Romantic Friday Writers is a blogfest every Friday co-ordinated by myself and Francine Howarth. It is a fun event, showcasing the work of many fine writers of romantic flash fiction or poetry under 400 words. Click on the icon in my sidebar or the link at the end of my post to check out others participating today or join the blogfest yourself. You will be most welcome. We are also found on twitter. We are @RFWER A winner is awarded the recognition of being the week's Featured Writer.
When I considered the theme, Whispers, I thought straightaway of the Brisbane floods and the many tragic stories that unfolded. Here is my story. All expressions and words are in Australian English.
Her heart pounded at the steady drumbeat on the roof. Sunny had never heard rain like it. She was not given to fear but tonight the sounds unnerved her. The whispers of wet leaves blowing on the wind had become a roaring as the galvanized roof took a pummeling.
She thought of Matt. She wished she’d not been so abrupt when he’d rung.
‘Sunny, get out of there!’
‘I’m not leaving my home for some itty-bitty water. I’ve been through worse. We’ve never been flooded.’
‘Don’t be infantile. I might be thousands of kilometers away but it’s looking pretty grim according to the BBC. I can do the math. Our house will be under by metres!’
‘Darling, you’re such a worry wart. It goes with the territory. Nice of you to be so concerned but last time I looked the river was way down. The weather reports never get it right.’
‘You’re so stubborn. Does that go with the territory? I’m sending Josh over.’
‘Don’t waste your time darling. Josh’s already been. I told him I’m staying. I’m a big girl.’
Was that a catch she heard in Matt’s voice as he spoke his final words to her?
‘I love you Sunny. I can’t live without you. Leave for me and the baby if you won’t do it for you.’
‘I love you Sunny. I can’t live without you. Leave for me and the baby if you won’t do it for you.’
She hadn’t listened. Now it was too late.
Sunny pottered around the kitchen fixing a snack, anything to keep her mind off the now raging water. She was afraid to go too near the windows in case they shattered. She could just make out palm trees straining in the gathering gloom, fronds swiping the ground in long wet trails.She sat at the kitchen table rubbing her stomach, whispering to the little soul inside.
She shivered in the icy coolness. She pulled her parka over her jeans, leaving it unzipped. Baby, you’re so big…
Snack pushed aside, she huddled in her chair, alert to the river sounds. ‘Matt, my darling, I love you,’ she whispered, ‘I’m sorry.’
Crack! A palm tree speared her kitchen window, shattering shards of skittering glass pinged on the tiles. Rain poured in.
‘Help me God,’ she whispered, clutching her stomach.
The phone.
‘Run!’ Matt shouted down the line. ‘Get the ladder and climb into the roof!’
Water crashed through the kitchen door and swirled around her feet.
She began to climb as the first pain struck.
***
I hope you enjoyed my story. To read more #RFWer stories go here.
Word Count: 400
FCA - positive criticism welcomed.
©DeniseCovey2011
