Welcome to November. Halloween is over, but the trees still have leaves on them. The nights are cold and we’ve had several heavy frosts.
Since this is the first Tuesday of the month, this week, the Tuesday Tales are based on a beautiful autumn scene and limited to 300 words. I’ve chosen to move ahead with Hello Again. Enjoy.
Golden leaves crunched beneath the tires of the tandem bike they rode.
“Coming here today was a great idea, Mike,” Charley said. “I haven’t been to Centre Island since I was a kid. I used to love that swan boat ride.”
He chuckled. “I’ll bet you did. I’d take you on one now, but they’re in dry-dock until next year. Maybe you’ll get to ride on them again someday. I picked this place and this bike because I remember the day we came here and did this. Do you recall what happened over behind that bush?”
Her cheeks heated. “We made love … but we’re here now. I don’t understand.” She lifted her hand to touch him and shivered, He was cold.
“I can’t stay any longer.”
Confusion filled her. “What are you talking about?”
The wind blew through the trees, and orange and yellow leaves rained down on them, the rattle of other skeletal branches making her shudder.
“You need to move on. If I could turn back time, I wouldn’t have gone with the boys on that bike ride. When I told you it was going to be the last one, I didn’t realize how prophetic those words were.”
“No. Don’t talk like that. You’re here. We’re together I can touch you…” but even as she said it, her hand went right through his back. Tears ran down her cheeks. “Take me with you. Please don’t leave me.”
“I can’t, Charley. It’s not your time. You have to let go of the past.”
He began to fade, and she reached for him, but the bike wobbled, and she felt herself falling, screaming.
“It’s okay,” Mike said, but it wasn’t Mike. “It’s just a bad dream.”
Bill sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her into his arms. Her face pressed into his bare chest and she wept as if she’d never stop.
Well, that’s it for now. Now, please drop by and visit all the Tuesday Tales
Living the Dream 
Oh wow … loved it … very intense scene.
OMG! What an emotional piece! You made me tear up and get goosebumps in only 300 words. Fantastic writing. I love this story!
That’s an amazing compliment.
Wow that was awesome. Very touching and poignant. Well done! Jillian
🙂
Wow, what an emotional scene! Well done.
Thanks
I was missing your other story…but, WOW! Very well done. I didn’t expect this twist. Great scene!
Glad you liked it. Stay tuned. I’ve got a few more twists in mind.
I love how you used a flashback to connect the picture to the story. Cool to see her with Mike.