Monday 18 May 2009

The Big Decision


This is the time of the month to write a fictional story for the May issue of Portrait of Words, on Jeff B's blog. All the rules are there if you'd like to look them up.
This time he asked us to write about any of the following things. Eccentric middle aged man, large bridge, grapes, blue VW Beetle and a Motel. My story is short this month, as I almost forgot to do it! Why don't you have a go?


All Sean had to do was to go over that bridge, to make some effort and to try to put some of the wrongs he'd done, right.
Something was holding him back.

He was sitting outside the pub next to the Motel where he'd stayed the night and was drinking a small beer.
His blue Beetle was parked nearby. Ready for off.

Ellie -Mae was waiting for him. She'd been waiting for him for three years.
The trouble was, he was a rover, unable to settle down and he couldn't commit himself to anyone. He'd never been one for the conventional life. He liked to travel and that is what he had been doing these last few years. Grape picking in Italy and taking what work he could find. But mostly just bumming around and enjoying his freedom.
He admitted to himself that he'd let Ellie- Mae down badly and he felt guilty now that he'd found out he'd left her pregnant and he hadn't known that at the time.

Just by chance he'd heard about this from some one he'd bumped into on his travels.
She wanted him back and his little girl, Elouise, was nearly three years old now. He had missed her baby days. He was afraid though.... afraid of the responsibility.
He knew that he was fortunate that Ellie- Mae wanted him back after the way he'd treated her and he wasn't sure whether he felt the same way about her or not. That was the truth of the matter.

So what should he do? Turn round and head back to the country and forget the pair of them? Or get back onto the Motorway and cross that bridge and find them both in the town where he knew Ellie- Mae would be waiting?

Sean drained his glass, stretched and sighed. He would do neither of those two things.
He'd head back to Motel.
Tomorrow was a new day. The decision could wait until then.


22 comments:

Rose said...

Another great story, Maggie May! The ending is perfect--a "rover" like Sean certainly wouldn't have just decided to make a commitment. But let's hope he changes his mind tomorrow. On second thought, I don't think Ellie Mae needs a man like him:)

Akelamalu said...

Great story Maggie. Sean's not going to make a commitment is he, I can just feel it in my water! :0

Suburbia said...

Great story Maggie, what will he do? Will there be a second chapter?!

Anonymous said...

Great story. I really enjoyed it. I tend to agree with Akelamalu...Great work :)

Rosaria Williams said...

Loved the story. I see that we have a lot of the same followers. I guess we all like the same things.

Dr.John said...

A great little story. I hope he decides to at least see his little girl.

Thumbelina said...

You're a natural Maggie. I liked this short one - you balance it well whatever the length. It isn't rushed or crammed anywhere. Great story.

bettygram said...

A great story. I would like him to commit to her but, that does not fit his history.

Mean Mom said...

It's a wonderful story again, with something unexpected at the end, which is usually the way with your stories, if I remember rightly. I don't know how you find the time to fit your stories in, with everything else you do! Do you stay up late? I often do, when I'm in blogging mode, as you can probably see, if the time is correct when I publish this comment!

SandyCarlson said...

I know what it's like to pause before that bridge and to wait for another to cross.

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Oh, this is terrific!!!! Super story!!! You are a wonderful story-teller! You should do more, more, more of this kind of thing, please!!! I'm absolutely delighted with it...Bravo! When do we have the next installment? I sit in eager anticipation...~Janine XO

Sandi McBride said...

Excellent job, Maggie, really! Can't wait to tell you Happy Birthday tomorrow!
hugs
Sandi

Marian Dean said...

What a cliff-hanger! Will we ever know?

Love Granny

Anonymous said...

My guess is he is going to wake up and go to Italy for grapes...He is a rover!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, dear Maggie! We are all as young as our hearts when we write :).

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Maggie - -and thank you for the gift of this lovely story. I have the feeling his daughter is going to grow up without her daddy. sigh Once a rover, always roving.

Roan said...

I suspect the daughter will be better off without a father who cannot commit. What's to say he can commit to a daughter? I enjoyed reading your contribution. Anytime the reader forms an opinion from your words, it's a good thing.

Batteson.Ind said...

Typical bloke!..lol!.. really enjoyed reading your take on the pictures, cheers for dropping by, and for sharing !-)

Irene said...

Too bad you didn't force him into making a decision, Maggie. Is there going to be a follow up, maybe with two kinds of endings? You have me in suspense here.

XOX
Irene

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Perfect!!! If I ever win the lottery, I'll give it away...and you'll be on the list!!! :-) ~Janine XO

Thom - - Dr. John said...

I pulling for him to do the right thing.

Eddie Bluelights said...

Happy Birthday, Maggie, so I see from the comments - 21 again is it?
I like the story but you left us all dangling! I suppose that's that then, is it or are you going to put us out of our misery?
I'd like to have a go at the story - should I just do it or ask Jeff B's permission. What is the deadline? Might have to do it on my other blog, Plato's Procrastinations.
I'd like to do the right thing in blogland.
Eddie