Helja threw herself into the white leather armchair, knees together, shoeless feet splayed. Her toes pushed deeper in the oyster-coloured wool carpet. A loud drawn out sigh blistered the silence.
“You should take up acting,” her husband said handing her a glass of scotch. “What’s the tortured exhalation about this time?” William tossed back his whiskey without removing black, quizzical eyes from her gathered eyebrows.
Ice cubes crashing together in her glass, Helja squinted up at him, her raspberry lips pressed together into a red hyphen. The magic is gone, she thought, yet I still find you wildly attractive.
“I’m tired of these pointless parties and phony kiss-kiss crap.”
“You didn’t mind when you married me.”
“I’ve learned a thing or two since then. Money doesn’t buy happiness like in fairy tales.”
Snatching a hand, William hauled her down the hallway. “I’ll give you happiness,” he roared.
~* * ~
The word limit for Happiness is 150 words. I used 146 words. Check out http://mommasmoneymatters.com/flash-fiction/ for rules and contributions.
How the Cookie Crumbles 
February 26, 2013 at 10:10 pm
Nice, I would just change the description of the ice …”crashing” seems too big.
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February 27, 2013 at 1:23 am
Really good! I like the lips making a red hyphen, hehe.
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February 27, 2013 at 7:33 pm
Thanks, Vanessa.
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February 27, 2013 at 1:32 am
I can imagine the happiness bestowed 😉
Good story Tess – I liked it a lot!!
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February 27, 2013 at 7:32 pm
Surprised me, I must say, Ghia. I hadn’t planned this turn of events…
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March 3, 2013 at 2:22 am
I love the ones which veer even when we are writing them. This one is terrific. xxx
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March 5, 2013 at 10:21 pm
Hi, Red. Surprises are nice. This one was w.a.y unexpected but that’s fun too. Thanks for finding time to comment.
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February 27, 2013 at 1:22 pm
Wonderful!!
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February 27, 2013 at 7:31 pm
Thanks, Cee. Nice to hear from you. I guess just because there’s snow on the mountain…
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February 27, 2013 at 2:13 pm
Ooo naughty – i love it!
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February 27, 2013 at 7:29 pm
And at my age. I don’t know where that came from…Tee hee.
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February 27, 2013 at 7:02 pm
All that cold weather making you randy, my dear?
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February 27, 2013 at 7:30 pm
You made me laugh out loud. Maybe it’s IS cabin fever after all, Robin. You catch on quick. Ha ha ha.
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February 28, 2013 at 6:58 am
Oh, I like this one! Very pointed.
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March 5, 2013 at 10:55 pm
Thanks, Valentine. I started up one way but ended up someplace else. Nice surprise, to me, anyway.
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February 28, 2013 at 1:03 pm
I love how you painted such a vivid picture here! I’m going to check this writing meme out!
Happy Thursday.
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March 5, 2013 at 10:53 pm
Please do, Jenny. Love to see you there.
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March 2, 2013 at 10:59 am
Great detail. The toes pushing into the wool carpet…
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March 5, 2013 at 10:34 pm
Thank you, Delft. I added that because I tend to like pushing my toes into nice carpets. Figured someone else might.
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March 28, 2013 at 11:11 pm
You always convey so much with so few words. It’s a real talent, Tess.
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March 30, 2013 at 4:37 pm
I consider these shorts a challenge, which feels like I’m playing. I’m glad you’re enjoying them. Thank you for commenting, Naomi.
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