Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Write CONTEMPORARY FICTION (10/30/14)
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TITLE: Behind Closed Curtains | Previous Challenge Entry
By
11/03/14 -
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Let it, thought Anna, I don’t care.
She’d been sitting at her desk for what seemed like an eternity, staring into space, oblivious to the clock ticking, the hours passing.
Another gust of wind sent her wedding portrait tumbling off the shelf and crashing down onto the floor. At the sight of the shattered picture of her and David, her tears flowed freely.
Anna bitterly regretted her decision to tackle the household accounts that afternoon. It had seemed the perfect opportunity as the children were away at a sleepover. But soon after starting, she discovered some online subscriptions that didn’t make sense. Alarmed, she delved further into David’s online dealings.
Nothing could have prepared her for what she discovered...
Since losing his job, David had become increasingly withdrawn. Although she tried to be supportive, it hurt that her only companions every evening were her laptop and a mountain of work. Frustrated and angry, she would go to bed alone. Meanwhile, David would be online, telling her he was job-hunting. She now saw that, instead, he was seeking solace for his bruised pride on dating sites, pornography sites and adult chat rooms. Married man in public, Casanova in private; the curtains surrounding his double life had been pulled apart. Now the undeniable, ugly truth stood exposed before her.
The worst was yet to come. Having steeled herself after finding folder after folder of lurid images, the messages, conversations and images Anna found on Skype left her numb, unable to cry, speak or move...until the wedding portrait fell.
Until recently, life had been so good; married fifteen years, both of them were active and respected in their church. Their two children, now older, were becoming more independent. She returned to work and was flying up the promotion ladder. They bought and refurbished a house in the upmarket end of town. From an outsider’s perspective, they seemed to have it all. That was, until David unexpectedly lost his job eight months ago, and, along with it, his confidence and self-esteem.
Now, it all seemed so hollow. The idyll of a loving and committed marriage built on their shared faith, lay like the portrait, smashed into pieces, along with any trust they once shared. How could there be a way back from this?
Picking up the photograph and the fractured remains of its frame from the floor, she cut her finger on a shard of glass. As she grabbed a tissue and pressed on the cut, the white-hot flame of a memory of her wedding day burned in her mind.
Trust me to prick my finger on a stupid rose thorn right at the church door! At the altar, David had to help me press a tissue to it. Trust Rev Grey to bring THAT into the sermon! What was it he said? Something about in marriage, sometimes we’ll hurt each other. But what matters is; do you care enough about each other to try to help each other through?
Anna looked at the shattered mess again. This time, she saw distorted reflections of her face in the broken glass, a far cry from the young bride’s, full of hopes and dreams.
I hardly recognise him now. How could he hurt me like this? Wasn’t he the man who swore before God to be faithful? That he’d stand by me come what may, as I’ve done for him? We both swore before God, “‘til death do us part!”
Anna recalled the run-up to the wedding; the excitement and joy, the months of hard work and planning and their immense love for each other, so abundantly evident in the photo. Underpinning everything was one simple truth:
God was there when we made those vows. So regardless of how bleak this situation seems, He’s still here in this mess with us now...
Anna shut the window. Outside, the wind was still wailing but at least the rain had stopped – for the moment.
The glass plate was beyond repair, as was the frame. But the photograph itself, although slightly scratched, was still in one piece.
She knew that she had made her choice.
David got home to find Anna out. Beside the computer lay a note:
When I swore “‘til death us do part,” I meant it...
I’m ready to talk when you are.
I care enough to help you through.
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The MC's devotion to GOD and her vows in marriage was refreshing and inspiring. I'm glad they'll work it out.
God bless~
My favorite part was this:
"God was there when we made those vows. So regardless of how bleak this situation seems, He’s still here in this mess with us now..."
Excellent and so powerfully done! Congrats
God bless~