No one has ever seen the lady who lives in Porta Mare step outside the gates. She isn’t even old, early thirties if that. If you’re lucky you can catch a glimpse of her pruning the roses in a silk skirt and wide-brimmed black hat, or else standing on the third-floor balcony watching the waves. Her skin pale and watery, like skimmed milk.
People say she’s made a deal with the devil. But what kind of deal leaves you trapped in a house with no other soul for company? And such a beautiful house too. It’s wasted on her.
***
This piece was written for the Friday Fictioneers hosted by the lovely Rochelle Wisoff-Fields – Addicted to Purple.
Each week a photo prompt is given and the challenge is write a flash fiction piece of no more than one hundred words.
Find other Friday Fictioneer stories here.
I liked this portrait of the lady
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Thank Neil
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This is a real stretch of imagination. Deal with the devil 🙂
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Thanks Reena
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I love the mystery in this. A woman lives alone perhaps she suffers agoraphobia, perhaps she is mourning life’s disappointments. No one understands, it is not normal in their minds (whatever that is), why is she a reclusive? The curiosity generates unfounded stories and ideas about who she is, and concludes that she is undeserving. For me this story captures the human nature of the nosey neighbours who need to know all about you or else they will make it up.
Enjoyed reading this.
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Thank you so much James! I’m so glad you found this interesting as it’s the seed of an idea for a much longer piece I’ve just started working on. 🙂
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Strong imagery. I could see her and I got an impression that she was completely content.
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Thanks Jilly 🙂
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A woman of mystery. I loved your description of her.
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Thanks Sandra. 🙂
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This is very intriguing. I like the mystery in it.
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Thank you!
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Love the mystery that is left to ponder – what is the story of the Lady, and why does she hide away in her house? Nice one.
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Thanks Iain 🙂
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Lovely, thought provoking and mysterious. Nicely done!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thanks Susan!
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She might not think so.
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I’m sure she doesn’t! 😊
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That’s an intriguing story. Who is this strange lady who prunes roses while wearing a silk skirt and never leaves the house? You evoke an atmosphere of privilege and sadness, wealth and poverty of spirit.
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Thank you for the beautiful comment Penny.
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Jailed in her own prison.
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I nearly did not tap the like button, as the last sentence unsettled me. … As in my early working life I knew several individuals who could not leave their home.
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The narrator here is very judgemental! I teach children at home Michael, a few of them haven’t left their houses for years. It’s a difficult life.
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Very beautiful depiction of this housebound young woman. And the condemning voice makes us all rush to her defense!
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Thanks so much! And yes, a little understanding may go a long way!
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Why do we tend to think the worst? She may have a great deal to offer. Maybe she’s not housebound by choice, but because of her health or some other issue. I think I’d find a way to introduce myself 🙂
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I think people can be very judgemental and cruel at times. It would be good if there was a little more understanding in the world. Thanks for reading 🙂
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Dear Jennifer,
Perhaps it’s a bad deal and then again…nicely described story. Leaves the reader to draw his or her own conclusions. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle
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The narrator sounds a little envious of the house. There’s probably more to this woman than meets the eye. Intriguing story.
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I think you may be right Russell! Thanks for reading.
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So, we have a woman hiding (her hat in the yard) and nasty gossip going around in the viewers head. Much more going on in this story.
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Hit the nail on the head! Thanks for reading 🙂
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An intriguing tale indeed – and beautifully written.
Click to visit Keith’s Ramblings!
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Thanks so much Keith!
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A mysterious tale of a lonely lady in a beautiful house. It’s human nature to judge even condemn what we don’t understand. Thought-provoking story!
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Thanks very much Brenda
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A great many endings come to mind with this story. You’ve left us with our imaginations
running wild. A wonderful take on the prompt. Nicely done …
Isadora 😎
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Thanks so much Isadora! 🙂
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The narrator does not know the story of the lady, so beautifully described, and has created his or her own story for her… human nature to need to know what doesn’t concern them…. Good one, Jennifer.
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Thanks Dale! People can be very harsh about things they don’t understand.
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So true.
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I really enjoy the mystery of this woman, i’d love to meet her.
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Thank you 🙂
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A mysterious woman whose story I really want to hear. I like the reflection of human nature, where the narrator creates their own story without knowing her at all.
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Thanks very much Fatima.
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