As her mount shifted uneasily under her, she grasped the brim of her old felt Stetson, gazed upwards and remembered Jean Pierre. The deep blue sky reminded her of the day they had spent in Paris, laughing like young children without a care in the world. He had given her a glimpse into a life without responsibility and stress. Looking now over the dusty land stretched before her, those moments with him seemed like a lifetime ago. Now she had to focus on keeping the livlihood of her family. It was not a time to be frivolous – especially when the bank threatened foreclosure and Dan seemed no closer to healing. Shaking off the memory of the man who had shown her another side of living, she rode hard to corral the steer that had run off course.
Why do you think Jean Pierre is not with her?
© Colline Kook-Chun, 2015
This story was inspired by Mondays Finish the Story. Each week bloggers are encouraged to write a story of 100-150 words based on a photo prompt and sentence starter)
So poignant…. what might have been. Nicely done! I imagine Jean-Pierre was a fling she never expected to last.
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Probably because she knew that she had obligations to fulfil.
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She was in Paris for the day with her family before setting foot on a ship that took her to the new land…How is that? Lovely story Colline! Thank you for participating in the Mondays Finish the Story challenge. Be well… ^..^
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A good one! In that way, they did not have a chance to grow the budding emotions between them.
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Sad….
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I can see why she would remember that time now, when things are so tough. Nicely done!
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Thank you so much Sonya.
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Great story! I think Jean Pierre isn’t with her because he was simply a romantic interest before she got married. He was just a fling.
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He certainly had nothing to do with the responsibilities she had to shoulder after her time in Paris.
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Apparently not!
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He rode off on her favorite black stallion and left her without her dreams.
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He certainly disappointed her in some way.
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Is Jean Pierre the guy who got away? Regardless, nicely done!
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Or maybe he is the one she sent away 🙂
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Good question at the end. Good take on the prompt. Memories are usually seen with rose-colored glasses. 🙂
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Yes, they are. And often we tend to forget the reasons for the choices that we made.
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Jean Pierre had to go back to his wife?
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You have suggested a likely scenario Ruth 🙂
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Those French men have a lot to answer for! Great story.
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Thank you. I am glad that you enjoyed it.
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