Bewildered, Ruby stared at the cottage in the distance. Her memory stretched back to the summer she turned eighteen. Her toes to the ash pile, the remains of the cottage smoldered. Her life changed irrevocably that day.
But, there it stands. How can it be?
She had to know. Entering the cottage, her mother’s voice echoed from the shadows.
“I’ve been waiting for you. It’s time you made amends.”
Ruby jolted awake.
Her husband rolled to his side. “Are you okay?”
“I have something to confess,” Ruby cried.
Her husband hurriedly replied, “Please don’t, dear, we all have our secrets.”
~~
This story is my contribution to “Friday Fictioneers,” a weekly challenge hosted by the lovely Rochelle Wisoff Fields. With the help of a photo prompt to inspire, we’re to write a 100-word story. The photo this week was taken by Dawn Miller.
If you would like to join in with this encouraging group of writers or read their stories from this week, visit HERE.
Thoughts of a Wanderer 
I hope he doesn’t regret deciding not to know her secret! Hopefully she’s not a serial arsonist. Good take Brenda.
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Thanks so much, Iain! Or … maybe her husband has secrets of his own he’s not ready to share (hmm). =)
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If she’s having those kinds of dreams, she’d probably better find someone to talk to…and then wonder what secrets her husband has…
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I would agree on both points, find someone to talk to and find out what her husband is hiding. Thanks so much for reading and commenting! =)
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Now what is it he’s hiding?
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That is the question! =)
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Lovers shouldn’t have secrets. Nicely written.
Randy
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Thanks, Randy. They really shouldn’t, should they?
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Dear Brenda,
I have to wonder what their secrets are. I’m not sure I disagree with him though. Perhaps they’re both better off not knowing…good one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle! The story was inspired by a British tv series I recently binge watched. A line that was spoken a number of times was, “everyone’s entitled to their secrets.” Of course, the character had a BIG one. Thanks again for hosting, I so enjoy FF!!
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Haunted from beyond. Great story telling B,
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Thanks so much, Tannille! The haunting prompted her to try and confess. I think she’ll ignore it though. =)
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Self preservation wins.
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It very often does! 🙂
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That’s an interesting ending. He’s not sounding like a supportive husband, but maybe his secrets are too dreadful to share also. Good one, Brenda.
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Thanks much, Sandra! I played with the last line several times to get it to convey he had his own secrets. I wasn’t sure if that came across. I’m happy you picked that up. =)
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Uh oh! I wonder what secrets he’s harbouring too? Nicely done,Brenda.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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I think it might be bigger than hers. =) Thanks for commenting, Susan!
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Yeah, I don’t think he needs to know that she burned down her house and killed her family… 🙂
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Nah … could be a relationship killer. =)
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What an interesting double twist at the end, Brenda. I love it!
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I’m happy you enjoyed it! Thanks for saying so. =)
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You’re very welcome.
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Love this! You told a multi-layered story with just few words, and made me want to know more!
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I’m smiling, so happy you enjoyed the story. Thank you for your kind comments, Ann! =)
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This is superb, Brenda.
I like how you gradually tell what she did, and I love the husband’s response.
Although, unlike others above, I think some secrets are best kept, even from our nearest and dearest.
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What an encouraging comment. Thank you, CE! Yes, some secrets are best left buried.
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Perhaps he already knows, but has kept that secret – people do sometimes talk in their sleep.
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Good point. =) I talk in my sleep. Hmmm …
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What a loving husband. We do truly all have our secrets. Secrets layered in secrets if truth be told. great story.
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Thanks so much for commenting! It’s true, we all have secrets.
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Yes, this made me think. Perhaps everyone knows the secret and it remains as one, because no one wants to talk about it.
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That’s a very good point, James. I’m happy you enjoyed and that it was thought-provoking.
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some secrets are better left unsaid. like they say, what happens in vegas stays in vegas.
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I suppose so. He had his so he didn’t want to know hers. It’s nice to see you here, thank you for stopping by!!
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Beautifully written. This really makes me wonder what the husband has to hide….
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A very nice complement, Violet. =) He certainly has his own secrets.
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Intriguing, is it best not to know? To have secrets? I’m not sure, perhaps best to confront things but he seems scared to do so. Perhaps he already knows and just doesn’t want it voiced
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That’s a good twist, not wanting to face what he knows she’s going to share. I like it! Personally, I don’t like secrets. Thank you for commenting, Michael! =)
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Nice take, personally after all these years let secrets remain secrets.
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Thank you so much, Susan, for reading and commenting!! =)
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He who wants secrets kept, holds his own… Interesting take!
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Very true … and a nice way to put it too!! Thanks so much, Dale!
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Had to laugh at him. He’ll regret his tunnel vision.
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Maybe so! Thank you for commenting, Eugenia. =)
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You make it seem likely that Ruby set fire to the cottage, an act which led either directly or indirectly to her mother’s death. No wonder she feels guilt and wants to confess! Her husband’s response is kind of humorous – I immediately wondered what he has to hide – but that doesn’t quite fit the tone of the story. Ruby needs help, and she’s not likely to get it from him. A rather bleak conclusion after all. Nemesis seems to be catching up with Ruby. It would make a great concept for a novel!
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I’m sorry for not responding until now as I’ve started back with my french courses. Thank you for reading the story thoughtfully and for your wonderful comments. I struggled with the ending of her husband holding close his own deep secrets. Hey, would you have another ending in mind? I love constructive comments!! Thanks again, Penny!
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There’s a verse in the Bible, in Leviticus: “Be sure your sin will find you out!”
Very interesting take on this prompt. Nicely done.
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Thanks so much, Linda!
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Dreams can get the best of us!
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That is certainly true! Thanks for stopping by and reading my story. =)
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