© Piya Singh
Cassandra looked out from the verandah of the grand columned house they’d built over to the hovel she and Alain had shared when she first came to this valley as a bride. They were happy then. Planning for the future, cutting large rocks from the hillside to create their dream home. The joy had left their marriage when they moved to the big house. She could have foretold the dangers. Didn’t Alain’s parents name him to protect him just as hers knew she could foretell. ‘Little rock.’ Apart from his name the only rocks Alain had were in his heart.
In response to photo prompt by Rochelle for Friday Fictioneers. Follow the blue frog to read other submissions.
About Irene Waters 19 Writer Memoirist
I began my working career as a reluctant potato peeler whilst waiting to commence my training as a student nurse. On completion I worked mainly in intensive care/coronary care; finishing my hospital career as clinical nurse educator in intensive care. A life changing period as a resort owner/manager on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu was followed by recovery time as a farmer at Bucca Wauka. Having discovered I was no farmer and vowing never again to own an animal bigger than myself I took on the Barrington General Store. Here we also ran a five star restaurant. Working the shop of a day 7am - 6pm followed by the restaurant until late was surprisingly more stressful than Tanna. On the sale we decided to retire and renovate our house with the help of a builder friend. Now believing we knew everything about building we set to constructing our own house. Just finished a coal mine decided to set up in our backyard. Definitely time to retire we moved to Queensland. I had been writing a manuscript for some time. In the desire to complete this I enrolled in a post grad certificate in creative Industries which I completed 2013. I followed this by doing a Master of Arts by research graduating in 2017. Now I live to write and write to live.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
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Now, I’ve learned something new. I didn’t realize that Alain was a Celtic name that meant “stone.” I believe it also means “harmony.”
How sad that their marriage ended like that! Very well-written story!
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So glad to read your comment and see you got what I was trying to convey with the names. It is sad and happens I think fairly freqently in real life. Thanks.
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You’re most welcome, Irene!
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A sad little tale, Irene. I enjoyed it.
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Thanks Sandra. Glad you enjoyed it.
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I am depressed now.
Good story.
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My apologies but thanks.
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Very nice if a little depressing. Have you done many Friday Fictioneers? I don’t remember seeing you participating much, but perhaps it’s just my memory slipping.
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I did my first in Jan 2015 Trent and was a weekly participant until my workload got so great that I didn’t have the time to visit others so thought I would stop until I did have a bit more time to reciprocate. Been back now three weeks. I enjoy flash and fiction is a real challenge for me.
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You must have stopped around the time I started following you. I missed last week and didn’t have time to read all of them the week before so I might have missed yours. Anyway, I’m glad you have time again!
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Thanks.
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It so often happens that things that count, like love and compassion, get lost when upgrading becomes the focus. Great, but sad story.
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Thanks. Sadly they do get lost.
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Love was more deeply entrenched when the trappings were simpler. How brilliant to tell a story based on the prescient meaning of the characters’ names. Seems they weren’t meant for each other after all. You are great at these tiny stories, Irene.
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Thanks Sharon. I have fun doing them. My immediate thought is I have no thought and then I think well you are not going to give up that easily. What facts have you got and I go from there. Once I get an angle it almost writes itself.
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Agree with Sharon—it takes a particular talent to excel at this genre. You do! I always enjoy them, Irene.
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Glad to hear that you enjoy them Diane. I have fun in the writing of them.
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Oh dear…seems ‘LIttle Rock’ did not live up to his name. Another great flash Irene, I love these!
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Thanks Sherri. No his name let him down.
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Oh dear… how sad it is when we achieve it all the heart was just of stone…. loved how you used the stone as metaphor
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Thanks Björn I like metaphor but I’m not often good at writing it.
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Dear Irene,
Sad story…people change and so do relationships. Nicely done. It does give me pause, since Rochelle means “the little rock.” Hm?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I didn’t know that was the meaning of Rochelle. You can take this story as a warning and thereby preempt any effect your name may cause. (Just joking) Cheers Irene
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Oh, this was great! The metaphors, especially about the rocks in the heart. Very rich for a 100 word story. You did an awesome job, Irene!
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Thank you so much for your lovely comment. Glad you enjoyed it.
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Oooo…cold!
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But rocks can heat up and retain warmth for some time. Just have to light the right fire.
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Sad story, Irene, but not uncommon. The man’s business has taken over and left little or no room for his family in his heart. He thinks the money is enough. Well done. I felt her heartache. —- Suzanne
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Thank you Suzanne
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Sad ending for them. Nice use of the ‘rock’ idea in the names and to portray Alain’s character. Great use of the prompt.
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Thanks Margaret.
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Had to look up the meanings of Alain and Cassandra 🙂 A neat little tale – sad and occurs often enough. Thanks!
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Thank you.
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