The door opens. I stare, open mouthed. What was once filled with files and baby toys was now full of instruments and recording equipment.
Damn it. He’s going to do it.
Once I stood in awe of his talent, fame certain. I hated him for his potential, hating myself for my mediocrity. But life had intervened, his dreams replaced by billable hours, school holidays. I was comfortable.
I’ll be left behind.
Reaching out, my finger leaves a clear line in dust already settled on the cymbal.
My anxiety disappears.
“Awesome!” I say with a smile, “Show me how it works!”
(Word count 101)
What’s this? Two posts in one day?
I have become addicted to my view count, my daily likes and comments, and during my sickness could only watch as these dwindled to nothing. Ah, favourite crutch for my self esteem! How could I neglect you WordPress, I’m sorry, come back to me, I can change!
More seriously, the blog is like a garden, if I don’t come in and give it some water and TLC, then it isn’t going to produce any fruit.
This is a Friday Fictioneer 100 word challenge, from Rochelle’s Blog.
Let me know what you think in the comments. I had a vibe I wanted to get across, but I could have used another 50-100 words. Did I get there? Did I miss it?
Cheers
KT
Click on the weird frog link above to read some of the other posts, there are always a great mix of takes on the weekly prompt, and some really talented writers too.
Uncertain Tales 
Not a very supportive partner is she? Good story.
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Good story, but I see what you mean about those few extra words. On a side note, you switched from past to present tense, and then back to past right at the start. It does read well though!
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Oops – I’ll have to fix that tense issue! Thanks for reading!
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Dear KT,
It seems there’s some jealousy going on between the two. Nice read and well written. Was this supposed to be a married couple? I’m a bit confused.
I know what you mean about being addicted. It’s not just purple that I’m addicted to. I’ll admit to being quite the comment junkie. Getting those comments on my stories reminds me a little of Valentine’s Day in grade school. All those fun cards in my decorated oatmeal box. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks R 🙂
I left the relationship vague – it both ate into my word count, and ultimately I thought it was unnecessary. I could be wrong though…
When I wrote it, it was originally two males – friends. Whilst it wasn’t in relation to any specific person or event, I was inspired to look at jealously, and envy, and use this as a prompt. I then removed the name and other gender identifiers on the POV character, and thought it still worked.
Its interesting to see that at least one commenter assumed the POV was female. Does the POV come across as female? Is it the line ‘I’ll be left behind’ that implies a deeper relationship?
Im always fascinated by the different takes people have. Its part of the fun :).
Thanks for reading!
KT
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Honestly, KT. I didn’t have the sense that it was a female at all. My first thought was perhaps two brothers.
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My initial interpretation was that it was a female. I don’t know why.
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Hmm..I really like this one. I thought it was really good, and leaving it vague but not too vague.
Funny, I immediately went to one being female, but I thought because of the “baby clothes”…and He is doing it.
Having had some relationships with musicians..the “I will be left behind”..I went right to that…and then the sneering almost..but laughing to themselves, about the dust on the cymbal…like haha..you will fail…I will act supportive..that is almost the relationship you have in your head when you love a musician at times..you fight it…but you love it…so I went there…then rereading it…I could see it from the other angle..really good.
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Oh I think that sometimes we wish for failures. there’s a comfort in mediocrity.
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Absolutely – from one of my favourite ‘Cracked.Com’ articles:
“Remember, misery is comfortable. It’s why so many people prefer it. Happiness takes effort.
Also, courage. It’s incredibly comforting to know that as long as you don’t create anything in your life, then nobody can attack the thing you created.
Read more: http://www.cracked.com/blog/6-harsh-truths-that-will-make-you-better-person_p2/#ixzz3G4FokxwX”
Its much easier to enjoy someone else’s failure than their success.
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There’s a fine line between jealousy and envy. Sometimes we want others to do well–just not TOO well. I agree with the line about a blog being like a garden. If you don’t tend it regularly it will certainly stop producing fruit.
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Thanks Russell, I’m discovering the key to gardening and blogging is adding *just enough* fertiliser 🙂
Cheers
KT
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