A Shattered Dream
By Donna L Martin
Saturday was finally here. The sun was out, the temperature a chilly 22 degrees, and the ice on the pond perfect for a quick game. Tillie slowly skated the edges of the pond and dug her toe pick in the ice every few feet, stopping just long enough to catch her breath before pushing herself forward again. The doctors said she would never walk again but she proved them wrong. They said she would never skate again but they couldn't keep her down for long.
They didn't understand her driving need to be here. She would live on the ice if she could; throw a bedroll in the shed and grow old here. Michael's scent still lingered in the air. They both learned to skate on this pond. Shared their first kiss here. There was even a time when she thought they would be married right there in the middle of this pond. But the accident changed all that.
Changed the dream of a gold medal. Now it was just her, the fight to start a new dream, and the ice.
***Now it's your turn. What happens next? Where's Michael? Can Tillie rebuild her life? Can she pick up the pieces of a shattered dream and hope again? (Lol...I sound like the back of a romance novel...;~) Join in the fun with a sentence or a paragraph. You don't have to run with my flash fiction...if someone else comments and you want to add to their story, then go for it. Let's see where this picture prompt takes us!***
Hi Donna .. very poignant - and I love your picture .. while I can see Tillie skating around lost in her own world ..
ReplyDeleteLoved it .. Hilary
Hi HIlary! I'm glad you liked it. I'm a visual writer and that picture REALLY talked to me...lol...
DeleteThanks for stopping by and come back any time!
Okay, I'll have a brief go...
ReplyDeleteThe sound of blades slicing the ice beside her jolted Tillie back. She turned to see a tall, slim young man with a wide smile under a mop of blonde hair and blue eyes slide up to her.
"Aren't you? Didn't you? Surely you are Tillie Redmond, if I'm not mistaken? he asked hesitantly.
Tillie recognised him from earlier in the day when she had been preparing to get on the ice. She noticed his unique style and grace. She had been quite entranced. Now seeing him up close Tillie thought she recognised him from some competitions or regional finals that she may have attended some years back.
"Yes, yes I am."
"Thank goodness. I didn't want to embarrass myself," he replied with a light laugh as he pushed hair back from his eyes. "I have followed your career, my name is Zac, Zac Breadmire." He hesitated, then, "I am sorry about the accident you had, it must have been hard, but I am pleased to see you are returning to the skating world. Can I be so bold as to ask you to join me?" he asked swinging his arm out toward the middle of the ice.
She felt she should have been annoyed, even angry that he should be so bold. How dare he, could he not see she wished to be alone. But something about his smile, and the soft look in his eyes that matched the tone of his voice, caught her off guard. If he had been following her career then he would know about the accident, and what happened. After all it was in all the papers. She was tempted to refuse with some lame excuse, but remembering how much she loved the ice, and wanting desperately to conquer her fears and return to her medal contender standard, there was obviously no time like the present to get back into it. Even if it meant leaning on someone she barely knew. Who knows, he might be the tonic she needs. Taking a deep breath she linked her arm in his.
"Well then, what are we waiting for" and she pushed away from the safe confines of the outer ice area. They spent the next hour skating, talking about their careers, and ice competitions in general. Tillie found she enjoyed his company.
Sorry Donna, it's a little weak and I just wrote it straight here, with no grammar or word check. I loved your piece, and there are many ways it could go. Have fun!
Hi Diane! There is nothing wrong with your lovely addition to this story..;~)...I can't wait until the next time you try you hand at this. It's not about right or wrong...it's about having fun with words...
DeleteThanks for stopping by and come back any time!
A little weak? It's awesome Diane! Great story, Donna.
DeleteHi Catherine! I'm glad you like it and I agree that Diane did a nice job...
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Wow. I like Ms. Tulloch's! Sorry, nothing to enter superheroes in with... Unless Tillie is a superhero recovering from a battle! :) Hmmmm... Give me some time...
ReplyDeleteLol, Erik...I like how you think!
DeleteThanks for stopping by and come back any time!