The Heart You Left
Our children, our great grandchildren, and our great great grand-kids wanted to have a big centenarian birthday bash for me. I refused. I am too old for a party. I can’t even do jiggly jives any more. All I want for my 100th birthday is to be with you. That’s why we’re all here.
While our children’s eyes admire the grandiose Dôme des Invalides’ ceiling, I slowly closed mine and let my soul feel the dead heart you left— interred inside the vaults of Les Invades.
Time was not able to take my pain away. I still long for your body, your probably-mutilated-body left undiscovered. Most of all, I still wish your heart is still beating with mine today.
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Word count: 120
©2016 Rosemawrites@A Reading Writer. All Rights Reserved.
Photo credit: TJ Paris
NOTE: This is a work of fiction inspired by a non-fiction detail. There are real tombs and vaults in Les Invalides. While the most notable is Napoleon Bonaparte’s remain, there are French soldiers, now considered military heroes, whose only their hearts’ remains lie inside Les Invalides’ vaults.
–
In response to Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers (FFfAW) May 24, 2016.
Rules:
- a flash fiction challenge (stories in 100-175 words or less)
- each story should have a beginning, a middle, and an end
- no serial (continuation) stories
- include a pingback to the challenge post
Thank you for the breathtaking prompt, Priceless Joy!
Heart touching story…….
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thank you! 🙂
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Oh my. This is so beautiful.
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yay! That means so much to me. I now know that you have written such high-rating novels! Geez, Sarah! It is humbling that you are still around my blog. ❤ Thank youuuuuuuu!
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Why wouldn’t I be here? Just because I’ve written books and they’ve done well, doesn’t mean I can’t be humbled and be friendly, read other people’s work, etc.
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Thank you! You are such… a lovely soul. A great writer and a lovely soul generous of kind words. 🙂
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Aw thank you! 😊
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you are most welcome! 🙂 I really admire you. 🙂 Authors like you are RARE. Like really RARE!
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I know. And that’s unfortunate. 💕
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That is true. That is why I feel so grateful that you are here around my little online abode. 😀
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I’m happy to be here.
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That’s great to know, Sarah! 🙂
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This is so heart warming. ❤️
p.s. 3rd paragraph, I believed you meant to write “to take”, isn’t it? 🙂
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Thank you dear Funsie! ❤ Sorry! My miss! Thank you for pointing that out! ❤
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You’re most welcome. 😀 I can completely understand… Sometimes our brain refuses to work with our fingers. I have that all the time. 😀 😀 😀
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Yeah!!! That is so true Funsie!! 😀 😀 😀
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😀 😀 😀
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how are you today, Funsie? 😀
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Am searching for enrichment classes for my little girl. Teacher wanted her class to focus on Composition/Creative Writing. I don’t know how this could be taught. I thought if we have great imagination, we could write anything! What do you think?
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YAY! That’s awesome! I think the beat teacher for your lovely girl is no one but YOU!!! ❤
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Thank you so much, my dear! ❤️❤️❤️ What an irony, isn’t it??? I’m writing here and yet have to send my girl to learn how to write… Hahaha. 😀 I don’t seem to be able to get my words into her cluttered brain. LOL! 😀
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HAHAHA! I think teaching writing and writing are too different things. But I believe your mother instinct will kick in! 😀 😀 😀
And your lovely lass will surely learn a lot from you! 😀 😀 😀
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You are so encouraging, my dear. Thank you soooooooo much ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Btw, any news about Eleanor and Park sequel? 😀
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You are welcome! I am just being honest. 😉
Hmm. NAH! I am not sure if Rainbow has plans for a sequel. She said: “I always thought I would (write a sequel)– I almost started it as soon as I finished Eleanor & Park. And now I sort of wish that I had. The success of the book has made the prospect of writing a sequel really intimidating. I’d hate to disappoint readers who really love the characters. (I don’t want to Jar-Jar Binks myself!) And I know I’d disappoint somebody! It would be impossible to write a sequel that lives up to everyone’s hopes and imaginations. “
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This is sad! 😦 Wish she change her mind soon…hahaha
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I hope so, too!!!! I am too curious to know those ‘three words’!!!
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Me too! 😀 But the ball is in her court. 😦
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Yeah. And I somehow understand her. Eleanor and Park is such a huge hit. (the best example is the two of us! :D) And… it is tough to satisfy those who loved the first book.
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And “Turtle” too! (hope I get her name correct) 😀 But whatever ending she writes, I believe the readers will respect her decision. ‘Cos we love the way she writes! 😀
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Yeah!!! Turtle, too! That makes us three! 😀 😀 😀
Yeah! That is true. I’ve read almost all her books and I love them all!
