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| photograph by Nina Leen, 1947 |
Mr. Swanson was a man who kept to himself. It's not that he wasn't liked by the other residents of Huntsboro, but he was a private man. Out of his mouth came only what needed to be said and nothing more. His home was always tidy and he lived alone--but it hadn't always been that way.
You see, when he was young, Mr. Swanson was not "Mr. Swanson," but just Jack. There was a girl, too, his practically betrothed. Of course, Jack hadn't exactly asked her to marry him yet, but everyone knew they were meant for each other. After all, in the summer of 1957, there was still time to be young and free and merry. Still, everyone treated them as a married couple, even if Jack wasn't quite ready to commit yet. 1957 slipped into 1958 and still it was just Jack and his girl. But then...
November 28th, 1958. A fight on a cold night. A screen door splintered from being slammed. Two shattered hearts from words screamed.
It was no longer Jack and his girl after that night. She was gone--where, nobody knew--and Jack became Mr. Swanson, a man that kept his words close and feelings closer. When he died, the church pews were packed full of people wishing their last respects. After the service, there was the obligatory sympathetic twittering from the little groups of women, while their husbands stood with their hats in their hands, necks stiff against starched suit collars, and looked longingly towards the exit.
It was fitting that Mr. Swanson passed from this world to the next in the house he'd shared with his girl, back when he knew the touch of love. They said he'd never stopped loving his girl, and it was true. In his heart, his name was still Jack and his girl was still with him. Mr. Swanson died with words of regret on his breath, but it didn't have to be that way. When he died, there was one thing he didn't know about: the letter.
"November 29th, 1958
I still love you. Ask me to stay.
Love,
Your Girl
PS I'm sorry about the fight last night."
It was unopened.
----
Story number one in the beginning of a voyage into the realm of short stories.
That was so intriguing!
ReplyDeleteoh, this is so so beautiful but so sad. lovely, cc. :)
ReplyDeleteI never knew you were so good at writing fiction stories too! (Although I wouldn't have doubted your ability.) But that short introduction is immensely entrancing as it is heartbreaking. More soon, please?
ReplyDeleteAh, this is so lovely and sad. I loved it.
ReplyDeleteSo sad, so heart wrenching. I love this, Carlotta.
ReplyDeleteSad stories aren't allowed!! haha
ReplyDeleteMore very soon, okay? :) That was so beautifully written.
ReplyDeleteAh, no! How sad. :((
ReplyDeleteLove your first short story. Also, I have to say it again. I REALLY love your design.
Blessings!
-Madi
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete(I removed by previous comment simply because I wanted to re-write it.)
ReplyDeleteI loved this story! It was beautifully written and it tugged strongly on my heart strings.
Intriguing. Fabulous. Such a lovely, but sad story! <3
ReplyDeletelove this. very well written, Carlotta! can't wait for more.
ReplyDeleteoh goodness. I'm crying. literally. oh goodness... oh goodness...
ReplyDeleteMORE PLEASE. please.
This is GAWHGEOUS. Gah.
ReplyDeleteWow, wow, wow. This was so lovely and I teared up. I can't wait to read more of your stories, you are such a wonderful writer.
ReplyDeletethat was wonderfuly amazing :) thank you for sharing. and i cannot wait to hear more!
ReplyDeletei dont know. you just have a way with words. and wow. looooove.
ReplyDeleteoh, gosh. this. this is gorgeous. one of the best short stories i've ever had the pleasure to lay eyes on.
ReplyDeletegee, thanks. now i'm heart broken!
ReplyDeleteI'm gonna cry, why did you do that to me. haha seeeriously lovely. and I love Nina Leen's photography from the 40s.
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely. You made me cry! But it's great! I can't wait for more short stories. And I love the Nina Leen picture.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, you are amazing at story-writing! That's not in the least surprising of course, but I thought I'd just point out the obvious.
ReplyDeleteSeriously so good, thanks for sharing and I really look forward to reading more!
~Alina
I understand that you and your friends Hannah and Abby kind of 'toss ideas between each other'
ReplyDeleteBut you almost always copy every single original thing Hannah has done. She starts writing short stories based on pictures, so do you. She starts poetry, what do you know, suddenly you do to. She gets a tumblr, you decide that you want one. And that is only the beginning.
Seriously, I question your sense of self.
The story was good, by the way.
Hey Anonymous. I know I will not get you to change your mind on that statement but I would just like to say something in Carlotta's defence.
DeleteHannah and Carlotta as I understand it, are close friends. They meet through their love of photography and blogging and they make a great pair. Although it is true that they both have written stories based on pictures, and that they both enjoy writing poems, I hardly think that Carlotta is being a copy-cat.
Carlotta and Hannah both have their own separate brand, it is very obvious. Their photography tecniques are different, their writing style is unique, and their over-all blogger brands are two separte styles all their own. Could it possibly be that Carlotta has just been inspired by her friend? I am constantly being inspired by my friends so perhaps Carlotta is too? Just something to think of...
If this is the case, then Carlotta is completly innocent. And even if she was copying Hannah, it is not for us to point out, it is for Carlotta to do so herself.
Just as a side note for any of Carlotta's followers who are reading this comment, I would appreciate if no one else would respond to the Anonymous comment. I think one person is enough and I hardly think that Carlotta wants her blog to become an online debate. Please respect this.
Carlotta, I hope I have not gone to far, but please understand that it was all in your defence. I think that you are an awesome blogger, so keep it up!
-Briony xo
sweet story!
ReplyDeletewow, this is absolutely amazing. I could see and feel it all. I'm glad your back! :)
ReplyDeleteTessa Brooke
This is amazing! I'm impressed!! Can't wait to read more!
ReplyDeletei'm on an f. scott fitzgerald kick right now and this reminded me a little of "the great gatsby." anything that can do that is wonderful.
ReplyDelete