The Golden Ring-Flash Fiction-Short Story by smuggly-sparrow

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· @smuggly-sparrow · (edited)
$36.11
The Golden Ring-Flash Fiction-Short Story
![goldenring.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmf5UeCEgB5E774SYJgHrXrHiuwqGkNYm6hUMNNaUwnPXs/goldenring.jpg)

(Picture created using Canva)

A short, flash-fiction story.
------------------------------------

<b>The Golden Ring</b>

Elise twisted the gold ring on her finger. It had been there a long time. Too long some had said but she wouldn’t have changed the past for anything. A loud noise let her know the truck was loaded and it was time to go. Her life here was over.

“Ma, you ready?” Her son, a tall, well-built lad with dark hair and his father’s eyes turned in the driver’s seat to look at her.

“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.” She gave him a steady gaze, one that let him know this was hard, but life goes on.

“Sure, Ma. Let’s go then.”

Neither occupant of the truck looked back at the old cabin, tucked away beneath two tall poplars, as the wheels turned.

Not until the last moment. The last second before it disappeared.

Elise looked in the rearview mirror, the sold sticker over the “for sale” sign obscured her view. She didn’t need to look back though. For 48 years she’d lived in that house, and for the last six months she’d done that alone.

Henry was gone, in his grave, but she was still here, left to carry on. 

Alone.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“How is she?” A soft, feminine voice danced on the night air before it pirouetted into Elise’s ear like a gossiping fairy.

“She’ll be fine. I guess, after all that time, it’s strange for her to be on her own.”

“He was a hard man, Tobias. So very hard.” 

“He’s gone now, Leyla. It’s over.” His voice was tired, but not weak, just tired.

Elise struck her foot on the porch and sent the glider into an even rock to let them know she was outside of the window. To let her son and his wife know she could hear them.

Elise allowed the memories of the past to flood her mind, the tears, the fear, the many nights spent quietly in a closet. Her own hand over her mouth to muffle any noise she might make.

That was all done now. She was finally free. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Her hand came up to her mouth again, but this time it was to muffle a giggle.

Her watery blue eyes went wide as the word exploded in her mind and expanded in her chest.

Free.

“Mrs. Charles, are you sure about this?” The beautician stared at her from the mirror and Elise tilted her head high before she spoke.

“I haven’t cut my hair in 48 years, Stella. I haven’t worn nail polish either.” She paused to flash her nails in the mirror, now covered in a brilliant but gaudy orange.  “I think it’s time, don’t you?”

The beautician looked at her client doubtfully, but made the first cut. Five feet of hair disappeared.

Thirty minutes later, Elise stepped out of the salon. 

She wore shorts she’d never been allowed to wear, with shoulder length white hair, her toddler granddaughter laughing in her arms. Time for more of the forbidden.

“Now, let’s get ice cream.”

Free at last.
👍  , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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vote details (21)
@johnjgeddes ·
$0.04
a true woman's liberation :)
👍  
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@centaurmystic ·
$0.04
Parting is such sweet sorrow. And freedom.
👍  
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@horrorguyian ·
$0.03
This is an interesting glimpse into your characters whole life told very subtly. A nice addition to the contest. Good luck!
👍  
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@smuggly-sparrow ·
Thanks! :)
👍  
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@rhondak ·
$0.02
This entry is a finalist! @smuggly-sparrow, check your wallet. :-)
👍  
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@smuggly-sparrow ·
$0.87
Wooohooooo!! Yay and thank you, to all involved! I needed that smile today and you just gave it to me! :)
👍  , ,
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@rhondak ·
YAAAY!!!!
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@jrhughes ·
$0.02
Wow, I loooooved this one. Congrats on your win, and say hello to a new follower!
👍  
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@smuggly-sparrow ·
$0.03
Hi there! Thank you for taking the time to read it, I'm really glad you enjoyed it so much! :)
👍  
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@canadian-coconut ·
$0.02
Congrats!
This is a beautiful story.
I really enjoyed reading it.
👍  
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@smuggly-sparrow ·
Hiya! Thanks a lot for taking the time to read it and comment! I'm so happy to see people enjoying my efforts! And thanks for the upvote!! :)
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