Image by Raina Ng at https://writersclubkl.wordpress.com/
It all looked familiar.
The dust on the lampshades. The dirt on the cooker. The sharp edges on the large table that always got in the way.
I’d been in that kitchen before. Too many times.
I pulled my hand away from his. ‘I can’t do this.’
‘What about my second chance?’ he spluttered. ‘Things are going to be different this time…’
Then I saw the clock on the wall stuck at 3 o’clock. The batteries still hadn’t been changed.
‘No.’
I said goodbye and walked out of that kitchen for the very last time.
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Friday Fictioneers is a challenge set by Rochelle each week where writers from around the world post 100 word stories based on a common photo prompt. For more information, and to read other stories, visit Rochelle’s page here.
Jessie Ansons 
Good for her. He hadn’t changed much, so the second chance might have been wasted too.
I think so too 🙂 thanks for stopping by to read!
I think the right decision has just been made.
Thanks Sandra 🙂
Good decision. Nice narration.
Thank you! Glad you liked it 🙂
I guess the batteries where of a symptom of other things undone..
Yep! If he can’t change a battery I doubt he could do much else…
Excellent decision. You can’t judge a book etc, but you can judge a person by their kitchen (and battery-changing skills).
Haha funny 🙂
Great story Jess, it tells us a lot in 100 words about their relationship; the clock is a clever symbol of his inability to change and that he is stuck in time. Her recognition that it is time to move forward is shown by her actions. Well done!
Thanks Maree for reading and the lovely comment. I thought you might like the metaphors in this one 😉
I agree. The clock being stuck is brilliant! 🙂
Thanks for the lovely comment 🙂
My pleasure!
Your dialogue and prose showed the scene well. The clock being stuck on 3 was an excellent reminder of why she’d had enough.
Glad you liked it 🙂 thanks
Oh boy this guy just doesn’t know what he doesn’t know. He should have found out what the problem was before committing to changing it.
Exactly 🙂 thanks for stopping by
The straw that broke the camels back. A hard decision.
Thanks for the read 🙂
Messy people are good at heart, at times. Guess he should be given a fair chance
Interesting reflection! Most others feel she was making the right choice by leaving. Glad someone’s on his side! Thanks for reading and commenting 🙂
Hmm, straws and camels’ backs.
Very clever piece of writing.
Thanks AEC for your lovely comment 🙂
Good one! His Time had run out…and so she was Out of there!
Thanks for the comment! Oooh… ‘running out of time’ would have been such a good title!
Dear Jessie,
I like the way you used the clock as a metaphor for ‘nothing’s changed.’ Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks so much Rochelle 🙂 I liked the photo this week! Good choice 🙂
Nicely done. She’s got her eyes wide open and although she may have made a mistake the first time round, this time she’s onto him. He’s a loser.
Thanks Margaret! A loser is a good description 🙂
Second chances rarely work. Smart of her to get out before getting too invested once again!
Thanks Dale for stopping by and commenting 🙂