PHOTO PROMPT© Liz Young
Thanks to dear Rochelle for hosting Friday Fictioneers and to Liz for the photo
RENDEZVOUS
I walked into the foyer of the Ruby Hotel in downtown Kowloon, inhaled its musty smell. Mimi had sent a message to meet here. One of those Hollywood Chinatown hotels all gilt and mirrors.
Mimi from a lifetime ago.
Why after decades of silence ? Felt like a trap.
Her presence coalesces in my mind, elusive, desirable, snapping with energy. Two of us wild kids back then.
I peer into the gallery of mirrors, to see my ageing faces over and over in stark detail. I have concocted a fearful phantasmagoria from our tangled past.
I get a glimpse of a retreating figure, petite like Mimi, stumbling as she retreats from me. I can’t bear it.
September 28, 2021 at 4:29 am
Good writing!
September 26, 2021 at 5:08 pm
Francine,
You transport us into her inner life, anxious, fearful and unsure of what the mingling of past and present will do. Perhaps Mimi is as well, which is why she retreats unexpectedly.
pax,
dora
September 26, 2021 at 7:10 pm
Thanks so much for your comments Dora.
September 26, 2021 at 12:14 pm
Dear Francine,
This left me sad at the end with Mimi retreating. I wonder how kind the years have been to her. Well written. The emotions are raw and tangible.
Shalom,
Rochelle
September 26, 2021 at 7:16 pm
Thanks so much Rochelle, glad you liked the story. I think sometimes re-connecting with the past can be tricky, can’t it.
September 25, 2021 at 10:23 am
Super story. I love the way you balance between the inner and outer worlds of your main character.
September 27, 2021 at 1:57 pm
Thanks for your comment Penny. I’m glad you liked the story. I found the photo prompt with mirrors inspiring.
September 25, 2021 at 3:30 am
After so long, reunions can be hard.
September 27, 2021 at 2:04 pm
Thanks Ali, I appreciate your comment, and I agree with you. Guess there’s a temptation to idealise the long lost friend.
September 24, 2021 at 7:19 pm
a reunion that didn’t go well as expected. time to move on.
September 27, 2021 at 2:13 pm
Thanks for your comment. definitely an unhappy place to be.
September 24, 2021 at 7:05 pm
This is wonderuflly written, Francine. All those emotions come forth and I feel for her.
September 27, 2021 at 2:19 pm
Thanks so much Dale, I’m glad you liked the story. I got drawn in my the mirrors in the prompt photo.
September 27, 2021 at 2:50 pm
I really did 🙂
September 24, 2021 at 2:36 pm
Ahh. What a disappointment for our aging elders. Mimi should take a look in the mirror.
September 27, 2021 at 2:25 pm
Thanks for your comment Oneta, much appreciated.
September 24, 2021 at 12:00 pm
Beautiful writing. I’m sure Mimi hasn’t aged as well as she might think, either.
September 27, 2021 at 3:21 pm
Thanks for your comment Gabi. Guess we are all prone to a bit of self-delusion ?
September 23, 2021 at 7:33 pm
A rendezvous that neither was ready for. Well described.
September 27, 2021 at 3:27 pm
Thanks for comment Iain, much appreciated. Glad you liked the story.
September 23, 2021 at 7:23 pm
A beautifully described car crash between fond memory and present anxiety
September 27, 2021 at 3:31 pm
Thanks so much Neil, great comment, glad you liked the story