Without Thinking Too Hard- Just Write! Week One

Like it Doesn't Even Matter Anymore

When I think of that summer, I think of watermelon and tangled limbs. The smell of lake water lingers in my nose when I remember the way it felt to lose myself in your kisses. You were the first of all my firsts and nothing can change that.

I heard that you were getting married today. As I sit outside the church, I see the limo pull up and the group of girls tumble out. I can tell which one is yours, she's wearing the biggest smile. I would be smiling too, if I were about to marry you.

I crush another cigarette beneath  my sandal, tasting the familiar regret. It's been six years since that summer of you and me. I was young and scared and you were as bright as the sun. None of this should even matter to me anymore. It shouldn't, but it does.

When I saw the positive sign, I didn't know how to tell you. I couldn't tell you. So, I let you go, let you hate me. I did what I had to do, but you wouldn't understand.

I wonder today if maybe you would have loved me anyway. Loved us. Would you have understood my choices, what I knew was the right thing?

The heavy door to the church closes with a thud. I swallow the ashes of my memory and turn. You're there, eyes wide with surprise when you see me. I open my mouth to tell you what's in my heart. 

But, I don't. I can't. I assemble my features into disinterest and walk past you, pretending I don't even know who you are. Like it doesn't even matter anymore.

RebeccaTDickson.com and Laura Howard are pleased to bring you a weekly writing prompt designed to answer that very question. We want your guts on the page.

Don’t think too hard. Just write.

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Laura Howard is an author, mother, voracious reader and blogger of all things publishing-related. She excels at breaking down the basics of writing for folks new to the craft. Contact her at howardgirls2003(at)gmail(dot)com.

Rebecca T. Dickson is also an author, mother, and voracious reader. In addition, she considers it a personal challenge to bear her soul in every word she puts on the page. Writing raw is her life’s crusade. Contact her at beckster7219(at)gmail(dot)com.