Jesse brought a little picture of himself, in case looking at him would somehow make them feel closer to their own son.
They were a typical middle-aged couple. Ann, the mother gave Jesse a hug. The father, Rob, shook his hand. After the handshake lunch turned awkward.
He’d practiced how he would express himself, but in person it was all different. How do you say this kind of thank you? What’s the right mixture of your renewal with their loss?
Jesse forced out an unbalanced thank you. They nodded their acceptance. The conversation was choppy, never allowed to go too deep.
Rob wouldn’t look him in the eye. When Rob went to the men’s room for the second time, Jesse frowned.
“It’s been hard on him,” Ann explained.
He let go her hand and turned away, leaving his haunting self-portrait in his wallet and taking the heart of their family away, beneath the vertical scar in his chest.
To read more of my flash fiction, click the “flash fiction” link under “Categories” in the right-hand sidebar.
That’s a wonderful story, I really enjoyed it.
Thank you so much. I enjoyed writing it.
Beautiful story buddy! Would love your input on a couple of mine!
I’ve followed your blog. I’ll check out your fiction as soon as I get a little time to read.
It must be working. Thanks for reading!