RainbowRoses-9

She leaned against the railing and stared out at the darkness of the ocean, the waves whipping against the side of the ship, foaming the water so that she could almost make out stripes of white, turquoise and deep, deep blue. She watched the foam disappear from view as the ship slipped through the water and couldn’t help but compare this passing with her own passing years.

She thought about Jake, about how she had met him on a cruise ship so many years ago. And how they had made a point of revisiting that special time together each year. She loved him, she really did. They fit together perfectly. They saw the world the same way. They wanted the same things for themselves, for each other, for the world.

She was wistfully lost in her thoughts and didn’t notice him until he ran his arm around her waist and leaned in to kiss her temple. “Mmmn,” he whispered, his lips pressed to her ear. “You smell good”.

She turned into him and his arms wrapped around her and she looked up at him, smiling. He leaned down to kiss her again and she rose up to meet his lips, the feeling so warm and familiar. And yet…

He hugged her to his chest and rocked them both from side to side as he looked over her head to contemplate the ocean. “This was a great idea, wasn’t it? I’m so glad we did this,” he said as he moved his head back so that he could look at her. “What would you do without me, dear wife?”

She looked up at him and smiled. “Dear husband, I have no idea,” she said, as she always did when he asked this question. It had become a kind of ritual between them. But tonight, she felt sick about it. Matthew was such a wonderful husband and a kind and generous father. They’d been high school sweethearts, he knew almost everything about her… almost. He was sweet and attentive, everything she could ever want.

But her heart belonged to Jake. She longed for Jake whenever they were apart and she felt like she was betraying him by coming on this cruise. Betraying her lover by being with her husband. She needed to tell him. She had to tell both of them. She wished that things could be different. She wished that she was a different person. This secret was destroying her.

And she knew that it would destroy all three of them.

Andy – Dark Side Thursday is my favourite day of the week. When I travel, I usually come home on Thursday night so that I have Friday at home to catch up on the week that was. Now, I can’t wait until I switch to Flight Mode, put on my headphones and start writing. Thank you for introducing this feature – I’m loving reading your serial and I’m loving bringing out the darkness.

This story was loosely inspired by a conversation with a wonderful friend, someone who I am blessed to know. Yes of course this was written on the plane. I was surprised that I was able to write The Light a few days ago in a hotel room. I was beginning to think that I was incapable of writing without being on an airplane.

There is no death in this piece! I’ll bet you thought she was going to jump over the railing or be pushed! I thought it might be too predictable to do another story ending in a sad death, so tonight I’ve gone with betrayal as my dark theme and her suffering as she sees the consequences of her actions laid out before her. What do you think?

The photo is a black and white of one of my Rainbow Roses – I am sending this photo to Lucile’s Photo101 Rehab Clinic.

I’ve had a couple of glasses of wine (maybe that’s the trick to this writing caper!!) so I will happily say this – I love you guys, I am so honoured with the responses that my little stories have received, it’s wonderful to read your comments and hear your thoughts.

Take care dearest people,

x desleyjane

PS This Dark Side Thursday post is posted on Friday!! But only just…

Posted by:desleyjane

photographer, blogger, planner, scientist, dog lover, frequent flyer, daughter, sister, BFF, human

32 replies on “Secret”

  1. Desley, firstly thank you for those kind words about this project, it means a lot that you are taking part so enthusiastically and so expertly! As to the story, yes I imagined that the two of them would end up beneath the waves, as it happens the ending was far darker, and perfect.

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        1. Hehehe, planes do tend to remind people of me! Yes I wrote tonight’s on my iPhone, listening to the dulcet tones of Sam Smith (I think he’s my muse). I wrote next week’s as well I think…

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  6. I was trying to make up my mind as to who would go over the side as I was reading so the ending came right out of left field. Did you see the report just recently of the couple going over board from a cruise liner? They seem to think she fell and he jumped in to try and save her. They had an argument just before the accident!!!!

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  7. And there again your delivered a masterpiece. Loved the story and have a question. Is this one going to be a serial? It has to be, even if you want to continue the Dark side with other stories, you could bring this to a new feature on your blog. Fictional Friday! LOL. I am your editor now…
    I guess I am now influenced by hubby’s skills, I guess….
    Ok, confession time. I was sure that he would kill her after a confession. He would throw her over board. OMG what a dark mind! Maybe I should start participating as well. No, I cannot possibly do it. Kidding…
    Keep writing, you are the best! And you proved that you can write anywhere and with or without wine. We just need to check statistics. Do you kill the character when on air more often than when in a hotel room? Let’s check! LOL.
    And I love you too!
    xx

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    1. Thanks Lucile!! So much. Hmmmnn I don’t know what to do next but I do feel like I need to start extending a couple of these stories. Fictional Friday is a pretty cool idea LOL.
      Remember I asked you if I killed another one off would I be predictable and you said yes!!?? That’s why she has to live with her own betrayal.
      Yes I think I usually kill them from the air heheh.
      Thanks for reading all the way to the end xxx.

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      1. You’re welcome, my dearest. It would be great to extend them. The audience is eager to read!
        Yes, even though I days that, your narrative is so enticing that I forgot what we discussed!
        So, the characters know that you are not good for them if you are traveling! Lol
        Silly you! Of course I read till the end!! And wanted more.
        Xxx

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  8. Nothing wrong with a glass of wine or two. Though usually wine just makes me sleepy. 🙂
    This is fantastic DJ. At first I couldn’t figure out what was so dark about it…everything seemed perfectly fine and dandy. Until I started reading further, of course. Such suspense! And a bit of a tricky situation, for sure.

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  9. OMG! As I was reading, I had to look back and make sure that Jake wasn’t Matthew! What! This is amazing…like a soap opera just jumped out of my computer….Hmmm, a sequel would be great!
    Have a super Tuesday!
    *Lia

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