wrought iron

FFfPP — The Engagement Ring

Fandango16 Comments

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“I am riddled with guilt,” Dennis said. Amanda and Dennis were sitting at the white wrought iron table in the field of purple blossoms located behind the main house at her family’s farm. It was a beautiful summer day and Amanda was in a great frame of mine.

She looked up at Dennis. They had gotten engaged in February and the wedding was scheduled for late September. “What on earth do you have to feel guilty about, sweetheart?” she asked Dennis.

“I’m so sorry, babe,” Dennis said, tears welling up in his eyes. “I cheated on you and I can’t live with myself.”

“What! When? With whom?”

“With your cousin Carol,” Dennis confessed, “after your sister’s sweet sixteen party. Can you ever forgive me?”

Amanda jumped up, causing her chair to fall over. “Get out of my sight!” she screamed. “My cousin? Oh my God! Get out! I never want to see you again. GET OUT!” Amanda pulled the diamond engagement ring Dennis had given her and threw it as far as she could into the field.

After Dennis left, Amanda said, “Oh shit,” and ran in the direction she had tossed the ring hoping she could find it.

Written for this week’s Flash Fiction for the Purposeful Practitioner from Roger Shipp. Photo credit: GaborfromHungary at Morguefile.com.

A Masterpiece

Fandango19 Comments

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I lied. “Yes, I have repaired, resurfaced, and painted probably dozens of wrought iron fences like these.”

The estate’s property manager tilted his head down so he could see me clearly over his reading glasses. Then he glanced down at the written proposal I had given to him.

I needed the work. I’d been doing odd jobs ever since I got discharged from the army sixteen month earlier and some of them included repairing and painting fences. Wood fences. So it was just a little white lie.

“Check my references,” I said. All the names on the list were my army buddies who were willing to vouch for me even though I’d never done any handyman work for any of them.

“Fine,” he said. “If your references check out, you can start the day after tomorrow.”

It took me almost two weeks to complete the work, and the property manager told me that I had far exceeded his expectations. Then he told me the owner called my work “a masterpiece.”

(170 words)

Written for this week’s FFfAW challenge from Priceless Joy.