge and J. Hardy Carroll for the beautiful photo. To read the other stories inspired by this post, click here.
Thanks also to those whose commented on this story which triggered this post 🙂
Stories and more 
There is such a knot in that dialogue, in the lives it describes. Good one, Dahlia
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Thank you Neil – it means a lot.
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Brilliantly done again, Dahlia. I feel there’s some miscommunication here between the two, like man vs woman thinking, or just two different personalities who were in a relationship. Sometimes it is hard to get what someone really means. Love is complex 😀
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And that is putting it mildly 😀 And there are no simple solutions are there? I always look forward to and appreciate your visit 🙂
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Dear Dahlia,
A typical case of “he said, she said.” Very well done. I could hear them and even sense the hurt feelings. Why do we think our partners should read our minds?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I wonder if I should plead guilty or the fifth 😉 😀 Thank you Rochelle for your encouraging words.
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They should have talked more, and sooner.
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Them and so many more couples…
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This is so typical of the “games” couples play. So much time is wasted on hoping the other understands what we don’t say… communication goes a long way in happiness!
Very well done, Dahlia!
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Thanks so much Dale! 🙂
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Grown up stuff – thank God I’ve never had a conversation like this (!)
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😀
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ha ha bella strategia!
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Have a super weekend 🙂
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This is so sad and sounds very true. Partners so often seem to think the other can read their minds and the misunderstandings, like here, keep happening until it’s too late to sort them out.
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Yes, communication is the cornerstone of every relationship isnt it? Thanks for visiting.
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Sometimes you just can’t win. I think couples therapy might help these two, help with their communication. Nice one!
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Relationship can be so complicated…
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Yes, like a constant uphill battle. Appreciate your reading and commenting Amy 🙂
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Is he the “benevolent dictator” in the previous post? 😉
The dialogues were brilliant evoking the emotions so well 🙂
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Yep same guy – got curious as to what would happen if she walked off 😉 Thank you kind lady! 🙂
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Sometimes i wonder if we could learn by saying plainly what we want… the game is not game for real
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WORDS, its only words i have to take your heart away….. and its only words that can HURT you so deep….
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Tough debate to settle. Well done.
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Thank you
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Well done Dahlia, you captured something very real, both parties expecting more from each other, hoping and expecting the other to react until the time has gone and it’s too late. Great take on the prompt
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Oversized egos are no good for relationships are they? I really appreciate your generous comment. Thank you.
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I sense there’s no hope for either of them, unless they hone their communication skills.
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Yes, I am very much afraid so…
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Hawww,… I loved it. Very simply perfect!!!
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😉 Yay! 😀
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