From the pages of Mistress Rochelle’s blog comes a Jennifer Pendergast photo prompt of ladled ice in a frozen spa bucket to inspire us all to contrive a story of not more than a hundred micro-fictional words.
Click on Jennifer’s picture to skate on over to the Purple Blog for a dousing of the simple rules of entry into the welcoming warmth of Friday Fictioneers.
Genre: Romance
Title: August’s Commandment
Word Count: 100
They met one August while she was visiting family back east. There was some talk, wine, a dance, and time alone; eyes met, and after that, a kiss. Then, a sexual tryst. Their love grew, but full-time togetherness was not to be, except each August, same days, same place, same passion.
A few days each year for another fifty years, they met repeatedly. They discussed their polyamory as each was awkwardly enmeshed but still loved their family and were otherwise devoted to a loving spouse back home.
One day a letter arrived. Only memories now. But never again. No regrets.
Look both ways at fact and fiction as neither provides the full story.
Mind the gaps in the years, for love knows no limits.
Click here to read more #FF stories.
From the movie, Same Time Next Year (Ellen Burstyn won a Golden Globe for Best Actress), 1978.
Our Literary Journey 
Despite the betrayal of the spouses back home, still a sweet and enduring romance that hurt no one in the end. Nicely done.
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Thank you, Iain.
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I remember watching that movie back in the day.
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Brief Encounter to the power of 50!
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I remember liking that movie way back when.
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As a story, sweet. As a reality, I think perhaps less. And yet … sometime some somehow make it work. Or so they think. A friend of mine found her mom’s letters, hidden in the attic where she thought no one would search. Apparently, one of her siblings was only a half-siblings. And she wondered if her father ever knew, and wondered if it was better that he died before her mother did. Complicated, human beings are, eh?
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Yes. We are.
I’ve written several essays based on my thoughts and what I’ve read in “The Paradox of Love” by Pascal Bruckner (Author).
So far, I’ve been unable/unwilling to publish them. I’m not sure why.
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To all their time … but, perhaps, perhaps, you’ll find a good time!
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Maybe so. 🙂
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Actually, not such a brief encounter
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Right.
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I was reading this and thinking, Oh! Same Time, Next Year! I love that story and I love your story!
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Thank you, Dale. You saw it coming. 🙂
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Being a fan of the flic… 😉
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I love this story and I bet it happens a lot more than anyone would believe.
That song came out when I was a newlywed; oh, the power that song still has. Daryl Hall does a real fine job with it and he’s so easy on the eyes:
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I think poly is indeed more often then folks want to think.
I had not seen the Daryl Hall cover. It’s great! Thanks for sharing.
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Most welcome.
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I expect you could call their mutual love an annual affair.
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Oh, yes.
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What a romantic story ❤️
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Sad but romantic. The end of an era.
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True.
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Thanks for sharing
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You’re welcome.
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Very sad, but what I’d expect from you in the romance category.
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Comedy? LOL — Thanks, Kathrine. 🙂
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Oh, that would hurt. All things considered, I think they made the right choices. It’s not just the partners who suffer in a divorce; it tears the whole family apart. I can imagine each lived for that annual liaison. What will the surviving lover do now? 😦
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Watched Northern exposure tonight. 🙂
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it was interesting that the romance lasted that long. spouses most likely knew but chose to ignore it to maintain family harmony.
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In the movie his wife dies. She did know for the 10 years prior to that.
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A sweet tale. And a conundrum, is it actually polyamory if the other parties were ignorant to it?
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Technically, not according to dictionaries. Call it #FF license to call it Polly. 🙂
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A secret long lived romance. Though I would hate to be the partner left at home, never really knowing all of their partner or why they need someone else, someone they can’t let go of. But a lovely movie that.
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It’s an old story. 🙂
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After 50 years, one has to wonder which is the affair and which is the relationship.
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🙂
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Dear Bill,
Of course I went immediately to “Same Time Next Year.” One of my favorite movies. Nicely done, sir.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle.
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A sweet story. Nicely done.
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Thank you.
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You are welcome 😊
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No regrets. Would that we can all say that about our lives. I enjoyed this tender, and sad, story.
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Memories will remain.
They will take their cheating to their grave.
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Would someone be kind enough to explain to me, how I participate in this? thanks in advance
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Go to Rochelle’s blog
follow it and provide an email for notices
instructions are there
New pics are sent out early Wednesday mornings
Click below the frog to go to the page to post your story
Be sure to read and to comment on other’s stories.
I hope this helps. 🙂
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