FFfAW: Sidelines

Posted on by Louise Bunting
photo-20160807074033992
Photo prompt – Yinglan

Sidelines

Jenny hurried past the sports field with her head down, eyes fixed on the path before her. The hubbub of the players stirred memories she’d rather ignore. Plus, he was there. She could hear his voice, bellowing orders over the field. She could feel the weight of his knowing gaze.

She’d spent so many hours standing on the sidelines, cheering on her Mikey – the team’s golden boy – that their friendship had been inevitable. The coach had become such an important figure to them both, with his fatherly advice and understanding. He’d attended their engagement party, their wedding and their housewarming. He’d offered a supportive hand when injury had denied Mikey the game he loved. He’d provided her with protection when alcohol had turned her husband’s passion into anger.

He’d been there when Mikey nearly killed her.

Her little house was only a short distance from the field. She supposed she ought to move away now… But she couldn’t leave her garden. Her sanctuary.

After all, that was where she and the coach had buried Mikey’s body.

Word Count: 175 words

To read the other entries, click the little blue frog.

wpImg

 

This post is for Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers, a flash fiction challenge run by Priceless Joy that asks you to write a story of 100-175 words, based on the photo prompt. This week’s prompt was provided by Yinglan. Thank you, Yinglan!

photo-20160502054347111

20 thoughts on “FFfAW: Sidelines”

    1. Mikey was her husband. Sorry if that wasn’t clear. There are only three characters mentioned in the story: Jenny, Mikey and the coach. Thanks for visiting, Yinglan.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Golden boy gone bad but they buried him too close….should have picked another spot. Liked the different emotions that Jenny felt conveyed in such a short story….nice one Louise.

    Like

  3. I was a little confused too. So Mikey was her husband and she and the coach killed him instead of him killing her. Great story but so sad! No wonder she can’t look at the coach or want to be around him anymore. Guilt is getting to her.

    Like

  4. A sad chain of events leading to a tragic end. She’s stuck there now in case the new owners want to dig the garden up to put in a swimming pool – that would be awkward 🙂
    Nice one!

    Liked by 1 person

  5. You achieved a great counterpoint in this story! The ending is both surprising and sad… I am wondering how Mike died… there are things left unsaid or subtly suggested which always add more!…
    Nice one, Louise… Love & best wishes. Aquileana 😀

    Like

  6. Love your take Louise. A great ending, a bit of a twist. Indeed this coach his a close friend, if he heher bury her probably abusive husband (from too much drinking). I wonder what will happen next btw them? Will she leave, or will their relationship grow closer yet?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Mandi. I’d like to think that she and the coach will grow closer, unfortunately I doubt her guilt will let it happen any time soon. I’m glad you enjoyed the story. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you. 🙂 I was trying to lead people to the (false) belief that she and the coach had had an affair, wanting the reveal of the truth to be a big surprise at the end. The twist seems to have worked, though I don’t know whether people’s thoughts were going the way I intended before that! I’m very glad you enjoyed it. 🙂

      Like

Comments are closed.