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Me too! 😀 😀 😀 All thanks to your recommendation! 😉
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yay1!! I love that you love her as much as I do! 😀 😀 😀
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No… But I love you more than I love her! ❤️❤️❤️ I won’t get to know her if it wasn’t for you. 😀 She should pay you advertising fee. 😀 Hahaha!
Oops! Is your boyfriend reading this? LOL!
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AWWW! YOu are just the sweeeeetest! 😀 😀 😀
Hmmm. No. He isn’t always around! 😀
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Hahaha… Phew! 😀 😀 😀
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Why?? 😀 He will never be jealous! 😀
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😀 😀 😀 some people get jealous easily, and over nothing. So don’t want him to misunderstand. Hee hee. 😀
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He’s like that before. But now, he’s not any more. And he knows you! 😉
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He knows me??? Really?
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Yes. 🙂 I used to tell him stories about you. The way you can crack me up on a Monday morning! 😀
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I’m honoured! 😀 😀 😀 ❤️❤️❤️ Actually I told my hubby about you too! About all the books you’d recommended and how you’ve encouraged me along the way. 😀
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AWWWWW! I am honoured and *kilig*, too!!! 😀 😀 😀
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Psst… Am going to fetch my girls now, so won’t be able to chat anymore. Thanks for chatting! Have a great evening! 😀
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I forgot to tell you… I really enjoyed chatting with you. 😀 ❤️❤️❤️
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Awww. I do, too! 😀 😀 😀
Take care and have a great night! 😀
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Fascinating take – loving the perspective and ageless passion we each have 🙂
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Thank you dear! 😀 😀 😀 ❤
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You are so welcome!
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❤
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❤ ❤ ❤
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Ienjoyed this Rose.You always write with such emotion and feeling.
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Thank you Judy!!! ❤ ❤ ❤
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A hundred years and how much of that was spent wishing for another’s company. Someone lost in the indiscriminance of war. Thank you for reminding us, Rosema, about long loss and long-held feeling.
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You got the theme so right, Christopher. Thank you!!! 🙂
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Wonderful story, Rosey! Very heart touching. It reminds me that love never dies. Beautiful story!
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Awww. Thank you, PJ! Love never dies, indeed! ❤
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I think it is fabulous that you and your Mr. Right Handsome Man have been together 6 years!!
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That fascinates me too. I think it’s a decision, a concious decision. 🙂
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Yes, it really is a conscience decision. I am really happy for you.
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thank you dearest! ❤ ❤ ❤
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This is beautiful Rosema. It brings out the humanity in us.
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oh. wow. short but weighs a lot, Jacq! Thank you very much!
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Oh my, Rosey–so Achy GOOD!
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GEEZ! Thank you my sister! ❤
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Poignant story. Heart breaking that at at a 100 years-old, she can’t have the gift she desires most. Well written.
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Thank you very very much, Mandi! Her heart’s desire was snatched by death decades ago. But the pain and the love remained. ❤
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Yes, I thought that was what happened.
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you got it so right my friend. ❤
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True love lives forever. This is beautiful
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Amen! 😀 😀 😀
Thank you, Kay! ❤
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To find someone to love that much and be loved in return through so many years is a treasure for sure.
Lovely story.
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Wow. What a lovely comment you have given to this piece. Thank you very much! ❤
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The pain and the joy are walking hand in hand. One cannot help but wish her sweet sails.
Purely romantic!
😻🌙
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Awwww. lovely lovely comment! Thank you, Dajena! You are a darling! ❤
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Welcome Enchanting Ema! ❤
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have a great day, darling Dajena! ❤
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❤
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😀
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This brings me warmth in a weird way. It’s a sad story but it feels wonderful to know that love lasts longer than ever and nothing can destroy that 🙂 ❤ It's refreshing to read especially since nowadays love does not last even longer than a meal! It's a sad, painful yet beautiful and joyful read 🙂
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thank you, NJ! That is such a heartwarming comment that I surely love. Despite of the sadness, you see the bright side that I tried to convey, that love endures time and life’s span. 😀
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What’s love without a bit of pain in it? 😉
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“Most of all, I still wish your heart is still beating with mine today.” — such a poignant line, such beautiful sentiment heartbreakingly expressed.
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awww. thank you, dear Mel, for making that line shines some more. ❤
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You’re welcome 🙂
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❤
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I love your last line, Rose! “Most of all, I still wish your heart is still beating with mine today.” So moving! Your story was very well-rendered, and quite poignant.
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Thank you very much, Vijaya! I treasure your words! ❤
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